Former National champion and teaching pro Amandeep Johl on golf fundamentals – stroke mechanics
Topped Shot
Topping comes from getting out of sequence and releasing the club early on the downswing, not because of a ‘Head Up’. The hands and arms lead the downswing instead of the lower body. The club-head passes the hands before impact, causing the club to hit the ball on an upswing instead of a downward blow.
Fat Shot or Duff
Fat and thin shots are caused by the same problem. Hitting it behind or heavy, all mean the same. The club makes contact with the ground first instead of the ball because the club bottoms out before the ball. An overactive lower body causes the upper body and head to fall back and delay the hands.
Push
Push is a shot that starts right of the target-line. This is caused by a face of the club that is open or pointing right of the target-line (for right-handed golfers) at impact. The ball may or may not curve. The shot outcome could be a straight push, a push fade or a push draw depending on the path of the club.
Pull
A pull shot is the opposite of the push shot. In this case the club-face is closed to target or aimed left of target (for right-handed golfers) at impact causing the ball to start left of the target-line. The shot outcome could be a straight pull, a pull fade or a pull draw.
Fade or Slice
The ball curves when club-face and path-lines cross. A fade or slice (more pronounced fade) happens when the path is more left of club-face (for right-handers) i.e. club-face is open to path. A square club-face with a slightly out-to-in path shall cause a gentle fade. A closed-to-target club face with a path extremely out-to-in shall cause a pull fade.
Draw or Hook
A draw or a hook is caused when the club-face is closed to path i.e. the club-face is aiming left of the path (for right-handers). The ball will definitely curve left when the club face is shut to path at impact. The important thing to note is the club-face and path at impact. It doesn’t matter how you take the club away in the backswing.
