By GRAHAM STEWART sport@algarveresident.com
A few weeks ago, a famous premiership footballer was on the driving range and he was hitting the biggest slices I had ever seen. A slice for a right handed golfer is when the ball curves from left to right and is caused by side spin imparted at impact due to club face position and the path of the swing. He asked me how to get rid of the slice.
I asked the player to think about his ball flight in relation to a free kick from about 15 metres outside of the penalty area.
I explained that the current slice shot is like bending the ball left to right around the wall of the defending team. I asked him to demonstrate how he would take such a free kick. Then I asked him to bend the ball the other way around the wall, so from right to left.
I asked him what would be different in the preparation and the execution of the shot. He told me firstly he would imagine the ball starting to the right of the last player in the wall and then picture the ball in his mind turning to the goal.
He said he would change the angle of his run up and kick the ball with the inside of the boot. I asked what difference that would make to the spin of the ball? He said the ball would spin anti clockwise for the ball to turn from right to left. So now the picture was set in his mind.
After a few practice swings and a couple of practice drills we attempted the new shot. I changed the alignment of the body and the club face. There was an immediate improvement in ball flight and after 10 shots we saw the ball turning with a small curve form right to left, a draw!
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Graham Stewart is a British PGA professional with over 30 years’ experience. Based at Pestana Vila Sol, he is available for golf instruction for players of all levels, from complete beginners to tour winners. 917 825 519
