I know a lot of us golfers have headed up the main drive to the
golf course, in anticipation of hitting the big golf ball off
the tee. There are four main procedures that we all seem to
overlook at times. Hitting the big one, or launching it off the
tee has four important steps to consider before we let the golf
ball fly.
Tee it up! Why would golfers risk taking a divot with a
driver? The risk reward is far greater if you have the ball
sitting slightly off the grass. Sure you will get a lower
trajectory ball flight, but the chances of taking some grass
with it are greater. When you have just air between the clubface
and the golf ball, the club head speed will be far faster than
having grass in between. Tee it up and let it fly?
Alignment on the tee box is very important. I know a lot of
golfers have been fooled, including myself by the layout and
design of the tee box. The architect purposely designed the golf
course in such a way, that you have to think before you act.
Nothing more discouraging, than launching the big one off the
tee in the wrong direction, sometimes you will find the tee box
facing southwest, and the fairway is heading southeast. To avoid
this directional hazard, one must stand behind the golf ball and
look down the fairway, and not down the tee box. Another
foolproof method would be to address the ball with the club head
behind the golf ball looking down the fairway and stepping into
position. Once your aiming in the right direction, go ahead and
launch it off the tee box!
I would like to think the
third important procedure, would be to plant your feet. I don’t
know how many times we have stepped into the ball and only to
find out that our footing has gave away below us, especially on
early mornings because of the dew on the grass or wet weather
conditions. Have you ever seen a golfer waggle at address? It
may seem like a long ritual, but it works. Planting your feet
wil keep the upper portion of the body steady for a good liftoff.
The other important procedure, is keeping your head still. Have
you ever watched Jack tilt his head up slightly and steering
directly behind the ball, before liftoff? His head is locked
into position. I’ve personally have tried lifting my head
slightly. I find by doing so, it leaves a little more room for
shoulders to turn freely through the upper coil of the body.
Keeping your head steady is the key indicator as to where the
clubface has to return for impact. In having a steady head will
avoid a lot of guessing as to where the ball is at impact. Lock
your upper portion of the body in place by starting with a
steady head and let her go!
With the ball teed up, right direction, a steady head and
feet planted, the golf muscle memory will take care of the rest.
About the Author:
Learned how to golf as a caddie, and played the game for 20 - 25
years. Now running a tee time site at
http://www.golfanchor.net
