May 28, 2016 Posted by Matt

Try a different method on par three tee shots.  You may have noticed many touring pros do not use a tee on par three holes if they are using an iron.  They will use the heel of their golf club to press down into the ground to make a small bump in the ground which they use as their tee.  By using this method, it enables the player to hit down on the ball.  The result is a slightly lower ball flight and more back spin.  The ball is more likely to hit the green and stop right away.  Experiment on the range first, then try it out during the round to see which method produces better scores.

May 27, 2016 Posted by Matt

Are you inconsistent with your iron shots? If your iron shots go in every direction but straight, you probably have a swing path issue.  More often than not, armature golfers will swing outside to inside which often results in a slice or they pull the shot to the left.  To get your swing back on the correct path, place a lightweight box about three inches just outside your ball.  With your pitching wedge, hit shots so you strike the ball without hitting the box.  This golf drill will force you to swing from the inside, hit the ball towards the target and then return to the inside.  The result will be more consistent iron shots.

May 25, 2016 Posted by Matt

Try this golf tip to hit better sand shots.  In order to hit a good sand shot, you need to whip the club head under the ball with a fair amount of swing speed.  At the same time, you need to keep the club face open.  One way to help generate the appropriate club head speed through impact is to take your right thumb off of the grip and move it to the side.  Your thumb should not be touching the club. This will allow you to use your left hand to keep the club face open through impact.  Practice this technique and you’ll be hitting better sand shots before you know it!

May 22, 2016 Posted by Matt

Try a chunk and run shot if you’re in a greenside bunker and have a lot of green between you and the pin.  Play the ball a couple inches towards your back foot in your stance.  With your clubface square, lean the shaft of your club slightly forward.  Take an aggressive swing and hit about four inches behind the ball.  It is important you keep your finish low.  You should see the ball pop out of the sand, land on the green, and roll towards the hole.  Try the chunk and run shot instead of trying to hit a perfect shot and flying the ball in the air for thirty or forty yards and you will improve your scores.

May 20, 2016 Posted by Matt

Make a putting change if you are struggling.  If you are consistently missing putts on the low side of the hole, during your next round of golf, play a little more break in your putts than you originally see.  If you think the putt is going to break two inches from right to left, try playing a three inch break.  If you have an uphill putt and you’re always coming up short, picture the hole one or two feet past its current position.  A putting change such as those above will often help you get back on track and shoot lower scores.  Good luck!

May 19, 2016 Posted by Matt

Are you coming over the top in your golf swing?  Coming over the top is usually caused by taking the club too far inside on your backswing.  The only way to get the clubface on the ball is for you to compensate by leading with your right shoulder.  The result is an outside to in swing path.  One of two things will happen.  You will either have a dead pull or a bad slice.  Another cause of this type of swing is swinging too hard.  Your hands end up way out in front of your body and the clubface ends up severely closed or open at impact.  Slow down your swing and take the club back straight back instead of inside and you will have more control over where your golf ball goes.

May 16, 2016 Posted by Matt

Are you looking for more distance?  Longer drives come from turning your core, not swinging your arms faster.  If you stand too wide, you will not be able to turn your hips which prevents you from generating power and distance.  As you make a turn in your backswing, you want to feel your weight in your right heel.  Be very careful to turn so your back is to the target, do not slide your hips to your back foot which is a sway.  Start your downswing with your hips leading the way and then your shoulders.  You should be facing your target when you finish.  Execute this move properly and you will gain distance on your drives.

May 12, 2016 Posted by Matt

Breaking out of a putting slump can be challenging.  Try making some adjustments to see if you can get yourself back on track.  Use a different grip such as a left-hand-low or claw grip.  Try a new putter. Alter your stance a bit.  Try and open stance or perhaps a closed stance. When you make a change, your mind will recognize something is different and your concentration level will increase.  Many times these slight changes will pull you out of your putting slump.  If all else fails, go see a PGA Teaching professional for a putting lesson.

May 11, 2016 Posted by Matt

How do you hit a short approach shot into a strong wind?  If you have a normal length shot but the wind is in your face, consider putting your wedge back in the bag.  Take out a nine or eight iron out and swing easy.  Play the ball in the middle of your stance and make a crisp swing.  The ball will fly low with little backspin.  Try to land the ball just short of the green, and let it release onto the putting surface.  Try this method for your short approach shots and you’ll eliminate the guesswork out of hitting a high shot with a lot of backspin.

May 6, 2016 Posted by Matt

How do you adjust your distance on your sand shot in a greenside bunker?  Try adjusting the amount of sand you take to vary your distance.  During practice, hit well behind the ball and gradually move closer to the ball so you are taking less sand.  Be sure to keep the same swing and tempo with each shot.  You will notice the ball will travel different distances based on the amount of sand you take.  The more sand you take, the shorter the ball will travel.  The less sand you take, the farther the ball will travel.  Most important….practice, practice, practice!  Once you get the hang of altering the amount of sand you take on a sand shot you’ll realize it’s an easy shot.  You may even get to a point where you’d rather be in the bunker than in the rough when you miss the green!