This Week's

Video Golf Lesson

The Off-Green Putt

Click Here to watch The Off-Green Putt   

KEEP THE LOWER BODY STILL TO ADD POWER TO YOUR SWING

So many things we do as we swing the club prohibit our ability to maximize the distance our ball will fly.  We talk about a proper set-up with distributing your weight properly – with the majority of your weight on your backside – coiling your body on your backswing, and unloading (or uncoiling) on your downswing.  Where a key loss of power enters is a common tendency to slide (or sway) on the backswing, and slide your lower body thru on the downswing. 

BACKSWING

As you take the club back, imagine your body being on an axis, and you turn on that axis, feeling the rotation of your body (or twisting) away from the ball.  To really feel the rotation of your body, practice taking some swings with your back toe turned pointing in.  You will feel the resistance of your body from wanting to slide onto your backside, and instead force you to turn more with your shoulders and hips – making an effective backswing.

DOWNSWING / FOLLOW THRU

If properly coiled, you must just simply re-coil.  Great shot makers – Tiger, Ernie, Sergio – all swing thru the ball into a solid left side.  In other words, as they uncoil, they do not slide thru the shot, they keep their lower quiet, and uncoil their upper body – specifically their shoulders, arms, and hips.  You can feel the same resistance by hitting shots into an impact bag, or a stationary object – the desired position would be to have your club shaft and left leg square to the target immediately after impact.  The golf club stays out in front of your body – and club head does not pass ahead of your hands until after impact.   

Although there was gold in those hills, there wasn’t any for me as I missed the cut.  After a good start in New Mexico in May, I was only able to buy a one-way plane ticket back to Aussie and maybe see Georgia-Lee.  When I arrived back, there was a Pro-Am in Melbourne, and I shot 67 to win about $1,500 which came in handy for the start of the tour in Tasmania.  We played Tasmania Golf Club which is across the bay from Hobart out on a Peninsula.  I finished top ten for another good check and called Georgia a couple times for inspiration.  Then I flew to Sydney to play the New South Wales Open at the Lakes Golf Club.  I stayed with some great friends, the Phillips family in the Northern Suburbs.  I was like one of the boys (the Phillips had three sons), and it was always good fun along with a drop of port after dinner most nights.

 I kept in touch with Georgia because next week we were in Melbourne for the PGA.   I had another top ten finish in Sydney and, as always, a great time with the Phillips family.  Margaret and Reg Phillips treated me like family, and it was good to be at a home versus a hotel room. They had a beautiful home in the northern suburbs of Sydney, we had some great barbecues (cookouts) with the cockatoos eating right out of your hands .

Melbourne is in the Garden State of Victoria on the southeastern part of Australia.  The city of Melbourne is at the top end of Port Phillip Bay and the Yarra River meanders through the city.

As you travel into town fro the Tallamarine Airport, you go very close to the Flemington Racecourse, home of the “Melbourne Cup”.  The Cup is always the biggest race of the year and in Victoria it is a holiday.  It is a two mile long race amongst some of the best horses in the world and a gala event for everyone.  When driving south from the airport, the first major road you cross is Victoria Street, site of the famous Victoria Marketplace.  For years it was the place to shop for deals, from food to clothing, etc.  You then get to the Flinders Station next to the Yarra River and the fabulous new Crown Entertainment Center.  In the city and its suburbs, there is a mix of Europeans, especially Greeks and Italians, so there are a multitude of bistros and restaurants to please any taste.