Tag: Hips

Long Distance Spin Casting

Long Distance Spin Casting

You read up on it. You become sure you can do it. After all, hitting a good tee shot seems a lot harder than casting a spinning rod.

So you march to the lake with visions of hooking and landing a faraway lunker. You set up your fishing rod and step up to the bank and cast. Your lure, however, flies off to the right and not very far. You cast again and again. The results don’t change.

Golf didn’t seem this frustrating! So you think all you need is some practice.

But after hours and hours of it, you’re still in the same, going-nowhere casting boat, so to speak.

How discouraging! Even makes you think about giving up fishing.

Yes, I know!

But instead of giving up, I wondered, what if there’s a lot more to casting a spinning rod than what I read? What if I experiment with using other techniques, the techniques of throwing a ball and of casting a fly rod?

So I began a year of casting trials and errors. Lots of errors!

Then finally it happened: consistently, I felt the beauty of loading the rod, of watching the lure streak over the water, and land right where I wanted it to.

Here’s how I got there.

THE STANCE. I want to use one that helps me shift my weight so I get as much leverage as possible, and helps me increase the length of my casting stroke, and therefore the bend, or load, in the rod. I’m right handed, so I put my left foot forward and point it straight ahead. I turn my right foot outward about thirty degrees. My feet are shoulder-width apart. The front of my right foot is in-line with the front of my left heel. (If my right foot is too far back or too far pointed outward, I’ll lock my hips and not be able to fully rotate by body and shift all my weight.) I square my hips and shoulders to the target, slightly bend my knees and shift my weight to the ball of my front foot. My right heel is off the ground. I flex my thumb and put it on the top of the rod handle. I hold the rod loosely and point it anywhere from nine o’clock to ten-thirty. My elbow is even with the front of my waist. The lure hangs down about a foot.

THE POWER GRIP. I start with two fingers in front of the reel stem and two behind. I pick up the line with my right index finger, and then move my hand back so only my line finger is in front of the stem. Next, I pull the line up and back, then press my fingertip against the stem, but not against the line. (I like to feel the weight of the lure to cast it accurately.)

I hold the line this way for the same reason a good fly caster doesn’t let slack form in his fly line: to keep constant tension on the line so as soon as I start the cast the lure pulls on the rod, and therefore fully loads the rod. Holding the line the conventional way made it impossible for me to keep enough tension on the line. Even worse, I found it very difficult to keep my index finger from prematurely straightening and releasing the line.

No wonder my casts were short, and high and off to the side.

(Until I got my timing down, I used a golf glove or a Band-Aid to prevent the line from cutting into my finger.)

MOVING THE ROD. I initially assumed the faster I moved the rod the farther I’d cast. For two reasons I was wrong. First: a pitcher achieves maximum power and velocity only when his arm moves in sync with his body rotation. If his arm gets ahead of his body he becomes an “arm thrower.”

No wonder major league pitchers seem to throw as if not using all their might! Maximum arm speed is reached only at the release.

Fly casters will tell you the same thing, and also for the second reason: to fully load the rod it must accelerate. If it moves too quickly the speed of the line, or in our case the lure, moves almost as fast as the rod, and therefore doesn’t fully pull on and load the rod. The cast dies well short of its target.

(A stiffer rod loads better with a shorter, faster stroke, but the stroke must still be accelerated.)

THE CAST AND POWER SNAP. I begin the cast by opening the bail, raising my elbow and slowly accelerating the rod up and back. As I move the rod, I rotate my shoulders backwards and shift my weight to the heel of my back foot. When the rod points to about one o’clock I break my wrist back. My elbow continues to point forward. (If it points out to the side, I’ll not be able finish the cast without lowering the rod tip from the target line, and prematurely unloading the rod.)  When my forearm points to about one o’clock, and my upper arm points parallel to the water or slightly upward, and the rod points parallel to the water or slightly downward, I immediately and quickly start my forward cast.

(During the back cast I never move the rod too fast. If I do, the lure will bounce at the end of the cast and prematurely unload the rod.)

My eyes are focused on an imaginary target in the sky, about forty-five degrees above the water, but higher if the wind is from behind or lower if it is from in front.

Leading with my elbow, rotating my shoulders and shoulders I accelerate the rod and soon move the tip in a straight line that points to the target and move the rod butt at a right angle to the line. (Fully rotating our hips and shoulders allows us to increase the length we can move—and therefore load—the rod at this angle.)

When my arm is about three-quarters extended, I increase my grip pressure and my acceleration and shift all my weight to my front foot. I reach maximum arm speed then, as if I’m hammering a nail, I snap my wrist without lowering the rod tip from the target line. Abruptly, I stop the rod.

My front leg is now straight. My right shoulder is all the way forward. My arm is fully extended. My weight is on the ball and toes of my front foot. I hold the rod still so I don’t lower the tip and pull the line down.

AS I DESCRIBE ALL THIS. Learning to cast a spinning rod seems a lot easier than it was. Well maybe if, like most skilled golfers, I had learned the right techniques from the start it would’ve been.

But better late than never.

I’m a native New Yorker. My writing has appeared in many publications, including The Flyfisher, Flyfishing & Tying Journal and Fishing And Hunting News. I’m also the author of the historical novel, The Fly Caster Who Tried To Make Peace With the World.

Much of my writing is about the techniques of spin and fly casting and about the spirituality/recovery of fly fishing. I often fish the streams of Westchester, the piers of New York City and the lakes of Central Park.

How To Straighten A Golf Slice

How To Straighten A Golf Slice

Are you getting tired of living with the golf slice which does not want to go away? Every long shot you play you have to aim to the left of the target to allow for the inevitable swing of the ball to the right.

Sometimes it does not curl as it usually does, instead it goes straight, but always right of the target. The trouble is, you don’t know why it bends or why it goes straight? If this is you, then read on.

Here are some tips to straighten your golf slice.

1. Have a look at the angle of your divot. If it goes left of the target you are cutting across the ball at impact. There are different reasons why you are doing this.

2. You could be standing too close to the ball. If you are not sure how far away you ought to be standing, let your arms hang down loose, and that is the desirable distance from the ball. The club head should be flat on the ground at the address.

3. Check your grip, especially that your right hand is not too far over the club. If it is, move it more to the left.

4.Take the club back straight at the start of the backswing, or slightly to the inside, and try not to snatch at the top of the swing. Begin the downswing by turning the hips first.

By following these simple tips you will have taken positive action to straighten your golf slice.

Philip is passionate about golf and is always looking for ways to get rid of my golf slice See also: Golf Swing Tips Online for more helpful golf tips and advice.

Golf Sense Program – Fix Hook Golf Swing

Golf Sense Program – Fix Hook Golf Swing

One of the most common problems when you are just learning how to play golf is the hook. A hook usually develops when a player build up a slice and then take some measures to eliminate it. If you play golf and have a similar problem, you need some fix hook golf swing techniques. Below are some of the steps to get rid of this problem right away.

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The first thing to do is to check the strength of your grip. When your grip is too tight you begin to develop a hook. Squeezing our golf club too tight will cause the ball to go more to the left as you try to finish your swing. You should hold the club firmly but too loose either. Just think of it that you are just merely holding it and no one is going to take it away. After that, make sure that both of your feet are at equal distance to the ball. This is called squaring yourself to the target. Most golfers do not notice this common mistake and begin to hook the ball.

Another fix hook golf swing tip is to make it a point that your club is at a 90 degree angle before it hits the ball. If this is not properly observed a golfer is hitting the ball with the club head turned more to the left making it a hook. Practice not slicing the ball with a couple of swings and it will help eliminate the hook.

Also remember to be not so hasty on hitting the ball and do not try to hit the ball as hard as possible. Use your hips and observe the proper follow through. This is the basics of golf that should not be forgotten.

Finally, go to the driving range and practice. Follow these fix hook golf swing tips with diligence and dedication. Soon you will be playing great golf, and good luck.

Click Here For Golf Sense Program Instant Access Now!

This author writes about Learning How To Play Golf and Golf Sense Program

The Proper Golf Swing and How to Achieve It

The Proper Golf Swing and How to Achieve It

It looks so easy and effortless when you watch the professional players hit the ball on television. But as any scratch golfer can tell you, finding – and keeping – the proper golf swing can take years of practice, lessons and dedication.

Perhaps the most important tip when it comes to the swing is to keep your head down and your eyes on the ball – even though it’s instinctive to look up. Keeping your head down can help to reduce the chances of slicing or hooking your shot, or even worse, topping your ball and just sending it a few yards.

The swing has several components, all of which are essential. The backswing should be smooth and steady – not rushed – and take the club to a horizontal position, in which your ball is in front of your shoulder. Make sure you keep your lower body in its original position.

The downswing should be commenced with your hips and you should accelerate, thus allowing you to hit the shot further. During the downswing, you should rotate your hips towards the target and make sure your lower body is rotating slightly before your upper body. Don’t forget to follow through properly – never just ‘stop’ as soon as you have hit your shot.

If all this seems like too much to remember, one of the best pieces of advice is to simply swing as though you are taking a practice swing – don’t even consciously try to hit the golf ball – and the club and ball will connect as they should.

You may not be breaking 80 any time soon, but with a little practice you can have the proper golf swing and post a respectable score.

Stop wasting any more of your time trying to figure out the proper golf swing by yourself. Learn the proper golf swing and get rid of your golf swing problems for good!

 

Stop wasting any more of your time trying to figure out the proper golf swing by yourself. Learn the proper golf swing and get rid of your golf swing problems for good!

Learning How to Use Golf Long Irons

Learning How to Use Golf Long Irons

Article by Jeremy Winters







Your golf long irons are usually identified as the one, two, three, and four irons. The vast majority of players generally will simply carry a three and four iron inside their golf bag. Quite seasoned golfers sometimes also employ a one or two iron, but this isn’t the norm.

A majority of the present leading players have a superb game with regards to utilizing these longer golf clubs. This originates from being very familiar with them, which only occurs as a result of consistent practice. If the golfer is only concerned with the short game and putting, they will likely not possess the practical experience and self confidence needed to learn the use of these clubs.

To be able to genuinely succeed with long irons there are actually a couple of techniques that should be mastered. The very first is addressing the ball. This doesn’t suggest saying “hello” and “how are you?” Addressing the ball relates to the stance that you take when getting prepared to strike it. Using a longer club, your stance should be wider than it would if you were working with a shorter club.

As it relates to the flight path your ball will take, your posture must be a little bit closed. Your shoulders, hips and your feet need to be squared towards the ball, meaning that they will need to be in the direction of the hole on an imaginary parallel line. As soon as you have implemented this stance then you move your right foot back roughly an inch or so. This enables you to line up properly just to the right of your planned target. Place your weight evenly on both feet for better balance. Keep your arms in near to your body with your hands just slightly ahead of your ball.

The next step to be mindful of when using golf long irons is the backswing. For a powerful backswing, move the head of the club backwards around ten to twelve inches along the ground using the shoulders and body just to slightly turn when you move into your swing. As your swing passes the outside of your right leg, your arms and hands need to be cocking slightly towards the sky. By the time you reach the top of the backswing, your right side should be holding most of your weight. At the top of your backswing, your turn should be complete and your wrists should be fully cocked. If you allow your left heel to lift just slightly from the ground, it makes it possible for your hips to be free from strain when you turn away from your ball.

The third step is the downswing. As you begin your downswing, you need to anchor your left heel securely against the ground. If you endeavor to make this a constant component of your downswing, it is going to become second nature. By simply doing so, you’re sure to be on the inside plane of the downswing. Your swing will be from the inside out if your weight is too far forward on your toes. When you are halfway through your swing, the wrists need to be completely cocked and your right elbow just a bit tucked in against your right hand side. Your body weight should be shifting in the direction of your left hand side as your right hand side begins to drive into your actual shot.The crucial element to utilizing these clubs is to remember to sustain a smooth swing. Do not rush into your swing by moving way too quickly. That is where much more inexperienced golfers lose their focus. Sustain your pace as you keep your swing smooth.

Golf long irons can be an important part of an effective game if you keep these basic tips in mind. The best golf clubs that money can buy are only as good as the player behind them. Know your clubs and exactly how to work with them properly for a quality game.



About the Author

If you want to learn how you can fix a golf hook or need to learn how to hit your drives straight, then check out our website.

You Don’t Have to Be Bubba Watson or John Daly to Hit the Golf Ball 300 Yards.

You Don’t Have to Be Bubba Watson or John Daly to Hit the Golf Ball 300 Yards.

Article by Sean D







The average distance of the top 100 Golfers in the world is 280 Yards….these guys are the best players in the world and they aren’t hitting it that much further than the average golfer (AND the fairways on the PGA Tour are probably the same speed as most golf courses’ greens).

SO, what does this mean for you? Well, I’ve broken down the steps you can take that will instantly improve your driving distance. There’s nothing stopping you to averaging what the pros do!

1. Get a Driver with a Higher Loft- My buddy used to have a 7.0 degree Driver (I’m not sure why exactly – maybe he thought it was cool) and used to average 270 yards off the tee. He switched to a 9.5 degree Driver and now averages 290+. – A higher loft gives you more carrying distance and the same amount of roll; however, it needs to be fitted properly to your swing in order to reap the benefits.

2. A Driver that is Custom-Fitted – Take the time to get your Driver fitted properly by going to a Golf Shop and working with a professional. If you can’t afford a new Driver or just bought one, still go and get the shaft optimized for your swing. – By doing just this, you can gain an extra 20-yards overnight.

3. Having the Proper Setup- Wide stance (just past shoulder width apart)- Shoulders at an angle (back shoulder is lower than the front) allowing you to hit the ball on your upswing (higher trajectory = more distance)!- Ball positioned off the front toe.- Flare out your front toe (at a 45 degree angle – no further) forcing you to clear your hips and lower body more quickly. You’ll notice the difference.

4. Confidence- Most of the time when golfers hit bad shots it’s because they are thinking too much about the mechanics of their swing vs. the execution or “emotion” of the shot about to be played.- Focus on your confidence – meaning that in your mind, you know that you’re going to step up and hit it long and straight down the middle. You will consistently hit better shots doing this vs. thinking about how far to take the club back or to make sure you follow through correctly.

BONUS: Learn to Hit a Draw- It’s a fact – a draw or hook travels further than a fade or slice. If you can learn to hit a draw you WILL add at least 10 yards to your drives. – Close your stance, bring the club back inside, and fully release your hands.- One thing to be cautious of is that a draw is more difficult to control than a fade, which means that the odd time your draw will turn into a hook (this happens even to the pros). My recommendation is to not hit a draw all the time, but to utilize it when you need a bit of extra distance.



About the Author

Want to learn the basic fundamentals of the golf swing that ALL great golfers use? Learn them in my Free Quick-Fix Guide to Better Golf: http://www.play-par-golf.com/quickfixguide/

Golf Slice ? Golf Tips to Cure the Problem

Golf Slice ? Golf Tips to Cure the Problem

The two dreaded words that every amateur golfer fears, the Hook and Slice. The thing is low handicap and pro golfers use these two shots to steer their way out of trouble.

The pro’s will hit a hook spin shot or Draw the ball to provide a shot that can hold straight in a left to right wind and when it hits the fairway it will roll for ages on the grass due to the type of spin imparted on the ball.

The slice spin shot or Fade is used to hold a ball straight in a right to left wind and this shot will land and check quite quickly on the green. For the high handicapper these shots are usually mistakes.

In this article I will give you some tips to cure your slice.

The slice is a very common mistake that 90% of amateurs have to live with. Every golfer has experienced this shot. The slice is so common that every magazine will have an article on the subject.

So what causes the slice?

It is caused by an out to in swing path and usually the club face is open at impact with the ball. The big mistake that most high handicap players make to try and stop their slice is that they aim their body to the left of the target hoping that the ball will land on target.

What they fail to realise is that they set themselves up for an even bigger slice shot.
A Big mistake.

Before anyone can hit a perfectly straight shot you need to line yourself up square to the target line. A handy way during practice is to lay a golf club on the ground aimed at the flag. Set yourself up with your toes against the club and your shoulders and hips in line with the target.

The next thing to do is lay a club on the ground behind the ball as you are looking at it. It should also be lined up to the flag and parallel with the club laid down at your toes.

As you start your golf swing downwards, aim to swing the clubhead through the ball, but also try to keep the club travelling along the line of the club laid on the ground. This is done to keep the club head on a straight path through the ball.

With correct body posture and practice using this method you should see a marked improvement and reduce the likelyhood of that slice.

If you want to improve at golf and take your game to the next level. Subscribe to the Authors Free Golf Tips Newsletter at http://www.acegolftips.com free golf e-books are included to start your golf improvement today.

Slicing The Ball? Understand Why And Cure It Forever

Slicing The Ball? Understand Why And Cure It Forever

Curring a slice can seem like a lifetimes work but it doesn’t have to be that way.If you understand the mechanics of the golf swing you can get rid of the slice affliction forever. Untill the time comes when you need a great raking curve ball around a tree to half the match with your playing partners.

Ok that said what causes the slice?

The slice happens when the club comes into the impact area from outside the target line, with the club face open and with a steep angle of attack.

This is caused by the upper body ( shoulders ) starting the downswing, throwing the club out and away from the body which is the complete opposite of what you should be trying to achieve.

So if you take the club to the top of your backswing, and we’ll take it for granted that you have made a full shoulder turn ( 90 degrees ) and only 45 degrees in the hips. From here a slice would come from the hips staying still and the shoulders starting things down. This you’ll notice makes the club move away from you and travel towards the ball from about two feet away from your right toes and on a path towards around six inches from your left toes. So steep and outside the target line inside.

Now compare that to the right way.

Back to the top of the swing and now start by rotating the hips first. You’ll notice the right shoulder naturally drops somewhat. Now continue turning and watch the path this time. The club is now coming from about 6 inches from the right toes to impact, more from close to you to impact and away. The opposite to the slice.

The way I got this motion was to hold a football in both hands at your right hip and now take your golf stance and throw the ball over your left shoulder ( right motion ).

Hope this article will help to cure your slice for good.

Steve has been a keen golfer for over 30 years. He still loves the game and plays on a regular basis. His current handicap is 2. If this tip was helpful to you and you would like to see and hear more of the same. Please go here. http://easyswing.info

Golf Swing Instructions for Beginners – Learn How to Swing Like a Pro

Golf Swing Instructions for Beginners – Learn How to Swing Like a Pro

Article by Matthew Barrett







Perfecting your swing in golf is one of the hardest tasks to accomplish. When you stance and swing are not done correctly, it can greatly affect your game in a very negative way. Following golf swing instructions and tips like those found below can help you get on the right track towards looking like a pro on the golf course.

Line Up Your Shoulders

The first golf swing instruction you should follow is to line up your shoulders. When your shoulders are properly aligned, the course you take with your swing will be straight and you can avoid making costly mistakes. Your front shoulder should directly face the target at which you are aiming. The trailing shoulder on the other hand should be square to the area you are aiming at. Your feet should be lined up directly under your shoulders and your knees should be bent slightly.

Grip the Club

The next part of our golf swing instructions involves gripping your club. You should not choke up on or squeeze the club. Instead, you should have a light yet firm hold on the club, with your fingers and palms in the correct positions. Line up your V’s and ensure that your grip is in perfect alignment with the ball and shaft of the club.

Rotate Your Hips

Rotating your hips to the back is imperative so that your shoulders are able to rotate fully to the begin stance for your backswing. When your hips are rotated or rolled properly, your weight should naturally rest on your back foot and your arms are to come up to the same height as your shoulders when you take the club back. Your arm and the shaft of the club should create an “L” shape. Proper use of the hips is an important part of golf swing instructions for beginners.

Roll the Hips Forward

After you have drawn back, you should begin propelling your hips back to the front. This should naturally turn your shoulders and allow you to bring your hands down and drive straight through the ball. Snapping your wrist forward as you hit the ball will allow for a straight drive that travels far and accurately.

Finish Your Swing

One of the most important golf swing instructions that many golfers often forget is to finish the swing. Many will hit the ball and once there is contact they forget to follow through. Without proper follow through, your golf game will suffer and you leave yourself open for hooks, slices and other common mistakes.

Instead of stopping immediately after the strike to see how you have done, instead push all the way through the swing until your arms are at least shoulder height. This will keep your ball on target and give you the maximum return.

Proper golf swing instructions can help you realize your full potential as a golfer. A weak or ill executed swing can cause all kinds of problems that could have you giving up on golf before you truly begin. The information above is a general breakdown of the steps you must take in order to perform a successful swing and start improving your game.



About the Author

Matthew Barret is a golf instructor and enthusiast. Want to learn more about golf swing instructions? Visit his website at CorrectMyGolfSlice.comfor helpful tips and information on curing your golf slice, improving your swing, lowering your scores, and enjoying golf to its fullest.