One of the topics that a number of the online golf swing gurus are hitting upon these days is the back pain that can be caused by the golf swing. Some of the online teaching pros go as far as to claim that their golf swing model is endorsed by medical professionals, or is scientifically proven. One teacher may suggest that the two-plane swing is the culprit, while another may indicate that the more modern and athletic, rotational swing is the culprit.
So with all this conflicting information being thrown at you, what is the true answer? I really don't know, but here is my two cents. It all depends on the individual.
The golf swing, no matter what model you subscribe to, is a complex athletic move. I know, I know, contrary to what is being sold to the public, the golf swing is not SIMPLE! What athletic move that incorporates just about every single muscle in the body at one moment or another can possibly be described as simple?
So, due to the fact that the golf swing itself is a complex athletic move, and no two human bodies are exactly alike, then it is no wonder that some people can develop back pain by using a one plane swing, two plane swing, or any other swing. Jack Nicklaus, Lee Trevino, Fred Couples, Seve Ballesteros and even Rory McIlroy have suffered from back pain. They all have very different golf swings. The only common thread is that they play golf.
Back pain for golfers can come from a variety of sources. Those who walk most of the time and may have foot issues may develop back pain. Those who walk and carry their golf bags can develop back pain. Those who are significantly over weight can develop back pain.
The only real way to fight it is not by switching to a new golf swing. Sure, a tweak here or there may alleviate some of the issues. It was revealed that Butch Harmon has Fred Couples hitting a draw this year to help alleviate some of the back pain, and Fred appeared to be doing well up through late Spring, but the issue did come back later in the season.
So, the best way to fight back issues is to strengthen the back, get it more flexible, and work on some of the spinal alignment issues, if you have any. I personally have some back issues, but I avoid major flare ups by continuing to do my core muscle workouts at least semi-regularly, stretch at least a little, and use my Tru Back device for alignment. The spine requires consistent attention. If none is given, any complex athletic move or activity is bound to result in wear and tear.
Do yourself a favor. If you have back issues, don't imagine for one second that a different golf swing will be the cure. The fact is, changing the overall shape of your golf swing takes a lot more work, than just a viewing of a video. Remember how long it took Tiger Woods to incorporate the changes he made to his swing with Hank Haney...over a year. Subtle change can be made, but major changes take time and practice.
Take care of your back instead. Take the time every day to loosen it up and stretch it out a bit. Consider taking some yoga classes and picking up an alignment device like the Tru Back or an inversion table. If needed, go to a chiropractor. If you take care of your back consistently, you will be much better off in the long run.
Scott Cole
www.powergolftraining.net
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Sunday Golf Tip
Occasionally when I head to the range to practice, I will often be hitting balls next to a couple people where one person is trying to teach the other. The tips and advice I hear being offered to the one trying to learn is usually worthless. The "teacher" might have an idea how hold onto the club and how to swing it, but they usually have no idea how to communicate, and they often talk way too much. This just confuses their "student."
Sometimes, when I give a lesson, a student will tell me "my friend told me to keep my head down," or some similar piece of worthless advice. I then ask them how well their friend plays the game, and ask why they would take advice from someone who can't shoot under 90 or 100 themselves.
If you are trying to learn the game, the best thing to do is get individual instruction. If you can't afford that, at least get an understanding of the fundamentals through group instruction, or go purchase a book or dvd.
It is absolutely crucial that you ignore the advice of your friends! Even scratch golfers do not know how to communicate well. Part of becoming a golf instructor is learning how to communicate. So, even if the instructor is not a great golfer, if they can communicate and at least demonstrate some things well, it will be of benefit to the student.
Ultimately though, if you want to learn to play well, you need to learn the fundamentals and apply them, AND keep track of your progress and take detailed notes! Take ownership of your learning, and you will benefit in the long run!
Scott Cole
www.scottcolegolf.com
www.onlinegolfswingcoach.com
Sometimes, when I give a lesson, a student will tell me "my friend told me to keep my head down," or some similar piece of worthless advice. I then ask them how well their friend plays the game, and ask why they would take advice from someone who can't shoot under 90 or 100 themselves.
If you are trying to learn the game, the best thing to do is get individual instruction. If you can't afford that, at least get an understanding of the fundamentals through group instruction, or go purchase a book or dvd.
It is absolutely crucial that you ignore the advice of your friends! Even scratch golfers do not know how to communicate well. Part of becoming a golf instructor is learning how to communicate. So, even if the instructor is not a great golfer, if they can communicate and at least demonstrate some things well, it will be of benefit to the student.
Ultimately though, if you want to learn to play well, you need to learn the fundamentals and apply them, AND keep track of your progress and take detailed notes! Take ownership of your learning, and you will benefit in the long run!
Scott Cole
www.scottcolegolf.com
www.onlinegolfswingcoach.com
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Late Season Golf
As the golf season starts to wind down here in Maryland and southern PA, I am reminded how the golf season extends quite a bit further if you are willing to drive just a few hours south.
One of my favorite places on earth is Williamsburg, VA, where I attended The College of William and Mary on a golf scholarship. Williamsburg is about a 2.5 hour drive south of Washington, DC, yet the average high temperature in December is about 8 to 10 degrees warmer. Furthermore, you can find some great packages at great golf courses such as Kingsmill, Golden Horseshoe, Fords Colony and more.
Williamsburg is a great place to visit for a long weekend, and Fall is probably the best time of year to go. As the weather gets cooler here, if you still have the golf bug, check out Williamsburg!
Scott Cole
www.powergolftraining.net
www.onlinegolfswingcoach.com
One of my favorite places on earth is Williamsburg, VA, where I attended The College of William and Mary on a golf scholarship. Williamsburg is about a 2.5 hour drive south of Washington, DC, yet the average high temperature in December is about 8 to 10 degrees warmer. Furthermore, you can find some great packages at great golf courses such as Kingsmill, Golden Horseshoe, Fords Colony and more.
Williamsburg is a great place to visit for a long weekend, and Fall is probably the best time of year to go. As the weather gets cooler here, if you still have the golf bug, check out Williamsburg!
Scott Cole
www.powergolftraining.net
www.onlinegolfswingcoach.com
Friday, October 22, 2010
Scientifically Proven Golf Swing?
One of the new catch phrases I have stumbled upon lately on several golf related websites is "scientifically proven." One site then goes on to claim that their model swing is endorsed by a host of doctors, chiropractors, physical therapists, etc. I also mentioned recently that Hunter Mahan has made the claim that what Sean Foley is teaching him and Tiger Woods, Sean O'Hair and Justin Rose is backed by science.
So, how exactly do you scientifically prove a golf swing? From what I have seen, you have some biomechanics guys plugging some numbers into a computer and up pops an image of this scientifically proven swing. If you address the ball this way, and swing the club this way, you have a swing that is scientifically correct and you will be able to swing the club pain free!
Ok, well, the problem is that no two people are alike. Therefore, no two golf swings are identical. So, how can you prove that any of this stuff will work for the typical golfer? How about a golfer who may have a bum knee, or shoulder, or elbow, a bad back, issues with their neck or even their hands?
In a few of these cases, the golf swing model suggests swinging the club on a more upright swing plane. Well, I can tell you that 90% of all golfers already swing the club on an upright swing plane, in fact, a plane that is too steep! The issue with a steeper swing plane is that your timing must be very good because the hitting area at impact is much smaller than that with a more shallow swing plane. That is why most of the better players on the PGA Tour today have a more rotational, athletic swing, as it allows for more consistent ball striking.
Who is widely regarded to be the best ball striker the game has seen? Well, Ben Hogan of course. And he had a flatter swing plane than most. Moe Norman is also mentioned as a great ball striker, and his swing plane was also a bit flatter. This is not to say that a more upright swing can't work. Jack Nicklaus had a fairly upright plane, and he was terrific with his long irons and at driving the ball, although not so good with his wedge game.
The bottom line is that there are many ways to get it done in this game. Ideally, we want to try and keep things as simple as possible, and as pain free as possible. But, try to look through all the hype. Even if one particular swing model may be more biomechanically sound than another, the fact is, most people won't be able to duplicate that swing, because they just won't be able to get their body to move that way.
The golf swing is a complex, athletic move. Once you get beyond a certain age, it becomes even more difficult to learn to do well. However, by learning about your own strengths and weaknesses, and the general Ball Flight Laws, you can find a way to make significant improvements in your ball striking without making any major changes. Down the road, I will be happy to show you how!
Scott Cole
www.powergolftraining.net
So, how exactly do you scientifically prove a golf swing? From what I have seen, you have some biomechanics guys plugging some numbers into a computer and up pops an image of this scientifically proven swing. If you address the ball this way, and swing the club this way, you have a swing that is scientifically correct and you will be able to swing the club pain free!
Ok, well, the problem is that no two people are alike. Therefore, no two golf swings are identical. So, how can you prove that any of this stuff will work for the typical golfer? How about a golfer who may have a bum knee, or shoulder, or elbow, a bad back, issues with their neck or even their hands?
In a few of these cases, the golf swing model suggests swinging the club on a more upright swing plane. Well, I can tell you that 90% of all golfers already swing the club on an upright swing plane, in fact, a plane that is too steep! The issue with a steeper swing plane is that your timing must be very good because the hitting area at impact is much smaller than that with a more shallow swing plane. That is why most of the better players on the PGA Tour today have a more rotational, athletic swing, as it allows for more consistent ball striking.
Who is widely regarded to be the best ball striker the game has seen? Well, Ben Hogan of course. And he had a flatter swing plane than most. Moe Norman is also mentioned as a great ball striker, and his swing plane was also a bit flatter. This is not to say that a more upright swing can't work. Jack Nicklaus had a fairly upright plane, and he was terrific with his long irons and at driving the ball, although not so good with his wedge game.
The bottom line is that there are many ways to get it done in this game. Ideally, we want to try and keep things as simple as possible, and as pain free as possible. But, try to look through all the hype. Even if one particular swing model may be more biomechanically sound than another, the fact is, most people won't be able to duplicate that swing, because they just won't be able to get their body to move that way.
The golf swing is a complex, athletic move. Once you get beyond a certain age, it becomes even more difficult to learn to do well. However, by learning about your own strengths and weaknesses, and the general Ball Flight Laws, you can find a way to make significant improvements in your ball striking without making any major changes. Down the road, I will be happy to show you how!
Scott Cole
www.powergolftraining.net
Weight Loss For Golfers
I have a friend by the name of Larry Jacobs who is THE weight loss guru for golfers. He has had great success working with pros such as Roger Maltbie of NBC and Allen Doyle on the Champions Tour. Click here to find out more!
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
What was your best golf shot ever?
Ok folk, I thought I would try to get a little participation to my blog, so all of your comments are welcome! I want to hear about your best golf shot in your entire golf career. Here's mine...
I was 18 at the time, so this is a long, long time ago! I was playing in one of the local better ball of partners tournaments, which dominate the competitive golf scene in the Southcentral Pennsylvania region. There were not many individual tournaments with sizable fields, so these were the tournaments most of the best players competed in.
Heading into the final round at my home course, Carlisle Country Club, my partner and I were tied for the lead with the two best players in the area, who were 20 and 30 years older. These guys had won every local tournament several times over, and were always regarded as the team to beat as they paired so well together.
My partner and I got off to a bad start, and ultimately we found ourselves down by 3 with two holes to play. The 17th was a short par 3, and my partner knocked in a bomb from about 30 feet for birdie to cut the lead to two. The last hole was a 550 yard par 5. In those days, since we were still using persimmon drivers and balata cover balls, the only time you reached that green in two shots was if the weather was somewhat dry and you had the wind at your back.
On this day, however, the hole was into a slight wind. I hit a solid tee shot about 280 to 285 yards, and found myself in the fairway, with a slight uphill lie. Knowing that we needed a 3 to have a chance, and there was little trouble in front of the green, I pulled out the driver again. About 50 yards short of the green is a fairway bunker, and after that, a modest downslope to the green. I hit the ball absolutely perfect, and dead straight. I have no idea where the ball actually landed, but it ended up rolling up on the green and finished pin high, to the right of the flag. Under the circumstances, this is clearly the best shot I have ever hit in my life. I don't see how I could top it, until I actually knock one in from 270 yards under the same circumstances.
So, I had a 25 foot, right to left curler for eagle. I was shaking as I had rarely been in position to win anything of note up to that point in my career (I missed a 4 footer to win the PA State high school championship about 9 months prior). Somehow I managed to hit the putt solidly, and it curled into the right lip for an eagle 3. The crowd went wild, and that is one of the best moments I have ever had in the game.
Unfortunately, one of my two nemeses proceeded to knock in a 15 foot, downhill slider right on top of me for birdie, so we lost the tournament by one. Still, it is a great memory!
Ok, tell me your story!
Scott Cole
www.scottcolegolf.com
www.onlinegolfswingcoach.com
I was 18 at the time, so this is a long, long time ago! I was playing in one of the local better ball of partners tournaments, which dominate the competitive golf scene in the Southcentral Pennsylvania region. There were not many individual tournaments with sizable fields, so these were the tournaments most of the best players competed in.
Heading into the final round at my home course, Carlisle Country Club, my partner and I were tied for the lead with the two best players in the area, who were 20 and 30 years older. These guys had won every local tournament several times over, and were always regarded as the team to beat as they paired so well together.
My partner and I got off to a bad start, and ultimately we found ourselves down by 3 with two holes to play. The 17th was a short par 3, and my partner knocked in a bomb from about 30 feet for birdie to cut the lead to two. The last hole was a 550 yard par 5. In those days, since we were still using persimmon drivers and balata cover balls, the only time you reached that green in two shots was if the weather was somewhat dry and you had the wind at your back.
On this day, however, the hole was into a slight wind. I hit a solid tee shot about 280 to 285 yards, and found myself in the fairway, with a slight uphill lie. Knowing that we needed a 3 to have a chance, and there was little trouble in front of the green, I pulled out the driver again. About 50 yards short of the green is a fairway bunker, and after that, a modest downslope to the green. I hit the ball absolutely perfect, and dead straight. I have no idea where the ball actually landed, but it ended up rolling up on the green and finished pin high, to the right of the flag. Under the circumstances, this is clearly the best shot I have ever hit in my life. I don't see how I could top it, until I actually knock one in from 270 yards under the same circumstances.
So, I had a 25 foot, right to left curler for eagle. I was shaking as I had rarely been in position to win anything of note up to that point in my career (I missed a 4 footer to win the PA State high school championship about 9 months prior). Somehow I managed to hit the putt solidly, and it curled into the right lip for an eagle 3. The crowd went wild, and that is one of the best moments I have ever had in the game.
Unfortunately, one of my two nemeses proceeded to knock in a 15 foot, downhill slider right on top of me for birdie, so we lost the tournament by one. Still, it is a great memory!
Ok, tell me your story!
Scott Cole
www.scottcolegolf.com
www.onlinegolfswingcoach.com
Monday, October 18, 2010
New Ben Hogan Book Review
I just had the opportunity to read Kris Tschetter’s new book Mr. Hogan, The Man I Knew, an autobiographical account of her relationship with Ben Hogan. The book reveals the man behind the gruff image often portrayed in the media, from the perspective of an LPGA golfer.
A little background. Kris Tschetter received a golf scholarship to play at Texas Christian University in the early 1980s. The university is located in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area where Hogan made his home. She and her brother received junior memberships at the Shady Oaks Country Club where Hogan was a member early in her college career. It was there that she ultimately befriended Hogan.
Hogan, Mr. Hogan as he is referred to by Tschetter, became her mentor and coach, and they ultimately became very close, as did their families. Tschetter reveals a side of the man that virtually no one was aware of, particularly his charitable side and his care for children. She also confirms his desire for privacy and his methodical demeanor.
As my own career as a golf instructor has evolved, I have become more and more fascinated by Hogan due to his success, particularly after his near fatal car accident. Tschetter’s book reveals that Hogan was indeed human, and not just a ball striking machine. He won his many tournaments by outworking and being better prepared than his competitors. It is clear that he could have likely won many more championships and major championships had it not been for the accident. His injuries not just to his legs and hips were devastating, but he also received a head injury that damaged his eyesight. His ability to overcome these injuries and go on to win several more major championships is simply awe inspiring.
As an instructor, what I take away most from the book are the golf course management lessons that Hogan gave to Tschetter. He actually did not stress swinging the golf club a particular way to her. With all the instructors out there who try to copy Hogan’s swing and his teachings, he never felt that his way was the best way. His swing simply worked for him. In the book, there is actually a passage where Tschetter is complaining about her inside takeaway. Hogan replies that she should not focus on that much, and he refers to Ray Floyd’s swing, since he had just won the U.S. Open at Shinnecock. Hogan simply stressed being in the right position just through impact. If you could get that right, chances are, you have made good contact with the ball. I can relate, because I have a similar type of takeaway.
After reading this book, I have concluded that it will be one of the best golf related books for years to come. The information in the book is extremely valuable from the perspective of a golf instructor and any golfer who wants to improve their game. There are no secrets! Becoming a great golfer requires hard work and patience along with a solid foundation in the fundamentals. However, from the standpoint of providing a glimpse into the life of Ben Hogan, I think it is even more revealing. The man clearly should be admired as a person, rather than just a legendary golfer, and Tschetter does an excellent job in uncovering the truth behind the legend. I will be forever grateful for her contribution to the game!
Scott Cole
www.scottcolegolf.com
www.onlinegolfswingcoach.com
A little background. Kris Tschetter received a golf scholarship to play at Texas Christian University in the early 1980s. The university is located in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area where Hogan made his home. She and her brother received junior memberships at the Shady Oaks Country Club where Hogan was a member early in her college career. It was there that she ultimately befriended Hogan.
Hogan, Mr. Hogan as he is referred to by Tschetter, became her mentor and coach, and they ultimately became very close, as did their families. Tschetter reveals a side of the man that virtually no one was aware of, particularly his charitable side and his care for children. She also confirms his desire for privacy and his methodical demeanor.
As my own career as a golf instructor has evolved, I have become more and more fascinated by Hogan due to his success, particularly after his near fatal car accident. Tschetter’s book reveals that Hogan was indeed human, and not just a ball striking machine. He won his many tournaments by outworking and being better prepared than his competitors. It is clear that he could have likely won many more championships and major championships had it not been for the accident. His injuries not just to his legs and hips were devastating, but he also received a head injury that damaged his eyesight. His ability to overcome these injuries and go on to win several more major championships is simply awe inspiring.
As an instructor, what I take away most from the book are the golf course management lessons that Hogan gave to Tschetter. He actually did not stress swinging the golf club a particular way to her. With all the instructors out there who try to copy Hogan’s swing and his teachings, he never felt that his way was the best way. His swing simply worked for him. In the book, there is actually a passage where Tschetter is complaining about her inside takeaway. Hogan replies that she should not focus on that much, and he refers to Ray Floyd’s swing, since he had just won the U.S. Open at Shinnecock. Hogan simply stressed being in the right position just through impact. If you could get that right, chances are, you have made good contact with the ball. I can relate, because I have a similar type of takeaway.
After reading this book, I have concluded that it will be one of the best golf related books for years to come. The information in the book is extremely valuable from the perspective of a golf instructor and any golfer who wants to improve their game. There are no secrets! Becoming a great golfer requires hard work and patience along with a solid foundation in the fundamentals. However, from the standpoint of providing a glimpse into the life of Ben Hogan, I think it is even more revealing. The man clearly should be admired as a person, rather than just a legendary golfer, and Tschetter does an excellent job in uncovering the truth behind the legend. I will be forever grateful for her contribution to the game!
Scott Cole
www.scottcolegolf.com
www.onlinegolfswingcoach.com
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Golf Tip of the Day
I completed reading Kris Tschetter's new book about her relationship with Ben Hogan, and will complete a review of that book in the next day or so. One revealing tidbit in the book was that even Ben Hogan suggested he only hit 3 or 4 shots each round just the way he wanted to. Now, of course, Mr. Hogan's misses were far better than the good shots most people make!
Still, what this implies, and it is implied elsewhere in the book, is that there is really no way to swing the club perfectly every time. Hogan was successful because he knew how to manage his game better than anyone else. Sure, he hit the ball better than everyone too, but he stressed golf course management to Tschetter at least as much as the golf swing.
So, while you are out on the course, don't worry so much about mishitting some shots. Just make sure you play to miss the shot in the right place. For instance, if you have water in front of the green, and the pin is cut close to the front of the green, don't shoot at the pin. Instead, hit enough club to get you to the back of the green! If you miss long, chances are you can walk away with bogey or less. Hit it in the water, chances are far greater that you will walk away with double bogey or more.
Enjoy your round!
Scott Cole
www.scottcolegolf.com
www.onlinegolfswingcoach.com
Still, what this implies, and it is implied elsewhere in the book, is that there is really no way to swing the club perfectly every time. Hogan was successful because he knew how to manage his game better than anyone else. Sure, he hit the ball better than everyone too, but he stressed golf course management to Tschetter at least as much as the golf swing.
So, while you are out on the course, don't worry so much about mishitting some shots. Just make sure you play to miss the shot in the right place. For instance, if you have water in front of the green, and the pin is cut close to the front of the green, don't shoot at the pin. Instead, hit enough club to get you to the back of the green! If you miss long, chances are you can walk away with bogey or less. Hit it in the water, chances are far greater that you will walk away with double bogey or more.
Enjoy your round!
Scott Cole
www.scottcolegolf.com
www.onlinegolfswingcoach.com
Friday, October 15, 2010
Golf Tips to Add Distance Off the Tee!
Golfers, I've just finished my new report, 10 Ways To Add 15 Yards To Your Tee Shots Today!. If you go to my home page, you can sign up to receive the free report. Down the road, I will make available a video discussing these golf tips. In the meantime, check out the new report! scottcolegolf.com
Scott Cole
Scott Cole
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Golf Swing Feeling Tight in the cold weather? Stretch more!
Today I headed over to Olney Golf Park where I teach here near Rockville, Maryland, and after my one lesson today, I decided to hit some golf balls. My student is a beginner, and today we simply worked on how she should move her body through the swing, so she did not hit many balls. So I ended up with two large buckets of balls, or about 200 balls to hit. It was a cold and wet day here in Maryland, and I was still a bit tight from my upper body workout the other day, and I've had a kink in my neck the last couple days.
While I hit the ball ok, it was clear I was not hitting with the power I am used to. As the session wore on, I could feel my swing becoming more compact, and I was not getting any extension through the ball. This was quite evident when I decided to try hitting one driver, which ended up being a low hook. I knew it was time to end the session with some short pitch shots.
I have not spent much time on my stretching for a while, but now that the weather has turned cold, it is even more important to make sure I do. This goes for any golfer. Colder weather makes us tighter, and that leaves us with less efficient, less powerful golf swing. Not only should we take more time to get warmed up and stretch before practice or a round of golf, we should do more at home as well.
If you do not have a stretching program, I highly recommend starting one. I learned quite a few stretches in my martial arts and yoga training, and will begin to implement them even more as I finally start to settle into a routine here in Maryland. I recommend you get started as well! Keep an eye out for more fitness information here at scottcolegolf.com in the future! You can also visit my Power Golf Training website to obtain my Principles of Power Golf ebook.
Scott Cole
While I hit the ball ok, it was clear I was not hitting with the power I am used to. As the session wore on, I could feel my swing becoming more compact, and I was not getting any extension through the ball. This was quite evident when I decided to try hitting one driver, which ended up being a low hook. I knew it was time to end the session with some short pitch shots.
I have not spent much time on my stretching for a while, but now that the weather has turned cold, it is even more important to make sure I do. This goes for any golfer. Colder weather makes us tighter, and that leaves us with less efficient, less powerful golf swing. Not only should we take more time to get warmed up and stretch before practice or a round of golf, we should do more at home as well.
If you do not have a stretching program, I highly recommend starting one. I learned quite a few stretches in my martial arts and yoga training, and will begin to implement them even more as I finally start to settle into a routine here in Maryland. I recommend you get started as well! Keep an eye out for more fitness information here at scottcolegolf.com in the future! You can also visit my Power Golf Training website to obtain my Principles of Power Golf ebook.
Scott Cole
Monday, October 11, 2010
PGA Tour Statistics Suggest You Need a Putting Lesson!
I just pulled statistics for 33 of this years full field PGA Tour events to see if any particular statistic stood out among the winners. That stats I pulled were for Driving Accuracy, Driving Distance, Greens in Regulation, Putts Per Round and Putts per Green in Regulation. I looked at the ranking in each category for each of the winners. I then added an Overall ranking as well.
For example, in the first tournament of the year, won by Geoff Ogilvy, he was 16th in Driving Accuracy, 19th in distance, 10th in Greens in Regulation and 1st in both putting categories. His overall score was then calculated by adding up all his rankings in the five categories, which resulted in a score of 47.
I found some interesting numbers. The average overall score was a 92. The lowest overall score was a 46 at Bayhill by Ernie Els. the highest was a 165 by Hunter Mahan at Phoenix, followed closely by Ben crane with 164 at the Farmers Insurance. In both cases, both were first in Greens in Regulation, but well down the list in putting.
The least reliable indicator of a potential victory was both driving categories. The average ranking for both accuracy and distance for the winners was 26th. Not surprising, putting was the best indicator of a potential victory. The average ranking of the winner in the Putts Per Green In Regulation category was 10th, but this was skewed upward by the Crane and Mahan performances, where they ranked 42nd and 54th respectively. Take out those two performances, and the average rank is 7th. Six times, the winner was first in this category. Only four times was the winner ranked first in total putts per round. 14 times the winner was first in putts per green in regulation.
In regard to greens in regulation, the average ranking of the winner was 16th. Four times the winner was ranked first, but nine times the winner was ranked out of the top 20, and six times the winner was ranked outside the top 40!
These stats are quite eye opening, because the vast majority of golfers either buy a new driver or get lessons in hopes of hitting the ball farther and straighter off the tee. Yet, how many golfers actually get a putting lesson?
The moral of the story? When you are ready to spend some money on your golf game again, get a putting lesson! I would also note that the statistics also imply that the winner is hitting the ball pretty close with his short irons, so you should also consider learning how to hit those better as well!
Scott Cole
www.scottcolegolf.com
www.onlinegolfswingcoach.com
For example, in the first tournament of the year, won by Geoff Ogilvy, he was 16th in Driving Accuracy, 19th in distance, 10th in Greens in Regulation and 1st in both putting categories. His overall score was then calculated by adding up all his rankings in the five categories, which resulted in a score of 47.
I found some interesting numbers. The average overall score was a 92. The lowest overall score was a 46 at Bayhill by Ernie Els. the highest was a 165 by Hunter Mahan at Phoenix, followed closely by Ben crane with 164 at the Farmers Insurance. In both cases, both were first in Greens in Regulation, but well down the list in putting.
The least reliable indicator of a potential victory was both driving categories. The average ranking for both accuracy and distance for the winners was 26th. Not surprising, putting was the best indicator of a potential victory. The average ranking of the winner in the Putts Per Green In Regulation category was 10th, but this was skewed upward by the Crane and Mahan performances, where they ranked 42nd and 54th respectively. Take out those two performances, and the average rank is 7th. Six times, the winner was first in this category. Only four times was the winner ranked first in total putts per round. 14 times the winner was first in putts per green in regulation.
In regard to greens in regulation, the average ranking of the winner was 16th. Four times the winner was ranked first, but nine times the winner was ranked out of the top 20, and six times the winner was ranked outside the top 40!
These stats are quite eye opening, because the vast majority of golfers either buy a new driver or get lessons in hopes of hitting the ball farther and straighter off the tee. Yet, how many golfers actually get a putting lesson?
The moral of the story? When you are ready to spend some money on your golf game again, get a putting lesson! I would also note that the statistics also imply that the winner is hitting the ball pretty close with his short irons, so you should also consider learning how to hit those better as well!
Scott Cole
www.scottcolegolf.com
www.onlinegolfswingcoach.com
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Golf Tip - Lower Your Score Today
It's getting a little late in the season to be working on major swing changes, or that new swing you read about that will magically help you hit the ball farther and straighter. So, here's a quick tip that will help you chop a couple strokes of your score, today!
Before you tee it up today, get on that practice putting green with purpose! First, work on your speed control. Lay down a club on the green, then drop ten balls about 20 feet away. Hit all ten putts and try to get as close to that club as possible without going past it. Do this again from 30 feet and from 40 feet. Once you've done this and you are comfortably getting within two feet of the club, set up two tees, two feet apart, and about two feet in front of the club. Now hit ten putts from 30 feet and try to get each putt in between the two tees, and still short of the club. Now, you should have a good feel for the speed of the greens today.
Next, set up two tees, one about 1/4 inch off the toe of your putter, and the other 1/4 inch off the heel of your putter. Be sure you set this gate up about 4 feet from a hole, and be sure it is a straight put. Have the gate set up square to the hole. Set your putter between the gate, and a ball in front of your putter. Try to make as many putts as you can without missing, and without hitting the tees. Once you miss one, start over, and try to beat that streak on this try. You should make at least 10 in a row with this drill. When you do, you will have more confidence on your short putts heading out to the course.
So, now you have the speed of the greens down, and some confidence with your short putts. This should lead to more made putts! Now, go enjoy your round!
Scott Cole, Hank Haney Pro Instructor, Olney Golf Park, Olney, MD
www.onlinegolfswingcoach.com
Before you tee it up today, get on that practice putting green with purpose! First, work on your speed control. Lay down a club on the green, then drop ten balls about 20 feet away. Hit all ten putts and try to get as close to that club as possible without going past it. Do this again from 30 feet and from 40 feet. Once you've done this and you are comfortably getting within two feet of the club, set up two tees, two feet apart, and about two feet in front of the club. Now hit ten putts from 30 feet and try to get each putt in between the two tees, and still short of the club. Now, you should have a good feel for the speed of the greens today.
Next, set up two tees, one about 1/4 inch off the toe of your putter, and the other 1/4 inch off the heel of your putter. Be sure you set this gate up about 4 feet from a hole, and be sure it is a straight put. Have the gate set up square to the hole. Set your putter between the gate, and a ball in front of your putter. Try to make as many putts as you can without missing, and without hitting the tees. Once you miss one, start over, and try to beat that streak on this try. You should make at least 10 in a row with this drill. When you do, you will have more confidence on your short putts heading out to the course.
So, now you have the speed of the greens down, and some confidence with your short putts. This should lead to more made putts! Now, go enjoy your round!
Scott Cole, Hank Haney Pro Instructor, Olney Golf Park, Olney, MD
www.onlinegolfswingcoach.com
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Golf Tip
I would say that 90% of the students who come to me for a lesson have a lousy grip. Now, in some instances, I may not change that grip. For example, if a student is slicing every shot, but has a strong grip, I won't change the grip. As Hank Haney would say, "they have more slice in their swing than hook in their grip." So, I won't change the grip until they are hooking the ball.
For many students though, I just wonder who they were watching before they put their hands on the club. When I see a student with a horrible grip, I will demonstrate that grip to them, then ask one question..."Have you ever seen a player on the PGA Tour hold the club this way?" That's a rhetorical question of course. While some tour players, such as Fred Couples, do not have the nicest looking grip in the world, their grips are still way better than most golfers.
So ask yourself this question next time you are watching some golf on TV..."does my grip look like that?" Well, I will make it easier for you...just go to this page to see a good grip!
The moral to this story is this...the greatest golfers on the planet play on the PGA and European tours. To improve our own game, shouldn't we try to imitate them? While we may not be able to swing the club like them because of physical limitations, chances are we can at least hold onto the club like them, and stand up to the ball like them.
If Tiger Woods is always trying to improve his swing, don't you think you might want to improve on some things as well in order to get better? While I may not agree with what he may be trying to work on now, at least he is still striving to get better!
As the golf season here in Maryland begins to wind down, we still can have all winter long to work on the fundamentals, and the most basic fundamentals are grip and set up. Get to it and I guarantee you will be a better golfer next year as a result!
Scott Cole
www.onlinegolfswingcoach.com
www.powergolftraining.net
For many students though, I just wonder who they were watching before they put their hands on the club. When I see a student with a horrible grip, I will demonstrate that grip to them, then ask one question..."Have you ever seen a player on the PGA Tour hold the club this way?" That's a rhetorical question of course. While some tour players, such as Fred Couples, do not have the nicest looking grip in the world, their grips are still way better than most golfers.
So ask yourself this question next time you are watching some golf on TV..."does my grip look like that?" Well, I will make it easier for you...just go to this page to see a good grip!
The moral to this story is this...the greatest golfers on the planet play on the PGA and European tours. To improve our own game, shouldn't we try to imitate them? While we may not be able to swing the club like them because of physical limitations, chances are we can at least hold onto the club like them, and stand up to the ball like them.
If Tiger Woods is always trying to improve his swing, don't you think you might want to improve on some things as well in order to get better? While I may not agree with what he may be trying to work on now, at least he is still striving to get better!
As the golf season here in Maryland begins to wind down, we still can have all winter long to work on the fundamentals, and the most basic fundamentals are grip and set up. Get to it and I guarantee you will be a better golfer next year as a result!
Scott Cole
www.onlinegolfswingcoach.com
www.powergolftraining.net
Monday, October 4, 2010
Europe Wins Ryder Cup
Europe held off a hard charging U.S. squad to win the Ryder Cup today 14.5 to 13.5. The Americans needed just 14 points to retain the cup, but came up a little short. Phil Mickelson finally came to life, and Tiger Woods played well, but the effort was not matched by the rest of the squad, except for Steve Stricker.
One other bright light was the late charge by Rickie Fowler to get a half point in his match against one of the Molinari brothers. Fowler won 4 of the last 6 holes, including the last three with birdies, to get the half point.
Unfortunately, Hunter Mahan was not up to the task today, as he made only one birdie. Still, he was just 1 down with three to play, but Graeme McDowell closed him out with consecutive birdies on 16 and 17.
Overall, the U.S. performed a bit above expectations and gave the favored European squad all they could handle. Pavin's decision to bury Woods and Mickelson into the depths of the singles lineup may come into question, as they U.S. needed early momentum. Stricker provided some with his victory of Lee Westwood in a match of top 5 players. Unfortunately, it was not enough to get the ball rolling for the U.S.
Scott Cole
www.onlinegolfswingcoach.com
www.powergolftraining.net
One other bright light was the late charge by Rickie Fowler to get a half point in his match against one of the Molinari brothers. Fowler won 4 of the last 6 holes, including the last three with birdies, to get the half point.
Unfortunately, Hunter Mahan was not up to the task today, as he made only one birdie. Still, he was just 1 down with three to play, but Graeme McDowell closed him out with consecutive birdies on 16 and 17.
Overall, the U.S. performed a bit above expectations and gave the favored European squad all they could handle. Pavin's decision to bury Woods and Mickelson into the depths of the singles lineup may come into question, as they U.S. needed early momentum. Stricker provided some with his victory of Lee Westwood in a match of top 5 players. Unfortunately, it was not enough to get the ball rolling for the U.S.
Scott Cole
www.onlinegolfswingcoach.com
www.powergolftraining.net
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Ryder Cup - Session III
Wow, Europe has asserted its will in Session III of the Ryder Cup, winning 5 1/2 points out of 6. Lee Westwood and Luke Donaled trounced Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker in the opening match, 6 and 5, and it was all downhill from there. The U.S. should be happy they even picked up a 1/2 point as they were down in all six matches for much of the day.
Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson continue to be the weak links of the squad, as both have lost all of their matches, two while playing together. I have not seen much of the matches, but from what I have seen, Tiger Woods has not helped Steve Stricker much. In the one four ball match, I noted that Tiger's score counted five times and Stricker's score counted 12 times. That does not mean much, but it does say that Tiger was not making many birdies. One shot Tiger hit sticks in my head. He hit a wedge or short iron about 30 yards too long on one shot. That is a fault he had in the two years he spent between working with instructors Butch Harmon and Hank Haney. Looks like distance control is back to being an issue.
Overall, the other players on the U.S. squad have played fairly average. The Europeans seem to have more energy and determination. This is a reflection of the two captains. Pavin has been stoic, Monty has been expressive.
Tomorrow, the U.S. squad will need to pull off their second biggest comeback in history if they want to retain the cup. They need 7.5 points out of 12 to reach 14 points. It is doable, but with Mickelson and Woods not on their game, not likely.
Scott Cole
www.scottcolegolf.com
www.onlinegolfswingcoach.com
Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson continue to be the weak links of the squad, as both have lost all of their matches, two while playing together. I have not seen much of the matches, but from what I have seen, Tiger Woods has not helped Steve Stricker much. In the one four ball match, I noted that Tiger's score counted five times and Stricker's score counted 12 times. That does not mean much, but it does say that Tiger was not making many birdies. One shot Tiger hit sticks in my head. He hit a wedge or short iron about 30 yards too long on one shot. That is a fault he had in the two years he spent between working with instructors Butch Harmon and Hank Haney. Looks like distance control is back to being an issue.
Overall, the other players on the U.S. squad have played fairly average. The Europeans seem to have more energy and determination. This is a reflection of the two captains. Pavin has been stoic, Monty has been expressive.
Tomorrow, the U.S. squad will need to pull off their second biggest comeback in history if they want to retain the cup. They need 7.5 points out of 12 to reach 14 points. It is doable, but with Mickelson and Woods not on their game, not likely.
Scott Cole
www.scottcolegolf.com
www.onlinegolfswingcoach.com
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