I got a call from the father of my top 12-year-old junior student, Keenan.
He had just played in a junior tournament that was squeezed in between four days of rain.
The fairways were wet and spongy, and he had hit a number of chunk shots that came up way short.
Besides a swing check-up, we were going to cover how to hit off soggy fairways to avoid 'chunky monkeys.'
I have been working with Keenan for around 6 years, and usually see him no less than once a month.
He is as good a left handed model of the Peak Performance Swing as I have ever taught. Two years ago, Keenan won The Golf Channel's 'Drive, Chip and Putt National Championship' for the 10-year-old division.
During his swing check-up, where I do my diagnosis check list, his setup was exceptionally good with nothing really needing adjustment.
His swing was also very good, with most of his usual quirks working well, except for something new.
He was pushing off his back foot too fast, causing his upper body to get ahead of the ball, and an early release could cause the chunks.
We worked on the timing of his back foot, and then finished off the lesson discussing the best way to play shots off wet and soggy fairways to hit solid shots and no chunks.
I define a 'chunk' as when the club hits the ground before the ball and there is a lot of dirt between the clubface and the ball.
It likely creates a deep divot and the ball is a weak pop up, way short of the green.
This is the shot where you may get a face or mouthful of dirt and a shirt covered in dirt as well.
An impact I call a 'chub' or 'chubby' is one where the club hits the ground and ball at the same time.
The ball will fly much farther, almost come off as a good shot and may even reach the green.
The first thing I discuss, even before any setup or swing adjustment, is the 'casual water Rule' to be sure the student knows how to determine casual water and what the relief is.
Casual water is determined by standing where you would address the ball.
If in your normal stance, (you cannot use extra pressure to try and force water up,) water rises to the surface of the grass, you have casual water and are allowed to pick up your ball and go to the nearest point of relief that gets you out of casual water.
I always add a caution about taking any free relief from casual water, cart paths, ground under repair, etc.
First, determine your nearest point of relief before you pick up your ball.
If you pick up your ball before determining your nearest point of relief and that point ends up being worse — like having to drop in 9 inch rough, you're “scrooged.”
You can't go back. You have to drop there.
So know where you have to go before you pick up your ball.
Since Keenan is an accomplished player, I asked him how he played those soggy fairway shots for setup and swing.
He mentioned that he played the ball a little back and tried to 'nip it' or 'pick it' clean off the grass.
I like the nip it and pick it concept and imagery for this shot.
I did not agree with putting the ball a little back in the stance as that tends to get the torso/head forward, and will likely produce a too steep downward swing.
Too steep negates the nip and pick it shot and instead increases the chances to chub or chunk it.
First I suggested that he choke up his club a half inch to an inch.
Play the ball in its normal position for the club or even a half to full ball more forward.
Lastly, I emphasize the swing thought to be focused on keeping the knees quiet and maintaining standing tall.
The setup adjustment, ball forward and quiet knees swing thoughts all improve the odds of 'nipping it' or 'picking it' clean off the soggy turf, seeing only some water splash up.
Picking the ball cleanly off the soggy turf opens up the probability of hitting it thin to maybe even blading or skulling the ball.
And, this fits with my mantra for ball striking of 'Thin to Win.'
Both of these are better misses as they will go farther and get closer to the green, where the odds of getting up and down are much greater for saving a shot.
Wishing you sunny skies and a firm fairway.
The Surge!
P.S. Been getting all kinds of wonderful feedback about The Peak Performance Golf Swing.
Everyone from players who thought they'd never break 100… To accomplished players like Keenan… To those who just want an easy “edge” over everyone else.
You can start beating your friends almost every single time you play, and show them how golf is REALLY played, by using the swing The Golf Channel has called, “the simplest swing on Tour” (when commenting on my son DJ's swing) at: