With any shot you hit - and we're not just talking about your short game here - there are always invaluable clues to look out for that will tell you a lot about your swing. One important piece of evidence that should never be over-looked is your divot pattern. If you are trying to hit a straight shot (as opposed to a fade or a draw) your divot should really point directly at where you were aiming. How often do yours point left or right?
What divots can tell you
If your divots consistently point to the left of your target, this is evidence of an out-to-in swing path. In this case your common shot shapes will either be pulls, fades or slices.
Alternatively, if your divots are aiming well right of the target the club will be moving from too far inside to outside the ball-to-target line. In this instance, the family of shots that you are likely to hit will be pushes, draws and hooks (depending on the clubface angle at impact).
The photographs here illustrate how the club is likely to be travelling for out-to-in, neutral and in-to-out swing paths. If your divots are pointing right or left of the target and your shots are finishing off-line you should now be able to diagnose the fault. However, for advice on how to groove a better, more consistent movement, please come into the pro shop and book a lesson.
If you want to get the most out of your driver then you need to consider how your set up affects power and accuracy
Hit your power potential
There are certain key mechanics in the golf swing that will help you find genuine speed through impact
Creating resistance
Let's have a look at how resistance plays its part in creating power, something you'll all benefit from knowing
Power pointers
We've discussed how to create speed, but here's a drill you help you establish when your power is being released
Long Game Tips
How to hit your fairway woods
Being a better fairway wood player will lower your scores and help you reach more par 5s in two
Fairway wood setup
Addressing your fairway woods more like the way you set up to your driver should help you to deliver a better strike
Fairway wood drill
We've talked about how we can get you making a cleaner strike, but here's a good drill to help you
Hybrid essentials
Hybrids offer us great versatility but there is an art to getting the right strike from different lies
Iron Play Tips
Your strike point
Being able to strike pure mid irons will set up more birdies chances, so here are a few tips
Shape your shots
Being able to shape shots will help your understanding of the golf swing and make you a better player
The angle of attack
Ball first, turf second, is the key with irons. Here's a drill to help you master this
Short Game Tips
Understanding your divot patterns
Learn more about your own swing path by understanding how to decode your divot patterns
Consider your wedge line-up
Your wedge line-up is critical to how you make your score. Here are some vital considerations
Bunker play essentials
Playing from a greenside bunker needn't be something to fear if you get the essentials right
Putting Tips
How to read greens
I really want you to start spending more time on this, part of the game too many of us just don't address
Building a picture
Taking the time to consider the slopes and building a picture of your putt is key to becoming a better putter
Using water as a guide
Natural slopes can actually help you read putts, so be sure to bear this in mind when lining up
Make more birdies
Here's some putting advice that can help you with that goal of winning this month's medal
Getting the pace right
Reading greens is one thing, but you need to spend time on getting used to the pace of greens, too
My Advice Tips
Why pushes and hooks are linked
Why pushes and hooks are part of the same family of shots and how understanding this can help you
Pushes and hooks: Swing path drill
If you're struggling with your swing I recommend that you see me, but here's a drill to help in the meantime
On the practice range
Use your range to try shaping shots. If nothing else it'll help you understand your swing path
Why slices and pulls are linked
The pull and slice are closely linked and understanding this can help you work out what might be going wrong
Slices and pulls: Swing path drill
Here's a simple drill with a couple of headcovers to help you with your slices and pulls
Setting the perfect grip
So many of your bad shots out there can be the result of a bad grip. Here's some help
Grip faults and fixes
A closer look at where your grip might be causing you to play some loose shots
Your grip and power platform
Using your wrists as levers is an effective way to generate power in the golf swing
Playing from wet lies
In this country we'll frequently find ourselves needing to play from wet lies. Here's some help
The importance of re-gripping
If you want to get the most out of your clubs and avoid loose shots, it's so important to re-grip on a yearly basis, or approximately once every 40 rounds. Find out why...
