TOP 50 TEACHER Ian Clark

World of Golf, New Malden. Advanced Fellow of

the PGA. Master Professional at World of Golf.

LANGER’S 2019
SEASON BY NUMBERS
Driving distance: 272.6 yards (33rd)
Greens in regulation: 71.26% (T4th)
Putts per round: 29.12 (T15th)
Scoring average: 69.5 (3rd)
Role model...
2019 Schwab Cup ranking: 5th
BERNHARD
LANGER
ell, what can you say about
W Bernhard Langer? Now aged 62,
he is still averaging below 70 on
America‘s Champions Tour – a money
list he headed in 2018, earning more
TRAIL SIDE
WORKS UNDER, NOT than $2m. This year he is hardly faring
OUTWARD any worse, winning his fourth Senior
Take a look at Bernhard’s arms. His Open Championship plus the Oasis title
trail, right arm is behind and under his lead to be placed 5th on the 2019 money
arm. A key to delivering the club to the ball list. Since 2012, Langer has finished in
correctly, this position highlights how his the top 10 an astonishing 121 times.
right shoulder is working under somewhat. Clearly fitness and mental attitude help
Think of it like a boxer producing an such longevity and consistency; but
uppercut, rather than a hook. Try to sense Langer has never deviated from a
you are throwing a ball underarm, a technique he knows and trusts;
great feel for your right shoulder indeed, his swing today is barely
coming down. distinguishable from its 1980s
and 90s heyday. Here are four
things you can learn from
one of golf’s most reliable
actions...

CHEST FACES THE

BALL THROUGH IMPACT
Bernhard’s hips have opened up a bit,
not dramatically, but his chest is still
facing the ball. This is great impact, one
that allows him to get his arms in the ideal
delivery for the club. Imagine a torchlight
shining from your shirt buttons; at impact BODY REACTS TO
focus on having the torchlight pointing THE SWINGING CLUB
at the ball. This will help prevent Note the quietness of Bernhard’s
excessive spinning of the right or trail foot. It is being pulled
upper body. gently from the ground. This highlights
how the movement of the arms is causing
the body to move, with the body simply
reacting to the golf club. A good sign is
the trail knee moving towards the
LEAD HAND target, not out in front of you. This
KNUCKLES POINT DOWN promotes a gentle rolling of the
Most amateurs would have the foot onto the instep
glove badge pointing to the sky by this through the ball.
stage, but Bernhard’s glove is pointing
more at the ground, or at least no higher
than the flag. Get the knuckles of your
lead hand facing down at impact and
this will create a slightly forward
leaning club shaft and the ball/
turf contact Bernhard
delivers here.

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