By Annika Sorenstam
Photos By J.D. Cuban

1. To hit a flop, you have to maximize clubface loft at impact. For starters, use your most lofted wedge; mine is a 60-degree. Choke down an inch for control, and play the ball up, just inside your left heel. Don’t push your hands in front of the ball at address?you’ll deloft the clubface.

2. The swing should be long and lazy. Hinge your wrists as soon as you start back, creating a 90-degree angle between the club and your left arm. Keep your weight centered. Then swing down, and accelerate through the ball to a full finish.

3. One move that can kill the flop is an aggressive shift to your front foot on the downswing. This driving action angles the shaft forward, which reduces loft. Try this drill: Hit flop shots keeping your left heel just off the ground from start to finish. You won’t be able to drive forward, so you’ll keep more loft on the club.

I’ve known Andy Morse since I was a little kid and always looked up to him. I’ve played numerous rounds with Andy over the years and was always amazed by the way he struck the ball. I’ve played with a lot of great players and besides my dad, Andy is the best ball striker I’ve ever seen. To this day, I can’t believe he hasn’t made solid career on the PGA Tour.
Last Sunday I had the privlage to go head to head with Andy and finally gave him a match to remember! It was the Sunday of the Ryder Cup and on the second hole after his eagle on one, I told him that he was Europe and I was US.

You could be hitting perfect shots that don’t go straight because your lie angle is not right for your swing. The same goes for the loft on your clubs. It’s important to know that all your clubs are set to the correct loft. For example, industry standard loft on a pitching wedge is supposed to have 48 degrees. A 9 iron has 44 deg, 8 iron 40 deg and so on. With my exprience checking lofts on clubs, I’ve come to the conclusion that most sets are very inconsistent. It’s easy to fix and you should have yours checked!

Lie:
“Lie angle is the measurement between the hosel and the ground. This influences a shot’s direction. The correct lie angle helps you hit straight shots from a square hit. If the lie angle is too upright, the heel will dig too deeply and the ball will start left of your target. If the lie angle is too flat, the toe will dig in, causing the ball to start right of your target.

Loft:

Although each club has a specific loft, it is affected by clubhead speed, swing path, and the angle of approach. More loft is better than too little because extra loft creates additional backspin, which, in turn, reduces sidespin. Too little loft may promote hanging back on the right side or a reverse weight shift in an effort to get the ball airborne.

A student of mine asked me, ” are you born with mental toughness, or can you develop it.” That’s a very good question, and I put a lot of thought into since.
I think that everyone has a powerful mind and mental toughness, and I think that everyone is born with it, but only few are born with the will and dedication to make it work.

Great job at the golf camp today!

All the kids in the clinic showed amazing talent and proper etiquette. I really enjoyed working with each one of you and look forward to tomorrow too.
Here’s a few things to remember from today:

1. Stretch before you hit golf balls or play a round of golf.
2. Always go through our pre shot routine before you hit each shot

* below is a basic routine

-start behind the ball and pick out your spot on line with your target
-walk into the ball with your grip all ready on the club
-set the club aimed at the spot you picked and put your feet together
-step with your left foot first and then your right foot ( feet should be shoulder width apart)
-waggle the club and look at the target two or three times
-then hit the ball and hold your finish

Watch this video of Tiger Woods. He talks about a pre shot routine….

Tomorrow we’ll continue to work on a routine and your swing!

Here’s a fun video of great Tiger shots!