READ ARTICLES BY THE PROS FOR FUN

   Hanging around and on golf courses can subject you to a 
wide and confusing range of opinions about almost any aspect 
of the game. Golf is devilish enough without the indecision that 
all this gossip creates. Let's try to separate a bit of disposable
chaff from the more valuable wheat.

   From the subscription numbers it seems safe to say that most
golfers read the popular Golf magazines. The most popular 
articles are about technique and equipment. Everyone appears
to be looking for the "magic move" or the "magic club". 
Unfortunately, there just "ain't no such animal". 

   Consider, for a moment, that the PGA tour pros giving  these 
advice tidbits are true high caliber athletes who practice hours 
per day and have developed not only a well grooved swing but 
their golf muscles  to a high degree of efficiency. 

   I admit that, to the casual eye, neither Graig Stadler or Raymond 
Floyd appear to fit the common image of a professional athlete. 
They are, however, highly trained and tuned hitting machines.
Consequently, and unfortunately, little that works for them will work 
for the average golfer.

   For example: most touring pros have such great hand action
that when they mis-hit or "lose" a shot it will hook. Most, in
fact, have fought a hook most of their career. 

   Amateurs, on the other hand will most likely lose the ball right 
with a slice. Some of this difference starts with the grip. 

   Since putting the grip in your palm rather than your fingers tends 
to slow your hand action and reduce any hooking tendency, that is 
what most pros do. The grip popularized by Ben Hogan, who chose 
to fade the ball for height and control, is anathema to the average 
golfer. The average golfer doesn't use enough hand action in any 
shot. 

   Hand action could be improved merely by gripping the club more 
in the fingers than in the hand or palm in direct conflict with what your 
favorite pro advocates. Smaller diameter grips could help in moving 
the grip into your fingers along with competent instruction and practice.

   Leg action is another misunderstood area that leads to cause
trouble for amateurs. It would appear that all you read from the pro 
ranks about lower body action is applicable to all golfers. Not true. 

   All pros concentrate on turning their shoulders with their feet firmly 
planted. Their shoulder turn is, however, so well developed that their 
hips and knees are literally being dragged, almost reluctantly,  to the
right during the backswing. 

   This is what coils the large back and upper leg muscles and 
produces power in the downswing. Legs are not "made" to turn and fold, 
they are "allowed" to do so. 

   The only time a pro is even conscious of his leg action is when
things are not going well with his/her swing. Those large muscles get 
so coiled that if the lower body slows down during the downswing the 
weight will shift left, the left leg will stiffen and the hands will close 
faster producing the dreaded hook again. 

   On the downswing, the left side must really hurry to get out of the 
way and this happens first at the knees. So, when a pro isn't getting 
the shots he wants, he usually will concentrate on knee action but only 
on the downswing, not on the backswing.

   Looking at many amateurs on the tee it becomes apparent why they 
don't develop a lot of power and tend to hit the ball right. Many start 
their swing by moving their legs, particularly their left knee, either 
before or simultaneous with turning their shoulders. No coil. No 
resistance. No power. 

   Keep your feet on the ground, both heels and balls; wiggle your 
toes in your shoes and resist turning your hips. If you turn your 
shoulders far enough your legs will be pulled into the proper position.

   I've only used a couple examples here to illustrate the point that 
what you read may be fun and interesting but must be tempered with 
the difference in training between author and reader. 

	These guys are not teachers, they are performers. 

   Read and enjoy the articles written by your favorite pro but 
remember that he or she belongs to an elite group defined by talent, 
commitment and hard work....lots of it.