Golf Tips by Eric Colchamiro
The following articles have been previously published in golfing magazines. For more personalized tips, please call me to schedule a lesson!
Grip Pressure
I would like to share with you the importance of light grip pressure. Since our grip is the only physical connection we have with the golf club, it is vital that we allow it to work correctly. Tension is a leading factor in most poor golf shots. The word grip in itself tends to make you want to squeeze the golf club, when in fact we should strive to hold the club. Let me give you an example of proper grip pressure. If 0 was light grip pressure and 10 was tight grip pressure, you would want to hold the club at around a 4. Suppose the grip end of the club was a tube of toothpaste. The butt end is the cap. You unscrew the cap and made a swing and didn't squeeze a drop of paste out of the tube. That is the feeling for how hard you should hold the golf club. Now, as far as tension goes: Picture yourself cracking a whip. Now we know that a whip is a loosely wrapped piece of rope. It is able to build up speed and snap at the very end of its motion. Now envision swinging a hose. A hose is not as flexible as a whip. Therefore we know that if our grip is too tight we will restrict the amount of clubhead speed we could have produced with much lighter grip pressure. That also applies to tension in our forearms, shoulders and the rest of our body. So, by simply relaxing at address, you can achieve greater clubhead speed and allow for clubface rotation, which is an important essential element, allowing the clubface to square up at impact.
Next time you are at the range, hold your club with your right hand for right handed golfers (left-handers with your left hand). Turn your club upside down and grip it near the head of the club. Now take your normal stance and swing the club back and through above the ground at a grip pressure of 10 (tight as you can hold it) and listen for the swish as you swing through. Make another swing holding the club with a very light grip pressure (about a 4). Â You'll find that when you hold the club lightly, the swish will be much louder. This is a great practice drill for feeling light grip pressure. For a private lesson, contact me at 561-703-0351.
Chipping
I would like to give you a tip that will help you become a more consistent chipper. It's something you can incorporate in your set up that will help promote a stroke rather than a swing. Here are some important characteristics for good chipping:
- Use a narrow stance. (Feet club head width apart.)
- Keep stance slightly open.
- Weight on forward foot. (Towards hole.)
- Eyes over or inside the ball line, just like putting.
- Keep lower body quiet. (No weight shift.)
- Ball positioned slightly back of center.
- Place hands ahead of ball.
- Shaft upright. (Heel of club head off the ground.)
- Choke down on grip to create putter length.
- Firm grip pressure (0 light 10 tight) around 6 or so.
- Use your putting grip.
Once you have assumed good set up, I would then add one more little step. Allow the shaft that is exposed above your hands to lean against your left wrist for right handed golfers, right hand for left handed golfers. Now I will explain the importance of the shaft leaning against your wrist. Â Unlike the pitch shot which has wrist hinge, making it more of a swing, the chip shot is considered a stroke. I would like for you to feel like you are putting with loft. Â By maintaining a firm grip and leaning the shaft against you lead wrist, you will be promoting a stroke. Never allow the club head to pass your hands, also know as breaking down or flipping. Â This technique will allow you to instantly analyze your shot. If you can see a gap between your wrist and the club, you have allowed your wrists to break down. Try this the next time you're at a practice chipping green. It will allow you to control your distance better getting the ball up and in more often like the pro's. For a private lesson, contact me at 561-703-0351.
The Lob Shot
I would like to share with you some important factors that contribute to a well executed lob shot. I'll start out by saying the lie dictates the shot.  What I mean by that is the ball  must be sitting on top of the grass. If you have a tight lie, there is very little margin for error. I would recommend a shot that you could play with a less lofted club.
Now that you have surveyed the lie and determined the lob shot would work well, you will need to play the shot with the most lofted club in your bag. I recommend a 60 degree wedge. Address the ball with a narrow (heels as wide as the hips), open stance (feet, hips and shoulders aim left, the clubface and ball aim at target.) Your grip pressure will be slight. For instance, if 0 = light grip pressure and 10 - tight grip pressure, you would want your grip pressure to be approximately a 3. Position the ball forward in your stance (off left instep). Your weight should be equally distributed between your two feet. Your hands will be positioned in line with the ball. Your clubshaft will be straight or slightly behind the ball. This will help maintain the loft of the club. Â Take the club straight back with an early wrist cock. Your backswing should be made with a slow or lazy pace. During the downswing keep your right foot nearly on the ground and have the feeling of sliding the club face underneath the ball, never allowing the toe of the club to pass the heel of the club.
With some practice, the lob shot would be a great asset to have in your short game arsenal. For a private lesson, contact me at 561-703-0351.
I would like for you to take just a minute and try to figure out what The Three T's would be. Give up?
Let me share with you my theory.
The Three T's I am referring to are 1.Timing 2. Tempo 3. Technique. Let me explain. Timing is a sequencing of movements. Returning the clubface squarely to the ball at impact. Tempo is simply the pace of your swing. It can be a smooth like a Freddie Couples or a fast like a Nick Price. It generally matches your personality. Technique refers to the basics. (Grip, Posture, Alignment & Ball Position) I feel like if you only have one of the T's working for you your will most likely hit a poor shot. If you have two of the T's working in your favor you will probably hit a descent shot. If you have all three T's working you will hit a great shot. I feel its very import to work hard on your fundamentals. So build yourself a practice station when you hit practice balls.
I find when working with good players it's rarely their swing it self that has gone wrong. It is usually alignment or ball position that has gotten off track. With high handicapper it is most likely a combination of poor fundamentals and very poor tempo which leads to poor timing. I spend a great deal of time working on the Three T's with most of my students who have a tough time hitting the golf ball solid and at there target. So if you are having a trouble with your golf game I think a good dose of the Three T's are in order. For a private lesson, contact me at 561-703-0351.