Get ahead of the game: TEACHING REVIEW Lesson 4
It has been a very wet and windy couple of weeks. Not exactly inspiring weather to play golf. Our Game Golfer, however, who has just emerged from a week of frenzied chainsaw activity in his garden, is ready for his fourth lesson in a series of six special winter training sessions at Kralingen Golf Course near Rotterdam.
It’s another grey day, but at least it is not raining. The course, not surprisingly, is closed but the driving range and putting green are open. The big question is, of course, will his exhausted muscles still be able to conjure up that steadily improving golf swing that PGA Holland Professional Mariëtte de Groot has taught him over the last few weeks. He has practised twice since his last lesson. Sounds promising. But, alas, it isn’t, he admits with frustration. Time for ‘Golfing Inspirations’ to find out what’s been going on …
Q&A
Why the long face?
“It’s terrible. I’ve practised twice and each time I couldn’t hit a ball! I’m destined to remain the swingless golfer!”
That’s being a bit harsh on yourself, surely. Did you do your warming-up exercises? Which tips did you work on?
“Yes, I warmed-up and gradually worked on all the tips, but nothing worked. Strangely enough though, I could hit my hybrids. But my irons were hopeless. I can feel that I’m pulling the club down across my left side on the follow-through again – my old swing. It’s really frustrating. I’m feeling very disillusioned. I sent an email to my pro, Mariëtte, a few days ago asking for help. That’s how the Golf Academy system works.”
What was her reply?
“She was very sympathetic and suggested going back to basics. Her tip was to simply swing the club with the feet together, a half-swing. This worked at first but when I widened my stance again, I couldn’t hit a ball! After 30 balls, I’d had enough.”
Alas, lumberjack duties seem to have taken their toll on our Game Golfer. Perhaps his golf pro has a magical cure for him up her sleeve.
LESSON 4 2 December 2015 at 11.30am
How to get that little white ball into the hole!
Today Mariëtte wishes to have a look at his short game as part of PGA Holland and the Dutch Golf Federation’s ‘Golf Academy 9-step plan’. If there is time at the end of the 30-minute lesson, then they will take a stroll to the driving range and check-out his swing. On the other hand, a rest from the driving range might well do him good. Just by focusing on the basic principle of the game – to get that little white ball into the hole – might relieve some of the over-concentration on the full swing that he is experiencing at the moment.
First Mariëtte checks out his chipping action and asks if he is generally satisfied with his chipping. He nods. His short game is one of his strengths, he admits. Using a pitching wedge, our Game Golfer plays to the 4th hole on the putting green. After a few average chips, it soon becomes clear that his chipping bears some of the swing problems that can be found in his full swing. Biggest problem? Snatching the club to the left on the follow-through instead of letting the club-head swing through to the target.
“Good for the focus …”
His pro gathers her alignment sticks* and proceeds to (1) place two of them parallel on the ground to aid his lining-up when addressing the ball and produce a better swing arc (2) place another two sticks on the green to define the intended landing area for his ball. She emphasises the importance of focussing on where you intend to land the ball so as to allow for the roll out towards the hole. Depending on the softness of the green and how far away the hole is, it is good to assess the distance in terms of say, 1/3 – 2/3. One-third being the spot where the ball should land; two-thirds being the roll-out distance to the hole, for example. As is often the case, things have to get worse before they get better, so not surprisingly his next few chips resulted in the dreaded shank! Our pro’s solution?
4 practise tips for our Game Golfer:
Stand with the right leg behind the left;
Stand a little closer to the ball;
Ensure the ball is in the middle of the stance;
Place a 5th alignment stick upright in the ground a meter or two in front, lined-up to the hole
The purpose of the 5th stick is to encourage our Game Golfer to keep the clubhead square to the hole after chipping the ball. The stick should be used only when practising the swing.
“Most importantly, keep the swing rhythmical …”
The shanks continue. Our game golfer is looking tense. Yet Marïette stays positive. Her advice is to “keep the club-head square” but to “follow-through to the right”. Something which is completely alien to him. Rather puzzled, he follows her advice and gradually begins to feel the benefit of the exercise. A few minutes later, she asks him to “square-up” and now swing through to the now invisible stick lined up to the hole. And, yes, “voilá”! She adds: “Maintain the rhythm throughout the swing – don’t brake! One-two rhythm.” In other words: 1 = backswing; 2 = follow-through.
Even more fun, the 8-iron chip and run
After explaining that chipping is more of a gentle arc, than a stroke between tram-lines, which is how many golfers visualise it, his coach emphasises the need to keep the arms close to the body during the swing. It’s important to make a practice swing in order to “feel the shot” (the weight and distance). In other words, to gauge where you wish to land the ball.
“More focus on the target and less on technique …”
The short swing should be mirrored: just as long in the backswing as in the follow-through. A fluid swing which does not “brake” at impact. The lesson concludes with the last tube of balls being chipped to different holes on the putting green at random. An exercise in feeling the distance and keeping a rhythm.
Next stop: a well-deserved cappuccino and apple tart for our Game Golfer inside Kralingen GC’s cosy clubhouse.
Q&A
It looks as if you really need this cappuccino!
“You’re right! I thought that my chipping was OK, so I was quite surprised that we had to work on it. However, it was good to check it out. I realise now that even that needs some fine-tuning. But with my long game, I feel that the lessons are just not going to work for me, at the moment …”
You’re not giving up, are you?
“No! Today’s lesson finished very positively. Mariëtte gave me some good tips to work on. I just need to find more time to get onto the range and practise. It’s easy to run out of daylight hours in the winter. And November has been particularly wet. You know what they say, practise makes perfect!”
On a more positive note, it does look as if your best shot in the bag is your 8-iron chip and run…
“Yes, my pro was reasonably satisfied with my technique. I just need to work on creating a smoother rhythm.”
Did you receive a lot of tips today to help make practising more fun?
“Indeed. Things like dropping a ball just off the green and playing it as it lies, then having a match with my partner. Nearest to the hole scores a point. The next time holing the putts for a score over 9 holes. An ‘up-and-down’ practice with an initial target of say 22, then reducing to 18 and below. And analysing my game more. For example, should I happen to three-putt, then decide whether it was a technical problem or just a misjudgement of distance. The advice is to go away and practise chipping with different clubs. And then note the score with each. Ideally then practise further with the club with which I’ve scored the worst.”
You are now more than halfway through your series of six winter training lessons. How are you feeling?
“Sceptical. I’m rather disappointed at the moment, to be honest. I’ve always thought that my chipping wasn’t too bad. My short game often saves me, otherwise I’d probably be higher than 28 handicap! OK, there’s always room for improvement, so I am pleased with the tips today. But my swing on the driving range is hopeless! Tonight I plan to let off steam playing indoor football …”.
Drive for show, putt for doe!
Our Game Golfer has received some sound advice again today. After all, the game of golf is not just about how beautifully you strike the ball. At the end of the day, it’s how many strokes you take that counts. If you think about it, should you miss the green on every hole, chip-up and two-putt, you’ll be 18 shots better off than if you were to chip-up and three-putt. Get those chips a little bit closer and hole the putt each time, then you could shave another 18 shots off your handicap! Now that’s a really encouraging thought for the New Year ….
Follow our Game Golfer
You can continue to follow our Game Golfer’s winter training progress by regularly checking out: “Golfing Inspirations/Reviews/Special Features” where we’ll be posting updates. Click here for next lesson … Click here for previous lesson.
*Alignment sticks can be purchased at most golf shops. Similar less expensive ones are also available in selected D.I.Y. stores.
Our special thanks to Mariëtte de Groot, PGA Holland Golf Professional and to Kralingen Golf Club, Rotterdam.
Some useful Dutch golf websites:
Nederlandse Golf Federatie: www.ngf.nl
PGA Holland: www.pgaholland.nl
PGA Holland Golf Professional, Mariëtte de Groot: www.degolfprofessional.nl
© Photography by Golfing Inspirations.