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Anna Rawson
Real Simple
1. Drive
Keep your head still
My best finishes on the LPGA Tour have come when I’ve played thinking about one thing: keeping my head steady. I know it moves laterally a bit, but trying to keep it in place helps me make a smooth swing—and it gives me the best chance of hitting the ball flush. Think about it: If you make a wild swing, there’s no way you’re keeping your head still.

With the driver, I set up with my head behind the ball and try to make sure it doesn’t move ahead of it. If you look at the best players in the world, their head movement is so quiet.

I really think this is crucial to hitting the narrowest fairways. Try it if you need more control off the tee.

2. Iron
Finish your follow-through

Over the years my accuracy with the irons has gotten better because I’ve learned to finish my follow-through. What does that mean? Well, anyone can make a bad swing and then pose the finish, but you can’t fake a good follow-through (right).

If I commit to swinging through the ball and extending my club down the target line, the ball goes where I want it to go. I like to feel as if everything is moving toward the target. This helps me maintain my extension—no wrist breakdown—and leads to better consistency. So don’t quit after impact. Finish that follow-through.

 

3. Pitch
Keep your hands moving

Ilove to hit those low-flying pitch shots that hit the green and check up after a couple of bounces. They are so much fun to play, and it always gives the gallery a thrill.

To execute this shot, I set up with my weight mostly on my front foot and the face of the wedge slightly open. But the real key—for any pitch shot, actually—is to accelerate through the ball. I know it’s hard to convince yourself to make a firm swing for a short shot like a pitch, but if you keep your hands moving through the shot, you’ll compress the ball and create backspin for quick stopping on the green.

If you’re having trouble accelerating, try making a compact backswing, which promotes acceleration on the downswing.

BIO
Third-year pro is setting her sights high
Anna Rawson started playing golf at age 13, motivated by hopes of meeting her brother’s “cute friends” at a local country club in her native Australia. But it didn’t take her long to realize she had a knack for the sport. Now going into her third season on the LPGA Tour, Rawson, 28, says she has never been more driven to be one of the game’s elite players. “For me, it’s all about the short game. I was always a pretty good ball-striker, but now my wedges are getting really good, too. I feel more confident every day.”

That confidence was evident when she shot 64 in the first round of the CN Canadian Women’s Open last September. Rawson says that gives her hope that her first LPGA Tour victory is not far off.

Her thoughts of life as a tour pro started back in 2003, her junior year at the University of Southern California, when she finished T-11 in the NCAA Championship to help the Trojans win the national title. “That was the event that really made me want to be a pro. And here I am.”

 

 

 

From Golf Digest Singapore Feb 2010 issue

   

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