MET METHODS
By Leo Lee, PGA
A good golfer has the skills to adjust their swing to approach different scenarios. They might adjust the width of their stance, their shaft lean, ball position, tee height, or a combination of different tweaks to achieve a certain outcome on their next shot. With simple adjustments on the tee, you can hit the ball a little bit farther or hit a fairway finder.
By tilting your front shoulder upward and back shoulder downward, you can launch the ball higher and farther. You also need to make sure that your hips are tilted at the same angle as your shoulders, which many players often forget. The key to your hip tilt is to feel like you're bumping your front hip forward and sitting down to the ball. Next, adjust the tee height and ball position. The tee height should be a little higher than normal and the ball position a little more forward to get that ball to launch a little higher.
The fairway finder shot will launch lower and get the ball on the ground quicker. Your shoulder and hip tilt are going to be pretty neutral and level to promote more of a downward strike. The tee height is going to be a little lower than normal on the driver’s face. The ball position is going to be a little farther back in your stance, closer to the middle instead of towards the front foot.
To summarize, to hit the ball farther, tilt your right shoulder down and your left hip forward, and position the ball farther up in the stance and higher on the tee. To hit the fairway finder, keep your shoulders and hips level, shorten the tee height, and position ball farther back in your stance.
Leo Lee is an assistant professional at The Ridgewood Country Club in Paramus, N.J.
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