Your DRIVER may not always be the smartest club to tee off with
-- even on long par 5s.
That's right.
Now before you snap that driver over your knee, hear me out.
Most high handicap players see a par 5 as a "long way to go",
so they immediately grab for the big-dog and try to get as much
distance as possible.
If he can't hit his driver well -- that's where the trouble
starts.
Yet the smart player breaks the hole down into logical pieces
and starts considering his options. Where are the hazards? What
club are you hitting well? How many beers have your drank?
Okay... think about it this way.
Let's say you're facing a 450-yard par 5. Let's also assume
that you can hit your 7 iron clean and straight 150 yards. That
means -- technically -- you could simply hit your 7-iron 3
times and be on the green and putting for birdie. Making birdie
on a par 5 with nothing but a 7-iron and a putter!
Not I'm not saying you don't need a driver. Of course you do.
My point is that you actually need to start thinking about
smart options.
Friday, December 7, 2007
Friday, November 30, 2007
The Rules of Golf
Don't buy a putter until you've had a chance to throw it.
Never try to keep more than 300 separate thoughts in your mind during your swing.
When your shot has to carry over a water hazard, you can either hit one more club or two more balls.
If you're afraid a full shot might reach the green while the foursome ahead of you is still putting out, you have two options: you can immediately shank a lay-up or you can wait until the green is clear and top a ball halfway there.
The less skilled the player, the more likely he is to share his ideas about the golf swing.
No matter how bad you are playing, it is always possible to play worse.
The inevitable result of any golf lesson is the instant elimination of the one critical unconscious motion that allowed you to compensate for all of your many other errors.
If it ain't broke, try changing your grip.
Everyone replaces his divot after a perfect approach shot.
A golf match is a test of your skill against your opponents' luck.
It is surprisingly easy to hole a fifty foot putt ...........for a 10.
Counting on your opponent to inform you when he breaks a rule is like expecting him to make fun of his own haircut.
Nonchalant putts count the same as chalant putts
It's not a gimme if you're still away.
The shortest distance between any two points on a golf course is a straight line that passes directly through the center of a very large tree.
There are two kinds of bounces; unfair bounces and bounces just the way you meant to play it.
You can hit a two acre fairway 10% of the time and a two inch branch 90% of the time.
If you really want to get better at golf, go back and take it up at a much earlier age.
Since bad shots come in groups of three, a fourth bad shot is actually the beginning of the next group of three.
When you look up, causing an awful shot, you will always look down again at exactly the moment when you ought to start watching the ball if you ever want to see it again.
Every time a golfer makes a birdie, he must subsequently make two triple bogeys to restore the fundamental equilibrium of the universe.
If you want to hit a 7 iron as far as Tiger Woods does, simply try to lay up just short of a water hazard.
To calculate the speed of a player's downswing, multiply the speed of his back-swing by his handicap; i.e., back-swing 20 mph, handicap 15, downswing = 300 mph.
There are two things you can learn by stopping your back-swing at the top and checking the position of your hands: how many hands you have, and which one is wearing the glove.
Hazards attract; fairways repel.
You can put a draw on the ball, you can put a fade on the ball, but no golfer can pu t a straight on the ball.
A ball you can see in the rough from 50 yards away is not yours.
If there is a ball on the fringe and a ball in the bunker, your ball is in the bunker. If both balls are in the bunker, yours is in the footprint
It's easier to get up at 6:00 AM to play golf than at 10:00 to mow the yard
Sometimes it seems as though your cup move'th over.
A good drive on the 18th hole has stopped many a golfer from giving up the game.
Golf is the perfect thing to do on Sunday because you always end up having to pray a lot.
A good golf partner is one who's always slightly worse than you are...that's why I get so many calls to play with friends.
That rake by the sand trap is there for golfers who feel guilty about skipping out on lawn work.
If there's a storm rolling in, you'll be having the game of your life.
Golf balls are like eggs. They're white. They're sold by the dozen. And you need to buy fresh ones each week.
A pro-shop gets its name from the fact that you have to have the income of a professional golfer to buy anything in there.
It's amazing how a golfer who never helps out around the house will replace his divots, repair his ball marks, and rake his sand traps.
If your opponent has trouble remembering whether he shot a six or a seven, he probably shot an eight (or worse).
You probably wouldn't look good in a green jacket anyway! A sweatshirt will do just fine.
Never try to keep more than 300 separate thoughts in your mind during your swing.
When your shot has to carry over a water hazard, you can either hit one more club or two more balls.
If you're afraid a full shot might reach the green while the foursome ahead of you is still putting out, you have two options: you can immediately shank a lay-up or you can wait until the green is clear and top a ball halfway there.
The less skilled the player, the more likely he is to share his ideas about the golf swing.
No matter how bad you are playing, it is always possible to play worse.
The inevitable result of any golf lesson is the instant elimination of the one critical unconscious motion that allowed you to compensate for all of your many other errors.
If it ain't broke, try changing your grip.
Everyone replaces his divot after a perfect approach shot.
A golf match is a test of your skill against your opponents' luck.
It is surprisingly easy to hole a fifty foot putt ...........for a 10.
Counting on your opponent to inform you when he breaks a rule is like expecting him to make fun of his own haircut.
Nonchalant putts count the same as chalant putts
It's not a gimme if you're still away.
The shortest distance between any two points on a golf course is a straight line that passes directly through the center of a very large tree.
There are two kinds of bounces; unfair bounces and bounces just the way you meant to play it.
You can hit a two acre fairway 10% of the time and a two inch branch 90% of the time.
If you really want to get better at golf, go back and take it up at a much earlier age.
Since bad shots come in groups of three, a fourth bad shot is actually the beginning of the next group of three.
When you look up, causing an awful shot, you will always look down again at exactly the moment when you ought to start watching the ball if you ever want to see it again.
Every time a golfer makes a birdie, he must subsequently make two triple bogeys to restore the fundamental equilibrium of the universe.
If you want to hit a 7 iron as far as Tiger Woods does, simply try to lay up just short of a water hazard.
To calculate the speed of a player's downswing, multiply the speed of his back-swing by his handicap; i.e., back-swing 20 mph, handicap 15, downswing = 300 mph.
There are two things you can learn by stopping your back-swing at the top and checking the position of your hands: how many hands you have, and which one is wearing the glove.
Hazards attract; fairways repel.
You can put a draw on the ball, you can put a fade on the ball, but no golfer can pu t a straight on the ball.
A ball you can see in the rough from 50 yards away is not yours.
If there is a ball on the fringe and a ball in the bunker, your ball is in the bunker. If both balls are in the bunker, yours is in the footprint
It's easier to get up at 6:00 AM to play golf than at 10:00 to mow the yard
Sometimes it seems as though your cup move'th over.
A good drive on the 18th hole has stopped many a golfer from giving up the game.
Golf is the perfect thing to do on Sunday because you always end up having to pray a lot.
A good golf partner is one who's always slightly worse than you are...that's why I get so many calls to play with friends.
That rake by the sand trap is there for golfers who feel guilty about skipping out on lawn work.
If there's a storm rolling in, you'll be having the game of your life.
Golf balls are like eggs. They're white. They're sold by the dozen. And you need to buy fresh ones each week.
A pro-shop gets its name from the fact that you have to have the income of a professional golfer to buy anything in there.
It's amazing how a golfer who never helps out around the house will replace his divots, repair his ball marks, and rake his sand traps.
If your opponent has trouble remembering whether he shot a six or a seven, he probably shot an eight (or worse).
You probably wouldn't look good in a green jacket anyway! A sweatshirt will do just fine.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Friday, November 16, 2007
Trouble From Tight Lies
You're just 50 yards from the green -- inside that dreaded
"tight-lie" zone. In other words, it's too close for a full
pitch shot and too far away for a simple chip shot. Suddenly
you begin get concerned about the difficult "finess" required
to perform that 1/4 sand wedge swing. You start to remember all
the chunked shots that went less than 10-inches and the 80-yard
sculled "worm burners" that fired straight over the green.
Your golf buddies begin to laugh out loud while rubbing their
hands in glee. But hold on... no need to panic. For these tight
lie shots the solution is easier than you'd think.
It's critical that you catch the back of the ball first, then
take a divot -- NEVER the other way around. Your divot on these
shots should always be in front of where your ball layed.
1.) Setup slightly open with your stance...
2.) Have the ball back in your stance so the shaft naturally
leans forward with your hands ahead...
3.) Look at the FRONT of the ball and just turn back and
through.
You'll be surprised to discover that the ball will pop off the
clubface with the proper spin on it. It's not big and dramatic
-- and rarely does this result in trumpets and dancing girls --
but it's how you'll get it on the green and near the hole
without a lot of trouble. That's how you'll save par... drain
more birdie putts... and wipe that smile off their faces. You
can thank me later.
"tight-lie" zone. In other words, it's too close for a full
pitch shot and too far away for a simple chip shot. Suddenly
you begin get concerned about the difficult "finess" required
to perform that 1/4 sand wedge swing. You start to remember all
the chunked shots that went less than 10-inches and the 80-yard
sculled "worm burners" that fired straight over the green.
Your golf buddies begin to laugh out loud while rubbing their
hands in glee. But hold on... no need to panic. For these tight
lie shots the solution is easier than you'd think.
It's critical that you catch the back of the ball first, then
take a divot -- NEVER the other way around. Your divot on these
shots should always be in front of where your ball layed.
1.) Setup slightly open with your stance...
2.) Have the ball back in your stance so the shaft naturally
leans forward with your hands ahead...
3.) Look at the FRONT of the ball and just turn back and
through.
You'll be surprised to discover that the ball will pop off the
clubface with the proper spin on it. It's not big and dramatic
-- and rarely does this result in trumpets and dancing girls --
but it's how you'll get it on the green and near the hole
without a lot of trouble. That's how you'll save par... drain
more birdie putts... and wipe that smile off their faces. You
can thank me later.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Add Power to Your Golf Swing
This one's about power -- and why "little old ladies" may be currently outdriving you.
Okay... here are the two key "weak links" in your power chain. Pay attention to this, because this is solid golf info that'll stop you from losing power in your swing.
First (and this is a big one), your left shoulder area must be relaxed -- all the way through the swing. Because ANY tension in your shoulder area muscles (your trapezoids and deltoids if you want to get all technical), will block the flow of energy coming from the feet up through the body. In fact, tension will always stifle the flow of power, so you want to stay calm, loose, and tension free.
Second... your wrists should be "loose as a goose" -- or "oily" as some pros put it. The idea is that you want your wrists to natually cock and uncock like well-oiled hinges -- without tension or restriction of any kind. This allows for a full release of your pivot power at just the right moment for monsterous drives. This is how even "little guys" can start hitting 300-yard drives.
Now the BIGGEST reason -- the huge "no-no" -- that keeps most golfers from having loose wrists is thumb pressure. Most golfers are simply squeezing the club grip with their thumbs too tight. Big time rookie mistake.
Instead you should be able to easily pick up your thumbs with no tension throughout the swing. Relaxing your thumbs may initially feel like the club is about to fly outta your hands, but you need to learn to trust it and work through this illusion. Keep the thumb pressure out of your swing, and your wrists will remain flexible and loose for more power.
Okay... here are the two key "weak links" in your power chain. Pay attention to this, because this is solid golf info that'll stop you from losing power in your swing.
First (and this is a big one), your left shoulder area must be relaxed -- all the way through the swing. Because ANY tension in your shoulder area muscles (your trapezoids and deltoids if you want to get all technical), will block the flow of energy coming from the feet up through the body. In fact, tension will always stifle the flow of power, so you want to stay calm, loose, and tension free.
Second... your wrists should be "loose as a goose" -- or "oily" as some pros put it. The idea is that you want your wrists to natually cock and uncock like well-oiled hinges -- without tension or restriction of any kind. This allows for a full release of your pivot power at just the right moment for monsterous drives. This is how even "little guys" can start hitting 300-yard drives.
Now the BIGGEST reason -- the huge "no-no" -- that keeps most golfers from having loose wrists is thumb pressure. Most golfers are simply squeezing the club grip with their thumbs too tight. Big time rookie mistake.
Instead you should be able to easily pick up your thumbs with no tension throughout the swing. Relaxing your thumbs may initially feel like the club is about to fly outta your hands, but you need to learn to trust it and work through this illusion. Keep the thumb pressure out of your swing, and your wrists will remain flexible and loose for more power.
Monday, October 15, 2007
Power Leakage
When it come to getting long straight drives, most average golfers
have one key stumbling block... POWER LEAKAGE. I'm talking about getting "disconnected" from your swing.
You see, most golfers get too eager to hit the ball with the clubhead.
The result is that the wrists breakdown near impact (something the
pros call "throw-away" or leakage). Essentially you've taken a long
lever (your club shaft and arm), and turned it into a weak shorter lever
by breaking your wrists.
So if you don't have a FLAT left wrist and bent right wrist at impact, you
are "throwing" the clubhead at the ball... leaking power... and hitting
weak, inconsistent drives.
Here's a tip: Train your hands where they need to be at impact with
a "one-hand chip shot". Using your right hand only grip the club and
use your pivot to take the club back. As you downswing the clubhead
will naturally "lag" behind. This is a great drill to do in the back yard
with plastic practice balls and it forces you to keep you right wrist
bent at impact.
have one key stumbling block... POWER LEAKAGE. I'm talking about getting "disconnected" from your swing.
You see, most golfers get too eager to hit the ball with the clubhead.
The result is that the wrists breakdown near impact (something the
pros call "throw-away" or leakage). Essentially you've taken a long
lever (your club shaft and arm), and turned it into a weak shorter lever
by breaking your wrists.
So if you don't have a FLAT left wrist and bent right wrist at impact, you
are "throwing" the clubhead at the ball... leaking power... and hitting
weak, inconsistent drives.
Here's a tip: Train your hands where they need to be at impact with
a "one-hand chip shot". Using your right hand only grip the club and
use your pivot to take the club back. As you downswing the clubhead
will naturally "lag" behind. This is a great drill to do in the back yard
with plastic practice balls and it forces you to keep you right wrist
bent at impact.
Friday, September 14, 2007
According to St. Titleist
1. Eighteen holes of match play will teach you more about your foe than 18
years of dealing with him across a desk.
Grantland Rice
2. Golf appeals to the idiot in us and the child.? Just how childlike golf
players become is proven by their frequent inability to count past five.
John Updike
3. It is almost impossible to remember how tragic a place the world is when
one is playing golf.
Robert Lynd
4. If profanity had any influence on the flight of the ball, the game of
golf would be played far better than it is.
Horace G. Hutchinson
5. They say golf is like life, but don't believe them. Golf is more
complicated than that.
Gardner Dickinson
6. If a lot of people gripped a knife and fork as poorly as they do a golf
club, they'd starve to death.
Sam Snead
7. Golf is a day spent in a round of strenuous idleness.
William Wordsworth
8. If you drink, don't drive. Don't even putt.
Dean Martin
9. If you are going to throw a club, it is important to throw it ahead of
you, down the fairway, so you don't have to waste energy going back to pick
it up.
Tommy Bolt
10. Man blames fate for all other accidents, but feels personally
responsible when he makes a hole-in-one.
Bishop Sheen
11. I don't say my golf game is bad, but if I grew tomatoes they'd come up
sliced.
Arnold Palmer
12. My handicap? Woods and irons.
Chris Codiroli
13. The ardent golfer would play Mount Everest if somebody would put a flag
stick on top.
Pete Dye
14. I'm hitting the woods just great; but having a terrible time getting out
of them!
Buddy Hackett
15. The only time my prayers are never answered is playing golf.
Billy Graham
16. If you think it's hard to meet new people, try picking up the wrong golf
ball.
Jack Lemmon
17. Its good sportsmanship to not pick up lost golf balls while they are
still rolling.
Mark Twain
18. Don't play too much golf. Two rounds a day are plenty.
Harry Vardon
19. Golf and sex are the only things you can enjoy without being good at
either of them.
Jimmy DeMaret
20. May thy ball lie in green pastures, and not in still waters.
Ben Hogan
21. If I hit it right, it's a slice. If I hit it left, it's a hook. If I hit
it straight, it's a miracle.
All Us Hackers
22. The difference in golf and government is that in golf you can't improve
your lie.
George Deukmejian
And Finally.
23. Golf is a game invented by the same people who think music comes out of
bagpipes.
Lee Trevino
years of dealing with him across a desk.
Grantland Rice
2. Golf appeals to the idiot in us and the child.? Just how childlike golf
players become is proven by their frequent inability to count past five.
John Updike
3. It is almost impossible to remember how tragic a place the world is when
one is playing golf.
Robert Lynd
4. If profanity had any influence on the flight of the ball, the game of
golf would be played far better than it is.
Horace G. Hutchinson
5. They say golf is like life, but don't believe them. Golf is more
complicated than that.
Gardner Dickinson
6. If a lot of people gripped a knife and fork as poorly as they do a golf
club, they'd starve to death.
Sam Snead
7. Golf is a day spent in a round of strenuous idleness.
William Wordsworth
8. If you drink, don't drive. Don't even putt.
Dean Martin
9. If you are going to throw a club, it is important to throw it ahead of
you, down the fairway, so you don't have to waste energy going back to pick
it up.
Tommy Bolt
10. Man blames fate for all other accidents, but feels personally
responsible when he makes a hole-in-one.
Bishop Sheen
11. I don't say my golf game is bad, but if I grew tomatoes they'd come up
sliced.
Arnold Palmer
12. My handicap? Woods and irons.
Chris Codiroli
13. The ardent golfer would play Mount Everest if somebody would put a flag
stick on top.
Pete Dye
14. I'm hitting the woods just great; but having a terrible time getting out
of them!
Buddy Hackett
15. The only time my prayers are never answered is playing golf.
Billy Graham
16. If you think it's hard to meet new people, try picking up the wrong golf
ball.
Jack Lemmon
17. Its good sportsmanship to not pick up lost golf balls while they are
still rolling.
Mark Twain
18. Don't play too much golf. Two rounds a day are plenty.
Harry Vardon
19. Golf and sex are the only things you can enjoy without being good at
either of them.
Jimmy DeMaret
20. May thy ball lie in green pastures, and not in still waters.
Ben Hogan
21. If I hit it right, it's a slice. If I hit it left, it's a hook. If I hit
it straight, it's a miracle.
All Us Hackers
22. The difference in golf and government is that in golf you can't improve
your lie.
George Deukmejian
And Finally.
23. Golf is a game invented by the same people who think music comes out of
bagpipes.
Lee Trevino
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Trouble with Tight Lies
You're just 50 yards from the green -- inside that dreaded
"tight-lie" zone. In other words, it's too close for a full pitch
shot and too far away for a simple chip shot. Suddenly you begin
get concerned about the difficult "finess" required to perform that
1/4 sand wedge swing. You start to remember all the chunked shots
that went less than 10-inches and the 80-yard sculled "worm
burners" that fired straight over the green.
Your golf buddies begin to laugh out loud while rubbing their hands
in glee. But hold on... no need to panic. For these tight lie shots
the solution is easier than you'd think.
It's critical that you catch the back of the ball first, then take
a divot -- NEVER the other way around. Your divot on these shots
should always be in front of where your ball layed.
1.) Setup slightly open with your stance...
2.) Have the ball back in your stance so the shaft naturally leans
forward with your hands ahead...
3.) Look at the FRONT of the ball and just turn back and through.
You'll be surprised to discover that the ball will pop off the
clubface with the proper spin on it. It's not big and dramatic --
and rarely does this result in trumpets and dancing girls -- but
it's how you'll get it on the green and near the hole without a lot
of trouble. That's how you'll save par... drain more birdie
putts... and wipe that smile off their faces. You can thank me
later.
"tight-lie" zone. In other words, it's too close for a full pitch
shot and too far away for a simple chip shot. Suddenly you begin
get concerned about the difficult "finess" required to perform that
1/4 sand wedge swing. You start to remember all the chunked shots
that went less than 10-inches and the 80-yard sculled "worm
burners" that fired straight over the green.
Your golf buddies begin to laugh out loud while rubbing their hands
in glee. But hold on... no need to panic. For these tight lie shots
the solution is easier than you'd think.
It's critical that you catch the back of the ball first, then take
a divot -- NEVER the other way around. Your divot on these shots
should always be in front of where your ball layed.
1.) Setup slightly open with your stance...
2.) Have the ball back in your stance so the shaft naturally leans
forward with your hands ahead...
3.) Look at the FRONT of the ball and just turn back and through.
You'll be surprised to discover that the ball will pop off the
clubface with the proper spin on it. It's not big and dramatic --
and rarely does this result in trumpets and dancing girls -- but
it's how you'll get it on the green and near the hole without a lot
of trouble. That's how you'll save par... drain more birdie
putts... and wipe that smile off their faces. You can thank me
later.
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Develope a "Pre-Shot Routine"
The key is to develop a consistant pre-shot routine that breaks down into 3-4 simple
parts. Use the same routine on EVERY shot (even on the driving range) to force your
swing to become more automatic... repeatable... and amazingly consistant. Here's what
you'll need to do:
1. Walk into the shot from behind and align with the target...
2. Place club behind ball and take your grip...
3. Take a look at the target...
4. Waggle once or twice -- then pull the trigger!
When you see where your ball lands, immediately begin to analyze your next shot. Do
not waste your time fretting about mistakes or trying to fix your swing on the
course (do that on the driving range). Instead focus completely on your next shot
and a consistant pre-shot routine.
Your game will quickly become more solid, consistent, and a lot more fun!
parts. Use the same routine on EVERY shot (even on the driving range) to force your
swing to become more automatic... repeatable... and amazingly consistant. Here's what
you'll need to do:
1. Walk into the shot from behind and align with the target...
2. Place club behind ball and take your grip...
3. Take a look at the target...
4. Waggle once or twice -- then pull the trigger!
When you see where your ball lands, immediately begin to analyze your next shot. Do
not waste your time fretting about mistakes or trying to fix your swing on the
course (do that on the driving range). Instead focus completely on your next shot
and a consistant pre-shot routine.
Your game will quickly become more solid, consistent, and a lot more fun!
Friday, August 31, 2007
Sunday, July 8, 2007
Pro Golf Swing
To get a smokin' fast clubhead speed... you've got to get more SLOW.
Okay... sounds weird... but by focusing on "turning" your hips and letting the shoulders, arms and hands loosely "go along for the ride", you're creating a professional power swing.
And here's the weirder part. Know what the core pivot of the world's best tour players is?2 miles per hour.That's it. And the average golfer's core pivot is just 1 mile per hour.
So here's a critical tip for you. Stop focusing on your clubhead speed and instead think about your core pivot speed. Why? Because even the hottest tour pros can't concentrate on a clubhead moving at 100 miles per hour or more. But it's easy to focus in on something moving 1 or 2 miles per hour.
And just think... even 1/2 of a mile an hour increase in your core pivot will result in an incredible increase in your clubhead speed.
The key is not to allow the swing to "disconnect" from your core pivot by activating the arms and hands. And that's where I always see the biggest problems. High-handicappers think they can get more clubhead speed by throwing the club at the ball with their arms. Forget it... it doesn't work. Keep your arms and hands "loose as noodles" and move SLOW from the top. As you pivot, allow them build energy like a wave moving through your feet... knees... hips... shoulders... arms... hands in that order.
Now that's a pro swing.
Okay... sounds weird... but by focusing on "turning" your hips and letting the shoulders, arms and hands loosely "go along for the ride", you're creating a professional power swing.
And here's the weirder part. Know what the core pivot of the world's best tour players is?2 miles per hour.That's it. And the average golfer's core pivot is just 1 mile per hour.
So here's a critical tip for you. Stop focusing on your clubhead speed and instead think about your core pivot speed. Why? Because even the hottest tour pros can't concentrate on a clubhead moving at 100 miles per hour or more. But it's easy to focus in on something moving 1 or 2 miles per hour.
And just think... even 1/2 of a mile an hour increase in your core pivot will result in an incredible increase in your clubhead speed.
The key is not to allow the swing to "disconnect" from your core pivot by activating the arms and hands. And that's where I always see the biggest problems. High-handicappers think they can get more clubhead speed by throwing the club at the ball with their arms. Forget it... it doesn't work. Keep your arms and hands "loose as noodles" and move SLOW from the top. As you pivot, allow them build energy like a wave moving through your feet... knees... hips... shoulders... arms... hands in that order.
Now that's a pro swing.
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Stretching for Golf
Stretching for golf is critical to slowing down the rapid decline senior golfers experience, as well as reducing the stress on the muscles, ligaments, tendons and joints. The golf swing puts a tremendous amount of pressure on the body, and unless you are participating in a consistent stretching for golf program, you will be a statistic.
The statistic I’m talking about is being one of the millions of golfers who aren’t improving and who are injured at some point every season you play. Does this sound like you? If so, keep reading to find out how you avoid being a statistic, and instead be one of the very few who actually improve and play their best golf.
The golf swing is dynamic. What I mean is it involves motion. This motion needs to be fluid, tension-less, and powerful. The only way to accomplish this is with dynamic strength and stretching drills aimed specifically at your golf swing faults.
This approach to golf improvement is not utilized among most amateur golfers, but if done correctly will take your game to the highest level in the quickest amount of time.
In most of the golf fitness books, videos and articles you read, you will see the golfer holding a particular stretch for up to 60 seconds.
Let me ask you this!
Do you ever hold any part of your golf swing when you’re playing or hitting balls? I don’t think so. So why would you train your body in this fashion? You wouldn’t! You would look at certain positions in the golf swing and incorporate dynamic (movement) stretches to improve those positions in an efficient manner.
For example, let’s say you are having a tough time making a full backswing. The backswing is a fluid and tension-less movement that is destroyed when you add tension or restriction to it.
Instead, you would make some backswing moves, going as far as you can, then a little farther and releasing it. Doing this 8-10 times throughout the day. You can do this in your office or at home. No need for a gym or workout gear.
Grab a short iron, stand tall with your arms extended straight out in front of you. The club will be horizontal to the ground at about chest height. Now rotate back as far as you can without too much hip rotation, then rotate through as far as you can with more hip rotation just like your golf swing.
Now this is a dynamic movement that will greatly improve your body’s ability to turn back fully and through to a complete finish for maximum power and distance.
In closing, don’t get me wrong!You can definitely do static stretches and not hurt your golf swing. But the emphasis should be on more dynamic stretches, and less holding stretches to maximize your golfing potential.
As you can see, this is a much different approach to stretching for golf.
For more tips click on Golf Fitness Guide on Left of page.
The statistic I’m talking about is being one of the millions of golfers who aren’t improving and who are injured at some point every season you play. Does this sound like you? If so, keep reading to find out how you avoid being a statistic, and instead be one of the very few who actually improve and play their best golf.
The golf swing is dynamic. What I mean is it involves motion. This motion needs to be fluid, tension-less, and powerful. The only way to accomplish this is with dynamic strength and stretching drills aimed specifically at your golf swing faults.
This approach to golf improvement is not utilized among most amateur golfers, but if done correctly will take your game to the highest level in the quickest amount of time.
In most of the golf fitness books, videos and articles you read, you will see the golfer holding a particular stretch for up to 60 seconds.
Let me ask you this!
Do you ever hold any part of your golf swing when you’re playing or hitting balls? I don’t think so. So why would you train your body in this fashion? You wouldn’t! You would look at certain positions in the golf swing and incorporate dynamic (movement) stretches to improve those positions in an efficient manner.
For example, let’s say you are having a tough time making a full backswing. The backswing is a fluid and tension-less movement that is destroyed when you add tension or restriction to it.
Instead, you would make some backswing moves, going as far as you can, then a little farther and releasing it. Doing this 8-10 times throughout the day. You can do this in your office or at home. No need for a gym or workout gear.
Grab a short iron, stand tall with your arms extended straight out in front of you. The club will be horizontal to the ground at about chest height. Now rotate back as far as you can without too much hip rotation, then rotate through as far as you can with more hip rotation just like your golf swing.
Now this is a dynamic movement that will greatly improve your body’s ability to turn back fully and through to a complete finish for maximum power and distance.
In closing, don’t get me wrong!You can definitely do static stretches and not hurt your golf swing. But the emphasis should be on more dynamic stretches, and less holding stretches to maximize your golfing potential.
As you can see, this is a much different approach to stretching for golf.
For more tips click on Golf Fitness Guide on Left of page.
Thursday, May 24, 2007
The Classic "Yank"
It's a BIG problem for most high handicappers and goes something like this:
You're in the tee box staring down a 450 yard par 5. You need a good long drive here. So you take a couple easy practice swings with your driver... line up your shot... take the club back... then -- somewhere in the back of your mind -- a little voice whispers to unload with everything you have.
And that's where the problems start.
You should NOT be thinking about "unloading" anything at the top of your swing. This leads to one of the biggest power-robbers ever conceived by man or beast -- the dreaded "yank" from the top. It activates your left shoulder, arms and hands (ALL of which should remain loose and tension free) and promotes a poor pivot (because your brain thinks your power is coming from the "yank" -- which is doesn't. It comes from the PIVOT).
The classic "yank" also results in your arms and hands coming "over-the-top", pulling the club off-plane, and eratic shots that spray the course like buck shot.
Okay... so here's the big tip of the day.
You must think "slower" and allow your pivot to take over your swing. Let the club accelerate near the ball instead of "blowing your wad" at the top. Think to yourself "I'm just gonna hit a nice easy 180 yarder". Do that and "whap" -- suddenly your shots are longer, straighter, and a heck of a lot more consistent.
Don't worry about how long you need to hit it, or "hitting it hard", or getting the club to the ball quickly, or anything like that. This is what prompts your brain into activating the "yank".
Instead be patient. Concentrate on keeping your left shoulder, arms and wrists loose and limber.
Do this and you’ll instantly have a slower, smoother, effortless looking power swing (your buddies will swear you’re just coasting).If it feels fast, it's not. If it feels slow and easy, it's fast. How's that for irony.
You're in the tee box staring down a 450 yard par 5. You need a good long drive here. So you take a couple easy practice swings with your driver... line up your shot... take the club back... then -- somewhere in the back of your mind -- a little voice whispers to unload with everything you have.
And that's where the problems start.
You should NOT be thinking about "unloading" anything at the top of your swing. This leads to one of the biggest power-robbers ever conceived by man or beast -- the dreaded "yank" from the top. It activates your left shoulder, arms and hands (ALL of which should remain loose and tension free) and promotes a poor pivot (because your brain thinks your power is coming from the "yank" -- which is doesn't. It comes from the PIVOT).
The classic "yank" also results in your arms and hands coming "over-the-top", pulling the club off-plane, and eratic shots that spray the course like buck shot.
Okay... so here's the big tip of the day.
You must think "slower" and allow your pivot to take over your swing. Let the club accelerate near the ball instead of "blowing your wad" at the top. Think to yourself "I'm just gonna hit a nice easy 180 yarder". Do that and "whap" -- suddenly your shots are longer, straighter, and a heck of a lot more consistent.
Don't worry about how long you need to hit it, or "hitting it hard", or getting the club to the ball quickly, or anything like that. This is what prompts your brain into activating the "yank".
Instead be patient. Concentrate on keeping your left shoulder, arms and wrists loose and limber.
Do this and you’ll instantly have a slower, smoother, effortless looking power swing (your buddies will swear you’re just coasting).If it feels fast, it's not. If it feels slow and easy, it's fast. How's that for irony.
Friday, May 4, 2007
Golf
Golf
In my hand I hold a ball.... white and dimpled, rather small....
Oh , how bland it does appear.... this harmless looking little sphere....
By its size I could not guess.... the awesome strength it does possess....
But since I fell beneath its spell.... I've wandered through the fires of hell... .
My life has not been quite the same.... Since I chose to play this stupid game....
It rules my mind for hours on end... A fortune it has made me spend....
It has made me swear and yell and cry... . I hate myself and want to die....
It promises a thing called par....If I can hit straight and far..
To master such a tiny ball ... should not be very hard at all .
But my desires the ball refuses.... and does exactly like it chooses... .
It hooks and slices, dribbles and dies.... and even disappears before my eyes....
Often it will take a whim.... to hit a tree or take a swim. ..
With miles of grass on which to land.... it finds a tiny patch of sand....
Then has me offering up my soul.... if only it would find the hole.. ..
It's made me whimper like a pup. ... and swear that I will give it up....
And take a drink to ease my sorrow.... but the ball knows.....
I'll be back tomorrow!!!!
In my hand I hold a ball.... white and dimpled, rather small....
Oh , how bland it does appear.... this harmless looking little sphere....
By its size I could not guess.... the awesome strength it does possess....
But since I fell beneath its spell.... I've wandered through the fires of hell... .
My life has not been quite the same.... Since I chose to play this stupid game....
It rules my mind for hours on end... A fortune it has made me spend....
It has made me swear and yell and cry... . I hate myself and want to die....
It promises a thing called par....If I can hit straight and far..
To master such a tiny ball ... should not be very hard at all .
But my desires the ball refuses.... and does exactly like it chooses... .
It hooks and slices, dribbles and dies.... and even disappears before my eyes....
Often it will take a whim.... to hit a tree or take a swim. ..
With miles of grass on which to land.... it finds a tiny patch of sand....
Then has me offering up my soul.... if only it would find the hole.. ..
It's made me whimper like a pup. ... and swear that I will give it up....
And take a drink to ease my sorrow.... but the ball knows.....
I'll be back tomorrow!!!!
Friday, April 27, 2007
Tee 'em High - Watch 'em Fly
Since the introduction of all the new large head drivers (380 - 460cc) it's been found
that the sweet spot is much higher on the club face than with the older drivers.
Therefore to take advantage of the additional size and sweet spot you need to tee
your ball higher than in the past.
A leading golf magazine recently did a test with golfers of all handicaps. They had them hit a number of drives with their balls teed as they normally would. Then they hit a another
series of drives with the balls teed higher than normal, in some cases twice as high.
The results were pretty impressive. They averaged a 20 yard increase in distance, some
a little more some a little less. Certainly reason enough to give it a try yourself.
Here's the best way to go about it:
1.) Tee you ball up high, about 2x usual height, using the 2 ? " tee.
2.) Hold the driver above the ground aligning the ball with the sweet spot on the club face during approach/ or set-up.
3.) Now, simply relax your wrists allowing the club head to fall to the ground..notice the club head is not directly behind the ball...it should be lined up more on the toe of the club.
4.) Note the higher the ball is teed up the farther the club head will be from the ball...this will allow the correct geometry to take place especially at impact.
So give it a try -tee 'em high and watch 'em fly!
that the sweet spot is much higher on the club face than with the older drivers.
Therefore to take advantage of the additional size and sweet spot you need to tee
your ball higher than in the past.
A leading golf magazine recently did a test with golfers of all handicaps. They had them hit a number of drives with their balls teed as they normally would. Then they hit a another
series of drives with the balls teed higher than normal, in some cases twice as high.
The results were pretty impressive. They averaged a 20 yard increase in distance, some
a little more some a little less. Certainly reason enough to give it a try yourself.
Here's the best way to go about it:
1.) Tee you ball up high, about 2x usual height, using the 2 ? " tee.
2.) Hold the driver above the ground aligning the ball with the sweet spot on the club face during approach/ or set-up.
3.) Now, simply relax your wrists allowing the club head to fall to the ground..notice the club head is not directly behind the ball...it should be lined up more on the toe of the club.
4.) Note the higher the ball is teed up the farther the club head will be from the ball...this will allow the correct geometry to take place especially at impact.
So give it a try -tee 'em high and watch 'em fly!
Monday, April 16, 2007
Simple Exercise Helps Win US Open
Paul Gagne is a brilliant posturologist and exercise kinesiologist with the David Leadbetter Golf Academy. His work with 2005 US Open champion Michal Campbell helped him win the
championship. Campbell won that Open at Pinehurst with a dazzling back-nine putting display on Sunday. Five times during the final round he dashed into the various portable toilets that dotted the course, in part to use them for their intended purpose but also to perform a peculiar eye exercise prescribed by Gagne that makes the eyes function better together. After emerging from the Port-O-Lets on the 12th and 17th holes, Campbell drained key putts--on No. 17, a 25-footer that clinched the victory. He took only 27 putts that day.
"After doing the exercises, I felt focused and relaxed," says Campbell. "I could really focus on the line of the putts, which was critical on the Pinehurst greens. Doing the exercises took me away from the occasion, the stress, the pressure and put me in the present time."
He suffered from poor eye convergence, his eyes not working in concert when he looked down and formed a line to the hole. The phenomenon of poor eye convergence afflicts nine out of 10 people, according to Gagne, and comes into play primarily in putting and chipping because your eyes look straight down at the ball. "When you line up a putt from behind the ball, your eyes level to the horizon, you're fine," he says. "The problem arises when you look down at address and your eyes try to join, in forming a line to the hole. In almost all cases, one eye performs well, but the other eye does not follow the good one."
Because the exercises can immediately benefit the everyday golfer, there is hope that Gagne's program could lead to a widespread performance breakthrough in putting.
How does the poor eye convergence lead to poor posture and alignment? "Naturally, the tendency is to help your weaker eye," says Gagne. "You do that by adjusting your head to bring it more into play. Because Michael's right eye is his weaker eye, his head would turn slightly to the left, and his right hip and shoulder would move out toward the ball, shifting his alignment open." (If your left eye is weaker, you'll tend to set up closed.) As Gagne predicted, Campbell said most of his missed putts went to the left.
Now for the exercise Campbell performed inside the Port-O-Lets, which Gagne says will improve your eye convergence immediately. Take a pen (in Campbell's case it was a golf pencil) and position the tip 10 to 12 inches in front of your eyes, opposite the bridge of your nose. Imagine a figure 8 lying on its side, like a pair of big glasses, its length just wider than your face, and draw a figure 8 in the air with the pen. Trace the figure 8 between 20 and 30 times, moving the pen fast enough so you can complete the full set of movements in two to three minutes, never losing sight of the tip of the pen. You don't need to be perfect, says Gagne, but it's important to keep your head still as you do it. If you perform this exercise a few times every day, the convergence condition will improve dramatically.
A painless exercise with no heavy lifting, the promise of more putts holed and better control over your emotions. Now that's the kind of workout routine golfers have been looking for.
championship. Campbell won that Open at Pinehurst with a dazzling back-nine putting display on Sunday. Five times during the final round he dashed into the various portable toilets that dotted the course, in part to use them for their intended purpose but also to perform a peculiar eye exercise prescribed by Gagne that makes the eyes function better together. After emerging from the Port-O-Lets on the 12th and 17th holes, Campbell drained key putts--on No. 17, a 25-footer that clinched the victory. He took only 27 putts that day.
"After doing the exercises, I felt focused and relaxed," says Campbell. "I could really focus on the line of the putts, which was critical on the Pinehurst greens. Doing the exercises took me away from the occasion, the stress, the pressure and put me in the present time."
He suffered from poor eye convergence, his eyes not working in concert when he looked down and formed a line to the hole. The phenomenon of poor eye convergence afflicts nine out of 10 people, according to Gagne, and comes into play primarily in putting and chipping because your eyes look straight down at the ball. "When you line up a putt from behind the ball, your eyes level to the horizon, you're fine," he says. "The problem arises when you look down at address and your eyes try to join, in forming a line to the hole. In almost all cases, one eye performs well, but the other eye does not follow the good one."
Because the exercises can immediately benefit the everyday golfer, there is hope that Gagne's program could lead to a widespread performance breakthrough in putting.
How does the poor eye convergence lead to poor posture and alignment? "Naturally, the tendency is to help your weaker eye," says Gagne. "You do that by adjusting your head to bring it more into play. Because Michael's right eye is his weaker eye, his head would turn slightly to the left, and his right hip and shoulder would move out toward the ball, shifting his alignment open." (If your left eye is weaker, you'll tend to set up closed.) As Gagne predicted, Campbell said most of his missed putts went to the left.
Now for the exercise Campbell performed inside the Port-O-Lets, which Gagne says will improve your eye convergence immediately. Take a pen (in Campbell's case it was a golf pencil) and position the tip 10 to 12 inches in front of your eyes, opposite the bridge of your nose. Imagine a figure 8 lying on its side, like a pair of big glasses, its length just wider than your face, and draw a figure 8 in the air with the pen. Trace the figure 8 between 20 and 30 times, moving the pen fast enough so you can complete the full set of movements in two to three minutes, never losing sight of the tip of the pen. You don't need to be perfect, says Gagne, but it's important to keep your head still as you do it. If you perform this exercise a few times every day, the convergence condition will improve dramatically.
A painless exercise with no heavy lifting, the promise of more putts holed and better control over your emotions. Now that's the kind of workout routine golfers have been looking for.
Friday, April 13, 2007
Want Lower Scores---Improve Your Putting !
Now a good putt won't attract the kind of back-slapping and gasps of jealously that a good long accurate drive will. But hear me out. Because a simple "tweak" in your putting can lower your score a lot quicker than adding 30 yards to your drive. Yep... eliminate the 3-putts (or worse) and I guarantee it'll make a HUGE difference in your score. When the pros want to concentrate on lowering their score, they look to their putting game.
First... avoid putting from a static position. Okay... what does that mean? Well just this. You want to get some "movement" started before you begin the backstroke. Pro golfer Bobby Schaeffer suggests you line up your shot... settle in for the putt... then just before you begin the backstroke, perform two gentle up-and-down "taps" with your putter head.
That's it. This avoids the kind of inaccuracies and putter head "bobbles" that come from a static start.
Second... about your putting stroke. Remember to focus on keeping the putter head low to the ground - this helps to keep the putter on plane These two tips will do a couple things for you. It'll suddenly give you greater consistency and accuracy with your putts because you've avoided starting from a "static" position... AND you'll never again "stub" your putts because the "tap-tap" feeds your brain with a measurement of where the grass is. Good stuff that'll instantly lower your score.
For more secrets on putting I highly recommend you check out Bobby Schaeffer's "Hot Touch Putting":
First... avoid putting from a static position. Okay... what does that mean? Well just this. You want to get some "movement" started before you begin the backstroke. Pro golfer Bobby Schaeffer suggests you line up your shot... settle in for the putt... then just before you begin the backstroke, perform two gentle up-and-down "taps" with your putter head.
That's it. This avoids the kind of inaccuracies and putter head "bobbles" that come from a static start.
Second... about your putting stroke. Remember to focus on keeping the putter head low to the ground - this helps to keep the putter on plane These two tips will do a couple things for you. It'll suddenly give you greater consistency and accuracy with your putts because you've avoided starting from a "static" position... AND you'll never again "stub" your putts because the "tap-tap" feeds your brain with a measurement of where the grass is. Good stuff that'll instantly lower your score.
For more secrets on putting I highly recommend you check out Bobby Schaeffer's "Hot Touch Putting":
Saturday, April 7, 2007
Want to Play Extraordinary Golf
Want to Play Better Golf? Get Into The Right Frame of Mind!
Think about what you normally do before you start a round of golf with your friends. Are you running your kids across town to soccer practice? Are you still sleepy from the poor night's rest you had? Are you all jazzed up on 6 cups of coffee? Are you nervous as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs because you've been chili dipping the ball? No doubt you are in some state of mind before you start your round of golf. And more often than not, I would be willing to bet my Ben Hogan autographed book that it is the wrong frame of mind.
I know you have a busy life. But the key is to get into the right frame of mind before you step onto the first tee box. How do you do this? Well, let me just say that it is not always easy and takes practice to get into the right frame of mind. So don't be frustrated or disappointed in yourself if it takes a little while. Remember this is a game and it is supposed to be fun. Why else would you be out there paying big bucks to hit a little white ball into a tiny tin cup?
The first thing is to find out where your head is at least a half hour before you start your round. Are you feeling mad at your boss, frustrated with the kids? Did you just have a tiff with your spouse or did some crazy person just try to run you off the road? Are you having jitters because you've been topping the ball or are you playing for big bucks with your buddies? Any and all of these things have an affect on you and your game. The pros know this and you need to as well.
So, what are some things you can do to get in the right frame of mind? For me, being relaxed, confident and having positive energy flowing through my body is key. You may be a little different. My question to you is how did you feel inside when you played your best round of golf? Think about it and go back to that time and place. All was right with the World for you wasn't it? But what about it was right? What were the feelings you had? Were you relaxed? Were you confident? Were you having fun? Did you trust your golf swing? Were you enjoying your golf partners?
Here are some of the things I noticed about myself when I played my best rounds:
" I felt excited to be playing and what nervousness I might have had was in the background of my mind"
I was happy to be playing a round of golf with my friends and didn't worry that they might laugh at me if I sliced the ball
" I felt a sense of calmness inside that couldn't be shaken"
I felt confident, energized and happy to be out on the golf course amid the tree-lined fairways and beautifully manicured greens.
" I felt worry free and joked with my golfing partners
" I felt the magic of being alive and knew instinctively that I was going to strike the golf ball purely."
My mind wasn't cluttered with a zillion thoughts; instead there was focus and quietness
" My body felt relaxed, rested and healthy"
For lack of a better word, I was in the Zone
Let's say that you are a nervous wreck with eighteen million thoughts, mostly negative, scurrying around in your head. How do you get from point A, the worry wart to Point B, the focused golfer? Again, if this is your normal state before you play a round of golf, don't expect to change this overnight. It is a process.
First, identify what is the norm for you. Are you usually just rushing from work to go play golf and your mind is somewhere else? Or is it that you have been struggling with your game and fear is almost paralyzing you? Identifying your state of mind before you play golf is key. I don't mean to get all psychological on you but golf is very much a mental game! There is no cure-all golf gizmo or one right way to swing a club. Even if there was, your mind would interfere.
If you are having trouble identifying what you are feeling or how you are being before a round of golf, then your first step is to pay attention to yourself. It can be a hard thing to do. Sometimes we get so busy in our daily lives that there just doesn't seem to be time to stop and look at ourselves. One way to find out what your feeling or thinking is to be quiet for 5 minutes. Listen and learn.
I noticed that for myself when I am tired, nervous or rushed I generally tend to play a poor round of golf. I have arrived at a point in my game where I can usually shake those feelings or state of mind before the round begins. And you will learn to do this too with some practice. The one I still feel challenged by is when I feel out of sync, or out of rhythm. It's like some uncoordinated teenager has possessed my body and wreaks havoc with my game. Those are the rounds where I just do my very best to stay centered and play a safe game. I know I won't break any records but I also know that I won't spend the day in the woods hunting for my golf ball!
Here are some ideas on how to get into a different state of mind:
Listen to your favorite music
Pay attention to your golf partners
Do something nice for someone else
Sing or Hum a tune
Visualize your best round of golf
Think about your best memories in life
Talk with a good friend
Tell jokes
Laugh
Meditate
Visualize mastering the challenging holes
Walk the course and notice your beautiful surroundings
Think about the times you felt most confident
So how do you get from one state, let's say rushed, to a more relaxed calm state? I have had times when I have been running 90mph before a game of golf and my mind is keeping pace with my body. I know that if I keep that pace, my golf game will suffer. I use whatever trick seems to work at that moment. Taking deep breaths is always a good start. Swinging my club between my finger tips at a slow easy pace can be calming and creates tempo. Looking at the beauty of the golf course can be relaxing and uplifting, especially if I was caught in a traffic jam. You will have to practice what works for you. The one thing that always gets me in the zone is to replay one of my best rounds in my mind along with the feelings I had. I can't help but smile and feel good.
Think about what you normally do before you start a round of golf with your friends. Are you running your kids across town to soccer practice? Are you still sleepy from the poor night's rest you had? Are you all jazzed up on 6 cups of coffee? Are you nervous as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs because you've been chili dipping the ball? No doubt you are in some state of mind before you start your round of golf. And more often than not, I would be willing to bet my Ben Hogan autographed book that it is the wrong frame of mind.
I know you have a busy life. But the key is to get into the right frame of mind before you step onto the first tee box. How do you do this? Well, let me just say that it is not always easy and takes practice to get into the right frame of mind. So don't be frustrated or disappointed in yourself if it takes a little while. Remember this is a game and it is supposed to be fun. Why else would you be out there paying big bucks to hit a little white ball into a tiny tin cup?
The first thing is to find out where your head is at least a half hour before you start your round. Are you feeling mad at your boss, frustrated with the kids? Did you just have a tiff with your spouse or did some crazy person just try to run you off the road? Are you having jitters because you've been topping the ball or are you playing for big bucks with your buddies? Any and all of these things have an affect on you and your game. The pros know this and you need to as well.
So, what are some things you can do to get in the right frame of mind? For me, being relaxed, confident and having positive energy flowing through my body is key. You may be a little different. My question to you is how did you feel inside when you played your best round of golf? Think about it and go back to that time and place. All was right with the World for you wasn't it? But what about it was right? What were the feelings you had? Were you relaxed? Were you confident? Were you having fun? Did you trust your golf swing? Were you enjoying your golf partners?
Here are some of the things I noticed about myself when I played my best rounds:
" I felt excited to be playing and what nervousness I might have had was in the background of my mind"
I was happy to be playing a round of golf with my friends and didn't worry that they might laugh at me if I sliced the ball
" I felt a sense of calmness inside that couldn't be shaken"
I felt confident, energized and happy to be out on the golf course amid the tree-lined fairways and beautifully manicured greens.
" I felt worry free and joked with my golfing partners
" I felt the magic of being alive and knew instinctively that I was going to strike the golf ball purely."
My mind wasn't cluttered with a zillion thoughts; instead there was focus and quietness
" My body felt relaxed, rested and healthy"
For lack of a better word, I was in the Zone
Let's say that you are a nervous wreck with eighteen million thoughts, mostly negative, scurrying around in your head. How do you get from point A, the worry wart to Point B, the focused golfer? Again, if this is your normal state before you play a round of golf, don't expect to change this overnight. It is a process.
First, identify what is the norm for you. Are you usually just rushing from work to go play golf and your mind is somewhere else? Or is it that you have been struggling with your game and fear is almost paralyzing you? Identifying your state of mind before you play golf is key. I don't mean to get all psychological on you but golf is very much a mental game! There is no cure-all golf gizmo or one right way to swing a club. Even if there was, your mind would interfere.
If you are having trouble identifying what you are feeling or how you are being before a round of golf, then your first step is to pay attention to yourself. It can be a hard thing to do. Sometimes we get so busy in our daily lives that there just doesn't seem to be time to stop and look at ourselves. One way to find out what your feeling or thinking is to be quiet for 5 minutes. Listen and learn.
I noticed that for myself when I am tired, nervous or rushed I generally tend to play a poor round of golf. I have arrived at a point in my game where I can usually shake those feelings or state of mind before the round begins. And you will learn to do this too with some practice. The one I still feel challenged by is when I feel out of sync, or out of rhythm. It's like some uncoordinated teenager has possessed my body and wreaks havoc with my game. Those are the rounds where I just do my very best to stay centered and play a safe game. I know I won't break any records but I also know that I won't spend the day in the woods hunting for my golf ball!
Here are some ideas on how to get into a different state of mind:
Listen to your favorite music
Pay attention to your golf partners
Do something nice for someone else
Sing or Hum a tune
Visualize your best round of golf
Think about your best memories in life
Talk with a good friend
Tell jokes
Laugh
Meditate
Visualize mastering the challenging holes
Walk the course and notice your beautiful surroundings
Think about the times you felt most confident
So how do you get from one state, let's say rushed, to a more relaxed calm state? I have had times when I have been running 90mph before a game of golf and my mind is keeping pace with my body. I know that if I keep that pace, my golf game will suffer. I use whatever trick seems to work at that moment. Taking deep breaths is always a good start. Swinging my club between my finger tips at a slow easy pace can be calming and creates tempo. Looking at the beauty of the golf course can be relaxing and uplifting, especially if I was caught in a traffic jam. You will have to practice what works for you. The one thing that always gets me in the zone is to replay one of my best rounds in my mind along with the feelings I had. I can't help but smile and feel good.
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Fix Golf Slice - Add Yards to Your Drives
Fix golf slice is a thought on many amateur golfers’ minds. Studies reveal over 80% of all amateur golfers slice the ball. There have been more training aids, drills and tips to fix the golf slice that I can’t even begin to count.If you hit a golf slice, have you taken lessons; bought any training aids, and done several drills only to still hit a slice? What a frustrating situation! Do you realize what’s causing your golf slice?A golf slice is caused by the clubface coming across the ball from outside the target line, creating side-spin on the ball. Upon first thought, this may seem like a mechanical issue. And it is…but if you dig a little deeper, you’ll find it’s a ‘physical’ issue.You see…your body dictates your ability to swing the club efficiently. If your body has ‘physical limitations’, your swing will not be mechanically sound and swing faults will appear. In the golf swing there are many compensations for lack of proper mechanics. If you can’t make a 90 degree shoulder turn on the backswing, you’ll do whatever it takes to feel like you are making a full turn.A good example of this would be to rotate your hips beyond the desired 45 degrees to enable your body to make a full backswing. What this does is rob you of power. You have no torque built up in your core to unleash into the ball at impact.The same thing with a golf slice.A golf slice is caused by the upper body getting ahead of the lower body, creating an “over-the-top” move, which in turn results in your clubface slashing across the ball and creating side-spin. Here comes the banana ball!Your first inclination will be to take a lesson to fix this. If that doesn’t work, you might buy a training aid. If that doesn’t work you’ll buy an “offset” driver to help eliminate your golf slice.Does this sound familiar?Now the real answer! Take a break on your lessons. Don’t buy anymore training aids. And keep your normal driver in your bag.You need to work on you core rotational flexibility to be able to initiate the downswing with your lower body first, to avoid the upper body getting ahead of it. It’s that simple. The minute your able to separate the upper and lower body upon initial move down…you’ll see that golf slice improve dramatically.Doesn’t that make sense?Along with fixing your golf slice, you’ll add up to 30 yards to your drives. You will get more roll when the ball lands from a draw ball flight. A golf slice is a weak shot that does not penetrate the air for maximum distance.
For more detailed help with this problem click on The Simple Golf Swing or The Golf Fitness
Guide in the left margin, these are both great resources to improve your game.
For more detailed help with this problem click on The Simple Golf Swing or The Golf Fitness
Guide in the left margin, these are both great resources to improve your game.
Friday, March 16, 2007
Dining in Santee---
My wife and I recently returned to Virginia from a two week golf vacation in southwest
Florida. On the trip back we stopped for the night in Santee SC, one of my favorite places
along I95, famous for it's golf and fishing. We stay at the Best Western next to the Lake
Marion Golf Course. A very nice motel, where all the rooms are down and out, which I like. There is a very good restaurant called the Veranda at the motel, but my wife and I decided to go to our favorite B-B-Que joint just down the street. When we got there we found the place was no longer open. On the way back to the motel we saw a place called Coasters that looked pretty inviting, and the parking lot was busy which is always a good sign, so we stopped.
Am I glad we did! After a long tiring day on the road we were in for a great dining
experience. The drinks were served promptly, and that was just the beginning. From start
to finish our waiter Dewayne provided great service, as good as I've ever experienced in
a restaurant, and this was during a busy Saturday night. All the food was served in a very timely manner, the salad was crisp and fresh, warm crusty bread on the side, and our
entrees were excellent. They had many seafood and low country dishes that sounded
great, but we had been eating seafood for two weeks and were ready for something
different. I had their signature steak with Jack Daniels sauce, and my wife had pecan
crusted chicken, both were done to perfection. When the meal was over, I asked to speak
to the manager. A nice young lady came over and introduced herself, as Kathy Casey the
owner of Coasters. Probably expecting a complaint, she looked pleasantly surprised when
I told her how great the service and food had been and assured her we come back the next
time we were in the area.So the next time you're in Santee, fishing, golfing, shopping, or just passing by on I95, make sure to take time to stop by Coasters for a little libation,
snack, sandwich, or a great meal, you won't regret it.
Coasters Bar & Grill
Seafood, Steaks and Low Country Cuisine
I-95 exit 98 - Hwy 6
Santee, S.C.
Florida. On the trip back we stopped for the night in Santee SC, one of my favorite places
along I95, famous for it's golf and fishing. We stay at the Best Western next to the Lake
Marion Golf Course. A very nice motel, where all the rooms are down and out, which I like. There is a very good restaurant called the Veranda at the motel, but my wife and I decided to go to our favorite B-B-Que joint just down the street. When we got there we found the place was no longer open. On the way back to the motel we saw a place called Coasters that looked pretty inviting, and the parking lot was busy which is always a good sign, so we stopped.
Am I glad we did! After a long tiring day on the road we were in for a great dining
experience. The drinks were served promptly, and that was just the beginning. From start
to finish our waiter Dewayne provided great service, as good as I've ever experienced in
a restaurant, and this was during a busy Saturday night. All the food was served in a very timely manner, the salad was crisp and fresh, warm crusty bread on the side, and our
entrees were excellent. They had many seafood and low country dishes that sounded
great, but we had been eating seafood for two weeks and were ready for something
different. I had their signature steak with Jack Daniels sauce, and my wife had pecan
crusted chicken, both were done to perfection. When the meal was over, I asked to speak
to the manager. A nice young lady came over and introduced herself, as Kathy Casey the
owner of Coasters. Probably expecting a complaint, she looked pleasantly surprised when
I told her how great the service and food had been and assured her we come back the next
time we were in the area.So the next time you're in Santee, fishing, golfing, shopping, or just passing by on I95, make sure to take time to stop by Coasters for a little libation,
snack, sandwich, or a great meal, you won't regret it.
Coasters Bar & Grill
Seafood, Steaks and Low Country Cuisine
I-95 exit 98 - Hwy 6
Santee, S.C.
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Use a Golf Training Club
Using a golf training club is one of the most effective ways to increase golf swing speed and power. You can’t get anymore golf –specific than using a golf training club.
There are many golf training clubs on the market and new ones coming out every year; but the one I’m talking about is a weighted golf training club. When you can literally mimic your athletic movement with resistance, you stand the make the biggest improvement…and quickly.
The goal of most strength coaches and trainers is to come up with exercises that closely resemble that particular athletic movement, but with some for of resistance. It could be handweights (dumbbells), medicine balls, tubing, or even a stability ball.
The direct impact on a golfers swing using a golf training club is an almost immediate increase in driving distance. This is because you are training your golf muscles during the movement, through the same (or even bigger) range of motion, with many repetitions.
A secondary benefit of using a golf training club that’s weighted is promoting an increase in backswing and follow through range of motion. This equates in more power at impact. Golfers are always trying to find ways to improve golf flexibility and power; and this is one way to do it.
Using a golf training club won’t be the cure to all your physical ailments and limitations, but will give you a head start on swinging with higher clubhead speed.
Just think about it! Swinging a golf training club won’t improve hamstring flexibility, nor will it strengthen your lower back. There are many specific areas of the body that don’t get worked when swinging a golf training club.
This is where you would do specific golf exercises, stretches and drills to isolate those weak areas to greatly improve your overall golf performance and prevent future injuries.
Another benefit of a golf training club that’s weighted is a quick warm up before you hit balls at the range or even play. Swinging it 20-30 times will quickly get your golf muscles prepared to hit balls more effectively.
Just beware! When you swing it before practicing or playing, you’ve got to swing your regular clubs, and hit balls with them, to make sure your sequence of motion is correct, before you hit the course.
As you can see, there are many benefits of using a golf training club; so go out and get one. They are a great training aid as part of your ‘off-season’ training program.
There are many golf training clubs on the market and new ones coming out every year; but the one I’m talking about is a weighted golf training club. When you can literally mimic your athletic movement with resistance, you stand the make the biggest improvement…and quickly.
The goal of most strength coaches and trainers is to come up with exercises that closely resemble that particular athletic movement, but with some for of resistance. It could be handweights (dumbbells), medicine balls, tubing, or even a stability ball.
The direct impact on a golfers swing using a golf training club is an almost immediate increase in driving distance. This is because you are training your golf muscles during the movement, through the same (or even bigger) range of motion, with many repetitions.
A secondary benefit of using a golf training club that’s weighted is promoting an increase in backswing and follow through range of motion. This equates in more power at impact. Golfers are always trying to find ways to improve golf flexibility and power; and this is one way to do it.
Using a golf training club won’t be the cure to all your physical ailments and limitations, but will give you a head start on swinging with higher clubhead speed.
Just think about it! Swinging a golf training club won’t improve hamstring flexibility, nor will it strengthen your lower back. There are many specific areas of the body that don’t get worked when swinging a golf training club.
This is where you would do specific golf exercises, stretches and drills to isolate those weak areas to greatly improve your overall golf performance and prevent future injuries.
Another benefit of a golf training club that’s weighted is a quick warm up before you hit balls at the range or even play. Swinging it 20-30 times will quickly get your golf muscles prepared to hit balls more effectively.
Just beware! When you swing it before practicing or playing, you’ve got to swing your regular clubs, and hit balls with them, to make sure your sequence of motion is correct, before you hit the course.
As you can see, there are many benefits of using a golf training club; so go out and get one. They are a great training aid as part of your ‘off-season’ training program.
The Simple Golf Swing Review
Let me start off by saying that I was extremely leary about buying something off of the internet to help improve my golf swing. And come on, "The Simple Golf Swing"?
Everyone knows a perfect golf swing like Tiger Woods is anything but simple. After reading some of the testimonials and since the price of the book was so low (I spend more on golf balls) I decided to buy the book because it is 100% guaranteed - if it sucked I would just get a refund.
One of the main reasons I decided to buy the book was because I don't have time to have a golf trainer or practice all the time. So I decided to buy the book and I spent a few hours reading it from front to back over and over. I decided I would just print the book out and bring it with me to the golf course in the morning so I didn't forget anything. Let me just put it this way, my friends were amazed at my golf swings and were convinced that I had a personal golf trainer.
The first day that I had tried out the tips that I got from the Simple Golf Swing I improved my handicap from a 17 to a 13. I improved my accuracy and distance hitting the golf ball as well.
This was just my first time using the Simple Golf Swing tips and they were definetly helping my golf swing. Two days later I went back to the course and had even better results. It was a rainy day, so I wanted to test out some more tips that were in the Simple Golf Swing book. My first tee I had a great hit even with the wetness of the ball and club. I have never had a ball fly this straight and high in the rain before. Every hole after the first was the same. I would've never dreamed of making such solid contact thru 18 holes. The ultimate test came on the 5th hole where I'm sitting at 200 yards out in the middle of the fairway on an uphill par 4. I grab my 3 iron which still looks new from lack of use and I nail it within 15 feet of the hole. I wound up shooting 80 and the only reason that I was that high, was club selection between my sand and pitching wedge. I was getting so much action on my sand wedge that 3 times I hit the front of the green and it sucked right back off the green. That's the first time that has ever happened to me. To top things off my playing partner, seeing me hit so well, asked me what I'd changed. I gave him a brief lesson and within two holes he's hitting them a far and as straight as I've ever seen him.
I honestly recommend The Simple Golf Swing even if you already think you are Tiger Woods. A lot of people have had success with The Simple Golf Swing and you can read more testimonials on their website.
Everyone knows a perfect golf swing like Tiger Woods is anything but simple. After reading some of the testimonials and since the price of the book was so low (I spend more on golf balls) I decided to buy the book because it is 100% guaranteed - if it sucked I would just get a refund.
One of the main reasons I decided to buy the book was because I don't have time to have a golf trainer or practice all the time. So I decided to buy the book and I spent a few hours reading it from front to back over and over. I decided I would just print the book out and bring it with me to the golf course in the morning so I didn't forget anything. Let me just put it this way, my friends were amazed at my golf swings and were convinced that I had a personal golf trainer.
The first day that I had tried out the tips that I got from the Simple Golf Swing I improved my handicap from a 17 to a 13. I improved my accuracy and distance hitting the golf ball as well.
This was just my first time using the Simple Golf Swing tips and they were definetly helping my golf swing. Two days later I went back to the course and had even better results. It was a rainy day, so I wanted to test out some more tips that were in the Simple Golf Swing book. My first tee I had a great hit even with the wetness of the ball and club. I have never had a ball fly this straight and high in the rain before. Every hole after the first was the same. I would've never dreamed of making such solid contact thru 18 holes. The ultimate test came on the 5th hole where I'm sitting at 200 yards out in the middle of the fairway on an uphill par 4. I grab my 3 iron which still looks new from lack of use and I nail it within 15 feet of the hole. I wound up shooting 80 and the only reason that I was that high, was club selection between my sand and pitching wedge. I was getting so much action on my sand wedge that 3 times I hit the front of the green and it sucked right back off the green. That's the first time that has ever happened to me. To top things off my playing partner, seeing me hit so well, asked me what I'd changed. I gave him a brief lesson and within two holes he's hitting them a far and as straight as I've ever seen him.
I honestly recommend The Simple Golf Swing even if you already think you are Tiger Woods. A lot of people have had success with The Simple Golf Swing and you can read more testimonials on their website.
Friday, February 9, 2007
Better Golf Solutions
Better Golf Solutions Start With One Simple Approach
Better golf solutions is a mystery for the average golfer. Finding the magic bullet that’s going to cure your game overnight isn’t going to happen. In looking for better golf solutions, you’ve got to think about what’s the main reason you’re not making a sound, repeatable golf swing that generates power and accuracy?
Common approaches to better golf solutions are taking more lessons; buying new golf equipment that will hopefully make up for your swing faults (such as offset/oversized drivers and irons); purchasing training aids that promise the world, but end up in your garage gathering dust or being sold on ebay; or going to the range with a new level of practice commitment.
The six million dollar question! Did it help? Are you happy with your results?If the answer is yes…congratulations on your success! If the answer is no, than what in the world is left? You’ve done everything right? I want you to think real hard for a second.What one thing is critical in swinging a club, hitting the ball square and long, and producing results?
YOU!
You dictate your outcome!Let me explain.You body has a current level of physical capability. It is what it is. Whatever that level is, will be your outcome. No ifs, ands, or buts about it! You will never consistently play to what you think your potential is until you improve your “physical capabilities”!
If golfers knew this little secret, they’d save hundreds, if not thousands of dollars a year on lessons, gimmicky training aids, equipment and range fees.
You are an athlete! A golf athlete! You’ve got to “prepare your body to perform”.What other athletic event do you know of where the athlete just shows up without working on his/her physical attributes?
None!
I hate to be so blunt, but it is a fact. Only until you realize this, and take it to heart will you achieve your golfing goals. Your BODY determines your outcome. Your BODY makes your golf swing. Your BODY physically plays for 18 holes. Your BODY dictates your confidence. I hope you’re getting the point here.
I can’t say this strong enough!
Take the approach like an athlete and you will never have to think of better golf solutions.
Need more help ? Click on Golf Fitness Guide in the left margin of this page.
Better golf solutions is a mystery for the average golfer. Finding the magic bullet that’s going to cure your game overnight isn’t going to happen. In looking for better golf solutions, you’ve got to think about what’s the main reason you’re not making a sound, repeatable golf swing that generates power and accuracy?
Common approaches to better golf solutions are taking more lessons; buying new golf equipment that will hopefully make up for your swing faults (such as offset/oversized drivers and irons); purchasing training aids that promise the world, but end up in your garage gathering dust or being sold on ebay; or going to the range with a new level of practice commitment.
The six million dollar question! Did it help? Are you happy with your results?If the answer is yes…congratulations on your success! If the answer is no, than what in the world is left? You’ve done everything right? I want you to think real hard for a second.What one thing is critical in swinging a club, hitting the ball square and long, and producing results?
YOU!
You dictate your outcome!Let me explain.You body has a current level of physical capability. It is what it is. Whatever that level is, will be your outcome. No ifs, ands, or buts about it! You will never consistently play to what you think your potential is until you improve your “physical capabilities”!
If golfers knew this little secret, they’d save hundreds, if not thousands of dollars a year on lessons, gimmicky training aids, equipment and range fees.
You are an athlete! A golf athlete! You’ve got to “prepare your body to perform”.What other athletic event do you know of where the athlete just shows up without working on his/her physical attributes?
None!
I hate to be so blunt, but it is a fact. Only until you realize this, and take it to heart will you achieve your golfing goals. Your BODY determines your outcome. Your BODY makes your golf swing. Your BODY physically plays for 18 holes. Your BODY dictates your confidence. I hope you’re getting the point here.
I can’t say this strong enough!
Take the approach like an athlete and you will never have to think of better golf solutions.
Need more help ? Click on Golf Fitness Guide in the left margin of this page.
Wednesday, February 7, 2007
A Better Golf Swing
A better golf swing is inevitable…for any golfer, with the right approach. It doesn’t matter age or ability. It’s a reality…and can happen very quickly!
To achieve a better golf swing, a golfer needs to realize just how physically demanding it is on the human body. You are swing an object (golf club) at up to 100 mph. This puts a tremendous amount of pressure on the joints, tendons, ligaments and muscles.
If these tissues of the body are weak, tight or brittle they will rupture and eliminate you from playing golf indefinitely. If it doesn’t, your performance will pay the price. The outcome either way is not what you want…but will happen without an emphasis on strengthening these areas.
Along with strengthening comes stretching. Stretching muscles to attain a better golf swing is common among most golfers. Although it is common, most golfers don’t stretch. Why? Because it is viewed as ‘work’. But if it were viewed as a form of golf improvement it would be a different story.
Swing mechanics cannot be improved if your golf specific strength and flexibility are ignored. It is an impossibility, unless you compensate for this lack of capabilities in your golf swing. Teaching pros are now starting to realize there is a definite connection between golf swing mechanics and fitness.But that’s where the BIG gap is. Between instruction and physical fitness. This is the ultimate combination for total golf performance and I have been preaching it for several years now. When your physical capabilities are improved, your golf swing mechanics become much easier to achieve.
The next time you visit your teaching pro, to achieve a better golf swing, you’ll be able to do what he/she wants and the desired outcome will be achieved. This outcome is inevitable when you get your body moving better. Your golf swing mechanics fall into place.It will only be a matter of time when all golfers will approach their golf improvement this way. It’s the only way that will warrant lasting results and ultimately a better golf swing.
For more information, click on Golf Fitness Guide or The Simple Golf Swing in the left
margin of this page. These are two great resources to improve your game.
To achieve a better golf swing, a golfer needs to realize just how physically demanding it is on the human body. You are swing an object (golf club) at up to 100 mph. This puts a tremendous amount of pressure on the joints, tendons, ligaments and muscles.
If these tissues of the body are weak, tight or brittle they will rupture and eliminate you from playing golf indefinitely. If it doesn’t, your performance will pay the price. The outcome either way is not what you want…but will happen without an emphasis on strengthening these areas.
Along with strengthening comes stretching. Stretching muscles to attain a better golf swing is common among most golfers. Although it is common, most golfers don’t stretch. Why? Because it is viewed as ‘work’. But if it were viewed as a form of golf improvement it would be a different story.
Swing mechanics cannot be improved if your golf specific strength and flexibility are ignored. It is an impossibility, unless you compensate for this lack of capabilities in your golf swing. Teaching pros are now starting to realize there is a definite connection between golf swing mechanics and fitness.But that’s where the BIG gap is. Between instruction and physical fitness. This is the ultimate combination for total golf performance and I have been preaching it for several years now. When your physical capabilities are improved, your golf swing mechanics become much easier to achieve.
The next time you visit your teaching pro, to achieve a better golf swing, you’ll be able to do what he/she wants and the desired outcome will be achieved. This outcome is inevitable when you get your body moving better. Your golf swing mechanics fall into place.It will only be a matter of time when all golfers will approach their golf improvement this way. It’s the only way that will warrant lasting results and ultimately a better golf swing.
For more information, click on Golf Fitness Guide or The Simple Golf Swing in the left
margin of this page. These are two great resources to improve your game.
The Solution To Golf
Into the hands of Hugh McKay, a golf club was gently pressed one day.
A game for life his friend would say, good exercise, great fun,
you must learn to play.
A simple machine this wand like toy, but oh, what a challenge for
man or boy.
The premise is simple, hit it straight and far, use just enough strokes,
into the hole for par.
Where then is the challenge, where is the thrill, in hitting a little
white ball sitting still.
In no other sport is there a simpler task, for there you must strike
the ball flying past.
So off to the links Hugh headed one day, this game for an athlete should
be no problem to play.
But try as he may, try as he might, the ball always took a contrary flight.
Sometimes to the left, but most often right.
He would hit it too hard, then he'd hit it too light.
He studied and practiced, a plan he had laid, but the harder he worked
the worst that he played.
Then one day after a very long round, he was determined the root
of his problem be found.
For at baseball and tennis he'd played with a flair, but at golf his game
was just pitiful to fair.
It must be so simple, it can't be that hard, when a teenage girl can
play like a star. To answer his question he went to the bar.
He drank and he pondered, he pondered and drank.
If his question were answered, it'd be whiskey to thank.
The solution came easy, after a plenty to drink.
The problem with golf,
Too Much Time To Think!
A game for life his friend would say, good exercise, great fun,
you must learn to play.
A simple machine this wand like toy, but oh, what a challenge for
man or boy.
The premise is simple, hit it straight and far, use just enough strokes,
into the hole for par.
Where then is the challenge, where is the thrill, in hitting a little
white ball sitting still.
In no other sport is there a simpler task, for there you must strike
the ball flying past.
So off to the links Hugh headed one day, this game for an athlete should
be no problem to play.
But try as he may, try as he might, the ball always took a contrary flight.
Sometimes to the left, but most often right.
He would hit it too hard, then he'd hit it too light.
He studied and practiced, a plan he had laid, but the harder he worked
the worst that he played.
Then one day after a very long round, he was determined the root
of his problem be found.
For at baseball and tennis he'd played with a flair, but at golf his game
was just pitiful to fair.
It must be so simple, it can't be that hard, when a teenage girl can
play like a star. To answer his question he went to the bar.
He drank and he pondered, he pondered and drank.
If his question were answered, it'd be whiskey to thank.
The solution came easy, after a plenty to drink.
The problem with golf,
Too Much Time To Think!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
