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Newsletter - Issue 76 Date 11/20/08
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TCT Quick Tips - Four Putting Absolutes to Memorize
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1) Putts break less on slow greens

2) Putts break more on fast greens

3) An breaking putt will break less uphill, the more uphill the less the putt will break 

4) A breaking putt will break more downhill, the more downhill the more the putt will break


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Golf Tip : Fat Shots - A New Drill
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I am always on the lookout for drills to practice hitting down on the ball 
without really trying consciously to do so - because when I'm not concentrating
well, my personal swing flaw tendency is to hit the ball somewhat fat.

A fat hit means that you have struck the ground behind the ball before you made
contact with the ball, and it obviously causes problems.

The causes usually are either all or a combination of the following events:

1) too much sway on the takeaway and the forward swing - if your swing
requires a weight shift back then forward, that's fine - but when the weight shift
is overdone it's called a sway.

2) during the downswing too much weight remains on the rear foot - your weight
should move to about 65% - 70% onto your forward foot during the downswing transition 
towards impact.

3) casting the club - usually caused by an early release of the wrists and hands.

If you have a tendency to hit the ball fat, this drill is absolutely the cure. 
Print this one out, it will be great for your early spring warmup drills for the season.

With a 7 iron, set up for a 1/2 or 3/4 swing shot with your weight about 65% on
your forward foot and the ball positioned very slightly to the rear of center.

When you actually pivot for your swing, keep your head fairly still to minimize weight 
shift, I would like to see you to keep your weight mostly forward throughout the whole swing.

After you are prepared to set up and pivot as directed, step on the ball so that it embeds
about a half inch into soft ground.

Now proceed to hit balls from that lie, and keep practicing until you are consistently 
contacting the ball first and taking a divot ahead of the ball.

It's not a power drill, keep your swings to 1/2 and 3/4 swings, concentrate on
the angle of contact, and make absolutely sure that you keep your hands ahead of the 
clubhead at impact.  Do not let the clubhead crossover until after impact.

Try it, you'll like it - I'll even give this drill the coveted TCT Guarantee. 

Enjoy,

Tom