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Set the ball down with the line pointing up. Then the goal is to hit the ball in the center of the face with the path correct so the line rolls perfectly. If the line wobbles then either the path of the face are off. To control distance you need to be able to roll the ball. If it is off learn to roll the line first. Trail arm is a big part of the stroke us it first.

ROLL THE LINE

A Malaska Golf Member has been having problems with the mental side of the golf game and reached out to Mike for advice on how to get mentally tougher. Mike looks at how strategy playing the golf course can help with the mental side of the game and having the right mindset. Find a shot you are comfortable taking and know that you could make that same shot seven times out of ten. The key is once you find that shot, be aggressive with it. Golf becomes whoever mishits the ball best wins at every level. The game is about your misses, not your hits.

Strategy- Mental Game

Fewer than 2 or 3 people I have worked with have had a correct grip. A correct grip is one that fits you and your body. Everything in golf is done with your hands so having a correct grip is critical.

Introduction to Grip

Brian Gott, a Malaska Certified Coach, is tackling the Ask Mikes this week. A Malaska Golf Member has a question about how you affect trajectory based on the right hand coming through at impact. The member wants to know if he will hit the ground fat and thin.Brian says the most important thing when you take practice swings is to look where the club bottoms out. This helps you determine ball position and the low point of the swing. Once you have done that, you can work on trajectories.Make sure to keep your right shoulder level. Don’t let the shoulder dip down, especially if trying to hit the ball low. This will tend to ground the club out behind the ball. Now that Brain has figured out the low point of his swing, he can make normal trajectory shots.Brian hits a low and a high shot with just one hand, ensuring the shoulders are level. Then he moves to holding the club with two hands.If you want to hit a really low shot, move the ball back in your stance and ensure your knuckles are behind the ball. It will come out lower and release.Play around with different trajectories, but make sure your right shoulder doesn’t dip down.

Trajectory at Impact

Hi, I’m Mike Malaska, and I’m here with Billy Fitzgerald and Brian Gott to talk about some Ask Mike's questions. We have an incredible team of instructors who work with us—Julie Yang, Pepe Cortez, Matt Baker, Doug Roberts, and others. They’ve all been through the M-System and truly understand what these Ask Mike's are about.I personally review most of the questions, and you can trust our team to provide accurate answers. This isn’t complicated. Over time, we’ve noticed that questions tend to become consistent people are often dealing with the same challenges. Whether it’s me or one of our instructors answering, you’re always going to get the right guidance.The Ask Mike's section is also a great place for you to voice your questions. It helps us as teachers because it shows us what people might be missing in their lessons. Interestingly, I’ve found that many people don’t ask their questions during lessons. Instead, they’ll email later and say, “I wanted to ask you this.” My response? “Why didn’t you ask me during the lesson?” Probably because they know I would’ve made them do it!Anyway, Ask Mike's is an excellent feature of the site. Our instructors are just as good as I am at addressing your concerns. So, send in your questions—you’ll be well taken care of. Now, let’s dive into today’s question.Hi, I’m Brian Gott, a Malaska Golf Certified Coach, and I’m here to answer a question for Ask Mike's. This one comes from Tom Thornalley, and it’s something we hear all the time—at least once per lesson!Tom asks about the impact drill and whether it’s valuable to use with the driver.Tom, let me share what Mike always says when we hear this question: “Should I do this with the driver?” His response is, “Only if you want to hit it well.”The impact drill is vital because it helps you feel what it’s like to be in the proper impact position. To practice this, start by getting into the impact position. Remember, it’s not about getting the hands forward—it’s about moving the hips out of the way, something we emphasize a lot in the M-System.Here’s how to practice: Get into the impact position, stay there, and make a small swing. By starting from impact, you’re already in the correct spot.Repeat this drill—impact, impact, and then a little swing. As you work on it, you’ll develop a feel for the correct impact position, and your overall swing will improve significantly. Keep practicing, and remember, the impact drill works with every club—including the driver.

Impact Drill With A Driver

The ability to see the correct line and start the ball down the line is critical in putting. Practicing on a chalk line to learn how to start the ball down your intended line is a basic skill. Once you can do that. Then it is how well do you see line when the line is not there.

SEEING THE CORRECT TARGET LINE

Putting is about a number of skills. One, how well do you see line. How do your hands go on the putter. What is the correct set up. How to make the line roll. Then once you have these down how do you maintain and continue to develop your skills.

PUTTING REVIEW

Here we are with Ask Mike. I'm joined by Brian Gott and Billy Fitzgerald. Today's question comes from John Geraldo, who wants to know: Billy, when does a chip become a pitch?
That's an interesting concept for most people, and I think a lot of golfers have different ideas about it. I believe we're mostly on the same page, though. So, Billy, why don't you help him understand? When does a chip become a pitch?
First, let&rsquo;s define what a chip is and how it feels. Putting and chipping are almost identical, with a slight difference in ball position and the way we approach the ball.
For a chip shot, I use my putting grip. The ball is positioned slightly farther back in my stance, and I lean forward to ensure I catch the ball on the downward part of the strike. I can only make a certain length of swing with this setup before it starts to feel uncomfortable.
For me, that limit is about hip-high to hip-high. Any longer than that, and I feel like I have to involve my body more, which becomes uncomfortable. That&rsquo;s when it transitions into a pitch for me.
With a pitch shot, I need to generate more speed in the club, so I change my grip. I move from my putting grip to a pitching grip, which is closer to my full-swing grip but still slightly in the palm. This grip change allows my hands to work more, and it enables my body to pivot naturally, giving me the speed I need.
Let&rsquo;s go through both techniques:
For the chip shot, the ball is back in my stance. I lean forward slightly and make a putting motion. For the pitch shot, if I need to go a bit farther, I change my grip to a pitching grip. This allows for a little wrist hinge and some body motion, which adds speed to the club.
The difference between a chip and a pitch varies for each golfer. It comes down to when the chip motion feels uncomfortable or insufficient for the required shot. That&rsquo;s when you need to add speed by adjusting your grip and motion.
So, to sum it up, when you feel a chip is no longer sufficient for the shot, change your grip, add some speed, and transition into a pitch. That should help clarify the difference and improve your short game.

Chip vs. Pitch Key Differences

The latest additions to the Ask Malaska Golf Collection.

Ask Malaska Golf-What's New

SMASH FACTOR-TEE DRILL

M5 focuses on refining practice techniques, emphasizing purposeful routines, dynamic balance, and drills like "L to L" for wrist hinge and body rotation. The series incorporates obstacles, exaggerations, and time management to provide immediate feedback and ensure progress. Starting at the putting green, players connect short-game fundamentals to the full swing, creating a complete and efficient practice regimen.