Getting there part 2

Question
QUESTION: I played Sunday.  My fairway shots were terrific and so was my short game.  My driving was weak but despite that I still managed to shoot in the mid 90s.  My two 7 woods, the SW and TW (64 degree LW) were pretty deadly and did most of the work.  I broke out the gap wedge once and stuck the green and used the six iron on a par 3.

I think the answer to my tee shot woes is contained in what happened at the range yesterday and today:  Slow down and stay down! What I had noticed before is that if swing too fast, I could feel the clubhead twist on the downswing or I would raise too soon on the follow-through.  Basically, I am already conditioned to swing easy on ground shots (I take that into account on club selection) but have to slow my tempo on tee shots.  

I think as far as sand shots, I need a tip on the ones you play at the rear of a greenside bunker, especially where you have a slight bit of a downhill lie.  I have the shots in the middle or front of the bunker pretty wired and came close to holing them on a few occasions.

ANSWER: Hi Lou:

Make sure to complete your backswing before starting forward in your golf swing.  To most of my students, that means slow down the backswing so all the parts can synchronize a little better before starting forward.  I think the raising up feeling is just a reaction to being out of sync.  On your downhill lie bunker shots, take your LW or your 64 degree, play the ball back of center, put a little more weight on your downhill foot (left leg), set your shoulders to the angle of the slope (this is the key), and then make sure you SWING DOWN THE SLOPE.  Face stays open, but do not try to get under and lift from a downhill lie.  Accept the fact the ball will come out a little lower than normal and accept the fact the ball will run a bit more than normal.  Main deal here is get it out and on the green in one shot.  Do not try to lift it up or get under it.  You must swing down the slope and allow the loft of the club (with speed) to get the ball out of the bunker.  

Eddie Kilthau
PGA Member

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I'll try the 64 - that is more or less my "lob wedge" (I replaced the 55 and 60 degree wedges with a 57 degree sand wedge that I can do all sorts of things with - flop shots, sand, pitching, etc).  It also helped me excavate from THE TRAP (there is a huge greenside bunker on #7 at Miramar) and I use it to shoot over trees and to elevated greens.

I just got a used Big Bertha Warbird 9 wood from Global Golf (www.globalgolf.com) and that is even better than the infamous 25 degree 7 wood.  This is another one I can hit off some pretty crappy lies.

Then on the way from Church tonite, it popped into my head that I have this Puma 29 degree 9 wood with a steel shaft and it felt a lot better than either the 6 iron or the hybrid 6. Nothing wrong with carrying two 9 woods.



ANSWER: Lou:
Sounds great, I've never talked to anyone so devoted to golf clubs.  What does your garage look like?  Continued success Lou and remember to have fun.  There is nothing wrong with two 9 woods, because you solved the other problem with a 57 degree wedge.  Good job.

Eddie Kilthau
PGA Member

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: In regards to my garage, I have one shipping box with my backup set of fairway woods and my Nickent hybrids.  The other shipping box has a couple sets of fairway woods and one set of wedges I will sell.  I gave my son-in-law my Orlimar Trimetal woods for his b-day.  

The reason I have all these woods and hybrids is that I was trying to find a niche (which I have found now).  Doesn't make sense to buy a new set of woods and find out they don't work for you.  The irons were easy: I hit a demo club at Golfsmith and I was hooked (the price is right too).  

Answer
Lou:

Continued enjoyment in the game Lou.  It makes a huge difference when you get your clubs where you want them doesn't it?  Custom clubfitting and having your clubs fit for you is so important.  And now it seems like you have yours just where you want them.  

Eddie Kilthau
PGA Member