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
Showing posts with label Harrisburg PA Golf Lessons. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Harrisburg PA Golf Lessons. Show all posts
Saturday, May 29, 2010
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
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Furyk Wins Second Event of 2010
Like many decent players here in Pennsylvania, I had the chance to play with Jim Furyk when he was still an amateur at the University of Arizona back in the early 1990's. We were paired together in a U.S. Amateur qualifier at West Shore CC in Camp Hill, PA. Jim fired rounds of 69-74 for a one under par total, and was medalist. I fired two balls out of bounds in my first two holes (actually, one was just a lost ball on the range next to the first hole) en route to rounds of 83 and 76.
I thought Jim was an excellent player with a goofy swing, but I thought I had played with many better players before him in my amateur career. I outdrove Furyk by 20 to 25 yards on every hole.
Now, 19 years later, Furyk has just won his 15th tour event and has a U.S. Open victory and over $45 million in earnings. A few more wins, or one more major, and he is a shoe in for the Hall of Fame.
He has accomplished this one with of the most unorthodox swings ever seen on the PGA Tour, comparable to Trevino, Miller Barber and Chi Chi Rodriguez. So, how is he able to play so consistently well?
One thing Peter Kostis mentioned in the CBS telecast today is that while Furyk takes the club up steeply in the backswing, he loops it back to the inside on a better swing plane on the down swing. Therefore, he is always hitting the inside of the ball. Most amateurs, since most slice the ball, hit the outside of the ball, and have a flat backswing and steep downswing.
Also, Furyk stays very balanced through the entire swing, and he always swings within him self. Most amateurs are typically off balance and will often try to hit shots that they are unable to hit.
Finally, while unorthodox, Furyk is able to repeat his swing consistently. That is the key to consistent ball striking and is also what made Trevino such a great player with an orthodox swing. Unfortunately, most amateurs can not achieve this consistency due to the basic swing faults in their swing. A steep downswing combined with an early release of the hands, or even a change in spine angle are three killer flaws that many amateurs have. However, it really is not all that difficult to correct these errors. A little practice and some guidance from a good teaching professional can set you on the right path.
Scott Cole
www.scottcolegolf.com
www.powergolftraining.net
I thought Jim was an excellent player with a goofy swing, but I thought I had played with many better players before him in my amateur career. I outdrove Furyk by 20 to 25 yards on every hole.
Now, 19 years later, Furyk has just won his 15th tour event and has a U.S. Open victory and over $45 million in earnings. A few more wins, or one more major, and he is a shoe in for the Hall of Fame.
He has accomplished this one with of the most unorthodox swings ever seen on the PGA Tour, comparable to Trevino, Miller Barber and Chi Chi Rodriguez. So, how is he able to play so consistently well?
One thing Peter Kostis mentioned in the CBS telecast today is that while Furyk takes the club up steeply in the backswing, he loops it back to the inside on a better swing plane on the down swing. Therefore, he is always hitting the inside of the ball. Most amateurs, since most slice the ball, hit the outside of the ball, and have a flat backswing and steep downswing.
Also, Furyk stays very balanced through the entire swing, and he always swings within him self. Most amateurs are typically off balance and will often try to hit shots that they are unable to hit.
Finally, while unorthodox, Furyk is able to repeat his swing consistently. That is the key to consistent ball striking and is also what made Trevino such a great player with an orthodox swing. Unfortunately, most amateurs can not achieve this consistency due to the basic swing faults in their swing. A steep downswing combined with an early release of the hands, or even a change in spine angle are three killer flaws that many amateurs have. However, it really is not all that difficult to correct these errors. A little practice and some guidance from a good teaching professional can set you on the right path.
Scott Cole
www.scottcolegolf.com
www.powergolftraining.net
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Developing Competitive Junior Golfers
In the competitive world of junior golf, identifying and developing talent can be tricky and downright expensive. There is significant competition for the handful of scholarships golfers can receive at colleges and universities. With that in mind, some parents are willing to spend upwards of $35,000 PER SEMESTER to send their child to a top golf academy such as Hank Haney’s IJGA academy in Hilton Head, South Carolina or the Leadbetter Academy in Florida. The instruction these students receive, of course, is second to none, but of course, most people simply can’t afford to send their child to such a place.
Unfortunately, the alternatives closer to home are few and far between. It is extremely difficult to find a good instructor that actually offers an environment to develop junior players who have the talent to compete at a higher level. Most instructors simply offer instruction to beginner and intermediate players. Since they tend to also where the hat of a head golf professional or assistant golf professional, they simply do not have the time to provide more in depth instruction. These professionals spend most of their time running a pro shop, dealing with club members or patrons, directing tournaments, managing personnel, etc.
Another issue with finding instruction for the competitive junior golfer at the local level is the expense. Top teachers tend to charge upwards of $120 per hour, although they may offer a lower rate for juniors. However, even if the rate is just $75 per hour, one lesson per month adds up to $300, and that is quite a bit for most families, especially in this economy.
The alternative is the professional that offers a junior program that is tailored to the needs of the student, and set up more on a tuition basis. For a set amount each month, say $150 to $200, a student can have their game fully evaluated by the instructor, who can then develop a plan for improvement. There is no need for a full blown lesson every week, but the instructor can provide the tools necessary for the student to improve on their own. Once the student’s game is evaluated, the instructor provides the drills, swing thoughts, golf course management ideas and mental tips to help the student improve. The instructor can then simply make themselves available through conversation or email, and fewer lessons are required.
Now, the instructor also has the opportunity to keep track of the progress of his students through the use of the internet. Students can provide certain information regarding their rounds of golf by uploading it via cell phone or computer, and it can be sent straight to the instructor. The instructor then has the information necessary to potentially make recommendations for improvement without seeing the student.
The bottom line is that there is a more cost effective alternative to developing the junior golfer. Parents should take the time to research their local teaching professionals to find the few that set themselves apart from the rest in this regard. By finding a top instructor locally, they will provide their junior golfer a better opportunity to compete with the kids that have the opportunity to attend the high end golf academies.
Scott Cole
www.scottcolegolf.com
Unfortunately, the alternatives closer to home are few and far between. It is extremely difficult to find a good instructor that actually offers an environment to develop junior players who have the talent to compete at a higher level. Most instructors simply offer instruction to beginner and intermediate players. Since they tend to also where the hat of a head golf professional or assistant golf professional, they simply do not have the time to provide more in depth instruction. These professionals spend most of their time running a pro shop, dealing with club members or patrons, directing tournaments, managing personnel, etc.
Another issue with finding instruction for the competitive junior golfer at the local level is the expense. Top teachers tend to charge upwards of $120 per hour, although they may offer a lower rate for juniors. However, even if the rate is just $75 per hour, one lesson per month adds up to $300, and that is quite a bit for most families, especially in this economy.
The alternative is the professional that offers a junior program that is tailored to the needs of the student, and set up more on a tuition basis. For a set amount each month, say $150 to $200, a student can have their game fully evaluated by the instructor, who can then develop a plan for improvement. There is no need for a full blown lesson every week, but the instructor can provide the tools necessary for the student to improve on their own. Once the student’s game is evaluated, the instructor provides the drills, swing thoughts, golf course management ideas and mental tips to help the student improve. The instructor can then simply make themselves available through conversation or email, and fewer lessons are required.
Now, the instructor also has the opportunity to keep track of the progress of his students through the use of the internet. Students can provide certain information regarding their rounds of golf by uploading it via cell phone or computer, and it can be sent straight to the instructor. The instructor then has the information necessary to potentially make recommendations for improvement without seeing the student.
The bottom line is that there is a more cost effective alternative to developing the junior golfer. Parents should take the time to research their local teaching professionals to find the few that set themselves apart from the rest in this regard. By finding a top instructor locally, they will provide their junior golfer a better opportunity to compete with the kids that have the opportunity to attend the high end golf academies.
Scott Cole
www.scottcolegolf.com
Friday, April 2, 2010
Harrisburg PA Junior Golf Programs
I am now taking new students for my competitive junior development program in Harrisburg and Southcentral PA. Instruction will be conducted at Liberty Forge Golf Club, Rich Valley Golf Club and my indoor studio in Mechanicsburg.
For junior golfers seeking to take their game to the next level, this program is essential! It starts with a full evaluation of the student's game, including iron play, tee shots, short game, bunker play and putting. Next, video analysis of the student's full swing will be conducted. An overall improvement plan will be developed for the student.
Contact Scott Cole for details!
www.scottcolegolf.com
For junior golfers seeking to take their game to the next level, this program is essential! It starts with a full evaluation of the student's game, including iron play, tee shots, short game, bunker play and putting. Next, video analysis of the student's full swing will be conducted. An overall improvement plan will be developed for the student.
Contact Scott Cole for details!
www.scottcolegolf.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
