TOP 50 TEACHER Craig Thomas
Oxley Park & Golf Academy Range. Fellow professional,
2013 Midlands PGA pro of the year and disability specialist
Learn from world’s professional
Fault Fixer...
INSTANT DUFFED CHIP CURE
W
hen it comes to heavy chip shots, the main culprit is
the bottom, leading edge of the clubface. This
sharp line of metal has the capacity to stick into the
turf, meaning any ground contact before the ball can easily
result in the dreaded duff . If you can minimise the chances
of this happening, you will vastly reduce the number of fat
chips you hit… and the simplest way is to pull the leading
edge away from the ground. Here’s how.
UP AT HEEL
Head to the short game
practice area with a few balls.
Set up a standard, 15-yard
chip shot, and choose your
8 or 9-iron. Now, as you
address the ball, raise the
heel of the club so only the
toe rests on the ground.
FRINGE BENEFITS
To raise the heel you need to
make the shaft more upright
and get in closer to the ball.
That will encourage the club
to swing more up and down
the line, improving accuracy.
You will also find it easier to
lock your lead forearm and
clubshaft into one line, as for
a putt… encouraging a simple
one-lever action that improves
consistency and reliability.
DAYLIGHT SAVING
Raise the heel so there is
clear daylight under it. Address
the ball like this and the vast
majority of the leading edge
now sits above the ground. In
this position, it is much less
likely to catch and snag in the
turf as you swing through.
GolfPlus
FEBRUARY
2019
43