My 3 keys to better golf

Golf Digest, Dec, 2002 by Tom (American golfer) Watson

In this article I'll give you three keys I use for each of several important shots from tee to cup. I will change and vary my keys, but these have worked for me over the years. Although the emphasis here is on keys that I use, I'll point out common faults I see playing with weekend golfers in pro-ams and outings, and offer antidotes. Where it's appropriate, I'll suggest a favorite drill to ingrain a move or feeling. One general key applies to all segments of this article: a good spine angle, which must be consistent from the setup to past impact. I constantly remind myself to maintain a consistent spine angle, as I'm demonstrating with the stretching bar in the small photos on this page. I hope you benefit from these keys!

Driving

I'm a traditionalist, but I've converted to a new large-headed driver after considerable experimenting. It gives me the best combination of distance and direction. If you hit your driver too low and slice it, you might be better off driving with a fairway wood or even a middle iron to get the ball in play. My keys:

1 Make a full shoulder turn on the backswing

2 Clear my left side on the downswing

3 Get 90 percent of my weight on my left foot at impact

Iron Play

On iron shots the clubhead should meet the ball during the last moment of its downward arc. My rule of thumb is the ball should be positioned an inch back of where the divot starts. You hit the ball first, then the ground. The biggest problem I see with the average golfer is not getting enough weight onto the left foot when the ball is struck.

1 Proper alignment of feet to target line

2 Downward arc at impact

3 Weight on left foot at impact

Pitching

People have more trouble with this shot than any other, it seems to me. They practice full swings most of the time, but a pitch shot of 40 to 50 yards requires an abbreviated swing--abbreviated but firm. Two common mistakes I see are taking the club back too far and then decelerating through the ball, and keeping too much weight on the right foot at impact. Thin and fat shots result.

1 More weight on left side at address

2 Grip down for firmer swing

3 Keep my rhythm smooth

Sand Shots

I'd often rather be in a bunker than in thick rough around the green. It can be an easier recovery shot than you think, especially given the consistency of modern sand. Skip the club through the sand and keep the left arm moving through to a good finish. Don't forget to dig your feet into the sand for traction.

1 Weight starts left, stays on my left side

2 Align and swing left of target

3 Aim my clubface right of target

Putting

When I've putted my best I've relied more on feel and touch than mechanics, but good mechanics are essential. I want to practice those mechanics enough that I can get over the ball with a clear mind when it means something. Just focus on the target and make a decisive stroke.

1 Keep my head still until ball is gone

2 Hit ball with sweet spot of putter

3 Accelerate through the ball

RELATED ARTICLE: `I tried it'.

Andy Loesberg Handicap: 16 Warren, N.J.

I've been an inconsistent putter, but now that I'm using this drill I'm bringing my putter back on a straighter line and following through the ball more toward the target. I use a heel-shafted putter; perhaps that's why I tend to bring the putter too far inside the line on the way back. I've found that this drill is best for short putts, because on longer putts my putter will naturally track a little bit to the inside on the way back.