At The Driving Range -A Valuable Lesson

I took my son to the driving range today. We played along side 2 brothers who were about 4 and 6. They were both outfitted with great sets of kids golf clubs - properly fitted for their age and height, and I immediately noticed the older one had on golf shoes, and a glove. He looked like he knew what he was doing. Hoping that my son who is 8 might pick up some tips we joined in beside them.

Their Dad sat back with a bag of popcorn and watched them as if he was at a movie - a comedy I think. As I was in the middle of putting this web site together, I felt that I had stumbled upon a wealth of information about junior golf. And did I ever learn something.
The youngest was having the most fun, and he was defiantly the most fun to watch, he would hit the ball from left to right, walk away and return to hit from right to left, sometimes he hit it, some times he missed. He never thought twice about where the ball was going, or what his position looked like.

His older brother had a great swing and approached every shot the same way; walked over to his Dad, grabbed a handful of popcorn, wiped his hand on his jacket, looked at where the tractor picking up balls was, and smacked that thing about 100 yards - every single time.

My son was no different, his entire focus was to try and hit the tractor and with each pass it made they became even more frantic to make a connection. Sometimes they got close, sometimes it went in the opposite direction, but the 3 of them were having a great time. No thoughts as to where their feet were, what direction they were pointed in and whether or not their arms were straight. They hit bucket after bucket, ball after ball, with the same casual ease. Finally it was the youngest who managed to smack the side of the tractor.

Did I learn anything from those boys? Sure did! Whether it is a moving target or a pin on a green, give them something to aim at, keep quiet, and let them have fun!

It was not until I was lying in bed that night that I realized what I had really learned that day. That when I addressed the ball it was:

Address the ball
Make sure 2 knuckles are showing on my left hand
Spread fingers along the shaft
Check distance from top of club to my belly button
Club head facing straight
Cock hands to the left
Eyes on the ball
Left elbow straight
Knees are bent
Weight in heels
Relax hands
Relax shoulders
Relax
Release through left knee
Keep heel down
Slow back
Elbow still straight
Eyes on the ball
Chin over left shoulder
Swing through
Bending right knee
Feel weight of club on left thumb
Chin over right shoulder
Still looking down
Follow through
Club over left shoulder
Did I just imagine hitting the sweet spot, or is that the ball still sitting on the tee?

My pro is right, I think way too much.

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Tags: Golf Experiences //