Big Play With Mike Lopuszynski

WHO: Tiger Woods

WHAT: Drive hooked into the trees

WHERE: 340-yard par-4 12th hole at Warwick Hills

WHEN: Final round of the Buick Open

WHY
At 7,561 yards, Medinah is a lot longer than both Warwick Hills and Hoylake, so while he may be able to play conservatively off the tee sometimes, Woods will have to hit driver. And as he showed on the back nine on Sunday--when he hit three hooks and a block with the big dog--the driver can still get him in trouble. He swings so hard with the driver that he often gets his arms stuck behind his rotating body, causing wild pushes and pulls.

MIKE'S TIP

My Half-Pump Drill Keeps You on Plane

To hit the driver straight, you must have the club on plane halfway down and your arms in front of you. To groove the position, try hitting shots at half speed with a six-iron. Swing back to the top, pause, then bring the club halfway down and pause again. The shaft should be parallel to the ground and to your toe line (YES). Swing back to the top, pause, come halfway down again and pause. Now swing back to the top and, without pausing, hit the ball.

Mike Lopuszynski teaches at the David Glenz Golf Academy in Hamburg, N.J.

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