Splitting the Center

photo credit: SignalPAD     The game of golf is not meant to be played from the rough, bunkers, sand traps, lateral water hazards etc., it is meant to be played from the fairway and  it all begins by  driving the ball straight down the middle.

Straight Drive Tips:  (Right Handers)   (1)   Use a strong grip by slightly turning your right hand  more to the right so the  V points slightly to the  right of your  right shoulder.    With  a stronger grip your clubface will rotate naturally  so that at impact, the clubface is square to the target.   (2)   Keep the clubhead moving along the target line as long as possible.    Make sure you  keep your right elbow  near your side on the downswing and allow your left arm to come away from your side on the follow-through.

Tilt Your Spine for More Length

photo credit: nsaplayer     For longer tee shots, tilt your spine 10 degrees away from  your target during address.   At the point of impact the tilt should  increase  by 20 degrees.   The spine tilt helps  to hit  up on the ball and sweep it off the tee.   It  will also create greater  shot  height  which promotes distance.

From the top, push off from the right side and begin rotating.   It is critical to shift your weight  forward on the downswing by driving your hips towards the target.    When moving  through the impact zone the lower part of the spine  pushes forward causing the upper part to tilt even further back.   This is  the power move that all the big hitters on the PGA Tour use.   Thought Key:   Tilt your spine 10 degrees  at address!

The Long Ball

photo credit: danperry.com     A 300 (plus)  yard drive is part of the norm on the PGA Tour.   In the days of Palmer and Nicklaus a big hit was 280 yds.   Courses have been forced to make major changes in their length and difficulty and for  the average golfer, the championship courses are no longer fun to play.   In many ways the new technology in club design can be blamed but players today are in much better physical condition.

In the Nicklaus and Palmer era a 280 yd. drive was considered a “big hit.”   They did not have the advantage of today's modern equipment.   It would be extremely interesting to put the equipment used in the 50s and 60s in the hands of today's tour players.   Would the length of their drives be the same?   I doubt it !

Short Saves

photo credit: cliff1066     What separates PGA Tour players from other  golfers,    is their almost magical ability to  save par.   Time and time again we've seen players in impossible situations  somehow knock the ball close to the pin for a one-putt or sink a  15 ft. putt for par.    They certainly aren't born with these uncanny abilities, they  develop them through practice and experience.

TIP:   At the practice range, spend most of  your time  around the practice green.   Work on your short pitch/chip shots and your putting.   To  some, it may not be as much fun as whacking drives  285  yds. but it's a lot more productive.    Get away from the  idea of hitting every club  while at  the range, if your swinging good it doesn't matter which club you hit.   For better scores practice your short game.

Changing Conditions

    Many players overlook how changing playing conditions can affect their golf game.   During the 2009 Arnold Palmer Invitational, Sean O'Hair found out.  

Well after sunset O'Hair used a 7 iron on his approach to the 16th green and watched his ball fall short and trickle into the water hazard.   Neither O'Hair or his caddie took into consideration that the temperature had fallen and the humidity had risen, both of which caused a loss of distance.   O'Hare should have hit a 6 iron.

If O'Hair would have considered the changing conditions he may have avoided the loss to Tiger Woods.   Be constantly aware of changing conditions caused by wind, rain, humidity, barometric pressure or the sun and make allowances.   A change in any one of them can  seriously affect  ball flight.

Develop Mental Toughness

photo credit: the_tahoe_guy       One of the most important  qualities PGA Tour Players can have is  the ability to concentrate.   Those players at the top of the leader board week after week are masters at it and Tiger  Woods, without question, is the best example.   During the  2008 U.S. Open his win in a play-off, with a fractured leg and torn knee ligaments,  exemplified  the power of concentration.    

For most golfers it is extremely difficult to concentrate for 18 holes straight but  Tour Players have developed the  mental discipline to do so.    Blocking out surroundings  can be  very difficult especially when your  playing partners  are laughing and joking  during play.   If you can learn to use your power of concentration you can develop  a mental toughness that results in lower scores.

Imagine Your Golf Shot

photo credit: SD Dirk PGA Tour Pro's will tell you that they often use their imagination to project accuracy for their next golf shot. Using their imagination in this manner not only allows them to plan the flight of their golf ball but is a form of distraction from hazards.

How many times have you faced a shot with hazards in every direction? If these scare you, more likely than not, you will end up in one. When the Pro's face a similar situation they completely block out the hazard/s and envision their golf shot flying directly to the target. They keep distractions to an absolute minimum.

The next time you face a hazard concentrate on your ball flight and nothing more. Imagine the route your ball will take to your target and then execute.

Golf Swing Speed

 

photo credit: foxypar4      If you want to increase your shot distance concentrate on increasing your swing speed. PGA Tour players have come to realize that being in better physical condition contributes greatly to faster clubhead speed.

Most Tour Pros generate swing speeds well over 100 mph. Bubba Watson, who leads the tour in driving distance, has a 130 mph. swing speed. No matter what your swing speed is, to improve upon it, you must build the muscle groups that are responsible. The exercises that are ideal for achieving more clubhead speed can be found at the following web-site: Www.shark.com, this is one of the best golf web-sites on the world-wide web. Take the time to exercise on a regular basis and you will not only help your game you will improve your health.

Golf Playing Statistics

PGA Tour players divide their game into 4 categories, driving, mid and long
irons, chipping and putting. They calculate their averages and get a clear
picture of where improvements need to be made. The averages below can
be eye opening.

The following statistics may help you determine where your
game may need to be improved: Driving – The tour average is 63% of
fairways hit while a 10 handicapper hits 50% of fairways. Iron Play – the
tour average for greens in regulation is 62%, a 10 handicapper hits 39%.
Chipping – Tour Average for saves is 56%, a 10 handicapper averages
32% for saves. Putting – ( 3 putt avoidance ) tour average is 3.2%
while a 10 handicapper's average is 7%.

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