Golf: Correcting Skied Shots

Dick Moss, Editor, PE Update.com

In order to get maximum distance on golf shots, the club should be moving level to the ground as it contacts the ball.

A Swing That Chops Down on the Ball Will Produce a High, Short Shot

If the club chops down on the ball at contact, the result will be a high, short shot. A similar result will occur if the club sweeps under the ball on a tee shot.

To prevent "skied" shots, you can tell your students to use the following mental cue.

Coaching Cue
Instruct your students to imagine that there's a nail sticking out of the back-center of the ball - on their swing they should attempt to drive the nail into the ball with the club.

Imagine Hitting a Nail Into the Ball for a Level Swing Path

This should produce a level swing path to the ball, resulting in solid contact and longer distance on drives.

References:
1. Skied Shot - "How to Stop Yourself from Hitting Skied Shots." BeginnersGolf.com. http://www.beginnersgolf.info
2. "Private Lessons: high handicapper - focal points."
Golf, July 1989.

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