Tips for ladies to reduce their handicap
Editorial Department • Published 1 Dec 2011 13:00
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Ladies Golf
Increasing clubhead speed allows women golfers to not only improve their length off the tee, but also to heighten their enjoyment of the game. By following a few simple tips based on fitness and technique, you will soon improve your consistency while reducing your handicap.
Fitness
Physical fitness is key, because women rely on the lower half of their bodies to generate swing speed. Strong abdominal muscles are critical to generate power (or torque), as golfers coil their bodies during the backswing to follow through to the point of impact. Exercises such as Pilates will help increase abdominal strength.
Accelerate through the ball
Your golf swing should have a smooth backward action, combined with an aggressive downward swing. Many golfers pay too much attention to making their swings look graceful from start to finish, while forgetting that a strong, determined downswing is the key to power.
By keeping your left arm comfortably straight at the beginning of the backswing and hinging your wrists, you'll be able to keep the club away from your body and create the necessary swing path and speed.
In Your Bag
Custom-fit clubs are a must, but according to a survey in "Golf Digest," 59 per cent of women golfers aren't using custom-fit clubs, which is affecting their distance from the tee. To increase clubhead speeds, women should look for clubs with graphite shafts to create sufficient "lag"--the element of the swing that keeps the clubhead behind the hands prior to the impact zone. This whipping action creates the optimum speed and allows the club to accelerate through impact.
Address position
Don't tense your muscles at address. A loose, relaxed posture will enable your body to work efficiently and generate maximum power at the point of impact. Flex your knees so your stance forms a solid base, enabling a correct weight shift throughout the swing.
Get a Grip
A strong grip creates a more efficient swing path. Make sure your hands are comfortable when gripping the club. For right-handers, grip the handle in the palm of your left hand--not in the fingers--right under the fleshy pad. Then add your right hand, gripping the left hand by the palm.
Nedbank Golf
Challenge-Westwood to finally, finally triumph
The 31st renewal of the Nedbank Golf Challenge takes place at Gary Player Country Club in Sun City, and sees three of the world's top-five players tee it up for an event that has an illustrious roll of honour.
The par-72 course requires players to drive well, with punishment there for the errant, while unique clover-shaped greens make for a test of putting.
Last year, Lee Westwood confirmed his place at the top of world golf by romping to an eight-shot victory. Having stood by Westwood most of the year it would seem a bit foolish to abandon him now at this late stage.
To book Golf lessons/Gift Vouchers or any other enquires about Golf Equipment/Custom Fitting Sessions: Call Enniskillen Pro Shop on 028 66325250 or email liam@thegolfcabin.co.uk
This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 01 Dec 11
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