March 2015 Golf Tip Newsletter

JohnHayesGolf Newsletter Golf Tip – March 2015

For your golf game:  I hate to repeat bad information because then it keeps these ideas in the golf conversation when they should just die and go away!  DO NOT keep your left arm straight and stiff during the golf swing.  If you keep your left arm, wrist, elbow and/or shoulder joint stiff with muscular tension then it will cause the clubface to go “face up” on the forward swing past the ball area and this will cause the ball to go to the right (for a right-handed golfer).  Yes the motion of the swing will extend the left arm during the backswing and for a part of the forward swing but the club must be allowed to swing “toe up” past the ball to hit the ball straight and so the left arm must be kept free of tension so the momentum of the swinging motion can move the club to this “toe up” position when the shaft of the club is pointing at the target.  If you desire to hit the ball to the right and a shorter distance and you desire to move in a slow and clumsy manner then keep the left arm straight and stiff while you swing.  Otherwise your arm should be flexible and free of muscular tension just as it is when you throw a baseball.

DO NOT try to keep your head down while you swing.  This will hinder your body’s response to the forward swing.  Keeping the head down is often blamed for topped shots when it is really not the cause of the problem so the poor beginner keeps topping the ball and feels very awkward doing it.  One common cause of topping the ball is having a high mental picture of how the ball is going to fly and so the golfer makes the club go upward in an effort to lift the ball and achieve this high mental picture.  To solve this cause of topping the ball (or hitting the ground behind the ball), change your mental picture to sending the ball out low, under some imaginary tree branches, so the club will be swung forward rather than upward and the club will brush the grass.  When you finish the swing you will be watching the ball with your body in an upright posture and your back heel off the ground.

So swing the whole club forward with your arms very tension-free and watch the ball as it flies toward the target. 

Upcoming clinics and events:  My next LADIES-ONLY GOLF CLINIC will be held on 4 consecutive Wednesdays – March 25, April 1, 8 and 15 from 11:00 a.m. to NOON on all four days.  Cost is only $40 total for all 4 sessions!  It is good for beginners or newly dedicated golfers.

My next specialty clinic will be a SHORT GAME BOOT CAMP for 2 hours held on Saturday, March 28th from Noon to 2:00 p.m.  I will cover pitching/chipping, bunker play, wedges 30 yards plus, putting, and how to practice effectively!  Men or Ladies welcome.  This is NOT for new beginners.  There is a limit of only 4 students so call or email to sign up.  Total cost is only $40. 

I will conduct my next GET GOLF READY LADIES BOOT CAMP on Thur., March 19 through Sun., March 22.  There will be 4 hours of golf clinics (Thur. & Fri. from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and on Sat. from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.) and then we will finish on the golf course on Sun. from 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.  This is perfect for beginners who want to feel comfortable on the golf course in a short time.  Total cost is only $99 and includes everything! 

Please call (727) 692-4679 or email, jh@johnhayesgolf.com, to sign up as space is limited for all clinics.  Go to www.johnhayesgolf.com for more details.

As always, please contact me with any questions or comments and I hope to see you soon on the lesson tee at the Chi Chi Golf Range & Family Sports Complex in beautiful Clearwater near Tampa, FL.