Green Mountain National Practice Tee: Getting a grip on the game
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PGA pro David Soucy instructs on the setup that will help you keep your ball on line and out of trouble at Green Mountain National Golf Course, or anywhere else, for that matter. BOB FREDETTE |
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By Bob Fredette Herald Staff - Published: June 26, 2009
Ready, aim, fire.
OK, it's not nearly as simple as that. And the fact is, lots of amateur golfers do not aim very well and at a place like Green Mountain National Golf Course, that's trouble.
It's difficult to enjoy so beautiful a place when every time you swing the driver, you start walking right into one of the bountiful lateral hazards.
So, set up properly, use the proper grip, and swing down the line. Here's how:
"Somebody who slices a golf ball typically, you want to tee up on the far right hand side of the tee and aim down the lefthand fairway. Even if you don't change you swing at you all you're going to hit more fairways," GMN head PGA pro David Soucy said.
The spin of the golf ball is caused by the clubface so a righthanded player spinning it left to right means the clubface is open. So what you need to is square up the clubface and tend to alignment and the swing path.
Now, if Butch Harmon or Hank Haney aren't around to stand behind you to check your alignment, use broomsticks, PVC pipes, clubs, or umbrellas.
Place one of these alignment aids behind the ball, aiming through the ball and at the target. Place a second device perfectly lateral to the first, to use to square up your stance.
"The alignment or stance is where it starts so we want to make sure our shoulders are square or on the same plane as our feet," Soucy said.
"The other things … The primary control over the club is grip. It's really the left hand that's important so we want to make sure that when you grip the club that the thumb does not go straight down the middle of the shaft, that your left thumb actually will be turned to the right-hand side of the club and you can see one or two knuckles of that left hand. The left hand will control the clubface more than the right hand.
"So we want to make sure of stance, the alignment and the grip. After that there are some swing thoughts that we need to do in order to square up the club in order to prevent slicing."
Taking aim requires little effort and you should always incorporate that into your pre-shot routine when playing a round. Simply stand behind the ball and look out toward the target, and find a mark (a blade of grass, divot, or whatever else is available) that's directly between the ball and the target. Then set down the club so that ball is going to go over that spot, then take your stance. Now hit the ball over the mark.
Soucy then fired a shot over one of the practice area markers, with a little draw. If you want more draw, turn that left hand over a little bit more to expose another knuckle.
Nothing replaces diligence on the practice range and Soucy stresses that tour pros ALWAYS use alignment devices or their swing coaches to ensure proper alignment. You should, too.
"The average golfer does not aim very well," Soucy said. "I like to say if you don't know where you're aimed, you don't know where you're hitting it."