When people ask how much of a forward press – a way to relieve tension and to impart rhythm or smoothness to a stroke – should use, many golfers are surprised when I recommend only a slight forward.
The larger a forward press is, the more likely you may open the clubface or deloft the club. You can also move the center of your swing ahead of the ball.
An open face will encourage high slices and even shanks., so the more you move the center of your swing forward there is a greater chance of topping, skull shots and occasional whiffs.
You can also develop a reverse weight transfer which results in large loss of distance and lack of directional control.
For irons, place your clubhead behind the ball and line up the end of your club (butt of the grip) with the ball. This will be plenty of forward press. For woods, place the clubhead behind the ball with your hands even with the clubface.
Try a different ball
During these cold winter days, consider changing to a lower-compression golf ball.
The different compressions of golf balls effect the feel of the ball, not the performance.
If you’re looking for new ball, try using the Titleist DT Solo or the Crystal golf balls.
If your golf ball starts to feels rock hard, try a lower compression ball until the cold weather leaves us.
Star pupil
Hats off to Paul Hesse for dropping his handicap index from 27.4 to 16.7 in five months. Hesse is very committed to regaining his game from year’s past and reviews his notes from his lessons when practicing.
Late report
I was late to let you know that Robert Bowman scored a hole-in-one on Jan. 3. Bowman aced the 15th hole on the Gabilan Course at Ridgemark Golf and Country Club. Dan Sergent, Bart Racca and Mike Robustelli witnessed Bowman’s ace..
NCGA zone qualifier
Congratulations to Barry Brady, Jim McCarley, Lee Hachinski and Mark Porteur, who will represent Ridgemark Golf and Country club as the 4-man at the Northern California Golf Association event played at Spyglass and Poppy Hills.
AT&T Tips for Spyglass
There are three great spectator locations at Spyglass for enjoying the AT&T Pro-Am.
The area between the 11th green, 12th tee, 14th green and the 15th tee is my favorite location.
Next, off the 18th and 19th greens, you can actually talk to a few celebrities as they finish their rounds. My final location gives you a great view of players coming down the first fairway, is between the 6th green and the 7th tee.
The 2012 AT&T Pro-Am will be held from Feb. 6 to Feb. 12 at Pebble Beach.
