Page 66 - Las Vegas Golf & Leisure Fall 2018

[ FE A T UR E ]

LET THE BIG DOG EAT

Jeff Mayhall, Director of Golf, Royal Links (14)

702-765-0484 | jmayhall@royallinksgolfclub.com

A driver can be a golfer’s best friend, but sometimes it’s the worst enemy. While many golfers struggle with an over-the-top drive, there are also
plenty of players who get the club stuck behind them in their swing, especially with the driver. If you’re the type of player who misses the drive both
right and left, this tip is for you.
Drill: Use a couple alignment rods, a pool noodle, and Tee Claw or another alignment rod. Stick the alignment rod up just inside the path of the
club on the same angle of the driver or iron that you are using. This should be stuck in the ground slightly behind your trail foot just inside the path
of the club. Slide the pool noodle on the alignment rod to protect your club and shaft from the rod. Tee the ball up either on the Tee Claw or just in
front of the second alignment rod in line with your intended target.
The alignment rod that is stuck in the ground will force the clubhead to go back on the correct path and not allow you to get it stuck inside on the
way back. Practice the takeaway a few times, taking the club back to the horizonal position keeping the Y of the arms and shaft from breaking down
to this position, trying not to hit the alignment rod. Again, you can also think about keeping the butt of the club and your belly button connected.
Once you have made a couple practice takeaways, add it to your full swing and see if you aren’t hitting the ball straighter.

THE SCORING ZONE

(150 YARDS & IN)

(15) Jim Hart, Golf with Hart Academy, Las Vegas Golf Club

702-521-8537 | hartjh89117@embarqmail.com

When I observe golfers at the practice facility, they often appear to be trying to hit the golf ball as far as possible with every swing of every club. I
understand distance is important, however, attention to the shorter portion of their game is many times overlooked.
Here are some suggestions for practice with the intention of lowing your scores and improving your golf skills:

» Work on shots from 150 yards in with accuracy being the goal.
» Work with different clubs from the same distance. (Example 8, 7, 6 and 4 irons)
» Practice half, three-quarter and full swings with the same club, observing the trajectory and distance.
» Try adjusting the position of the hands on the club. (Example: choke down, weak or strong grips)
» Practice adjusting the ball position front, middle and back of the golf stance with the same clubs, observe the trajectory and distance.
» Learn and practice the difference between the set-ups for a chip and pitch shot (try using different clubs for both the chip and pitch).

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