Bend at the joints
By Bruce Lewis
Keeping the left arm straight is one of the worst words of
advice a golfer can receive.
Your body should be bend at all joints, to allow the centrifugal
force straighten your arms at impact with the golf ball.
For good swings, a golfer should have the ability to bend or
hinge at the wrists, hips, elbows, shoulders, knees, and at his or
her address position. Just as a runner would never race with their
knees locked, golfers should never swing a club with their elbows
locked.
Bend at the joints
By Bruce Lewis
Keeping the left arm straight is one of the worst words of advice a golfer can receive.
Your body should be bend at all joints, to allow the centrifugal force straighten your arms at impact with the golf ball.
For good swings, a golfer should have the ability to bend or hinge at the wrists, hips, elbows, shoulders, knees, and at his or her address position. Just as a runner would never race with their knees locked, golfers should never swing a club with their elbows locked.
Trying to bend where we do not have a joint – like the waist or back – will hurt the swing and decrease the overall power.
An example of bending at the waist and back would be the “round back” address position. Not only do golfers lose distance and power, but the golfer’s backs will tire quickly and become sore.
Finally, let’s talk about the amount of flex in our knees. I find many golfers apply too much flex in the knees so they look like they are about to sit down.
Golfers should only have a slight bend in the knees.
How to rake a bunker
As simple as a task it seems, there is a correct way to rake a bunker. But most golfers do not know the proper way of cleaning up after themselves once they leave the bunkers.
Golfers should always rake the sand up toward the top of the bunker. Most golfers rake the sand down toward the bottom but over time, the sand will drag off the banks of the bunkers.
Also rake behind you as you walk out of the bunker. This moves the sand back into place, removing the footprints for future golfers.
The bunker shot can be difficult enough without needing to hit the ball out of a footprint.
Personal best
Congratulations to Bill Marshall for scoring his best round on the Diablo course at Ridgemark Golf and Country Club. Marshall shot a 4-under par, 68.
