On the Green

This week I played golf with a student I had not seen in at least seven months; what a wonderful experience it was. For the past few months I have been trying to play golf at least once a week with students. It is not enough golf to keep my game sharp, but it is improving.

My student said he would try not to be nervous but little did he know that I was feeling nervous too. Amateurs often believe golf professionals should play great golf all the time; yet I know that you only get out of golf what you put into it and since I play so infrequently I doubted myself. I would love to play a lot of golf; but giving lessons as often as I do prohibits that. I do encourage my students to play as many times as they can once the fundamentals and beginner lessons are completed.

When my student hit a long straight drive into the middle of the fairway on the first hole his hours of lessons, practice and rounds of golf flashed before me with such pride for him. He looked like a golfer, acted like a golfer with an efficient pre-shot routine, hit shots like a golfer and you could tell enjoyed being a golfer. His first few holes were far better than mine; however, by the fourth hole I turned my game around and finished strong, as did he with a birdie on the last hole. But the results of my own game were truly overshadowed by his progress. The moral of this story is take lessons, play often, and enjoy this fun game.

A junior golfer approached me at the range and asked me to help him. I asked him what seemed to be wrong; he responded with, "the balls are going left and right and he is not consistent." So, after I watched him hit a couple of balls I spotted several fundamentals needing to be tweaked. He told me he was self-taught to which I responded he had done a pretty good job.

I checked his grip and changed it slightly so his left hand could maintain better control of the clubface. He liked the new feel and control. I accomplished this by placing his left heel pad more on "top" of the club. Secondly, I corrected his aim and alignment. He body was aimed well right of the target which required his body to pull the club across his body just to hit close to his intended target. This move was grooved so when I straightened him out he still pulled the ball left of his target, even though he was now aligned correctly.

In order to see where a student is swinging I often stand in front of the golfer in line with his club head on the target side. I do not recommend anyone standing there unless all balls are well out of reach; I emphasize well out of reach. From that position, I ask the student to make a full practice swing and remind them that I am in line with their intended target. What I find from that position is how quickly the swing and club pulls inside and left immediately after the impact area. This motion "cut spins" the ball to the right or if squared "pulls" the ball left and perhaps low. Once I get the student to swing down the line after impact toward me where I am standing, I have them try a few shots. Yes, I do move!

Seriously though, the message here is that the golf swing is equal and balanced on both sides of the ball and impact area. Ask your local pro to check out your swing path.

Joyce Wilcox is a teaching professional and an LPGA Class A Member. Contact Joyce at 910-274-4767.