Archive for the ‘Articles’ Category

Whether it’s from books, magazines, DVD’s or the Internet, there seems to be an endless amount of golf information available.

As far back as the beginning of the game, golfers have wanted tips and techniques to improve their swings or games. Through the years many golf professionals and authors have been happy to oblige. My own library has some of these old instruction classics as well as some newer books. And there is no doubt many are filled with valuable information.

Over the years the game and equipment has changed so what’s relevant today? How do you know what you are reading or being told applies to your swing or the game today? If we still played with hickory shafted clubs it would probably be a good idea to copy Bobby Jones swing but we are playing in an era of computer designed equipment, both shafts and club-heads. There is a reason the swings of modern day golf professionals have evolved. Equipment changes have resulted in a need to apply force to the ball in a different manor than what was required of Bobby Jones and his equipment.

Before you jump in and try some of the things you read, see or are told, you need to assess the quality of information. Has the information been recommended by someone who has tried it? Can the method be demonstrated and shown to be used by top professionals? Do you understand the method or technique?

Is the information given in sequence? The information needs to come in a logical step-by-step sequence. For example, if you try to correct a move in the downswing while ignoring mistakes in the backswing and stance, it is unlikely that you will make any true changes in your downswing. You shouldn’t expect to correct an error if the error itself is being caused by or being influenced by a prior error in the swing.

Can you understand the information whether in written form, video or in person? If you don’t understand something or you don’t think it is working for you can you ask questions?

How practical is the information? Perfect practice makes perfect. Are there drills, positions, movements to copy so you can learn perfect?

How are you going to get feedback about what you are learning? The ultimate test is how your shots improve in practice or on the course. Do you have a way of measuring your progress?

You need some detail about what you are learning so you understand why and how the process works. Simplicity does not equal incomplete. Keeping it simple does not necessarily make it easy to execute, if it is incomplete. So it is necessary for you to know and understand the principles, but the goal is to develop a simple and logical step-by-step process towards improvement.

Improving your swing will take an investment of time and money. You can try and figure it out by yourself or you can utilize a PGA Professionals experience and training.

Whatever path you choose it will take some commitment on your part even if it is only 10 minutes every day. This small amount of worthwhile practice is better than aimlessly hitting balls hoping you will discover the secret one day. In fact, there isn’t one secret, it’s a combination of them.

As always, if you have any questions of comments please feel free to contact me.

Everyone has the potential to improve. But of course first you have to decide what area of your game needs improvement. Next you have to create a road map or plan to get you there. This road map should include a comprehensive skill development program, which helps you acquire the skills necessary to reach your goals.

To develop this plan the first stage is a critical assessment of where you are now. This is what is called the Assessment Phase of coaching. In order to move on to the next stage a complete assessment should be made of all parts of the game including; Driving, Fairway Woods, Long Irons, Mid Irons, Short Irons, Pitch Shots, Bunker Play, Chipping, and Putting.

The second stage is to decide where you want to go with your game so you can create the success map to keep you moving towards your goals. Once you decide where you are and where you want to go it’s time for the next stage.

During the third stage, coaching or instruction is delivered to help you acquire the required skills to achieve your goals.

Finally a review or re-assessment of current skills is made and a decision is made on the best way to proceed.

A lot of golfers are looking for that magic pill which will make a dramatic improvement in their game, with little effort. The magic pill is having a long term plan, visualizing it daily, and then committing to this plan.

The Four Steps of Improvement

1. Assessment – Evaluation of current skill
2. Plan – Determine your goal and required skill
3. Delivery – Receive instruction or coaching
4. Review – Re-assessment of current skill level

A slice is a ball flight by right-handed players that curves to the right. It is one of the most common mis-hits for recreational golfers. Many golfers struggle with a slice because they don’t understand the cause. The physics that cause a slice revolve around two things: the club face and the swing path. When you understand the cause of a slice, you can focus on correcting it.

Features Of A Slice

The sliced shot has more backspin and sidespin than a shot that’s properly hit. Having more backspin causes a slice to be much shorter than a properly hit shot. The sidespin causes the ball to curve to the right in the air and then bounce and roll even further right when it hits the ground.

Types Of Slice

There are three different types of slices:

A pull slice – A pull slice starts left of the target and curves back to the right.
A push slice – A push slice starts right of the target and curves farther right.
A standard slice – A standard slice starts straight at the target but also curves right.

Physical Causes

A standard slice is caused by an open club face and/or a slightly outside-to-in swing path. These combine to create the sidespin that causes the ball to go right. The more open the club face is at impact, the more sidespin the ball will have and the more it will curve (slice). The swing path determines the starting point of the slice.

A pull slice is caused by a severe outside-to-in swing path. The more a golfer swings from outside-in, the more the ball will start left of the target before curving (slicing) right.

A push slice is caused by an inside-to-out swing path with an open club face.

Correcting A Slice

In order to eliminate or reduce a slice we need to have a clear understanding of the correct path the club should be taking AND the relationship of the clubface relative to that path.

Something to keep in mind. The clubface position is influenced by the path the club is taking but the clubface has very little if any influence on the path the clubs swing on.

What does that mean? It means to eliminate a slice first we need to ensure that the club is swinging on the correct path and then we can learn to square the clubface upon impact. We need both parts to work correctly but we need the most influential part first.