WEEKLY GOLF TIP QUESTION - By: Golf Knut, Posted on: 2006-12-13

Hitting Shots Fat

Q. I hear pros talk about keeping your swing level. I'm an 11 handicap and once in a while I'll hit a shot fat. It's as if my swing collapses somewhere in my back or downswing. Could you give me some feedback on how to maintain a level swing? I practice holding the club shoulder high and swinging the club around my body to get a feel that my shoulder turn is level, but I still hit it fat once in awhile.

A.Thanks for the question. Hitting the ball fat is usually the result of an excessively V-shaped swing. This type of swing is results from standing up to see the ball through impact, a tight lie, a rushed backswing, the desire to lift or scoop the ball out of a lie, or a combination of all of these faults.

Correct ball position determines the swing's impact point and helps eliminate fat shots. With a wood you sweep the ball away with an ascending blow, so you want to hit the ball positioned just after the swing arc's lowest point. With an iron, you strike the ball with a descending blow, so you want to hit the ball just before the arc's lowest point.

Also, since a club's loft usually determines trajectory, you don't need to try to scoop the ball out of a lie or get under it. If you strike the ball properly, the clubhead's loft sends the ball skyward. Just focus on hitting the ball at the right impact point and taking a complete backswing. In addition, try maintaining your tempo throughout your swing. Don't rush the backswing.

Here are two drills that can help:

Visualize a U-shaped swing, with a pronounced "flat spot" through impact. With a wood, place a tee in the ground just opposite your left foot. Then try "picking" the tee out of the ground with your club. With an iron, take your normal stance and ground the club. Then try creating a shallow divot just past where you ground the iron. Concentrate on executing a complete backswing with both drills.

These two drills help eliminate fat shots. They also ensure that you hit the ball at the right impact point in your swing, curing you of taking excessively V-shaped swings. If you tend to hit shots fat, practice these drills whenever you can.

If you've got a golf question you'd like answered, send an email to us at questions@howtobreak80.com and we'll review it. I can't guarantee that we'll use it but if we do, we'll make sure to include your name and where you're from.

Article Source: http://golfarticlesdirectory.com

Posted By: Golf Articles Directory Article Written By Jack Moorehouse Author Of E-Book " How To Break 80 "

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