IMPROVE YOUR GOLF WITH TRUMP TURNBERRY

Week 4: SHARPEN YOUR SHORT GAME

In the fourth of a series of six weekly columns designed to improve your game, CAMERON TORTOLANO, PGA Professional, The Golf Academy at Trump Turnberry, looks at how improve on your short game... WHEN playing links golf you will face many different obstacles around the greens - from undulating valleys and tight fiery surfaces to wispy rough and deep pot bunkers. Using these undulations around the green to your advantage can help you get out of a sticky situation and turn a nasty bogey into an easy par. One of the most popular shots we teach at the golf academy is the Bump and Run shot. Here are some fundamentals to help ensure success time after time:

1 Club choice – when playing the bump and run we can use any club from a pitching wedge up to a 7 iron. Understanding the amount of air time and ground time you need relative to your lading spot is essential to your club choice. For example, pitching wedge = 50% air time 50% ground time whereas 7 iron = 20% air time 80% ground time. 2Ball position – place the ball an inch or so further back in your stance. Avoid placing the ball too far back as this can promote digging and an inconsistency in strike, you want to see a small patch of grass being disturbed after you nip this shot. 3Set- up – When setting up for this shot, I want your feet close together leaning 60% of your weight on your lead leg with your lead toe open on roughly a 70 degree angle. Most importantly, I want your hands a little higher at address almost lifting the heel of the club off the ground - this will help create a more putting like pendulum motion to this swing ensuring a consistent strike and outcome. 4Practice drill – when playing any type of chip shot one of the most important aspects is to be able to pick a point on your line and land the ball on it. Stand side on to your chip shot, place a ball in between the thumb and forefinger of your strong hand. Imagining your arm and hand is the club, I want you to make a swinging motion towards the point you want your ball to land releasing the ball so it lands on that point - this will help build feel and visualisation.

TO BOOK A SHORT GAME LESSON AT THE GOLF ACADEMY AT TRUMP TURNBERRY, PLEASE CALL 01655 334 190 EMAIL ACADEMY@TRUMPTURNBERRY.COM OR VISIT WWW.TRUMPTURNBERRY.COM