• About Me
• Payment
• Ordering
• Shipping Quote
• Questions
• Comments

(186).."CURE ALLS"

Frustrated With Golf Lingo and cure alls?

I am probably one of the very few golf instructors that do not use typical golf lingo with a student. Fancy terms do not create the golf swing. They create frustration and they are a poor way to communicate your thoughts to the student.

You might have heard of these terms: "you're spinning out" or "you're reverse pivoting". And still popular people say your "coming over-the-top", "your spin-angle is wrong", "hinge your wrists", "turn your torso", "coil", "turn your shoulders" and many many more...

Terms come about because many instructors and others that watch another players swing do not see the cause; the club face, they see the effect; the body. That is when fancy lingo starts. Use the club face properly and you can forget all those frustrating golf terms. Just let the swing happen and it will.

None of those terms make a golf swing or cause you to hit the ball. Basically it comes down to this, if a body part doesn't hit the ball, don;t think about it! Do your shoulders hit the ball, your right knee, your hips, or a spin-angle? No. I could keep giving examples. What hits the ball is the cubface and your hands. That is all you should think about during the swing.

To take advantage of hand-eye coordination the club face must be used in a specific manner. The result is an automatic golf swing. When the club face is used in a specific manner, the golf swing is not made, It just happens. Think of the golf club as a tool. Any tool must be used in a specific manner to achieve the best results. For instance, a hammer can not be used backwards, and be effective, a baseball bat or tennis racket can only be used one way. You do not think about a swing or body parts when using these tools. A baseball swing just happens; so does a tennis swing. Using the clubface specifically with hand-eye coordination, the golf swing requires no thinking either. It just happens.

By taking advantage of your hand-eye-coordination when using the clubface, the golf swing becomes automatic and natural. No swing thoughts or fancy terms are needed.

(187).."CAUSE AND EFFECT"

My ultimate goal when giving a golf lesson is for the student to be able to understand and correct their miss-hit shots automatically. By giving them answers to their miss-hit shots frustration is eliminated. If you ask any golfer what they dislike about this game, it would be that it is too complicated. So why is it too complicated? Golfers make it complicated.

Cause is the source; where problems begin. The reaction to these problems is the effect. For example,when hitting a slice, many golfers try correcting the five or twenty things that went wrong. Instead, focus should be on correcting the cause or what made the clubface open at impact; imparting slice spin on the ball, the effect.

Cause of the bad shot. When hitting a slice or any shot, ask yourself one question, what made the ball go that direction? The clubface! There is only one source which causes the ball to go a certain direction, The clubface is your cause or source of directional problems.

Effect of bad shots. Let's discuss the effects of hitting a slice. What happens when the clubface is wrong, causing the ball to slice? Your weight is on your back foot at impact, your leading arm is bowed out, your hips do not rotate through impact properly, the swing feels like you are blocking and perhaps your swing is over-the-top..yah dah yeah DA. These are the very things you should ignore because they are the effect. These things are caused by one thing the club face.

Correction What causes the club face to be open at impact; causing the ball to slice? To answer this you must go to the very beginning of the swing. What starts the swing? Yes, the takeaway. If you take the club face back improperly, you will start a chain of improper swing flaws. The five or twenty things that you are always looking for to not happen, will happen. The mistake is that they are not the cause, they are the effect. When you try correcting those twenty things, frustration will be created and the game will no longer be any fun. AM I RIGHT? By taking the club face back correctly on the takeaway and using the club face properly at impact, a slice is corrected. That is the cause.

By knowing what causes a swing flaw, slice, hook etc...you can avoid having the many swing thoughts that most golfers have.

Correct the cause; not the effect. It will allow your golf game to become automatic and free of any detailed thinking. Most importantly, it allows you to have FUN!

(188).."THE FLOP SHOT"

The first key to this shot is grip pressure. It is very important to have a nice, loose and comfortable grip while playing this shot. If you grip it too tightly, you won't be able to get the freedom in your arm swing.

One of the most important parts of this tip is to swing along your body line. In order to do this you need to play it almost like a bunker shot. To do this you need to open your stance and club face, allowing the ball to get in the air. It must be noted that this is assuming you are not on hard pan. Opening the club face increases the bounce angle and boning the ball becomes a real possibility off of hard pan.

When you swing along your body line you will be cutting across the shot, or swinging the club from the outside in during your downswing. This is also very much like the bunker shot. This action will also help to get the ball into the air and to land softly on the green.

Now that you are in the correct position, the next key is that you have to hit the ball hard. You have to accelerate the club through the ball. A lot of amateurs make the mistake of decelerating or trying to scoop the ball. These mistakes will cause the ball to land short of your target. Instead, get in the correct position and accelerate through and under the ball.

So remember the keys: comfortable grip pressure, open stance and an open club face. But most of all accelerate the club head through the ball enabling a high, soft "flop" shot -- with a little practice and you to can do the Mickelson flop!

(189).."THE DOWN SWING"

The most important, single factor of of a golf swing is making good, solid contact when you strike the ball. In other words, without hitting it squarely, none of the other stuff matters. That being said, there is a critical point during the golf swing that will likely determine whether or not you hit a good shot. That critical time is the split second where the transition from back swing to downswing takes place. That is the point where the golfer most needs to be in control, and unfortunately, that's often the time when the swing is ruined by such golfing demons as fear, anxiety, impatience, lack of discipline, trying to kill the ball, etc. Here are some ideas on starting the down swing that might help you get control of your golf swing before it gets control of you.

TAKE A RELAXED, DEEP BREATH JUST BEFORE YOU SWING.
This is to give you oxygen in your system. It helps to keep your head clear during the swing. It helps to give your cells energy to allow your muscles to perform their tasks. Deep breathing helps you hit better shots. Why do you think most made free throws in basketball are preceded by the player calming himself by taking good, deep breaths? Conversely, many bad swings are made that way during moments when you are short of breath. Why do you think they call it choking? So take a deep, relaxed breath before you swing. And when some wise "A%@%" playing competitor tries to mess with you by asking if you're supposed to be breathing in or out right before you swing -- take that deep breath, hit a good shot, and tell him to eat "SH&@#".

GRIP IT EASY.
Or to be more accurate, don't grip the club too tightly. Too tight of a grip on the club lessens the chance of you making good contact. It usually suffocates any chance you have of making a good, smooth-paced swing. It makes you more likely to lose control at the top of the back swing, and probably helps ruin more shots than almost any other factor. Golf is a game of control. You only need to grip it firm enough to be in control and not energize the fore arm muscles. Watch Mark McGwire some time when he's hitting a baseball. He is gripping that bat very mildly -- about as light as he can while still maintaining control. He swings hard, but it's always with a light grip. You can hit balls a long way by gripping it easy.

HAVE A TRANSITION-ORIENTED SWING THOUGHT THAT TRIGGERS THE DOWNSWING.
You take a deep breath. You grip it easy. You start your back swing back at a smooth pace. Why hurry a back swing? You're not hitting the ball on the back swing. But here's the key. You have to have a certain thought in mind when you've completed the back swing and you're ready to start the downswing. You have to have a certain body movement ready to trigger the downswing. You swing back to that point of a completed back swing focused on the idea that when you reach this point, you will then execute the move that starts the downswing.

Then you do it. You start the downswing. What's a good transition-oriented swing thought? I like Jack Nicklaus' swing thought of replanting his left heel while pushing off the inside of his right foot to initiate the downswing. It should be something that causes the lower body to begin the swing before the upper body unwinds. Use whatever you like, but have a thought at that time as the one thought you have during your swing.

BE PATIENT, MAINTAIN STEADY GRIP PRESSURE, AND SMOOTHLY SWING THE CLUB THROUGH THE BALL TO YOUR FOLLOW THROUGH.
Once you start your downswing, one of the biggest mistakes you can make is to be in a hurry to hit the ball. You don't have to do that. The ball is not moving. It will be there when your club comes firing through the hitting area. But your anxiety to get after that ball tries to overcome your better intentions. That's why you have to convince yourself to be patient. That's why you try to maintain that same, smooth grip pressure throughout the swing. A great player's grip pressure remains reasonably smooth, constant and in control during the entire golf swing. It's something you need to be aware of. It's something you have to work on. But a reward of patience and good grip pressure is an effective, smooth swing. And if you don't think smooth tempo can help you hit the ball a long way, watch pro golfer David Duval's swing pace some time. Watch his arms only. Block off the club part. He swings his downswing at the same pace as his smooth, deliberate back swing. And the ball simply rockets off his driver. Watching the ease with which Duval swings at a ball and then seeing the incredible results after he makes contact is one of the best golf tips you will ever get. Smooth swing + good contact = distance.

Work on your grip. Work on your swing pace. You will be amazed at what can be done with a minimal amount of effort IF you're in control of your swing during the split second that matters -- the transition from back swing to downswing. Mastering that part of the swing is what separates the men from the boys.

(190).."MENTAL MISTAKES #1"

Here are some mental and sometimes just plain stupid mistakes you should try to avoid.

Teeing Up Carelessly

The teeing area is a breeding ground for stupid mistakes. A few classics: Lining up with the tee box/markers without seeing where they're really aimed; playing from a spot that isn't level; not teeing up on the side that benefits your shot shape. Here are three things to check.

First, don't trust the alignment of the markers. If you've ever seen a grounds crew member mow a tee box, you know how little attention is given to replacing the markers. Use them as a guide, but be sure to align yourself. Also, be mindful that architects sometimes design tees to point off line as an added challenge.

Second, give yourself as much room as you possibly can. If you play a slice, tee the ball on the right side so you can start it left without fear of clipping any branches, while allowing for your left-to-right ball flight.

Third, the teeing ground can be uneven due to erosion or to facilitate drainage. Locate a level spot as you approach the tee; it's tough to tell once you're standing over the ball. If you're still unsure at address, stop and re-tee.

Rushing While Playing Through

For many of us, the wave from the group ahead shifts our games into fast-forward. Sometimes we get away with a hurried swing, but playing through is often a tense and round-wrecking ordeal.

Why do we rush? We want to hit fast and get out of the way. We get uptight in front other golfers. Or we feel we have something to prove, as if being in a faster group means you're a better player.

It's all self-inflicted nonsense. Remember, it was their decision to let you through (assuming you weren't hitting into them from every tee). Move quickly between shots, by all means, but maintain your normal preshot routine and you'll get out of their way in fewer strokes. As for how well you play, there's little connection between skill and speed -- just watch the pros on television.

Wait for an appropriate hole to pressure the group in front. They will slow down at difficult spots, like long par threes and tight driving holes. If you don't want to make a tough hole tougher, wait until you feel comfortable with the shots you'll have to hit. Then make your presence known.

(191).."MENTAL MISTAKES #2"

Not sure you've ever made one? Have you ever hit a shot and immediately asked yourself, "Why did I do that?" Join the club.

I have tried to isolated the most common of these little blunders and found simple keys that will unlock your brain when you wander again into the "brain fart" mental mistake minefield.

Hitting Out of Trouble into More Trouble
Playing out of deep rough or woods is as much a part of the game as the flag stick. And no less common is the mindless way we sometimes go about it.
You have hit your tee shot into the trees, setting up a prudent recovery shot. Problem is, you're hardly in a prudent state of mind, burning mad from the bad drive or the prospect of losing a stroke. Consequently, you rush to the ball, grab a club, and -- SLASH -- off it goes into more trouble. You've probably hit it either too far (through the fairway) or not far enough (still in the junk).

The keys to playing good recovery shots are careful club selection and a sensible plan, plus a little self-control. Loft is the crucial factor in club selection. Too much loft can shoot the ball into overhanging limbs; too little can result in a ground ball that gets gobbled up by the rough. Use as much loft as the situation allows, since higher lofted clubs are easier to hit and control.

How hard you swing is also important to a successful recovery. Try to picture the entire shot before you hit it, focusing on the first bounce and any characteristics of the ground, such as hard pan or slope, that might affect how far the ball will roll. Leave room for error, both short and long.

Direction is the final component, but often the only one we consider. When deciding where to aim, select an area that sets up a comfortable follow-up shot. Again, envision ball flight and roll, picking a realistic target.

Not Going Back for the Right Club
How many of you out there, like me, have stood over a shot and KNEW you had the wrong club and for what ever reasons did not go back for the correct one? Some compensate better than others; good players can ease up on a shot or give it a little more sauce as the situation demands. But most of us get into trouble trying to change on the fly. It's never a good idea, no matter how creative we think we are and after we make a bad shot you could kick yourself in the "A^#$" for not going back for the correct club.

A better plan is to start thinking about club selection on the way to the ball. Consider yardage, elevation change, and any required carry, as well as daily conditions such as wind direction and hole location. Use any local knowledge you have, such as knowing that the green is very firm or that rounds have died in the front bunker. Also, don't assume you have a perfect lie or that the wind won't change directions.

Golfers riding in carts are especially susceptible to playing the wrong club. If the cart is parked 100 yards away and you have the wrong stick, what do you do? The answer is to not get into that situation. Take a few extra clubs to your ball, bracketing the one you think is right: For what looks like a 6-iron shot, bring the 5- and 7-irons, too. If you have no clue which club you'll need, say for a trouble shot, take a broad range of choices, like the 3-, 5-, 7-, and 9-irons. And if you're within wedge range, take all your wedges. Grabbing a few extra clubs may save you a few extra strokes.

(192).."MENTAL MISTAKES #3"

Here's a couple more potential "Brain Farts"

Last Swing Thought Is Negative
"I knew it! I knew I was gonna do that!" It's a confession heard on every golf course, every day. Amateurs are quick to admit that they knew while standing over the ball that they were going to make a particular mistake. Prophets they are not; negative thinkers is more like it. And the worst time to have a negative thought is the instant before swinging.

Are any of these you? The slicer standing on the tee picturing his ball curving into the trees as he takes his address; the struggling putter who steps up to a knee-knocker while thinking about similar putts missed on previous holes; the bunker-bound golfer who can see the ball rolling back into the sand. What chance do these players have of success? Pretty slim.

When negative thoughts creep into your mind, step back and regroup. Break the chain of thinking by recalling good shots you've hit in similar situations, maybe on that very hole. Smooth tempo is a good thought, too, as negative thinking leads to tension. If nothing else, positive thoughts fill your mind, leaving no room for negativity.

Hitting Anyway
"Why didn't I back off?" or "I should've stepped away." Such regretful sentiments come from the golfer who knew before the shot that something wasn't right. Instead of backing off and starting over, he tried to fight through it.

This is not the same thing as having a negative thought: The culprit here is something physical. Perhaps a car horn sounds just prior to your swing, or your clubhead catches a clump of grass on the takeaway. Or something about the lie, stance, or address position feels uncomfortable. Once concentration is broken, success becomes a matter of luck, not skill.

When you feel awkward over a shot, try to identify exactly what feels strange. Step off the ball and redo your set-up, paying careful attention to the troublesome part. Go through some simple check points -- grip pressure, alignment, posture -- as you address the ball refreshed. Don't try to overcome the problem by compensating, like opening the clubface if you feel you've aimed left, or fudging the swing by trying to steer the ball to the target.

To guard against hitting before you're ready, be faithful to your preshot routine. Concentrate on doing whatever you normally do: Waggle a little, look at your target a couple of times, use your trigger. If a distraction occurs, try to stop your swing. Even before that, look around and anticipate possible distractions, like an approaching golf cart or a branch that obstructs your backswing. Give yourself every chance to execute the shot properly.

(193).."MENTAL MISTAKES #4"

Here are couple more mental and sometimes just plain stupid mistakes you should try to avoid.

Carelessly Putting Out
Some Tour stars have nearly perfected the art of "continuous putting," holing out without marking, after an approach putt. But even they get caught by a two-footer now and then, missing on a quick, backhanded stab.

Where does this carelessness come from? Mostly anger and frustration. We all know we can make putts of virtually any length, so misses can get under our skin. When they do, we storm to the next putt half-cocked, producing another miss. And sometimes another. Or we putt out while trying to avoid a player's line, either straddling the line or reaching over it. From these positions we fail to square our bodies to the hole, making an on-line stroke almost impossible.

When putting out, employ a few simple tactics. Keep your eye on the approach putt to see how fast it rolls and how much it breaks near the hole. This information will prove useful on your next attempt. Create a routine for short putts, such as looking once at the hole, forward pressing, then stroking. You may want to spot your ball momentarily before putting out, replacing it the way you do on longer putts, e.g., lettering pointing at the target. Finally, when you're in somebody's line, mark your ball and take a breather. Hasty preparation and nonchalant strokes are the primary causes of missed putts.

Hitting Lay-Up Shots Too Far
How many times have you blasted a lay-up shot, then watched it disappear into a water hazard you didn't think you could reach? We could be hitting the ball sideways all day long, but when the time comes merely to advance the ball down the fairway, something clicks, we hit the ball perfectly flush, and it soars down the middle.

Why? Because lay-up shots don't carry the mental baggage of other shots. They offer a wide margin for error -- anywhere in the fairway is acceptable -- and few obstacles. The result is a freer, more confident swing. Without the pressure of hitting to a specific target, like a flag stick, the player feels comfortable, often hitting the ball farther than expected. Sounds great, except few of us factor in the extra distance, so we get into trouble.

If you're looking at a good lie and a lot of room, your subconscious will like the situation, which leads to more confidence and a faster swing. So take one less club. And be observant as you estimate bounce and roll: A typical 170-yard 5-iron may travel close to 200 yards on a firm fairway or when there's a downhill or side hill grade.

(194).."MENTAL MISTAKES #5"

We all make them -- dumb mental errors that lead to big problems and bigger scores and I am not saying anything about you that doesn't go for every weekend warrior, club champion, and Tour player out there.

But the fact remains, we all make stupid mistakes while playing this game, mental slips that have nothing to do with skill or technique or experience. Little lapses that send us reeling in frustration and turn good rounds into nightmares. Here's the last installment.

Leaving an Impossible Shot
"Like pool, golf is primarily a game of position.... The key is to get a good "leave", or an ideal position for the next shot. course architect Robert Trent Jones Jr once said. "It's sage advice for any golfer who hits a good shot, but leaves himself a difficult next shot".

Who would do that? Any of the following sound familiar? After a good drive on a par five, you hit a 3-wood second shot because you're "all you can hit" away. That leaves a 50-yard half-wedge shot, the kind that makes even the pros squeamish. Then there's the uphill putt on a severely sloped green that runs by four feet, setting up a ticklish downhill slider coming back. How about the punch-out that you leave just short of a deep green side bunker? There's a fun shot coming up.

Always be aware of the distance to the hole and any course features you want to avoid. Think one shot ahead, trying to put yourself into a comfortable position. Do the math: If you have 250 yards to the green after your drive, hit a 6-iron 150 and a full wedge the last 100. On punch-outs, the smart play might be sideways or even back wards, if advancing the ball another 50 yards would leave you in skull-wedge range.