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Tip 10: Wedge Play
When you're within 50 yards of the green, your best approach is a wedge shot with a high arc and backspin to stop the ball with no roll. To do this, line up with the ball centered in your stance and your weight equally distributed on both feet. Your shoulder, hips, knees and feet are square to the intended line of flight. On your
backswing, your left shoulder and right side should rotate as one, with the plane inside the line of flight. Start your downswing with your left arm. The leading edge of the wedge goes down under the ball so the ball will slide up the face of the club. Your left arm starts down with your hands leading the shaft and clubhead. Do not allow your left wrist to break. Once the clubhead comes in contact with the ball, your weight moves down the line of flight. Your backswing will determine the distance. Practice this, and soon you'll be hitting shots to the green that spin back to the hole or stop on a dime.
Tip 11: Putting Basics
Just like with your regular golf swing, a good putting stroke depends on some basic fundamentals. First, start with your setup. You should always play the ball forward in your stance. Your hands should be on line with the clubhead and ball. Keep your eyes looking down on the ball. Next, your takeaway should be low keeping your wrists firm. Move your arms in a pendulum-like motion and accelerate through the ball. The length of your swing will determine the distance the ball will travel. Finally, be sure to maintain your balance with no body movement. This will help keep the club square through the ball. Follow these basic fundamentals and be sure to practice them next time you're on the putting green. If you do, you'll develop a more consistent putting stroke, and it
won't be long before those dreaded three-putts become fewer and far between.
Tip 12: Complicated Putts
Some putts seem so difficult because severe breaks or elevation changes put additional pressure on the one faculty we need most to putt our very best, that is, our imagination. The best putters are said to have the best feel, but I think they have the best imaginations. And that imagination leads to feel. Imagine that the green is covered with silvery dew. Your putt would leave a distinct track on its way to the cup. Just imagine that track to help you determine the route of your putt, and burn that track into your mind and even onto the green. The end of your imaginary dew track should be right in the hole! Work at maintaining the track in your mind. Don't let the severity of the break or even the hole distract you. Start your ball right on that imaginary line, not on a line at
the hole. Once the track is set in your imagination, your job is only to hit the putt at the right pace. So dust off your imagination, and dust the green in silvery dew to conquer those tricky sidehillers.
Tip 13: Sand Play
Getting out of the sand can be quite simple, if you follow these few steps. First, use a sand or lob wedge, because they both have plenty of loft to quickly get the ball in the air. And they also have some bounce, which lets the club slide through the sand rather than digging into it. Second, ground yourself into the sand by wiggling your feet until you won't slip during the swing. This also gives you needed information about the hardness or softness of the sand and how far behind the ball you'll need to hit. Remember, you are not allowed to touch the sand with either the club or your hand before starting your swing. With soft sand, try to aim about two
inches behind the ball. When the sand is firmer, aim about an inch behind the ball. Finally, your left arm on the backswing should be parallel to the ground, then swing through the sand to a balanced finish. Follow these simple steps and practice them. And you won't fear the sand any longer.
Source: Free Golf Tip Newsletter Number 20 of 52
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