High-handicap golfers make the rough rougher than it really is. Some try to “help” the ball out with a sweeping motion, only to have the grass grab the clubface and close it, sending the shot low and left. Others hit down, on top of the ball with a karate-chop move that barely advances the ball forward. If this is your problem, here is some help: Just set up for a fade which will bring the clubface down on a steeper yet controlled outside-in path, thus producing cleaner contact and a soft-landing cut shot. And remember these three things: 1. Open clubface, ...

“Hit against a firm left side” is a classic piece of swing advice that many golfers misinterpret. They think it means that the left knee should be stiff and straight during the downswing- a mistake that forces tension into the leg, halts hip rotation, prevents proper weight shift to the left side, and destroys clubhead speed. At impact, either the left arm collapses (Fore left!) or the hands don’t release (Fore right!). Not pretty. Ernie Els had to miss the 2005 President’s Cup while recovering from surgery after tearing ligaments in his left knee while tubing in the Mediterranean on a ...