I do not agree with the many books and teachers that suggest there is only one way to hold a golf club. Everybody has a correct grip but it isn't found in placing your hands on the club in a "standard" position. Instead it is finding a grip that enables you to square the club face to your swing path at impact when swinging at normal speed.
The basic grip of placing the hands and fingers in a certain manner became widely accepted because it made squaring the club face to the swing path easiest for the majority of players. This is a good place to start but most players will need to experiment to find the right grip for them. Again, that is a grip that delivers the club face square to your swing path at impact with normal speed.
Start with the "Vs" formed by the thumb and forefinger of each hand pointing midway between your nose and right shoulder. If your longer shots curve to the right then your club face is open (aimed right of your swing path) at impact. To square the club face move both your hands further to the right or clockwise. If your shots curve left then your club face is closed (aimed left of your swing path) at impact. To square the club face move both your hands further to the left or counter-clockwise.
You have found the right grip when your longer shots fly straight even though you may still be pulling the ball left or pushing it right of the target. No curvature on your shots tells you the club face is square to the swing path at impact.
Don't be afraid to experiment with finding the correct grip position for your particular physical make up and swing.
Friday, June 3, 2011
Saturday, May 28, 2011
If you're confused try two turns and a swing
I often find my students making the golf swing more complicated than it actually is. Although this may sound like an oversimplification the golf swing is really nothing more than two turns combined with an arm and hand swing.
If you're struggling with your game or are caught up in too many mechanical thoughts I would suggest you play your next few rounds based on "Two turns combined with an arm and hand swing".
Rather than thinking of the backswing as a serious of intricate movements consider it simply as the first turn. Focus only on moving your right shoulder out of the way as your hands and arms swing the club back and up. Do the same with the downswing by thinking of it as the second turn. That is simply moving your hips out of the way as your hands and arms swing the club down and through the ball.
As long as you have a correct grip and set up and can swing around a steady head while keeping your feet firmly on the ground in the backswing this simple mental exercise will clear your mind and could dramatically improve your shot making.
You'll also learn that the golf swing really isn't that complicated a movement. The key in the golf swing is coordinating the the turns with the swinging of the club rather than trying to place the club in certain exact "positions" along the way.
You may think of this as an oversimplification but the one thing I have found out through twenty five years of teaching the game is the less you're thinking while making a golf swing the better you'll play.
If you're struggling with your game or are caught up in too many mechanical thoughts I would suggest you play your next few rounds based on "Two turns combined with an arm and hand swing".
Rather than thinking of the backswing as a serious of intricate movements consider it simply as the first turn. Focus only on moving your right shoulder out of the way as your hands and arms swing the club back and up. Do the same with the downswing by thinking of it as the second turn. That is simply moving your hips out of the way as your hands and arms swing the club down and through the ball.
As long as you have a correct grip and set up and can swing around a steady head while keeping your feet firmly on the ground in the backswing this simple mental exercise will clear your mind and could dramatically improve your shot making.
You'll also learn that the golf swing really isn't that complicated a movement. The key in the golf swing is coordinating the the turns with the swinging of the club rather than trying to place the club in certain exact "positions" along the way.
You may think of this as an oversimplification but the one thing I have found out through twenty five years of teaching the game is the less you're thinking while making a golf swing the better you'll play.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Tee Shots - Lack of Distance
Obviously length off the tee gives players a huge advantage over their shorter hitting competitors. Longer drives allow you to hit shorter irons into the greens giving you opportunities for more birdies and lower scores. Players often fail to maximize on their distance potential not because of their lack of strength or club head speed, but rather because of their set up with the driver.
In order it hit long, high flying tee shots a player must create a sweeping motion that strikes the ball while the club head is ascending or on the upswing. Unfortunately many players address their tee shots in the same manner as if they were hitting an iron. Their weight is favoring their left side, their hands are forward and the ball is positioned back in their stance. This setup creates a steep, downward angle of attack on the ball in the downswing resulting in a weak glancing blow and a loss of power. Topped or skied shots are often the result.
I recommend making these adjustments in your address to improve your impact and trajectory. Tee the ball higher and more forward so the ball is opposite the instep of your left foot. Widen your stance slightly and put 60 percent of your weight on your right side. Your head and hands will now be slightly behind the ball. Keep your grip relaxed so your arms feel soft and not rigid.
This new set up creates a wide arc and full shoulder turn so that your upper body is fully coiled behind the ball at the top of your swing. The increased coil allows for the natural transition back to your left side and the club to accelerate through the ball on a more ascending path.
Keep your head behind the ball through impact so that you feel you are sweeping the ball off the tee without removing the tee from the ground. Practice this new set up and swing feel, and you'll soon be hitting shorter irons into the greens with more birdie opportunities.
In order it hit long, high flying tee shots a player must create a sweeping motion that strikes the ball while the club head is ascending or on the upswing. Unfortunately many players address their tee shots in the same manner as if they were hitting an iron. Their weight is favoring their left side, their hands are forward and the ball is positioned back in their stance. This setup creates a steep, downward angle of attack on the ball in the downswing resulting in a weak glancing blow and a loss of power. Topped or skied shots are often the result.
I recommend making these adjustments in your address to improve your impact and trajectory. Tee the ball higher and more forward so the ball is opposite the instep of your left foot. Widen your stance slightly and put 60 percent of your weight on your right side. Your head and hands will now be slightly behind the ball. Keep your grip relaxed so your arms feel soft and not rigid.
This new set up creates a wide arc and full shoulder turn so that your upper body is fully coiled behind the ball at the top of your swing. The increased coil allows for the natural transition back to your left side and the club to accelerate through the ball on a more ascending path.
Keep your head behind the ball through impact so that you feel you are sweeping the ball off the tee without removing the tee from the ground. Practice this new set up and swing feel, and you'll soon be hitting shorter irons into the greens with more birdie opportunities.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Why do we swing so fast ?
I would estimate of the thousands of lessons I have given to amateurs at least 50 percent of them swing the club too fast. I have found there are basically two reasons for this.
First amateurs have not had proper instruction on the mechanics of the golf swing. They haven't learned to properly coil and uncoil the bigger muscles, but rather make an instinctive quick flailing motion with their hands.
The second reason for an overly fast swing would be anxiety. This anxiety causes amateurs to rush their swing in order to see where the shot goes or just to get the swing over with. In either case the results are almost always bad.
Here are few mental and physical exercises to help you slow your swing down and give it time to function properly.
1. Make a slow practice swing. On the practice tee before hitting a full shot make two very slow practice swings at no more than 75 percent of the speed of your normal swing. Then step up the ball and try to hit the shot at the same pace - say 75 percent of your normal pace. You may be surprised by hitting the most solid shot of the day.
2. Keep your backswing and downswing speeds the same. Many players who swing too fast may not be quick taking the club back, but get extremely fast coming down. Therefore their backswings and downswings don't match. When this happens you can't fully utilize your lower body in the downswing. Make an effort to keep your backswing and downswing speeds the same by swinging your arms down and through the ball at the same pace which you brought them back.
3. Hit shots with your feet together using your 6 iron with the ball teed up slightly. You'll quickly learn that you must swing in balance or you'll fall over, and that in order to stay balanced you must make a slow and smooth swinging motion. Don't worry how far the shots go although you may be surprised at their distance because you hit the shots squarely.
Amateurs can eliminate a lot of faulty shots by simply learning to slow their swings down. With practice these exercises will help you realize that by swinging in a more leisurely fashion you are allowing the centrifugal force built up in the shaft and clubhead to release through the impact zone.
A good thought is to swing the clubhead through the ball rather that hitting at the ball. Try these drills and you'll soon be surprised how solidly you strike the ball and how much farther you hit it.
First amateurs have not had proper instruction on the mechanics of the golf swing. They haven't learned to properly coil and uncoil the bigger muscles, but rather make an instinctive quick flailing motion with their hands.
The second reason for an overly fast swing would be anxiety. This anxiety causes amateurs to rush their swing in order to see where the shot goes or just to get the swing over with. In either case the results are almost always bad.
Here are few mental and physical exercises to help you slow your swing down and give it time to function properly.
1. Make a slow practice swing. On the practice tee before hitting a full shot make two very slow practice swings at no more than 75 percent of the speed of your normal swing. Then step up the ball and try to hit the shot at the same pace - say 75 percent of your normal pace. You may be surprised by hitting the most solid shot of the day.
2. Keep your backswing and downswing speeds the same. Many players who swing too fast may not be quick taking the club back, but get extremely fast coming down. Therefore their backswings and downswings don't match. When this happens you can't fully utilize your lower body in the downswing. Make an effort to keep your backswing and downswing speeds the same by swinging your arms down and through the ball at the same pace which you brought them back.
3. Hit shots with your feet together using your 6 iron with the ball teed up slightly. You'll quickly learn that you must swing in balance or you'll fall over, and that in order to stay balanced you must make a slow and smooth swinging motion. Don't worry how far the shots go although you may be surprised at their distance because you hit the shots squarely.
Amateurs can eliminate a lot of faulty shots by simply learning to slow their swings down. With practice these exercises will help you realize that by swinging in a more leisurely fashion you are allowing the centrifugal force built up in the shaft and clubhead to release through the impact zone.
A good thought is to swing the clubhead through the ball rather that hitting at the ball. Try these drills and you'll soon be surprised how solidly you strike the ball and how much farther you hit it.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Effective practice is about quality not quantity
So you just finished hitting 150 balls to improve your game and lower your scores. Well think about this first. An average golf swing takes 1 1/2 seconds. 150 X 1.5 seconds = 225 seconds. Divide that by 60 seconds and you just practiced for a little over 3 1/2 minutes. In my opinion that's not much time to learn a new skill.
Learning proper swing mechanics is essential to play good golf, but you'll master those mechanics faster if you work on them without a ball. If golf were simply about knowing rather than doing wouldn't the teaching professionals be beating the touring professionals?
The only way to permanently learn a motor skill is through repetition, you can't do it without a lot of practice. But it needs to be the right kind of practice. Standing on the practice tee hitting a pile of balls and trying to learn to make a good golf swing simply doesn't work.
Students learn faster if they work on mechanics without the distraction of trying to hit the ball at the same time. With a ball in front of them students worry too much about performance and not enough about learning, seeing and feeling their swing.
As an instructor I have learned to use various props to enhance students visual feedback and develop feel in their swing. These tools help students develop sound fundamentals and to learn by feel without the distraction of trying to perform at the same time.
Students are then able to work on their swing without going to the practice range. Rather they can work on their swing mechanics during a coffee break or in their hotel room when traveling.
Quick fixes may offer you instant gratification but you'll suffer long term consequences. Making a long term commitment may require temporary inconvenience but the benefits are permanent improvement.
Learning proper swing mechanics is essential to play good golf, but you'll master those mechanics faster if you work on them without a ball. If golf were simply about knowing rather than doing wouldn't the teaching professionals be beating the touring professionals?
The only way to permanently learn a motor skill is through repetition, you can't do it without a lot of practice. But it needs to be the right kind of practice. Standing on the practice tee hitting a pile of balls and trying to learn to make a good golf swing simply doesn't work.
Students learn faster if they work on mechanics without the distraction of trying to hit the ball at the same time. With a ball in front of them students worry too much about performance and not enough about learning, seeing and feeling their swing.
As an instructor I have learned to use various props to enhance students visual feedback and develop feel in their swing. These tools help students develop sound fundamentals and to learn by feel without the distraction of trying to perform at the same time.
Students are then able to work on their swing without going to the practice range. Rather they can work on their swing mechanics during a coffee break or in their hotel room when traveling.
Quick fixes may offer you instant gratification but you'll suffer long term consequences. Making a long term commitment may require temporary inconvenience but the benefits are permanent improvement.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Oh, and just one more thing...
On a recent wintry Sunday afternoon I dropped by a bookstore to do some browsing, and as usual decided to scan through a golf magazine. This particular one was the February issue of Golf Digest highlighting the "hottest" clubs for 2011.
I was also happy to count no less the 24 (yes, that's right, twenty four) swing tips in the issue. I say happy because these magazines keep my lesson book full. I can't tell you how many times I have a student arrive with a very confused look and newly contorted swing due to their recent reading of a golf magazine. The first thing I do is hit the "delete" button in their brain before helping them get their swing back on track.
If you enjoy the game with a desire to improve (and who doesn't) the absolute worst thing you can do is read golf magazines, watch the Golf Channel and listen to "Helpful Henry" who is hitting balls next to you. Here is why:
1. Most magazine articles are written by touring professionals who are trying to not hook the ball. Most weekend amateurs are trying to keep the ball from going right.
2. Your body can only carry out so many commands from your brain within a given time period. The average golf swings takes 1 1/4 seconds. Think about it..
3. 90 percent of the articles or topics have absolutely nothing to do with what's causing your shot problems.
Find a PGA Professional in your area with a good reputation. If you don't already know one ask around at your local courses or golf shops. Believe me if a teacher is worth his salt their name will come up repeatedly. Let your instructor determine what areas of your game need attention. He will set up a lesson plan based on your individual needs and goals.
There is no quick fix when it comes to the golf swing. The best formula for long term improvement is a competent instructor, properly fitted equipment and an effective practice regiment. And oh yes, stick to People or National Geographic.
I was also happy to count no less the 24 (yes, that's right, twenty four) swing tips in the issue. I say happy because these magazines keep my lesson book full. I can't tell you how many times I have a student arrive with a very confused look and newly contorted swing due to their recent reading of a golf magazine. The first thing I do is hit the "delete" button in their brain before helping them get their swing back on track.
If you enjoy the game with a desire to improve (and who doesn't) the absolute worst thing you can do is read golf magazines, watch the Golf Channel and listen to "Helpful Henry" who is hitting balls next to you. Here is why:
1. Most magazine articles are written by touring professionals who are trying to not hook the ball. Most weekend amateurs are trying to keep the ball from going right.
2. Your body can only carry out so many commands from your brain within a given time period. The average golf swings takes 1 1/4 seconds. Think about it..
3. 90 percent of the articles or topics have absolutely nothing to do with what's causing your shot problems.
Find a PGA Professional in your area with a good reputation. If you don't already know one ask around at your local courses or golf shops. Believe me if a teacher is worth his salt their name will come up repeatedly. Let your instructor determine what areas of your game need attention. He will set up a lesson plan based on your individual needs and goals.
There is no quick fix when it comes to the golf swing. The best formula for long term improvement is a competent instructor, properly fitted equipment and an effective practice regiment. And oh yes, stick to People or National Geographic.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Now is the time for a Winter Check Up
Winter is a great time to get a check up of your golf game and your equipment. Golf Rx offers a private and comfortable learning environment during these cold months when outdoor activity is limited.
You can have your swing reviewed using our V1 Digital Video System. The saying, "A picture is worth a thousand words" is certainly appropriate in regards to improving your swing.
We also offer a free winter check up for your equipment. We'll evaluate your clubs to insure they are properly fit for your stature and swing characteristics. Factors include length, shaft material and flex, loft & lie angle,grip size and set make up.
If adjustments are needed they can be done with same day service on re-gripping and loft and lie adjustments, and next day service on re-shafting.
If you simply want to get in some practice on our Full Swing Golf Simulator call us at 288-4539 and make a reservation. You can also choose to play a variety of golf courses in a comfortable 72 degree environment.
If you're in the market for new clubs this year we proudly custom fit Callaway, Taylor Made and Adams Golf Clubs. We also accept trade-ins.
If you have any questions give us a call or better stop by Golf Rx for a cup of coffee and we'll discuss how we can help your game for 2011.
You can have your swing reviewed using our V1 Digital Video System. The saying, "A picture is worth a thousand words" is certainly appropriate in regards to improving your swing.
We also offer a free winter check up for your equipment. We'll evaluate your clubs to insure they are properly fit for your stature and swing characteristics. Factors include length, shaft material and flex, loft & lie angle,grip size and set make up.
If adjustments are needed they can be done with same day service on re-gripping and loft and lie adjustments, and next day service on re-shafting.
If you simply want to get in some practice on our Full Swing Golf Simulator call us at 288-4539 and make a reservation. You can also choose to play a variety of golf courses in a comfortable 72 degree environment.
If you're in the market for new clubs this year we proudly custom fit Callaway, Taylor Made and Adams Golf Clubs. We also accept trade-ins.
If you have any questions give us a call or better stop by Golf Rx for a cup of coffee and we'll discuss how we can help your game for 2011.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
