Tadashi70
Well-known member
In an effort to bring more to the great members of THP I asked for feedback and got some. One request was for videos and 'how to hit certain shots'. This video was shot 2 years ago while in MB with the Mward at a little event called the Morgan Cup.
One thing I have always liked about Mike's game is his short game. Not so much around the greens but the little 1/2 and 3/4 wedge shots that are needed to save a round. In this video, Mike is hitting 1/2 wedge shots to about a 70 yard target. To me it is one of the best example on how to play these shots. Fundamentally, he is spot on with an open stance to the target, great leg flex, weight forward, hand forward and choking down or up on the club.
He does something else that I see most people forget. The length of his back swing pretty much matches the length of his follow through. This allow him to accelerate through the hitting zone and make a crisp downward blow on the back of the ball. The club head never gets in front of the club head and he also holds that face very well. This mean a crisp hit and no 'roll up' the club face.
I see so many golfers take these huge back swing and then decelerate into the ball. This results in hitting it fat and missing their target by some measure. Even worse, this can cause the player to try to help the ball into the air instead of allow the club to the work. Either way, the results are not what the player wanted to see.
Also take notice of his spine angle, it never moves and that club returns to the exact spot it started. If he were to come out of his swing or lose spine angle, the result would not have been as favorable.
Recap:
This shot can be done with any club in the bag. The longer the club the lower the flight of the ball will be. This is great with long irons if you need some distance but need to keep it low. I like to use this shot from 140 and in with various scoring clubs depending on the distance. Learning to match the follow back swing and follow through will serve you well, provide the rest of the setup in maintained.
One thing I have always liked about Mike's game is his short game. Not so much around the greens but the little 1/2 and 3/4 wedge shots that are needed to save a round. In this video, Mike is hitting 1/2 wedge shots to about a 70 yard target. To me it is one of the best example on how to play these shots. Fundamentally, he is spot on with an open stance to the target, great leg flex, weight forward, hand forward and choking down or up on the club.
Spoiler
He does something else that I see most people forget. The length of his back swing pretty much matches the length of his follow through. This allow him to accelerate through the hitting zone and make a crisp downward blow on the back of the ball. The club head never gets in front of the club head and he also holds that face very well. This mean a crisp hit and no 'roll up' the club face.
I see so many golfers take these huge back swing and then decelerate into the ball. This results in hitting it fat and missing their target by some measure. Even worse, this can cause the player to try to help the ball into the air instead of allow the club to the work. Either way, the results are not what the player wanted to see.
Also take notice of his spine angle, it never moves and that club returns to the exact spot it started. If he were to come out of his swing or lose spine angle, the result would not have been as favorable.
Recap:
- Open stance to target, narrow stance (This is an arm swing so a narrow stance will help the hips to clear)
- Hands and weight forward (promotes downward hit)
- choke down the club (more control of the club)
- Leg flex or bent knees (get you closer to the ball)
- equal length back swing to follow through
- Maintained spine angle
- accelerates through the ball
- hold the club face open ( we are not releasing the club, holding it will impart spin with a downward strike)
- faces the target to complete swing and hold it
This shot can be done with any club in the bag. The longer the club the lower the flight of the ball will be. This is great with long irons if you need some distance but need to keep it low. I like to use this shot from 140 and in with various scoring clubs depending on the distance. Learning to match the follow back swing and follow through will serve you well, provide the rest of the setup in maintained.