The Wide Then Narrow Approach to POWER!
February 1, 2012 BY Lakeshore Links IN Events, Tips & Training
I stood on the driving range at Lionhead Golf Club all summer long last year and saw thousands of different swings. Upright swings, flat swings, slow tempo and fast. All golfers have their own signature to the swing just like a finger print. Personal interpretation is the reason golf may be so popular. There, however, is a huge difference between the scratch golfer’s swing and that of the struggling high handicapper. The wide then narrow approach is that difference.
Amateur golfers have a tendency to lift or pick the golf club up abruptly during the back swing (narrow) and then on the down swing extend their arms out on the way back down to the ball (wide). This causes an extremely shallow angle of approach into the ball with much of the power drained before impact. The result is a weak ball flight. The term “casting” is often used for this move.
This is what you should do. As the club moves away from the ball on the backswing extend your arms as far as you can without letting your wrists cock or lift the club prematurely. You can extend your arms too far though. If your arms become disconnected from your chest and try to reach too far you can get into trouble. The key is to extend, but not at the expense of your connection to your upper body. You’ve seen touring professionals practice with head covers or towels under their arm pits to mimic this connection. Try that too if you wish. After you have extended back, let the wrists hinge up. This move that you have made is the “wide”.
The “narrow” refers to the downswing or approach into the ball. Your wrists should be fully cocked at the top of your backswing. Now, simply try to maintain that wrist cock as the club swings down. This trip back to the ball is much narrower than the trip back. Some instructors call this lagging the club. Some just refer to it as wide then narrow. Narrow then wide is a weak slapping action.
Give this a try this winter. Indoor simulators can show you that your swing path is getting more on track. Or maybe just give your local CPGA Teaching Professional a call.
Did this lesson help? Please leave a comment and let’s keep the golf talk going!
All the best!
Jason March
CPGA Head Teaching Professional
Lakeshore Links Indoor Golf Academy
Power Rankings January 27 2012
January 27, 2012 BY Lakeshore Links IN Events, League
You thought you all could wander through the next several months without a bother in the world….right? You all thought this power ranking thing was over and done with…yes? Well No! Not on my watch sister, and you better keep your head down cause here comes some chin music….Jason March style!
#10 This week goes to Ryan Woods who “says” he shot a 32 for the back nine at Spyglass. Ryan seems to “career it” when no one is looking and he sets up his own golf course. A little prognostication here folks. Ryan will get stompted like a Narcotics officer at a biker rally come April’s big tournament. (You heard it here!!)
#9 Goes to a slew of FNG’s who I have not had a chance to trash yet. Jorge, Greg, Don and Ciaran should be made aware that playing well guarantees nothing and playing bad guaratees mean spirited language and abuse. Welcome!
#8 Goes to Scot. Scot….what were you thinking by posting a 54 on my watch. Your playing golf like a man who has been evicted, arrested, divorced and belittled in writing to the Lakeshore Links community, all in the same day! (As you can see folks, there is “some” truth to eveything I say.)
#7 Goes to Adam who gets progressively worse every time he plays. Last week I took pity on poor Adam and let him beat me in a round. That’s right…LET HIM! Sour grapes are my specialty!
#6 Goes to Joel and Chris R. Is it just me or is it tacky beyond all recognition to “have” to own every single course record here at LSL. Listen Guys…if you have to tell everyone how good you are….well….you know the rest.
#5 Goes to Peter M. who proved to everyone here at LSL that anyone with a pulse and a Yip can make the power rankings. Welcome to the world of obscurity Peter.
#4 Goes to Bruce who, of late, is playing better and better. Posting a 41 this week for a guy who could’nt hit the side of barn with a scatter gun and a hand grenade, should be quite proud. Cheers ya hacker!
#3 Goes to Arturo who’s scores are simply improving by leaps and bounds. Arturo actually leaps during his backswing and bounds on the downswing. If he times it right he sometimes hits the ball.
#2 Goes to simply the best golfer in the whole league (he he he me!)
#1 Goes to Gerry who makes improvement seem effortless and easy. The amount of time he practices suggests he will be the force to be reckoned with come April. Gerry’s wife will always remember him fondly and think about the good times when he was actually home.
Disagree with me suckas? Leave a comment and let the debate begin!
Jason March
Play The Hole Backwards For Lower Scores
January 25, 2012 BY Lakeshore Links IN General, Tips & Training
From the moment I step on the tee on the first hole I am planning my attack to make the best score possible. Most amateur golfers are happy to hit the ball somewhere in the fairway and then maybe the green. Professionals take a different approach.
I like to get as much information as possible on the course I am playing. This starts with the green and where the pin is located. This information is vital because it tells me what type of a shot I may be hitting my approach shot with and the best possible direction to putt to the hole. If the pin is located on the left side of the green I will probably need to hit a draw shot to get the ball close to the hole. Now that I have determined what type of approach shot is required I can plan where my tee shot needs to be situated. I may feel as though I need to put the ball in the centre or right centre of the fairway for a simple approach. In that case I may decide to fade my tee shot to eliminate the left side of the fairway to secure an offensive position.
Be a thinker and planner the next time you play. The ball won’t always behave the way you want it to, but if you have a plan your misses will be better.
Tell us what you think of this lesson. Post a comment.
Good luck.
Jason March
CPGA Head Teaching Professional
Lakeshore Links Indoor Golf Academy.
Weekly Message from the Pro January 25 2012
January 25, 2012 BY Lakeshore Links IN General
So….What do you think about our new website? Pretty sleek huh? To be perfectly honest with everyone, it not only looks better but it is a heck of a lot more functional than the old. We are giving our customers the option to comment on postings and news events as they come in, which adds a more interactive aspect to Lakeshore Links as a whole. We think the new look will appeal to a lot more of you and allow you to navigate Lakeshore Links a lot more efficiently.
We had our second Free Clinic of the winter season this past Sunday to rave reviews. I want to thank Mike Wiebe and Roger Moores for assisting me in providing our patrons with the absolute best in instruction. Mike’s tips on Power and Distance truly awakened a large Sunday morning crowd and if there were any doubt as to his theories, they were soon washed away with a demonstration of his philosophy. With club head speeds averaging 125 mph and ball speeds of 185mph, Mike wowed the clinic with drives that reached 365 yards. Truly a spectacle to be admired.
I would also like to remind all you football fans that there are a few packages available left for Super Bowl on Feb. 5th. Please….Don’t hesitate here. Call us today to book your party. We have beer, food and hours of golf included in our packages. Sweet!
Last and certainly not least, I need to mention March Break Kids Camp and Summer Camp. We are starting to book both now and are taking said bookings on a first come first serve basis, so act quickly.
Please have a great week
Jason March
Power Clinic January 22, 2012
January 22, 2012 BY Lakeshore Links IN Events
Great Clinic! Great turn out! Jason, Mike, and Roger conducted an amazing clinic today, lots of information and presented in a very professional and interactive way. Great job guys. Looking forward to the next clinic.
Please subscribe to our newsletter for more information on our next free golf clinic and more!
League Power Rankings
December 6, 2011 BY Jason March IN League
#10 this week goes to our newcomer Arturo G. It really doesn’t matter what he shot because I don’t care about insignificant things like that. He’s the new guy and you must know that we treat newbies better than everyone else. I can’t guarantee this next week.
#9 goes to Keld who posted his second score in a row. Again, I don’t care what he shot. I’m just glad he has decided to commit to two weeks in a row. Welcome back to the world of the living Keld.
#8 goes to Mike B who bettered his previous week’s score by two shots. It’s hard to believe he accomplished this feat with such a heavy heart. Mike recently found out that he really was not a good golfer all this time while I was singing his praises. That’s right Mike. I lied. Don’t cry pudding! Read entire story.
Lakeshore Links Weekday Morning Drive
December 5, 2011 BY Jason March IN General, Promotions
The Golf Academy at Lakeshore Links is pleased to offer, for the second straight year, a special lesson package to all Lakeshore Links E- Blast recipients and Web site shoppers. Until Christmas only, you can purchase a Private Five lesson package for the price of a Three lesson package strictly for weekdays only before 12 pm. Last year we sold out in a very short period of time, and were forced to cut the offer well before Christmas. So, if you want to give the gift of golf to that special guy or gal, give us a call today or contact us online. This is an awesome deal so don’t wait too long.
ONLY 10 PACKAGES REMAINING! As of Monday December 5th
Jason March
CPGA Head Teaching Professional
Lakeshore Links Indoor Golf Academy
416-405-9888
Jason@lakeshorelinks.com
