I have spent many a lesson in helping people avoid the long grass, but with the current growth rate of the rough on our courses I thought it time to learn how to escape from it too!

“Damage control” and a bogey, is better than trying to be a hero and making a double bogey or worse.

Select your club carefully to extract yourself from the poorest of lies.

Try using a high-lofted wedge to get the ball up and out of the grass as quickly as possible. Remember, the lower this shot flies, the less chance it has of actually coming out and back into play.

Grip down a couple of inches on your wedge and have the face slightly open to help the club side through the grass with less resistance.

The more grass the ball has to pass through and the more power you need supply to it.

A “steeper” swing, with plenty of wrist hinge, should “set” a nice steep angle and allow you the “chop” the ball back into play.

This shot accomplishes the immediate goal of playing out of trouble and back into scoring position.

 Good luck !

                                                                                                                                                                                                  

Now the summer is finally here (well a bit of sunshine anyway) it is time to enjoy the better quality greens by doing some putting practice.

Holing out is the key to building putting confidence. By practicing the 3 footers you confidence will grow from the sound and feeling of the ball going into the hole.

I like to place two golf shafts (or clubs) to act as "railway tracks" either side of my ball. I then set a target of 30 to hole consecutively.

After 30, try 50. The pressure will not really be felt until the final ball. Miss it and face starting again!  

Repition is the key for solid putting. Good luck and I hope it improves your putting.

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                

I play  in over 25 regional Pro Am's every season and that means I come into contact with hundreds of amateur golfers.

Very few people actually carry a RAIN GLOVE. I would NOT be caught without mine.

Made from a non - woven microfibre they have a strange almost suede like feel. Horrible in dry conditions and ONLY come into their own in the worst of weathers, RAIN.

 Various golf companies make this product and I recommend the Footjoy brand.

Remember, spend £10 on one now and I promise you will reap the rewards when the rain comes.... 

                                                         

 

 

 The correct posture

We all want to have more consistency and accuracy with our game. Most teaching professionals agree that at least 90% of all swing faults can be improved with the proper posture. This means not only being able to achieve good posture at address, but more importantly, to maintain it throughout the swing and throughout the round. Proper posture and spinal alignment not only promote better swing mechanics, but also help to prevent injuries. That’s a winning combination! We all WANT to play better, but we all NEED to prevent injuries. You need to stay strong and healthy in order to keep playing your best golf.

1.   Stand dead straight with a club running from your nose down to your belt




2.   Bend over  from the WAIST, keeping your back straight.
(N.B - Do NOT sick your bottom out too much, it causes anterior tilt )



3.   Lose tension in knees with a little flex. Let arms hang down. BE comfortable...

  




All top golfers have unique and sometimes individual swings. Their set up and posture however,
are often described as "text book." With a little effort,  your posture could improve and you will decrease the chances of future back problems and increase the chances of  consistent golf shots. 

         
                                                                                                                                                                                                  


Your grip is your only connection with the golf club.

Placing your hands properly on the golf club helps you better control the position of the club's face at impact.

A fundamentally sound grip helps you create power and feel at the same time. 

Placing the club more in the fingers rather than in the palm increases the amount of wrist hinge, which results in longer tee shots and more feel.

Check your LEFT hand grip out. Does it look like this ?



CHECKPOINTS FOR THE LEFT HAND

Left thumb a fraction right of centre
Back of the left hand points to the target
Grip pressure approx 2.5 out of 5 (MEDIUM)

The RIGHT HAND is the dominant hand for most people (if you play right-handed, your bottom hand, will be your right hand). It is important that this hand is positioned to deliver a powerful blow at impact without overpowering the lead (or top) hand.
The hands must work together to deliver a consistent impact position.

TRY THIS !



NOW THIS !



Now, check out the finished product.
Does your GRIP look like this ?




CHECKPOINTS FOR THE RIGHT HAND

Right thumb over left centre of the grip
Back of the right hand points directly away from the target
Grip pressure approx 2.5 out of 5 (MEDIUM)


Changing a grip is a huge fundamental issue with golfers and should be done with PGA Professional help. A sound grip will breed consistency and golf WILL be easier.
All great players have their own recognisable features, 99 % have great grips....

 TOP TIP

Try a grip change whilst practicing your chipping.
 It will feel a lot more comfortable in a very short space of time.
GOOD LUCK !!!

Paul

www.paulcreamer.co.uk