After coaching for 38 years and giving an estimated 55,000 golf lessons, Hank Haney retired from formal teaching a couple years ago. But that doesn’t mean he’s out of the game or limelight. Not by a long shot.
The former instructor for Tiger Woods, author of a book about their time together and past star of the Golf Channel’s “The Haney Project” is still teaching teachers, giving clinics, putting out videos and promoting the game. But with all of the numbers to his credit there are still only two subjects most people want to talk about – Woods, who won 45 percent of the tournaments he entered under Haney’s tutelage, and Charles Barkley, the former NBA star and current quote machine who appeared on Haney’s program in an attempt to stop the cover-your-eyes hitch in his swing.
“I’m the only teacher in the world who has arguably worked with the greatest player in the history of the game and the worst player,” Haney said with folksy humor during a recent clinic at Mission Viejo Country Club. “So I’ve seen it all.”
While in Mission Viejo for the event sponsored by Omega, Haney passed along tips and witticisms to those in attendance.
“What most people have is a dream to play better golf, but they don’t have a plan to play better golf,” he said. “So my goal is to help you get started on the right track.”
With that, Haney delivered the following advice:
PLAYING AND SCORING BETTER
Amateurs should form a plan and concentrate on three areas:
Eliminate penalty strokes. “If you can hit a drive and locate it, it’s not that bad.”
Eliminate two chips, two pitches or two sand shots. “When you have a chance to putt from just off the green, you should putt every time.”
Eliminate 3-putts. “Average golfers are way too concerned about making putts from longer distances, but they need to be concerned about getting the ball close to the hole.”
GRIP
“Changing your grip is all a state of mind. If you want it to happen and feel comfortable right away, it can happen right away.”
If you slice, adjust your hands toward your back shoulder in a stronger grip.
If you hit hooks, put your hands more on top of the club in a weaker grip.
Both palms should face one another and work together.
Find the proper grip pressure and maintain it through the swing. “If you’re slicing the ball, you’re probably holding on too tight; if you hook the ball, try to hold on a little tighter.”
SWING PLANE
Most amateurs are either too upright or too flat in their swings. Think about hitting the ball in an arc like you would a baseball or tennis ball. “Every golf swing has an arcing motion around your body. Your swing needs to have the right blend of up and down and around. That gives you the best chance to square the clubface.”
If you hit shots thin, you’re probably swinging too flat.
If you dig into the turf behind the ball, your swing is likely too upright.
Swings that are too flat have a tendency to hook the ball; swings too upright typically lead to a slice.
DISTANCE
Try to make the loudest “swish” possible at the bottom of your swing, both during practice and on the course. “I’m usually telling people to speed it up. Let’s see what you’ve got. Golf is a sport … hit the ball!”
A player can gain 10 yards for each 4 mph added to the swing. “The most important thing in golf is distance, by far. I believe every golfer has a little more peed they can unleash.”
PRE-SHOT ROUTINE
Take every pre-shot routine and practice swing from behind the ball.
Visualize where you want the ball to go and the trajectory you want it to fly.
Before getting set, line up your intended ball flight with an intermediate target and set your clubface in line with that.
DRILLS
To check your swing plane and where you’re hitting the ball on the clubface, put two tees in the ground about 3 inches apart, place a ball between them and hit. A clean swing through the “gate” means you’re hitting the ball in the middle of the clubface. If you touch the inside tee, you’re hitting off the toe; if you clip the outside tee, you’re hitting off the heel. Set the tees a wider for drivers and fairway woods.
Take 100 practice swings a day to groove good balance, hand-eye coordination and awareness of what the club is doing during the swing in addition to being a good way to stretch and improve clubhead speed. “It will enable you to repeat all of these good habits when you get on the course.”
