MASTERS WEEK SPECIAL

Hey Golfers, its that time of year again a big week ahead of golf with The Masters. The Fairways are perfect, the greens are rolling and so should your golf game. To celebrate Masters Week, I’m giving you: A Huge 🔥 20% OFF 🔥 Any lesson package OR your first month of Subscription on SKILLEST. Whether you’re looking to: Fix that slice or hook, Strike it more consistently, Lower your scores this season, Now’s the perfect time to start, if you have any questions please feel free to contact me direct. Happy golfing.

SIMPLE STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE YOUR GOLF GAME

HOW TO CONTROL THE SPIN (LOW BACK-SPIN SHOTS)

The latest scientific evidence shows that there is not an increase in spin rate when golfers hit down more on the golf ball. Here’s the reason — in order to hit down more a golfer has to lower the dynamic loft of the club, which causes the ball to be launched lower. There is no increase in spin loft or in actual spin rate.

What is Spin Loft.  Spin loft is a calculation of these angles and is found using this equation: dynamic loft (actual loft at impact) - angle of attack = spin loft.
Now here is where it can get confusing: Spin loft does not mean spin rate per second. The rotations per minute (RPM) of a golf ball is the actual spin rate. Spin loft is one of the factors that causes spin rate, but it is not the only factor. A higher spin loft, however, will always increase spin and slow  down ball speed, and vice versa. If you look at the chart below, the gap between the red and blue lines is the spin loft. It is measured in degrees, not RPMs.
So let’s say a shot struck with a 6 iron has a dynamic loft at impact of 20 degrees and an attack angle of negative 4. The spin loft of that shot, 20 minus negative 4 (remember your double negatives?), is 24 degrees.
This is a very important point to understand because spin loft is also a matter of compression, which is a measure of how directly a ball has been struck. When the spin loft is low, the compression is high — the hit is more direct. When spin loft is high, the compression is low – the ball spins more and the ball speed is reduced with the ball been compressed less.
Look at the chart below: The narrower the gap between the red and blue lines, the more the golf ball is compressed and the further it will go. In the example, there is no change in the gap, so hitting down did not spin the ball more; it simply launched it lower.
A zero spin loft would be the most compression we could have, but it’s not posssible because the golf ball would not have enough spin to stay in the air.

So what does all this mean to the average golfer? Well let’s say, you’d like to learn how to hit a low wedge shot that comes to stop on a penny by the hole. Since you understand the dynamics of spin and launch, let’s go through the conditions that allow the low-flying, high-spinning wedge shot to happen:
To hit a low wedge shot, golfers need to get a low launch factor, which means they have to de-loft their wedge by getting their hands in front of the clubface. But you know that reducing loft, the biggest factor of spin, actually decreases the amount of spin, so the low-flying wedge shot seems like an anomaly, especially when you add the fact that you can’t increase the speed on short shots because that would make the ball go too far.
So the magic of the high-spinning, low-flying shot is a low spin loft – remember the gap?
In order to have low spin loft, the angle of attack and loft have to be closer together. To make the spin loft as narrow as possible with a wedge, that wedge has to be de-lofted and have a very shallow angle of attack.
Think about it — if a golfer hits down too much, the spin loft “gap” would become wider and the compression would get lower. In those conditions, the golf ball does not “grip” the face as well; friction is reduced and spin goes down.
However, studies show that a very shallow attack angle (which is slightly downward with a wedge) and a de-lofted face produce the optimum friction, or grip of golf ball and club. The ball flies low, spins a lot and checks after two, sometimes three bounces. In short, you will be the envy of your foursome.
Here’s something else to consider: You should always keep not only your grooves clean, but the surface area between the grooves rough, a perfectly legal thing to do, because it to optimizes friction.

FINAL CHECKLIST FOR SPIN

• Clean your grooves and keep the surface area between the grooves roughened.
• Play a premium golf ball; one that allows for spin to happen.
• Do not expect spin off any lie where contact with the golf ball first is impossible; example — shot from the rough, especially ones that are into the grain, as they limit friction with the ball.
• While hitting down does not cause more spin, it is an essential element when hitting any ball on the ground.
• Work on keeping your hands ahead coming into impact (flipping the club ahead of your hands adds loft), but keep a very shallow angle. This is the best way to get a low-flying, high-spinning pitch when close to the green.

Finally, remember this: Backspin looks great, but if it is beyond your skill set, you can always come in a little higher, softer and even allow for the old bump and run when there is enough green to work with.

How To Practice Golf If Your Can’t Get To The Range Or Course

Whether you’re stuck at home, short on time, or just can’t make it to the golf course this week, there are still plenty of ways to work on your game without hitting a single full shot. In fact, some of the best players in the world spend more time working on the “little things” than they do pounding balls on the range. So if you’re looking to improve your golf without grass under your feet, here’s how to do it.

Get Serious About Your Short Game — Indoors You’ve heard it before: short game is where scoring happens. You don’t need a green or bunker to sharpen your touch. Indoor chipping drills: Use a few foam practice balls and chip into a laundry basket or onto a landing towel. Practice different trajectories using the same club — low runners, mid-height chips, and soft floaters. Use painter’s tape to create a “landing zone” on your floor. Try to land the ball consistently in that space from various distances. This builds distance control, trajectory awareness, and consistency — all without needing real turf.

Make Putting Practice a Daily Habit If you’re not practicing putting at home, you’re leaving strokes on the table. And you don’t need a fancy mat — a smooth carpet or hardwood floor will do.

Try these simple drills: The Gate Drill: Set up two objects (like sleeves of balls) just wider than your putter head. Work on keeping the stroke clean and centered. Start Line Drill: Lay down a ruler or yardstick and practice rolling the ball off the end without veering off. One-Ball Distance Drill: Putt to a target (like a cup or coaster) and track how close you leave it. The goal: consistent lag speed.

Use Mirrors or Video to Work on Your Swing Mechanics If you can’t hit balls, work on how your body moves. Grab a full-length mirror, a training aid, or just your phone and record yourself making slow, controlled swings. Focus areas: Posture and setup Grip and takeaway Top-of-swing position Finish and balance Use slow-motion rehearsal swings to groove better mechanics. Even shadow swings — without a ball — help train your body to repeat better motion. Bonus: it’s great for muscle memory and flexibility.

Get a Mat and Net Setup If you’ve got a little extra space — like a garage, basement, or backyard — a hitting net and mat combo is a game-changer. It’s not just about getting reps in. It’s about building a repeatable swing under consistent conditions. Here’s what to look for: The Hitting Mat Not all mats are created equal. You want something that mimics real turf — not a glorified welcome mat. Look for thickness: 3/4″ to 1″ of turf with solid backing protects both your wrists and your floor. Pay attention to feedback: Good mats will punish fat shots slightly so you don’t groove bad habits. Size matters: A 4’x5′ mat gives enough room to practice different stances and ball positions. The Hitting Net You want something durable and easy to set up/take down, especially if space is shared. Look for a wide base: At least 7’–10′ across to catch your occasional mishits. Easy assembly: Pop-up or foldable nets make practice sessions less of a hassle. Durability: If you’re using real balls, make sure it’s rated for full-swing shots.. See also Chervò Unveils Stylish Autumn/winter Apparel Collection Optional Upgrades

If you really want to level up: Drop a cheap launch monitor behind you for basic feedback on distance and ball speed. Hang a tarp or old comforter behind your net for extra safety and sound dampening.

Play “Mental” Golf at Home Visualization is a surprisingly effective way to practice when you’re stuck indoors. Here’s how: Pick your favorite course — or a course you’re preparing to play. Close your eyes and imagine playing a hole, shot by shot. Picture the fairway. The hazards. The flag location. What club you’d choose and how the shot would feel. Go through your pre-shot routine, then mentally hit the shot. Top athletes in every sport use this technique — and it’s especially powerful for golf, where mindset is everything.

Make Your Practice Routine Repeatable One of the biggest benefits of at-home practice? You control the environment. Use it to build good habits. Create a mini routine: 5 minutes of mirror work 10 minutes of putting 5 minutes of chipping 10 minutes of mobility or strength That’s 30 minutes a day that will absolutely move the needle — even if you never hit a real ball.

Final Thoughts: You don’t need a pristine range or manicured fairway to work on your game. Some of the most meaningful improvement happens at home — through consistency, intentional reps, and a bit of creativity.