Old time golf champion Paul Runyan, a well known 2-time PGA Championship winner (1934 and 1938) was well-known for his short game expertise. And despite being one of the shortest hitters of his day, Paul won at least 50 times on the PGA Tour.
Every now again Mr. Runyan would be kind enough to give short game lessons and various golf tips to PGA professional players that would be passed on to their students. One such tip, or best described as a “specialty shot”, is referred to as “The Runyan”. This is not an official term for this particular golf lesson but it's best to give credit where credit is due.
The Best Scenario For The Runyan Shot
There will invariably be times when you find your golf ball extremely close to the hole, just off the green. The last thing you want to do is putt the ball through a long section of grainy grass fringe. Doing so can invite disaster because of the unpredictable direction that the ball could venture into. The wiry grass can slow down your shot and knock the ball off line.
Another option is to chip the ball through the long grass. However, this can be a daunting task because the club may be knocked off-balance if the grass grabs at it during the swing. When this happens, the face of the club may turn when you try to swing through. Also, the ball may travel too far past the hole if it is located very close to your swing area.
The Runyan Shot
These tough situations can be conquered through practice and confidence with specific short game techniques. This would be the perfect time to utilize Paul Runyan's specialty shot. Here is how you do it:
1. Get into your putting stance and keep your front foot slightly open a bit.
2. Make sure you are standing close to your target line.
3. Now hold the club in a vertical position, as you would a putter. The 7-iron is my personal choice here and works well. The club should be standing up on its toe, with the heel off of the ground.
4. Your grip should be the same as you would grip a putter.
5. Now you want to de-loft the club by positioning the ball in the center of your stance.
6. Swing the club straight back and then through, just like a pendulum, the same as when you are putting. Keep the clubhead low to the ground and try using as much of the shoulders and arms as possible.
The Result
When you hit the ball, contact is made with the toe of the club. The toe causes the swing to slightly deaden the hit. Due to a small amount of loft, the ball will ride the face of the club ever so slightly. This causes some overspin and helps the ball roll forward.
The ball should hop right out of the grass but remain low, as a standard chip shot would. Then it will roll softly towards the hole. Your goal is to have the ball roll for at least 75% to 80% of the shot. The Runyan shot causes the ball to ride up the clubface, spin, and hit the green.
Saturday, 14 June 2008
How To Keep Your Head Down & Eyes On The Ball
You never know what's going to happen each time you step foot on the golf course. Personally speaking, it is this “unknown” aspect of golf that makes the game the most exciting sport to play. I try to hit a full round at my local course at least three times per week and every game I play is an entirely new experience altogether.
Because of the hundreds of unexpected shots that golf brings you, it is imperative that practice time is taken advantage of. Regular practice is the only way that you can experience some of the irregular situations your golf ball may get into. And speaking of practice, the best advice that I can give is to start utilizing unconventional approaches to your golf game.
What Does Unconventional Practice Mean?
Far too many new players to the game of golf spend the majority of their time hitting long distance shots at the golf range, with a small percentage attacking their basic short game shots. Either way, neither one of these approaches practiced 100% of the time will present you with the opportunity to make those strange and undesirable shots that a real golf game will inevitably give you.
Free Golf Lesson: Look Away
To give you a perfect example of an unconventional practice shot, here is a lesson that can help you keep your head down and eyes on the ball when initiating your swing when your ball is in a troubled spot.
Step 1: First take your stance to the right side of the ball if you are left handed, and to the left side of the ball if you are a righty. Now face away from the target. Not looking directly at the target may seem awkward at first, but go with it, relax, and loosen up your body.
Step 2: Now hold the club (whichever you like) with it extended downwards from your most dominant hand. The blade should be pointing towards the ground, directly at your feet.
Step 3: Next, place the blade of your club behind the golf ball and turn your head slightly back in order to properly aim your shot.
Step 4: Pull the club upwards while extending it forward. Then swing the club down and along your target line as best possible. Follow through as far as you possible can.
Step 5: Resist the urge to turn around to see the end result. Simply concentrate on following through and getting the ball back in to play towards the green.
Because of the hundreds of unexpected shots that golf brings you, it is imperative that practice time is taken advantage of. Regular practice is the only way that you can experience some of the irregular situations your golf ball may get into. And speaking of practice, the best advice that I can give is to start utilizing unconventional approaches to your golf game.
What Does Unconventional Practice Mean?
Far too many new players to the game of golf spend the majority of their time hitting long distance shots at the golf range, with a small percentage attacking their basic short game shots. Either way, neither one of these approaches practiced 100% of the time will present you with the opportunity to make those strange and undesirable shots that a real golf game will inevitably give you.
Free Golf Lesson: Look Away
To give you a perfect example of an unconventional practice shot, here is a lesson that can help you keep your head down and eyes on the ball when initiating your swing when your ball is in a troubled spot.
Step 1: First take your stance to the right side of the ball if you are left handed, and to the left side of the ball if you are a righty. Now face away from the target. Not looking directly at the target may seem awkward at first, but go with it, relax, and loosen up your body.
Step 2: Now hold the club (whichever you like) with it extended downwards from your most dominant hand. The blade should be pointing towards the ground, directly at your feet.
Step 3: Next, place the blade of your club behind the golf ball and turn your head slightly back in order to properly aim your shot.
Step 4: Pull the club upwards while extending it forward. Then swing the club down and along your target line as best possible. Follow through as far as you possible can.
Step 5: Resist the urge to turn around to see the end result. Simply concentrate on following through and getting the ball back in to play towards the green.
Golf Confidence Tip: Golf Is A Journey, Not A Destination
What would you say is the most important aspect of not only becoming a better golf player, but also experiencing complete fulfillment and enjoyment from the game? What aspect of this sport is the key ingredient to having the most fun and precision?
Some people say that patience is the answer. Others point out that practice and repetition is the key to success in golf. Some players even consider that having the right golf clubs is the magic potion to enjoying a better game of golf.
Great Answers, But...
I would have to agree that all of the above opinions are great and definitely have their place. But the most important aspect of golf that will help you become a skilled golfer, while at the same time having as much fun as possible is: Confidence.
Having confidence in yourself is of utmost importance in golf, and practically everywhere else in life as well. How you feel about yourself as a person will carry over into the quality of your game and the enjoyment you seek, or lack thereof. I have seen dozens of golfers increase their overall score and personal happiness with the slightest awareness and increase in their personal attitude and how they valued themselves.
Moving On To Performance
Increased confidence for the golf game does not stop at your individual self. The next type of confidence would be considered performance-oriented. Let's be honest here, you can love yourself until the cows come home and still be insecure about your swing on the course.
If you have very little confidence in your ability to play the game then you will not perform well, plain and simple. And if you do not perform well then, you guessed it, you will leave the course feeling frustrated and angry.
How To Build All Around True Confidence
Your confidence levels can be adjusted and worked on step-by-step. With larger personal issues and how you feel about yourself as a person, improvement can take as little as a week or as long as a lifetime.
Low self-esteem levels can be many layers deep and uncovering them far outweighs the scope of this article. However, in terms of performance confidence on the golf course, there are definitely some universal steps which all of us can benefit from.
The most important element to understand, and get through your head, is that golf does not define your life. This sport develops over time. If you decide that you will only be happy when you become "better" at playing golf, then this happiness will elude you. You will end up chasing it for years.
True joy when playing golf comes by having fun and accepting the fact that golf is a lifelong journey, never a destination. Let me repeat that: Golf is a lifelong journey, never a destination. Write it down, live it, and watch your personal happiness increase along with your golf game.
Some people say that patience is the answer. Others point out that practice and repetition is the key to success in golf. Some players even consider that having the right golf clubs is the magic potion to enjoying a better game of golf.
Great Answers, But...
I would have to agree that all of the above opinions are great and definitely have their place. But the most important aspect of golf that will help you become a skilled golfer, while at the same time having as much fun as possible is: Confidence.
Having confidence in yourself is of utmost importance in golf, and practically everywhere else in life as well. How you feel about yourself as a person will carry over into the quality of your game and the enjoyment you seek, or lack thereof. I have seen dozens of golfers increase their overall score and personal happiness with the slightest awareness and increase in their personal attitude and how they valued themselves.
Moving On To Performance
Increased confidence for the golf game does not stop at your individual self. The next type of confidence would be considered performance-oriented. Let's be honest here, you can love yourself until the cows come home and still be insecure about your swing on the course.
If you have very little confidence in your ability to play the game then you will not perform well, plain and simple. And if you do not perform well then, you guessed it, you will leave the course feeling frustrated and angry.
How To Build All Around True Confidence
Your confidence levels can be adjusted and worked on step-by-step. With larger personal issues and how you feel about yourself as a person, improvement can take as little as a week or as long as a lifetime.
Low self-esteem levels can be many layers deep and uncovering them far outweighs the scope of this article. However, in terms of performance confidence on the golf course, there are definitely some universal steps which all of us can benefit from.
The most important element to understand, and get through your head, is that golf does not define your life. This sport develops over time. If you decide that you will only be happy when you become "better" at playing golf, then this happiness will elude you. You will end up chasing it for years.
True joy when playing golf comes by having fun and accepting the fact that golf is a lifelong journey, never a destination. Let me repeat that: Golf is a lifelong journey, never a destination. Write it down, live it, and watch your personal happiness increase along with your golf game.
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