The 2008 Memorial Golf Tournament & Video Tips

The 2008 Memorial leader board after the 2nd round:

• Kenny Perry -7
• Matthew Goggin -7
• Jerry Kelly -6
• Luke Donald -5
• Geoff Ogilvie -4

It must have been tough conditions in the second round as no player from the top 10 shot in the 60’s. It will be interesting to see what is in store for the weekend if those conditions keep up. Major championship mentality will help players stay patient and grind out pars. Pars may be the winning formula for this year’s Memorial. Either way, the weekend will be great golf. This is a great tournament, on a great course, with a legend for a host.

Kenny Perry

He is determined to make this year’s Ryder Cup team. He certainly has been proving himself worthy with his play over the last month. A win at the 2008 Memorial would certainly help his cause. He is certainly in position as a two time winner of this event and the current leader.

Kenny’s back swing is a little different. It actually uses the same principles as most swings but his sequence is opposite. He uses all arms and shoulders to start his back swing and then turns his shoulders and core to finish it off.

Now…we are going to focus on his follow through. Perry does a great job releasing the club through his shot. Watch how his left arm stays close to his body. I like to say that ‘no air gets into his armpit’. Air can get in when your arm pulls away from its socket. That makes it impossible to have the club naturally release. When you do that you end up hitting the ball with a glancing blow, instead of a proper strike.

Keep your upper left arm close to your body and that will help your right hand roll over your left. You want to have the roll complete as your right arm gets parallel to the ground.

Luke Donald

The best ball strikers keep their head really still through the shot. Luke Donald is no exception. He does a great job of keeping his head still through the back swing, impact and follow through. It is a great to watch. Check out this video and watch how he does it this weekend. It is something we should all try to do.

Think of your club being attached to your head. If you move your head with your body on the back swing it is going to get your club off line. You will have to make an extra move to compensate or else you will miss the ball at impact. That is just too hard to repeat consistently. If your head moves up or down during your downswing you will either top it or hit the ground behind the ball. Neither of which will result in a great shot.

When you watch Donald you can tell right away if he is playing well. If he head stays still he will flag hunt all day. However, from time to time his head sways a little on his back swing. If he does that he will start losing shots off line. Hopefully he can keep steady for a run at the trophy.

I hope you enjoy the rest of the 2008 Memorial Tournament hosted by Morgan Stanley. Good luck with your practicing, playing, and watching. May you “Play Your Golf Dreams” sooner with the help of free-golf-lesson.com.

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