| Golf is one sport where you can make adjustments | | | | to hit a draw if you don't know how. |
| for age. In tennis a good player in his 20s will | | | | Here are seven things to help you do that:o Position |
| probably defeat a good player in is 50s all things | | | | the ball back in your stanceo Place you hands in a |
| being equal. In running a runner in his 20s will probably | | | | "strong" grip positiono Start the club back on the |
| beat a runner in his 40s in the 100-yard dash. Age | | | | insideo Let clubface open in the backswingo Cup your |
| has its effects on us when it comes to most sports. | | | | left wrist at the top of the swingo "Walk-through" |
| But in golf you can make adjustments to your game | | | | the shot for your follow through |
| to compensate for age. | | | | Key Points about the Tips |
| Off the tee is where making adjustments really pays | | | | When taking advantage of these tips, keep the |
| off for older players. Senior players with low golf | | | | following points in mind:o Positioning the ball back in |
| handicaps can't afford to give up too much yardage | | | | your stance slightly will allow you to hit a draw, but |
| to younger players with equally low golf handicaps | | | | you have to be careful not to place it too far back.o |
| and expect to win. Of course, hitting longer drives | | | | Cupping your left wrist at the top of the back swing |
| off the tee won't guarantee you'll win a match, but it | | | | allows you to release fully on the downswing, |
| certainly doesn't hurt, especially if your shots are | | | | without fear of hooking.o Sliding your right foot |
| straight down the fairway. So as you get older, you | | | | forward toward the target at impact results in what |
| need to make changes to keep up with the younger | | | | some players call a "walk-through" swing. With this |
| golfers. | | | | type of swing, the player uses his/her whole body to |
| These adjustments should include two key changes | | | | hit the ball, shifting his/her weight through the ball, |
| on the tee. First, you should start hitting a draw off | | | | adding more power and distance to the ball at |
| the tee. Second, you need to change your swing so | | | | impact.o With a walk-through swing, the upper body |
| that it not only provides power and accuracy but also | | | | is slightly more "over" the ball at impact than with a |
| doesn't hurt your back-the Achilles heel of most | | | | swing where the body is held back, eliminating the |
| golfers as they get older. Together, these two | | | | reverse "C" position that often contributes to back |
| changes will help you compete successfully against | | | | pain. |
| younger players for years to come. Here's a quick | | | | The Plank of Wood Drill |
| golf lesson in how make both changes. | | | | A good drill to tech yourself to swing on the inside |
| Learn to Hit a Draw | | | | path needed to produce a draw is to place a |
| Most teaching pros agree that hitting a draw | | | | two-foot piece of wood on the outside of a teed |
| generate anywhere from 15 to 20 yards more off | | | | ball. Place the wood opposite you and parallel to the |
| the tee than hitting a fade. With an iron, hitting a | | | | target line. Now address the ball and swing away. To |
| draw can add as much as an additional club to your | | | | be on the correct plane to hit a draw, your clubhead |
| shot. The extra yardage you gain with a draw is due | | | | must stay inside the board. If you hit the board |
| primarily to the run you get when the ball lands, | | | | when you swing, you know the clubface has gone |
| something you don't receive when you hit a fade. | | | | outside the target line, which could generate a fade. |
| The reasoning behind the extra run is simple. If you | | | | Practice this drill the next time you go to the range. |
| fade/slice the ball, the clubface is open at impact. | | | | It will help you learn to hit a draw, if you don't know |
| When you open the clubface at impact, as I've | | | | how to do it now. Hitting a draw is something even |
| explained in my golf tips, it adds loft to the ball. It | | | | younger players can benefit from. |
| also slides the ball across the clubface, which means | | | | If you're older and you hit a fade, think about |
| you never fully compress the ball at impact, costing | | | | switching to a draw and using a "walk-through" swing |
| you power. | | | | like Gary Player. Doing so will enable you to get the |
| In contrast, when you pull the ball or hit a draw, the | | | | most from your swing. The changes should be |
| clubface is closed, so you end up taking loft off the | | | | enough to help you power the ball those extra few |
| ball, which helps make the ball run when it hits. You | | | | yards so you can continue to compete against |
| also compress the ball more at impact, which adds | | | | younger opponents. |
| power and distance to the shot. The trick is learning | | | | |