Links Lessons
By George Connor, PGA
As we get started I would like to introduce a common theme
that will run throughout these pieces - I am a Skill Based
Teacher. That is to say, my priority when working to help a
golfer is to teach them the skills that they need to be improved
and leave some of the individual style. It is too easy for golfers
to forget that it is a combination of some core skills that will
allow the golfer to play golf to the best of their ability. It is
too easy for golfers to get caught up in changing specific parts
of their swing or putting stroke because of the most recent
article in a magazine or commentary they saw on television.
So when a golfer wants to hit the ball in the air (full swing,
pitches, chip) there is a hierarchy of skills. Likewise, if they want to make more putts, there is
a set of skills that must be present. Below is a table that lists the core skills any golfer must
have in order to be competent.
Swing Skills
•
•
•
•
•
Putting Skills
Pre-Swing (posture, ball position, alignment, etc...) • Starting the ball on line
Solid Contact
• Controlling the Speed
Clubface Control
• Accurately predicting how the putt will break
Swing Plane
Effortless Clubhead Speed
Making Solid Contact Every Time with the Line Drill
With countless outlets of information about the proper swing plane, posture, backswing etc, it is easy
to lose sight of what we are actually trying to accomplish when we swing the club. The very first
goal must be to make solid contact with the ball. This is the hurdle that makes the game frustrating
for most golfers. Higher handicap golfers struggle with hitting the ground first, or topping the ball.
Better players will suffer occasionally from fat or thin shots but more often their miss is out towards
the toe of the club or in towards the heel. It sounds obvious, but how many golfers are actually doing
drills with the sole goal being to hit the ball solid every time? Don’t take this core skill for granted,
and don’t wait for Spring to address it.
George Connor has been teaching and coaching golfers
of all abilities since 1989. He is a two-time Connecticut
PGA Teacher of the Year and his student’s include Division
1 College Players, Professional Players, State Amateur
Champions, Club Champions as well as beginners and
intermediate players.
10
Connecticut State Golf Association