Zephyr melton
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In this edition of eternal advice, we look back in the November 1979 issue of Golf Magazine for Tom Kite tips on how to hit a knockdown kick. For unlimited access to the Digital Archive of the full Golf magazine, join Indoor tODAY; You will enjoy $ 140 value for only $ 39.99/year.
Playing golf in the wind is something that all great players have to learn. Being able to hit stock shots is great, but becoming really elite, you have to know how to play in elements.
Tom kite He knew this fact well. Growing up and learning the game in Texas, he cut his teeth by carving his ball through the wind almost daily. His insistence was paid as he continued to win the 1992 US Open, contested for a Blusion Pebble Golf links.
Back in 1979, kite shared some of his secrets in hitting knackdown shots in the wind Golf magazine, which you can read below.
Tom Kite keys for a knock
I grew up in Texas, where some say, the wind does not stop swollen. This is not exactly the case, but it blows enough to make it necessary some special shots. One of these is knackdown or marking stroke. This stroke keeps the ball low and gives you a greater degree of control than a normal shot. Knockdown works not only in the wind but also on a junction, where the wind will blow a shot line very high.
To play this shot, you need to use a club more than you will have in normal conditions, so that you do not need to swing tightly to make the ball reach. This is important because hitting the ball is very difficult in wind conditions.
The club’s loft at Impact determines the height the ball will fly. Therefore, I suggest you position the ball again toward your right foot in your attitude. This will facilitate the club and put your hands in front of the club, a position that is ideal not only at the address but also on influence. You do not want to play the ball in its normal position, because it will position your hands more on the ball and as a result the club will have a lot of impact attic.
Another help to hold hands in front of the club is to put a little more weight on the left side to the address. Then on your back, instead of moving your weight to the right side, you keep it to the left. This will result in the smallest shoulder twist and a shorter spine. But, remember, you are using at least one club more than normal. So a great pace is not needed.
Just try to get a smooth and easy pace. Most amateur players tend to swing extremely very much in the wind because they think they should. This is exactly what you need to learn not to do.
For example, I will normally hit an 8-and-end 135 or more yards. But when playing in the wind I can use up to a 4-hook, depending on the conditions.
One of the problems to play this blow is that the ball can be hit to the right of the target. This is because the hands can lead so much that they do not allow the club to come out. In compensation, I open my stay a little to the address, which enables me to clear my left side more easily falling, and thus bring the club to a square position in the impact.
Another thing to remember is that because the ball is flying below, it won’t stop quickly, and you have to allow some run. However, do not overdo it – too much, very few amateurs sometimes hit the ball over the green under normal conditions, much less in the wind.
I like to play Knockdown’s goal and I believe I hit it, as well as most of the benefits of the tournament. It has saved me countless strokes over the years and is one of the main reasons I have played well on the tournament in Florida and British Open. But my comfort to play the goal has come only after practical hours. And that’s what you will need for you too. But remember, when you owned this blow, you also mastered the wind.
Below are three short keys for the execution of Knockdown.
1. Wash again
Play the ball back to your stay, with a little more weight than usual in your left foot. This combination deceives the club and puts its hands in front of the ball.
2. Trim your back
Because you will use a club more than usual, you will only need a short, smooth backpack to reach the target and keep the ball boring under the wind.
3. Keep hands forward
It is important to keep your hands lead the club’s head. If you find out you hit the ball to the right, just open your attitude to clean your hips faster.
Zephyr melton
Golfit.com editor
Zephyr Melton is an editor for Golf.com, where he spends his days on the blog, producing and editing. Before joining the team in Golf, he attended the University of Texas followed by stopping with the Texas Golf Association, Team USA, Green Bay Packers and PGA Tour. It helps with all things guidance and covers amateur and women’s golf. He can be reached in zephyr_melton@golf.com.