Susan Farron Golf Tips

Putting

How many times are you faced with a short putt only to watch in agony as it lips the hole. Try this simple but effective way to make sure those short putts go in "LISTEN DON'T LOOK." Next time listen for the rattle of the ball falling in the hole. Don't peep -keep your eyes watching the spot underneath the ball after you stroke it.

As Tiger says in his book; light hands on the putter will give you increased feel for holing more putts. Practice holing 10 3 foot putts in a row.

Chipping

The lower body must stay still and passive. Hold 70% of your weight on your front leg (ie.towards the flag). This will eliminate excessive body movement and prevent the fluff chip shot.

Poor ball position can result in poor contact when chipping. Having the ball too far forward can cause fat chunky shots and also thin bellied shots.
Step 1. Get into your chipping set up
Step 2. Position the ball back from centre (towards your back foot).
Step 3. The club shaft will lean on an angle towards the target
Step 4. Lean more of your weight on your left side
Step 5. Keep the knees steady.

Bunkers

Don't be intimidated by bunkers. To add consistent bunker play to your golf game you only need a solid sound setup and a basic understanding that the swing arc for explosion shots is 'V' shaped rather than "U' shaped arc like most full swings.

6 Steps to a sound setup

Step 1. Keep your stance open- the front foot should be pulled back from the target line
Step 2. Keep your shoulders and hips open to the target.
Step 3. Keep the ball position forward in your stance
Step 4. Shift most of your weight to your left or front foot.
Step 5. Open club-face for more loft
Step 6. Open the club-facet hen take your grip.

Iron Play

For crisp contact maintain good knee flex throughout the backswing. Be careful not to straighten or pull up too quickly. This will create a top shot.

Good crisp iron shots are a result of keeping the left arm straight at impact. This encourages a downward strike through the ball and results in a crisp divot being taken.

Wood Play

Sweep the club back low and slow on the takeaway. The ball should be positioned closer to your front foot. Inside heel for the driver.

Because the woods are longer in length they are more difficult to control. Maintain a low smooth takeaway. Finish the backswing completely before starting the downswing. Often shots are miscued because of hurried and rushed movements in the golf swing. Keep a smooth transition at the top of the backswing.

Pitching

Controlling the length of your back-swing will help control the length of your pitch shots.
Practice these simple swings to help develop distance control.
- knee high back-swing
- hip high back-swing
- shoulder high back-swing

Each back-swing will produce a different length shot. Let the follow through complete to a 3/4 finish with every swing.

How to Practice

Practice Rules

1. Never scoop balls one after the other
2. Always aim at a target
3. Know how far you are hitting
4. Swing to a balanced finish position
5. Don't start with the driver, Work up to it.
Hit wedges first
6. Work on 1 or 2 key thoughts.
Don't overload with too many things to work

Alignment

Railway Tracks are the best mental imagery to help with aiming straight at your target. Body aim should be slightly to the left of your target.

Mental Game

Don’t expect to hit every shot perfect. The pros don’t, so neither should you. Practice effectively, not too many balls too quickly.

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