1. I saw you at the Ottawa Golf Show Lisa and you mentioned a move about “’Turn your shirt/turn your pants” for more power. Can you go over that again? Thanks! (Marcus from Ottawa, ON)
Belt Buckle ahead of arms not square with them.
Absolutely Marcus! It is a great move to simplify generating power. I learned it from my PGA of Canada swing coach Bob McArthur. He was teaching juniors how to maximize stored power. First of all you have to make a good turn on your back swing. My swing thought is, turn my back to the target. This is what creates coil and power. On your down swing it is imperative you don’t initiate the down swing with your upper body it must be initiated with your lower body to use that stored power. My swing thought is to turn my lead pocket out of the way. My coach tells juniors, “Turn your shirt (on your back swing) Turn your pants (on the down swing). Simple but so effective!
2. I am planning a golf trip with my buddies what resort do you recommend for the ultimate stay and play trip? (Jason from Winnipeg, MB)
Bandon Dunes Golf Resort
First of all, I am a big fan of the “mancation”. Great bonding time on the course and in the pub. I wish more girls did this. It is starting to get more popular for women but we have a long way to catch up with our male brethren. My first choice in Canada is Bear Mountain in Victoria, BC. There is pretty much year round golf there and there are 36 holes on site. The Mountain Course is my favorite, co-designed by Jack Nicklaus and his son Steve. As a woman playing from the 3rd set of tees, I get a course rating of 77.2 and a slope of 155! Awesome! The Valley Course is spectacular as well but is the easier of the two and you will appreciate its more forgiving layout when you stagger out to the tee on day 3 realizing you aren’t the rock star you were in University (www.bearmountain.ca). As for the United States, hands down Bandon Dunes. It is the ultimate buddies’ golf trip! Middle of nowhere, expansive practice facilities, 4 ruggedly authentic award winning links style courses, walking only – no carts, coverall clad caddies, cigar room and no fancy shmanzy spa. 36 a day…heaven on earth! (www.bandondunes.com).
3. My husband and I love to golf and we have a young son. At what age should we start him playing? (Carla from Red Deer, AB)
Michelle Wie
First of all…remember what happened to Michelle Wie…don’t be those parents. There is no set age. As soon as your son shows interest in the game then take him out. My son had plastic clubs when he was 2 because he always saw mom with her sticks and asked for them. Wait until he asks you to go play. Ensure he has clubs for his size, not cut down adult clubs. These will be too heavy and stiff for a child even a 7 -12 year old. When they hit it poorly with those and are discouraged you’ll have a tough time getting them back into the game. Go to the range and make it fun. When he starts to show control try to get the hands closer together (10 finger grip), focus on following through in the swing and finishing with the weight over his front foot and the sole of his shoe on his back foot visable. Also try playing mini golf and check out an awesome product called SNAG (www.snaggolf.com) where there are clubs with Velcro balls and targets. This makes golf a hoot to play for kids…heck for adults too!
The LONGBALL Tip
Many players make the mistake of “swinging” harder to make the ball go farther. This is especially true on long par 5’s. forced carries and Long Drive Holes in corporate/charity tournament play. Swinging harder, will lead to tense muscles and strong grip pressure, limiting the release of the club head. It will also promote an “over the top” or “casting” move in which the down swing is initiated with the upper body. This is a major power leak (see above tip on Turn the Shirt/Turn the Pants).
When you are looking for gear #5 don’t swing harder, TURN harder. Let your back swing fully load up and then think “turn your guts to the target”. All of your power should come from your core. It is important to not only initiate the downswing with turning the core but keep turning past impact. This will help maintain your wrist angle. Once you stop turning, your wrists will naturally unhinge. If this happens in your down swing your club can already be parallel to the ground at hip height, robbing you of distance.
To work on gaining distance work on core strength and stability exercises and focus on your oblique muscles which help create a powerful turn with your core.
Lisa “Longball” Vlooswyk is the reigning 7-time Canadian Long Drive Champion for Women and is ranked #2 in the World. Lisa can be reached at li**********@**************da.ca.
