Monday, August 2, 2010

Gordon Jackson's Golf Tip of the Day- August 2, 2010

YOUR ELBOW LINE IN RELATION TO YOUR SHOULDER LINE
DETERMINES THE SWING PATH OF YOUR CLUBFACE


Many professional golf instructors as well as golfers mistakenly believe that it is the relationship between the shoulder line and the target or directional line that determines the swing path of the clubface.

However, the body does not have a clue as to the target or directional line. The target or directional line could be at right angles to the shoulder line and the body would not know the difference.

The body does know how the shoulders are aligned in relation to the elbow line- the imaginary line running across the inside creases of the elbow joints.

When the elbow line is pointing to the inside of the shoulder line an out-to-in swing path of the clubface is created. However, unless locked-in the relationship between the shoulder line and the elbow line can be changed by almost any subsequent body movement.

When the elbow line is pointing to the outside of the shoulder line an in-to-out swing path of the clubface is created. Again, unless locked-in almost any subsequent body movement can change the relationship between the shoulder line and the elbow line.

When the elbow line is aligned parallel with the shoulder line an online swing path of the clubface is created. This relationship likewise can be changed with any subsequent body movement unless it is locked-in.

The only golf method that locks-in an online swing path of the clubface are the Locked-In Techniques™ discussed in such books as my How To Hit A Golf Ball As Straight-As-An-Arrow and How To Lock-In A Perfect Golf Swing, all of which can be found at lockedingolf.com.

Gordon Jackson's Golf Tip of the Day-July 31, 2010

BONE ALIGNMENT IS THE KEY TO CREATING A STRAIGHT GOLF SHOT

In order to hit a straight golf shot on line with your target your elbow, wrist and shoulder bones must be aligned as follows when your clubface contacts your ball at impact:

1. Your elbow bones must be aligned squarely parallel with your shoulder bones.

2. Your wrist bones must be aligned to unhinge squarely to your ball at impact.

3. Your shoulders must be aligned squarely parallel with your intended target line.

4. The mid point of your shoulder bones (at the top of your clavicle bone) must be
aligned squarely perpendicularly to the back of your ball.

The only golf method that establishes these four bone alignments during the setup proceedings and keeps them locked-in during the remainder of the setup routine and golf swing are the Locked-In Techniques I discuss in my golf books such as How To Lock-In A Perfect Golf Swing and How To Hit A Golf Ball as Straight-As-An-Arrow all of which that can be found at lockedingolf.com.

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Gordon Jackson's Golf Tip of the Day-July 28, 2010

WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU CENTER THE SWEET SPOT OF YOUR CLUB-
FACE APPROXIMATELY ONE-HALF INCH BEHIND YOUR BALL?

Some golfers routinely center the face of their clubs about one-half inch behind their golf ball during their setup proceedings. Typically, through trial and error, they have come to experience a relatively straight ball flight by using this setup procedure.

It theoretically produces a relatively straight ball flight if all the following conditions are met:

First, you must assume a comfortable stance and posture to the ball as well as align your shoulders parallel with your target line while the clubface is positioned about one-half inch behind the ball before assuming a conventional overlap, interlock or baseball style of grip.

Then without moving your feet in any manner, you must assume either a conventional overlap, interlock or baseball style of grip while the sweet spot of your clubface remains centered about one-half inch behind the ball.

Once you assume your grip with the lifeline of your back hand locked squarely on your front-hand thumb, you must the keep your front heel planted, keep both feet in place, keep your head steady and execute a simple backswing and deliver the sweet spot of your clubface to the ball at impact.

This technique theoretically delivers a relatively square clubface to the ball on a path that relatively matches the target line at impact because the clubface is displaced just enough from the back of the ball to square it with the ball during the downswing.

I do not endorse this technique because, unlike my Locked-In Techniques, this procedure does not lock-in a square clubface alignment and an online swing path that remains locked-in during the remainder of the setup proceedings and the golf swing.

It also requires a relatively flat surface.

Nonetheless, you may want to try it just for the experience.

Saturday, July 24, 2010

Gordon Jackson's Golf Tip of the Day-July 24, 2010

THE REAL "SECRET" TO HITTING A PERFECT GOLF SHOT

The real secret to hitting a pure and perfect, straight-as-an-arrow, golf shot directly to your target is to first lock-in a straight ball flight alignment. This means you must move some body part in some manner between the time you assume a conventional (diagonal) front-hand grip-- I characterize as a lead-hand grip in many of my books-- and the time you grip your back-hand grip--I characterize as a trail-hand grip in many of my books-- and then lock your back-hand lifeline on your front-hand thumb either one or two times depending on the type of body movement.

You also can lock-in a straight ball flight alignment by moving some body part after you have assumed either a conventional overlap, interlock or baseball grip and then lock your back-hand lifeline on your front-hand thumb a specific number of times.

It took me more than ten years to determine what body parts to move and precisely how to lock my back-hand lifeline on my front-hand thumb a specific number of times to lock-in a straight ball flight alignment. All together I have been able to design, develop and perfect more than 100 techniques to lock-in a square clubface alignment and an online swing path of the clubface.

Many of my Locked-In Techniques are featured in such books as How to Hit a Golf Ball as Straight-as-an-Arrow and How to Lock-In a Perfect Golf Swing. Others are featured in DVDs and Special Reports that can be found on lockedingolf.com.

Some are posted on my different blogs such as the Incomparable Locked-In Golf Technique, the Gigantic Locked-In Golf Technique and the Unmatched Locked-In Golf Technique.

However, locking-in a straight ball flight alignment is just the first step to hitting a pure and perfect straight golf shot. It then requires a test to determine whether you have followed the instructions correctly and truly have locked-in a straight ball flight alignment, plus the steps below to the letter.

1. Once you have locked-in a straight ball flight alignment, you must assume a comfortable stance and posture to your ball.

2, You must then center the sweet spot of your clubface as near to the back of your ball as possible without moving your ball in the process. (This is your "locked-in " bottom-out point. If the sweet spot of your clubface is positioned anywhere else behind your ball it will become the bottom-out point and a straight ball flight to your target will become impossible.)

3. You must then align your shoulders parallel with your target, if not already so aligned, while the sweet spot of your clubface remains centered as near to the back of your ball as possible without moving your ball in the process.

4. You must then keep your head steady (without allowing it to move up or down), your front-heel planted and execute a regular golf swing without attempting to manipulate the club in any way at any point in either the backswing or downswing.

THEN WATCH YOUR BALL FLY AS STRAIGHT-AS-AN-ARROW DIRECTLY TO YOUR TARGET.

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Gordon Jackson's Golf Tip of the Day- July 22, 2010

WHY SLICES AND PULLS ARE SIBLINGS, WHY PUSHES AND HOOKS ALSO ARE SIBLINGS AND WHY SLICES AND HOOKS ARE FIRST COUSINS

The clubface cycles through various ball flight alignments in response to different body movements such as widening or narrowing the stance after the hands are gripped on the club.

At the very instant the hands are gripped on a club handle with either a conventional overlap, interlock or baseball style of grip the clubface rotates to a slice ball flight alignment and to an out-to-in swing path. This alignment is in the middle of the ball flight spectrum. At this point, the clubface is aligned openly on an out-to-in swing path, creating a slice ball flight alignment..

If you were then to narrow your stance slightly the swing path of the clubface would remain on and out-to-in path but would rotate to a closed alignment and create a pull ball flight alignment. The fact the alignment of the clubface changed but the swing path did not makes the relationship between a slice and a pull that of siblings, figuratively speaking.

However, were you to assume a conventional grip and then widen your stance slightly, the your clubface would rotate to a closed alignment and the path of your clubface would rotate to an in-to-out path, creating a hook ball flight alignment. Since both the alignment and path of the clubface changed as a result of widening your stance slightly, the relationship between a slice and a hook is that of first cousins, figuratively speaking.

When the stance is widened more after the clubface rotates to a hook ball flight alignment the alignment of the clubface will rotate from a closed position to an open position but the path of the clubface will remain on an in-to-out path, creating a push ball flight alignment. Since only the alignment of the clubface changed instead of both the alignment and path of the clubface in response to widening the stance more from a hook, the relationship between a hook and a push is that of siblings, figuratively speaking.

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Gordon Jackson's Golf Tip of the Day- July19, 2010

HOW TO DETERMINE WHERE YOUR BALL LANDS
IN BRIGHT SUNNY CONDITIONS

If you have too much sun in your eyes or, too vision impaired, to see the flight of
your ball there is a technique to determine the direction of your ball and approximately
where it lands.

Simply follow these steps:

1. Maintain your follow-through and posture.

2. Close your left eye if right-handed or your right eye if left-handed and then
turn your head in the direction of your target while immobilizing your body.

3. The direction your open eye points (sees) will be the direction your ball flew.

4. Also, by knowing the relative distance your ball would fly with the club in use
you likewise will know approximately where your ball landed

The most significant benefit of this technique is to know whether you hit your
ball in the direction of your target, hooked or pulled it to the inside of your body line
or sliced or pushed to the outside of your body line.

It also could save you a lot of lost time in an attempt to otherwise find your ball.

Saturday, July 17, 2010

Gordon Jackson's Golf Tip of the day- July 17, 2010

MOST SHANKS ARE NOT TRUE SHANKED GOLF SHOTS
Most so-called shanked golf shots are not true shanks. Most are push-slice golf shots.
They look very much alike in terms of ball flight in that both fly extremely to the out-
side of the body line.
However, it is very difficult to hit a true shanked golf shot because it requires the
hosel of the clubface to contact the ball instead of the face of the club.
Unless you are standing extremely away from the ball at final address a true shank
is difficult to hit.
On the hand other hand a push-slice golf shot is very easy to hit because the face instead
of the club is what contacts the ball at impact. The similar appearance of ball flight is
what causes so many golfers to assume they shanked their ball instead of push-sliced
it.
Most golfers who habitually push-slice their golf shots move around quite a bit before
finally addressing the ball or widen their stance appreciably when finally addressing the ball.
Try this experiment and see for yourself how easy it is to hit a push-slice golf shot.
First, assume a comfortable posture and stance to your ball before gripping your club
handle.
Next, center the sweet spot of your clubface as near to the back of your ball as possible
without moving your ball during the process. Then assume either an overlap, interlock
or baseball type of grip on your club handle. DO NOT UNLOCK YOUR BACK-HAND
LIFELINE FROM YOUR FRONT-HAND THUMB AFTER COMPLETING YOUR GRIP.
Lastly, widen your stance as wide as comfortably possible while keeping your clubface as
near to the back of your ball as possible without moving your ball in the process and then
simply swing your club naturally without trying to manipulate it in any way.
If you follow my instructions precisely you should observe your ball flying extremely
to the outside of your body line in the same flight pattern as a shank. The only
difference is that you did not shank your ball but rather push-sliced it.

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Gordon Jackson's Golf Tip of the Day-July 11, 2010

WHY CONVENTIONAL GOLF INSTRUCTION IS SO UNRELIABLE


The typical golf instructor’s method of teaching is to coach his or her student to manipulate the club in some way during the swing in an attempt to square the clubface to the ball at impact..

The very proposition of teaching a golfer to manipulate the club during the golf swing in an attempt to square the clubface to the ball at impact only goes to show that the clubface was not square at the beginning of the golf swing.

This type of instruction is completely unreliable because no one knows the alignment and swing path of the clubface at the completion of the setup proceedings unless one of my Locked-In Golf Techniques was performed to lock-in a square alignment and an online swing path of the clubface prior to the beginning of the swing.

Only a very few golf instructors are familiar with my Locked-In Golf Techniques. Those who are familiar with them do not know how to instruct the techniques and therefore resort to the old manipulative instruction of the past-which is so unreliable.

HERE’S WHY

The instant you assume a conventional overlap, interlock or baseball style of grip, your wrists will rotate your clubface to an effective open alignment (irrespective of how it may appear) and the swing path of your clubface will rotate to an out-to-in path, This means a slice ball flight alignment if a non-manipulative golf swing is executed at this point.

However, the slice ball flight alignment at this point of the setup routine is not locked-in, meaning any body movement after the initial grip is completed will rotate the alignment and swing path of the clubface to a different ball flight such as a hook, push, pull, push-slice or pull-hook alignment.

However the ball flight to which the alignment and swing path of the clubface has rotated is not locked-in at the completion of the setup proceedings. Also the the alignment and swing path of the clubface is unknown at the completion of the setup routine.

So how is an instructor to know how to coach a golfer to manipulate his or her club during the golf swing in an attempt to square the clubface to the ball at impact on a swing path that matches the directional line to produce a straight golf shot when the clubface alignment and swing path of the clubface is unknown at this point?

The truth of the matter is there is no reliable way to coach a student using the manipulative golf method of instruction to square the clubface to the ball at impact..

Friday, July 9, 2010

Gordon Jackson's Golf Tip of the Day- July 9, 2010

HOW TO USE THE JACKSON "FINGERS ONLY" GOLF GRIP

When you assume either a conventional overlap, interlock or baseball style of grip, your front hand is gripped on the club in a diagonal manner in that the club lies across your fingers and palm, typically from the crook of your index finger back to the base of your litttle finger, directly under the fatty pad of your palm.

Then when your back hand is gripped on the club with either an overlap, interlock or baseball style of grip your wrists will rotate your clubface to an effective open alignment and your elbows (elbow line)to the inside of your shoulders (shoulder line) to create an out-to-in swing path of your clubface. If you were to execute a non-manipulative golf swing from this position in that you did not re-route your clubface off its established swing path, your downswing would deliver an open clubface to the ball at impact on an out-to-in path across your shoulder line to produce a slice golf shot.

Worst perhaps is if you were to move any body parts after assuming a conventional style of grip the alignment and swing path of your clubface would rotate to a different ball flight such as a hook, pull, push, pull-hook or push-slice without you ever being able to detect which one.

Then perhaps even worse is if you then re-routed your clubface from this position to a different swing path during your golf swing you would produce a different ball flight.

This is why golfers produce different ball flights without ever determining the cause.

My Locked-In Golf Techniques prevent this from happening because each one locks-in a square clubface alignment and an online swing path of the clubface during the setup proceedings. They will remain locked-in from that point throughout the golf swing.

One of the easiest locked-in techniques to perform is th Jackson "Fingers Only" Golf Grip.

Here is how to perform the Jackson "Fingers Only" Golf Grip.

First, lay the handle of your club squarely into the creases at the base of the ring and middle fingers of your front hand. This is critical. The club must lie in a straight line across these creases rather than diagonal. Furthermore, the club handle cannot lie in the palm of the front hand or in the second set of creases of the ring and middle fingers of the front hand.

Then merely wrap the fingers of your front hand around your club handle to complete your front hand grip.

Next, simply grip your back hand on your club handle with either an overlap, interlock or baseball style of grip. Complete your back hand grip by locking the lifeline of your back hand squarely and snugly on your front-hand thumb. DO NOT UNLOCK YOUR BACK-HAND LIFELINE FROM YOUR FRONT-HAND THUMB THEREAFTER.

If you perform this grip correctly you will have a square clubface alignment and an online swing path of your clubface.

At this point all that remains is to center the sweet spot of your clubface as near to the back of your ball, without moving your ball during the process, align your shoulders parallel with your directional line, keep your head steady, your feet planted and execute a non-manipulative golf swing.

Then watch your ball fly on a straight path on your directional line.

FULL DISCLOSURE

Many golfers assume their front-hand grip with a fingers only grip. However, they sometimes fail to place the handle of their club squarely into the creases at the base of the ring and middle fingers of their front hand or they unlock the lifeline of their back hand form their front-hand thumb after completing their grip. Either will prevent a locked-in square clubface and an online swing path of the clubface.

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Gordon Jackson's Golf Tip of the Day- July 8, 2010

HOW TO DETERMINE WHETHER YOU HAVE AN OUT-TO-IN OR AN IN-TO-OUT
CLUBFACE SWING PATH AT THE CONCLUSION OF YOUR SETUP ROUTINE

Considering the reality that due to multiple body movements from the time you grip a golf club until the completion of your setup routine you could end up with either an out-to-in or an in-to-out rather than an online swing path of your clubface you may want to know how to perform a simple technique to find out.

You should realize that if you have an out-to-in swing path of your clubface at the completion of your pre-swing proceedings and execute a non-manipulative golf swing you will either hook, push or push-slice your ball.

On the other hand, if you have an out-to-in swing path of your clubface at the completion of your pre-swing proceedings and execute a non-manipulative golf swing you will either slice, pull or pull-hook your ball.

You will produce a straight golf shot with a non-manipulative golf swing only if you have an online swing path of your clubface at the completion of your pre-swing proceedings because
when you have an online swing path of your clubface at the completion of your pre-swing preceedings you also will have a square clubface.

The Locked-In Golf Techniques automatically lock-in an online swing path and a square clubface at the completion of the pre-swing proceedings. Then if a non-manipulative golf swing os executed, the ball will fly on a straight path.

Therefore, unless you have used one of the Locked-In Golf Techniques to lock-in an online swing path and a square alignment of your clubface, you have no way of knowing what swing path and alignment your clubface have rotated at the completion of your pre-swing proceedings unless you do the following:

First , at the completion of your pre-swing proceedings keep your feet in place as well as your shoulders, arms and knees.

Then ungrip your hands from your club and grip the metal portion of your club horizonally with your hands about one and one-half feet apart.

Next, lock your elbow joints and raise or lower your arms until your club shaft covers the gall from your point of vision.

If at this point the front part of your club shaft points to th inside of your body line it will indicate that you have an out-to-in swing path of your clubface. If it points to the outside of your body line it will indicate an in-to-out swing path of your clubface. If it is online with yout clubface it will indicate you have both an online swing path and a square alignment of your clubface.

Once you observe it is most difficult to achieve an online swing path and and a square alignment of your clubface unless you use one of the Locked-In Golf Techniques you may want to begin using some of the Locked-In Golf Techniques.

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Gordon Jackson's Golf Tip of the Day- July6,2010

WHY YOU SHOULD STUDY PARALLEL GREENS

Most golf courses have what I refer to as parallel greens. That is, the tee box for the existing hole is located parallel to the green for the next hole.

Unfortunately, many players fail to give the returning green, the parallel green, much attention. For those who fail to check out parallel greens, this is a big mistake

.
Here is what I suggest you do.

While your playing group is waiting on the group ahead before hitting their drives or, while hitting their drives, you should be studying the parallel green.
You should make a mental note of the location of the pin placement (hole location) as well as the slope and flow of the green, particularly if you are unfamiliar with the course and in the absence of hole location flags.

You also should study the surrounding area of each parallel green to determine how any bunkers or water may come into play as well as other areas to avoid such as deep rough around part of the green.

If you study each parallel green you should be much more prepared and feel much more confident on how to play your approach shot when facing it, whether it be a par 3, par 4 or par 5

Gordon Jackson's Golf Tip of the Day-July 5, 2010

WHY I LIKE BABY WIPES IN MY GOLF BAG

If you play golf in the summer months or, even in the late Spring or Early Autumn in the South, you can expect some extreme humidity and hot temperatures.

As a result you can expect to perspire, sometimes profusely, during a round of golf.

Therefore, I keep a package of wipes in my golf bag to remove perspiration as well as to clean my clubfaces and golf balls. By using wipes for such purpose I can keep a relatively clean towel and achieve the same purpose.

I also find such wipes invaluable after a round of golf if the club does not provide club and shoe cleaning services. The wipes do a wonderful job for cleaning both shoes and clubs after a round of golf.

Also, there are many instances due to time constraints and facilities at which you may not be able to shower or wash up as you would like. In such an event the wipes can be used for a quick wash up and perhaps save you some embarrassment at your next stop.

I travel frequently and play anytime I can fit it into my schedule. Sometimes I play on courses that do not have the best facilities, especially at some muni courses.

This is when you really appreciate having a package of wipes in your bag.

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Gordon Jackson’s Golf Tip of the Day- June 30, 2010

HOW YOU CAN DETERMINE WHETHER YOU HAVE ESTABLISHED A SQUARE CLUBFACE ALIGNMENT AT THE COMPLETION OF YOUR SETUP ROUTINE


If you observe the position of the club shaft of tour players at the completion of their backswings you will notice that it typically points to or hovers directly over the tip end of their back shoulder. This indicates a square clubface alignment and an online swing path of the clubface at this point of the golf swing.

If the golfer then swings the golf club downward to the ball from this point without manipulating the clubface in the process the downswing will deliver a square clubface to the ball on a swing path that parallels the shoulder line and produce a straight golf shot.

When the club shaft points directly to or hovers directly over the tip end of the back shoulder at the completion of the backswing it indicates a square clubface as opposed to an open or closed clubface.

However, if club shaft points to the outside of the tip end of the back shoulder at the completion of the backswing it indicates an open clubface alignment. If it points to or hovers over a point to the inside of the tip end of the back shoulder it indicates a closed clubface.

The same proposition applies at the completion of the setup routine. You can actually determine whether you have established a square clubface alignment at the completion of your pre-swing routine. Here’s How:

First, center the sweet spot of your clubface as near to the back of your ball because this is the reference point of your ball position.

Next, keep your feet planted and steady your head. Also keep your shoulders and knees stabilized.

Then hinge your wrists naturally without cupping or arching them.

Keep your elbows steady and level without raising or lowering them.

Lastly, raise your forearms (and only your forearms) upward as far as they will go and then observe the direction your club shaft is pointing,.

If your club shaft is pointing directly to or hovering directly over the tip end of your back shoulder it will indicate you have established a square clubface alignment.

On the other hand, if the club shaft points to the outside of the tip end of the back shoulder it will indicate an open clubface alignment. If it points to or hovers above a point to the inside of the of the tip end of the back shoulder it will indicate a closed clubface alignment.

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Gordon Jackson's Golf Tip of the Week (June 1, 2010)

HOW DO YOU DETERMINE WHETHER YOU HAVE A HOOK, SLICE OR FLAT LIE

One of the easiest means to determine whether you are faced with either a hook or slice lie and therefore need to make some adjustment to offset it is to

! While standing behind your ball, facing your target, lock your knee joints and keep them locked until the procedure is completed.

2. Then place your hands horizontally on the metal portion of one of your clubs with your
hands about 1 and 1/2 feet apart.

3. Next, lock both of your elbow joints and observe whether the club shaft points downward to your left side, downward to your right side or remains level.

4. If the club shaft points downward to your left side it will indicate a hook lie for right-handers and a slice lie for left-handers. If the club shaft points downward to your right side it
will indicate a slice lie for right-handers and a hook lie for left-handers. It the club shaft
does not slant downward in either direction it will indicate an even lie.