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Big Play With CRAIG SHANKLAND

Ryan Palmer hit a power fade to take the trouble out of play on the 72nd hole and clinch his first PGA Tour win

ANALYSIS

RYAN PALMER is the latest in a growing list of winners who rely on a shut-face fade. He hits it by shutting the club face in the backswing, swinging with his upper body--not his arms--and holding the face open after impact. The result? He can fire away knowing that any trouble on the left is out of play. That's what he did on the par4 18th tee on Sunday. Despite trees on the left that often bedevil players when the pressure is on, Palmer confidently hit driver and found the garden spot: the righthand side of the fairway, 318 yards away.

THE TIP

Get a Grip on a Shut-Faced Fade

TO PLAY A shut-faced fade, take a strong grip (inset), with the left thumb to the right of the shaft. (You should see at least three knuckles on your left hand.) This produces a closed club face during the backswing. Swing the club with the upper body and the arms, and do not break your wrists through impact. The back of your left hand should be pointing up during the follow-through.

AND ANOTHER THING ...

" THE THEORY THAT marriage will adversely affect Tiger's game is the stupidest thing I've ever heard. Getting married will make Woods better."

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" THE PGA TOUR shouldn't force Ernie Els to play more in the U.S. He's an international player who has earned the right to pick and choose his tournaments."

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" MICHELLE WIE should skip college and turn pro. She knows she can beat those college girls, so, not counting the education, what's the point?"

Craig Shankland teaches at LPGA International in Daytona Beach and is a Golf Magazine Top 100 Teacher.

COLOR PHOTO

ERICK W. RASCO (SHANKLAND, 3)

COLOR PHOTOMONTAGE

ERICK W. RASCO (SHANKLAND, 3); JIM GUND (BACKGROUND)

"Hold on" through impact

COLOR PHOTOMONTAGE

ERICK W. RASCO (SHANKLAND, 3); JIM GUND (BACKGROUND)

STRONG GRIP

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COURTESY OF ABC (PALMER)