Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/165363
iG1308--proof2 8/28/13 7:27 AM Page 1 LISA LONGBALL TIP BY LISA "LONGBALL" VLOOSWYK 1 Tips For Crisp Contact To hit the ball with solid contact and improve distance and accuracy it is imperative that you set up properly. You can have a fantastic swing but if you have a few flaws in your set up you will never be a good ball striker. 2 TOO MUCH WEIGHT ON TOES 3 SOME GOLFERS SIT TOO MUCH WITH TOO MUCH WEIGHT ON THEIR HEELS AT ADDRESS A key aspect of set up is how you distribute the weight over your feet. This is a simple fix to your swing but if it is not done properly it will lead to errant and poorly struck shots. Some players set a lot of weight on their heels in address. By doing so their posture becomes more upright and almost looks like they are sitting in a chair. It is very difficult to turn around the spine in this position. (See image #1 above ) By placing the weight on the heels the ball position is also moved. Instead of lining up in the center of the club face it will often force you to line up off the toe creating a lot of slices. The other issue is setting up with too much weight on your toes. It is difficult to feel balanced in this position and after impact players will often take a step and fall out of their stance. The ball tends to be lined up off the heel in this position and can lead to pulls and hosel rockets. (See image #2 above) To set up properly you want to ensure you have the weight in the middle of your feet. I often like to bounce slightly up and down to ensure I have achieved this position. As I go through my swing I am cognizant of trying to keep my weight over my feet and not let it sneak out over my toes or lean back on my heels at impact. Ideally the spine should be at about a 50-53 degree angle to make an effortless turn. (See image #3 above) Check your club face after you strike the ball to see where the ball impacted. If it was not a center of the face hit and instead off the toe or heel try feeling where your weight is over your feet at set up and throughout your swing. You can use impact tape available from most golf pros or even something as simple as duct tape to see the impact of the ball on the face of the club. In addition to proper set up, to hit more solid iron and hybrid shots this season focus on ball contact. You want to think of "trapping" the ball between your club face and the ground for crisp contact. Thus, your club should be impacting the ground AT the ball, not behind it. Good luck for a great season! Lisa is a 7-Time Canadian Long Drive Champion for women and is currently ranked top 5 in the world. Lisa is a Golf Entertainer at corporate and charity events and Keynote Speaker at conferences and meetings. Lisa can be reached through her website at www.lisalongball.com. WEIGHT NICELY BALANCED THE TEE / DIVOT DRILL A great drill to ensure you are trapping the ball at impact is is to place a tee beside your ball when you address it. Focus on trapping the ball and compressing it. Once contact is made it is key to keep swinging. If you make a divot it should start at the tee. If your divot starts behind the tee you know you made early contact with the ground and that you have not properly compressed the ball which will lead to inconsistent distances and errant shots. 53