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Trying to find a groove Posted: Friday April 19, 2002 2:53 PM
Sports Illustrated senior writer John Garrity was a 42-year-old 8-handicapper when he suddenly lost his swing. Since December 1989 he has been looking for it -- a modern-day Odysseus adrift on the troubled waters of swing theory. As Garrity travels the world reporting on golf, he visits as many driving ranges as he can, avoiding the dreaded "mats only" ranges that prevent him from teeing it up. Wednesday, April 17 HILTON HEAD, S.C. -- "You ought to be ashamed of yourself for putting Rob Stanger's nonsense on your site," writes Russell Hubbard of Hightstown, N.J. "I know you feel he has helped your game, but maybe he has better advice for you than for us readers. In one installment he basically tells us to hit the ball on the third groove. Rob! John! If I could hit it on the third groove, I wouldn't need lessons!" I know exactly how you feel, Russell. Rob recently showed me a little move on the lesson tee that completely befuddled me. The latest trend among top players, he explained -- think Annika Sorenstam and Tiger Woods -- is to alter the spine angle before impact, straightening slightly and swinging into a vertical position on the follow through. (Imagine your eyes level with the horizon as you watch your ball fly toward the target, not tilted 15 degrees to starboard.) After practicing this move for just 10 minutes, I was a basket case. I mean, we've all been taught that the spine angle mustn't change until we're back in the locker room. That's why most of us list slightly to the right after a round of golf. Anyway, I couldn't master this cool move, so Rob backed off. "Not everyone can be Tiger Woods after one lesson," he said. So I don't think Rob would be surprised to hear that you have difficulty hitting the ball on the third groove. The point he is trying to make is this: Most good players do have control of where the ball meets the clubface. Maybe not two-grooves control, like Rob's mentor, Johnny Miller, but "low," "medium", and "high" control. Rob wants his students to understand that where they hit the ball on the clubface influences trajectory, and he thinks it is important to develop awareness of all the ball-flight factors. But "feelin' groovy" is not the first priority for the struggling golfer. Awareness of the target line is number one. Awareness of what the shaft and clubface are doing are numbers two and three. Has Rob helped my game? Without a doubt. I have played three times since he gave me a playing lesson0 in Rancho Mirage, Calif. last month. During Masters week, I birdied the first and 18th holes and carded an 82 at Westlake Country Club in Augusta, Ga. (Sports Illustrated senior writer Gary Van Sickle had me down for a 79, but that was with three conceded putts in match play. I could have parked a car inside one of those putts.) Two days ago, playing in Hilton Head, S.C., with my old college roommate, Dave Henson, I played the front side of the Arthur Hills Course at Palmetto Hall in 37. Yes, I reverted to form with a 44 on the back side, and yes, I shot 88 Tuesday with two balls in the water and another in the Jacuzzi of a retired couple living off the 16th fairway. But the only club giving me trouble was the driver, and that's because I was trying to hit my tee balls on the third groove. I'm so good now that Web readers are asking me to fix their swings. "Whenever I hit my woods, I hit a low, duck hook," writes Tony Salvadore of Fredericksburg, Va. "I'm taking more lessons soon, but in the meantime, any ideas?" On the basis of what you've told me, Tony, I'd say your grip is too strong, your shoulders are closed at address, and you've watched too many hours of Golf Academy Live. Take the lessons, by all means. "I'm desperate, looking for help anywhere," pleads Roy Matsuyama of Kalaheo, Hawaii. He adds: "The free kind." Sorry, Roy. All future lessons are on a pay-as-you-go basis. More swing woes: "Shanks, shanks, shanks. Man, I've got the shanks," writes Justin G. of Portland, Ore. "Is there anything worse than a swing that is not all that bad, but you end up hitting a shot 45 to 90 degrees right of its intended target? Hypothetically, one could do an entire 360 degree circle and be stuck there indefinitely." It's not hypothetical, Justin. My dad, Jack Garrity, once shanked his way around a green trying to execute a simple chip shot. "It happened in '75 or '76 at a municipal course in Daytona Beach," my brother Tom tells me. "He started on the front-right fringe and shanked one chip after another until he was back where he started. He finally picked it up and walked over to the next tee. He didn't say a thing." My dad was pretty garrulous, so that gives you an idea of the humbling power of the shank. I wish I could answer or acknowledge all my Mats Only mail. Rest assured, I read every word, chuckling frequently and moaning occasionally. Thanks especially to William McCallum of Victoria, B.C., who wrote, "Your column is a joy to read and confirms the sentiment attributed to C.S. Lewis: 'We read to know we are not alone.'" Watch this space for another installment of Mats Only. To send John Garrity advice, share your experiences, or suggest a driving range, click here. |
