Comments on Recent Tournaments

Watching the Women's U.S. Open last week was painful. Those slow motion replays of Paula Creamer made me wince. She is so steep coming into the ball her wrists take a beating. I don't see a long career on the golf course unless changes are made. Do not try to copy this golf swing.

Another swing you should not copy is Natalie Gulbis. It is amazing she is successful using the motion she does. She must have excellent hand eye coordination.

The best way for a person to swing a golf club is to have the path of least resistance be on plane with the club face square at impact. This is the purpose of getting your grip, stance, set-up and alignment correct for you.

I have figured out that when I set up with the face looking closed, I actually am aiming correctly. I know this because before I bend over to address the ball, I hold the club in front of me making sure the grooves are vertical. I then simply bend from the hip joint to set the club face behind the ball. It looks closed.

Back in college, I was playing a tournament in Florida and set up to try and hit a hook off the 15th tee. I thought I closed the clubface and aimed right of target. Much to my surprise, the ball flew straight. I continued this for all shots during the rest of the round.

I carried this over to the next week's tournament. We played the University of Miami (FL) Invitational at the Costa del Sol golf course. The course was very tight with water and out of bounds everywhere. I shot rounds of 68 - 70 -70 - 72 = 280. This was good enough to win the individual title by 18 shots. This is not a typo. 18 shots.

I have a facebook page which I hope to post pictures of good set-ups and show the difference between a set up with the dominant eye closer to the target, and a set up with the dominant eye farther from the target.

Stay tuned.

Mike Hurley