Greetings Golfers,
While standing on the edge of a green … could you with an underhand toss, roll the ball close to the pin?
Probably. But it’s not automatic. You have to judge correctly and then throw it how you planned. And if it didn’t turn out ok … you’d know if it was judgement or execution … or both.
It’s really the same thing with a chip shot. You’re using the club instead of throwing it with your hand.
The point that I’m trying to make … is that you’re in control of where the ball goes either with your throw or using a golf club.
However, when I play golf with people, they seem to think that if they make a good swing that the ball will go where it should. I played with a guy who hit every shot left and he asked me what was wrong. I asked him to try to hit the ball at the right side of the fairway. He looked confused. I said “Can you throw a ball at the right side of the fairway?” He said he could. So I told him to do the same thing with his golf club.
Golf shots are a result of swing path and club face. Your swing is just a means to control path and face. This might sound obvious … but I don’t think most golfers understand it. From what I see and hear … they think if they make a good swing that the ball flies in the correct direction and goes the correct distance.
I would like to see people go to the range and try to hit shots to the 100yd sign with every club in the bag. They need to learn to be in control of the golf club – not make a perfect golf swing.
A good golf swing makes it easier to be in control of the golf club. But the goal is to be able to control the club to hit the ball where you want it to go.
Hitting a golf shot should be similar to throwing a ball. A good pitching windup and motion doesn’t throw the ball. It helps … but a catcher throws pretty well from the crouch.
The golf swing doesn’t hit the ball for you. You do.
Cheers,
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Deer Run Golf Club
8661 Deer Run Drive
Victoria, MN 55386
(952) 443-2351
www.deerrungolf.com
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