Allen Merryman - Torrey Pines Golf Pro

LEARN FROM THE PRO

Well known as a short game specialist, Allen enjoys showing golfers how to read the greens. You’ll receive expert instruction on visualizing the terrain, the feel of the rough and just how much roll to anticipate. He teachers you how to get around the green and develop a feel for the right put.

RATES AND FEES

ADULT PRIVATE LESSONS
One Hour	$90
Series of Six Hours	$450
JUNIOR PRIVATE LESSONS
One Hour	$60
Series of Six Hours	$300

FULL SWING:

This pre-shot routine helps develop a consistent swing. (Right hand approach)

1. Ball position: For the sand wedge through 8-iron, ball goes in the middle of your stance. For driver, 7-iron and fairway woods, place ball inside left heel.
2. Balance: Start with your weight evenly distributed. During the back swing, shift 80% of your weight to the right foot.
3. Back Swing: Right elbow is close to the body and left arm is straight. Keep your head down and eyes on the ball.
4. Forward Swing: As you accelerate, smoothly transfer weight from right foot to left. Sweep ball off the grass or tee and follow through over the shoulder. Don’t lift your head or take your eyes off the ball until after impact.

PUTTING:

Bend knees slightly, position the ball to the left of your stance with your eyes over the ball. Let the arms hang straight down from the shoulders as you swing straight back and straight through the target line in a pendulum motion. It is essential the stroke is smooth with the same amount of back swing and follow through to keep your body still.

CHIPPING:

The chip shot has little airtime and more roll – good when you are close to the green. Club selection depends on how far you need the ball to roll.

Your hands are a bit lower down the grip for improved club control and hands are a bit ahead of the clubface. The ball is played on the back of your stance using a 7, 8 or 9 iron. Use a short back swing, playing it like a long putt. Wrists stay firm with a steady back and forward stroke. With practice comes distance control.

PITCHING:

The pitch shot has more airtime and little roll so it can go over a bunker, pond or hill to land on the green. Use a lob wedge or sand wedge to get maximum height and spin so the ball sits down on the ground and stops quickly. Use your regular golf grip placing the ball in the middle of your stance between your feet. The hands are forward allowing the club to accelerate down and through for a good launch.

BUNKER SHOT:

A green side bunker shot uses the sand wedge or lob wedge to pitch the ball out of the bunker. Ball position is inside the left foot, hands are straight up and not forward. Blasting the ball out of the bunker with a full swing that hits the sand about two inches behind the ball will usually get the ball out. Don’t hit the ball with the club. Try to accelerate the swing downward and through the sand. Visualize taking a divot out of the bunker.

A fairway bunker shot is used when you are far from the green. Use a club that allows you to clear the lip of the bunker and get the most distance. It’s best to use a lower-lofted club such as a 3, 4 or 5 iron. Clean contact is essential. Hit the ball first, "picking" it cleanly for a good advance toward the green.

ETIQUETTE:

How you act on the golf course is as important to the game as your swing. Golf etiquette and rules are spelled out on the USGA website: http://www.usga.org/playing/rules/rules.html

Study them before you show up for that first tee time. Among the most common mistakes for beginners: Walking on the lines of an opponent’s ball that is on the green, playing out of order, talking while someone is hitting a shot and playing too slow.

ALLEN'S TIPS