long iron control

Learning how to hit long irons takes time, practice, and
patience. Of all the clubs in the standard golf bag, the 1
through 4 are widely considered the most difficult to
master. Here are some tips to help you learn how to hit
long irons with confidence and precision.

The Key Elements:

While there are hundreds of tips concerning iron-play,
four key elements must be a incorporated in each shot:
good balance, smooth tempo, club head acceleration, and
careful targeting. If any of these are lacking or absent,
the shot will be less than successful.

The Key Goal:

When you are first learning how to hit long irons, your
main goal is to strike the ball crisply and cleanly on the
sweet spot of the club face. Here is how you can
accomplish this goal.

1. Make sure you have a good solid stance when you take
your address. A slight flex in your knees will help steady
you as you go through your swing.

2. It is imperative that you bring your club back smoothly
and continue this smooth swing throughout, especially as
you move from backswing to downswing. A smooth swing does
two things for you: it helps keep your club face aligned
correctly, and helps you accelerate the club, which is
crucial for distance.

3. As you learn how to hit long irons, remember to unwind
from your hips and feet once you get to the top of your
backswing. Do not let your hands take control of the
swing, which is a common mistake. By uncoiling your lower
body, you’ll get the power needed to move the ball down
the range.

4. Anyone who has ever been taught a golf lesson has
received the instructions to keep the head down. This is
important with all shots, but especially when learning how
to hit long irons. There is little room for error with
these clubs, and you must keep your head still.

If your head moves too much or comes up, the club head
will most likely bottom out before it strikes the ball,
ruining your shot.

5. Your left arm needs to remain straight (for right
handed golfers) bend your forward arm during the
swing, you change the distance between the club head and
the ball, and this has to be brought back to hit the ball
cleanly. Keep that forward arm straight and you will not
have to worry about making that adjustment.

6. Many golfers who are learning how to hit long irons
believe they have to hit the ground first to scoop the
ball off the fairway. In reality, this is the exact
opposite of what you should do.

Of all the tips presented here, hitting the ball first,
ground second is the most important. This means that you
must hit the ball with a descending arc. Ignore the fact
that these clubs have very little loft. Let the club do
what it is designed to do, and do your part to make sure
that happens.

7. The last tip is to make sure you complete the swing
with your follow through. The club should follow a path
right to the target as you finish up.

“The reason the pro tells you to keep your head down is
so you can’t see him laughing.” (Phyllis Diller)

Use these tips when you are learning how to hit long irons
and you will soon see dramatic improvements.

fairway woods tips

Learning how to properly hit fairway woods can give your
game a big boost. While it’s true that these are some of
the least used clubs in the bag, there are scenarios when
you need them in the worst way-either to have a chance at
an eagle or to save par from wayward drive. Mechanics and
practice are the keys to learning how to hit fairway
woods.

If you are just learning how to hit fairway woods, here
are some helpful tips to get you started.

Tip 1: Do not confuse these clubs with your irons. While
the distance is often comparable, the swing mechanics are
not. When you play your long irons, you often want to take
a big divot. That is not the case with these fairway
woods.

Tip 2: Unless you are planning to play a fade or a draw,
always line your feet up with the target, about
shoulder-width apart. Play the ball a little forward, just
about in line with your left foot (for right handed
golfers) Keep your arms extended and your spine straight,
allowing a little bit of knee flex.

Tip 3: If you are playing out of the rough, tap the club
head behind the ball (without touching the ball) to tamp
down some of the grass between the head and the ball. This
is legal as long as you do not make contact with the ball
itself.

Tip 4: When learning how to hit fairway woods, remember to
keep your forward arm as straight as possible during your
swing. Turn your hips as you go through the backswing and
downswing to generate power. Keep your head down and your
eyes on the ball.

Tip 5: Resist the temptation to scoop the ball off the
ground. Your job is to hit the ball cleanly, and the loft
of the club will do the rest. Also, resist the common urge
to hit the ball too hard. Many golfers, especially those
just learning how to hit fairway woods, are inclined to
smack the ball with maximum force, but this can be a big
mistake.

The better option is to make a smooth, controlled movement
that stays on the right swing path. This is the best way
to get the ball up, off, and on target.

Tip 6: There are times when you may think the fairway wood
is the right club to use, but stop and consider the
situation before you grab one out of your bag.

If you are in the trees and a long way from the green,
consider using an iron to get back into play, rather than
trying to make the green. One of the keys to learning how
to hit fairway woods is knowing when to use them. Using
one of these specialty clubs when you should be using
something else can cause more trouble than you might
think.

Tip 7: The only way to understand these clubs is to take
them to the practice range and put them into use. You need
to know what distance you can get from each one, and
become proficient in striking the ball cleanly. Practice
is the only way to achieve this. And don’t forget to
practice hitting out of sand traps whenever you have the
opportunity.

“If you think it’s hard to meet new people, try picking up
the wrong golf ball.” (Jack Lemmon)

One thing is certain: if you learn how to hit fairway
woods properly, your game will improve and your scores
will be lower. These clubs can be powerful tools when you
need them.

stop your hooks

Learning to fix a hook golf shot is not as complicated as
you might think. The trick to overcoming this wacky shot
is to first determine the cause. There are several reasons
a ball may travel wildly to the left. Here are some tips
for senior golfers who want to learn how to fix a hook once and for
all.

1. This particular shot is caused by the ball spinning in
a counter-clockwise direction as it takes flight. The
faster the ball is spinning, the more severe the left
curve will be.

This counter-clockwise spin is created when the ball is
hit with a closed club face. For right-handed golfers, a
closed face points to the left; for left-handed golfers,
the face points to the right. The ideal position for the
club face is square and neutral, pointing neither to the
left nor to the right at impact.

2. Most experts agree that for those who want to know how
to fix a hook, the best place to start is the grip. Here
is an easy way to check your golf grip.

Take your driver and set up as you normally would. Now,
look down at your hands. If you are right-handed, you
should see at least two knuckles on your left hand. This
is considered a neutral grip-not too weak and not too
strong. If you see three or more knuckles, you are not
gripping the club properly.

Now, here is the tricky part. Let your gaze travel down
the shaft of the club and look at the face. Is it square?
Chances are it is. But even if you think you are square
and lined up, you may not be when you bring the club down
toward impact with the ball. As the club moves toward the
ball, your hands will assume a neutral grip, which means
the club face has no choice but to close at impact.

Anyone who wants to learn how to fix a hook should start
with a close inspection and honest assessment of his or
her grip on the club. Many senior golfers will simply refuse to
modify their grip or will not spend the necessary time to
get used to the new grip, eventually falling back into
their old habits.

3. If your grip is fine, the next step to learning how to
fix a hook is to check your balance. Your weight should be
on the balls of your feet, not on the heels. This will
allow your hips to turn smoothly and stay balanced. Being
off-balance at impact is another main reason players see
the ball flying off to the left.

4. Your left arm (for right-handed golfers) must be
straight as the club impacts the ball. Ask a friend to
watch you hit a few balls and let you know if your arm is
bending. Remember, anything that causes the club face to
close will result in a hooked golf ball.

“I’m hitting the woods just great, but I’m having a terrible time getting out of them.” (Harry Toscano)

One of the above tips will most likely solve your problem.
Go through them, one at a time, hitting several practice
balls as you go. Make minor adjustments until you are able
to hit the ball straight. This will take some time and
effort on your part, but learning how to fix a hook is essentially a process of elimination.

drive ball straight

It’s a given that every senior golfer wants to know how to drive
a golf ball straight. The challenge is the driver is one
of the most difficult clubs to master. A simple rule of
thumb is the longer the club, the harder it is to use
properly. But that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to learn
how to drive a golf ball straight; you’ll just need a few
tips and some consistent practice.

The very best shot off the tee is one that does not impart
a lot of backspin to the ball, travels low, and has enough
power to add yards by rolling once it lands. If you can
achieve all of these elements, your game will improve
significantly.

One of the first steps to learning how to drive a golf
ball straight is understanding the importance of leverage
throughout the entire swing. To achieve proper leverage,
keep your head behind the golf ball from address to
impact.

The second most important issue is that distance comes
more from club head speed than arm strength. Senior golfers who
try to muscle their way through the shot will almost
always end up with a poorly hit ball. It is the hips and
legs that generate speed and power, so use them.

Other clubs may be somewhat flexible when it comes to
swing path, but not the driver. As you begin your
backswing, keep the swing plane low (or shallow).

Another factor to keep in mind when learning how to drive
a golf ball straight is to have your hands lead the club
head at impact. This is what people mean when they say to
“let your wrists break”.

A common mistake some senior golfers make is to try to suddenly
stop their swing once they hit the ball. To avoid that,
let your arms and body move all the way through the swing,
including the follow through.

Another key to learning how to drive a golf ball straight
is to not grip the club too tightly. Concentrate on
whipping the golf ball with the club rather than chopping
at it.

If you have a tendency to slice the ball, try slowing your
downswing. You may be coming down too fast or too hard,
causing you to come out of the proper swing path. Another
tip for avoiding the slice is to examine your grip. If you
cannot see two or three knuckles when looking down at your
grip, you are setting yourself up for a slice.

This same grip tip applies to those who hook the ball. If
you look down at your grip and see more than two or three
knuckles, your grip is going to change at impact and cause
a severe hook.

One last tip for learning how to drive a golf ball
straight is to make sure you are not pulling or pushing
the ball. This can happen whether you are coming off the
tee or hitting off the fairway.

You can tell if you are pushing or pulling the ball by
looking at the divot that’s left behind. If the divot is
pointing to the left or right of your target line, your
body is not properly aligned.

“They call it golf because all of the other four-letter
words were taken. (Raymond Floyd)

Try implementing some of these tips and see if your game
improves. Remember, the best tip for learning how to drive
a golf ball straight is to keep at it.

curing a slice

For many senior golfers, learning how to cure a slice is the top
priority. While there are many other types of golf shot
flaws (hook, shank, etc.), none are as frustrating or
annoying as that wild curve ball to the right. The good
news? Learning how to cure a slice does not have to be
complicated or confusing. Here are some tips on ridding
your golf game of this problem shot.

One of the main reasons senior golfers so often send their shots
screaming into the right-hand tree-line is because they do
not take the time to set up properly.

To learn how to cure a slice, check your set up first.
Make sure your feet and shoulders are lined up correctly.
For most shots, your left foot should be under your left
shoulder. When you set up with a closed or opened
shoulder, the ball will not travel straight.

The next step in learning how to cure a slice is examining
your grip. Avoid clenching the club too tightly in your
hands, as this will restrict your swing. On the other
hand, holding it too loose will cause the club face to
move on impact. A nice, firm grip is best.

Also, check the position of your hands on the shaft. Take
your normal stance, grip the club, and look down at your
hands. You should see no more and no less than two
knuckles on your left hand (for right-handed golfers).

To learn how to cure a slice, the key to success is having
the club face strike the ball while the face is square. If
the club face is open, the ball will veer to the right.

If your shots end up going right frequently, you may have a
problem with your hip turn. It is important that your hips
make a smooth, full turn as you move through your
downswing, at impact, and during follow through. Remember,
the key is to strike the ball with the face of the club
square, and this cannot happen unless your hips are
rotating smoothly with your swing. As your club strike
the ball, continue your swing and hip rotation until you
have a nice, high finish.

A common reason for sending the ball into right field is
picking up the head too soon. Many golfers will lift their
heads to see where the ball is going, leading to that
micro-second of a mistake that causes a bad hit.

Another common mistake, and one that is easy to fix, is
swinging too fast. Some golfers will speed up their hands
as they begin their downswing, with the wrong assumption
that it will add power and distance. Yes, club head speed
is important, but it should come from the whole body, not
just the hands.

One of the most important keys to learning how to cure a
slice is spending time determining what is the cause. Your
swing is unique to you, and it is vital that you narrow
down the possible culprits to find the one or two things
you are doing wrong. Only then can you begin to unlearn
whatever bad habit is causing the problem.

“If profanity had an influence on the flight of the ball,
the game of golf would be played far better than
it is.” (Horace G. Hutchinson)

You can learn how to cure a slice, but it takes time,
effort, and patience. But once you have solved the
problem, you will get much more enjoyment-and better
scores-out of the game.

Fred Couples

Former Master winner in 1992, Fred has one numerous titles and is one of the most popular senior golf players on the Champions Tour Today.

Corey Pavin

Corey Pavin

Among Corey’s accolades is that he spent more than 150 weeks in the top 10 of the world rankings from the mid 1980s to the mid 1990′s.  He also has a Major under his belt with his 1995 win of the US Open by 2 shots from Greg Norman.

Paul Azinger

Paul Azinger

Paul was a dominant top 10 ranked player from the mid 1980s to 90s spending almost 300 weeks in the top 10 of the World Rankings.  He also won the PGA Championship in 1993 following a play-off with Greg Norman.

Mark Calcavecchia

Mark Calcavecchia

Mark was born in Nebraska and turned pro in 1982.  His best year came in 1989 where he was a multi title winer on the tour and won the British Open and came runner up in The Masters.  Upon winning the Open he famously quipped “How’s my name going to fit on that thing?”

Greg Norman

Greg Norman

Nicknamed The Great White Shark due to his aggressive style of play australian heritage and bleached hair Greg spent 331 weeks as the number 1 player in the world during the 80s and 90s.  He has 2 British Opens to his name as well as 7 second place finishes in other majors.

Champions Tour

The Champions Tour is run by the PGA Tour and many of the best players that play the PGA Tour progress to the Champions Tour once they hit 50 years which is the starting age bracket for the Champions Tour.  It is a series of golf tournaments held over the UK and USA and just as with the PGA Tour their are player rankings.

It was formally set up in 1980 under the name of Senior PGA Tour but then changed its name to The Champions Tour in 2002.  today it boasts 26 tournaments and US$51.5 million in prize money.  Unlike regular professional stroke play which is played out over 4 rounds the Champions Tour tournaments are usually conducted over 54 holes and due to the smaller field sizes there usually aren’t any cuts.  Having said that the 5 senior majors stick to the 4 rounds.

PGA Champions Tour Official Website

putting drills

Developing putting drills that work is one of the fastest
ways to lower your score. Many senior golfers lose a significant
number of strokes once they get onto the green. By
utilizing putting drills, you can learn to get the ball
into the hole in fewer strokes.

Any seasoned senior golfer will tell you that the short game can
be stroke-hungry, and that what happens on the green can
wreak havoc on an otherwise good score. 3-putts, 4-putts,
and even 5-putts are more common than you might think-but
there is good news. Putting drills can dramatically help
golfers hone their skills on the green, resulting in fewer
total strokes.

When it comes to putting drills, spend time concentrating
on the three essentials:

Keeping the face square
Maintaining a smooth swing
Achieving distance control
Keeping the Face Square:

If you are in the habit of hitting the ball with your
blade open or closed, try this:

Place a ball on the practice green and put a tee in the
ground about twelve inches behind the ball. Put a silver
coin on the ground about six inches in front of the ball.
Bring your putter back until it taps the tee and then
swing it forward, watching to ensure that the face stays
square as it passes over the coin.

Maintaining a Smooth Swing Putting drills should have a
specific purpose and specific goal. With this next tip,
you can learn to swing the club smoothly, which is key to
maintaining your tempo and striking the ball solidly.

Again, place a ball on the practice green and stick a tee
into the ground about 12 inches behind the ball. Bring the
club back until it just barely nicks the tee and then
immediately go into your fore-swing.

Keep your arms moving in a pendulum fashion and keep your
hands still.

Achieving distance control

One of the most crucial putting drills is learning
distance control. The only way to master distance control
is through your own touch or feel. Nothing else can
replace hands-on practice time when it comes to honing
your skills on the green.

There are dozens of practice exercises for distance
control, but one of the best is to simply stake out five
tees, four feet apart, with the last tee being 20 feet
away. Then, concentrate on getting the ball to each of the
tees consistently.

If the ball rolls a few inches past the tee, that’s fine
What you don’t want to see is the ball stopping short of
or rolling well beyond the target tee.

Notice that you are not aiming at a flag or a cup with
this exercise, as this could distract you and cause you to
focus more on accuracy than distance. While it’s true that
distance and accuracy must work together, there are times
when they should not be learned together.

“These greens are so fast I have to hold my putter over the
ball and hit it with the shadow.” (Sam Snead)

These are only a few of the many putting drills that are
available from golf pros and golfing websites. To master
your skill on the green, you will need to invest time and
energy. Learn to read the green and how to lag a putt, but
most of all, learn to love putting drills. They really do
work.