Some Golf Instruction is Just Plain Bad

This blog post is biased.  Fair warning.

It is biased against bad golf instruction.

A recent explanation by Michael Breed on the Golf Channel on how to hit a ball below your feet was SO bad I felt I had to address it.

A ball below your feet SHOULD PUSH, FADE, OR SLICE, depending on how severe the slope is.

“But we don’t want a slice!”

YES, YOU DO.

“We want to fight the slope!”

NO, YOU DON’T.

“Here’s how you do it. You’re going to grip the club just a little bit shut so that clubface is a little bit closed.  You’re going to take your trail foot and move it up the hill a little bit and that’s going to allow you a little bit more turn.  And then let your forearms feel free to rotate over.  That’s going to keep that clubface in a shut or closed position.  And we’re going to hit a very straight shot with possibly even a little bit of a draw.

“And that’s how you’re going to fight the slope.  That’s how you’re going to get rid of that slice ON A LIE WHERE IT SAYS IT’S GOING RIGHT!”

Well,……………………

THAT’S A LITTLE BIT AS BAD AS IT GETS!

GOLF IS HARD ENOUGH WITHOUT FIGHTING THE GOLF COURSE.

Nothing about what he says is working WITH the slope.  In this case there is no way that the club will present itself to the ball to produce a consistent shot.  Or for that matter, any shot that is PREDICTABLE!

FIGHTING THE SLOPE IS A REALLY BAD IDEA!

If the lie says it’s going right, it is far more valuable to know where it’s going AND LET IT GO THERE than to try to hit it somewhere else.

Rather, Breed’s instruction is PREDICTABLY UNPREDICTABLE!  At impact the clubhead will be in a very UPRIGHT position in relation to the slope causing a pull, hook, chunk, or bladed shot.  Or even a (GASP!) … SHANK!!

THAT MAKES NO SENSE!  DON’T GET SUCKED IN BY HYPE.

If the lie says the ball should go to the right, AIM LEFT!!!  MATCH THE SLOPE!!!  AND LET IT GO RIGHT!!!

ON THE COURSE EVERY SHOT IS NOT SUPPOSED TO GO STRAIGHT!

AND EVERY SHOT WILL NOT GO STRAIGHT!

BUT, EVERY SHOT IS FAR MORE PREDICTABLE IF YOU DON’T FIGHT THE COURSE!!!

 -- Bob Duncan, PGA
   golfecoach.com