... And hitting our irons with the consistent solid contact of British
Open defender Tom Lehman. The guy strikes his irons as well as anyone.
In this article I would like to tell you why Lehman contacts the ball
so well so often, and what you could do to similarly improve your own
ball-striking.
Many things contribute to hitting consistently solid golf shots. Such
as a good grip. Proper posture. A well-timed, rhythmical swing.
But in the end it all comes down to what you are making your golf club
do to the ball when it leaves the clubface.
I don't think you could find a better impact model than Lehman. Specifically,
I'd like to discuss his exceptional use of his lower body.
Much
has been said and written about the golfer's spine: "retain your spine
angle," "turn around your spine," etc. This is all worthwhile advice leading
to good ball-striking, but it overlooks one important fact:
What your spine does during your swing -- whether it lifts, lowers or
retains its original angle -- depends largely on how you use your lower
body, the area around your hips.
Here is an easy way for you to feel both incorrect and correct lower
body movement.
Without a club, stand with your back to a wall, a few inches from it.
Assume a good address posture, bending forward from the hips with your
back straight, your rear end out. Your belt buckle should be facing outward
and slightly downward, towards an imaginary spot somewhat out beyond your
imagined target line. Adjust your distance from the wall by moving your
feet until your rump is pushing gently against it.
Next, make a golf swing. As you turn and swing your arms down and through
what would be your impact position, notice the amount of pressure, if
any, that remains between your rear and the wall.
