Hear the word
”
basket case
”
and you immediately feel sorry for the person you are referring
to. However, many of my students are
”
basket cases
”
in another sense of the word.
Hear the word “basket case” and you immediately feel sorry for the person you are referring to. However, many of my students are “basket cases” in another sense of the word.
Most beginners and even some very accomplished players still have trouble striking the ball on the downswing and taking a divot after impact. They still try to scoop the ball to get it airborne. Scooping the ball generally causes your weight to go back on to your back foot and the divot happens before you hit the ball.
When your weight is going backwards and you are trying to hit the ball forward then it is like throwing a baseball while stepping backwards. It simply doesn’t allow you to get any power into it.
By placing your back foot on a small-range basket, this will put most of your weight on to your front leg. With the weight on the front leg, you will now feel the club traveling on a downward arc to hit the ball. Fight the urge to scoop it and let the club take a nice divot after impact.
Use a high-lofted club like an 8 or 9 iron and swing easy. After several swings you will feel the sensation of the weight on the front leg and the club path traveling down.
Now take the basket away and you will be surprised that you will be able to take divots after impact and not scoop the ball.
Remember when all else fails take a lesson. You’ll be surprised how much we can help. And by the way, it is OK to be a “basket case.”
To schedule a lesson with PGA-certified instructor Don DeLorenzo, call Gilroy GC at 848-0490.
