For golfers of all degrees of skill

The average golfer, when trying for extra distance, attempts to speed up his swing and hit the ball harder and faster with his hands and body. Most of the time when he does this, he hits too soon with his hands and body, and thus destroys the rhythm and tempo of his swing. As a result, he loses both distance and accuracy. Rhythm and tempo must be maintained at all times, even when you're playing the most difficult shot. This is why our star players spend countless hours working on them.

What, then, do these star players do to obtain extra distance? Instead of trying to swing faster and hit the ball harder, they just turn their left shoulder a little bit more to the right on the back-swing than they normally do. It's very much like the pitcher in baseball who reaches back a little farther than usual when he wants to get a little added zip on his fast ball. It gives your muscles that little extra stretch that produces that little extra power without destroying the vital rhythm and even tempo which are so essential to all good golf swings.

from ED DUDLEY, Augusta National Golf Club, Ga.

ILLUSTRATION

Ed Dudley urges golfers to develop rhythm and tempo by practicing them regularly

TWO PHOTOS

NEXT PRO: BETTY JAMESON ON GETTING BACK IN THE GROOVE