Showing posts with label Golf Lesson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Golf Lesson. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
What Makes A Good Golf Swing
Some published statistics suggest that the average golf handicap is essentially the same as it was forty years ago. This is in spite of all the new technology in equipment and in the world of golf instruction. How is this possible? One reason is that most golfers, including those who teach the game, do not have an understanding of what makes a good golf swing.
One comment you will often here from an amateur golf when they watch a tour pro or any very good player is that they make every shot look effortless. That is exactly what a good golf swing looks like…effortless.
Indeed, some of the more unusual golf swings on tour, such as Jim Furyk’s or Kenny Perry’s, even Lee Trevino’s, look effortless. All of these players have been great ball strikers with unusual looking swings. With that in mind, the appearance, or shape of a golf swing, has nothing to do with what makes a good golf swing. Unfortunately, that is what most instructors think, and as a result, that is what most amateur golfers think as well.
A good golf swing is one in which there is a clear rhythmic sequence of events taking place. This sequence of events occurs with athleticism and balance. This athletic, balanced and rhythmic swing is what allows a good golfer to repeat the movement over and over again, even as the stakes are high.
How can the average golfer, or worse, learn how to develop a good golf swing? First they must learn the proper sequencing in the golf swing that allows the speed of the club head to increase through impact, and allows the club to be square to the intended target line at impact. This sequence has nothing to do with the position of the golf club during the takeaway, or the swing plane, or the grip or set up. This sequence is actually found in other athletic movements, and this is why some professional athletes who specialize in these other athletic movements, excel at golf.
Consider the other sports, or positions in various sports, where those athletes have a higher likelihood of success at golf. Quarterbacks, pitchers and hockey players are more likely to be good golfers than other athletes. I am talking about scratch golfers, not those that can break 80 now and then. Examples of these athletes are former pitcher Rick Rhoden, former quarterback John Brodie who played on the Champions Tour, Phil Simms, Tony Romo, John Smoltz, and hockey players Dan Quinn, Mario Lemieux and Grant Fuhr.
Have you ever watched a baseball game, or a football game and heard the comment that the pitcher or quarterback “is in a good rhythm?” And we almost always hear that when a golfer is leading a tournament. Good pitchers make pitching look effortless, just like good quarterbacks in a good rhythm make hitting a receiver down field look easy. The funny thing is, just like in golf, these pitchers and quarterbacks look different from one another in how they get the job done.
Think about the movements in pitching and throwing a football. There is a larger or small wind up which results in the back foot acting as a brace, which in turn creates leverage, and then an unwinding of the body that starts with the lower body. This is pretty much the exact opposite of what most golfers do. Most golfers do not create any leverage in the back swing because they do virtually all of the work with the arms, and then they do all of the work in the down swing with the upper body as well. As a result, even large, reasonably athletic and fit people have trouble hitting a driver as far as the average tour pro hits a three-iron.
If you want to begin to build a good golf swing, think of these two athletic movements that most of us have done at one time or another… skipping stones across a pond and throwing a Frisbee. These movements are very similar to that of the golf swing. If you can get your mindset away from trying to control the golf club, and instead focus on developing the proper athletic movements involved in the golf swing, along with good rhythm and balance, then you will be well on your way to building a good, sound, repeatable, effortless golf swing.
www.yourgolfswingfix.com
Monday, July 23, 2012
Learning Golf - The process
I have played very little golf over the last ten years, even after I started teaching a few years ago. That is now changing. I've come to the realization that I can practice all I want and really not get better if I only play once a month. I joined a semi-private club 30 minutes away this year, a brand new facility, due to its value, and to force myself to play. Well, life kinda got in the way in May and June, when I only played once. My game suffered mightily.
Last week I played three times, and showed signs of improvement each day. During that stretch, I have given a few lessons, but have hit very few balls due to a bad left thumb. Today, I played again, and got back to fundamentals. I recognized that I was getting lazy with my posture. My low back tends to be a little rounded so I got back to trying to keep the spine straighter with better posture. The only other thought to my swing was to fire the hips hard in the down swing. The result was the best ball striking round I have had in years. Now it is just a matter of better distance control with the irons, which has been made a little complicated by longer distance than what I am used to.
This is the process that every golfer goes through. There must be a balance between playing and practicing. For me, I have practiced a ton over the last few years as I have worked on improving my swing. The process began with my lesson with Hank Haney in February 2009, and then continued with my ongoing research. During this time I discovered a process in which I employ in my teaching, and the results for those students who employ it are quite dramatic.
I continue to look forward to making more improvements. As I am 46, my goal is to one day play in the Senior U.S. Open. I never reached my potential at my physical peak, but I am smarter now and continue to hit the ball longer than most of my contemporaries. So, there is the goal!
Set goals for yourself, develop your process, and you will get to where you want to be!
Scott Cole
www.yourgolfswingfix.com
Friday, November 18, 2011
Thoughts on the Mental Game of Golf
In their quest to take their game to the next level, many golfers feel the need to explore The Mental Game of golf. Because golfers see that some PGA tour stars employ a sport psychologist, they think this kind of work will do wonders for their game as well.
Here's the rub. Can anyone name a tour player that suddenly became a great player because they hired a psychologist to help them with their game. Sure, some have certainly changed their attitudes as a result of their work, but it is difficult to name any that were turned into a star golfer.
The fact of the matter is that if you can’t break 100, you probably have a lousy golf swing. No amount of work on what is going on inside your brain is going to help you lower your scores if you can’t get the ball airborne, or have trouble keeping it on the golf course.
Golf is a process. You have to learn good fundamentals before you can start hitting the ball well. You have to learn how to hit the ball well on the range, before you play well on the golf course with your friends. You have to play well with your friends before you can play well in a tournament. You have to play well in a tournament before you can learn how to win a tournament.
Tiger Woods is a perfect case study in all this. He is re-learning how to play golf again. He is getting more comfortable with his new swing, and while it may not be a better version than what he has had before, as long as he thinks so, that is all that matters. As he is getting more comfortable with it, you can see he is getting more comfortable on the golf course, and particularly around the greens. Pretty soon, he will be able to knock down the door and win a tournament again, and then he will build on that process and win a major again. Will he get back to his highest level? That remains to be seen.
In all of this, what you have not heard is that he has hired a mental game guru to help him with his mental game. Tiger is mentally strong already, and therein lies the difference between the great players, and those that are not so great. Their mental toughness is more innate, not trained. Bobby Jones, Ben Hogan, Sam Snead, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Tom Watson, and Tiger Woods never needed to hire a sport psychologist to help them win golf tournaments.
Yes, there are things you can do to help with your mental game. However, there is no magic mental process that is going to turn you into Tiger Woods. There is, however, a learning process to becoming a better golfer overall, as described above. So get to work on that process and you will become a better golfer.
Scott Cole - Your Golf Swing Fix
Here's the rub. Can anyone name a tour player that suddenly became a great player because they hired a psychologist to help them with their game. Sure, some have certainly changed their attitudes as a result of their work, but it is difficult to name any that were turned into a star golfer.
The fact of the matter is that if you can’t break 100, you probably have a lousy golf swing. No amount of work on what is going on inside your brain is going to help you lower your scores if you can’t get the ball airborne, or have trouble keeping it on the golf course.
Golf is a process. You have to learn good fundamentals before you can start hitting the ball well. You have to learn how to hit the ball well on the range, before you play well on the golf course with your friends. You have to play well with your friends before you can play well in a tournament. You have to play well in a tournament before you can learn how to win a tournament.
Tiger Woods is a perfect case study in all this. He is re-learning how to play golf again. He is getting more comfortable with his new swing, and while it may not be a better version than what he has had before, as long as he thinks so, that is all that matters. As he is getting more comfortable with it, you can see he is getting more comfortable on the golf course, and particularly around the greens. Pretty soon, he will be able to knock down the door and win a tournament again, and then he will build on that process and win a major again. Will he get back to his highest level? That remains to be seen.
In all of this, what you have not heard is that he has hired a mental game guru to help him with his mental game. Tiger is mentally strong already, and therein lies the difference between the great players, and those that are not so great. Their mental toughness is more innate, not trained. Bobby Jones, Ben Hogan, Sam Snead, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Tom Watson, and Tiger Woods never needed to hire a sport psychologist to help them win golf tournaments.
Yes, there are things you can do to help with your mental game. However, there is no magic mental process that is going to turn you into Tiger Woods. There is, however, a learning process to becoming a better golfer overall, as described above. So get to work on that process and you will become a better golfer.
Scott Cole - Your Golf Swing Fix
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Golf Tip of the Day - Pay Attention to the Details
If you are really serious about improving your golf swing, then you MUST pay very close attention to details in regard to your set up. If you don't grip the club properly and set up to the ball properly with good balance, YOU HAVE NO CHANCE!
Yes, there are exceptions to this rule, but they are much better athletes than you, and chances are, they learned to play that way at a very young age. Jim Furyk is the prime example. But, how many other players on the PGA Tour swing the club like he does? None. He has grooved that move from a very young age.
If you are learning the game as an adult, or have been playing golf for a long time, and not having much success (can't break 80, 90 or 100), then you should take the time to learn a fundamentally sound set up. This will take some effort and practice getting used to, but it will get you on the proper path.
Scott Cole
www.scottcolegolf.com
Yes, there are exceptions to this rule, but they are much better athletes than you, and chances are, they learned to play that way at a very young age. Jim Furyk is the prime example. But, how many other players on the PGA Tour swing the club like he does? None. He has grooved that move from a very young age.
If you are learning the game as an adult, or have been playing golf for a long time, and not having much success (can't break 80, 90 or 100), then you should take the time to learn a fundamentally sound set up. This will take some effort and practice getting used to, but it will get you on the proper path.
Scott Cole
www.scottcolegolf.com
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Golf Tip of the Day - Keep the Driver in the Bag
When you go to the driving range, keep the driver in the bag. Why? Because if you can't hit an 8 iron consistently well, you surely won't be able to hit the driver. The driver has very little loft. As a result, it does not impart enough backspin to offset any sidespin you may create with your swing. Therefore, your bad shots will simply be exaggerated.
Most people like to finish their practice sessions with their driver. Unfortunately, most people swing much harder with the driver, and that will exaggerate their bad habits. Furthermore, the harder swing will ruin your tempo, which is very important with the shorter shots.
If you truly want to learn how to play better golf, you need to be patient and work your way up through the bag. Become proficient with the shorter clubs. At the very least, even if you are hitting it crooked with the driver, you will still have the ability to recover.
Scott Cole
www.howtogolfyourbest.com
Most people like to finish their practice sessions with their driver. Unfortunately, most people swing much harder with the driver, and that will exaggerate their bad habits. Furthermore, the harder swing will ruin your tempo, which is very important with the shorter shots.
If you truly want to learn how to play better golf, you need to be patient and work your way up through the bag. Become proficient with the shorter clubs. At the very least, even if you are hitting it crooked with the driver, you will still have the ability to recover.
Scott Cole
www.howtogolfyourbest.com
Monday, February 21, 2011
Aaron Baddeley wins at Riviera
Aaron Baddeley picked up his first PGA Tour win since 2007 yesterday, holding off Vijay Singh for a two stroke victory. If you have followed his career, you may remember that he was once the poster boy for the Stack and Tilt swing model. This was because he was already a high profile name on tour and not long after he began receiving instruction from Mike Bennett and Andy Plummer, the proponents of the model, he won twice and saw his world ranking skyrocket. Since then, he struggled, and he went back to his old teacher in 2009.
Much of the commentary during the telecast revolved around Baddeley’s swing. Since I did not see much of Baddeley’s swing in prior years, I can’t really make a comparison. Today he played under control, and finished the tournament third in greens in regulation. That is impressive considering that Riviera is a shotmaker’s course and it is necessary to hit a fade on some key holes. The Stack and Tilt model is mainly geared toward hitting a push-draw.
During the telecast today, Peter Kostis did his analysis of Baddeley’s swing and focused on the plane of the club shaft. Baddeley did well to stay on or close to the original plane he achieved at address throughout his swing. This is the essential key to Hank Haney’s teaching, although Baddeley is not a student of Hank. Hank also preaches the ability to hit all nine ball flights equally well…a straight shot, fade or draw with low, medium and high trajectories. Tiger Woods was capable of doing this at well with his irons before his knee issues resurfaced in 2008.
The bottom line is that there is no one swing model that will work for every golfer. Baddeley did achieve some success with Stack and Tilt in 2007, but his putting was also spectacular that year, and he actually finished a dismal 188th in greens in regulation that year. Overall, he apparently felt limited by the swing pattern and decided to return to his old teacher. Other tour players are clearly having some success with the model, otherwise it would not be so popular in some respects.
It should be noted that some of the best ballstrikers ever are noted for returning the clubshaft to the original plane they achieved at address. The best example is Ben Hogan, and well, it doesn’t get much better than that. However, he was not concerned with keeping the club on this plane in his backswing. It was his transition and hip turn that caused it.
If Aaron Baddeley continues to swing the club like he did this week, he will be a major force going forward.
Scott Cole
www.howtogolfyourbest.com
Much of the commentary during the telecast revolved around Baddeley’s swing. Since I did not see much of Baddeley’s swing in prior years, I can’t really make a comparison. Today he played under control, and finished the tournament third in greens in regulation. That is impressive considering that Riviera is a shotmaker’s course and it is necessary to hit a fade on some key holes. The Stack and Tilt model is mainly geared toward hitting a push-draw.
During the telecast today, Peter Kostis did his analysis of Baddeley’s swing and focused on the plane of the club shaft. Baddeley did well to stay on or close to the original plane he achieved at address throughout his swing. This is the essential key to Hank Haney’s teaching, although Baddeley is not a student of Hank. Hank also preaches the ability to hit all nine ball flights equally well…a straight shot, fade or draw with low, medium and high trajectories. Tiger Woods was capable of doing this at well with his irons before his knee issues resurfaced in 2008.
The bottom line is that there is no one swing model that will work for every golfer. Baddeley did achieve some success with Stack and Tilt in 2007, but his putting was also spectacular that year, and he actually finished a dismal 188th in greens in regulation that year. Overall, he apparently felt limited by the swing pattern and decided to return to his old teacher. Other tour players are clearly having some success with the model, otherwise it would not be so popular in some respects.
It should be noted that some of the best ballstrikers ever are noted for returning the clubshaft to the original plane they achieved at address. The best example is Ben Hogan, and well, it doesn’t get much better than that. However, he was not concerned with keeping the club on this plane in his backswing. It was his transition and hip turn that caused it.
If Aaron Baddeley continues to swing the club like he did this week, he will be a major force going forward.
Scott Cole
www.howtogolfyourbest.com
Monday, February 14, 2011
Golf Tip - Early season practice
Ok, so you've been cooped up all winter, and winter still has some left in it, but you got a break from the cold, so you are heading over to the driving range. Do yourself a favor...just take your wedge.
We finally hit 60 degrees in Maryland today, so I visited the Olney Golf Park for the first time in 2011. January was essentially a bust as it rarely broke above 40 degrees. As I expected, the facility was pretty crowded today. I personally had a plan...just hit a bucket of wedges and work on 3/4 wedge shots. My goal? To simply get the feel of good contact and ball flight, and to start getting my hips more involved through impact.
What I noticed today was that most of the golfers who were there practicing were hitting a lot of drivers. That is a mistake. Developing some tempo, rhythm and timing are essential at this stage of the season. Also, if you plan on lowering your scores, you should probably be focused on mechanics. Ripping a half bucket of drivers just to see that you still got it is a big mistake. If you have not swung a club in a month or two, it is easy to develop some bad habits by letting loose with the driver.
So, if you are reading this post early in the season, keep the long clubs at home for a couple sessions. You have plenty of time to get them out later.
Scott Cole
www.howtogolfyourbest.com
We finally hit 60 degrees in Maryland today, so I visited the Olney Golf Park for the first time in 2011. January was essentially a bust as it rarely broke above 40 degrees. As I expected, the facility was pretty crowded today. I personally had a plan...just hit a bucket of wedges and work on 3/4 wedge shots. My goal? To simply get the feel of good contact and ball flight, and to start getting my hips more involved through impact.
What I noticed today was that most of the golfers who were there practicing were hitting a lot of drivers. That is a mistake. Developing some tempo, rhythm and timing are essential at this stage of the season. Also, if you plan on lowering your scores, you should probably be focused on mechanics. Ripping a half bucket of drivers just to see that you still got it is a big mistake. If you have not swung a club in a month or two, it is easy to develop some bad habits by letting loose with the driver.
So, if you are reading this post early in the season, keep the long clubs at home for a couple sessions. You have plenty of time to get them out later.
Scott Cole
www.howtogolfyourbest.com
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Golf Tip - How to Make Swing Changes
Admittedly, watching Tiger Woods struggle this past weekend is likely going to make it tough for an instructor like me to convince a student to make a swing change when it is required. However, what I will point out is that this is the third major overhaul in Tiger's swing in about 12 years, and I would certainly not ask a student to completely change their swing in this fashion.
Swing changes must be done piecemeal, because even the smallest of changes take significant time and practice to be ingrained.
The best way to make swing changes is to make them without hitting any balls. Most people get too wrapped up in the result, rather than the execution. Occasionally, a golfer will hit a good shot with the same flawed swing. This is just a function of better timing with that particular swing, rather than an improved swing. Then, when they hit a crappy shot after making an improved move, they get frustrated and give up on the change.
What I try to do with a student during the first lesson is to identify the most critical ball flight error. I then let the student know what they need to do to correct that error, and then I give them a plan to improve their overall golf swing.
In order to make a swing change, the student needs to make practice swings without a ball, with significant focus on each repetition, for 100 swings a day, for several weeks. The repetitions need to be done in slow motion until they are ingrained, then done at half speed, then full speed, and without a ball. There is no point in trying to hit a ball until their is significant improvement in the move. I also HIGHLY recommend using a weighted club while working on these new motions. The heavier weight with slow motion reps sends a stronger signal to the brain.
This does not mean you don't ever go out and play while you are trying to make swing changes. When you are out on the course, it is necessary to just play and not worry about the changes you are making. If you are practicing as described above, these changes will take care of themselves out on the golf course over time. A round of golf is meant to be enjoyed, and it is more enjoyable if you are not worrying so much about mechanics. Mechanical changes should only be made and worked on during practice.
The key is to be very patient with making swing changes. Most golfers are not, and that is why most never improve. It takes a year for a good player to make a major swing overhaul, and a couple years for the average golfer. However, along the way, it is not unlikely that lower scores will occur. Stay patient and stay positive and you will surely reap the benefits.
Scott Cole
www.howtogolfyourbest.com
Swing changes must be done piecemeal, because even the smallest of changes take significant time and practice to be ingrained.
The best way to make swing changes is to make them without hitting any balls. Most people get too wrapped up in the result, rather than the execution. Occasionally, a golfer will hit a good shot with the same flawed swing. This is just a function of better timing with that particular swing, rather than an improved swing. Then, when they hit a crappy shot after making an improved move, they get frustrated and give up on the change.
What I try to do with a student during the first lesson is to identify the most critical ball flight error. I then let the student know what they need to do to correct that error, and then I give them a plan to improve their overall golf swing.
In order to make a swing change, the student needs to make practice swings without a ball, with significant focus on each repetition, for 100 swings a day, for several weeks. The repetitions need to be done in slow motion until they are ingrained, then done at half speed, then full speed, and without a ball. There is no point in trying to hit a ball until their is significant improvement in the move. I also HIGHLY recommend using a weighted club while working on these new motions. The heavier weight with slow motion reps sends a stronger signal to the brain.
This does not mean you don't ever go out and play while you are trying to make swing changes. When you are out on the course, it is necessary to just play and not worry about the changes you are making. If you are practicing as described above, these changes will take care of themselves out on the golf course over time. A round of golf is meant to be enjoyed, and it is more enjoyable if you are not worrying so much about mechanics. Mechanical changes should only be made and worked on during practice.
The key is to be very patient with making swing changes. Most golfers are not, and that is why most never improve. It takes a year for a good player to make a major swing overhaul, and a couple years for the average golfer. However, along the way, it is not unlikely that lower scores will occur. Stay patient and stay positive and you will surely reap the benefits.
Scott Cole
www.howtogolfyourbest.com
Monday, January 17, 2011
Golf Tip of the Day - Get a Golf Lesson!
I read a post in one of the online forums about a guy struggling to find his swing. He spent three hours on the driving range and completely lost it, so all of the nearby hitters started sending tips his way.
The author of the post then went on to say he had NEVER had a lesson in his twenty years of playing golf.
Golf is a difficult game, and one that is really never mastered. I often draw parallels between golf and the martial arts. There is a lot to learn, and you must always adjust to varying conditions. Yet, virtually no one who wants to learn the martial arts will try and learn on their own. So, why is this the case with golf?
Admittedly, the cost of instruction in golf is much higher, and that may be the problem with the industry. However, a student should at least get some group instruction to learn the basics. After that, there are plenty of less expensive ways to learn this game, especially on the internet.
Golfers can even receive an online video lesson by sending video of their golf swing to an instructor for analysis. So, after learning the basics through group instruction, an online video lesson could be beneficial and less expensive. Beyond that, there are lots of videos and books that golfers can obtain to further their knowledge. While there are many golf swing theories, that is no different than in the martial arts. Choose a theory or swing style you are comfortable with, and learn it!
The bottom line is if you want to improve your golf game, you need to acquire knowledge and learn how to incorporate that knowledge. A good instructor will help you with this, whether in person or online.
Scott Cole
www.howtogolfyourbest.com
The author of the post then went on to say he had NEVER had a lesson in his twenty years of playing golf.
Golf is a difficult game, and one that is really never mastered. I often draw parallels between golf and the martial arts. There is a lot to learn, and you must always adjust to varying conditions. Yet, virtually no one who wants to learn the martial arts will try and learn on their own. So, why is this the case with golf?
Admittedly, the cost of instruction in golf is much higher, and that may be the problem with the industry. However, a student should at least get some group instruction to learn the basics. After that, there are plenty of less expensive ways to learn this game, especially on the internet.
Golfers can even receive an online video lesson by sending video of their golf swing to an instructor for analysis. So, after learning the basics through group instruction, an online video lesson could be beneficial and less expensive. Beyond that, there are lots of videos and books that golfers can obtain to further their knowledge. While there are many golf swing theories, that is no different than in the martial arts. Choose a theory or swing style you are comfortable with, and learn it!
The bottom line is if you want to improve your golf game, you need to acquire knowledge and learn how to incorporate that knowledge. A good instructor will help you with this, whether in person or online.
Scott Cole
www.howtogolfyourbest.com
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Golf Tip of the Day - 5 Keys to a Good Golf Swing
Golf is one of those activities where the participants are often trying to find the best way to achieve their goal. It is similar to trading in the stock market, where individual traders with little experience are constantly trying to find the Holy Grail to riches. In the case of golf, golfers are often trying to find the Holy Grail golf tip or golf swing that will help them break 80 or become a scratch golfer.
An observation of the golf swings of some of the game’s most successful players over the years suggests that there is no one way to play the game best. Probably the three greatest players of all time are Jack Nicklaus, Ben Hogan and Tiger Woods. However, none of their swings looks very much alike. Consider the swings of other top players over time. Bruce Lietzke had a successful career on the PGA Tour, with 13 victories, yet he practiced very little. He has a classic over the top slice move, and that is the shot he favored. On the other hand Kenny Perry has the opposite swing from Lietzke and favors a draw shot. He has won 14 times on the PGA Tour.
There have been many other players over time with what would be regarded as unconventional swings. The 2010 PGA Player of the Year Jim Furyk is probably the most visible example. He has a very unorthodox swing, but is also one of the most consistent players of the last 15 years. Lee Trevino is another such player who was very consistent in his days on tour, but clearly had an unorthodox swing. On the other hand, Adam Scott has one of the nicest looking swings on tour, yet displays very little consistency.
So what makes a good golf swing? What most amateur golfers should strive to achieve is a swing they can repeat consistently. They should strive for a swing that they can repeat consistently, and one that results in consistently solid ball striking and consistent ball flight. This means it really doesn’t matter whether the player consistently slices the ball or hooks the ball. If the golfer has a good idea that will be the case, and they have a good idea how much the ball will curve in that direction, then they have achieved a consistent golf swing.
The first key to a good golf swing is balance. Most golfers who struggle do not have good balance during the swing. Poor balance leads to inconsistent ball striking. Poor balance can mean too much of a sway back and forth from side to side during the swing, or from heel to toe, or toe to heel. No matter what the balance issue, the golfer will struggle.
The second key to a good golf swing is a consistent spine angle from set up to just past impact. A changing spine angle will lead to very inconsistent ball striking. One example of a changing spine angle is one where the golfer’s body rises during the back swing. When this occurs, the golfer then must find a way to sink back down in the down swing, otherwise they will miss the ball entirely. What often happens is that the club attacks the ball from an angle that is too steep, and this can result in a variety of ball flight issues.
The third key to a good golf swing is a weight transfer that goes forward in the down swing and follow through. The conventional swing requires a modest weight shift to the rear foot during the back swing, and then back to the front foot in the down swing and follow through. Some newer swing models, such as the Stack and Tilt swing do not require as much transfer of weight to the back foot. Instead, more weight is kept on the front foot, but in the downswing, this weight still goes forward with a hip thrust. Many golfers often finish their swing with their weight on their back foot, and this results in poor ball striking.
The fourth key to a good golf swing is connection and proper sequence. There must be consistent connection between the upper and lower body throughout the golf swing. If there is any disconnect, such as the arms moving without any move in the lower body, or keeping the head down too long in the follow through, there will be inconsistent ball striking. Furthermore, the body must move in the proper sequence in order to achieve good ball striking. For instance, if the upper body starts the down swing once the back swing is completed, there will be a loss of power. A release of the hands too early in the down swing will also result in a lack of power and consistency.
The fifth key to a good golf swing is tempo and rhythm. Each golfer must find the right tempo and rhythm for their own swing. Some golfers do well with a fast tempo, while others do well with a slow tempo. However, this tempo MUST be faster in the down swing than in the back swing. Too often, in an attempt to hit the ball hard, a golfer will start their swing too quickly, and the end result is a deceleration in the down swing into impact. Furthermore, there must be good rhythm in the swing. There should be no choppiness in rhythm during the swing…it must be one continuous motion with no herky jerky type action in the swing.
What is noticeably absent from this list is the normal list of fundamentals such as the grip, stance and posture, alignment, takeaway, weight shift, swing plane, etc. While it may be ideal to work toward certain goals with these particular fundamentals, it is certainly not required that all be perfected in order to achieve a consistently performing golf swing.
Scott Cole
www.howtogolfyourbest.com
An observation of the golf swings of some of the game’s most successful players over the years suggests that there is no one way to play the game best. Probably the three greatest players of all time are Jack Nicklaus, Ben Hogan and Tiger Woods. However, none of their swings looks very much alike. Consider the swings of other top players over time. Bruce Lietzke had a successful career on the PGA Tour, with 13 victories, yet he practiced very little. He has a classic over the top slice move, and that is the shot he favored. On the other hand Kenny Perry has the opposite swing from Lietzke and favors a draw shot. He has won 14 times on the PGA Tour.
There have been many other players over time with what would be regarded as unconventional swings. The 2010 PGA Player of the Year Jim Furyk is probably the most visible example. He has a very unorthodox swing, but is also one of the most consistent players of the last 15 years. Lee Trevino is another such player who was very consistent in his days on tour, but clearly had an unorthodox swing. On the other hand, Adam Scott has one of the nicest looking swings on tour, yet displays very little consistency.
So what makes a good golf swing? What most amateur golfers should strive to achieve is a swing they can repeat consistently. They should strive for a swing that they can repeat consistently, and one that results in consistently solid ball striking and consistent ball flight. This means it really doesn’t matter whether the player consistently slices the ball or hooks the ball. If the golfer has a good idea that will be the case, and they have a good idea how much the ball will curve in that direction, then they have achieved a consistent golf swing.
The first key to a good golf swing is balance. Most golfers who struggle do not have good balance during the swing. Poor balance leads to inconsistent ball striking. Poor balance can mean too much of a sway back and forth from side to side during the swing, or from heel to toe, or toe to heel. No matter what the balance issue, the golfer will struggle.
The second key to a good golf swing is a consistent spine angle from set up to just past impact. A changing spine angle will lead to very inconsistent ball striking. One example of a changing spine angle is one where the golfer’s body rises during the back swing. When this occurs, the golfer then must find a way to sink back down in the down swing, otherwise they will miss the ball entirely. What often happens is that the club attacks the ball from an angle that is too steep, and this can result in a variety of ball flight issues.
The third key to a good golf swing is a weight transfer that goes forward in the down swing and follow through. The conventional swing requires a modest weight shift to the rear foot during the back swing, and then back to the front foot in the down swing and follow through. Some newer swing models, such as the Stack and Tilt swing do not require as much transfer of weight to the back foot. Instead, more weight is kept on the front foot, but in the downswing, this weight still goes forward with a hip thrust. Many golfers often finish their swing with their weight on their back foot, and this results in poor ball striking.
The fourth key to a good golf swing is connection and proper sequence. There must be consistent connection between the upper and lower body throughout the golf swing. If there is any disconnect, such as the arms moving without any move in the lower body, or keeping the head down too long in the follow through, there will be inconsistent ball striking. Furthermore, the body must move in the proper sequence in order to achieve good ball striking. For instance, if the upper body starts the down swing once the back swing is completed, there will be a loss of power. A release of the hands too early in the down swing will also result in a lack of power and consistency.
The fifth key to a good golf swing is tempo and rhythm. Each golfer must find the right tempo and rhythm for their own swing. Some golfers do well with a fast tempo, while others do well with a slow tempo. However, this tempo MUST be faster in the down swing than in the back swing. Too often, in an attempt to hit the ball hard, a golfer will start their swing too quickly, and the end result is a deceleration in the down swing into impact. Furthermore, there must be good rhythm in the swing. There should be no choppiness in rhythm during the swing…it must be one continuous motion with no herky jerky type action in the swing.
What is noticeably absent from this list is the normal list of fundamentals such as the grip, stance and posture, alignment, takeaway, weight shift, swing plane, etc. While it may be ideal to work toward certain goals with these particular fundamentals, it is certainly not required that all be perfected in order to achieve a consistently performing golf swing.
Scott Cole
www.howtogolfyourbest.com
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Golf Tip of the Day - Quit Searching for the Holy Grail
I read a post on one of the golf forums the other day. This typifies the approach most golfers take when they go to the range. This particular golfer is a 9 handicap.
The golfer indicated that he had gone to the range one day, and hit the ball horribly. He even hit a few shanks with his wedges. He left the range completely demoralized. He went back home, looked at his collection of golf books, remembered one that had captured his interest, and re-read part of it. He took one of the tips with him to the range the next day, and started to hit it well.
He inquired on the forum if anyone else had an experience like that with that particular tip, and he wondered if this would carry over in the long run. He had also mentioned that he had tried the Stack and Tilt swing a while back, but had since gone back to what he was doing before. Naturally, since I am opinionated, I responded to his question, and suggested that it would last a week or two. He had not really changed anything in his swing.
The fact is, you can not improve your game without improving your golf swing. Small tips like this may occasionally help in the short run, but they NEVER have a lasting effect. If you want to improve your golf swing, you have to improve your fundamentals…grip, stance and posture, takeaway, shoulder turn, swing plane, weight transfer, impact position, and follow through. It’s a process that can not be achieved over night, and not without hard work.
If you are unwilling to make major changes to your swing, short game or putting, then you can forget about making long term improvements. That’s not how you improve in any sport, business or hobby. There are no shortcuts, and there is no Holy Grail in golf.
Scott Cole
www.howtogolfyourbest.com
The golfer indicated that he had gone to the range one day, and hit the ball horribly. He even hit a few shanks with his wedges. He left the range completely demoralized. He went back home, looked at his collection of golf books, remembered one that had captured his interest, and re-read part of it. He took one of the tips with him to the range the next day, and started to hit it well.
He inquired on the forum if anyone else had an experience like that with that particular tip, and he wondered if this would carry over in the long run. He had also mentioned that he had tried the Stack and Tilt swing a while back, but had since gone back to what he was doing before. Naturally, since I am opinionated, I responded to his question, and suggested that it would last a week or two. He had not really changed anything in his swing.
The fact is, you can not improve your game without improving your golf swing. Small tips like this may occasionally help in the short run, but they NEVER have a lasting effect. If you want to improve your golf swing, you have to improve your fundamentals…grip, stance and posture, takeaway, shoulder turn, swing plane, weight transfer, impact position, and follow through. It’s a process that can not be achieved over night, and not without hard work.
If you are unwilling to make major changes to your swing, short game or putting, then you can forget about making long term improvements. That’s not how you improve in any sport, business or hobby. There are no shortcuts, and there is no Holy Grail in golf.
Scott Cole
www.howtogolfyourbest.com
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Golf Tip of the Day - Winter Golf Instruction
We are getting a heat wave here in PA and Maryland toward the end of this week (yeah, over 40 degrees, woohoo!), so some folks apparently broke out the golf clubs yesterday and played some golf. One of my students immediately got in touch with me to set up a lesson.
Let's be realistic. We are only in the FIRST week of winter! We've had a cold December, and some long range forecasts suggest a warmer than average January and February, but please, you know it's generally going to be cold!
Now is NOT the time to get a lesson on your full swing unless you live in a warm climate. In that case, any time is a good time. But, here in PA, most golfers won't get out much until April. As such, a good time to start getting ready for the season with a full swing lesson is some time in March.
Now, if you absolutely have no clue about how to work on your golf swing over the winter months, then by all means, get a lesson. But, this lesson should not involve much ball striking. It should be all about learning the proper fundamentals of the swing. Most improvement in the golf swing comes WITHOUT hitting balls. Now is the time to get in front of a mirror and perform slow swings, and learn what it feels like to be in the proper positions throughout the golf swing.
Winter golf instruction can also focus on improving your biomechanics and fitness. If you have the opportunity, get yourself a physical assessment and get set up on a program to improve your golf fitness so you can be better prepared to improve your swing when the season arises.
If you have the itch to play golf this winter, go ahead! But, if you have not swung a club in a couple months, keep your expectations low. Your timing will likely be off a bit, and this will hamper your swing. However, your mind will likely be uncluttered as well, so you may actually be able to hit some good shots. The bottom line is to just enjoy yourself as always.
Scott Cole
www.howtogolfyourbest.com
Let's be realistic. We are only in the FIRST week of winter! We've had a cold December, and some long range forecasts suggest a warmer than average January and February, but please, you know it's generally going to be cold!
Now is NOT the time to get a lesson on your full swing unless you live in a warm climate. In that case, any time is a good time. But, here in PA, most golfers won't get out much until April. As such, a good time to start getting ready for the season with a full swing lesson is some time in March.
Now, if you absolutely have no clue about how to work on your golf swing over the winter months, then by all means, get a lesson. But, this lesson should not involve much ball striking. It should be all about learning the proper fundamentals of the swing. Most improvement in the golf swing comes WITHOUT hitting balls. Now is the time to get in front of a mirror and perform slow swings, and learn what it feels like to be in the proper positions throughout the golf swing.
Winter golf instruction can also focus on improving your biomechanics and fitness. If you have the opportunity, get yourself a physical assessment and get set up on a program to improve your golf fitness so you can be better prepared to improve your swing when the season arises.
If you have the itch to play golf this winter, go ahead! But, if you have not swung a club in a couple months, keep your expectations low. Your timing will likely be off a bit, and this will hamper your swing. However, your mind will likely be uncluttered as well, so you may actually be able to hit some good shots. The bottom line is to just enjoy yourself as always.
Scott Cole
www.howtogolfyourbest.com
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Golf Tip of the Day - Indoor Training
I think Mother Nature officially ended the golf season here in the Northeast and Maryland yesterday. The temperature dropped about 20 degrees in a matter of minutes as this cold front blew through. A few hearty souls still managed to find their way to Olney Golf Park, but it was not a comfortable day to work on your game or play golf anywhere.
So, now we are faced with about three months of chilly weather. Sure, there will be a few days where we can practice comfortably, but they will be few and far between. The heaters here at Olney Golf Park will help the avid golfer, but short game practice won't happen much.
How can we stay in touch with our golf swings when the weather gets cold? This is the time to really do some hard work on your swing. Indoor practice can be quite beneficial all year round. This is a great opportunity to work on your fundamentals.
I consistently hammer the point home...get in front of a mirror and work through the various positions of your swing slowly. Study the fundamentals of the full swing, and try to match them in the mirror. Use a face on view at times and a down the line view at times.
Learn how to move the body properly through the golf swing. Learn how to keep the club on plane slowly, and gradually try to build up your swing speed. If you struggle with making these movements, it could be the result of physical issues. Winter time is a great time to address these.
Don't let the cold months go to waste. To continually improve your game, it makes no sense to start again from scratch every Spring. Keep up the work in the winter months and you'll be sure to hit the ground running when Spring arrives.
Scott Cole
www.howtogolfyourbest.com
So, now we are faced with about three months of chilly weather. Sure, there will be a few days where we can practice comfortably, but they will be few and far between. The heaters here at Olney Golf Park will help the avid golfer, but short game practice won't happen much.
How can we stay in touch with our golf swings when the weather gets cold? This is the time to really do some hard work on your swing. Indoor practice can be quite beneficial all year round. This is a great opportunity to work on your fundamentals.
I consistently hammer the point home...get in front of a mirror and work through the various positions of your swing slowly. Study the fundamentals of the full swing, and try to match them in the mirror. Use a face on view at times and a down the line view at times.
Learn how to move the body properly through the golf swing. Learn how to keep the club on plane slowly, and gradually try to build up your swing speed. If you struggle with making these movements, it could be the result of physical issues. Winter time is a great time to address these.
Don't let the cold months go to waste. To continually improve your game, it makes no sense to start again from scratch every Spring. Keep up the work in the winter months and you'll be sure to hit the ground running when Spring arrives.
Scott Cole
www.howtogolfyourbest.com
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Golf Tip of the Day - How Do You Learn?
How do you learn? Why is it that we have all this new technology, all these training aids, golf tips and instruction from the best teachers in the world, and yet most golfers never improve? Why has the average handicap not dropped in 30 years while the clubs hit the ball straighter and the ball flies 25 yards further?
I will tell you why. Most golf instructors are not demanding enough of their students, and most students are not demanding enough of themselves.
Golf is a difficult game. There is a ton to learn, just in the swing itself! Yet, how many golfers take notes during a lesson. How many instructors have told a student to take notes? How many golfers keep detailed records of their rounds? Why is it that Steve Williams knows more about Tiger’s game than you know about yours?
The best way to learn is by practicing, but if you don’t take notes and keep track of the proper statistics, how do you even know what to practice?
I studied Pai Lum Kung Fu for eight years and was REQUIRED to keep a notebook and journal. We essentially learned something new every day, so there was no other way to keep track of everything.
Golf is a little bit different in that you can read all about the golf swing in a variety of books. But, you still need to learn what works for you, and the only way to keep track is by taking notes.
Just some food for thought. I will be hitting on this topic a bit more in the coming days.
Scott Cole
www.howtogolfyourbest.com
I will tell you why. Most golf instructors are not demanding enough of their students, and most students are not demanding enough of themselves.
Golf is a difficult game. There is a ton to learn, just in the swing itself! Yet, how many golfers take notes during a lesson. How many instructors have told a student to take notes? How many golfers keep detailed records of their rounds? Why is it that Steve Williams knows more about Tiger’s game than you know about yours?
The best way to learn is by practicing, but if you don’t take notes and keep track of the proper statistics, how do you even know what to practice?
I studied Pai Lum Kung Fu for eight years and was REQUIRED to keep a notebook and journal. We essentially learned something new every day, so there was no other way to keep track of everything.
Golf is a little bit different in that you can read all about the golf swing in a variety of books. But, you still need to learn what works for you, and the only way to keep track is by taking notes.
Just some food for thought. I will be hitting on this topic a bit more in the coming days.
Scott Cole
www.howtogolfyourbest.com
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Golf Tip of the Day - Keep it Simple
I read through some golf forums daily and many people are often looking for swing tips. Many are concerned with this position or that position in their golf swing, and some of the tips offered break things into minute detail. While these tips are well intended, they are often reflective the teaching or swing philosophy of the tipper.
From my point of view, many of these tips will not result in much improvement in the golfer. In regard to the full swing, golfers should pay much more attention on improving their fundamentals, such as their set up, how they move the body in the swing, and their swing plane.
With a better player, to get the club on a better swing plane, it may just be a matter of a tweak or two, but for most people it is more of a need for improved fundamentals.
This winter, if you are stuck indoors, work on the basic fundamentals of body movement, and work on improving your swing plane in front of a mirror. Learn to make the movements slowly before you try to do them at full speed. By the time Spring comes around, you'll be way ahead of the game!
Scott Cole
www.howtogolfyourbest.com
From my point of view, many of these tips will not result in much improvement in the golfer. In regard to the full swing, golfers should pay much more attention on improving their fundamentals, such as their set up, how they move the body in the swing, and their swing plane.
With a better player, to get the club on a better swing plane, it may just be a matter of a tweak or two, but for most people it is more of a need for improved fundamentals.
This winter, if you are stuck indoors, work on the basic fundamentals of body movement, and work on improving your swing plane in front of a mirror. Learn to make the movements slowly before you try to do them at full speed. By the time Spring comes around, you'll be way ahead of the game!
Scott Cole
www.howtogolfyourbest.com
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Golf Tip of the Day - Plan for Improvement
With golf, as we get older, if you aren't getting better, you are likely getting worse. The fact of the matter is, as we get older, we are going to lose distance over time. Sure, you can slow the rate of decline by staying in great shape, but it will happen.
So, if you are losing distance, the golf course can get harder. Of course, you can choose to play from a more forward set of tees so that the course doesn't get harder. Most good players might find that difficult to do.
What is the answer? Make improvements in your swing so that you will be more accurate; make improvements to your short game so that you will leave yourself with shorter putts; and make improvements to your putting so that you can hole more putts. This last item may prove more difficult if our eyesight is declining. Obviously, the other areas may become more difficult to improve on if we develop a physical malady.
However, it is possible to develop a plan. Learn how to plan for improvement. Keep better records during and after your practice sessions and rounds of golf. Find out what your weaknesses are, then find ways to make them better.
The bottom line is that if you don't develop a plan, you won't likely see much improvement, if any, in your game. Always approach each session with a plan of attack. Don't just go beat a bucket of balls and hit a few chips and putts. That is not planning, that is just going through the motions. That may help keep you at your current level, but as your skills erode, practicing without a plan will not help you improve.
Find a good instructor to help you develop an overall plan for improvement and learn to keep better records. If you can do this, you will definitely improve more quickly and stay on top of your game even as your physically abilities may decline.
Scott Cole
www.howtogolfyourbest.com
So, if you are losing distance, the golf course can get harder. Of course, you can choose to play from a more forward set of tees so that the course doesn't get harder. Most good players might find that difficult to do.
What is the answer? Make improvements in your swing so that you will be more accurate; make improvements to your short game so that you will leave yourself with shorter putts; and make improvements to your putting so that you can hole more putts. This last item may prove more difficult if our eyesight is declining. Obviously, the other areas may become more difficult to improve on if we develop a physical malady.
However, it is possible to develop a plan. Learn how to plan for improvement. Keep better records during and after your practice sessions and rounds of golf. Find out what your weaknesses are, then find ways to make them better.
The bottom line is that if you don't develop a plan, you won't likely see much improvement, if any, in your game. Always approach each session with a plan of attack. Don't just go beat a bucket of balls and hit a few chips and putts. That is not planning, that is just going through the motions. That may help keep you at your current level, but as your skills erode, practicing without a plan will not help you improve.
Find a good instructor to help you develop an overall plan for improvement and learn to keep better records. If you can do this, you will definitely improve more quickly and stay on top of your game even as your physically abilities may decline.
Scott Cole
www.howtogolfyourbest.com
Monday, November 22, 2010
Golf Tip of the Day - How to Hit a Draw
It's late in the season here in the Mid-Atlantic states, and it looks like today and tomorrow will be the last relatively warm days for a while. As such, many people may hang up their clubs for the winter. However, that doesn't mean you can't work on your golf swing.
One of the best ways to train your golf swing is to simply find a place to swing indoors, any place where you can at least swing a 6 or 7 iron. Get yourself a mirror and start learning how to move the club into the proper positions in the golf swing. You can learn those positions by picking up a copy of my ebook "Fundamentals, Faults & Cures" here.
Now, on to today's topic, how to hit a draw. It is estimated that 80% to 90% of golfers slice the ball. The reason why is that most golfers try to hit the ball with the upper body, rather than simply letting the club swing while the lower body does the work in the down swing. A slice is a result of the club approaching the ball from an outside in swing path with an open club face.
To counteract that swing path, golfers are told to try a takeaway more to the inside, or to swing out to right field in the down swing. Both are terrible pieces of advice. Pulling the club more to the inside on the takeaway will only make the inside takeaway, over the top swing loop even bigger, resulting in a bigger slice. When people try to swing out to right field, they often do it with the arms only. The tendency is to get an early release, or to reach too far and hit the ball on the hosel, which results in a shank.
To hit a draw, you need to think of two things...a flatter swing plane on the downswing and you must initiate the down swing with the lower body. This will allow you to hit the ball from a more inside swing path. If this simply results in a push, check your grip, and make sure it is not too weak.
I've got drills and video to show you how to hit a draw. My ebook "Fundamentals, Faults and Cures" will show you all and again, you can find it here.
Scott Cole
www.howtogolfyourbest.com
One of the best ways to train your golf swing is to simply find a place to swing indoors, any place where you can at least swing a 6 or 7 iron. Get yourself a mirror and start learning how to move the club into the proper positions in the golf swing. You can learn those positions by picking up a copy of my ebook "Fundamentals, Faults & Cures" here.
Now, on to today's topic, how to hit a draw. It is estimated that 80% to 90% of golfers slice the ball. The reason why is that most golfers try to hit the ball with the upper body, rather than simply letting the club swing while the lower body does the work in the down swing. A slice is a result of the club approaching the ball from an outside in swing path with an open club face.
To counteract that swing path, golfers are told to try a takeaway more to the inside, or to swing out to right field in the down swing. Both are terrible pieces of advice. Pulling the club more to the inside on the takeaway will only make the inside takeaway, over the top swing loop even bigger, resulting in a bigger slice. When people try to swing out to right field, they often do it with the arms only. The tendency is to get an early release, or to reach too far and hit the ball on the hosel, which results in a shank.
To hit a draw, you need to think of two things...a flatter swing plane on the downswing and you must initiate the down swing with the lower body. This will allow you to hit the ball from a more inside swing path. If this simply results in a push, check your grip, and make sure it is not too weak.
I've got drills and video to show you how to hit a draw. My ebook "Fundamentals, Faults and Cures" will show you all and again, you can find it here.
Scott Cole
www.howtogolfyourbest.com
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Golf Tip of the Day - Warm Up and Stay Warm
Not too many people will be grabbing early tee times here in PA and MD over the next few months. Every morning we have major frost on the ground accompanying freezing temperatures. However, by late morning, the temp rises to tolerable levels for some sturdy golfers.
If you are playing golf in colder weather, it is important to get yourself appropriately warmed up and loosened up before you start to play. Cold and tight muscles can lead to injury at some point in the round. Before you play, get the blood flowing by jogging in place, doing some jumping jacks, or possibly some squats while holding a golf club at arms length, one hand at either end, and raising it over head as you squat. As you rise back up, lower the club to chest level.
You should take about 5 minutes to get warmed up, and then do some light stretching. Your focus should be on the hamstrings, back, neck and shoulders. Once you get them loosened up a little, you can start swinging a heavy club slowly, or use a club with a donut weight on the end. Or, simply swing two irons together.
The trick will then be to stay warmed up during the round. In colder weather, we lose our touch, so wear a pair of mittens or carry a hand warmer. Occasionally, you may want to repeat the warm up process, especially if you are riding a cart rather than walking. Continue to keep the blood flowing and do some light stretching. This will not only help your swing during the round, but keep you injury free as well.
Scott Cole
www.howtogolfyourbest.com
If you are playing golf in colder weather, it is important to get yourself appropriately warmed up and loosened up before you start to play. Cold and tight muscles can lead to injury at some point in the round. Before you play, get the blood flowing by jogging in place, doing some jumping jacks, or possibly some squats while holding a golf club at arms length, one hand at either end, and raising it over head as you squat. As you rise back up, lower the club to chest level.
You should take about 5 minutes to get warmed up, and then do some light stretching. Your focus should be on the hamstrings, back, neck and shoulders. Once you get them loosened up a little, you can start swinging a heavy club slowly, or use a club with a donut weight on the end. Or, simply swing two irons together.
The trick will then be to stay warmed up during the round. In colder weather, we lose our touch, so wear a pair of mittens or carry a hand warmer. Occasionally, you may want to repeat the warm up process, especially if you are riding a cart rather than walking. Continue to keep the blood flowing and do some light stretching. This will not only help your swing during the round, but keep you injury free as well.
Scott Cole
www.howtogolfyourbest.com
Friday, November 19, 2010
Golf Tip of the Day - How to Increase Your Swing Speed
I just read a forum post in a relatively popular golf instruction site and the golfer who wrote it was bragging about getting his swing speed up over 130 mph. The gentleman in question mentioned that he is 57 years old, and accomplished this by doing a particular workout for about a week and a half. He went from 106 to 131 in that period of time.
Time for a reality check folks. That swing speed would put him among the top 5 longest hitters on the PGA Tour. Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson can get their swing speed up to that level when they go at it hard. They typically average about 125 mph. The average swing speed on tour is 112 mph.
A 57 year old man can not accomplish a 25 mph increase in swing speed in less than two weeks. I would venture to guess that there are fewer than twenty 57 year olds on the planet that can swing the club at 131 mph, if there are any at all. A 131 mph swing speed would translate into a carry of over 325 yards, and probably closer to 350 yards. Jamie Sadlowski, the two time defending ReMax world long drive champion swings the club at 145 mph. The funny thing is, the people in the forum were actually congratulating this guy, because they really have no clue.
It is possible to increase your swing speed significantly, but it takes a long period of time and work.
Here is what needs to happen to see a dramatic increase in swing speed.
1. You likely need to improve your technique. If you have a major swing flaw such as a reverse pivot or over the top swing, you will have great difficulty increasing your speed.
2. You need to increase your flexibility so you can swing the club on a bigger arc.
3. You need to increase your strength. Golf specific exercises will help, but you will really need to train like an athlete. Just look at today's long drive champions...they train hard!
4. You need to increase your body speed. This is done through the incorporation of plyometrics into the training routine.
5. You need to get on the range and learn how to swing the club faster without losing control.
I have had success with reasonably talented golfers in achieving increases of swing speed of near 10 mph in a single lesson, but that was due to an improvement in technique. I likely could not get another 10 mph in swing speed from them without training them like serious athletes.
I intend to put myself through more rigorous training over the winter to see what I can do about increasing my own swing speed. I could stand to shape a bit anyhow, so I will turn this into an experiment. My training will consist of a mix of typical free weight training, some P90X training which includes some plyometrics, yoga and some excellent core work, cardo training and more flexibility training. I take some measurements in the next week and follow up on this on a monthly basis.
Scott Cole
www.howtogolfyourbest.com\
www.powergolftraining.net
Time for a reality check folks. That swing speed would put him among the top 5 longest hitters on the PGA Tour. Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson can get their swing speed up to that level when they go at it hard. They typically average about 125 mph. The average swing speed on tour is 112 mph.
A 57 year old man can not accomplish a 25 mph increase in swing speed in less than two weeks. I would venture to guess that there are fewer than twenty 57 year olds on the planet that can swing the club at 131 mph, if there are any at all. A 131 mph swing speed would translate into a carry of over 325 yards, and probably closer to 350 yards. Jamie Sadlowski, the two time defending ReMax world long drive champion swings the club at 145 mph. The funny thing is, the people in the forum were actually congratulating this guy, because they really have no clue.
It is possible to increase your swing speed significantly, but it takes a long period of time and work.
Here is what needs to happen to see a dramatic increase in swing speed.
1. You likely need to improve your technique. If you have a major swing flaw such as a reverse pivot or over the top swing, you will have great difficulty increasing your speed.
2. You need to increase your flexibility so you can swing the club on a bigger arc.
3. You need to increase your strength. Golf specific exercises will help, but you will really need to train like an athlete. Just look at today's long drive champions...they train hard!
4. You need to increase your body speed. This is done through the incorporation of plyometrics into the training routine.
5. You need to get on the range and learn how to swing the club faster without losing control.
I have had success with reasonably talented golfers in achieving increases of swing speed of near 10 mph in a single lesson, but that was due to an improvement in technique. I likely could not get another 10 mph in swing speed from them without training them like serious athletes.
I intend to put myself through more rigorous training over the winter to see what I can do about increasing my own swing speed. I could stand to shape a bit anyhow, so I will turn this into an experiment. My training will consist of a mix of typical free weight training, some P90X training which includes some plyometrics, yoga and some excellent core work, cardo training and more flexibility training. I take some measurements in the next week and follow up on this on a monthly basis.
Scott Cole
www.howtogolfyourbest.com\
www.powergolftraining.net
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Golf Tip of the Day - Start Stretching
Golf season is winding down here in the northern states, but that doesn't mean you should completely forget about your game over the winter months. You can make some major improvements without touching a golf club, although I would highly recommend that you keep swinging, somewhere, just to keep that muscle memory.
If you haven't already, now is a good time to add a stretching routine into your golf improvement program. But, before you do so, I highly recommend getting together with a physical therapist to get yourself evaluated first. Many of us have developed some physical issues over time, and these can result in muscle tightness in various parts of the body. However, simple, passive stretching exercises will not do much to loosen those muscles up until you identify the cause of the tightness first.
Get together with your physical therapist to identify the causes of any muscle tightness you may have, and then they will also be able to put you on the appropriate stretching and physical therapy routine to help alleviate these issues. It is usually recommended that strength training and active stretching exercises be performed as well.
Do yourself a favor, invest a little time into getting your body evaluated and you will go a lont way toward making those improvements in your golf swing you so desire.
Scott Cole
www.howtogolfyourbest.com
If you haven't already, now is a good time to add a stretching routine into your golf improvement program. But, before you do so, I highly recommend getting together with a physical therapist to get yourself evaluated first. Many of us have developed some physical issues over time, and these can result in muscle tightness in various parts of the body. However, simple, passive stretching exercises will not do much to loosen those muscles up until you identify the cause of the tightness first.
Get together with your physical therapist to identify the causes of any muscle tightness you may have, and then they will also be able to put you on the appropriate stretching and physical therapy routine to help alleviate these issues. It is usually recommended that strength training and active stretching exercises be performed as well.
Do yourself a favor, invest a little time into getting your body evaluated and you will go a lont way toward making those improvements in your golf swing you so desire.
Scott Cole
www.howtogolfyourbest.com
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