Golf tip: Keep connected for 40-yard pitches

Note how Paul Casey stays connected with his forearms

  PGA pro John Hoskison, who plays on the European Seniors Tour, offers some quick tips to help golfers improve their game.

A WEDGE SHOT to the green from 40 yards out and off tight lie, similar to what the pros will find at Turnberry this week, is one of the most difficult shots to execute satisfactorily.

Even the pros avoid this if they can, by laying up to full wedge distance on a par-5, though with the Open championship fairway likely to be running hard and fast that kind of accuracy will be a tough proposition.

The difficulty in the shot comes from the hands becoming overactive, which in turn leads to a poor strike or inconsistent distance control.

A towel trapped against the chest creates the feeling of arms and shoulders working together

Take your favourite pitching club and a towel to the practice ground. When you have hit a few shots, tuck the towel it under both arms and pinned across your chest. CVontinue to hit short pitch shots, using only a half-swing. At first it will feel slightly restricted but soon you will get used to the feel of the shoulders,hands and arms working together. It keeps the swing 'connected'

I'm not taking the cfredit for this exercise, indeed Ben Hogan first introduced it in his classic book 'Modern Fundamentals of golf.'

Sir Nick Faldo famously re-vamped the idea during his time with David Leadbetter but over the last few years, since power has become the dominating force in golf it's an exercise has seems to have been forgotten.

By pinning the arms to the side, combined with the upper body, the work together and keep the hands quiet. Practice this for maybe 20 shots then try to recapture the sensation of a connected swing when pitching normally. Good luck.

John Hoskison is attached to the Newbury Golf Centre and plays on the European Seniors Tour, having earned a conditional card after finishing 10th at Qualifying School at the Pestana. He returned to the UK to rebuild his career in tournament golf after spending time in China, where he was instrumental in the building a driving range for underprivileged children Fuzhou. He won the 2005 Jamega Tour Order of Merit with six victories from 12 starts. For further information visit John's website at www.johnhoskisongolf.com.