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Golf tip of the week: Eliminate myths, use common sense

PHOTO PROVIDED Use common sense and play better golf.

The following swing myths have been passed down from generation to generation, remove the following myths and play better golf.

Keep your head down (incorrect)

The head must be up so the shoulders can rotate freely. If the head is down and the chin is too close to the chest, the shoulders will force the head to move off the ball.

The upper body should stay up and the legs should remain flexed.

Grip it and rip it (not true)

A tight grip will cause tension in the hands and arms causing a golfer to guide the club through the impact area reducing clubhead speed.

A golfer must remain balanced and relaxed throughout the swing, and a golfer’s balance dictates how fast they can swing.

Keep your right elbow against your side on the backswing (not true)

The right elbow should be pointing toward the ground but not touching the body, similar to utilizing a tennis racket or throwing a baseball.

Raise your hands high on the backswing (not true)

The shoulder turn dictates how high the hands go on the backswing. For example, an overweight person may not be capable of turning as much as a thinner person. Just remember to stop the hands when the upper torso stops.

You must take a divot (not true)

Not all golfers should take divots. A hitter is more apt to take a deeper divot than a golfer that swings or sweeps the ground.

A hitter intends to strike the ball with a great deal of force smashing the ball into the ground.

A golfer that swings the club sweeps through the hitting area as if the ball was not there, causing a small divot or just swishing the grass. Backspin is created by contacting the ball first.

Don’t forget to enjoy this great game called golf.

Rick Musselman, a golf author and professional, owns Musselman’s Golf in Williamsport.

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