The cure for a
fat shot
This problem may be
easier to fix than you
think. You may not
realize it, but your
back shoulder may be
dipping towards the
ground. This move forces
the club to hit the
ground too early. Most
of the time it happens
when you are really
trying to get into the
ball. Imagine...You're
200 yards out and you've
chosen to hit the 4
iron. When you've got it
in your head that you
have to hit the ball
hard to get it there,
it's natural tendency to
start your downswing
with the hips in an
effort to "really get
into the ball". That may
work in baseball, but
not in golf.
I'd like to take you
through what happens if
you make that move in
golf. First, get in the
your setup position, now
take your backswing and
hold it at the top. Now
move only your hips
horizontally towards the
target, and notice the
way it forces your back
shoulder to "dip". If
you've made that "dip"
with your back shoulder,
it's over. You are going
to hit behind the ball
90% of the time, and if
you do make good contact,
you'll probably end up
with a killer slice.
Lateral movement is no
good for the golf swing.
To avoid this problem,
and to simplify your
golf swing, keep the
lower body out of the
equation. If you really
want to get into the
ball, start your
downswing with your arms.
It's tough to do if you
have a habit formed, but
once you get used to it,
you won't be hitting the
ball fat anymore. Most
golfers over-emphasize
the weight shift. If you
keep your hips still,
the weight shift will
still occur, but it will
happen naturally.
Get to the top, keeping
your leading arm as
straight as possible.
Now start down at the
ball with your leading
arm fully extended. Your
head hasn't moved
laterally, and your hips
haven't moved laterally.
Now to take this to the
next step image the
entire golf swing,
through impact,
occurring underneath the
upper body.
Concentrate on keeping
your front shoulder
strong and "down" on the
ball. This will enable
you to keep your swing
on the correct plane,
and it will help your
hands to keep up with
your body. Don't let
that shoulder come up
and away from the target
before impact as that
will cause your body to
get ahead of your hands
leading to fat shots and
slices.
