WomenInGolf Newsletter No 4

In this issue:

· We continue on running the promotion of woman professionals
· As golf is such a technical game, we feature golf tips and advice from our participating woman golf pros.
· Introduce some new features in our website

CARMEN SAVY’S PROFILE:

Carmen Savy began golfing as a junior at McLeod Golf Club and enjoyed a successful amateur career which included state representation from junior through to senior ranks.

Amateur successes included 1985 Australian Ladies Foresomes Championship, 1989 Qld. Ansett 72 hole Stroke Championship, Queensland leading stroke average for 1989, and Qld. Mixes Foresome Championships on five occasions. Carmen’s professional career began in 1991, winning the 1992 Bexley Pro-Am and runner-up at Ozark on the USA Futures Tour.

Carmen has restricted her playing to Australian Events in recent years and to teaching, having attained Level 2 Coaching Accreditation. Carmen conducts coaching clinics and private lessons at both The Brisbane Golf Club and Redcliffe Golf Club.

CARMEN’S TIP FOR GOLF:

The winter months shiny slippery grips on clubs, makes it almost impossible to maintain a consistent grip throughout your swing. Give them a clean or have them replaced at your nearest pro shop. You’ll be surprised at the difference.

ANNE ROLLO TIP OF THE MONTH
HAVING TROUBLE WITH YOUR CHIPPING AND PITCHING?

The most common reason for having problems with your chipping and pitching is that you are trying to scoop the ball into the air (picture below), the loft of the club is there to do this for you. The more you try to lift the ball the more likely it is that it will go along the ground. Anne demonsrating incorrect flipping of wrists.

Let the loft of the club do the work for you. Hit down and through the ball. Turn to face your chest to the target while extending your hands out in front of you, as shown here. Anne demonstrating propper follow through.

Try this tip: Imagine you have a low bench just in front of you when chipping or pitching, and you are trying to hit the ball underneath the bench. The lower you try to hit the ball the more the loft of the club will kick in and lift the ball for you.

3 GOLDEN RULES of CHIPPING AND PITCHING (picture 1)

· WEIGHT FAVOURS YOUR FRONT FOOT.
· BALL POSITION FAVOURS YOUR BACK FOOT.
· GRIP DOWN TO THE BOTTOM OF THE GRIP.

SOME COMMON GOLFING MYTHS

KEEP YOUR HEAD DOWN:

This could be the single worst piece of golfing advice you could ever receive.

Two of the best golfers in the world at the moment David Duval and Annika Sorenstam both turn their heads towards the target even before they actually hit the ball. They see the ball being hit and then continue turning their bodies through the shot. This is important to create power and a consistent strike. Obviously it works pretty well for both of them – Annika became the first female player to break 60 when she shot 59 at Moon Valley Country Club in the second round of the Standard Register Ping Tournament in March. (Duval also shot 59 last year at the Bob Hope tournament)

Trying to keep your head down after you hit the ball will restrict your body turn and power and encourage topped shots.

You are more likely to lift your head on the back swing than the down swing, so remember to turn or twist your body back rather than lift.

KEEP YOUR LEFT ARM STRAIGHT:

This is another classic that you’ll hear regularly but, that is not really true. The average bend in the left arm on the USPGA Tour is 30 degree.

Trying to keep your left arm rigidly straight will result in too much tension and can also cause you to lift up off the ball on the backswing. As long as you are not bending your arm excessively a little bit of bend is fine.

SALLY SMITH'S VIEW

One of the most common problems my students have when coming for lessons is the use of their body both in the back swing and the follow through. Many people use their arms only with little or no weight transference resulting in a loss of power and often directional problems.

Next time you play or hit balls at the range, make sure you turn your shoulders ie back to the target in the back swing. In the downswing, make sure you finish facing the target ie front to target. Hold your finish position and check where your body is facing. Another good check is to tap your right toe to ensure your weight has transferred to the left side and you are not falling backwards at the finish of your golf shot.

New Features in the WomenInGolf Website

Fashion Place

The Fashon Place is for fashionable golf clothing and accessories. Currently, we are highlighting Susan Lawrence, a local supplier of boutique golf clothing and accessories. Please let us know where you purchase your gear and we can introduce them for the rest of the community.

Future Stars

In Future Stars we will be profiling up and comming players. Give them your support. If you have any 'Stars' at your club, we would like to know about them and profile them in Future Stars. Let the community know who they are. We want to track their progress and and follow their successes.

Please send your suggestions to us.