Gimme Birdie

Darren Clarke Open Champion

Helen — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 14:18:45 +0000

Darren Clarke has always played the game differently. He is one of the best ball strikers on the tour. His ability to play 3/4 punch shots into links greens is without doubt the best in the world. Darren is a master on the links, his love of Portrush and many years practice honing shots in the wind paid off at Royal St George. I spent time with him before his Ryder cup debut at Valderamma trying to get him fit. He hated running on the beach or in the gym, his answer was to buy two new bikes and hurtle down the hills of Portrush at frightening speeds. On one short trip in his Ferrari to the golf course I realized that Darren does it differently. It is wonderful that all his early years of promise and talent have finally come to fruition- there can be no more worthy a champion than Darren Clarke. He makes all Irishmen very proud, congratulations.

Coordination

Helen — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 14:18:51 +0000

The most difficult part of Golf for beginner and high handicap players is pulling all the parts of the setup and swing together. Trying to memorize too much will only result in confusion. Beginners often attempt to concentrate on one part of the swing and forget to perform the rest. Coordination is the name of the game, it is a key aspect for every beginner. Learning to strike the ball with a solid half swing is essential for control and scoring. Acquiring good habits is essential, always start from behind the ball select your target and the line to it, then walk in and play the shot solidly. Once you focus on the target never second guess yourself. Playing with a half swing on the fairways will help you develop the coordination necessary for good ball striking.

Ways Out Of Rough Stuff

Helen — Sat, 23 Apr 2011 22:03:34 +0000

Backspin controls a golf ball, anything coming between the ball and the clubface
at impact reduces backspin, reducing your control.The problem when you are
coming out of rough is how cleanly the clubface can be applied and how the ball
will behave when grass comes between it and the face.
When the ball is lying well in semi- rough it can be played normally, however less
club tends to be required than from the fairway. In long grass where there is no
clear path for the clubface to meet the back of the ball cleanly it is best to strike
with a steep descending blow using a lofted club – just get the ball in play. This
shot is best played with the clubface open just a couple of degrees.

Remember to take a firm grip, as the ball needs to be punched out.

Consistency Is The Key

Helen — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 13:16:44 +0000

Consistency in your preswing routine and setup position allows you to develop a more dependable repeatable swing. Frequent practice on your preswing routine on the range and on the golf course especially when you play alone will really pay off.
The preswing routine and setup position are the foundation on which your swing is built.

Last weekend from the moment that Rory Mc Ilroy hit his wayward drive in his final 9 holes he dropped his posture, went into a spin, and his preshot routine left him. All the certainty that usually accompanies his brilliant striking disappeared and he could not settle himself to play any of his shots comfortably.

It takes practice and experience to appreciate just how important routine is, without it great players become mere mortals like the rest of us. Major winners are certain in their preshot routine and setup position some like Harrington are deliberate others perform the routine quicker almost fast, there is no one best way. However a methodical well thought out routine that sets a player up to a shot correctly and with the right feel is the cornerstone to success. Posture and the other components of the preswing routine are as essential for average golfers as they are for Tour Players.

Dropping your handicap

Helen — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 13:50:25 +0000

There are no real shortcuts to a sound repeatable golf swing, each fundamental must be fully understood and in- grained. If you don’t hold the club correctly and set up to the ball properly lowering your scores is incredibly difficult. The grip and set up give you a sound foundation and enable you to build a sold repeatable swing and good feel for shots. I think that players can swing the club a lot of different ways and be consistent. There is no such thing as a perfect golf swing; only the right shot for the right occasion, and being able to set up and execute the right shot under pressure. Grip and set up are static basics but they affect everything, unfortunately a golf swing becomes full of compensatory moves if simple basics are not grooved.
Get comfortable with a good grip and have a professional check your set up a couple of times a year. On the range and golf course start behind the ball select your line and set up correctly for every shot you hit. A good routine that sets you up on the correct line is essential, practice correctly so that your routine blends into a cohesive part of your shot making.
The top players do these simple basics well, they become a seamless part of their game. The simple fact is that any golfer regardless of talent or handicap can learn the fundamental basics and set up correctly. It is best if you understand the assembly process so that you can become your own teacher and keep your swing and game simple and instinctive.
Setting up and playing to the target has to become second nature so that on the golf course you can focus on the shot in hand…… to score!

Use The hands

Helen — Sat, 05 Mar 2011 17:02:18 +0000

Henry Cotton said “use the hands” —– that there in lies the key to golf. I like John Jacobs would agree but It is also a fact that if the arms don’t work, the hands are more or less helpless. When the arms swing freely the wrist and hands can be at their most effective. Professionals have educated hands if the arm swing is free and relaxed they can allow feel to take over and play shots instinctively. Advice to club golfers is often too complicated, any golfer who has the ability to set up on target and make a good turn with a free arm swing has in my opinion all the where with all to play really competent golf.
The Irish Players develop good hands and a free swing, they play a lot of links golf in windy conditions. The Golfing Union Of Ireland gives young players ample opportunity to play and train on the best courses in the country. Greame McDowell is one such player, as a junior on the Irish Panel it was obvious that he had great hands and what ever the weather he could work the ball on the fairways and around the greens. Jimmy Green the Irish Boys captain believed that he had the best hands he had ever seen in any Irish player . Jimmy and I often conferred over Graeme and along with the other coaches and selectors believed that Graeme Mc Dowell would be one of the greatest players that we would have had the pleasure of working with. Graeme has the ability to hold onto the feel in his hands under pressure, it is one of his great strengths.
A good drill that the players often did was to hit balls with their feet together. In this position it is virtually impossible to make a shot other than one that is a free swinging of the arms, hands and club. Any excessive use of the body results in a loss of balance. This simple drill should become part of your regular practice routine.

Balance

Helen — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 14:20:52 +0000

Balance and angles at address are key for every golfer regardless of ability or handicap. Posture should be at the top of your list for regular improvement and checks because the position of the pelvis has a significant effect on upper limb function. Swinging the club back with everything working together can occur naturally when you start with the correct angles at address. If the pelvis is tilted slightly forward when you address the ball the muscles at the front and back of the body are in balance and the bodies centre of gravity is over the supporting base rather than behind it. A good address position preserves the natural curve of the spine resulting in nice balance, posture, and the correct angles. This fundamental address position is sometimes overlooked even by top players and they struggle to hold onto good balance during the final round of a tournament.

Junior Golfers

Helen — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 17:02:47 +0000

Aspiring young golfers should get out and play on the golf course as often as possible, playing beats practicing and instills a love of the game. Range practice should be short and based on play rather than technique, a natural golf swing stands up to pressure much better than a manufactured one.
The fundamentals however are the basis of a long lasting and successful golf swing; therefore good basics, and sound habits should be gently eased into all play. The simpler the basics are kept the better, a good routine for setting up correctly to the target, good ball position and nice athletic posture are essentials that are worked on for life.
A strong grip is often easier for young hands the hands are the only contact with the club so it has to be good contact.
Playing on the golf course is more effective than lots of range practice, the body changes so much during the growth spurts so grooving a swing too early can be counter productive. It is much better to have lots of fun and allow a young player the opportunity to develop their natural feel for the game, making scores and playing out of trouble. Acquiring feel in the hands is key and is often learnt through play.
A love of the game and sound basics will ensure that a young golfer can go as far in the game as they desire.

Practice to Different Targets

Helen — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 13:20:25 +0000

For every player the angles of certain shots on the golf course make setting up square to the target line difficult. On the golf course you must be able to play from various angles so it’s essential to practice setting up square to greens and targets that are on your right and left as well as straight in front of you.
Good practice gets you comfortable with playing to targets at different angles so that you are always able to set your club face square to the target line with your body lined parallel left. Lining up correctly takes practice, greens often lie at awkward angles – you rarely hit a straight shot in golf.
Practicing on the range has to mirror the shots you play on the golf course.
Pay particular attention to the following;
Grip – your grip very much determines where your club face looks at impact.
Aim – Where you aim yourself at address largely determines in which direction you will swing the club through the ball.
The real purpose of the set up is to establish the best possible chance of swinging the club down the target line to impact and through to target
Setting up correctly for every shot involves a very exact routine, it is almost a ritualized procedure. At the start of the season and at regular intervals it pays to have your set up checked, you can then build your routine and practice correctly.

Aiming

Helen — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 15:31:46 +0000

In golf, aiming is particularly problematic because you have to stand parallel to the line between the ball and the target. Golf differs from most sports your line of view is always somewhat off set and you are quite a distance from the direct line between the ball and the target. Games players find aiming in golf difficult they are used to the fact that their eyes are usually in line or directly above the line to the target. In golf addressing the ball parallel to the target line distorts your view and puts doubt into your mind regarding the correct line to the target. Every golfer has to learn how to play from an off set position so that they can set up and aim correctly. If you have never spent any real time with your professional learning how to aim and set up on target you have ever really given yourself a chance to play to your potential.
An essential habit that you have to acquire to get a good view of the line to the target, involves standing at least 5/6 yards behind the ball at every shot and selecting the line to play down. Problem is you have to go back and stand parallel to hit the shot – this is when the doubts start? To line up with 100% accuracy is impossible so its down to percentage play.
It is easier to lower your handicap when you learn skills that increase percentage play. This starts with learning a pre shot routine and practicing it on and off the course. A routine creates good habits that allow you to aim and set up consistently well for every shot. Simplifying everything by using a routine ensures that there is not too much thinking going on and you can focus on the target.
Lining up and walking in to the shot helps you start full shots from a square set up position that is correctly lined up to the flag or target. Regardless of skill level you can become a very competent player if you ingrain these skills.