You found a patch of hardpan. Or gravel, sand, a cart path. No matter — you can still get home. This situation isn’t as bad as it seems.
The first thing to realize is that the loose or slippery ground under your feet is the biggest obstacle. So, for starters, do your best to dig in with your feet as you settle into your stance.
If you don’t have solid footing, you’re likely to hang back as you swing and catch the hardpan before the ball. Here, ball-first contact is key. So get solid, position the ball in the middle of your stance and set at least 60 percent of your weight over your front foot — and keep it there as you swing.
As far as your motion goes, use whatever means necessary to create a steeper angle of attack. This is where all that front-foot-loaded weight will come in handy. Keep things smooth but definitely have the feeling of driving down and hard into the back of the ball.
Do your best to remain in balance, even if it means subtracting a few mph from your swing. If you do it right, you won’t even lose much yardage — but grab an extra club just in case.
Jim Murphy is a GOLF Top 100 Teacher who teaches at Sugar Creek CC in Sugar Land, Texas.
