Scooping
Scooping refers to adding too much loft to the clubface through impact. The result is a weak high shot that often falls way short of the intended target as the ball rolls up the clubface. Scooping can be caused by poor technique like flipping or cupping the wrists through impact or falling or leaning back onto the back foot through the strike. It is a common problem on severe uphill lies as well.
Scooping Lessons
Scooping Drills
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Indoor Drill - Pre Set Impact Drill
This drill done indoors is a great drill for learning to return… -
Indoor Drill - Hanger Release Drill
The Hanger Release Drill is the perfect drill for testing to see…
Scooping Tips
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Your Pivot is Your Engine
Allow your hips to keep pivoting towards the target. Think of your pivot as the engine for your swing. It's where you get your power and acceleration. The faster you pivot, the faster the clubhead will come through the ball. If your pivot stops or slows too soon, your hands will take over. This forces an early release of the clubhead. Loss of power and control result.
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Lag the Clubhead
For all full swings keep the club head behind your hands as long as possible to make sure that you hit the ball first, then the ground. When you lag the club and let it release at the last possible moment you are storing your energy and maintaining control. Remember, as soon as the club catches up to your hands and starts to pass them you are no longer descending and no longer in control of the face.
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Don't Stop Your Hands
Make sure to keep your hands accelerating towards the target. Stopping the hands too soon or decelerating in a short game shot can be detrimental resulting in chunked or skulled shots among other things. Remember to keep your pivot moving. Inconsistent strikes and an early release of the hands are often a result of a player's pivot stopping. Keep your pivot moving to keep your hands moving.
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Keep Your Hands in the Lead
To store your energy and unleash it into the ball, make sure your hands stay in the lead well in front of the club head on the way down. Allowing the clubhead to pass your hands before impact throws all the energy out of the golf club and causes deceleration. When the clubhead passes your hands you are no longer in control of it either. This can cause shots to spray left and right or come out thin or fat.
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The Bigger Your Grip, The Less Wristy You Will Be
Try a fat grip. If you are having major troubles with speed control, chances are your hands and wrists may be too involved. When the little muscles are over active, it's hard to be consistent. You could try to wrap your grip with tennis grip tape to fatten it up or purchase a new grip altogether like the super fat one that you may have seen K.J. Choi use. The bigger the grip and the more you have to palm it and the stiffer your wrists will be.
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Take a Tiny Divot When Chipping
When chipping, make sure to hit down on the shot and take a tiny divot. It's important to let the club get to the ground. Be careful not to fight gravity or to try to help the ball up! Remember to get the ball to pop back up in the air you need to hit down to use the loft on the face. The loft on the club will shoot the ball back up into the air for you.
