Tiger Woods returns to the PGA Tour for his first event since the TPC at Sawgrass and his first event since his split with long time swing coach, Hank Haney. Tiger obviously is trying to gear up for the U.S. Open, and has enjoyed tremendous success at The Memorial, hosted by Jack Nicklaus. On Wednesday, Tiger will be playing in a pre-tournament skins game of sorts that I believe will be covered on Golf Channel.
No doubt Tiger will be asked about any new swing coaches and such. It will be interesting to see what kind of form he exhibits on a golf course he clearly loves. If his misses are only going to the right, then he will have made progress. However, I suspect his putting might be a bit off no matter what as the greens at Muirfield Village are quick!
Scott Cole
www.onlinegolfswingcoach.com
www.powergolftraining.net
Monday, May 31, 2010
Golfers, Learn Better Short Game Technique And Take Notes!
I give quite a few golf lessons involving the short game. With most people, if they have been playing the game for a while, I watch them hit a few shots first. The first shot I watch them hit is where they are just a few feet off the edge of the green, maybe on the fringe or in the short rough, and they have about 40 to 50 feet of green to work with. In 90% of the cases, the student will pull out a sand wedge or pitching wedge and try to fly the ball halfway to the hole. They have trouble getting it within 15 feet.
I calmly step up and chip the shot with a 7 or 8 iron and with the first second ball, I am within 2 feet.
We have all this information out there regarding the golf game from the internet to the major magazines, to a tv channel devoted to the game, and yet most people show no improvement. Are they not paying attention?
Yes, there is an awful lot of information about the game to assimilate over time. So, my best advice to the golfer who wants to improve is to take notes!
I studied Pai Lum Kung Fu for 8 years, and I have a notebook that is three inches thick full of typewritten notes on all the forms, techniques and details how to perform each. Golf is similar in that there is a lot to learn. But, how can you improve if you don't remember the proper technique?
You see, if you want to make improvements, you have to take accountability! As a teacher, I can only bring the horse to water, but I can't make it drink!
From now on, take some notes, and when you go practice, take them with you! I guarantee you will start to see better results.
Scott Cole
www.onlinegolfswingcoach.com
www.powergolftraining.net
I calmly step up and chip the shot with a 7 or 8 iron and with the first second ball, I am within 2 feet.
We have all this information out there regarding the golf game from the internet to the major magazines, to a tv channel devoted to the game, and yet most people show no improvement. Are they not paying attention?
Yes, there is an awful lot of information about the game to assimilate over time. So, my best advice to the golfer who wants to improve is to take notes!
I studied Pai Lum Kung Fu for 8 years, and I have a notebook that is three inches thick full of typewritten notes on all the forms, techniques and details how to perform each. Golf is similar in that there is a lot to learn. But, how can you improve if you don't remember the proper technique?
You see, if you want to make improvements, you have to take accountability! As a teacher, I can only bring the horse to water, but I can't make it drink!
From now on, take some notes, and when you go practice, take them with you! I guarantee you will start to see better results.
Scott Cole
www.onlinegolfswingcoach.com
www.powergolftraining.net
Saturday, May 29, 2010
The Principles of Power Golf
No matter what their skill level or experience, every golfer on the planet will always want to hit increase the power of their golf swing so they can hit 300 yard drives. That is why golfers are bombarded with all kinds of new drivers, golf swing gadgets, and golf fitness exercises that will supposedly allow them to add 10, 15, 25, even 75 yards to their tee shots.
I’ve read and seen so much garbage being sold to the every day golfer, it makes my stomach turn at times. As a professional golf instructor, competitive golfer, athlete and martial artist, I have a pretty good idea of what works and what doesn’t. For instance, if you have never exercised regularly and have a classic over the top golf swing that results in a big slice, doing a few wrist exercises and trunk twists with training bands is not going to let you add 30 yards to your tee shot.
There are essentially four key principles to power golf. The first principle of power golf is golf swing technique. The fact of the matter is that if you have a significantly flawed golf swing, it will drain power from your swing. I’ve had success with teaching students to hit the ball further by improving their golf swing. In one case, the student had a classic over the top swing with an early release of the hands. As a result, this student, who at the time was about 5’9, could barely hit the ball 200 yards with his driver. As this student is still quite young, he has grown a few inches, and improved his swing and now can CARRY the ball 250 yards.
Another student of mine is in his early 40’s and recently visited me in my old indoor teaching studio where we measured his swing speed on my simulator. He is actually a friend of mine with whom I have played with competitively. Standing about 6’1, he weighs about 230 pounds. Over time, his swing deteriorated into a severe inside out swing. He would always fight a big hook, and sometimes would just hit a block if he did not release his hands properly. At the beginning of his lesson, we measured his top speed at 98 mph. By the end of the lesson, he was at over 106 mph, as I had improved his swing path. If and when he gets used to this new swing, he will swing much faster.
So, the first Principle of Power Golf must be technique. If you improve your technique, you can definitely hit the ball further. It just takes good instruction and the desire to improve!
After improving your basic swing shape, the next thing that will help you increase your golf swing power is flexibility. This is the second Principle of Power Golf. I place flexibility above strength in terms of importance because if you have the flexibility to make a bit shoulder turn, you will have the ability to create a bigger arc with your swing, which is key to increased swing speed. I place flexibility above strength in importance because when I was 19, I won my first local long drive contest while weighing about 165 pounds (I am 6 feet tall). I was athletic, and fairly strong, but nowhere near as strong as I am now. However, I had the flexibility to make a big shoulder turn and arc with my swing, plus I have very flexible wrists that allow me to create significant lag in my swing. As a result, I was able to out drive many golfers that were bigger and stronger.
That is not to say that strength is not important. If you really want to take your golf swing power to another level, increased strength will do the job. As a result, strength is the third Principle of Power Golf. However, when I am talking about strength, I am talking about total body strength. If you want to increase your swing speed, you have to work out your entire body.
In my research of golf fitness, I have seen some ridiculous exercises being demonstrated. The idea behind these is that if you do a couple of these exercises for a few minutes, a couple days per week, you will hit the ball 25 yards further. This is utter nonsense. As with any endeavor, if you want to improve your golf game and golf swing power, it will take some work. The added benefit of strength training is that it will make you healthier overall, and more durable. So, to truly improve your power off the tee, be prepared to work your legs, your core, your chest, shoulders, back and arms.
The last Principle of Power Golf is body speed. The truly elite golfers and long drivers have incredible body speed, and this primarily innate. However, elite athletes are learning how to increase their speed through a variety of new exercises. Much of this training involves plyometrics and these types of exercises are generally reserved for athletes who are already in pretty good condition. If you are this type of golfer, training like an elite athlete will take you to the next level in your development.
World long drive champion Jamie Sadlowski exhibits all four of these Principles of Power Golf. He has an exceptionally powerful golf swing with a huge swing arc and tremendous wrist lag. He is incredibly flexible with an amazing shoulder turn and substantial hinge in his wrists. He works out like an elite athlete and is quite strong, even though he only weighs about 165 pounds. And finally, he has incredible body speed. The end result is that he can regularly hit the golf ball over 400 yards in competition.
While it won’t likely be possible for you to hit the ball over 400 yards, if you improve your technique, flexibility, strength and speed, you will definitely have the opportunity to hit the ball closer to, or over 300 yards!
Scott Cole
Power Golf Training
I’ve read and seen so much garbage being sold to the every day golfer, it makes my stomach turn at times. As a professional golf instructor, competitive golfer, athlete and martial artist, I have a pretty good idea of what works and what doesn’t. For instance, if you have never exercised regularly and have a classic over the top golf swing that results in a big slice, doing a few wrist exercises and trunk twists with training bands is not going to let you add 30 yards to your tee shot.
There are essentially four key principles to power golf. The first principle of power golf is golf swing technique. The fact of the matter is that if you have a significantly flawed golf swing, it will drain power from your swing. I’ve had success with teaching students to hit the ball further by improving their golf swing. In one case, the student had a classic over the top swing with an early release of the hands. As a result, this student, who at the time was about 5’9, could barely hit the ball 200 yards with his driver. As this student is still quite young, he has grown a few inches, and improved his swing and now can CARRY the ball 250 yards.
Another student of mine is in his early 40’s and recently visited me in my old indoor teaching studio where we measured his swing speed on my simulator. He is actually a friend of mine with whom I have played with competitively. Standing about 6’1, he weighs about 230 pounds. Over time, his swing deteriorated into a severe inside out swing. He would always fight a big hook, and sometimes would just hit a block if he did not release his hands properly. At the beginning of his lesson, we measured his top speed at 98 mph. By the end of the lesson, he was at over 106 mph, as I had improved his swing path. If and when he gets used to this new swing, he will swing much faster.
So, the first Principle of Power Golf must be technique. If you improve your technique, you can definitely hit the ball further. It just takes good instruction and the desire to improve!
After improving your basic swing shape, the next thing that will help you increase your golf swing power is flexibility. This is the second Principle of Power Golf. I place flexibility above strength in terms of importance because if you have the flexibility to make a bit shoulder turn, you will have the ability to create a bigger arc with your swing, which is key to increased swing speed. I place flexibility above strength in importance because when I was 19, I won my first local long drive contest while weighing about 165 pounds (I am 6 feet tall). I was athletic, and fairly strong, but nowhere near as strong as I am now. However, I had the flexibility to make a big shoulder turn and arc with my swing, plus I have very flexible wrists that allow me to create significant lag in my swing. As a result, I was able to out drive many golfers that were bigger and stronger.
That is not to say that strength is not important. If you really want to take your golf swing power to another level, increased strength will do the job. As a result, strength is the third Principle of Power Golf. However, when I am talking about strength, I am talking about total body strength. If you want to increase your swing speed, you have to work out your entire body.
In my research of golf fitness, I have seen some ridiculous exercises being demonstrated. The idea behind these is that if you do a couple of these exercises for a few minutes, a couple days per week, you will hit the ball 25 yards further. This is utter nonsense. As with any endeavor, if you want to improve your golf game and golf swing power, it will take some work. The added benefit of strength training is that it will make you healthier overall, and more durable. So, to truly improve your power off the tee, be prepared to work your legs, your core, your chest, shoulders, back and arms.
The last Principle of Power Golf is body speed. The truly elite golfers and long drivers have incredible body speed, and this primarily innate. However, elite athletes are learning how to increase their speed through a variety of new exercises. Much of this training involves plyometrics and these types of exercises are generally reserved for athletes who are already in pretty good condition. If you are this type of golfer, training like an elite athlete will take you to the next level in your development.
World long drive champion Jamie Sadlowski exhibits all four of these Principles of Power Golf. He has an exceptionally powerful golf swing with a huge swing arc and tremendous wrist lag. He is incredibly flexible with an amazing shoulder turn and substantial hinge in his wrists. He works out like an elite athlete and is quite strong, even though he only weighs about 165 pounds. And finally, he has incredible body speed. The end result is that he can regularly hit the golf ball over 400 yards in competition.
While it won’t likely be possible for you to hit the ball over 400 yards, if you improve your technique, flexibility, strength and speed, you will definitely have the opportunity to hit the ball closer to, or over 300 yards!
Scott Cole
Power Golf Training
Sunday, May 23, 2010
16 year old finishes T-16 at Byron Nelson PGA Tour Stop
16 year old amateur Jordan Spieth finished in a tie for 16th this week at the PGA Tour's Byron Nelson tournament. While not playing his best on Sunday, he still finished the tournament with a respectable 72. That is simply impressive. It amazes me how these kids are beginning to show no fear when playing with the big boys. There are young guns on tour like Rory McIlroy and Anthony Kim, and they are showing these high school kids the way.
So, I say to my competitive junior students, it can be done! But, it takes work and practice, but also knowing how to practice. You've got to have a plan for improvement. And, you've got to compete! There is no time like the present, so get to work, but most importantly, have fun!
Scott Cole
Online Golf Swing Coach
Power Golf Training
So, I say to my competitive junior students, it can be done! But, it takes work and practice, but also knowing how to practice. You've got to have a plan for improvement. And, you've got to compete! There is no time like the present, so get to work, but most importantly, have fun!
Scott Cole
Online Golf Swing Coach
Power Golf Training
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Bobby Clampett
I just watched Bobby Clampett shoot 64 in the second round of what I believe is his first Champions Tour event. This follows a 65 in the first round, and he holds a one shot lead. I find his performance quite astonishing considering his lack of competitive rounds in the last 15 years, or more. I'll be pulling for him to pull out the victory today.
Clampett was a can't miss superstar as an amateur back in the late 70's. I remember seeing him when I caddied for a friend in the U.S. Amateur in 1979. There were some big names playing that year in Cleveland, including defending champion John Cook, Mark O'Meara (who ended up beating Cook in the final), Hal Sutton (he destroyed Jay Sigel in match play, 6&5), and some others. However, Clampett was the favorite, and I believe he was medalist in stroke play that year.
He went on to win a PGA event in his second year on tour, and then his downward spiral began. He became obsessed with tinkering with his golf swing, and became a very mechanical player.
You can still see some of the remnants of that as he sets up to his shots, even his putting. He putted fabulous yesterday, so we'll see how he holds up today. He was quite emotional after his round on Saturday, so I don't really expect him to win today. However, if he does, it will be a terrific story and a well deserved victory.
Scott Cole
www.scottcolegolf.com
Your Online Golf Swing Coach
Clampett was a can't miss superstar as an amateur back in the late 70's. I remember seeing him when I caddied for a friend in the U.S. Amateur in 1979. There were some big names playing that year in Cleveland, including defending champion John Cook, Mark O'Meara (who ended up beating Cook in the final), Hal Sutton (he destroyed Jay Sigel in match play, 6&5), and some others. However, Clampett was the favorite, and I believe he was medalist in stroke play that year.
He went on to win a PGA event in his second year on tour, and then his downward spiral began. He became obsessed with tinkering with his golf swing, and became a very mechanical player.
You can still see some of the remnants of that as he sets up to his shots, even his putting. He putted fabulous yesterday, so we'll see how he holds up today. He was quite emotional after his round on Saturday, so I don't really expect him to win today. However, if he does, it will be a terrific story and a well deserved victory.
Scott Cole
www.scottcolegolf.com
Your Online Golf Swing Coach
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Hank Haney vs. Johnny Miller
I typically like Johnny Miller because he calls 'em the way he sees 'em. But, it's one thing to offer an opinion when you are informed, but another when you are just piling on.
On Sunday during The Players Championship, Miller said Tiger needs to switch coaches because what he is working on with Hank Haney is clearly not working. Hmmmm...let's look at the record a little bit. Last year, Tiger returns to the tour after a 9 month layoff after knee surgery, after winning the U.S. Open on one leg, and wins 7 times worldwide. This included one of the Fedex tournaments where he blitzed the field by 8 shots, and back then Johnny Miller said that was the best golf he had seen out of Tiger since 2000.
So, now, Tiger's problems are a result of poor swing mechanics? Has nothing to do with the off-course issues for sure!
Miller went on to say that he felt that the way Haney teaches does not match up well with Tiger's swing, saying Haney's method requires too much hand action. Huh? Tiger went to Haney because he wanted to shape the ball WITHOUT relying on his hands. Over time, since Tiger has come on tour, his work with Butch Harmon AND Hank Haney has improved his swing dramatically.
If Miller did any research at all on how Haney teaches, he would know that he spoke out of turn. Tiger's best days may have been in 2000, but he himself will tell you he had to play more heroically back then because he did not have the ability to hit some of the shots that he has been able to the last couple of years. Furthermore, Tiger's woes when he has failed to win majors the last few years can be traced directly to his putting.
I remember that run he had in 2000 when he won the U.S. Open by 15 shots and the British Open at St. Andrews by 8 shots. In the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach, I never saw him have a bad lie in the rough, and he made what seemed like every single putt he had inside 15 feet.
At St. Andrews, Tiger did not hit the ball in any single bunker for 72 holes. I met a golfer from Scotland a few years ago who said it is virtually impossible to play 18 holes there without hitting it in a bunker, let alone 72 holes. He said, you can hit it down the middle of the fairway and get a crazy bounce on any hole and end up in a bunker.
Tiger played some fabulous golf back then. He himself will tell you he is a better golfer now. Remember, he has had four surgeries on his knee since then. Once he recovered from his last surgery, he and Hank had to work on new swing thoughts because he had a new, stronger knee than he had for years. He went on to win 7 tournaments last year.
I think Johnny Miller needs to get a clue. His game left him a long time ago, and he never even bothered to play on the Champions Tour because he knew he couldn't compete. Now, he comes off as a grumpy old man. I like Johnny, but he is off base here.
Hank completed an interview with the Golf Channel today, which will be aired in its entirety on Sunday at 6 pm ET. You'll see that he is a humble man.
Scott Cole
Hank Haney Pro Associate Instructor Level 2
www.scottcolegolf.com
www.onlinegolfswingcoach.com
www.powergolftraining.net
On Sunday during The Players Championship, Miller said Tiger needs to switch coaches because what he is working on with Hank Haney is clearly not working. Hmmmm...let's look at the record a little bit. Last year, Tiger returns to the tour after a 9 month layoff after knee surgery, after winning the U.S. Open on one leg, and wins 7 times worldwide. This included one of the Fedex tournaments where he blitzed the field by 8 shots, and back then Johnny Miller said that was the best golf he had seen out of Tiger since 2000.
So, now, Tiger's problems are a result of poor swing mechanics? Has nothing to do with the off-course issues for sure!
Miller went on to say that he felt that the way Haney teaches does not match up well with Tiger's swing, saying Haney's method requires too much hand action. Huh? Tiger went to Haney because he wanted to shape the ball WITHOUT relying on his hands. Over time, since Tiger has come on tour, his work with Butch Harmon AND Hank Haney has improved his swing dramatically.
If Miller did any research at all on how Haney teaches, he would know that he spoke out of turn. Tiger's best days may have been in 2000, but he himself will tell you he had to play more heroically back then because he did not have the ability to hit some of the shots that he has been able to the last couple of years. Furthermore, Tiger's woes when he has failed to win majors the last few years can be traced directly to his putting.
I remember that run he had in 2000 when he won the U.S. Open by 15 shots and the British Open at St. Andrews by 8 shots. In the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach, I never saw him have a bad lie in the rough, and he made what seemed like every single putt he had inside 15 feet.
At St. Andrews, Tiger did not hit the ball in any single bunker for 72 holes. I met a golfer from Scotland a few years ago who said it is virtually impossible to play 18 holes there without hitting it in a bunker, let alone 72 holes. He said, you can hit it down the middle of the fairway and get a crazy bounce on any hole and end up in a bunker.
Tiger played some fabulous golf back then. He himself will tell you he is a better golfer now. Remember, he has had four surgeries on his knee since then. Once he recovered from his last surgery, he and Hank had to work on new swing thoughts because he had a new, stronger knee than he had for years. He went on to win 7 tournaments last year.
I think Johnny Miller needs to get a clue. His game left him a long time ago, and he never even bothered to play on the Champions Tour because he knew he couldn't compete. Now, he comes off as a grumpy old man. I like Johnny, but he is off base here.
Hank completed an interview with the Golf Channel today, which will be aired in its entirety on Sunday at 6 pm ET. You'll see that he is a humble man.
Scott Cole
Hank Haney Pro Associate Instructor Level 2
www.scottcolegolf.com
www.onlinegolfswingcoach.com
www.powergolftraining.net
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Hank Haney Parts Ways With Tiger Woods
Hank Haney announced last night that he had resigned as Tiger Woods swing coach. To many, this came as no surprise, as speculation has been rampant that Tiger was ready to make this move. Personally, I did not speculate on such matters. However, I think Hank is somewhat relieved to be out of that professional relationship now. Hank gets virtually no credit for helping to improve Tiger's game, except from Tiger. So, when Tiger has played well, it's because of his greatness, when he plays bad, it's because he doesn't have the right swing coach.
It is funny how many of the pundits who think they know how Hank teaches really have no clue. Johnny Miller thinks the way Hank teaches requires too much hand action. A commentator on Golf Channel thought Hank was a bad match with Tiger since Tiger is a natural fader of the ball and Hank likes to teach the draw.
The fact is that Tiger was always more of a hooker of the ball when he first came out on tour. Does anyone remember the position of his swing at the top back then? It was way across the line, pointing to the right, a sure sign of someone who will fight a hook much of the time. The way Hank teaches, he wants you to have the ability to hit all 9 shots...low, medium, high straight; low, medium, high fade; and low, medium, high draw. And, he wants you to be able to do that without having to manipulate the hands, but rather with the shape of your swing. That was one reason why Tiger got together with Hank in 2004.
The bottom line is that Tiger needs to get his life in order before he can start focusing on golf again. News was out today that he and Elin are pursuing a quiet divorce. Anyone who has been through that knows it is a huge distraction, especially when young children are involved.
I won't speculate on the reasons behind the parting of ways, but those of us in his instructor training program were notified that he wants to devote more of his energy to the program. For those of us in the program, that is great news and I look forward to the opportunity to continue working with Hank and his staff.
Scott Cole
www.powergolftraining.net
www.onlinegolfswingcoach.com
It is funny how many of the pundits who think they know how Hank teaches really have no clue. Johnny Miller thinks the way Hank teaches requires too much hand action. A commentator on Golf Channel thought Hank was a bad match with Tiger since Tiger is a natural fader of the ball and Hank likes to teach the draw.
The fact is that Tiger was always more of a hooker of the ball when he first came out on tour. Does anyone remember the position of his swing at the top back then? It was way across the line, pointing to the right, a sure sign of someone who will fight a hook much of the time. The way Hank teaches, he wants you to have the ability to hit all 9 shots...low, medium, high straight; low, medium, high fade; and low, medium, high draw. And, he wants you to be able to do that without having to manipulate the hands, but rather with the shape of your swing. That was one reason why Tiger got together with Hank in 2004.
The bottom line is that Tiger needs to get his life in order before he can start focusing on golf again. News was out today that he and Elin are pursuing a quiet divorce. Anyone who has been through that knows it is a huge distraction, especially when young children are involved.
I won't speculate on the reasons behind the parting of ways, but those of us in his instructor training program were notified that he wants to devote more of his energy to the program. For those of us in the program, that is great news and I look forward to the opportunity to continue working with Hank and his staff.
Scott Cole
www.powergolftraining.net
www.onlinegolfswingcoach.com
Sunday, May 2, 2010
McIlroy wins first U.S. Tour event
Rory McIlroy fired a spectacular 62 in the final round at Quail Hollow this afternoon to win this week's PGA event going away. McIlroy came on the scene in Europe last year with a couple of wins and then played pretty well here in the U.S. as well. It seemed like he was playing a lot of tournaments and I thought he may be getting burned out as his performance had not been nearly as strong this year. Apparently, a bad back was holding him back, which, at 21 years old, is not a good sign. However, it looks those woes are behind him for now!
McIlroy has a very good swing and hits the ball a long way for his size. I also like how he remains aggressive when he gets into contention. McIlroy is another of those young players that has loads of confidence and plays aggressively, and to win. He, and players like Anthony Kim and Dustin Johnson are the type of players that can start challenging the elite. A bit more experience for all of them, and we'll start to see them challenging for majors.
Scott Cole
www.powergolftraining.net
www.onlinegolfswingcoach.com
McIlroy has a very good swing and hits the ball a long way for his size. I also like how he remains aggressive when he gets into contention. McIlroy is another of those young players that has loads of confidence and plays aggressively, and to win. He, and players like Anthony Kim and Dustin Johnson are the type of players that can start challenging the elite. A bit more experience for all of them, and we'll start to see them challenging for majors.
Scott Cole
www.powergolftraining.net
www.onlinegolfswingcoach.com
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