Cover story: How To Hit The Big Shots

Driver, Fairway Woods, Irons: My 3 Keys For Every Full Swing

By Tiger Woods with Pete McDaniel
Photos By J.D. Cuban May 2008

Thinking too much over the ball can be as big a problem as not thinking at all. That's what I see in my amateur partners, who appear paralyzed from too much analysis. Some of them can't make even the easiest shot without running through a checklist.

I've learned that having a few simple keys is more effective. That's how my dad taught me. "Putt to the picture," he'd say, trying to get me to focus on the target and not on stroke mechanics.

Check out my three keys for hitting each of the basic full-swing shots. I don't use them all on every swing; I might focus on only one. Remember, keep it as simple as you can.

MY DRIVER

START STABLE
Take a wide stance, about shoulder width, and play the ball opposite your front heel.

CREATE THE COIL
Make a full shoulder turn going back, with your left shoulder turning all the way behind the ball at the top. Try to turn your hips no more than half as far as your shoulders.

GET THE ORDER RIGHT
Begin your downswing from the ground up: Shift your weight to your front foot, rotate your hips, then shoulders (above). Your arms and hands come through last, releasing the clubhead for full extension with your hands.

: HANK SAYS
"Notice how Tiger is looking at the back of the golf ball. This is a good way to make sure that you sweep the ball off the tee."


MY 3-WOOD: GET SET
Bend forward comfortably from your hips.

HINGE UP
Start the clubhead back so that it comes up off the ground right away, a result of your wrists cocking. This will keep the club in front of you, not letting it move too quickly to the inside. Maintain this width all the way to the top.

SWING 90 PERCENT
Shift to your front side, and swing the club with a little more downward motion than you would for a driver. Off the tee, swing at no more than 90 percent, and make sure you swing all the way through the ball to a full finish.

: HANK SAYS
"Amateurs need to make sure the ball position isn't too far forward with the 3-wood. Hit it at the bottom of your arc, not on the upswing."

Additional commentary by Golf Digest Teaching Professional Hank Haney.
Tiger Woods writes instruction articles only for Golf Digest.