Keeping Your Cool

Even the best PGA Tour players lose their cool but losing your cool can cost you big-time.  One of the most difficult aspects of the game of golf is maintaining a calm, steady and persistent demeanor.  For those who really know what the golf swing is really all about, maintaining a relaxed body and mind is what good golf is really all about.

If you lose your cool on the course, you are essentially destroying your chances of playing well.  If you cannot control your temper you are probably better off finding another sport to involve yourself in.  Golf is all about self-control and concentration, temper tantrums ruin any chances of keeping your cool and playing well.

Lose your temper and you will surely lose your game.

Downswing Acceleration

photo credit: rioncm   Many amateurs try to create more clubhead speed by jerking their club from the top, thus laying the groundwork for all sorts of swing problems.  Gradual acceleration is the key!

After taking the club to the top, the club should start down gradually and begin it’s acceleration.  Your lower body is the key to clubhead acceleration as it moves toward the target.  Don’t try to create more momentum with your arms and/or hands, let your body do the work for you.

Allow your club to swing “through” the ball, don’t “hit at it.”  Always be mindful of making a full follow-through.  A poor finish results in clubhead deceleration.  Greater clubhead speed, created by proper acceleration, results in improved shot distance.

Check Your Backswing

photo credit: I woz ere    Every golfer should understand the consequences of a faulty backswing.  What most amateurs find hard to understand is that the backswing determines the forward swing.  Here are some examples:

A)  If you typically slice the ball, try taking the club back to the outside of your target line.  B)  If you hit a lot of hooks, try taking the club back on the inside of your target line.  C)  If you are a relatively straight hitter, take the club back in line with your hands.

One of the best ways to correct swing anomalies is to have your swing analyzed by computer.  It will break your swing down, step by step, in order for you to determine exactly where your swing faults are.

Swing Evaluation Session

photo credit: matsubokkuri   GolfTec is a new company where you can get a comprehensive swing evaluation, using their patented technology.  Each location has certified personal coaches which can provide insight and feedback in reference to your swing analysis.  You will receive a results-based game-plan, specifically personalized for you, by a helpful and knowledgeable coach.   

The swing diagnosis is done using video, motion measurement and a proprietary tour player database.  You will also have online access and reinforcement-swing video and diagrams, notes and practice drills.  The program is designed for golfers at every playing level from beginner to Tour Professional.

Presently, GolfTec is now offering a swing evaluation session for $79 (offer ends soon).  For more information go to www.ChangeMyGame.com or call 877 4-GOLFTEC to schedule your swing analysis.

Be Your Own Teacher

photo credit: DavidHBolton   By studying your shot pattern you can self-correct your swing faults. 

With the correct swing (right handers), the clubface approaches the ball from inside the target line, is square at impact and moves back inside on the follow-through (inside-square-inside).  A common fault is to keep the club moving outside the target line after impact (inside-out).  A square clubface to the inside-out path is a push.  Open clubface > a slice.  Closed clubface > a hook.

An outside-in swing brings the club from outside to inside the line.  Square clubface at impact > pull.  Open clubface = a slice.  Closed clubface > a very huge slice.

To correct the inside-out swing, simply bring the club straight back along the target line as long as possible.

Mastering the Long Irons

photo credit: D.Hilgart   If you prefer long irons, opposed to hybrids, keep reading.  Did you know that the 1 iron (now an obsolete club) has more loft than the average 3 metal-wood?  Yet long irons can terrorize the average golfer.  To hit long irons you must alter your setup.

The ball must be swept off the ground, shaving a very shallow divot.  Experiment by playing the ball in proximity to your lead heel.  Keep your hands in line with the ball or just slightly ahead of it.  Keep your head behind the ball at address.  Make a one piece takeaway keeping the clubhead low to the ground. 

With long irons, tee the ball up about a half an inch for use on long par three golf holes.

Sweep the Ball

photo credit: D.Hilgart   For most golfers, the fairway metal-wood is the hardest club to hit.  Do you hit up or hit down on the ball?  The answer:  you hit the ball at the bottom of your swing-arc and sweep the ball off the ground. 

Check Points:  1)  Be sure to set the clubhead flat on the ground at address.  2)  Play the ball left of center towards lead heel.  3)  Low sweeping takeaway.  3)  Use your entire body in the swing, do not make an arms-only swing which will tend to give you a more descending blow to the ball.  4)  From a good lie in a bunker, play the ball back, widen your stance and keep your legs “quiet” during the swing.

Feet Placement

photo credit: stanik2007   The position of the feet at address, can determine the distance of your shot.  Example:  Step in front of a mirror with a club and assume the address position with both feet square to your target line.  Start your backswing and stop.  Take note of where your club is (the plane).  Now turn your back foot slightly towards the target, take your backswing and stop at the top.  Note that at the top, your club has not gone back as far as when you had a square stance.  Now proceed again, this time with your back toe pointed a few inches away from the target.  Take your backswing and stop at the top again.  Note how much farther back it is.  A longer backswing means more shot distance.

Assemble Your Game

photo credit: marine_perez   To maximize your ability to play well, it is essential to assemble all that you have learned prior to every shot (presuming you have taken lessons or read many books).  The information being referred to concerns the swing, the game itself and the opponent. 

Every good player prepares for each shot knowing exactly how to hit the ball using the correct grip, stance, aim and posture.  Jack Nicklaus makes this point very clearly in his instructional book GOLF MY WAY when he says ”every well executed shot is 80% set-up and 20% swing,” 

The high handicapper stands besides the ball bewildered and expects a good shot without the required preparation.  Good shots don’t just happen, they are “made” to happen.  Assemble all that you know and use that knowledge for each and every shot you take.

Let Your Muscles do the Work

photo credit: nsaplayer   Concentration is the capacity of eliminating and keeping out all disturbing details prior to your swing.  Decide your shot before you start your backswing then just allow your muscles to do the work. 

Many players think that concentration means being buried in serious swing thoughts and making every effort to hit each shot perfectly. . .  not so.  The perfect place to “think” about the details of your swing is on the practice range where no strokes are at stake.

True concentration is the ability to keep your mind clear of all foreign and disturbing thoughts that could interfere with your ability to swing naturally.  Achieving full concentration is very difficult for most players but for a few, the power of concentration made them into champions.

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