Lining up for the
Perfect
Golf Shot
Lining up for any golf shot must become routine in order
for you to
consistently hit the target.
In most ball sports, the players will be
passing or kicking a ball anywhere from 3-10m (10-30ft) away to 15m
(60ft). In golf you aim at a target 150-500m (450-1,500ft) away. And
you've got to aim with a stick in your hands, while standing sideways
on to the target! A big difference, which
is why lining up your shot is so
important.
The first thing a golfer must do is reduce the target
distance. A
straight line can be made using any two points; in our example, the
points are the golf ball and the flag.
Golf
Shot
Tip.
Some golf instructors call it psychological
vision, training your vision to see only the straight line that is
necessary for the perfect shot. If your eyes spend time sizing up
the bunker on the left, or the stream along the right, or out of
bounds, you can guess which direction the ball is least likely to go. I
called this on an earlier page The
Mental Game going to the movies.
To do this with best effect, stand several strides
behind your golf
ball and on line with the target. You become the first point on the
line, with your golf ball now along the line between you and the flag.
Now go to the movies and visualize your golf shot going through the
air, on your target line. With your site along this line, pick a point
on the line 1-2m (3-6ft) out in front of the golf ball, such as a
broken golf tee or a blade of grass.
Walk back to the ball, place the head of your golf club
on the ground
behind the golf ball, and line the club head up square to the new
nearer target. Set your feet and assume your golf stance. Now your
ready to hit the ball.
Golf Shot Tip.
Keep both eyes on the ball: An old adage that anyone who
has ever
played sports has heard is 'Keep your eye on the ball'. The truth is
it's best to keep both
eyes on the ball in golf.
Both eyes should remain on the ball throughout the
entire golf shot.
With your club in your hands, draw the club back from the ball, and
stop at the top of your back swing. Now close your left eye, can you
still see the ball? Now close your right eye, can you still see the
ball? If not, your shots will lack consistency. You should still see
the ball with either eye closed, practice this to help you maintain
good vision on the ball, this drill will also stop your head from
rotating through your golf swing.
The best way to practice lining up your golf shot is at
the driving
range, as you have more time to do certain things you cannot (and are
not allowed to do) on the golf course. For instance, when on the
driving
range, take 2 clubs and line them up parallel to the tee, facing down
the driving range like an imaginary railway track, stand between the 2
clubs and address the ball. This will help you line up in a straight
line down the fairway. Most golfers
practice this drill, even the pros do it. You can then mentally use the
imaginary railway tracks out on the golf course. This
drill is also great for lining up your putts. Place the golf ball
between the 2 golf clubs, keeping the clubs close to the ball, about 2
inches either side of the ball, then putt through the tracks. Practice
this drill often, so you will develop muscle memory, and keep a nice
straight putting stroke.
Lesson six The
Take Away
|
New! Comments
Have your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below.