Pro's Tips

Baseball & Golf 

Many, many players, young and old, come to golf with experience playing baseball. These two sports have a lot in common and there are many skills used in baseball that can be applied to golf. Here are a few that may help your game today.

Stand like a shortstop

You can improve your stance and posture if you can imitate the way a shortstop stands as he awaits the ball to be put in play. Bend from your hips and balance your weight on the balls of your feet. Next, flex your knees several inches to create an athletic posture. One often overlooked factor is how your arms hang. They should do just that: hang. A shortstop doesn't have his arms extended stiffly in front of him and neither should you. Let your arms hang comfortably from your shoulders to reduce tension and increase distance.

Drive like a DH

Power unquestionably has a place in golf. Your goal for your drives is distance, just like a hitter tries to hit a home run! Swinging a baseball bat, your goal is to generate power and apply it to the ball. The same is true for hitting your driver. The key is to get that power to the ball. A good hitter is quick in the strike zone, you should be quick down by the ball, at the bottom of your swing arc. To practice this, turn your club upside down, hold onto the clubhead, and swing the shaft. Try to make the "whoosh" sound distinct down where the ball would be. Slow at the top and quick at the bottom.

Hit your irons like a pitcher

The key to pitching a baseball and hitting irons in golf is the same: control. To have control with your irons, focus on your pivot. Like a pitcher who shifts his weight and then strides toward the target, your backswing should cause your weight to shift first onto your back foot, then your downswing and follow-through should move your weight onto your front foot... with balance! One of the key moves a pitcher makes is to turn his back to home plate as he winds up. Use that in your golf swing- turn your back to your target to start your backswing. This will shift your weight and turn your shoulders, emphasizing your big muscles and keeping your hands quiet. For irons, this is all the power you need. Hit the green just like a pitcher throwing strikes!

Look for more tips to help you tune up your game!

Matthew Jones, PGA
General Manager
Cross Timbers Golf Course