THUMBS DOWN the virtual golf lesson was designed for amateurs by a fellow amateur, as I desperately searched for a way to square the club at impact. In 1995, after experimenting most of the season it happened innocently one morning prior to my round. While chipping around the practice green into a bunker about 20 yards away the first two balls I hit jumped off my wedge and flew over the top of the bunker. I stood there stunned. Both shots felt like I hit them as clean and solid as was possible, a feeling very foreign to me lately. Over the past few seasons my iron play had hit rock bottom, so hitting them this solidly was a pleasant surprise to say the least.

During the off-season I viewed a tip that promoted the wrists as a source of power. I suddenly realized how little I used my wrists and hands when striking the ball. This was because when I learned, the popular tip said that you strike the ball with the left side, the right side goes along for the ride AND the hands stay quiet. For several months I experimented by adding wrist action and noticed a cleaner hit with every club, but with inconsistent results.

Then one morning while chipping into a bunker around the practice green it all came together. For the last few years my feel for short wedge shots like this from about 20 yards had disappeared. By adding my new wrist action, the first two balls I hit jumped off my wedge and flew over the top of the bunker. I stood there stunned. Both shots were dead straight and both felt like I hit them as solidly as possible, a feeling very foreign to me lately. Over the past few seasons my iron play had hit rock bottom, so this experience was a pleasant surprise!

I named my method Thumbs Down  because that was the motion I saw my hands make while striking the ball. Thumbs Down gave me confidence plus it could easily be repeated on demand. Finally, I had a simple method which squared the club and also provided an effective way to practice.

“I like it! Now I have something meaningful to visualize during my downswing. I’m confident I’ll hit the ball solid and on line.”  Ted K. “My friend, you really have something here! The ball went right where I was aiming and a lot longer than ever before.” Jonathan C. “I’m amazed! It was simple and I saw the results from the first shot I hit. Look out, the dreaded straight ball is back in my game."  Chris H. "It gave me the most fundamental improvements to my golf swing in the past 20 years."  Henry K.