==================================================== Newsletter - Issue 47 Date 02/20/08 ==================================================== ==================================================== TCT Quick Tips - Bad Shots - Good Shots ==================================================== Everyone hits a bad shot sometimes. You will hit your share of great ones to make up for them. ==================================================== Golf Tip : Correct Your Sway ==================================================== If anyone has a golf question that they would like answered, please email your question to: teachingpro@bataviacc.com and I'll do my best to answer it in an upcoming newsletter. Bad Body Moves If your body moves incorrectly in the backswing, forward swing or both, it will cause the club to swing incorrectly, resulting in off-center hits. For example, a reverse weight shift will force you to lean left in the backswing and make the club travel too much to the inside or straight up in the backswing. Therefore, you will have to compensate on the downswing, which often produces toe hits or heel hits. A reverse weight shift can also lead to a rocking back in the forward swing that results in drop kicks or heel hits. Lifting your front heel slightly on the takeaway can help you get the weight on the backside during the takeaway. Sway or Slide This common flaw causes your weight to transfer to the outside of the back foot. When this occurs, the body tends to not turn enough, and the arms pull the club to the inside or lift up the club. If the club is pulled to the inside, it will return on an excessively inside path, resulting in heel hits. If the club is lifted, it will return on an outside path, producing toe hits. To prevent a sway or slide, hold a club against your right leg with your left hand. Now, make a backswing and keep the angle in the club with your leg. ==================================================== Why You Should Never Lie About Your Handicap ==================================================== A businessman was attending a conference in Africa. He had a free day and wanted to play a round of golf. He was directed to a golf course in the nearby jungle. After a short journey, he arrived at the course and asked the pro if he could get on. "Sure," said the Pro, "What's your handicap?" Not wanting to admit that he had an 18 handicap, he decided to cut it a bit. "Well, its 16," Dave said, "But what's the relevance since I'll be playing alone?" "It's very important for us to know," said the pro, who then called a caddy. "Go out with this gentleman," said the pro, "His handicap is 16." Dave was very surprised at this constant reference to his handicap. The caddy picked up Dave's bag and a large rifle; again the businessman was surprised but decided to ask no questions. They arrived on the 1st hole, a par 4. "Please avoid those trees on the left," said the caddy. Needless to say, Dave duck-hooked his ball into the trees. He found his ball and was about to punch it out when he heard the loud crack of the rifle and a large snake fell dead from a tree above his head. The caddy stood next to him with the rifle smoking in his hand. "That's the mamba, the most poisonous snake in all Africa . You're lucky I was here with you." After taking a bogey, they moved to the 2nd hole, a par 5. "Avoid those bushes on the right," says the caddy. Of course, Dave's ball went straight into the bushes. As he went to pick up his ball, he heard the loud crack of the caddy's rifle once more and a huge lion fell dead at his feet. "I've saved your life again," said the caddy. The 3rd hole was a par 3 with a lake in front of the green. Dave's ball came up just short of the green and rolled back to the edge of the water. To take a shot, he had to stand with one foot in the lake. As he was about to swing, a large crocodile emerged from the water and bit off much of his right leg. As he fell to the ground bleeding and in great pain, he saw the caddy with the rifle propped at his side, looking on unconcernedly. "Why didn't you kill it?" screamed the man incredulously. "I'm sorry, sir," said the caddy, "this is the 17th handicap hole, you don't get a shot here." .....and that's why you should never lie about your handicap! Thanks for the joke Ken B. I couldn't resist passing this one on.