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"You looked up," or "Keep your head down." How many times have you heard one of these famous sayings on the golf course or at the range after a 'thin' shot? Often called the topped shot or worm burner, the trajectory of this shot is very low, too low. Believe it or not, this type of mishit golf shot has nothing to do with looking up at all. Hitting up verses hitting down on the ball could be the issue for this trajectory, but for this month, I will address the need to stay in the spine angle established at address to avoid the 'thin' shot.
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Picture 1
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Since the beginning of the game, golf instruction has focused on the importance of the steady (not still) head. The steady head is essential to a good golf swing. For this tip, we will consider the head as the top of the spine. When a golfer addresses the ball to hit a golf shot, the spine should tilt forward and over the ball between 30 and 40 degrees (See Picture 1). During the swing, the golfer should try to keep this spine angle constant from address to impact. After the follow through, the golfer should begin to stand up and finish tall. To maintain a steady head, remain conscious of keeping the chest over the ball during the downswing.
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Many golfers incorrectly lift their upper torso out of the shot as in Picture 2 because they are trying to help the ball into the air.
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Picture 2
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The spine is the axis that the golfer is rotating the hips and shoulders around during the golf swing. When this axis remains constant, then the golfer's relationship to the ball remains constant, and therefore, ball striking improves. If the head is considered the top of the spine for this article, then the rear end is the base of the spine. In order to keep the head steady, think 'chest over the ball'. In order to keep the base of the spine steady, think 'keep rear end back'.
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Picture 3
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One of my favorite pivot drills to focus on the sensation of keeping the rear end back is the wall drill (See Picture 3). Set up in a good spine angle while simulating address with your glutes up against the wall. Now perform your pivot, backswing and downswing, while keeping at least one glute up against the wall throughout entire motion (right glute then left glute for the right handed golfer).
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To help keep the rear end back and prevent the hips from moving in towards the ball during the downswing, use a chair while practicing (See Picture 4). The back of the chair should rest against the base of the spine (rear end) with two of the four legs completely off the ground. Your goal is to learn to hit balls while keeping the two chair legs off the ground. In order to do this, the hips must stay back.
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Picture 4
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Again, I understand hitting up will create a top shot, but so will standing up. You make the call: heads or tails! You can focus on keeping your head steady and chest over the ball or keeping your tail back to work on staying in your spine angle. Either of these two swing thoughts provides a wonderful remedy for the mysterious 'thin' shot. Remember, it has nothing to do with looking up but more with standing up!
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Ted Frick
2005 Carolinas PGA Section Teacher of the Year
Owner / Director of Instruction
Classic Swing Golf School (Located at Legends Resort)
P.O. Box 50955
Myrtle Beach, SC 29579
(843) 903-5560
1-800-827-2656
tfrick@classicswing.com
www.classicswing.com
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Check the Internet Specials page on ClassicSwing.com to view complete list of current specials, including the
Back-To-School Getaway Package.
http://www.ClassicSwing.com/specials
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