During a round of golf there are certain times when being able to control the shape and flight of the ball and can save you shots. Rather like a pool player being able to control the white ball to keep a break going, if a golfer can learn to shape the ball at will it makes scoring much easi
How to Shape Shots with Hand Release
- The two main characteristics in the swing responsible for shaping shots are the swing path coming into the ball, and the hand action and release through impact.
- Draw side spin is imparted when the club comes into impact from an inside path and the club head rolls closed through impact. Rather like a forehand topspin in tennis.
- Fade spin is imparted on the ball when the club approaches the ball from the outside and the face is held open through impact limiting te release. Similar to a slice spin shot in tennis.
Normally these shots are hit involuntarily as the result of a mistake in the golfers swing. But if a golfer can first understand the two characteristics for side spin and then rehearse what is needed to hit a preferred shape before a shot, shaping shots becomes possible with the rehearsed hand release.
The Waggle to Rehearse Release
To shape shots effectively the golfer must rehearse the hand action they need at impact before they swing. This is carried out in a movement called the waggle. With some pros like Tom Watson and John Daly, who like to shape shots, the waggle is very noticeable. In others it is hardly visible, but nearly every pro golfer waggles to some degree.
Simply, the waggle rehearses what the hands are going to be doing through impact. On a draw shot the hands will over release and close the blade. In a fade shot the hands will hold the face open through impact.
The waggle takes place in the last few moments before the swing starts. As a pro takes his last couple of looks at the target not only will his weight be subtly moving from one leg to another, but his hands will be moving the club back and forth. Although it is hardly noticeable he will be either over closing the blade or holding it open during this miniature version of the swing.
Watch the Pros on TV
Next time you watch golf on television check out what a pro does in the last few seconds before a shot. Rather than becoming stationary like many club golfers, they are using a waggle to rehearse how the hands will have to work to hit the shot they have planned.
Take some time to experiment but if you could introduce a waggle into you pre shot routine it will help you shape the ball at will.
See also: Hit Against a Firm Left Side to Drive Longer or What Does Over The Top Swing Mean PGA Tip
John Hoskison - John is a class 'A' member of the British PGA and author of the acclaimed book 'Inside - One Man's Experience of Prison'.
