JohnHayesGolf.com Newsletter Golf Tip – March 2016
For your golf game: What adjustments do you need to make when you have an uneven lie, generally called a SIDEHILL LIE WITH THE BALL ABOVE THE LEVEL OF YOUR FEET? There are two main adjustments to make: 1) you will want to grip down on the club a little because the ball lies on ground that is above the level of your feet. You can loosen your hands so they can slide down on the grip so that you can have your arms hanging and have your posture close to your normal set up position and then just let your hands settle on the grip at whatever level they end up. 2) You will want to aim somewhat to the right of the target (for a right-hander) because the ball will tend to go to the left. An easy way to remember this directional situation is to picture what the ball would do on this slope if you hit a putt – it will curve to the left.
The more severe this side hill lie is then the more the toe of the club head is above the heel at address in order to accommodate the slope. This will cause the ball to go left and this effect is even greater on more lofted clubs. This is also why it is important to have the lie angle of your clubs fit for your swing so that the toe or heel is not higher at impact. When you face this side hill lie with the ball above the feet then the slope forces the toe to be higher than the heel at impact.
If your ball is well above the level of your feet on a grass slope near the green and you are using a sand wedge to play the shot then look at the direction that the clubface will send the ball when you address the shot. It will be quite a bit to the left of your swing direction. You may need to grip down so far on the club that your hands are on the shaft. So grip down and aim and swing a little to the right of your target to accommodate this uneven lie.
Upcoming clinics and events: I will conduct a GET GOLF READY LADIES BOOT CAMP on Thur., March 10th through Sunday, March 13th. 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!
My next LADIES-ONLY GOLF CLINIC will be held on 2 consecutive Weekends – April 2, 3, 9 and 10 from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 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, March 19th 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, 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.
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 in the Tampa, FL area.