American world No. 10 Rose Zhang chips onto the green, holding her focus and committing to the shot – something club golfers should do more of. — AP
IF there was one area the pros’ game could help most club players improve, then it would be posture.
Good clear lines, from the top to the hips and through the knees and down, the pros exhibit this week in and week out on tour.
“Those distinct lines are a great structure from which to start. And it’s all in the balance, coach Michael Bannon, once said, adding that “you need that if you are going to use your body correctly in the swing”.
A good straight spine with your head quite high is the right route, and don’t let your chin drop, like so many amateurs often do.
Hang your arms nicely down in a vertical line from your shoulders. From a front view, you should look and feel balanced, with your left shoulder slightly above the right one.
1 Develop your short game
The pros play with flair and rhythm in their swing, but they also use imagination around the green – something club golfers should also learn to do. Don’t be one-dimensional. The great Seve Ballesteros, he could play just about every shot with every club.
Keep those wrists firm and bump low, checking shots and then bring your hands into play with soft, high flop shots.
2 Commit to the shot
Many short-game instructors say the secret is commitment to speed.
What club golfers should take notice of, they say, is never back off.
Your confidence and the speed of your swing should equally match either side of the ball. Many amateurs decelerate or quit on the shot and that’s a recipe for disaster. You have to commit to the shot.
