Get It Together Like A US Open Champ

Greg Ellis
Great Golf Academy
Goodyear, AZ
gellisdog@cox.net

More Information

A few weeks ago, we witnessed a history when Martin Kaymer won the Men’s US Open. This was the first time that a European golfer won the US Open. He deserved the victory. He was the best player that week. On the Women’s side, in the Women’s US Open Michelle Wie played Pinehurst #2 with quite a bit more precision and was spot on with her game. The best player won the Women’s US Open, as well. 

However, while watching the two US Opens, you saw what happens when the sequence is out of sync. At Pinehurst #2 your swing had to be dialed in or bogeys and worse were going to occur. Specifically, two things can happen and neither are good results. Here is the fix to get your swing together.

Shot One: Over the top shot pull shot – there are several reasons that a golfer may think they come over the top of a golf shot. An over the top shot is a result of the club being swung from the top and passing by the ball prior to the body turning out of the way first. If this occurs, the swing path should be looked at first. If the club is going back on the correct path; the club should always be in front of you body. If the club is behind you, there is only one way to get the club back to the ball. If the path is correct, for the sake of discussion I will assume that it is, then the body is too slow. The cure for this is not to slow the swing down. Conversely, you want to speed the body rotation up. Feel the hips begin the downswing and the arms catch up to the lower body. Now your swing is together.

Shot Two: The block out slice shot – there are several reasons that a golfer may think they block or slice a ball. However, a blocked out or sliced shot is a result of the club lagging way behind the body on the forward swing. Once again, if the path is correct, for the sake of discussion I will assume that it is, then the body is too fast. (This is what you see Tiger Woods do quite often when he misses to the right). The cure for this is not to slow the body down. Conversely, you want to speed up the arms. Try to feel like the arms and lower body are swinging back to the ball at the same time. Again, your swing will be together.

Just like Martin Kaymer’s and Michelle Wie’s swing were in sync, you can do the same. Remember, do not try to slow down a part of the swing that is quicker; try to speed up the part of the swing that is slow. 

Have fun and remember if you need help with this tip or any other, feel free to email Greg at greg.ellis@trilogygolfclub.com or call for a lesson at 623.328.5107.

Be sure to tune in to the Bunker to Bunker Golf Show every Saturday morning from 7:00 to 9:00 a.m. or on Arizona Sports 620 and now on 98.7 FM or on the internet at www.arizonasports.com for more tips and updates on all of the week’s golfing news in the Valley and around the world. Join Greg, Jim Hill, and Marty Monaghan for a comprehensive look at the golf world for the week.