Predictable Draws

Predictability! A word I use every day on my lesson tee. We don't need perfection, although that would be nice, we simply need to predictably launch and shape the ball and we can play the golf of our dreams.

I have found that when a golfer can get the handle of the club traveling inward through the strike managing the club face becomes less of a challenge. Thankfully this doesn't mean that the clubhead is also traveling inward. Watch....

Obstacles to watch for when working towards getting the handle to travel in while the clubhead travels out:

• The arms drop straight down and in from the top creating a scenario where they are trapped and can only 'exit' outward through impact
• The handle AND the clubhead both move outward at the start of the downswing. Now they must both travel inward though impact
• The hips drive forward too much and the handle has no access to work inward through impact

The following sequence of Graeme McDowell illustrates beautifully how to set up the transition and ensuing downswing for exactly what we are looking for through impact. 

Graeme McDowell

To get started with predictable, controllable draws you simply must work the hands in while the clubhead travels out through the strike.

While this is certainly not the only way to get the job done, for slower swing speed golfers (which is most of us out there!) this is the go to game plan. Start in front of a mirror and go from there....

Thanks for reading and if you have a friend who might be struggling with this please share.

If you're interested in join me on a Golf Safari to South Africa this January with your loved one please contact terri (at) andrewricegolf.com or visit www.syncexcursions.com for more details.

South Africa or New Zealand in 2017?

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What's it going to be? Once again Terri and I will be headed to South Africa this coming January for our 11th trip and as per usual we cannot wait to get back. We have changed things up slightly from years gone by in that we now start our trip in Cape Town and close things out at the world renowned Makanyane Safari Lodge.

We will spend five luxurious nights at the Cape Grace Hotel which was recently ranked in the top 100 hotels in the world by Travel & Leisure. Of course there is golf at three of South Africa's best, but so many traveler's overlook the country's incredible food and wine scene. We complement the Cape's stunning scenery with private wine tastings at Hamilton Russell and Fairview and our final dinner at Delaire Graf will definitely be one to remember.

We then head to the northern part of the country for the safari leg of our trip. Here are private air charter lands at the Madikwe Eastern Airstrip and our 5 day bush adventure kicks off. Your life will never be the same again after your time here! The staff, food, accommodations and customer service are all simply world class. And then there's the game viewing! We have often seen the magnificent seven (lion, rhino, elephant, leopard, buffalo, wild dog and cheetah) on our previous trips and almost expect to see all the members of the Big 5.

We currently have space for four additional couples on this incredible life-changing trip. Please contact Terri at terri(at)andrewricegolf.com should you have any questions. Also visit www.syncexcursions.com for a detailed itinerary.

In February we head to the southern hemisphere again - this time to New Zealand! It is kinda nice to trade two weeks of winter for some summer sunshine. We will spend time in all the best spots on both the north and south island visiting Auckland, Queenstown and Millford Sound, Napier and Lake Taupo. You will have the option to play five spectacular rounds of golf at courses that include Cape Kidnapper's and the top-rated Kinloch Club.

For those seeking adventure we have included a charter flight and cruise on the Millford Sound and jetboating on the Shotover river. Everybody loves great food and wine and New Zealand has plenty to offer. We will enjoy private tastings and culinary delights at Amisfield, Craggy Range and Mission and Church Road wineries.

We currently have space for three additional couples on this Kiwi excursion. Please contact Terri at terri(at)andrewricegolf.com should you have any questions. Also visit www.syncexcursions.com for a detailed itinerary.

Thanks for reading and if you cannot join us in 2017 we hope to have you come along in 2018!