Which of these looks like I’m going to hit a good one?

So let’s get back to fast arms, slow hands. Get it right, and the shaft leans forward at impact for a downward strike that compresses the ball. You also get centre face contact with the face squaring naturally, as opposed to too much trail-hand action, which can rotate the face closed too early or flip it upward through impact. In short, when the arms lead, it means better contact, less curve and more distance.

Here’s a great swing thought: Make your lead arm beat the clubhead to the ball, with your lead wrist flat or even a little bowed. That’s how you keep the hands passive and put maximum punch into the shot. —WITH PETER MORRICE

BONUS TIP
Anytime is a good time to review how you practice. Do you work on things that translate to better play? Don’t just bang drivers into a wide-open range or chip to one flag from perfect lies. Your practice should simulate playing golf.

Take the driver. I want you to practice hitting wild slices and hooks, so you get a feel for what makes the ball curve. Change your grip, swing to the left, swing to the right. Then figure out what you need to do to take away some curve. For slicers, that might mean a stronger grip or making more body turn during the backswing. Do some self-discovery. You’ll be better equipped to fix those curveballs on the course.

The post FAST ARMS, SLOW HANDS: Michael Breed’s quick tip will help you make contact like a tour pro appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

By E. Michael Johnson
A number of equipment manufacturers and other stakeholders in the game have stepped up with charitable efforts in the age of COVID-19. Among them is Titleist, which has one of the more impressive fundraising efforts with its auction that ends Thursday at 9 p.m.

The highlight of the auction is the Jim Nantz Pebble Beach Experience. The Experience starts with Nantz joining your foursome for breakfast at The Gallery, close by the first tee, before moving to a pre-round putting contest with Nantz. Once on the first tee at Pebble Beach, Nantz will announce (and record for posterity) your appearance. After the round at Pebble, your foursome will head to Nantz’s home for a cocktail hour that will include a special “Our Tribute” bottle of wine from Nantz’s wine cellar, as well as the ability to take a few swings on Nantz’s back-yard par 3, which replicates Pebble’s seventh hole.

Ace the hole and get your name added to the “Rock of Fame” where the previous 16 acers are enshrined. No ace? The one hitting it closest to the pin receives a custom set of Titleist clubs. As of now the high bid is $42,000.

Though the Nantz Experience is perhaps the most notable, there are plenty of other enticing auctions (current bid in parens). Golf for three at Lake Nona with Ian Poulter ($20,000); Golf for two with Justin Thomas and his father, Mike at Medalist Golf Club with a pre-round lesson from Mike, who is a PGA professional ($35,000).

If you’re an equipment geek, perhaps the Scotty Cameron Experience ($19,250) or Bob Vokey Experience ($10,000) will appeal to you. There are instruction packages from Butch Harmon and Michael Breed as well, among many other auctions. You can make a bid on any of these by clicking here.

If you don’t have that kind of scratch lying around, you’re not out of luck. There is also a sweepstakes component that gives you and two friends a chance to play with Webb Simpson at Pinehurst No. 2, along with a post-round lunch with Simpson; a one-night stay for each at the Carolina Hotel; a round at The Cradle, Pinehurst’s nine-hole short course designed by the Gil Hanse, and a gift certificate for dinner at the Pinehurst Brewing Company. Four other winners will receive gift packages. Ticket purchases start at $25 for 10 tickets up to 60 tickets for $100. You can enter the sweepstakes by clicking here.

Already, the auction and sweepstakes have raised more than $200,000. All of the proceeds will benefit three relief efforts: the CDP COVID-19 Response Fund; The United Way chapters of Greater New Bedford and San Diego County (to support the local communities where the majority of the Titleist and FootJoy U.S. employees work) and the Golf Emergency Relief Fund. Click here for more.

The post Now’s your chance to play Jim Nantz’s back-yard par 3, one of the best items in Titleist’s auctions for COVID-19 appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.