Get A (Correct) Grip!
The grip is probably the most overlooked fundamental, yet it’s so important to good golf.
An incorrect grip sets up a chain reaction of one bad move after another as you struggle to hit the ball with the desired distance, direction and trajectory.
For right-handers, place the grip in the fingers of the left hand. Close your hand so that the heel pad of your left hand is on top of the grip. A common mistake is to position the grip too high in the palm of the left hand. When the club is too much in the palm, it’s difficult to hinge the wrists properly during the swing. Match your right hand to the left by putting the club in the fingers, and pressing the lifeline of your right palm snugly against the left thumb.
Both hands should be turned slightly to the right so that the “v’s” formed by the index finger and thumb of both hands point to the middle of your right shoulder. If you’re someone who curves the ball to the right too much, chances are the “v’s” are pointing more to your chin than your right shoulder.
Lana Ortega
Director of Instruction, Lana Ortega Golf
For more information about Lana Ortega Golf, please visit the website at www.lanaortegagolf.com or call 303-574-0775.
Lana spent eleven years working with Mike McGetrick at the McGetrick Golf Academy at Green Valley Ranch in Denver, Colorado, voted #6 of Golf magazine’s Top 25 Golf Schools. In 2006, Lana launched Lana Ortega Golf located at the Links Golf Course in Highlands Ranch, Colorado where she focuses on providing a comprehensive golf learning experience for all types of golfers, with a special emphasis on women golfers.
Lana is Class A member of the LPGA Teaching and Club Professional Division and is an accomplished teacher and author of instruction articles for several national and regional publications. She is an instruction editor for GolfTips Magazine and her work regularly appears in GolfTips, Golf For Women magazine, The Denver Post and Colorado Avid Golfer.
Lana is a member of the Golf For Women magazine instruction panel, and she has been selected as one of Golf For Women’s “Top 50 Teachers” for 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007. She was also selected by Golf Magazine as one of the Southwest Region’s Top Teachers for 2005-2006 and was voted 2005 LPGA Central Section Teacher of the Year by her peers.
Lana teaches a wide range of golfers including players on the LPGA Tour, Ladies European Tour, LPGA and PGA club professionals, collegiate golfers and amateur men and women of all abilities.
S-T-R-E-T-C-H for more power in your swing
To perform at maximum capacity, incorporate simple stretching techniques to reduce tightness and pain in the lower back, legs, shoulders, neck and arms. Performed consistently, golf stretching exercises will increase your range of motion and power, and decrease injuries.
Take a few seconds to stretch prior to the start of your round. Stretching doesn’t have to take much time, and in the end, these few minutes will show great returns. Combine static stretches (holding a stretch for up to 30 seconds) with dynamic stretches.
Below are a few sample stretching exercises you can do on the range:
Side Bends
1. Stand with a shoulder width stance. Place a toning bar (or golf club) on your shoulders.
2. Lean to one side keeping your torso straight. Do not bend forward or backwards.
3. Hold for a count of 2 and then repeat to the other side.
4. Complete 10 stretches each side.
Trunk Rotations
1. Stand with a shoulder width stance. Place hands on hips.
2. With knees slightly bent, turn from side to side keeping feet firmly on the floor.
4. Complete a total of 15-20 full swings.
This tip was provided by Charlie Hugo, Personal Trainer/Coach,
INSIDE-OUT-FITNESS.
For more information, check out Charlie Hugo Fitness.