Don't keep the club straight to shoot it straight

A common misconception among golfers is the club should travel straight to the target through impact.

This is not true and is a destructive swing thought. The club would only travel on a straight line if the club were vertical at the start position. Since the club forms an angle at the start position it must travel on a path matching its angle.

The club swings to the inside on the back swing and returns to the inside immediately after impact. The club face also turns in conjunction with the club's path. Many golfers commit two sins with the same result, shots to the right of the target.

Sin No. 1, trying to swing the club straight to the target. Sin No. 2, trying to keep the club face square to the target as long as possible. Both of these thoughts sound correct but, due to the club's angle, they are both wrong.

Let the club travel on a path to the inside through impact and allow the face to rotate in response and you will find the ball goes straighter and the shot to the right is a thing of the past.

Terry Gingell is a PGA professional. Sign up now for junior camps and adult group lessons at Empire Ranch and Genoa Lakes starting next week. For more information, call Terry, 690-7970.