Hit it better...

In the May 3, 2024 edition of Finding the Tips, I introduced a one-leg swing drill from Wisdom in Golf’s Shawn Clement. I also mentioned that I have seen some improvement as a result of this drill.

Update: The improvement continues. I start every range session with one-leg swings using a wedge, a seven-iron, a three hybrid and my driver.

Your mileage may vary, but for me, I am seeing more distance throughout my bag. I’m about one club longer with my irons. Where I was hitting a seven-iron two weeks ago, I’m now hitting an eight-iron.

My driver is about 20 yards longer. I’m carrying it 220 and it’s rolling out to about 245. Those are big improvements for me.

For me, I’m going to keep using the one-leg drill. It’s definitely helping my turn and it’s giving me confidence to know I can swing faster and still keep control of the clubface.

Try it, you’ll like it.

In this issue

• Find the slot

• Things scratch golfers do that you don’t

• 3 steps to chipping consistency

Find the slot

The slot is a downswing position that nearly guarantees better contact and more distance, not only with driver but also with your irons, hybrids and fairway woods. If you’re in the slot, all you need to do is rotate the body. The result is golf nirvana.

Michael Breed is a former host of The Golf Fix on The Golf Channel. He is now the Chief Digital Instructor at Golf Digest magazine and the host of A New Breed of Golf on Sirius XM and YouTube.

Breed describes the slot as the position in the downswing where the shaft of the golf club is parallel with the trail forearm.

To find the position, you need to ensure that the elbow of the trail arm is slightly ahead of the trail arm wrist in the downswing. It’s as if you’re losing an arm wrestling match.

Breed gives you a drill that involves throwing a golf ball about 12 feet down your target line with your trail arm in the elbow-ahead position.

Interestingly, you see the same elbow-ahead-of-wrist position displayed by baseball pitchers. Look at this low-resolution photo of a major league pitcher’s arm just prior to release.

He releases the ball in the slot. This is a common arm position, and it results in great speed and accuracy.

The golf swing is often called a throw, such as skipping a stone over water or throwing the clubhead at the ball. Some instructors even advocate learning how to throw a golf club as part of your golf learning journey.

Let Michael Breed show you how to lead with the trail elbow in the downswing. If you’re not aware of this position, it might be a game-changer for you.

Things scratch golfers do that you don’t

If you want to improve at anything, it’s always a great idea to follow the example set for you by those who are proficient at the skill you want to master.

Here are five things a scratch golfer does that you don’t, as identified by Coach Lockey on YouTube.

1. Get good at one shot shape

Find the shape – fade or draw – that suits your swing. Practice it. Groove it. Turn it into a fairway finder. Recognize that most scratch golfers rarely aim directly at the target. Some people think that hitting the ball straight, time after time, is not only difficult, but also it might be impossible.

2. Have a safety shot

Good golfers run to a safety shot to ensure great strike. Coach Lockey moves the ball back in his stance, pressure on his lead foot, handle a little bit ahead and a shorter swing. He plays a semi-punch shot. It flies lower, doesn’t carry as far and rolls out more. He knows all this and that he can repeat the shot whenever he needs to strike a shot solidly to rebuild his confidence.

3. Don’t chip more than once

When chipping, make sure you get the ball onto the green. Having a long putt is much better than having to chip a second time. If you’ve short-sided yourself after your approach to a green, don’t try to hit the perfect shot. Get it on the green. Minimize the damage. Avoid double bogey or worse.

4. Eliminate three-putts. 

Control distance with your putter better. Learn to read greens better. Always try to finish high when putting. Putts missed on the low side will result in longer second putts.

5. Play and practice. A lot.

Know the areas of your game that need help. Collect stats when you play, such as fairways hit, greens in regulation, number of putts, etc. Learn where you need to improve and attack those weaknesses when you practice,

As a bonus, Coach Lockey identifies two other things a scratch player does.

• Scratch players have a pre-shot routine that is set in stone. They use it before every shot. Watch great free throw shooters in basketball. They have a pre-shot routine that never varies. Do the same on the golf course.

• Manage expectations. You will hit bad shots, so don’t get angry. Instead, go to the next shot with a clear head. Give yourself the best chance to shoot lower scores by not following a bad shot with a second one.

Three steps to chipping consistency

Golfers with good short games are far more likely to break 100, 90, 80 or par. No matter the level of your game, you can take three steps to improve your chipping and lower your scores. Matt Fryer walks you through the steps so you get up and down more often.

Step 1: Position the ball in the middle of your stance

The lie often determines the shot you should play. If you play the ball too far back in your stance, you lose loft and expose the leading edge of the club to the ball. That also makes it easy to thin or skull the ball.

Move the ball to the middle of your narrow stance and put pressure on your lead foot. That position will encourage a slightly downward swing at the golf ball, resulting in ball then turf contact.

Step 2: Fix your body alignment

Check your shoulder alignment by holding a club along your shoulder line. There should not be much tilt. Also, hang a club from your sternum to see the bottom of your swing arc. That swing arc should bottom out either right at the ball or just after it.

Step 3: Follow the golf ball with your eyes and head

Your swing thought when chipping should be to follow the golf ball with your eyes and head. Keeping your head down limits your ability to turn which limits your ability to hit crisp chip shots.

You need to rotate on chip shots, just not as much as you do with full swing shots. Turn into the finish and follow the ball with your turn.

Let your chest turn and face the target as you finish the chipping motion. The club head should point to where you want the ball to land when you finish the chip.

Take a couple practice swings to set the tempo and to get you ready to turn your chest toward the target.

Those who follow these three steps are consistently good chippers who post lower scores.