JohnHayesGolf.com Newsletter Golf Tip – June 2015
For your golf game: The club is aligned correctly when both the leading edge of the clubface and the shaft are perpendicular to the target line. (As you place the club behind the ball to align the clubface, do you visualize a line on the ground going from your target to the golf ball?) If you want to use the club in the way it was built then the line of the leading edge and the line of the shaft should not cross at address. If you want to have the shaft leaning ahead of the clubhead to reduce the effective loft of your club then only the leading edge of the clubface will be perpendicular to the target line. This is a way to hit a lower shot than normal. If you want to play a low wind shot by changing the set up this way then I think it is best to have the butt end of the grip still in your center and then have the clubhead and the ball back in the stance so the shaft is leaning forward but the leading edge of the clubface is still perpendicular to the target line. This way you can set up with your arms hanging normal and the hands still in your center and be in balance. I think this is less complicated than pushing your hands and the butt of the grip well forward of your center to de-loft the clubface. This setup will tend to open your shoulders at address and this must be corrected by an additional movement at setup.
This simplest way to play a lower shot is to take a 5 iron instead of a 7 iron and make a smaller swing than normal. The smaller swing has less speed and will therefore send the ball lower and it produces less backspin which also makes the ball fly lower. Using this method, you can set up with both the shaft and the leading edge perpendicular to the target line and you can set yourself square to the clubface and be in perfect balance.
You will want to check both ends of the club independently to see if the club is in your center at setup. This is because your right hand is lower than your left (for a right-hander) so your right shoulder is lower than your left and this tilts your head a little back of center. Your “center” here is defined as the midpoint between your shoulders and then project a line down perpendicular to the ground from that center point. So check to see the clubhead end of the club is in the center of your stance and then the butt of the grip end of the club points somewhere at the center line of your body. It will appear to your eyes that the grip is leaning ahead at address but that is only because your head is tilted a little back of center as I explained earlier.
This may all sound complicated but go through this stuff while looking at yourself and the club in a mirror and you will get it!
Upcoming clinics and events: I will conduct a GET GOLF READY LADIES BOOT CAMP on Thur., July 9 through Sun., July 12. 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!
My next LADIES-ONLY GOLF CLINIC will be held on 2 consecutive Weekends – June 13, 14, 20 and 21 from NOON to 1:00 p.m. on all four days (Sat., Sun., Sat. & Sun.) 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, June 27th from Noon to 2:00 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.
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.