Golf Tips from Donna Andrews

           Your practice swing should be more than just a warm-up swing.  It should be a rehearsal of the swing you want when you hit the ball.  If you are working on swing changes then think about the mechanics during your practice swing and then try to imitate that feel once you address the ball.  You should pick a target and focus on that target during your practice swing.  Visualize the positive results of your shot while taking that practice swing.  If you look at the water you will hit it in the water.  If you say to yourself “don’t hit it there” that is exactly where you will hit it.  Keep all your practice swing thoughts positive and you will have more positive results hitting the ball.     

       It is also very important if you have a shot that is less than a full swing or if you are chipping and putting to make your practice swing the same length and same speed you think you need for the shot you are going to hit.  If you only need a half swing then make your practice swing a half swing.  If you have a three foot putt then take a short practice stroke, not one that will hit it to the other side of the green.

            And finally, if you hit a poor shot, then take a practice swing right then correcting what you feel you did wrong.  This will help with your muscle memory and it will also help you be able to leave the bad shot in the past and focus on the good feel for your next shot. 

• If you can putt and get a decent roll on the ball then this is your safest shot.

• When you can’t putt you should chip.  Also know as a chip and run.  Chipping allows the ball to carry part way to the hole and then run the rest of the way.  Chipping involves letting our arms and shoulder work together as a triangle with no wrist hinge .  When you chip, you put the ball back in your stance, keep the weight forward so the center of our body is slightly ahead of the ball, and make sure you keep your shaft leaning toward the target so your hands are always in front on the golf ball.

• Pitching should be your last choice because it is the most difficult of the three shots.  Your goal is to get the ball high in the air and have it land softly near the hole.  It is most difficult because you must allow your wrist to hinge.  The ball should be played in the center of your stance, your weight should still be slightly more on the forward foot and you will have to keeps your hands and arms loose enough to allow the club to hinge.  Being confident enough to hit pitch shots takes lots of practice so only use this shot when the situation will not allow you to putt or chip.

To Work On Feel For Distance When Putting

*With two balls only

* From a point on the green, putt to the edge of the green.

* Use first ball to see the result and then conciously make an adjustment for the 2nd ball; either harder or softer.

* Do this from varying distances; each time trying to get as close as possible to the edge of the green on ball #1, then trying to improve with ball #2.