Continuing the Instructional Series on the Golf Swing

It has been a busy week or two. Sometimes you try to make time for yourself to catch up on those things that have been set aside for a rainy day. But the rain never comes and you then you are flooded with a mountain of tasks you needed to get finished days and weeks ago. Lately, that’s been me. The more I do the more behind I get. That sounded weird. A Chinese proverb states, “With money, a man can buy a watch or a clock but cannot buy time.” Sound familiar? So it’s the right time to play golf on Amelia Island. Make some time to play a round or two before Thanksgiving. The golf courses in the area are in great shape and the weather has been just short of perfect. Not too hot and not too cool.

We will continue the instructional series on the golf swing. This week we will discuss the pitch shot or the half swing. Remember the putting stroke and the chip shot before and how they are similar. Both use the shoulders and add the weight shift for the chip shot. The pitch shot does the same but adds an angle for more leverage and power after the club goes above the hips in the back swing. The wrists create a 90 degree angle with the butt end in the club, or top of the grip, pointing to the target line. On the down swing the angle is released through the ball and then recreated on the left side during the follow through while the weight is shifting, from the right to the left side, to add a little power for the right handed golfer. (The opposite for the left handed player) This shot cannot be forced. Relax and feel the pendulum motion of the shoulders swing the hands and club. Let your body understand and feel what is happening during the swing. Now that was easy.

It’s a great time to play. Come out to the Fernandina Beach Golf Club for great rates and conditions. Breakfast and lunch are served daily, with hot grilled items through 2:00 p.m. Great prices, comfortable surroundings and banquet facilities are available for large events. Did I mention the Prime Rib is the greatest? Are you looking for a game? Call the golf shop at 904-277-7370. Memberships are the best value for golf on the Island. For more information visit the web at www.fernandinabeachgolfclub.com Thank you.