Michael Kim in July at the Barracuda Championship.
Getty Images
Amateur swings, says Michael Kim, come in all shapes and sizes, with different bombs and flushes, hooks and slices, spikes and chops.
But they also tend to repeat themselves.
The 31-year-old PGA Tour pro is talking on his X social media account (and he is worth followingif golf knowledge is your thing), and, in a way, he has pointed out a definition of insanity, which tells us that one can go insane by expecting different results – by doing the same things over and over again. In this case, amateurs continue to make the same mistakes, but apparently hope for lower results.
However, Kim is here to help. During his nine-year pro career, he figures he’s played about 1,000 pitches — and he’s narrowed down the “common mistakes” he’s seen to five pitches, which are below, along with some thoughts.
Again, his X account is worth following, and you can by clicking here.
Full growth
The amateur mistake, according to Kim: “95 percent of the money goes over and cuts the ball like they are cutting wood. The reason it looks this way is because they don’t turn their hips and shoulders nearly enough in the backswing. You can go over the top if you have a good turn on the backbend. It’s a little scary swinging with a big turn, but it has to be done.”
Kim’s fix: “Many housewives are raised in a way that makes it more difficult. You don’t have to look so robotic. (Set up) much more relaxed with your legs slightly flared. Think of a heavy medicine ball throw. Use your whole body to push back. If you can get a better swing on your right side, then you can get a better swing on your left side (side bend) and get the club not going as high.”
Shooting in the field
The amateur mistake, according to Kim: “Too often I see a player set up as if it’s a full shot.”
Kim’s fix: “With the putt, it should look like you’re trying to hit a shorter shot. Weight a little to the left, feet a little closer, a little closer to the ball, ball position mid-back, hands a little forward. … You really have to use your body rotation better in order to create a little inside-out path that makes these shots a lot easier. Think Steve Stricker – no arm band, full body with spin. If you want your hands forward to create that nice downswing, you have to turn your body throughout the swing.”
Commenter’s question: “Michael, I don’t understand ‘middle to back ball position.'” With a pitch, wouldn’t you want to put the ball forward to get a higher trajectory, rather than the other way around?
Kim replies: “It depends on the situation, but the most important thing for a fairway shot is good contact. If you play it forward, you won’t have a clean contact unless you do a few other things. If you open the club a bit and get good contact, you should have some spin to help you stop the ball. If you have to move it higher for whatever reason, I prefer to play it in the middle and open up the club more.”
breakage
The amateur mistake, according to Kim: “The scoop action happens because you’re trying to add loft from a bad position and leads to chunks and defects.”
Kim’s fix: “Use your putter. If it’s fairway and less than 30 yards from the hole, just use a putter. Drive until you’re forced not to. From the rough, open the club in the setup.”
Additional help: A few months ago, Kim shared a video and thread on shallow and slanted photos that can be found by clicking here.
Bunker game
The amateur mistake, according to Kim: “Don’t try to hit after her. Let your organization dictate that.”
Kim’s fix: “Dig in a little with your feet, ball a little forward, open the clubface, weight 60/40 left. A little wrist cock on the way back and then undo the wrist cock and the way over. If you can do it without cutting too much, even better
Commenter’s question: “Thoughts on getting out of bunkers when there is no lip or small lip?”
Kim replies: “Haha! You gotta do what you gotta do, but I would never advise that. Go take a lesson. I think the bunker is the most forgiving spot in golf (as long as it’s not a pot bunker).
Putting
The amateur mistake, according to Kim: “95 percent of you don’t launch your shots online and don’t know where you’re aiming. I can’t count the number of times I’ve given a reading, the amateur aims it wrong, starts it too far away from my reading, and when it misses, it tells me, it pretty much ruins my reading.”
Kim’s fix: “If you’re serious about getting better with the greens, get something that tells you if you’ve pushed or pulled and adjust your putting. You can do this with some tees and a stick, but it’s easier to buy something like one Tutor fur or something similar to a gate.”
