‘Don’t kill a fly when you’re playing.’ Here is what he said

Welcome to Shaving Strokes, the GOLF.com series where we share the progress, lessons learned and takeaways from novice golfers like you — including the speed bumps and challenges they’ve faced along the way.

There is a lot of golf instruction out there from many different people, all of whom have helpful tips to share, but one of my all-time favorite people to listen to about golf is Lee Trevino.

Not only is 84-year-old Trevino a six-time major champion – so he knows what he’s talking about – but he’s also very entertaining and easy to understand when giving tips to novice golfers.

Sure, there are some people who learn better by talking about technique and feeling the difference between a club’s path at 32 degrees versus 28 degrees, but that’s not me. I need to visualize something in order to use it – then I can be successful as soon as I do.

So the fact that a golfer like Trevino keeps things relaxed with his golf education is always a welcome sight.

And it doesn’t get much simpler or more unusual than Trevino comparing angle of attack and flies – which is what Trevino offers in today’s tutorial.

This tip from Lee Trevino will help you determine your angle of attack

In the video above, from GOLF Teacher to Watch (and Short Game Chef) Parker McLachlin, Trevino talks about what the angle of attack should look like in the short game, and how he chooses to control the club’s path.

In true Trevino fashion, he compares swinging a golf club to swatting flies at a table.

“Say you have two flies on the table, and you have a fly in your hand and you’re going to kill one,” Trevino tells McLachlin.

Both Trevino and McLachlin then demonstrated how to try to kill the fly, going straight down with the hand – but that’s not the angle of attack Trevino suggests using, and he says that sweeping instead of coming uphill is the best way to hit shots.

“Say, for example, that fly was there and I tried to tell you to swing at that fly, but I want you to hit it against the wall,” Trevino added.

“I wasn’t going to hit the floor, I was going to sweep it,” McLachlin replied.

“Never kill a fly when you’re playing golf,” exclaims Trevino. “Never kill a fly!”

While there’s been a lot of debate about steep vs. shallow in the short game, using this visual from Trevino should help players of all levels hit sharp shots that sit close to the pin.

It may seem like simple advice, but by following Trevino’s tip here, it gives you a new way to think about your angle of attack.

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Nick Dimengo

Golf.com Editor