In this issue we'll discuss... 1) Greenside Chipping with a Hybrid Jack’s Note: Congrats to Zach Johnson on a great win last week. Good to see the not-so-long hitters getting some "W"'s on the tour. Many thanks to those of you who responded with kudos on the Driver DVD...I knew it would be well-received and will help many of your games tremendously. We basically sold them out last week but have a handful left (we had some orders declined in our system) if you're interested. Go to www.howtobreak80.com/driver.htm =================================================== If you want an alternative, try your hybrid. It has few of the negatives of the wedge. The hybrid almost guarantees that the ball will get airborne a few inches and immediately start rolling toward the target. The sooner the ball hits the ground, the easier it is to control. Here are 5 keys to greenside chipping with a hybrid: * Use a putting stroke* Choke down on the club * Place the ball slightly forward * Shift your weight slightly forward * Stroke the chip as you would a putt Take a putting stance and use a putting stroke. Choke down on the club for better control. And plan for plenty of roll, since the ball will get airborne quickly and start rolling in a hurry. Read the green as you would a putt and don't forget to play the break. Using the hybrid for a greenside chip makes sense. The hybrid's enlarged sweet spot minimizes twisting and distance loss, if you mishit hit the ball or you hit it slightly on the heel or the toe. In addition, the club's thick sole and low weighting helps brush through the turf with sufficient momentum to prevent a flubbed shot. While the hybrid tends to be more effective from about 10 yards in, you can chip with it beyond 10 yards with success. With practice and experimentation, chipping with the hybrid will become as natural as chipping with a wedge and just as effective, if not more effective. =================================================== This shot intimates some golfers, but it's easier than it looks. The keys are setting up properly and taking a flat, baseball-like swing. Here are 5 tips to making the shot: 1. Set up with the slope2. Tilt your shoulders in line with the slope 3. Open the clubface 4. Aim 5 feet to 10 feet the right 5. Take a baseball-like swing Although the lie is level, you still have to contend with the embankment's slope. Place the front foot above the back foot at address. Tilt your shoulders in line with the slope, aim 5 feet to 10 feet right of the target (or left, if you're left handed), and lay the clubface wide open. Now take a flat swing, like you were hitting a baseball. The ball pops almost straight up and lands softly on the green. If you swing along the target line, your club and ball will just bank off the hill, instead of popping up. You can swing with varying force levels and still have success with this shot. As long as you make square contact, the ball will go almost straight up. The worst that can happen is that it stays in the air longer than expected. You won't face this shot often, but knowing how to execute it can help you save par or turn three strokes into two. Find a green with an embankment and practice the shot using the keys mentioned above. With a little bit of effort, you'll master the shot.
=================================================== A. You're right, Randy. Putting backspin on the ball helps your shot-making capabilities. But you need the right conditions to do it. In pool, you hit downward on the bottom half of the cue ball with significant force. Striking the ball at a steep angle and increasing the velocity of the cue stick as it moves toward impact help. In golf, you do basically the same thing, but you must make clean contact on the lower portion of the ball. The combination of the angle of attack, force of the club, and clean contact puts backspin on the ball. In addition, the course must be dry, the ball must be on the fairway, and the green must be in good shape. Ideally, you’d like to hit the green about 10 to 15 feet from the pin and stop the ball a few feet from the hole, leaving a short putt. If you put enough backspin on the ball, it takes a bounce or two and stops. But if you don't put enough backspin on the ball, it'll roll off the green, especially if the green is slanted or hard-baked. You need a clean club with some grip left on its face and the right ball. I like using a 9-iron or a pitching wedge. The wedge has a high loft and a large flange, which prevents it from digging into the turf. Keep your head down until your right arm pushes it up. And use a high spin/soft cover ball for pitch-and-stop shots. The high spinning ball carries more than other balls, but it won’t roll far when it hits the ground. It also offers more feel and control.If you've got a golf question you'd like answered, send an email to us at questions@howtobreak80.com and we'll review it. I can't guarantee that we'll use it but if we do, we'll make sure to include your name and where you're from. =================================================== 4) Article - Taping Into Your High-Voltage Power Line Until next time, ===================================================
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