MISCELLANEOUS
(92).."WINDY PLAY"
What's the best way for an average player to deal with windy conditions? Should they hit my normal shot and allow for the wind, or should they try to change the flight of the ball to go under the wind?
A high trajectory is desirable on a calm day, but even if you allow for the wind, there's no telling where the ball may end up. A low, penetrating shot (knock down) is a much better option, and you don't have to be a pro to be able to hit this shot.
The tendency in the wind is to swing harder than normal. This doesn't work, as it causes the ball to go even higher than normal. To hit a "wind cheater," you should use two more clubs than you normally would, and make a much easier swing than normal. It's not necessary to swing hard when you've taken plenty of club.
Next, to maintain good balance, use a slightly wider stance than normal and play the ball slightly behind the center of your stance, with your hands well forward, slightly "hooding" the club face. Your left hand should block the vision of your left knee when your hands are in the proper position. It's also a good idea to "choke" down on the grip an inch.
Use a smooth, low take away on the backswing, and stop when you get to about three-quarter length. Although there will be some play in your wrists, you should not fully cock your wrists as you would for a full swing. Wrist action makes the ball go higher.
On the downswing, swing smooth and easy. Remember, you've taken plenty of club, and swinging hard will just make the ball go that much higher.
The follow-through is also an important part of this shot. Try to finish the swing with the club pointing toward the target, not all the way over your shoulder as you would for a normal swing. A full follow-through will add height to the shot, and again, you'll be at the mercy of the wind.
If you have the right mental approach when you play in windy conditions, you can save yourself a lot of frustration. Realize that all the players in the field will probably score a few shots higher than normal. Don't force the issue and play against the wind. Instead, have some patience, use the techniques I've explained, and play under the wind.
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(93).."SWING FLAWS"
PROBLEM:
Tend to hit the short irons to the left and the long irons, and the woods, especially the three-wood and driver, with a slice to the right.
ANSWER:
The problem is most likely not the clubs, especially if it's a matched set. The problem is a swing flaw that's consistent with all your clubs, and your inconsistent ball flight comes from the different spin of the ball that each club produces.
There are two types of spin you can put on a golf ball, and one will tend to negate the other. There is "backspin," which makes the ball go up in the air, and "side spin," which makes the ball go right or left.
The swing flaw is what golf professionals refer to as "coming over the top." If you begin your downswing with your hands and arms instead of your lower body, the club head will move "outside" your ideal swing plane. With the club head approaching the ball from the outside, the only place it can go through impact is the inside, which is left of the target. The ball will take off to the left, and with the short irons, which put a great deal of backspin (negating the side spin) on the ball, the ball will fly high and fairly straight.
With the long irons and woods, the ball will also begin to the left. However, these lower-lofted clubs give players the feeling that the ball will not get airborne, so the tendency is to help the ball into the air by "opening" the club face at impact, creating loft. With the club head moving to the left of the target with the face in an open position, the result is a "sheering" effect that puts a slice spin on the ball, making it curve to the right of the target.
To cure the problem, make sure you begin your back swing by making a good shoulder turn. This will cause you to swing the club on an inside plane. Begin your downswing by making a strong weight shift to your left side.
If your hands and arms remain passive at the beginning of the downswing, the club will "drop" to the inside, and the only place it can go from there is out to the target.
If your grip pressure is not too tight, the club face will naturally roll over or "release" at impact, producing a gentle draw. This is the ball flight that gives the maximum distance and direction, and it's no more difficult to make than the swing you're making now, it's just different, that's all.
Probably the best way to work on this is to begin with short, pitch shots, using a pitching wedge, and not swinging any longer than waist high.
Swing the club back, slightly to the inside, and point the toe of the club to the sky. Make this motion continuously until you develop a rhythm and feel your hands release at impact. Your grip pressure should be very light, light enough to keep your fore arms relaxed. Then step up to a ball and try to duplicate that motion. If done properly, the ball will fly as straight as a string.
Be sure to use a specific target when you do this drill, no longer than 15 to 20 yards. Not only is this a great drill for your full swing, it's a great little shot in itself. Gradually increase the length of the swing and work through the whole set, from the wedges to the driver. Be patient, you didn't develop this flaw overnight and it won't go away overnight.
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(94).."FOCUS"
Improve your focus for a better game
Maintaining focus is golf's essential core. What most golfers struggle to understand is the subtly of this maxim. Focus does not mean mentally straining to enforce alertness throughout a swing. Far from it, instead, focus means staying in the moment and quietly observing the actions of the body without interfering with undo commentary or tweaking. This is far different than the normal perception of golfers who get to the ball and think that they must THEN assume this knitted brow attitude. Actually, that's when it is most important to begin to consciously relax and get through the pre-shot routine without bringing in some sweat inducing tensions. Focus is all about letting go and enjoying the game.
Consider a wide angled lens. Even though it can be focus precisely on its subject, still all the other parts of the scene are also included and in focus. Being human, you can only have one thought at a time. Ball, position, grip, hips, etc.--so many thoughts to have. Better to let go and trust your routine and enjoy the whole process like a wide angled lens that takes it all in while precisely targeting its subject. Your subject is targeting without losing awareness of your surroundings. If you practice allowing all things to flow through you, then you don't have to be vigilant and disturbed if a bird flies by. As long as targeting is happening, nothing else can touch your swing.
The primary elements of focus are:
One:
Be in the moment. Stay "now". Sticking to your pre-shot routine should accomplish this for you. This stops any "fear forwarding" or "backward regretting" the last shot. The pre-shot routine is complex enough to take up your whole thinking ability. Let it. This leaves nothing for fear to enter with an errant thought.
Two:
Targeting. This keeps you on this shot, not the next shot.
Three: Don't wear yourself out rehashing past shots. This is a form of visualization that is not only self-defeating from a psychological/programming standpoint, but it also takes a huge amount of energy that fatigues you and depletes resources you'll be better off using for entering your next pre-shot routine.
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(95).."OFF SEASON PRACTICE"
As winter quickly approachs here in north western Pennsylvania, my thoughts turn to how to keep sharp and work on my golf game during the off season. It seems that no matter how many times we visits the driving range during the winter, we still have to work very hard each spring to "get our game back." This is a common concern for many golfers. Actually, the off season is the perfect time to work on your game. A lot of golfers do this by exercising, visiting the practice range on a regular basis, and maybe even getting away for a winter vacation and a few rounds of golf. But, if your not working on your mental game as well putting in quality practice, you're missing a great opportunity to take your game to the next level. Try the following strategies over the next few months and you'll see how much stronger your game will be in the spring.
If you go to the driveing range and hit balls and have a swing problem...Do you honestly believe the practice will be of any benifit? Do you believe that by moving your hands this way...aiming left because you hit to the right...move the ball back in your stance because you hit behind the ball is the correct way to fix swing problems? Do your self a favor...put the Golf Digest away..Do not take your buddy along to help. Go and get a lesson from a teaching professional. Explain that you want a list of problems that you have with your golf swing, address, posture, and grip. If you are not a scratch golfer, he should be able to give you at least 4 to 6 items that need to be improved. Now every time you go to the range take one problem from your list (ONE) and work on it alone. I guarantee by spring time you will be hitting yhe ball much better.
One thing that is fun and takes some of the tedium out of going to the range is to accually play golf.
Set a goal for each visit to the practice range. Work on the mechanics of your swing during some of the sessions. Then between these practice sessions, set a time to "play golf," and prepare for it in the same way you would if you were actually going out to play. The day before this session, decide on the course and the holes you want to play. When you get to the practice range, hit a few practice shots to warm up. After that, check the layout of a particular hole on the score card or in the yardage book or from memory. Imagine actually being on the course. "See" the hole out in front of you, then plan and execute your first shot as if you were on the tee box. Track your ball and see where it lands. Imagine where it would have landed if you had hit that kind of shot on the course, then plan and execute your next shot as if you were hitting it from there. Continue "playing" the hole this way. Finally, imagine your approach shot. See how close you can get it to the pin or if you can chip it in.
"Playing" this way will help keep up your course management skills. It's also great training in visualizing, which is so important to the mental game. Most people find that it's more fun than just whacking a bucket of balls because it engages your mind at a different level.
By using these practice techniques and also "playing" at the practice range, you program your body how to play the next time you're out on the course. And, spring will find you at the top of your game rather than struggling to get it back.
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(96).."TO CLOSE TO THE BALL ?"
I have been getting a lot of questions concerning how to tell if you are the correct distance from the ball at address.
This tip is from Tiger Woods couch, Butch.
With any club address the ball....Now with out changing anything let go of the club with you right hand allowing your arm to relax and fall away from the club. If your arm falls either toward the club head or back toward your body, then you are not the correct distance from the ball. When you can release your right hand and it falls directly away from the club and not toward you or the club head, you are the correct length away from the ball.
This works for any club, excluding the putter.
So if you think your to close or far away from the ball at address give this little gem a try, even while playing a round of golf.
This might even be a nice addition to your pre shot routine.
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(97).."PLAYING CONSISTENCY"
As I work golfers, the concern is often the same -- "how can I play well consistently?" Whenever I get this question, I ask the person if they use a good mental routine on a consistent basis. The answer is usually "yes", but it often turns out that their pre-shot routine focuses on the mechanics of their swing rather than on their mental game.
Having a physical routine is helpful, especially to the new golfer. But it's easy for it to become habit. And when it's a habit, your mind is free to wander and you can become distracted - maybe by people around you or course conditions; maybe by your own thoughts. A good mental routine helps you focus and concentrate on the shot at hand and block out distractions because it engages your mind in the routine.
There are four steps to a good mental routine:
1. Calculations.This step may sound a little like your usual pre-shot routine. It involves picking a target, a club, and the type of shot you plan to make. The most important part of it is committing to the choices you make. The calculation step uses reasoning and logic that's controlled by the left hemisphere of your brain. For the remaining steps of the routine you use the right hemisphere of your brain, which controls athletic movements. Unless you make a commitment to your calculations and stick with it, you'll be pulled back into the left brain calculations and your athletic abilities will be affected.
When you have a problem committing, it's very often related to tension. As tension increases, your mind gets busier and it's harder to make decisions. If you feel this happening, stop your routine and take a deep breath to help you relax. Then begin the calculations again, this time making a firm commitment to your decisions.
2.Visualization. See the shot in your mind, as though you're watching a video or movie. See it flying through the air, falling, rolling toward your target. The more vividly you can visualize, the more you engage your right brain and promote athletic movement.
It's more difficult to visualize when you're tense or in a pressure situation. So again, be sure you take some deep breaths to calm yourself if you're having trouble with this.
3. Feel. This step involves actually feeling the movements you will use to hit the shot. When first using this routine, many people will take a full practice swing. Later, the feel step may be reduced to just a small waggle. The important thing is to place the emphasis on feel, tempo, and rhythm, and have a swing thought that's related to feel. Sam Snead's feel-based swing thought was "oily." Mechanical swing thoughts are fine for the driving range. But to keep from getting distracted by a lot of details while on the course, you need to use a feel swing thought.
4. Hit the shot. Use the feel thought while you're hitting your shot. Don't wait too long after step 3 to hit your shot or your focus will expand and you'll get distracted.
If you use this mental routine before every shot, you'll find you're more focused and less distracted. You'll be freeing your athletic ability instead of getting in your own way. Even your bad shots (which ever golfer has!!) won't be as bad. And you'll find yourself playing more consistently and consistently having more fun too!
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(98).."BALL COMPRESSION"
Would you like to get confused? Ask some golfers what compression ball you should play, or better yet, What difference does compression make when you hit the ball? It is worth under standing about ball compression, because it "can" effect your game. It is something many golfers talk about, but really don't understand.
The hardest part of explaining ball compression had "always been" how any manufacturer could make a golf ball and do it by complying with the rules of golf, which read.
(Please note: Both The Royal and Ancient and the United States Golf Association rules on a golf balls specifications regarding it's size and weight are exactly the same.)
a... Weight - The weight of the ball shall not be greater than 1.620 ounces (45.93 gm).
b... Size - The diameter of the ball shall be not less than 1.680 inches (42.67mm).
So not only does a ball manufacturer make golf balls of different compression's they must also be the same size and weight.
Given the above facts, no wonder so many golfers are confused. When explaining compression the concept of the balls size remaining the same sounded impossible. Their typical question is, "When I compress something it becomes smaller, so how does the ball remain the same size ?"
Hopefully the following example will help clear some of the confusion.
Take a rubber band and wrap it around 3 of your fingers. Next wrap it around the same 3 fingers, only this time as you wrap it stretch it so you can wrap it around them at least 3 times. You will definitely feel a tremendous amount of difference in the pressure on your fingers.
What you are feeling is compression. You are using the same amount of material and it is occupying the same amount of space, yet it is producing different pressures on your fingers. That pressure is the result of compression and that's exactly how it happens inside a golf ball.
The more you stretch the rubber the more your compression rises. Stretch it 8 times it's natural length and you have created an 80 compression ball, stretch it 9 times and create a 90 compression and 10 times a 100. Yet no matter how many times you stretch it around your fingers when you remove it, it returns to it's original size and weight. Therefore when wrapped around your fingers it only changes in it's appearance/shape.
In order to get maximum distance from a golf ball, you must compress it fully. It is generally accepted, a fully compressed golf ball is one that is half flattened at impact. To get full distance with any golf ball the golfer must supply enough force to half flatten the ball they are using.
In the old days, the only way to find out which compression was right for you was by trial and error. Thankfully modern technology has now given us a simple formula which works great.
A 70 compression ball should be used by a golfer who's club head speed with their driver is 70 mph, an 80 compression ball should be used by a golfer with an 80 mph club head speed, 90 with 90 and 100 with 100.
While this may not be scientific, it is logical and it works.
WARNING: Always remember on a hot day rubber expands and ball compression lowers. For example a 90 compression ball will react more like an 80 in 100 degree temperature and a 100 compression like a 90.
In cold weather the reverse is true. For example in 50 degree temperature an 80 compression ball will react more like a 90 compression and a 100 compression ball will react more like a rock.
So my advice is to match your club head speed to the equivalent compression ball in normal temperatures to maximize your potential, but always factor in the other than normal temperatures in your compression selection.
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(99).."LEARN FROM YOUR DIVOTS"
Try watching the pros when they hit their shots.
They watch the trajectory of the ball and if it's not quite what they intended they then look at the divot to see why the ball did what it did. They know there is a wealth of information in that little hole in the ground. The divot is one of the easiest ways to tell you what you did wrong.
A divot aiming left of your target is a sign of an outside-in swing resulting in a full fade or slice.
A divot aiming right of your target is a sign of a push, drag or hook.
A divot too deep is a sign of a steep downswing resulting in shots that come up short.
A divot that is too shallow is a sign that the swing is too flat or is coming up and out of the shot.
The next time you're out playing, remember when you hit a less than perfect shot, take a look at your divot and learn from them-they're free.
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(100).."PUTTING PRACTICE"
"Let's talk about the difference between practicing your putting and just hitting balls. There's a big difference."
I'm going to demonstrate what most of you do when "practicing" your putting. You go to the practice green, grab three or four balls and put them down and say OK let's practice our putting. You start with the first one. Great, you make it. Let's try another one. Nope missed it. Try the third one to see if you can get the first one back. Nope missed that one too and so on. Most of the time you don't even move your feet for all four putts. Let me ask you this, do you do this on the golf course?
The answer is no! On the course all you get is one ball. What you do when you get ready to putt is go through your routine. Look behind, side look, 2 practice swings etc, whatever your pre putt routine is on the golf course, then that's what you do when you practice putting.
If you want to practice your speed or get the feel of a new green then take 3-4 balls out on the practice green and do what you always do..
If you wish to truly practice putting, take one ball, go through your routine each time and move around the practice green and putt exactly as if you were on the course. That's how you practice the same way it is out on the golf course.
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(101).."BEGINING GOLFERS"
If you are a beginning golfer here are five suggestions to improving your golf skill most rapidly:
1.) Purchase a inexspensive set of clubs that fit you or useing a set of hand-me-down or borrowed clubs, have them shorten or lengthened to fit you. Having equipment that fits you (length wise) is paramount in developing good technique. By the same token, you don't need the most hi-tech, high priced clubs--arguably, only when you have developed a sound golf swing should professional fit golf clubs be considered.
2.) Begin by taking a minimum of five golf lessons from a professional golf instructor and have him or her give you a list of your swing and or address faults. Trial-and-error learning (or getting tips from someone at the range ) will leave you flailing and frustrated for years to come. Learn from a Pro starting on day one and you'll avoid coding in bad habits and technique that will plague you for years. Perfecting the fundamentals early on ensures you'll see constant gains in this difficult sport for years to come. Don't hesitate to take further lessons on an as-needed basis. Instruction on the all-important short game is invaluable, and a playing lesson or two with a Pro is the best way to learn crucial on-course strategy.
3.) Practice, practice, practice. Get to the range at least twice per week. Work on one item from your list from the pro per bucket of balls and only one. Make a written training schedule that you will stick to. Only work on one to two things at each visit to the range. People don't normally use the words "golf" and "training" in the same sentence, but by thinking of your practice sessions as training seems to make it a more serious commitment you're not likely to blow off. Remind yourself that inconsistent or random practice means slow, or no, gains. Do you really want to get good at this sport? If so, get on a regular training schedule!
4.) Work on all aspects of the game. Find a driving range that has a bunker and/or a putting green. Favor hitting off grass areas as opposed to turf mats. Work all your clubs, and focus on the problem clubs. Warm-up by hitting a few dozen balls with your "good" clubs, then get to work on target-oriented practice with the one's that give you problems. Always finish each session with a few great shots.
5.) Play a minimum of two rounds of golf per month. During your first few years in this sport its best to play for practice as opposed to performance. Sure, it's nice to score as low as possible, but don't obsess over score early on. This will lower the pressure on yourself and free you up to experiment and try chancy shots on the course. This is undoubtedly the best approach for developing wide-ranging skills and to foster long-term gains. Don't hit another ball when your first one goes under a tree or in the tall grass...play it were it lies. taking easier shots will not improve your game, just your score.
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(102).."MIRROR PUTTING"
In order to see the line of the putt and make a straight back and through stroke, it is essential that the eyes remain directly over the ball. If your eyes are inside the line of the putt an inside-out motion may result, and conversely if the eyes are to far across the line of the putt a outside-in stroke may result. Either motion is destructive to consistent putting. The most consistent motion is a square-to-square motion where the putter travels on a straight line back and through the ball on toward the target.
The Mirror Drill
One sure fire way to accomplish a square-to-square motion is to place a mirror underneath the ball. As you assume your address position you now can easily get the eyes directly over the line of the putt. Simply look to see that your target-eye is covered over the ball as you assume your address position. Also the mirror can assist you on keeping your shoulders parallel to the ball-target line (another vital key in a consistent stroke). You should place a strip of tape parallel the ball-target-line to aid in keeping the shoulders square.
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(103).."TENSION"
Tension in the golf swing can cause you to lose distance and accuracy. By executing certain fundamentals correctly, tension is avoided. Certain swing characteristics that many of you are familiar with cause tension.
For example, keeping your leading arm stiff. What purpose other than looks is there in keeping your leading arm stiff? None; it only causes tension. There is absolutely no comfort or reason in keeping this arm stiff.
Fundamentally you decrease tension by working on a proper grip. A grip that has no tension is achieved by doing the following: Place the grip in the fingers of both hands. With the bottom hand, start the grip in the middle of the fingers. Avoid the palm. Also, place the thumb of the top hand off to the side, away from the target, and place the bottom thumb on the other side of the grip, closest to the target. The thumbs have many nerves at the tips. If the thumbs run directly down the center of the grip, you trigger those nerves. The arms tense up and you now have tension.
Fundamentally all you are trying to achieve is a light grip. If you maintain a light grip during the swing you will avoid any move or swing characteristics that cause tension. Example: If you use a tight grip then you also tense your fore arm muscles and this automatically opens the face of the club causing pushed shots. Do not do something just because it looks good or someone tells you to do so. Swing thought...."RELAX". Don't force the swing, just let the tension free happen and you will probably increase your distance and improve your consistency..
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