JohnHayesGolf Newsletter Golf Tip – November 2014
For your golf game: In most of my golf clinics and lesson series I will cover the change in set up required for all UNEVEN LIES. One of the more challenging shots in golf is the uneven lie generally referred to as the DOWNHILL LIE. This is where your feet are about on the same level as the ball but the slope you are on descends in the direction of the target. You must change the address position so that your weight is more on the downhill (front) foot and the ball is more toward the uphill (back) foot. The weight shifts so that your shoulders are tilted to be more parallel to the slope and this allows you to swing the club in the direction of the slope. If you do NOT swing with the slope you are likely to hit the ground behind the ball or to top the ball. You move the ball back in your stance to promote clean contact, otherwise the ground which rises behind the ball is very likely to get in the way of clean contact between the clubface and the ball.
What will the trajectory of the shot be on the downhill lie? It will be much lower than a shot from a level lie so you need to favor a more lofted club if you need the ball to stop on the green. So you are better able to swing with the slope and brush the grass it is helpful to visualize the shot going very low. If you have a downhill lie to a green and there is a lake in front of the green then I want you to visualize the ball going very low right into the lake and then make your swing with the slope and brush the grass! You may actually find that the swing going downward with the slope will take you completely off your right foot and you will begin to walk down the slope after your swing – this is okay! If you swing with the slope, brush the grass and use a club with enough loft then your ball will fly nicely onto the green and not down into the lake, as was your mental picture.
Upcoming clinics and events: I will conduct my next GET GOLF READY LADIES BOOT CAMP on Thur., Dec. 4 through Sun., Dec. 7. There will be 4 hours of golf clinics (Thur. & Fri. from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 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 – December 20, 21, 27 & 28 from NOON to 1:00 p.m. on all four days. Cost is only $40 total for all 4 sessions! It is good for beginners or newly dedicated golfers.
We will be having our next ADULT GOLF SCHOOL on a Tuesday evenings from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. (November 25th) where a limited number of golfers will go through a full swing station, a short game station and an on-course station with me, Dave Pedersen – PGA, and Dustin Snay – PGA Apprentice, at the Chi Chi Rodriguez Golf Club. This intense one-day school will leave you with some good plans for improving plus a lot of giveaways and a coupon for golf, all for only $49.99!
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, FL.