Stephen Denton
In some holes you want to blow it. For others, you’re more inclined to play it safer. Whatever the scenario, you can achieve success simply by changing how high – or low – the ball hook is.
When the long ball nods, hold the ball up, with more than half of the ball above the driver’s crown. Place the ball just off the ball of your front foot. This setup automatically forces you to swing more in-out (i.e. to the right) through impact and hit the ball more. The inside out track gives you a spin graphic. The hit launches the ball higher. Together, you can squeeze an additional 15 to 20 yards.
When playing it safe, do the opposite: throw the ball very low (about an inch off the ground) and come back from a normal position. Now you are ready to swing from the outside in (for example, to the left) and onto a more level path through the sway. Instant, low flying, vanish easily! In the first scenario, aim a little right, and a little left when you go with the right lane finder.
Don Sargent is a GOLF Top 100 teacher and Director of Instruction at Scioto CC in Columbus, Ohio.