Low angle view of a man holding a golf club
Jason Whitehill
Q. My tee shots are being pushed straight right most of the time and when I try to correct it, the ball starts left and then slices right.
A. It is important for all golfers, regardless of ability to understand, that it is face angle at contact that controls the initial direction of the golf ball. With this knowledge it is evident that your swing path is approaching too much from the inside with the club face open which results in the straight push. If you closed the club face more with the same path, the ball would hook. Your current corrective move is across your target line resulting in the slice. As the correct path of approach should be from behind your body back to the ball slow your swing down and hit 100 yard shots with your driver. Watch the path of the club as it travels through the ball zone and learn what you have to do to hit the ball straight for 100 yards only. As you get the feel, speed up and build your swing back up to normal speed. It is amazing how many golfers try to regain their feel by swinging at normal speed or even faster as the panic settles in their minds.
Q. My glove is wearing out on the heel of my left hand; what can I do to stop this?
A. Two things to work on are: 1. Grip down a half an inch so the butt of the club is past the heel of your palm and 2. Practice keeping constant pressure on the last three fingers of your gloved hand. Constant means constant – not tight!
Q. I am in the market for new grips and the midsize grip feels really good in my hands. Should I consider them?
A. This is a common feeling. Most players feel more in control when they put their hands on a larger grip but it may not be for them. If the grip size is correct, your fingers should barely touch the palm of your hands when you are holding the club. If the grip is too big, the tendency will be to slow your hand action down usually resulting in shots lost to the right (right-handed players). If the grip is too thin, the hands release too quickly resulting in hooked shots. Usually your glove size will be an indicator with medium-large being on the borderline.