Morning Drive: 2009 was a triumph of storyline over star power

The Rebound of Aaron Baddeley

Back in 2007, Aaron Baddeley was on the short list of elite Australians set to take over the PGA Tour. He had won his first PGA Tour title in 2006, edging Jim Furyk at Harbour Town, and followed that up with another win in 2007. He found himself in the hunt at the U.S. Open that same year before a final round 80 dropped him out of contention. Still, it looked like Baddeley would be around for a while. And then golf decided to do what golf does, and pushed Baddeley out of the limelight. He had only three top-10s in 2008. Just two in 2009. This season has been more of the same, with few missed cuts but few high finishes. Just a bunch of 50th and 70th place finishes. That is until this week, back at Harbour Town, the site of his first win. Bads as they call him is again battling with Furyk, and is again doing what you need to do to compete at the Verizon Heritage; make a ton of pars and very few mistakes. If he wins, it will again boost him to the top of an Australian list that has since grown in size to include names like Michael Sim , Jason Day , and Mathew Goggin. He could do what guys like Adam Scott and Robert Allenby have struggled to do the last few years; take home a trophy. It will all lie with his ball-striking, which has been suspect at best this season. If he can hit fairways on Sunday, and find a few greens, he will have a shot to leave town with another plaid jacket. Share and Enjoy: Read More →

How To Put Backspin On The Golf Ball

We are amazed how the pro’s apply backspin to the ball on their approach shots to the greens. The PGA players can spin the ball back huge distances, sometimes too much to where they are off the green. Some might ask “why would I want to spin the ball back?”. Spinning the ball back is great for when the pin is at the front of the green and just in front of the green is a sandtrap? You will have an advantage if you can spin the ball back to where it is closer to the pin and your opponents can’t. Putting backspin on the ball is one of the hardest to master. To be able to apply backspin and watch the ball draw back on the green requires proper technique, the right ball, the right conditions and practice. Below are some factors that will help you to put backspin using your wedges and short irons. The first thing you should consider is your golf ball. If you normally play high compression balls, chances are you do not have enough spin to back up the ball. You should be using a soft covered ball, it will give you the spin you require to draw the ball back. Hard covered balls are good for distance but you will not get the spin you need. There is one problem when using a soft covered ball and that is if you have a tendency to slice or hook the ball. Because of the soft cover you will spin the ball more creating greater slices and hooks. That is something you need to consider. The short iron or wedge needs to be clean from dirt or grass and need to be in good shape. If the groves are worn, you should consider replacing the wedge or have the grooves sharpened. A top player would struggle to generate spin and have the ball backup with dirty or worn grooves. Spinning the ball back requires the ball to be resting in a clean lie on the fairway with short grass. You should not expect to get much spin if the ball is in the rough or fairways with long grass. The green has to be firm not too hard and not too soft. If the green is very hard chances are you will not get any backspin and if the green is too soft you will most likely plug. You should try adding backspin to your ball when there is no wind or you are hitting into the wind. This should be when the ball will travel it’s highest and you will most likely get maximum backspin. When you have the wind behind you chances are the ball will be propelled forward after landing. Now that you know the conditions required and that type of ball to use to apply backspin, we will look at the golf swing. This is the hardest part. You should have your feet closer together then your normal swing The ball position should be center or slightly back of center, say one ball. Use a 56-60 degree wedge to practice, it is easier to spin the ball with these high lofted clubs. You will need to swing your club on a steep swing plane. Try to hit the back of the ball first and then the turf, taking a shallow divot. Remember when you play a shot where you are trying to spin the ball back, you have to land past the flag on your approach shots. Below are a couple of videos that will help you with putting backspin on your golf ball. I hope this helps golf fix helps your game. Share and Enjoy: Read More →

Tiger Woods at the Masters 2010

Tiger Woods returns to competitive golf at the Masters 2010. His first shot is right down the middle. Will this be a new Tiger? Share and Enjoy: Read More →

Improve Your Distance With Lighter Golf Grips?

We have started a new season of golf and the golf manufacturers are doing everything possible to their equipment to give us more distance. In fact a major golf grip manufacturer has introduced a new golf grip that is significantly lighter than normal grips. The manufacturer states they “reduced grip weight to increase club swing speed and generate greater distance and accuracy”. Sounds good but will lighter golf grips help the average golfer? Frank Thomas is the inventor of the graphite shaft. Frank has served 26 years as technical director of the United States Golf Association (USGA), he also directed the development of the Golf Handicap and Information Network (GHIN). Read More →

Merry Christmas To All!- Golf Fix It.com

Hope your Christmas is fine in every way, And that all of next year will be happy and gay. May your swing be on line, your ball perfect lay, Whether eighteen or nine, May you play every day. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Share and Enjoy: Read More →

Golf Fix It.com