One of Golf’s Toughest Shots Made Easy

On bunker shots of over 40 yards, try using your 9-iron instead of your sand wedge next time.

Swing the same way you hit a sand wedge explosion shot and the 9-iron will give you much more room for error.

Just be sure to swing thru on an "out to in" path and keep your left arm firm at impact. The ball will usually come out low, so leave room for some roll.

Remember, you don't have to hit your sand wedge every time you are in the sand - or your pitching wedge every time you need to pitch. Sometimes other clubs will do a better job based on distance needed and the way the ball is sitting.

Lesson II

Maintain a Quiet Head

I can’t stress enough the importance of a quiet head for solid ball striking. Average players tend to move their heads during the swing. This will make you push, pull, chunk or blade iron shots.

Keep your head still on the backswing and the downswing. Then move the head easily thru the target on the follow-thru. Your head acting like a bobble-head or a salt-shaker is not beneficial to your swing. Keep a quiet head thru your swing.

Always Listen to Good Advice

Lesson - Kiss the Knees

If you struggle to maintain your balance when you swing the club, you are either swinging way to hard or you are not transfering your weight properly.

Remember a three-word tip: Kiss the knees. And I don't mean Paula Creamer's knees.

As you swing down and shift your weight to your front leg, the knee of your back leg should turn inward toward the target and get closer and closer to your front leg knee.

The front leg should be braced and stable as your back leg should be up on it's toes with the knee of the back leg kissing the knee of the front leg after impact with the ball.

If you do that, you will be able to hold your finish like they do on TV as your iron shot goes right at the pin.

Welcome to the Hartland Glen Golf Course Blog!

Golfers - spring is here and it is time to hit the links. There is no place better to play than the 36-hole Hartland Glen Golf Course.

We have a driving range open to knock off the rust and two putting greens to get the 'feel' back.

Then - try the long and open North Course or the shot-challenging South Course.

If you need anything at all to put in the bag - or if you need a bag or shoes - the HG Pro Shop has it all!

Hit them straight, long and not too often. Have a great 2010 on our links.