Short Shots

I have long had the challenge of how to accelerate on short shots, chip shots and pitches inside of 50 yards. I have a few things about my swing which have made it difficult to do so. I have a longish back swing and I move off the ball slightly making it necessary to move laterally and downcock on the front swing. this creates too much "power" and makes it easy for me to stop or slowdown going through.

I think of Claude Harmon's image of riding a bicycle across a 2x6 and wanting to accelerate so that you do not fall off. This is very similar to playing a pitch shot.

At Pine Needles the other day I had a different sensation practicing these shots. By keeping my left wrist position constant and by setting the angle of impact in my pre-shot routine I was able to visualize/ feel where my left arm and wrist position would finish at the end of my swing.

This swing feeling "instructed" my body not to move laterally or stop but I instinctively accelerated to that finish position and it caused me not to manipulate the club with my hands through impact. I had good rotation around which kept the club face in the same slightly open position that I started with at address.

The heel of the club stayed ahead of the toe and there was a shallow divot.

Later on the course I had a short pitch where trajectory was everything because if the ball came off low the ball would hit into the hill and not get anywhere near the hole. I needed the ball to fly high enough to clear the hill and be able to run down the slope to the hole. So it was an uphill / downhill challenge where I often decelerate and then downcock and trap the ball which comes off the face low and spinning. By using the swing feeling / visualization from my earlier practice I was able to make a shorter back swing and accelerate through. The ball came off soft and high and rolled down the slope and into the hole.

Aiming Left

Since my lesson in the early fall with John McNeely I have been determined to not fall into my pattern of aiming right. I often start to move into my set up position in what feels to me like a very open alinement ala Freddie Couples or Lee Trevino. I am sure it is not so open and by the time I make my adjustments and take my final stance I think I am set up only slightly open to my target line.

The results have been encouraging. I hit fewer hooks and I can feel less save/flip through motion at impact.

I feel encouraged to turn my body through and it seems like I at least start my rotation earlier, and feeling like I am aimed to the left have less tendency to use my hands.

My swing feels best when I do not move quickly at the start of the back swing which causes me to sway off the ball and I often turn my head under which sets the club face. When the club starts away in rhythm my head stays steady and my arms fold sooner helping set the club. And when I stay over the ball on my back swing I do not use the precious time on the downswing to "move back" in position to strike the ball. so there is more time for rotation.

I have been able to play shots that fade for the first time in years even though my playing partners tell me that most of my shots move slightly from right to left!

I played a round last week at Pine Needles in Pinehurst where I felt comfortable and my ball striking was very good, especially with my longer club. By swinging more within my feet / foundation....by having less lateral movement I was able to start the ball on line all day. and I was hitting my shots solid. the only green I missed were long. And even the swing were the club dropped behind me on the downswing and the ball started right were not far off line because I am set up left / open.