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Short Game Training 1998
Improve your distance and directional control Vol II

by Adrian Davies

In the last issue of Fore Florida, I illustrated several exercises that would help to improve your short game touch very quickly. By now, I am sure that all of you have mastered those techniques, so below are three sand training exercises to add to your routine.

Sand training will help you control distance out of the sand; make you aware of the correct feeling of how the bounce of the club works in the sand; and make you aware of the correct feeling of the club skimming and not digging in the sand.

 

Items Needed:

¥ Three orange cones (available at any sports store)

¥ Thin wooden board (available at any Home Depot)

¥ SW and practice balls (from your golf bag)

 

1. Smooth...Skimming...Success

This training allows the player to acquire feel, touch, and control for different distance sand shots.

Place the three cones at 10 yds., 15 yds., and 25 yds. on the practice green. With an SW, proceed to hit shots to the first cone, focusing on the smooth tempo of the swing and the sensation of the SW skimming through the sand. The shoulders and hips turn smoothly through impact over a flexed left leg. Then, hitting balls to the second cone, increase the speed with which the shoulders and hips turn through impact, again keeping the left leg flexed throughout the downswing. Try and recreate that same skimming sensation &endash; simply allow the club to do its job. Then hit shots to the third cone, increasing the tempo of turning the shoulders and hips through impact over a flexed left leg. Learn what works for you out of the sand, always finishing with your belt buckle facing the target.

 

2. Board Bounce

This training allows the player to acquire the skimming sensation of the club working correctly through the sand and to make certain the bounce of the club is being used correctly.

Place the board into the sand (as in the picture). The mid-section has a painted white stripe. Address the stripe with an SW and make some smooth swings, hitting the board with the club through impact. Feel the sensation of the club skimming off the board with a good tempo. After a few swings, check the bottom of the SW and you should find a white paint mark on the back edge of your SW. If white paint is on the leading edge of the SW, you are using an incorrect sand technique. Hit some shots away from the board and try to repeat that feeling of skimming through the sand with a good tempo.

 

3. Stiff-Wristed Swings

This training allows the player to feel the SW skimming through the sand, NOT digging into the sand.

First, without a ball to acquire the feeling, set up as you would for a normal sand shot, then swing back, keeping the wrist motion to a minimum &endash; no hinging movement, the wrist action quiet. It may feel as if the arms are stiff. Then swing through, keeping the arms firm and straight, again no wrist motion. The club will skim through the sand, taking a thin slice and NOT a deep chunk. After a short while, hit some balls, using a smooth motion. This training will help you achieve the skimming motion we need, as too much wrist motion will cause a digging effect and poor, inconsistent sand shots.

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Former European Operations Director for The David Leadbetter Golf Academies, Adrian Davies is currently working with tour players from the European, PGA, Nike, LPGA, Asian, Japanese, Australian, South African, and Golden Bear Tours. He can be contacted at 561-470-9253.