JohnHayesGolf.com Newsletter Golf Tip – November 2017
For your golf game: I would like you to swing and to KEEP YOUR WEIGHT EQUAL (50% left and 50% right) from the start of the backswing until impact. After impact, you can allow your weight to transfer to the front foot at the finish of the forward swing. Manuel de la Torre, World Golf Teachers and PGA of America Hall of Fame golf teacher, felt this was the most effective way for a golfer to maintain his center, the midpoint between the shoulders, during the golf swing.
Manuel said that, when golfers tried to achieve this goal be keeping their center or head still, they would often become very stiff and not allow the body to turn in response to the golf swing. So keeping the weight equal until impact, which is sensed through the feet, does NOT mean that the body does not move and turn in response to the backswing. Keeping the weight equal does NOT mean that you make your legs tight and unresponsive during the swing.
Why is keeping the player’s center, the midpoint between the shoulders, from shifting backward or forward until impact so important? Because, if the center shifts during the backswing, then it must be shifted back at the moment of impact in order for the clubface to be square. This extra move requires more practice to time it correctly and makes mishits more likely.
So test if you are staying centered during the swing by observing that you KEEP THE WEIGHT EQUAL, 50% left foot and 50% right foot, from the start of the backswing until impact. Remember that this does not mean you make your legs stiff and unresponsive. The 50% of the weight in the left foot will move in that foot during the swing. As an example, in the backswing the weight in the left foot will move toward the toes and the weight in the right foot will move toward the heel, but the weight is still kept 50% left and 50% right.
Upcoming clinics and events: My next LADIES-ONLY GOLF CLINIC will be held on 2 consecutive Weekends – DECEMBER 2, 3, 9 and 10 from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on all 4 Weekend days. Cost is only $40 total for all 4 hours! 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, NOVEMBER 25th from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. I will cover pitching/chipping, bunker play, putting, and fun games to practice effectively! Men or Ladies welcome. This is NOT for new beginners. There is a limit of only 3 students so call or email to sign up. Total cost is only $55.
I will conduct a GET GOLF READY LADIES BOOT CAMP from Thur., NOVEMBER 16th through Sunday, NOVEMBER 19th. There will be 4 hours of golf clinics (Thur. & Fri. from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 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/text (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.
** I will be conducting the Adult Golf Clinics every week on Friday mornings at 9:30 a.m. and on Saturday afternoons at 12:30 p.m. There is no sign up, just show up and cost is only $20 which includes a large bucket of range balls.
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 & Sports Complex in beautiful Clearwater in the Tampa, FL area.