3 keys: Release for distance

A good release starts with the grip

By Annika Sorenstam
Photo By Stephen Szurlej

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1. A good release starts with the grip. Set the club in the fingers of your left hand, with your thumb pad over the top of the handle. With your right hand, again get the club down in the creases of your fingers. This will help you hinge the club up going back and hold that wrist angle longer in the downswing for a late burst of speed.

2. I recently found I was holding the club too tightly with my right hand, trying to hit the ball instead of releasing through. Here’s a drill I used to relax my right hand: Grip the club normally, then move your right index finger on top of the grip. Hit some balls like this. You’ll see it takes the “pinch pressure” out of your right hand.

3. People talk about how I turn my head to the target before impact. That’s the release of my body. But the big issue for amateurs is getting the arms and wrists to work correctly through impact. Release the club to the target, and feel your left elbow pointing to the ground (right). Let your wrists recock the club to a full finish.

 

 

 

The Ultimate Touch Shot!

By Annika Sorenstam
Photos By Stephen Szurlej

1. Because greens are so fast these days, approach shots tend to run through the back or off the sides. That often leaves a very delicate chip to a close pin. To hit this shot, first take your most lofted wedge and choke down a few inches. A shorter shaft will give you more sensitivity and less power.
2. Stand a little closer to the ball to compensate for shortening the club. This will get the clubhead up on its toe, reducing the risk of chunking the shot because the grass grabbed the heel.
3. The swing is a simple brush stroke back and through, like you’d use for a long putt. To maintain the club’s loft, hold the face square to the hole through impact. With a little practice, this touch shot will save you a ton of strokes.
Annika Sorenstam writes instruction articles only for Golf Digest Publications and runs the Annika Academy at Ginn Reunion Resort near Orlando.

PGA Tour and LPGA Tour swings

Tiger’s favorite putting drill

 

By Tiger WoodsEdited By Pete McDaniel and Mark SoltauPhoto By Dom Furore

1. I use this drill all the time. Three feet from a hole, I push two tees in the ground just outside the heel and toe, forming a gate for the putterhead. I alternate hitting 12 putts with my right hand only, then six with both hands, until I make 50 or 100 in a row. If I miss, I start over.

2. On these short putts, it’s critical to keep the putterhead moving straight back and through. I place the tees so close together that if the putter veers off line even a tiny bit during the stroke, it’ll crash into one of the tees.

3. Having my name stamped on the ball is more than just a nice touch. I actually draw a line through my name with a marker and use that as an alignment aid. The line also reminds me to keep my head still until the ball is on its way.

Tiger Woods writes instruction articles only for Golf Digest.