How to find right arc
When you want to hit a ball high in the air, you need to create
a steep angle into the ball
– your arc. I will show you a way to relate to this arc. Take a
ball in your hand and throw it ten feet. Now take a second ball in
your hand and throw it as far as you can. (Don’t try this in your
front room.) On the ten-foot throw, how far was your right elbow
from your body?
How to find right arc
When you want to hit a ball high in the air, you need to create a steep angle into the ball – your arc. I will show you a way to relate to this arc. Take a ball in your hand and throw it ten feet. Now take a second ball in your hand and throw it as far as you can. (Don’t try this in your front room.) On the ten-foot throw, how far was your right elbow from your body?
Was it as far away from it as on the full throw? (If you are left-handed it will be your left elbow.) I am going to take a guess and say it was closer to your side on the ten foot throw than it was for your the full throw. The farther your elbows get from the body, the shallower our arc becomes. So it stands to reason that if we want to create a steeper arc into the ball we need to keep our elbows closer to our body.
Keep this in mind as we apply this idea to the short game, which for the most part requires higher shots into the greens. Imagine you have two ropes tied around your elbows, about 3 feet from your sides. In a sense you have now shortened your arms, just as they were when you made the ten-foot throw. Shorter arms will mean your wrists will have to hinge sooner creating a steeper angle of attack.
When you swing, make sure your elbows don’t separate more than 3 feet from your body on either side of the ball. This will help produce the shorter more arced shot into the green. Keep practicing this technique, and with a little time and effort you will look forward to that bunker in front of you with a tightly tucked pin. Much of good golf starts before you swing. You are in control. Pay attention. It’s worth it. Play well.
Have any golf related questions? From rules to club fitting you can call me at 408-846-4531 or e-mail me at sk*****@**********gc.com. If you would like to read some of my past tips, you can do so at www.pinnaclenews.com. And don’t forget, if you’re not having fun playing golf call your local PGA or LPGA instructor, we will help. Golf is more fun when you’re improving. Don’t be afraid to be good
