FROM THE PRO: BY DANA DAHLQUIST, PGA
E
veryone gets frustrated with
their golf game at one point or
another. We love the sport
because it can never be mastered, but
that inherent challenge can also lead
to maddening struggles when things
seem to fall apart.
Whether you're a scratch player or
a high-handicapper, there are things
every golfer can address to get their
game back on the right track.
LOOK WITHIN
Take a close look at the key pieces
of the puzzle that help you make
solid contact, such as finishing with
your weight on your front foot –
something most amateurs don't do.
Next, have a good feel for where
the club face is pointing at the
moment of impact because that will
have the biggest effect on your ball
flight.
Then, be conscious of the path on
which you're swinging the golf club,
so if you're trying to master the
basics you can ensure you're making
square contact. And, if you're a more
advanced player you can influence
the shape of the shot.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR SWING
I think the best thing to happen to
golf instruction in the last 10 years is
the understanding of ball flight. Once
you can understand what you're
doing with your swing and how it's
affecting the flight of the golf ball,
you can get rid of a lot of your old
swing thoughts and focus on what's
important to hitting the ball straight
and far.
I worked recently with a golfer
who had been playing for 25 years
and was about a 30 handicap. Before
the lesson he told me that he swings
too far to the right, hits a lot of pulls
and couldn't turn the club face over.
I knew he had misinterpreted some
information he had been given and
we evaluated his swing using the
technology available. A couple of
swings later, he started to hit push
draws.
It was all about him having access
to the right information, and
knowing what to do with that
information. The best players are
intuitive, but that's based on them
applying knowledge about the basics
of the golf swing.
KNOWLEDGE IS POWER
Being aware of what you're trying to accomplish is key to success
Finishing with your weight on your left
side is one key to making solid contact.
DANA DAHLQUIST GOLF
D
ana Dahlquist is a veteran
instructor at El Dorado Park Golf
Course in Long Beach, Calif., who has
worked with juniors and top touring
pros, emphasizing a focus on the
basics of the golf swing. CLICK HERE
to visit his website.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
