Since the life of many double bogeys (and worse) begins with an errant tee shot on a narrow hole, I’d like to examine a couple effective points that can keep the ball in the short grass a lot more often, thus eliminating the need for trouble shots.
First order of business in hitting a straight drive is to select a club that gives you a reasonably good chance of accuracy. For many golfers, this means using the driver…not the 3-wood, 2- or 3-iron. True, the fairway woods or long irons can be more accurate, but only if you’re familiar with them and have used them enough to exert better-than-average control. For most players, the driver is the second most used club in the bag and the unfamiliarity of the fairway woods and long irons can spell disaster.
Pick a definite target
Pick a definite target in the middle of the fairway and aim at it. This focuses your attention on the target rather than on the trouble, plus it helps you align properly. Next, align properly! Can’t say it any simpler than that.
Finally, swing free and easy. Focus on making a good swing rather than on the result. Did you ever wonder why you can usually hit a great drive on a wide-open hole? Because the tension of getting into trouble is removed by the “safe” margins of the fairway. It sounds easier than it is, but concentrating on the swing rather than the result is a method all good players use.
So, the next time you face a fairway so narrow a dog can only wag his tail up and down, remember:
First order of business in hitting a straight drive is to select a club that gives you a reasonably good chance of accuracy. For many golfers, this means using the driver…not the 3-wood, 2- or 3-iron. True, the fairway woods or long irons can be more accurate, but only if you’re familiar with them and have used them enough to exert better-than-average control. For most players, the driver is the second most used club in the bag and the unfamiliarity of the fairway woods and long irons can spell disaster.
Pick a definite target
Pick a definite target in the middle of the fairway and aim at it. This focuses your attention on the target rather than on the trouble, plus it helps you align properly. Next, align properly! Can’t say it any simpler than that.
Finally, swing free and easy. Focus on making a good swing rather than on the result. Did you ever wonder why you can usually hit a great drive on a wide-open hole? Because the tension of getting into trouble is removed by the “safe” margins of the fairway. It sounds easier than it is, but concentrating on the swing rather than the result is a method all good players use.
So, the next time you face a fairway so narrow a dog can only wag his tail up and down, remember:
- Use your most confident club;
- Pick a spot in the fairway and aim at it;
- Align properly;
- Focus on the swing and not the result.
The top of your game
Many people have trouble topping the ball. While the universal cure-all for consistently hitting the ball in the forehead is “keep your head down,” the reality is that straightening of the knees and upper body is the main cause of striking the ball above its center.
I have several extra-short clubs that I use in my trick shot exhibitions and I have found that practice with a 36″ driver is an excellent way to train the knees and upper body to stay flexed until after impact.
Take an old driver, cut the shaft at 36″ and hit about 25 balls. Then switch to your regular driver and you’ll be amazed at how easy it becomes to stay in position until after impact.
