Navigation

Keith Williams

Monday, 7 July 2008
Neil Tappin
0 Comments

keith williams

Keith Williams is based near Woodhall Spa in Lincolnshire

Age: 52

Years Coaching: 35

Most Notable Coaching Achievement: Keith first started coaching Scott Drummond when he was 13, taking him through the amateur ranks and onto the European Tour. In 2004, Drummond won the PGA Championship.

Coaching philosophy: I base my coaching around the individuality of each player. Any good coach should have a multi-disciplined approach that focuses on improving a player's technique, mental approach and psychological capabilities.

Best tip: Seek regular professional advice. A good coach will know how to take any golfer to a higher level so invest in the best coaching you can afford. You will reap the rewards.

Fault Fixer

Best tip for curing a slice: My tip is to make practice swings at a slower pace than usual and focus on initiating the downswing by dropping the arms downwards towards the right hip. As the club approaches hip height allow the right forearm to rotate aggressively so that the clubface feels like it’s looking towards the ground …… as you begin to get more comfortable with this action, try hitting shots with the same feeling.

Best tip for curing a hook: Go to the range, try aiming left of the target and feel like you are going to hit a slice shot i.e. the clubface will feel open at impact. Do this until you can shape the ball from left to right reasonably predictably, then progressively begin to square up your stance trying to hit a fade shot. Once you have the clubface more neutral you should be able to turn your hook into more controlled draw shot.

N.B – Slice & Hook …….. although swing path has an influence on the position of the clubface at impact, controlling the clubface is much more significant and must always remain the players first priority when improving ball flight problems.

Lack of power: Usually a lack of power occurs when a golfer fails to get the arms and body working together in harmony so the club is not travelling fast enough to generate a transfer of energy to the ball at impact. Try shortening the swing to about ¾ length and then as the downswing commences focus first on shifting the knees towards the target – this creates a kinetic chain of movement so the hips then follow, then the upper torso, then the arms and hands --- the angle of the wrists and club will be released last of all releasing your ‘stored up’ power.

Best tip for curing the shanks: A simple tip is position another ball about one ball's width outside the one you want to hit. Then practice hitting the inside ball off the toe side of the clubface. Once confidence has returned remove the outside ball and replace it with a tee peg. Continue to hits balls off the toe side of the clubface for a little while longer until you feel happy with the progress made.

How to stop three putting: Most 3 putts are caused by the player making a poor first putt, usually leaving it short. Focus on learning to roll the ball a more consistent distance on the practice putting green, putting to tee pegs or from one edge of the green to the other. If you just can’t improve your longer first putts then focus your efforts on holing everything under 6 feet as you’ll need to make lots of those!

Best course management tip: Good course strategy is about playing to your strengths and endeavouring to avoid the possibility of your weakest shots having to be played very often.
A well struck shot will fly straighter and further than a mishit one so always select one of your favourite clubs or shots even if it means you have to lose a little distance or lay up for safety.
No golfer can avoid getting into trouble so don’t follow a poor shot with a bad decision – be 99% sure to play out of trouble to the best position available for your next shot … you never know you might just hole that one!

Tips for buying new clubs: It is crucial that every player seeks professional advice. Golf professionals have excellent knowledge but it may be best to seek out club fitting specialists or even the manufactures themselves. Whichever you chose ensure that you have access to measuring equipment that will analyse your swing speed, launch angles and spin rates at impact – this info will offer greater access to the appropriate equipment, shaft flex, loft and lie angles that suit your swing.

Who to follow on Tour: Having coached on the European Tour for the last 4 years I’ve had great access to all the players and have been able to watch them play and practice at close quarters. One player whose game would be worth watching for most club golfers is that of Christian Cavaer of France. He’s not long off the tee, averaging about 263 yards in 2008, he hits about 64% of fairways and 63% of greens but he’s a very consistent scorer mainly due to his wonderful short game and putting performances. But most of all why I believe he’s worth watching is to observe his simple and effective swing action. It’s not dynamic like Tiger but is flowing with great rhythm and balance.