Manitoba Golf Guide | 2015

MANITOBA GOLF GUIDE 2015 • 09

Tips From Three Pros By Todd Lewys for the Free Press

Writer Todd Lewys asked three of Manitoba’s professional golfers for their tips on improving a game. Read on for your free lessons that are sure to shave a few strokes of your next round.

The Three Keys to Being on Target By Michel Pilon, Head Professional, Harbour View Golf Course To hit on-target shots, you must do three things. First, you must aim the clubface properly. To aim it accurately, don’t aim it at the flag. Instead, aim it at a divot or small piece of grass that lines up with the flag about a foot ahead of your golf ball. Aiming at an intermediate target is the best way to ensure accuracy. Second, step into the ball with your back foot square, and then aim the clubface. Set up in an athletic posture with your knees slightly flexed, butt out, back straight and arms hanging down naturally to the ball. Last but certainly not least, you need to complement that good set-up with a good finish. That means ending up in perfect balance with your spine angle the same at the finish as it was at address. If you can hold your finish, that means you swung under control, and likely hit a straight, solid shot. Finish out of balance to the left or right, and chances are you’ve missed your target well to the left or right. Think 1-2-3: set up right, aim properly, and then finish in balance. Do those three things, and you’ll play your best golf ever!

a longer club. The photo sequence shows this: you can see the ball remains two inches or so inside my front (left) foot. The only thing that’s changed is the width of my stance. One more thing: make sure your ball position doesn’t get too far forward, or too far back in your stance. A ball positioned too far forward, opens your shoulders and can promote a slice, while playing it too far back in your stance closes your shoulders and can promote a hook. Incorrect ball positioning will also affect the trajectory of a shot. Keep your ball position in one spot—and point your toes out to help your body turn naturally—and watch your scores improve this summer! How to Attain the Right Angle of Attack By Tom Kinsman, Director of Instruction, Southwood Golf & Country Club It’s a term that golfers hear often, yet are unsure of its meaning: angle of attack Simply put, angle of attack refers to the angle at which the clubhead approaches the ball on the downswing. Most golfers struggle with the driver because their angle of attack is too steep—more of a chopping, rather

than sweeping motion. To hit the driver well, you want the angle of attack to be upward at the ball, not downward. Why? Simple: an upward hit launches the ball with less spin, resulting in longer, straighter shots. Angle of attack is determined by how you address the ball. Many golfers set up with their weight favouring their left side, which makes you feel like you’re looking at the top of the ball. Proper address position for the driver involves setting up more behind the ball. When you do this, you feel like you’re looking at the back of the ball. To create a more upward angle of attack with the driver, try this drill: set up with your head more behind the ball and more weight on your right side. Then, place a towel or sleeve of balls in front of the tee ball. Work on swinging up over the towel or ball sleeve. Hit it, and your angle of attack is too steep. Miss it, and you’ll know your angle is more upward. The result will be longer, straighter drives.

Constant Ball Position: The Key to Lower Scores By Garth Goodbrandson, Director, Player Development, Golf Manitoba There’s a common misconception about ball position: that you should move it back in your stance as you go from the driver to shorter clubs. Actually, ball position should be constant— about a couple inches inside your front foot. It should remain in that position with every club. The only thing that changes is where your back foot goes. With short irons, your feet will be closer together. Then, as you graduate from short irons to mid-irons and then to the driver, your feet will naturally be wider apart. Visually, it may seem as if the ball appears to be farther back with a shorter club, and farther up with

GARTH GOODBRANDSON

TOM KINSMAN

MICHEL PILON

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