Hitting a draw, Inconsistency off the tee – Ask the PGA Professional #17

Hitting a draw

I live in: atlanta, ga
My_name_is: john billings
comments: What is the best way to hit a sure fire draw?

Kim Brown:
Full shoulder turn, slightly inside the target line in regard to swing path, feel like you “pinch” your elbows together at contact and full finish.

Inconsistency off the tee

I live in: Maysville, Ky.
My_name_is: Bill Hensley
comments: I’m a 16 handicaper and have played for a number of years. 54 years of age, play a couple of times a week for the last couple of years. My worst problem is inconsistency off the tee. My Irons are fairly consistant, no problems. I try to play the ball in the same position with all clubs. I can hit a 7 wood 200+yards. Is my swing with the driver maybe to hard or jerky as I think from my own videos, it look lowsy. Any hints that may help. HELP!!!!! Thanks Bill

Kim Brown:
When you practice, alternate hitting shots with a 7 wood then a drive, 7 wood then a driver, etc. Try to eliminate the mental block with the driver as it is obvious you make a forced swing with it due to lack of confidence. You should make sure you use a fairly lofted driver as well.

What is a slice?

I live in: Richmond, Virginia
My_nme_is: Cathy
comments: I am doing an essay on golf and want to know a few things about the game. What is a slice? Why do you enjoy the game? What club are you a pro at? Have you played with any top named players? My husband & I attend the Nike Dominion Open in Richmond, Va and have been to Kingsmill. Thanks in advance. cathy l.

Kim Brown:
Slice is when the ball curves severely to the right for a right handed golfer. I enjoy the game for lots of different reasons; nature, the challenge, etc. I am the professional at Keeton Park GC in Dallas, Texas. Have played with Wayne Levi, Joey Sindelar, Mike Hulbert, DA Weibring to name a few. Thanks for your note.

Good in practice, bad on course

I live in: LANCASTER, MA
My_name_is: MICHAEL V. DONOFRIO
comments: I HIT EVERY CLUB IN THE BAG GREAT ON THE PRACTICE TEE BUT FAIL ON THE COURSE – WHAT DO YOU THINK IS MY PROBLEM?

Kim Brown:
Similar problem is experienced by many of us. We try too hard and do not allow our selves to swing from feel. We get on the course and anticipate results, instead of staying out of our “head”. Focus on a good finish position instead of the swing itself or a possible result of the shot. Good luck!

Mulligans

I live in: Houston, TX, U.S.A.
My_name_is: Eric McCarty
comments: I’ve been know to take mulligans here and there. Do you think mulligans are okay when you are a beginner, or should you start without ever taking them, because they could hurt you later?

Kim Brown:
Depends on the nature of the round you are playing. If you are playing for practice and you can keep up the pace of play, ok. I would suggest hitting the 2nd ball, but playing the original ball.

Club head position

I live in: Rotan, Tx
My_name_is: Jim
comments: I had a problem of getting the clubhead to inside on the downswing –so I have been working on keeping the clubhead outside my hands on the backswing and downswing (Mark O’Merea) type swing but now I have trouble with the right hand coming over the top. Help—Thanks–

Kim Brown:
Sounds like your hands are too active, regardless of positions. Focus on turning the big muscles, the arms to follow the lead of those big muscles, and the hands to be “quiet” or still on the club.

Golf Professional

I live in: Abilene,Tx.,
My_name_is: Jim Nichols
comments: I recently moved back to my home town with the anticipation of getting in the golf business.There is not much going on here in Abilene,so when I found out this web site I decided it would be a good place to start.My handicap is a 2 and I am wanting to get an assistants job or find a position is golf sales.I turned 50 recently and so this will be my 2nd career.Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Jim Nichols

Kim Brown:
You will need to first find a position full time in an approved position as an assistant professional, etc. You then enroll with the PGA Apprentice Program AFTER passing the Playing Ability Test and attending the Professional Readiness Orientation. You must have worked full time in an eligible position for at least 6 months before enrolling in the apprentice program. The Golf Professional Training Program takes a minimum of 3 years but a maximum of 6 years to complete and you must be working full time. Contact the NTPGA for details at (972)881-GOLF. Good luck to you.

Getting rid of fade

I live in: Irving, Texas USA
My_name_is: Perry Walsh
comments: I HAVE PLAYING GOLF NOW FOR ABOUT 27 YEARS AND HAVE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO GET RID OF THAT AWFUL SLICE. MINE IS MORE OF A FADE. HOW CAN I GET RID OF THIS? IF I CAN DO THIS, I THINK I CAN BREAK THAT 80 MARK.

Kim Brown:
Full shoulder turn, proper shoulder alignment prior to the swing (most of us tend to leave our shoulders open at address), leave our elbows close together throughout the swing in order to get the appropriate feel of “releasing” the club on the downswing. The slice or fade is caused by a swing path that is across the target line with the clubface being open (or to the right) at impact.

Improving consistency

I live in: Mt. Vernon, NY
My_name_is: Dwight McLeod
comments: I’m starting to get good distance and I feel like this is the year I breakthrough. How can I take my game to the next level and shoot more consistently. I need to learn to focus and concentrate more, can you suggest ways for me to practice this?

Kim Brown:
Pick out specific distance targets when you practice in addition to directional targets. Visualize playing a certain hole when you hit balls. Hit the drive and then the resulting 2nd shot, etc. Quality practice requires some imagination. Try to make your practice sessions assimilate conditions that you encounter when you play.

Struggling with driver

I live in: St. Louis , Mo. U.S.
My_name_is: Rob Williams
comments: I tend to struggling with my driver. Sometimes I will hit the ball perfectly straight but other times I tend to hook it or leave it right. I also tend to have a problem adressing the ball, I take along time to get comfortable on the tee. What might I do to get over this. Also on the tee at par three’s is it good to not use a tee or should I use a tee all the time on the tee’s?

Kim Brown:
Use the tee. Sounds like your alignment sneaks to the right so when you “leave it right” you may be in fact making a pretty good pass at the ball. Develop a “vanilla” shot. One that either goes straight or only curves in one direction or the other. This is a big key to scoring better.

Typical club head speeds

I live in: Minneapolis, MN
My_name_is: Steven Tran
comments: What is the typical clubhead speed of a touring professional? Male and Female? Thank you.

Kim Brown:
Male – 108-118 mph, Female – 95-105 mph