Jarzie's Indoor Golf

I'm very pleased to announce I will be teaching during the fall and winter at Jarzie's Indoor Golf on Dawson Road in Guelph, Ontario, Canada. Click on the Jarzie's logo from your desktop computer to go to their website. From that point you can read about the great H.D. simulators Jarzie's has to offer. All the rates are posted along with a list of the courses available for play. Booking time on the simulators or with myself is very easy. I will start posting tips again shortly to help you improve your game over the fall and winter months. If you have any questions you can email Mark at graingergolf@rocketmail.com or info@jarzies.com

Thank you for your continued support

The Bump and Run Shot

If you have a chip shot with no rough or hazards in your path consider the bump and run shot. The quicker the golf ball is rolling the more control you have with the outcome. This shot was 20 yards uphill to a back left flag.


Club of choice was the 8 iron.

Stance slightly open to target and half shoulder width apart. Club face square to target line.

Ball position middle of my stance.

Take a couple of practice swing to determine the length of back swing required to hit the shot considering roll out. I also look at the area where the golf ball is going to land as I view the shot becomes a putt when it starts rolling. You can make some of these if executed correctly and with a little luck.

If grip pressure stays the same length of back swing determines how far the golf ball will travel.

Weight to your left side at address (right for left handed players). Shaft leans towards target.

Brush the grass and please follow through keeping the club face square to your target line leading with the back of your left hand (right hand for left handed players.

This shot took forever to roll out.

For more information on this shot or any others contact Mark at graingergolf@rocketmail.com
Have a great time playing the worlds best game.

Curving a Golf Ball Around a Tree

If your stuck behind trees you have a couple of options. Hit it back in play and trust your wedge game and putting or the more adventurous shot, going around the trees and hitting the golf shot down the fairway or on the green. If you choose the second you can escape this way. This shot was 140 yards. My club of choice was a 9 iron as that is a good distance for me and if the golf ball lands short of the green it will release towards the green or near by leaving a short pitch or chip shot.

Grip the golf club as you normally would for any golf shot.

Ball position in the middle of my stance. If I wanted to hook the golf ball more I may move the golf ball back a little in my stance. Moving the golf ball back is easier to hit with a short iron if required. Also it's easier to apply curvature to a golf ball with a lofted golf club.

I choose a line I want the golf ball to start on and set the golf club on that line. My line was right of the trees in front of me and towards the trap front right of the green.

I set my body line closed to the golf ball starting line which is to the right as you will see in the video. The club face is now closed but pointed at the golf ball starting line.

From this point I swing along my body line and hit the golf shot.

The golf ball starts right of the trees and hooks back to the green. This shot I hit on the green and was putting for birdie.

This is a risk / reward shot so decide if you want to take the shot on. You also have to determine what you will gain or loose from playing the shot. The next time your playing a few holes try this a few times before attempting the shot in a game. If you have any questions or require help with this shot or your game email Mark at graingergolf@rocketmail.com

Enjoy the greatest game we play.

The Cut Pitch

This is a very useful shot if your short sided with very little green to work with out of green side rough.
 I shot video in real time and you will notice the golf ball spin slightly to the right when it hits the green.

Club of choice is your most lofted. Mine being a 60 degree wedge.

I grip down for more control and feel during the pitch shot.

I play the golf ball towards the front of my stance and I'm open to the target.

My wedge is open at address aiming down the target line.

I pick a spot where I want the golf ball to land on the green taking a few practice swings to measure back swing length required to hit the pitch shot. If grip pressure stays the same, length of back swing determines how far the shot will travel.

I take the golf club away slightly outside and swing inside cutting across the golf ball at impact.

I have the feeling the club face is sliding under the golf ball.

The shot is vertical quickly and lands soft when it hits the green.

Occasionally you can make a few of these which like all short game shots help your score at the end of the day. Very few golfers practice the short game but if you look at the players that win golf tournaments on tour, they all have an above average short game. The percentage of practice for the average player should be 70% short game and 30% long game. If you have any questions about this great game or you require help with this shot or any others please contact Mark at graingergolf@rocketmail.com
Have a great week.

Hitting From an Uphill Lie

Occasionally  during a round of golf you have to hit a shot from an uphill lie. Here's an easy way to hit the shot. This golf shot was 135 yards and I required a 9 iron.

I choose one more club than I would normally hit for the yardage in calm conditions.
Shots from an uphill lie will also fly higher.

I play the golf shot further forward in my stance.

I align my shoulders on a similar angle to that of the slope.

I want to be comfortable at set up with more weight on my right side at address
(left side for left handed players).

I align slightly right of target as most of these shots will be hit will a slight pull.

Complete your back swing so the club will shallow on the downswing.

Reaching impact I concentrate on swinging the golf club up the slope and balancing as best I can.

Core strength is important hitting this golf shot. Good tempo is always a plus and helpful. If you need assistance with this shot or your game contact Mark at graingergolf@rocketmail.com
I'll show you how much fun the game will become.

Tempo in the Golf Swing

If you watch the worlds best players they all have good tempo. I believe tempo is created with lighter grip pressure and balance at the address position. Grip the club on the tighter side and you will most likely swing the golf club in quick tempo. Combine this with an unbalanced setup and you have a recipe for tempo which will hurt the golf swing. Lighter grip pressure and a solid balanced set up allows you to swing the golf club in good tempo and finish in good balance. I shot video with a driver and an 8 iron in real time to show accurate swing tempo. Usually I shoot at 240FPS for most videos.

A Few Key Points:

Grip pressure on the lighter side at address.
Weight evenly distributed on the balls of my feet.
I now have a good beginning to start the golf swing and keep good tempo and balance during the golf shot.
I now focus on swinging the golf club back turning in to my right side ( left side for left handed players)
After I've made a good turn in to my right side I have a means to turn back to the golf ball and finish the swing keeping good tempo and balance.
If I'm out of balance my swing tempo will possibly increase during the swing producing mishits and unwanted golf shots which effect your ability to keep the golf ball in play and ultimately score.
Hitting all golf shots I attempt to keep the same tempo and let the length of golf club speed up the golf swing. You will see when viewing the 8 iron video followed by driver video.

A great drill to use to find good tempo is during your back swing say the word practice
and during the down swing say the word swing. I wrote about this several years ago and the bottom link takes you to the GolfOnline website for viewing. Remember swing in smooth tempo for better ball striking. One last thought, if playing in the wind try to swing the club slower. Wind causes most golfers to speed up and swing in a quicker tempo. If you require help with tempo and any part of your game contact Mark at graingergolf@rocketmail.com
Golf is truly the greatest game we play. Enjoy   http://www.golfonline.co.uk/golf-news/general-golf-news/talk-to-yourself-expert-tells-hasty-swingers-nd-18773239.html

The 5 Foot Chip Shot Out Of Deep Rough

Everyone has done this during play. You hit your approach shot and missed the green on either side. The shot you hit is long and the golf ball settles down in the rough. Your also short sided to a front pin with a downhill chip shot. Usually to get to this point you've hit too much club or perhaps your approach was hit thin. Now I have a tough golf shot. Here's how to escape and save par.

Club of choice your most lofted. My club was the 60 degree wedge.
Play the golf ball slightly back of centre in your stance.
Stance is not quite shoulder width apart on the inside of my feet. I want my base to be very stable to hit this shot. Place a little extra weight on your front foot and leave it during the shot.
I take a few practice swings measuring how much back swing I need to chip the golf ball 5 feet. Because the shot is downhill and severe I need to use the fringe to help me control how far the golf ball will roll after hitting the ground.
Hinge your wrists a little on the back swing. This gives you a steeper angle of attack hitting the chip shot, also allowing you to hit the golf ball first and not the grass surrounding the golf ball.
When you hit the chip shot keep a firm left wrist ( right wrist for left handed players ) and a short follow through keeping the face of the golf club square to the target line. The golf ball rolls up the face of the club and lands soft. Your escape is complete.
For more information hitting this golf shot email graingergolf@rocketmail.com
Enjoy golf to the fullest.

 

 

40 Yard Fairway Shot

Most golfers have a great deal of trouble with this golf shot. Most attempt to hit a sand or lob wedge and end by hitting the golf shot thin over the green or fat with the golf ball not moving more than 20 yards.
This golf shot was to a front flag and my goal was to hit the golf shot 10 feet or less. My first shot you will see on the front of the green was hit with a lob wedge. I hit it well but it came up short. These shots are scoring shots and reflect more on the score card than the great drives everyone likes to hit. This shot also sets up for the 1 putt which builds confidence in putting saving golf shots that add up at the end of the day. So far everything all I've written is positive about the golf shot so given the opportunity I want to practice these shots a great deal. I can hit a poor drive and have a chance on the hole I'm playing due to these types of shots. Here's how.


Club of choice is my 56 degree sand wedge.
My grip is very light.
I play the golf shot from the middle of my stance.
I set up very square to the target.
I bend slightly more from my waist feeling as though my chest is covering the golf ball a bit.
During the golf shot I keep this bend as you will see.
Notice at impact I hit the golf ball first clipping the shot. Small divot which is a good sign as the golf ball rolls up the face producing a slight grabbing motion the golf ball will have when hitting the green. Not a great deal of spin but enough for good distance control. Better than the lob wedge ( see results ).
My back swing is very short a little more than half. I feel as though this is a long low pitch shot.
After impact I cut my follow through keeping the face of the club square to the target line turning through a little and hold the finish ( much better result ).
For help with this shot or any others please contact Mark at graingergolf@rocketmail.com
Enjoy your next game with better scoring shots.

   

Golf Ball Against The Collar

Have you ever hit your approach shot to a green and walked up only to find the golf ball against the collar? This short game shot will help you save par.

My club of choice is my sand or lob wedge.
My ball position is just forward of centre.
My stance is slightly open.
My club face is slightly open aimed down the target line.
I don't sole the club behind the golf ball.
Making a putting stroke motion I strike the golf ball with the lead edge of the wedge just above the equator of the golf ball. The golf ball will hop over part of the fringe and start rolling as though you've hit a putt.
Be sure to follow through keeping the wedge square to the target line.
I find this an effective way to hit this golf shot which can be intimidating at times.
You can also hit this shot with a hybrid or fairway metal.
For help or more information on this shot or any other golf shots contact Mark at graingergolf@rocketmail.com
Thank you and enjoy the greatest game of a lifetime.

Hitting Golf Shots Back in Play From Under Trees

Have you ever hit a shot wayward and you have to hit your second shot under trees to get the golf ball back in play? Here's how you save a few shots:

The video will show I have approximately 140 yards to the green. Tree branches are blocking my path to the green. I have to hit the golf shot under the branches no more than 10 feet in the air.

I hit this golf shot with a 6 iron.
Ball position is in the middle of my feet. Any further back and you will hook the golf shot.
Weight is centered at address but you will see in the face on video my weight shifts to my left side ( right side for left handed players to start the downswing aggressively.
My back swing is a little more upright than I would for a regular iron shot as I want a descending angle of attack to trap the golf ball. Notice the shaft flex at impact.
Back swing length is approximately 3/4 of a full swing.
After I strike the golf ball I keep the club face square to my target line and cut off my follow through keeping the golf club as low as I can to the ground.
You will notice the golf ball moves under the tree limbs and toward the green. The down the line shot I hit on the green 20 feet from the flag. Your goal is to get the golf ball back in play. You can still make par getting the golf ball back in play if you can't make the green with your second shot. Hit a good third shot and make a putt. For further help with these golf shots or any others contact Mark at graingergolf@rocketmail.com
This shot executed correctly will save you shots on the scorecard.

  

Golf Shot with the Golf Ball Above Your Feet

When hitting a golf shot with the golf ball above your feet apply the following fundamentals:

This was an 8 iron shot from a rather steep slope running towards me.

I take a couple of practice swings to understand the swing plane I require to brush the grass with the club.
Ball position centred.
Grip down on the golf club.
When setting up stand closer to the golf ball because during the shot you will move away from the golf ball.. 
My legs are quite straight for this shot and I want to stand tall to the golf ball.
Aim to the right (left for left handed players) as the golf ball will draw or hook off this lie. 
My swing plane must be flatter almost like I'm swinging around my body. An upright plane will strike behind the golf ball and you will hit the golf shot fat.
Limited lower body movement is required for good contact although you can make a good shoulder turn.
At impact simply follow the slope with the follow through swinging to a good finish.
When you apply the above fundamentals this shot becomes very easy to execute.
For more information on improving your game contact Mark at  graingergolf@rocketmail.com
Thank you

Golf Shot With The Ball Below Your Feet

If you have a golf shot with the golf ball below your feet hit the shot using the following fundamentals:

This was an 8 iron shot and the golf ball was extremely below my feet.

I take a couple of practice swings to understand how much knee flex I require to brush the grass with the club.
Set up with the golf ball in the middle of your stance and aim left of target (right of target for left handed players) as the golf ball will fade when hit.
Grip the club as long as you can on the grip.
Bend your knees and bend from the waist to obtain the desired posture standing a little further away because you will move toward the golf ball during the shot.
Be sure to swing the golf club a little more upright as you will see in the video and hold your knee flex and spine angle. Not much lower body turn when holding your knee flex.
The golf ball will fly high and fall from left to right a fade and land soft.
These few basics will help you hit this difficult golf shot.
For more information contact Mark at  graingergolf@rocketmail.com

Increasing Lag In The Golf Swing

This video will show you a drill to help you increase lag on the down swing. You will notice my hips move open while the golf club stays behind me coming from an inside club path. As my weight shifts to my left side (right side for left handed players) the golf club moves downward from the inside while I hold the angle creating a great deal of lag in the golf swing. My right elbow (left elbow for left handed players) remains close to my side on the down swing. If you can swing the golf club in this fashion holding the downward angle you will hit longer and straighter golf shots. An easy drill you can perform in your back yard away from the golf course.Ten minutes per week practicing this drill will do wonders for your ball striking. Most tour players use this drill in practice. For more information about this drill and others contact Mark at graingergolf@rocketmail.com  to further improve your game. 

                                

Creating a Better Swing Plane

An inside swing path on the downswing is vital for good ball striking. This allows you to hit consistent powerful golf shots. This drill will help you create a repeatable inside swing path and stop having to worry about the over the top cut across straight pull shots or the over the top slice shots that plaque most golfers from time to time.

Here's how:

You need a driver golf shaft minus the club head.
The larger of the pool noodles kids play in the pool with. They must be the bigger circumference so the noodle will slide over the grip on the shaft. Also when windy it holds its position more or less.

Stick the shaft in the ground (see video)
Insert the pool noodle over the grip so it sticks out on the angle in the video.
Touch your back shoulder as shown in the video and move a couple of feet sideways or towards a target your aiming at or swinging.
Simply keep the club under the noodle while swinging.
You will notice the golf club is on the same angle as the noodle. Just under it on the down swing thus creating and inside swing path. This can be done in your backyard. 5 minutes a day would help greatly.
For more information on improving contact myself at graingergolf@rocketmail.com
Enjoy golf to the fullest. What a great game when basics are applied.

     

Chipping the Golf Ball Greenside

When chipping use the following fundamentals:

Try to keep the grip pressure the same during the chip shot.
If grip pressure stays the same length of back swing determines how far the golf ball will travel.
Ball position centered.
Weight leans slightly to your front foot and stays there during the chip shot.
Chest is slightly covering the golf ball and stays on top during the shot. (face on video) 
Shaft of the club leans slightly towards the target.
Brush the grass with your head steady and follow through keeping the club face square moving down the target line.
Arm speed at a steady pace turning your chest slightly to target on the finish.
If done correctly it will look like this. Face on and down the line video.
Make more one putts with improved chipping and help your scrambling ability.

Ball Roll When Putting

The quicker you get the golf ball to roll the more accurate your putts will be:

Ball position should be 2 inches in front of the sternum. Sternum reflect the bottom of the arc of the stroke.

Hand start position must be ahead at the address position with the shaft of the putter leaning towards the target. When you have correct ball position and hand start position you can develop an ideal stroke plane.

Striking the golf ball with a slight up stroke gives you good quality ball roll. You will see in the video looking at the roll board my putt rolls correctly from the face of the putter. If you want to improve your handicap and lower your scores consistently learn more about putting. The least practiced part of the game and the most important. 45% of your score is from putting. Improved putting = better scoring.

The Lob Shot

If you have to hit a shot around the greens higher because of being short sided to a close pin please concentrate on the following fundamentals:

Ball position is played from the front of your stance.
Body is open to target.
Club face is open and aimed at target.
As I swing the golf club back I flare the club face open slightly more which will help leading the heel first back to impact.
At the impact position I keep the same face angle following through and the club face will point to the sky.
The golf ball is vertical quickly and lands soft.
 

Bunker Shot Basics

If you need some height on your bunker shots use the following fundamentals:
Ball position forward toward your front foot
Body line open to the target
Club face open and aimed at your target
During the back swing roll the club face open a bit
Hit the sand 1 1/2 to 2 inches behind the golf ball
Follow through and keep the face of the club square moving down the target line
Be sure to keep the club moving at impact or the golf ball will not get out of the bunker
You will see in the video when hit properly the golf club will pass the golf ball after impact
The golf ball has rolled up the face of the club
The shot will fly high and land soft 

Hitting the golf ball further with your driver

Width to the back swing is a key element to hitting the golf ball further. My left arm extends back to almost a straight position. I increase my swing arc which creates more club head speed by impact. You will also see in the video by the top of the back swing I've completed my turn with my chest facing away from the target. My wrists are also fully hinged at the top of the back swing storing energy needed to hit the golf ball further when released. These fundamentals will help you to hit the driver with more consistency and distance.

Sand Shot Down the Line

Sand shots are the easiest shot in golf. 

Hit the shot using the following fundamentals:

Wiggle your feet in as shown in the video. This gives you stability and allows you to see if the sand is light and fluffy or wet and heavy. This sand is wet and heavy so I want to use my most lofted club with the least amount of bounce.
Stance is slightly open at address and shoulder width apart on the inside of your feet
Club face is slightly open at address and aiming at the target line
Shaft leans slightly towards the target at address
Take a good full swing as you will see in the video
Contact the sand 1 1/2 inches behind the golf ball and follow through keeping the club face square to the target line

Remember follow through and the goal is to get the golf ball out of the hazard.

Turning during the golf swing

During the golf swing we turn around our spine. On the back swing my chest turns away from the target. My left shoulder moves towards my right knee. On the down swing my chest turns through and faces my target at the finish of the golf swing. Remember the back swing we turn away and the down swing we turn through. This will promote a powerful move by the impact position.

With a little work and practice

Patricia a second year player I teach has worked very hard on her golf swing over the past year. The video shows a wonderful golf swing in a short period of time. The drill you see before the full golf swing is a lag drill designed to hold the angle of the club on the down swing which creates more club head speed by impact and of course something everyone wants more distance. Well done Patricia.

Pitching the golf ball

When hitting a pitch shot the ball position is in the centre of the stance. At address my weight is slightly on my left foot (right foot for a left handed player) and kept there during the shot. The shaft of the club leans slightly towards the target at the address position as well. Hitting the pitch shot my head stays centred and steady. I feel my chest turning through the shot carrying the club square down the target line. This helps you keep the loft of the club consistent during the swing as well providing you with a soft landing pitch shot. Remember turn your chest through.

When putting the putter needs to be square to the path of the stroke through the hitting area. To practice this I use a 3 foot steel ruler. Place a golf ball on the one end of the ruler and roll the golf ball down the steel ruler attempting to make the 3 foot putt. If done correctly you will keep the putter square to the path of the stroke through the hitting area and the golf ball rolls downs the ruler and in to the hole.

I taught a Ladies Clinic May 31. The video is a great example of a well executed chip shot. You will see the club passes the golf ball after impact for an instant. When chipping think of the following fundamentals:
Body weight slightly towards target at the address position.
Shaft leans slightly to target at address.
Head centered and steady during the shot.
Brush the grass with the golf club on the down swing.
Keep the club face square to the line of target on the follow through.
When looking at the video you will see a great launch to the golf ball which will land soft.

A very well hit chip shot.

Ball Position

Keep your ball position simple. 7 iron thru wedges played from the middle of your stance. Mid irons and hybrids played from just in front of centre. Fairway metals 1 inch inside your front foot. Driver directly off your front heel.

 Simple Alignment

The illustration left shows the feet, knees, hips and shoulders running on a parallel line to that of the golf club and golf ball. The line furthest away from the golfer in the illustration is a reference line to help with setting alignment. Think of a railway track as you look at the foot line and the golf club and golf ball line. Alignment gives you direction. Direction gives you feedback. 

Early Season Back to Basics (The Grip)

The Grip

The golf club is gripped in your fingers. The palms of your hands align to face one another.  The V formed between the index finger and the thumb on both hands points to the right shoulder (left shoulder for left handed players). As you look down at your top hand you should see 2 to 3 knuckles. Keep your grip pressure on the lighter side at set up. Lighter grip pressure helps you make a better turn on the back swing with little tension in the upper body being created due to grip pressure. Try to grip the golf club one inch down from the top of the club to give you support at the finish of the back swing. This also helps stop over swinging. Gripping the golf club using these fundamentals will allow you to hit the golf ball straighter and more consistently.

Welcome To My Blog

I would like to welcome you to my blog. The golf season is off to an early start due to some unseasonably warm early spring temperatures. I started this page to help golfers like yourself. I will be writing weekly tips and information designed to help you improve as you read each posting. Thank you for taking the time to read my blog and I wish you all the best. Have a wonderful year golfing.

Sincerely


Mark Grainger