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At Hacienda Pinilla part of our mission is to preserve the nature that surrounds us.
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HACIENDA PINILLA SUPPORTS THE ENVIRONMENT

As part of its ongoing mission to preserve the natural beauty that surrounds...

Golf Tips

  1. Ball Position – Your position over the ball should vary according to the club you’re using.  For instance, the ball should be in the middle of your stance for shorter irons(7,8,9,PW, SW).  As the loft of the club decreases, the ball should be placed toward the front foot, until it is just inside the left heel when hitting the woods.  Remember, if you want to purposely hit a lower shot, the ball should be back in the stance.  For higher shots, it should be forward.
  2. Alignment - The easiest way to understand alignment is to picture railroad tracks.  Your feet should be on one rail and your ball should be on the other.  Point the club face down the track towards your target line.  This should help you find more fairways and hit more greens. 
  3. Grip - Tension in the grip is a major mistake.  Relaxing your hands first will spread throughout your body.  Feel it through your arms and shoulders and then down through your legs.  Once you feel comfortable, let it rip!     
  4. Posture - Having good posture may be the single most important thing for consistency.  Try to flatten your lower back and bend your knees slightly.  These two tips should get you on your way to standing up to the golf ball like a pro.   
  5. Weight Shift – The best way to practice good weight shift is to step with your right foot over the left after you hit the ball.(opposite for left handed players).  You should feel as if you are walking after contact.  After each swing, you should ask yourself, “Where is the weight?”  “Is it on the right foot or the left foot?”  A proper, balanced position should be 90% on your left foot and 10% on your right toe after you finish your swing.  
  6. Power - Golf is not a wrist game.  To achieve a powerful swing, you need to use the big muscles of your legs and trunk.  Many amateurs use their wrists and arms to swing the club.  Try using your whole body in one motion allowing the club to swing freely and releasing toward your target. 
  7. Chipping - Your feet should be close together and most of your weight on the left foot for right handed players.  The ball should be back in your stance.  Practice these 3 things when you chip and it should start to pay off.
  8. Putting – Position yourself so that your eyes are over the ball or just inside of the golf ball.  To check this, put a golf ball on a mirror on the floor to see where your eyes are at in your address position.  If you do not have a mirror, you can drop a golf ball from your eyes to the floor.  It should hit the inside part of the golf ball you are set up to.     
  9. Wind – Playing in the wind can be challenge for all types of players.  Put the ball back in your stance and take 1 or 2 more clubs than normal.  Choking up on the club will help you control the distance and the trajectory.  Practicing shots on the driving range into the wind is very beneficial before taking it to the course.
  10. Enjoy – As in life, golf is a game that teaches you many lessons.  Use the game to build new friendships or to learn from your mistakes.  Most of all, try to have fun with golf and take the good with the bad.