Most golfers, when faced with a 50 foot chip shot from just off the green, pull out a wedge or sand wedge, take a big swing using their hands, and either chunk it or scull it across the green.
These shots should be treated similarly to a putt. In fact, if you have a tight lie, and just a few feet of short grass between you and the green, you should probably putt the ball. Your average putt will get closer than your good chip.
Otherwise, use a 7 or 8 iron for these chip shots. You want to get the ball rolling quickly! There is no need to get the ball in the air on these shots. That just increases the degree of difficulty and widens the shot dispersions.
For a chip shot from short grass, use a 6 or 7 iron...ball a little back in the stance, hands ahead of the ball, relatively short backswing, and hit the ball with a descending blow.
If you are in longer grass, an 8 iron will be a better choice, if you have a lot of green to work with. Same technique as above.
Add this shot to your arsenal, and you will shave strokes off your score!
Scott Cole
www.scottcolegolf.com
Showing posts with label maryland golf instruction. Show all posts
Showing posts with label maryland golf instruction. Show all posts
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Golf Tip of the Day - More Short Game Practice
If this is the year you truly want to lower your scores, you need to spend more time on your short game. At this time of year, it is perfectly ok to get out to the range to focus on the full swing for a few sessions to get the timing back. Also, if you are really interested in making swing changes this year to improve your ball striking, now is the time to do get started.
However, once you have those first few sessions under your belt, you should really focus a lot more attention on the short game. In fact, short game practice should account for at least 50% of your overall practice. Putting should account for 50% of your short game practice.
For a typical practice session, here is what I recommend. Work your way through the three basic shots around the green...chip shots, longer pitch shots, and lob shots. Hit a group of ten shots of each type to a target circle. For chip shots, the circle should be 6 feet in diameter, for pitch shots, 12 feet in diameter, and for lob shots, about 20 feet in diameter. Count how many you get in the target circle for each type of shot, and figure out the average of each. Then hit 10 more of each shot and try to beat your first group of 10 results.
After that, pick one type of shot to focus more attention on, including bunker shots. Focus more attention on measuring your performance with each grouping. Determine where you want to LAND your shots, write down how close you get to the landing spot on each shot, and how close you get to the hole. Hit an odd number of shots, measure the median distance from each group, then try to beat that median with your next group of shots.
The key to your short game practice is to practice with greater focus. Do not just mindlessly hit chip shots. Do your best on each shot, and measure performance. When you do this, you will see faster improvement.
I'll touch on putting in a future post!
Scott Cole
www.scottcolegolf.com
However, once you have those first few sessions under your belt, you should really focus a lot more attention on the short game. In fact, short game practice should account for at least 50% of your overall practice. Putting should account for 50% of your short game practice.
For a typical practice session, here is what I recommend. Work your way through the three basic shots around the green...chip shots, longer pitch shots, and lob shots. Hit a group of ten shots of each type to a target circle. For chip shots, the circle should be 6 feet in diameter, for pitch shots, 12 feet in diameter, and for lob shots, about 20 feet in diameter. Count how many you get in the target circle for each type of shot, and figure out the average of each. Then hit 10 more of each shot and try to beat your first group of 10 results.
After that, pick one type of shot to focus more attention on, including bunker shots. Focus more attention on measuring your performance with each grouping. Determine where you want to LAND your shots, write down how close you get to the landing spot on each shot, and how close you get to the hole. Hit an odd number of shots, measure the median distance from each group, then try to beat that median with your next group of shots.
The key to your short game practice is to practice with greater focus. Do not just mindlessly hit chip shots. Do your best on each shot, and measure performance. When you do this, you will see faster improvement.
I'll touch on putting in a future post!
Scott Cole
www.scottcolegolf.com
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Golf Tip of the Day - Relax Your Tension
Most beginners that I teach, and those golfers who have played a long time but still struggle, have a tendency to hold onto the club way too tightly. As a result, that tension tends to transfer to the rest of their body as well. Too much tension in the golf swing invariably leads to poor golf shots.
Most beginners and golfers who struggle think that they need to try and control the club with their hands and arms. However, their focus should be on learning a proper set up, and learning how to move the body properly throughout the swing. When a golfer can do this, they will learn that the club will do what it is designed to do, and that is to get the ball in the air without the golfer helping it.
The proper amount of tension is similar to that of a firm hand shake, not a hand shake where you are trying to show how strong your hands are! Your wrists should be free to hinge and cock throughout the swing. If they are not, then you are holding the club too firmly.
For shots around the green, you want to use a lighter grip pressure. This will allow you to have greater touch around the greens. In fact, this is a good place for many beginners to start. Once you learn proper technique and grip pressure to hit effective chip shots and pitch shots, then you are ready to move onto the full swing.
If you are struggling to get the ball in the air, or most of your shots are going off to the right (to the left if you are a lefty), then try relaxing your grip pressure. Less tension in your hands will translate into less tension in the body and a more freely flowing golf swing.
Scott Cole
www.scottcolegolf.com
Most beginners and golfers who struggle think that they need to try and control the club with their hands and arms. However, their focus should be on learning a proper set up, and learning how to move the body properly throughout the swing. When a golfer can do this, they will learn that the club will do what it is designed to do, and that is to get the ball in the air without the golfer helping it.
The proper amount of tension is similar to that of a firm hand shake, not a hand shake where you are trying to show how strong your hands are! Your wrists should be free to hinge and cock throughout the swing. If they are not, then you are holding the club too firmly.
For shots around the green, you want to use a lighter grip pressure. This will allow you to have greater touch around the greens. In fact, this is a good place for many beginners to start. Once you learn proper technique and grip pressure to hit effective chip shots and pitch shots, then you are ready to move onto the full swing.
If you are struggling to get the ball in the air, or most of your shots are going off to the right (to the left if you are a lefty), then try relaxing your grip pressure. Less tension in your hands will translate into less tension in the body and a more freely flowing golf swing.
Scott Cole
www.scottcolegolf.com
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Maryland Golf Lessons From Hank Haney Pro Scott Cole
We added an hour of daylight today, so that gives us golfers more time to work on our game and play a little more golf! Spring is just around the corner, so it's time to get back to work on your game to make this your best season ever.
I am a Level 2 Hank Haney Pro Associate Instructor and I presently offer my golf instruction services at the Olney Golf Park in Olney, Maryland. The golf park is located off of Georgia Avenue (Route 97) to the northeast of Rockville. This is simply the best public practice facility in the state! In addition to the driving range that offers 5 target greens, we have a 12,000 square foot practice green and a separate wedge game area. You can literally work on every aspect of your game!
Call me now to get started on improving your game today! 717-856-1453
Scott Cole
www.scottcolegolf.com
I am a Level 2 Hank Haney Pro Associate Instructor and I presently offer my golf instruction services at the Olney Golf Park in Olney, Maryland. The golf park is located off of Georgia Avenue (Route 97) to the northeast of Rockville. This is simply the best public practice facility in the state! In addition to the driving range that offers 5 target greens, we have a 12,000 square foot practice green and a separate wedge game area. You can literally work on every aspect of your game!
Call me now to get started on improving your game today! 717-856-1453
Scott Cole
www.scottcolegolf.com
Monday, November 15, 2010
Golf Tip of the Day - Fairway Bunker Shot
Most people hit a tee shot into a fairway bunker and think it is the end of the world. However, it is really not a difficult shot when you learn a couple keys.
First of all, your priority should be to make sure you at least get out of the bunker with your first swing. So, if you find yourself in a bunker like on the 18th hole at Augusta National, with a steep face in front of you, don't try to be a hero and go for the green. Be sure to take out a club with plenty of loft to get over the top of the bunker.
Next, your mindset should never be to try and lift the ball out with your club. You need to let the club do the work, and that is why it is important to choose a club with more than enough loft to get out of the bunker first.
From here, the fairway bunker shot is just like a fairway shot. You are going to hit the ball first, then the sand. So that is a bit different than a greenside bunker shot where you want to slide the club under the ball. Hitting the ball first will allow you to utilize the entire clubface, which will create the back spin necessary to get the ball in the air.
Just like in a greenside bunker, you want to make sure you dig your feet into the sand a bit to provide some stability. Then, because you are digging yourself into the sand and inch or two, you need to choke down on the club by a similar amount. If you don't, and you take your normal swing, you will hit the shot fat.
The set up is then similar to any other fairway shot, assuming you have a level lie. You should align the body parallel to your target line (feet, knees, hips and shoulders), play the ball in the normal position in your stance for whatever club you are hitting, and then just make a normal swing (if you are you have a steep downswing, you will need to flatten your swing modestly so you don't hit the shot too fat; if you have a flat downswing, you need to make it a bit more steep so you don't hit the shot too thin).
Next time you are out playing a round of golf just for fun, throw a couple balls into the fairway bunker and apply these tips. Once you learn how to hit the ball more crisply out of the fairway bunker you will have no more fear of them.
Scott Cole
www.howtogolfyourbest.com
First of all, your priority should be to make sure you at least get out of the bunker with your first swing. So, if you find yourself in a bunker like on the 18th hole at Augusta National, with a steep face in front of you, don't try to be a hero and go for the green. Be sure to take out a club with plenty of loft to get over the top of the bunker.
Next, your mindset should never be to try and lift the ball out with your club. You need to let the club do the work, and that is why it is important to choose a club with more than enough loft to get out of the bunker first.
From here, the fairway bunker shot is just like a fairway shot. You are going to hit the ball first, then the sand. So that is a bit different than a greenside bunker shot where you want to slide the club under the ball. Hitting the ball first will allow you to utilize the entire clubface, which will create the back spin necessary to get the ball in the air.
Just like in a greenside bunker, you want to make sure you dig your feet into the sand a bit to provide some stability. Then, because you are digging yourself into the sand and inch or two, you need to choke down on the club by a similar amount. If you don't, and you take your normal swing, you will hit the shot fat.
The set up is then similar to any other fairway shot, assuming you have a level lie. You should align the body parallel to your target line (feet, knees, hips and shoulders), play the ball in the normal position in your stance for whatever club you are hitting, and then just make a normal swing (if you are you have a steep downswing, you will need to flatten your swing modestly so you don't hit the shot too fat; if you have a flat downswing, you need to make it a bit more steep so you don't hit the shot too thin).
Next time you are out playing a round of golf just for fun, throw a couple balls into the fairway bunker and apply these tips. Once you learn how to hit the ball more crisply out of the fairway bunker you will have no more fear of them.
Scott Cole
www.howtogolfyourbest.com
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Top 10 Worst Golf Tips
Here are the Top 10 Worst Golf Tips I have come across over the years...
10. Extend Your Arms At Impact - I just read this particular tip the other day, and it is absolutely horrible advice for the average golfer. Most golfers lose power because their arms ARE already extended at impact. This means their swing is already slowing down. Compare this thought to throwing a punch. Do you want to hit your opponent when your arm is full extended? No, because then you will have no penetration in your punch! The same can be said for the golf swing. You don’t want to be fully extended until AFTER impact. Full extension of the arms should actually happen about two feet past impact with the ball. This way you make sure you have the body behind the shot completely and you hit through the ball with acceleration.
9. Weaken your grip – Quite often, when an instructor sees a student for the first time, they will ignore the student’s ball flight and focus only on what they don’t like about the student’s golf swing. One area where most people have poor fundamentals is in the grip, and many people have a strong grip. Unfortunately, most people also slice the ball. So, while a strong grip should cause them to hook the ball, they are slicing the ball because their swing is badly flawed. If the instructor focuses on the grip rather than the ball flight, a weaker grip will make the slice worse.
8. Turn your hips more – Most people already turn their hips plenty in the golf swing. Yet, they will be told to turn their hips more if they are not generating much power in their golf swing. This is terrible advice. Turning the hips more, without turning the shoulders more will result in a lack of torque in the back swing. This torque is the difference between how much the shoulders turn and how much the hips turn. If the hips turn as much as the shoulders, or only a little less, than there is no torque, or tension built up between the upper and lower body. Furthermore, turning the hips more may actually result in weight shifting back to the front foot during the backswing. Ideally, there will be about a 2:1 ration between the shoulder turn and hip turn.
7. Get Stacked – This is in reference to the Stack and Tilt golf swing being marketed to both tour pros and amateurs alike. This is not a knock on the developers of the swing, who are two decent teaching pros from what I understand. The idea behind the swing is that it will help some golfers learn how to make better contact with the golf ball by keeping the weight primarily on the front foot and leaning the spine toward the target during the back swing. Unfortunately, most golfers are not athletic enough to pull off the move required in the downswing, which is that the spine will tilt back away from the target by impact. Many golfers already have a reverse pivot in their golf swing, and it leads to a variety of other swing faults as well as some back issues. Before attempting to copy this swing, get with a pro who is very familiar with it first.
6. Get a new putter – Putters are not cheap. If you are putting poorly, it is not likely because you need a new putter, unless you have bent it somehow, or unless you are putting with some hickory shafted relic. It is likely because you don’t spend much time practicing putting, and when you do, you don’t have a good routine or plan for improvement. Save your money and get your butt onto the practice green and work with some drills to gain better speed control and to develop more consistent contact with short putts.
5. Get a new driver – Drivers are even more expensive than putters. The solution many people seek is to get fitted with a new driver. Most people slice the ball, so most new drivers are built to combat that issue. Unfortunately, human beings have a way of adapting, and that slice will rear its ugly head no matter what kind of driver you are using. Save your money on equipment and get a couple lessons from a good teaching pro who knows how to fix a slice. A little research will help in that regard!
4. Feel as though you are sitting down when you stand up to the ball – This is terrible advice and it is often given to golfers who are topping the ball. Telling them to sit down in the stance is an attempt to help them stay down through the ball. Unfortunately, if they bend their legs too much and put too much weight on the heels, they will likely not have enough bend in the waist. Furthermore, it is not a natural position and the body will adjust at some point in the swing. The spine angle will change throughout the swing due to this poor set up, and it will be impossible to make consistent contact with the ball.
3. Aim further left – This advice is given to right handed golfers who tend to slice the ball, so if you are a lefty, chances are someone told you to aim further right if you slice the ball. Unfortunately, this will only cause you to come into the ball even further from the outside and over the top, which will cause a bigger slice. Most people are told this if there is trouble to the right (for a righty). The best thing to do is keep the driver in the bag and hit a more lofted club such as a 3 or 4 wood. The higher loft will add back spin to the ball, which will offset some of the side spin that causes the slice.
2. Hit down on the ball – This advice is often given to golfers who are having trouble getting the ball in the air because they are topping it. Telling them to hit down on the ball usually results in more swing faults because the golfer is trying to hit the ball with the upper body and the arms. They are topping the ball because their spine angle is changing in the golf swing, and they may be trying to lift the ball in the air. They just need to learn how the club design will get the ball in the air on its own, and they need to adjust the ball placement in their stance, and maintain their spine angle through the swing.
1. Last, but not least…drumroll please – Keep Your Head Down! - This is the worst advice to give to a golfer. It is given to golfers who top the ball too much. When a golfer tops the ball they will often say to themselves “I lifted my head.” Nope, they didn’t, they did not keep their center of gravity down at impact. Most golfers’ center of gravity rises in the down swing, while good players always lower their center of gravity, just as any athlete in any other sport tries does. Keeping the head down too long will only result in the upper body becoming disconnected from the lower body through the impact zone, and therefore, little power is generated. For better players who keep their head down too long, it often results in a pull hook.
Scott Cole
www.howtogolfyourbest.com
There you have it, the top 10 worst golf tips!
10. Extend Your Arms At Impact - I just read this particular tip the other day, and it is absolutely horrible advice for the average golfer. Most golfers lose power because their arms ARE already extended at impact. This means their swing is already slowing down. Compare this thought to throwing a punch. Do you want to hit your opponent when your arm is full extended? No, because then you will have no penetration in your punch! The same can be said for the golf swing. You don’t want to be fully extended until AFTER impact. Full extension of the arms should actually happen about two feet past impact with the ball. This way you make sure you have the body behind the shot completely and you hit through the ball with acceleration.
9. Weaken your grip – Quite often, when an instructor sees a student for the first time, they will ignore the student’s ball flight and focus only on what they don’t like about the student’s golf swing. One area where most people have poor fundamentals is in the grip, and many people have a strong grip. Unfortunately, most people also slice the ball. So, while a strong grip should cause them to hook the ball, they are slicing the ball because their swing is badly flawed. If the instructor focuses on the grip rather than the ball flight, a weaker grip will make the slice worse.
8. Turn your hips more – Most people already turn their hips plenty in the golf swing. Yet, they will be told to turn their hips more if they are not generating much power in their golf swing. This is terrible advice. Turning the hips more, without turning the shoulders more will result in a lack of torque in the back swing. This torque is the difference between how much the shoulders turn and how much the hips turn. If the hips turn as much as the shoulders, or only a little less, than there is no torque, or tension built up between the upper and lower body. Furthermore, turning the hips more may actually result in weight shifting back to the front foot during the backswing. Ideally, there will be about a 2:1 ration between the shoulder turn and hip turn.
7. Get Stacked – This is in reference to the Stack and Tilt golf swing being marketed to both tour pros and amateurs alike. This is not a knock on the developers of the swing, who are two decent teaching pros from what I understand. The idea behind the swing is that it will help some golfers learn how to make better contact with the golf ball by keeping the weight primarily on the front foot and leaning the spine toward the target during the back swing. Unfortunately, most golfers are not athletic enough to pull off the move required in the downswing, which is that the spine will tilt back away from the target by impact. Many golfers already have a reverse pivot in their golf swing, and it leads to a variety of other swing faults as well as some back issues. Before attempting to copy this swing, get with a pro who is very familiar with it first.
6. Get a new putter – Putters are not cheap. If you are putting poorly, it is not likely because you need a new putter, unless you have bent it somehow, or unless you are putting with some hickory shafted relic. It is likely because you don’t spend much time practicing putting, and when you do, you don’t have a good routine or plan for improvement. Save your money and get your butt onto the practice green and work with some drills to gain better speed control and to develop more consistent contact with short putts.
5. Get a new driver – Drivers are even more expensive than putters. The solution many people seek is to get fitted with a new driver. Most people slice the ball, so most new drivers are built to combat that issue. Unfortunately, human beings have a way of adapting, and that slice will rear its ugly head no matter what kind of driver you are using. Save your money on equipment and get a couple lessons from a good teaching pro who knows how to fix a slice. A little research will help in that regard!
4. Feel as though you are sitting down when you stand up to the ball – This is terrible advice and it is often given to golfers who are topping the ball. Telling them to sit down in the stance is an attempt to help them stay down through the ball. Unfortunately, if they bend their legs too much and put too much weight on the heels, they will likely not have enough bend in the waist. Furthermore, it is not a natural position and the body will adjust at some point in the swing. The spine angle will change throughout the swing due to this poor set up, and it will be impossible to make consistent contact with the ball.
3. Aim further left – This advice is given to right handed golfers who tend to slice the ball, so if you are a lefty, chances are someone told you to aim further right if you slice the ball. Unfortunately, this will only cause you to come into the ball even further from the outside and over the top, which will cause a bigger slice. Most people are told this if there is trouble to the right (for a righty). The best thing to do is keep the driver in the bag and hit a more lofted club such as a 3 or 4 wood. The higher loft will add back spin to the ball, which will offset some of the side spin that causes the slice.
2. Hit down on the ball – This advice is often given to golfers who are having trouble getting the ball in the air because they are topping it. Telling them to hit down on the ball usually results in more swing faults because the golfer is trying to hit the ball with the upper body and the arms. They are topping the ball because their spine angle is changing in the golf swing, and they may be trying to lift the ball in the air. They just need to learn how the club design will get the ball in the air on its own, and they need to adjust the ball placement in their stance, and maintain their spine angle through the swing.
1. Last, but not least…drumroll please – Keep Your Head Down! - This is the worst advice to give to a golfer. It is given to golfers who top the ball too much. When a golfer tops the ball they will often say to themselves “I lifted my head.” Nope, they didn’t, they did not keep their center of gravity down at impact. Most golfers’ center of gravity rises in the down swing, while good players always lower their center of gravity, just as any athlete in any other sport tries does. Keeping the head down too long will only result in the upper body becoming disconnected from the lower body through the impact zone, and therefore, little power is generated. For better players who keep their head down too long, it often results in a pull hook.
Scott Cole
www.howtogolfyourbest.com
There you have it, the top 10 worst golf tips!
Friday, November 12, 2010
Golf Tip of the Day - Mind Your Balance
Not many golfers have very good balance when they swing a golf club. At impact, many are up on their toes, falling forward, falling backward, or spinning out on their heels. This is mainly because they do not have a good set up.
When you set up to the golf ball, assuming you have a level lie, you should typically have your weight balanced evenly between both feet, and the weight should be balanced just behind the balls of the feet. More often than not, golfers have their weight too much on their heels or too much on their toes.
When you set up with the weight too much on your heels, you typically will not have enough bend at the hips. This will likely cause a couple different swing faults. If you do not have enough bend at the hips, the tendency is to pull the club too far inside on the takeaway. Also, it may cause you to rise up and down during the golf swing, or you may lean forward in the backswing.
If your weight is too much on the toes, the tendency is to fall back on your heels at some point in the swing. You may also be bent over too much as you address the ball, and that often leads to a steep takeaway.
In regard to the takeaway, once the club gets on the wrong path, it needs to be re-routed somehow in order to get back on plane. Unfortunately, most golfers are not skilled or athletic enough to pull this off. Most then end up with a swing that results in a slice.
With that in mind, be more mindful of your balance at set up. Just a few simple adjustments may go a long way toward better ball striking.
Scott Cole
www.howtogolfyourbest.com
When you set up to the golf ball, assuming you have a level lie, you should typically have your weight balanced evenly between both feet, and the weight should be balanced just behind the balls of the feet. More often than not, golfers have their weight too much on their heels or too much on their toes.
When you set up with the weight too much on your heels, you typically will not have enough bend at the hips. This will likely cause a couple different swing faults. If you do not have enough bend at the hips, the tendency is to pull the club too far inside on the takeaway. Also, it may cause you to rise up and down during the golf swing, or you may lean forward in the backswing.
If your weight is too much on the toes, the tendency is to fall back on your heels at some point in the swing. You may also be bent over too much as you address the ball, and that often leads to a steep takeaway.
In regard to the takeaway, once the club gets on the wrong path, it needs to be re-routed somehow in order to get back on plane. Unfortunately, most golfers are not skilled or athletic enough to pull this off. Most then end up with a swing that results in a slice.
With that in mind, be more mindful of your balance at set up. Just a few simple adjustments may go a long way toward better ball striking.
Scott Cole
www.howtogolfyourbest.com
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Golf Swing Feeling Tight in the cold weather? Stretch more!
Today I headed over to Olney Golf Park where I teach here near Rockville, Maryland, and after my one lesson today, I decided to hit some golf balls. My student is a beginner, and today we simply worked on how she should move her body through the swing, so she did not hit many balls. So I ended up with two large buckets of balls, or about 200 balls to hit. It was a cold and wet day here in Maryland, and I was still a bit tight from my upper body workout the other day, and I've had a kink in my neck the last couple days.
While I hit the ball ok, it was clear I was not hitting with the power I am used to. As the session wore on, I could feel my swing becoming more compact, and I was not getting any extension through the ball. This was quite evident when I decided to try hitting one driver, which ended up being a low hook. I knew it was time to end the session with some short pitch shots.
I have not spent much time on my stretching for a while, but now that the weather has turned cold, it is even more important to make sure I do. This goes for any golfer. Colder weather makes us tighter, and that leaves us with less efficient, less powerful golf swing. Not only should we take more time to get warmed up and stretch before practice or a round of golf, we should do more at home as well.
If you do not have a stretching program, I highly recommend starting one. I learned quite a few stretches in my martial arts and yoga training, and will begin to implement them even more as I finally start to settle into a routine here in Maryland. I recommend you get started as well! Keep an eye out for more fitness information here at scottcolegolf.com in the future! You can also visit my Power Golf Training website to obtain my Principles of Power Golf ebook.
Scott Cole
While I hit the ball ok, it was clear I was not hitting with the power I am used to. As the session wore on, I could feel my swing becoming more compact, and I was not getting any extension through the ball. This was quite evident when I decided to try hitting one driver, which ended up being a low hook. I knew it was time to end the session with some short pitch shots.
I have not spent much time on my stretching for a while, but now that the weather has turned cold, it is even more important to make sure I do. This goes for any golfer. Colder weather makes us tighter, and that leaves us with less efficient, less powerful golf swing. Not only should we take more time to get warmed up and stretch before practice or a round of golf, we should do more at home as well.
If you do not have a stretching program, I highly recommend starting one. I learned quite a few stretches in my martial arts and yoga training, and will begin to implement them even more as I finally start to settle into a routine here in Maryland. I recommend you get started as well! Keep an eye out for more fitness information here at scottcolegolf.com in the future! You can also visit my Power Golf Training website to obtain my Principles of Power Golf ebook.
Scott Cole
Monday, October 11, 2010
PGA Tour Statistics Suggest You Need a Putting Lesson!
I just pulled statistics for 33 of this years full field PGA Tour events to see if any particular statistic stood out among the winners. That stats I pulled were for Driving Accuracy, Driving Distance, Greens in Regulation, Putts Per Round and Putts per Green in Regulation. I looked at the ranking in each category for each of the winners. I then added an Overall ranking as well.
For example, in the first tournament of the year, won by Geoff Ogilvy, he was 16th in Driving Accuracy, 19th in distance, 10th in Greens in Regulation and 1st in both putting categories. His overall score was then calculated by adding up all his rankings in the five categories, which resulted in a score of 47.
I found some interesting numbers. The average overall score was a 92. The lowest overall score was a 46 at Bayhill by Ernie Els. the highest was a 165 by Hunter Mahan at Phoenix, followed closely by Ben crane with 164 at the Farmers Insurance. In both cases, both were first in Greens in Regulation, but well down the list in putting.
The least reliable indicator of a potential victory was both driving categories. The average ranking for both accuracy and distance for the winners was 26th. Not surprising, putting was the best indicator of a potential victory. The average ranking of the winner in the Putts Per Green In Regulation category was 10th, but this was skewed upward by the Crane and Mahan performances, where they ranked 42nd and 54th respectively. Take out those two performances, and the average rank is 7th. Six times, the winner was first in this category. Only four times was the winner ranked first in total putts per round. 14 times the winner was first in putts per green in regulation.
In regard to greens in regulation, the average ranking of the winner was 16th. Four times the winner was ranked first, but nine times the winner was ranked out of the top 20, and six times the winner was ranked outside the top 40!
These stats are quite eye opening, because the vast majority of golfers either buy a new driver or get lessons in hopes of hitting the ball farther and straighter off the tee. Yet, how many golfers actually get a putting lesson?
The moral of the story? When you are ready to spend some money on your golf game again, get a putting lesson! I would also note that the statistics also imply that the winner is hitting the ball pretty close with his short irons, so you should also consider learning how to hit those better as well!
Scott Cole
www.scottcolegolf.com
www.onlinegolfswingcoach.com
For example, in the first tournament of the year, won by Geoff Ogilvy, he was 16th in Driving Accuracy, 19th in distance, 10th in Greens in Regulation and 1st in both putting categories. His overall score was then calculated by adding up all his rankings in the five categories, which resulted in a score of 47.
I found some interesting numbers. The average overall score was a 92. The lowest overall score was a 46 at Bayhill by Ernie Els. the highest was a 165 by Hunter Mahan at Phoenix, followed closely by Ben crane with 164 at the Farmers Insurance. In both cases, both were first in Greens in Regulation, but well down the list in putting.
The least reliable indicator of a potential victory was both driving categories. The average ranking for both accuracy and distance for the winners was 26th. Not surprising, putting was the best indicator of a potential victory. The average ranking of the winner in the Putts Per Green In Regulation category was 10th, but this was skewed upward by the Crane and Mahan performances, where they ranked 42nd and 54th respectively. Take out those two performances, and the average rank is 7th. Six times, the winner was first in this category. Only four times was the winner ranked first in total putts per round. 14 times the winner was first in putts per green in regulation.
In regard to greens in regulation, the average ranking of the winner was 16th. Four times the winner was ranked first, but nine times the winner was ranked out of the top 20, and six times the winner was ranked outside the top 40!
These stats are quite eye opening, because the vast majority of golfers either buy a new driver or get lessons in hopes of hitting the ball farther and straighter off the tee. Yet, how many golfers actually get a putting lesson?
The moral of the story? When you are ready to spend some money on your golf game again, get a putting lesson! I would also note that the statistics also imply that the winner is hitting the ball pretty close with his short irons, so you should also consider learning how to hit those better as well!
Scott Cole
www.scottcolegolf.com
www.onlinegolfswingcoach.com
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Golf Tip - Lower Your Score Today
It's getting a little late in the season to be working on major swing changes, or that new swing you read about that will magically help you hit the ball farther and straighter. So, here's a quick tip that will help you chop a couple strokes of your score, today!
Before you tee it up today, get on that practice putting green with purpose! First, work on your speed control. Lay down a club on the green, then drop ten balls about 20 feet away. Hit all ten putts and try to get as close to that club as possible without going past it. Do this again from 30 feet and from 40 feet. Once you've done this and you are comfortably getting within two feet of the club, set up two tees, two feet apart, and about two feet in front of the club. Now hit ten putts from 30 feet and try to get each putt in between the two tees, and still short of the club. Now, you should have a good feel for the speed of the greens today.
Next, set up two tees, one about 1/4 inch off the toe of your putter, and the other 1/4 inch off the heel of your putter. Be sure you set this gate up about 4 feet from a hole, and be sure it is a straight put. Have the gate set up square to the hole. Set your putter between the gate, and a ball in front of your putter. Try to make as many putts as you can without missing, and without hitting the tees. Once you miss one, start over, and try to beat that streak on this try. You should make at least 10 in a row with this drill. When you do, you will have more confidence on your short putts heading out to the course.
So, now you have the speed of the greens down, and some confidence with your short putts. This should lead to more made putts! Now, go enjoy your round!
Scott Cole, Hank Haney Pro Instructor, Olney Golf Park, Olney, MD
www.onlinegolfswingcoach.com
Before you tee it up today, get on that practice putting green with purpose! First, work on your speed control. Lay down a club on the green, then drop ten balls about 20 feet away. Hit all ten putts and try to get as close to that club as possible without going past it. Do this again from 30 feet and from 40 feet. Once you've done this and you are comfortably getting within two feet of the club, set up two tees, two feet apart, and about two feet in front of the club. Now hit ten putts from 30 feet and try to get each putt in between the two tees, and still short of the club. Now, you should have a good feel for the speed of the greens today.
Next, set up two tees, one about 1/4 inch off the toe of your putter, and the other 1/4 inch off the heel of your putter. Be sure you set this gate up about 4 feet from a hole, and be sure it is a straight put. Have the gate set up square to the hole. Set your putter between the gate, and a ball in front of your putter. Try to make as many putts as you can without missing, and without hitting the tees. Once you miss one, start over, and try to beat that streak on this try. You should make at least 10 in a row with this drill. When you do, you will have more confidence on your short putts heading out to the course.
So, now you have the speed of the greens down, and some confidence with your short putts. This should lead to more made putts! Now, go enjoy your round!
Scott Cole, Hank Haney Pro Instructor, Olney Golf Park, Olney, MD
www.onlinegolfswingcoach.com
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Golf Clinics
Greetings golfers! I will be conducting a series of clinics on Wednesday afternoon and evenings at Olney Golf Park, starting next week, September 8th.
On Wednesdays, I will be conducting full swing clinics for junior golfers, ages 10 to 17, from 3:30 to 4:30. The cost is $15, plus your range balls. Also on Wednesdays, I will be conducting Vital Signs putting clinics from 5:30 to 6:30. The cost of this clinic is $15.
Next Saturday, September 11th, I will be conducting a Fix Your Slice clinic from 3 pm to 5 pm for $20. This clinic is limited to twelve participants.
To sign up ahead of time, call the Olney Golf Park pro shop at 301-570-6600. See you there!
Scott Cole
www.scottcolegolf.com
On Wednesdays, I will be conducting full swing clinics for junior golfers, ages 10 to 17, from 3:30 to 4:30. The cost is $15, plus your range balls. Also on Wednesdays, I will be conducting Vital Signs putting clinics from 5:30 to 6:30. The cost of this clinic is $15.
Next Saturday, September 11th, I will be conducting a Fix Your Slice clinic from 3 pm to 5 pm for $20. This clinic is limited to twelve participants.
To sign up ahead of time, call the Olney Golf Park pro shop at 301-570-6600. See you there!
Scott Cole
www.scottcolegolf.com
Friday, August 27, 2010
Meet Me At Olney Golf Park in Maryland
Greetings! I will be spending my first full weekend at Olney Golf Park in Olney, Maryland this weekend. My first order of business is to assist Jim Estes with his soldier clients in the Salute Military Golf Association (SMGA). Jim created this foundation to introduce the game to military vets, including our wounded warriors. I look forward to helping Jim teach this great game to the men and women who serve our country in the greatest capacity.
After Saturday morning's work with the veterans, I will be on hand to give lessons and tips while at the same time I will be working on some videos and such for my website. If you have the opportunity, come and check out the Olney Golf Park this weekend, and be sure to say hello!
Scott Cole
www.scottcolegolf.com
After Saturday morning's work with the veterans, I will be on hand to give lessons and tips while at the same time I will be working on some videos and such for my website. If you have the opportunity, come and check out the Olney Golf Park this weekend, and be sure to say hello!
Scott Cole
www.scottcolegolf.com
Monday, August 16, 2010
Olney Golf Park in Maryland
This week I start offering my instruction at Olney Golf Park in Olney, Maryland. This is a full scale practice facility where you can work on every part of your golf game. Today, I spent three hours in the heat and humidity working on my full swing, wedge game, pitch shots and putting. I was drenched, otherwise, I would have spent more time, as I have not had this opportunity to work on my game in years.
Olney Golf Park has a terrific driving range complete with covered and heated stalls, higher quality mats, grass tee area, target greens, and pitch shot greens. We also have a two bay indoor teaching studio where we conduct video analysis and club fitting.
The practice putting green is massive and and rolls very smooth. You can work on every short game shot imaginable, except your bunker play. However, there is a separate wedge game area where you can work on this part of your game, as well as wedge shots up to 70-75 yards.
Finally, there is a fully stocked pro shop and a terrific staff. Jim Estes is the Director of Instruction, and there are several other instructors, including myself, that can help you with your game.
Olney Golf Park is located about 10-15 minutes from Rockville, and 30 to 45 minutes from DC. Come check us out!
Scott Cole
www.scottcolegolf.com
Olney Golf Park has a terrific driving range complete with covered and heated stalls, higher quality mats, grass tee area, target greens, and pitch shot greens. We also have a two bay indoor teaching studio where we conduct video analysis and club fitting.
The practice putting green is massive and and rolls very smooth. You can work on every short game shot imaginable, except your bunker play. However, there is a separate wedge game area where you can work on this part of your game, as well as wedge shots up to 70-75 yards.
Finally, there is a fully stocked pro shop and a terrific staff. Jim Estes is the Director of Instruction, and there are several other instructors, including myself, that can help you with your game.
Olney Golf Park is located about 10-15 minutes from Rockville, and 30 to 45 minutes from DC. Come check us out!
Scott Cole
www.scottcolegolf.com
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