There’s no denying the hybrid’s popularity. More and more golfers are carrying them in their bags, and more and more manufacturers are making them. Hybrids are even growing in popularity among PGA pros. Designed to replace the longer irons in your set, hybrids are easier to hit the 2-, 3-, or 4-iron. They’re also more versatile. In fact, hybrids are among the game’s most versatile clubs. Once you learn to hit them, they can help you chop strokes off your golf handicap right away.

But choosing the right hybrid is a delicate task. First, assess your game. Then, review the hybrids available. And finally, decide on what you want from a hybrid. Do you want a hybrid that corrects for off-center hits or one that offers more workability? Having done this, you’re ready to choose your hybrid. Knowing something about a hybrid’s design makes choosing easier. Three design elements to key on are bulge, gear effect, and center of gravity.

Advantages of the Hybrids
The hybrid is cross between an iron and a wood. It’s intended to replace you’re the longer irons. Because it’s shorter than a long iron, it’s easier to hit. Generally, hybrids have a loft of from 16 degrees to 25 degrees. They also have a low center-of-gravity, a smaller head, and a lower profile than a wood. Hybrids are practically “universal” clubs. You can use them on the tee, from all lies in the fairway and the rough, in fairway bunkers, and near the green, for pitch-and-run shots. Hybrids can also be used for short chips from 50 feet and in.

Hybrids take some getting used to. But you don’t need golf lessons to master them. Reading golf tips in magazines also helps. Once you’re mastered them, they’re a powerful weapon in your arsenal. Tests prove that hybrids improve performance. Golfers using hybrids tend to hit longer balls than players hitting long irons by about 15 percent. That’s because hybrids let players cock and uncock their wrists more easily. This in turn lets them maintain a longer cocking action and a steeper angle of attack, generating more power

Battle Of the Bulge
Bulge is the measured radius of an imaginary circle whose edge lines up with the clubface. A shorter bulge means radius means more curvature of the clubface. In simpler terms, irons are flat. But woods are rounded from heel to toe. That roundness is bulge. Bulge mitigates gear effect—the tendency of toed shots to hook and heeled shots to slice. With bulge, off-center hits start in the opposite direction of the ball’s spin. So the shot finishes at the target.

Bulge tells you if a hybrid plays as more of an iron or a wood. Generally, the farther back the center of gravity the stronger the gear effect. The stronger the gear effect, the more manufacturers round the clubface to counter act it. If a hybrid has a flatter face, its center of gravity is probably positioned more forward like in an iron. The hybrid with a larger bulge radius is more workable. Most manufacturers know how much bulge is appropriate for their hybrids. You can measure bulge by taking a credit card and seeing how much it rocks against the hybrid’s clubface. The more it rocks the more the clubface’s bulge.

Also keep in mind that flat faces rebound slightly less than rounded ones. Hybrids with flatter faces are a better choice for players looking for distance control instead of total distance. If you tend to hit in the center of the clubface, you might be less concerned about off-center performance. Put another way, better players like hybrids with less bulge because they’re more workable. Lesser players like hybrids with more bulge because they improve performance more.

Hybrids are a great addition to your bag. They’re ideal for numerous situations once you learn to hit. Once mastered, they’re as close to a universal club as there is. But if you want one that will help shave strokes off your golf handicap, you need a hybrid that’s right for your game.

Jack Moorehouse is the author of the best-selling book “How To Break 80 And Shoot Like The Pros.” He is NOT a golf pro, rather a working man that has helped thousands of golfers from all seven continents lower their handicap immediately. He has a free weekly newsletter with the latest golf tips, golf lessons and golf instruction.

You often hear people during golf lessons say: You drive for show, but you putt for dough. This old saying emphasizes the importance of putting. And it’s dead on. About 30 percent of your strokes during a round are putts. Many are from 10 feet in. These are pressure putts. They’re the kinds of putts you must make every time, if you want to record a low golf handicap. Here are five golf tips on how to sink more of these putts.

Tip #1: Train And Trust
Poor putting from 10 feet in isn’t always due to a bad stroke. Sometimes, it’s due to a lack of concentration. Two keys to making more pressure putts is (1) thinking positively and (2) focusing one swing thought. Don’t think about what happens if you miss the putt. Think about how to make the putt. In addition, pool all random thoughts into a single decisive thought before making the putting.

You can practice both tips by adhering to what experts call the “train and trust” principle. Practice often enough to train yourself to make a repeating stroke. If you do that, you’ll learn to trust your stroke. Then, when you have a 10-foot putt, you’ll be free to concentrate on the target rather than worry about hitting the ball squarely. It works for PGA pros, like Davis Love III. It will work for you.

Tip #2: Lighten Your Grip
Some athletic principles apply to all sports. One is that tension interferes with fluidity, causing you to miss short putts. In other words, tight muscles reduce speed and feel. Many great putters fear what tension does to their performance. So they compensate. They make it a point to hold the club loosely when facing pressure putts. A light grip pressure with your arms relaxed at address and throughout the swing frees you from all tensions. That lets you release the club freely with full extension. You’re less likely to push or pull the putt.

Tip #3 Keep Your Head Still
Keeping your head still is a must when under pressure. Many golf instruction sessions and written golf tips stress this point. That’s because it’s tried and true. Keeping your head still keeps the putter on path throughout the stroke. Weekend golfers often move their heads on short putts so they can see if the putt goes in. Sometimes, they peek too soon. Focus on the back of the ball until contact. Then, keep looking at that spot until after you count two. Listen for the ball to go in. This golf tip keeps your head locked in place until well after the stroke is made.

Tip #4: Lock Your Legs
If you move while putting, you’ll miss the putt. Stay still to sink pressure putts. A key to staying still is keeping your legs locked. They stabilize your lower body during the stroke. To feel this, take your normal putting stance. Then wedge a rubber ball between your knees. Squeeze the ball a little to keep it tight, creating a solid foundation. Now hit putts. This exercise develops the feeling of stability essential for a consistent stroke under pressure. Remember the feeling when making pressure putts.

Tip # 5: Use “The Quiet Eye” Technique
The secret to good putting, says Dr. Joan Vickers, a researcher at the University of Calgary, is using your eyes to detect the right information about distance and direction. Then using your mind to relay the information to the rest of your body. The Quiet Eye, as Dr. Vickers calls it, may help explain what being “in the Zone” is. Her research suggests that The Quiet Eye is the difference between average putters and great putters.

A Quiet Eye routine has the following characteristics:

* Pick a specific location on the hole.
* “See” the ball go in the hole at that spot.
* Scan from the hole to the ball calmly.
* Fixate on a spot on the back of the ball.
* Remain fixated on that spot through contact.

A Quiet Eye routine isn’t taught in many golf lessons on putting. But it works for many golfers. When combined with the other article tips, it will help you sink more pressures putts. That in turn will cut strokes from your scores and your golf handicap. You may not be able to drive for show. But you can always learn to putt for dough.

Jack Moorehouse is the author of the best-selling book “How To Break 80 And Shoot Like The Pros.” He is NOT a golf pro, rather a working man that has helped thousands of golfers from all seven continents lower their handicap immediately. He has a free weekly newsletter with the latest golf tips, golf lessons and golf instruction.

In this issue we’ll discuss…

1) Downhill Chip From The Rough
2) The ABCs of Golf
3) Question of the Week - Choosing The Right Ball
4) Article - Sinking More Pressure Putts
5) Article - Choosing The Right Hybrid

Jack’s Note: I always had good lower body movement in my swing but I had no idea that my right knee would add 12 yards! Seriously, that guy Eric Jones I was talking about earlier this week (Long Drive Champ) gave me a little tip about how to position the right knee at impact and sure enough…it worked. He’s got many more of these little gems so be sure and watch his video.
This guy is the real deal folks. I asked some guys I know who used to compete in the Long Drive contests and they said he’s one of the best. What’s cool is he is one of the rare few PGA Pros who can “walk his talk” and also has a pretty loyal following of students at his academy.

1) Downhill Chip From The Rough

Chipping from the rough is harder than it looks. The problem is the grass. Even if you swing hard, the grass can still catch your clubface and twist it. Add a downhill lie to this shot and it gets even harder—much harder. If you’re not careful, it can cost you two or three extra strokes. Those strokes add up and can turn a good round into a not so good round.

Here are six keys to this shot:

1. Set up with your front shoulder low
2. Widen your stance for stability
3. Open your stance and clubface
4. Keep your hands ahead of the ball
5. Hit down on the ball firmly
6. Lead your hands down the slope

Your goal is to get the ball out of the rough. Since you need as much loft as you can get to do this, a sand wedge is a good choice here. Having chosen your club, you want the contact point to be where it would be from a level lie. So you need to adjust your body position and your center of gravity to account for the slope.

To do that, set up with your front shoulder low and your stance wide for stability. Brace yourself solidly on your front knee and set your weight on the inside of your front foot. These adjustments set your shoulders parallel to the slope, letting you swing more vertically.

With the slope accounted for, open your stance and your clubface more than normal. Position the ball back in your stance. And keep your hands ahead of the ball at address. Now hit down firmly. Work the club under the ball. And lead the hands down the slope.

How much you open your stance and clubface, you’ll learn from practice. The same for how far back you position the ball. Above all, don’t baby the shot. If you do, it can cost you.

2) The ABCs of Golf

Consistency is the goal of every golfer. It’s the “holy grail” of golf, the hallmark of a great player. But achieving consistency isn’t easy. It takes dedication and a lot of hard work—especially when it comes to the fundamentals of the full swing. You need to work hard to master them and gain consistency with your full swing. Remembering the acronym—GASPS—helps you tame the full swing and boosts consistency. Apply it whenever you play and practice.

Here is what the acronym means:

G is for grip
A is for aim
S is for stance
P is for posture
S is for swing thoughts

(G) Some golfers can decide which grip to use—weak grip, strong grip, neutral grip, and so on. All of them work. Use a grip that feels comfortable.

(A) Many golfers use the clubface as an alignment tool. That’s doesn’t always work, especially for beginners. Instead, use the clubfaces’ bottom edge to align the shot.

(S) Once aligned, take your stance. Beginners and high handicappers often need help here. They tend to align their shoulders left of target (right, if their left-handed). Then swing across their bodies, producing a slice.

(P) High handicappers often slump over the ball. To achieve solid contact consistently, stand taller to the ball. Maintain that angle during the swing. Good posture equals good shotmaking.

(S) Too many swing thoughts can confuse you. Replace them with one. Keep this thought simple and non-mechanical. Something that addresses your rhythm or tempo, like “low and slow,” is good.

Use GASPS next time you’re at the range. Run thru it every time you take a full swing. Eventually, it becomes a habit and you’ll use it without even thinking about it. Used correctly, it will help you achieve greater consistency.

3) Question of the Week - Choosing The Right Ball

Q. Hello, Jack - I’ve just returned to the game after a nine-year absence. The club handicapper has been generous in giving me a 22 handicap, which I’m determined to get down to around 15-16 within the next nine months. One thing that puzzles me somewhat is the variety of balls now on the market. There seems to be a greater emphasis on affordable “soft” balls now, which some years ago were recommended for low handicap golfers only, probably because they were easy to cut. What should a golfer of my limited ability be looking for in a ball?

Regards
Allan Moore

A. That’s a great question, Allan. The right golf ball can help shave strokes off your game. Generally, you want a ball that fits your game and your swing. Male golfers have several options. Woman should consider low-compression balls. So should male senior golfers. These balls have high rates of spin, which compensates for the players’ low-ball speed and launch conditions. Below is a five-step approach to choosing the right ball:

1. Create Categories
Divide golf balls into three categories: High Spin/High Performance, Medium Spin/Recreational, and Low Spin/Low Compression. Some balls overlap in two or more categories. Golfers with really low handicaps can add a fourth category: Very High Spin/High Performance.

2. Categorize Balls
Choose a few balls. Note their characteristics. Then place them in their respective categories. For example, the Titleist Pro V 1 falls into the Very High Spin/High Performance category. The Nike One Platinum falls into the High Spin/High Performance category.

3. Assess Your Swing
This is critical. Be honest. Ask yourself questions like: Do you put a lot of sidespin on your drives (slicing or hooking)? Do you need to put more spin on the ball? Some golfers need to reduce spin. Others need to add spin.

4. Make Your Selections
Review the characteristics of the balls you’re considering. Match them to your swing. Choose two or three balls.

5. Test The Balls
Test the balls at the range using four clubs: a driver, fairway wood, mid-iron, and wedge (53-57 degrees). Select one. Play a few rounds with it. If it doesn’t feel right, try another. Continue until you find the right ball.

The right ball satisfies every part of your game. Keep in mind that the characteristics that work for one club may not work for another. That’s why you test them with four different clubs.

If you’ve got a golf question you’d like answered, send an email to us at questions@howtobreak80.com and we’ll review it. I can’t guarantee that we’ll use it but if we do, we’ll make sure to include your name and where you’re from.

If you want to truly discover the secrets of shooting like the Pros and creating a more reliable and consistent swing, check out: http://www.HowToBreak80.com

Also, for past issues of this newsletter and some of my most recent articles, visit our blog at www.HowToBreak80.com/blog

To view this newsletter online, please visit:
http://www.howtobreak80.com/newsletter04152009.html

Here are some of my recent articles:

4) Article - Sinking More Pressure Putts
http://www.howtobreak80.com/articles/sinking-more-pressure-putts.html

5) Article - Choosing The Right Hybrid
http://www.howtobreak80.com/articles/choosing-the-right-hybrid.html

Until next time,

Go Low!

Jack

P.S. Feel free to share this newsletter with family and friends. If you would like to subscribe to this newsletter, go to http://www.howtobreak80.com/newsletter.htm

About the Author
Jack Moorehouse is the author of the best-selling book “How To Break 80 and Shoot Like the Pros!”. He is NOT a golf pro, rather a working man that has helped thousands of golfers from all seven continents lower their handicaps quickly. His free weekly newsletter goes out to thousands of golfers worldwide and provides the latest golf tips, strategies, techniques and instruction on how to improve your golf game.

What makes Tiger Woods so good? One thing is his “make-range” average. He has a wider make range than his opponents. Simply put, Tiger’s ADPM—average of the total distance of holed putts—is about six feet longer than the Tour average. That means Tiger sinks more putts on average from further away than the field—a decided advantage. Put another way, Tiger makes the long ones others miss and rarely misses the short ones. This combination is hard to beat no matter how good your golf handicap.

You may not be able to beat Tiger Woods, but can take a golf lesson from him. Since good putting lowers scores, you should work on widening your make range. The wider it is, the more strokes you’ll slash from your scores. The more strokes you slash from your scores, the lower your golf handicap. It’s that simple. Among the best ways to widen your make range is to drain those 12 to 15 footers that often plague you. Sink more of these and you’ll quickly cut your handicap down to size.

Control Putterhead Speed
The key to draining these 12 to 15 footers—or any putt for that matter—is your ability to control putterhead speed. It determines your ability to control ball speed. Most experts agree that ball speed is one of the most important factors in putting, if not the most important. If your ball speed is off, you’ll miss a lot of putts—short or long. Learn to control ball speed and you’ll sink your fair share of 12 to 15 footers. But you first need to know how to control putterhead speed.

You have three ways to control putterhead speed:

* Spot aiming
* Roll visualization,
* Feel focusing.

Some people are better at spot aiming than roll visualization and feel focusing. Others are better at roll visualization than spot aiming or feel focusing. Then there are those better at feel focusing than spot aiming or roll visualization. Each method uses the eyes to send signals to the brain to apply the necessary energy for the putt. You must find out which method allows you to control putterhead speed best.

Fine-Tuning Your Stroke
A two-part drill tells you which method allows you to control putterhead speed best. Drop a coin on the practice green. Then place a ball about 10 feet from the coin. Now survey the green just as is often discussed in my golf tips. Note if the putt is uphill or downhill, breaks to the right or to the left, and so on. Develop a mental picture of it.

Your job is to roll three putts from the same distance and stop all three within the space of a putterhead behind the coin. You can place a second coin behind the first to get the idea of how far to get the ball to stop no further than one putterhead-length past the coin.

Before hitting the first putt, adopt a plan that will ensure the accuracy of the golf ball’s roll using one of the three methods. For example, if the putt is uphill you may want to adjust your focal point beyond the last coin to account for the terrain. Or, you may want to ingrain a picture of the last four feet of roll. Or, you my just want to focus on feel when trying to make the putt.

Sink Three Than Move Back
Use one ball for the drill. If successful, retrieve it and putt from the same spot. Keep putting until you hit three straight putts from the same distance. If you don’t, start over. Keep doing the drill until you find the best method—spot aiming, roll visualization, feel focusing—to do the job. Having done this, add a foot to the putt’s length. After each successful attempt, add another foot. After a while, you should know which method offers you the best result. Use that method in practice.

Take a golf lesson from Tiger. Widening your make range by determining the putting method that helps you sink more long distance putts. It’s. The wider your make range, the greater your chances of sinking 12 to 15 foot putts than before. This in turn will help chop strokes off your scores and your golf handicap. Your make range may never be as wide as Tiger Wood’s or even the average pro’s. But the wider it is, the lower you’re golf handicap will be.

Jack Moorehouse is the author of the best-selling book “How To Break 80 And Shoot Like The Pros.” He is NOT a golf pro, rather a working man that has helped thousands of golfers from all seven continents lower their handicap immediately. He has a free weekly newsletter with the latest golf tips, golf lessons and golf instruction.