Articles Written By Jeff Ritter

Straight Flush - Originally Published in

Play your cards right and that nasty slice will be consigned to history. Our Jeff shows you how...
If you are one of the millions of slicers out there, then chances are that you are not swinging the club on a proper arc. To cure a slice, it's important to feel a rounded swing with the clubface 'closing' through impact. 

Spring Loaded - Originally Published in

Wind it up, and let it rip. It's as easy as it sounds.
An important key to generating big drives is to get your body properly coiled at the top of the backswing. Like loading a spring or stretching a rubber band, coil provides power and "snap" as you unload into impact.

Drop Anchor - Originally Published in

Why starting your downswing with your left foot first is one of the most important moves in the golf swing...
Possibly the most critical juncture in any good golf swing is the trantition from backswing to downswing. The downswing must begin by putting pressure from your front foot solidly into the turf.

 
Spin When You're Winning - Originally Published in

Make the ball dance to your tune...

One of the most common questions I am asked by students is; "How do I spin the ball like the pros?" Everyone wants to back the ball up like Tiger, or Greg Norman in his pomp.

Your Kid Ate a Divot - Originally Published in

 And other shocking stories from golf camp...

 

Five Steps to Up and Down - Originally Published in

It’s been well documented that a solid short game is the key to consistently shooting lower scores. A vital part of the short-game mix is the “finesse shot,” typically from within 100 yards of the green. On a finesse shot, your mindset must be quite different from that applied to the full swing. For example, when hitting a shot with a full swing, your goal is to hit the ball as hard and far as possible. When playing a finesse shot, however, your goal is to hit the ball short and soft.
 

Controlling Trajectory - Originally Published in

A key element to becoming a better player is learning to create different ballflight trajectories on command. It’s this aspect of your play that will allow you to effectively tackle a variety of situations ranging from lob pitches to knockdowns to recovery shots. Here are six “factors of flight” to help you learn to keep it low.
 

Willie Mac Attacks - Originally Published in

I often long for the days when Slammin’ Sammy Snead and Gene Sarazan played the game, a couple of great sticks with personalities just as bright as their games. Well, fortunately for golf fans, there’s a new kid on the block and he’s brought a unique backstory and stellar game (albeit with a modern flair). His name is Will MacKenzie, or “Willie Mac,” as the 2006 Reno-Tahoe victor is sometimes called.

No-Frills Putting Drills - Originally Published in

Jeff Ritter, director of instruction at the ASU Karsten Golf Academy in Tempe, Ariz., believes putting isn’t complicated. And to help solve your putting woes, he has put together his No-Frills Putting Drills—nine straightforward, no-nonsense exercises intended to be practiced on your own, without the aid of an instructor. Practice these drills and, before you know it, you’ll actually look forward to working with the flatstick.

Eddie Goes for a Ride - Originally Published in

Uncle Eddie was just one of those tough cases who, try as they might, were never going to get any better. I recall he always seemed to practice with only one club, an old Sam Snead Signature Series seven-wood. This stick had clearly taken a beating, and if you told me that he had found it underneath his spare tire, I wouldn't be the least bit surprised.

 Whistle While You Work - Originally Published in

Putt for Dough - Originally Published in

Green reading is often a point of contention for most golfers. This is a big problem, as even a perfect stroke is of no use if you can’t get a feel for the slope. To get a better “read on things”, first remember that almost all greens are designed to slope from back to front. This mean that a ball to the right of the hole will often break left, whereas a ball which lands on the green left of the hole will likely break to the right.

Yip Yip Hooray - Originally Published in

One of my greatest teaching experiences was working for world-renowned short game and putting instructor Dave Pelz.

My most enduring memory with Dave would have to be my first day of work. I rolled up to the Pelz facility only to see the likes of Tom Kite, Lee Janzen, Curtis Strange and Billy Andrade practising. Then I heard the scream of a sports car engine ripping down the entrance to the short game school. It was Peter Jacobsen in a shiny new Ferrari with sunglasses on and the radio cranking. It was like Pimp My Ride colliding with X-Factor, but for golfers!

Pin Seeking Missiles - Originally Published in

One of the great things about golf, is its ability to throw up amazing shots! It seems that even when a player like Tiger Woods is a “little off,” he manages to create miracle shots, curving the ball around obstacles, over and under trees, bouncing across terrain eventually resting within inches of the cup. The reason players seem to be able to pull off  the impossible is two fold.

Wristy Business - Originally Published in

One of the most common quests for the average golfer is the pursuit of more power! In fact, you rarely ever see a cover story about putting. In golf, it is power that rules!

Alberto came to me for what was a very typical lesson with very typical goals in mind. He began to tell me about his game, his scores, tendencies, etc. Like many golfers, Alberto had a little bit of a slice. He said his goal was to simply be “more consistent” and maybe not lose so many balls.

Towering Trajectory - Originally Published in

When practicing different trajectories, I like to imagine knocking the windows out
of a tall skyscraper. To achieve lower shots remember these rules: ball back, weight
left, grip down, swing and a soft pace. Higher shots are just the opposite: ball progressively more forward, weight right, grip full length, full swing and a faster pace.

I am Tiger Woods - Originally Published in

A young man approached me about assisting him with his game. He was tall, athletic, Asian, and had a pretty sweet swing. After watching some shots you couldn’t help but notice that many of his mannerisms mirrored that of Tiger Woods. I’m not saying that he hit it like Tiger, but you could just tell he was a big fan and he obviously spent hours watching Tiger move.