Simple Facts that will help any golfer:
The Internet, and Magazines are filled with offers of Gadgets, Magic Clubs, Training aids, Tips, CD's, and Books, that are suppose to help you become a better player without effort or practice. Nearly every week some new "Secret" is discovered and the "key" to shooting par or better will be revealed to you for only $$$$. Golfers of ALL levels hope for some miracle that will make golf easier, and we are frequently guided in the wrong direction or taken advantage of, by these hucksters. This is a set of FACTS and I promise you this information will help you become a better golfer or I will cheerfully refund your money, as this advice is FREE!
Many of my beginning students and even the PGA and LPGA professionals I have coached ask my advice about darn near everything to do with Golf. Here are a few of the WHAT, WHEN, and WHYs?
Why do I hit good shots on the practice range and I don't hit near as well on the course?
The answer is very simple... You are not keeping score on the range!
When you get out on the course you become aware of and care about RESULTS. EGO and emotions affect your attitude, choices, and motor skills. When you play with 2 or 3 buddies, your nerves are even worse, because friends are judging you. If you are paired with people you don't know, it's even worse. If you wish to get better when it counts, find ways to make your results important while you play recreational golf.
There are two ways to help solve this problem: The first is to put some pressure on yourself as you practice. Play some games that make your practice more meaningful, such as hitting five shots in a row to a specific area, and if you fail START OVER. It's quite interesting how much pressure you may feel on that fifth try, after being successful with the first four. This kind of practice works for any shot and as you become a better player your targets can become smaller.
The other way to help alleviate pressure is to play with people that you hope to impress with your skills and/or play for some kind of prize. Whether its a nickel bet or a Wednesday Pro-Am, at a tour event, the more you play with your Ego on the line, the more comfortable you will become. I assure you that I went through some very interesting emotional experiences when I fist played as a Professional. I still feel a bit of tension in my gut when I line up a putt to win a few dollars from my buddies, but I know they probably have more problems than I, as they have less experience playing golf under pressure.
What golf ball should I be playing?
Unless you can shoot scores near par, it really doesn't matter very much what golf ball you use. Unless you can consistently hit your mid iron shots the same distance and trajectory with the proper spin on each shot, you just wasted $50 on that dozen Titleist ProV-1s. If you regularly score in the mid-80s, you may want to experiment with balls in the Mid-Price range, as feel and spin rate will vary depending upon the ball design. Consider a SOFTER or lower compression ball if you can't drive it at least 200 yards. And if you struggle to break 100, whatever you fish out of the pond or find in the woods is fine. Investing your hard earned money in some LESSONS will pay off far more than a $300.00 Driver or an $75.00 box of Tour quality balls.
What shaft is best for me?
It's a common misconception the stiffer shafts allow you to hit it farther. The shaft only connects the club head to the golfer's grip, and the FLEX allows you to have feel and helps with timing. Most golfers are playing with the wrong flex. Seniors, beginners and higher handicappers would benefit from more flexible shafts. Graphite shafts, absorb the shock of impact and are lighter so they and may give you a little more club head speed (distance) than steel shafts. If your club head swing speed with a Driver is under 90 mph, go with SENIOR or SOFT flex. If your speed is over between 90 mph and 100 mph, try a REGULAR flex. When you can consistently swing at or near 100mph, try the STIFF flex, and ONLY those with well over 110 mph club head speed should even try XSTIFF shafts.
What kind of Clubs should I play?
What is your objective? For a recreational player who shoots around 100 and plays fewer than 10 rounds a season, there are many sets that don't cost an arm and a leg. For a serious amateur who spends significant time at the club and enjoys playing several times weekly, perhaps a name brand professional quality set is appropriate. Despite the advertising claims, I assure you it's unlikely that anyone will introduce a revolutionary miracle club next season. Titleist, Ping, Nike, Mizuno, Callaway, and other high-end manufacturers have pretty much perfected clubhead technology. Metal headed, Spring faced, Drivers, Perimeter weighted, Milled, Forged, Irons, LCG fairway woods and Hybrids, Offset Wedges, MOI Putters, ETC. The top brands spend millions on R&D and promotion and they must charge a lot to recover these investments.
Golf is a HOBBY, and a pastime for most of us. I have a friend who owns more than 20 high end fly fishing rods, reels and other fishing tackle that surely cost thousands of dollars. On the other hand, I have caught some nice fish with a $50.00 rod and reel. I always tell people that whatever you decide to spend for equipment should be justified by your enjoyment of game.
Is my Grip right?
Most people hold the golf club incorrectly. Think of the end of the grip as 12 o'clock. For you RIGHT HANDED golfers, your left thumb should be placed down the shaft at the 1 o'clock position and your right palm should cover it with your right thumb placed down the shaft at the 11 o'clock position. Keep the back of your left wrist FLAT and the crease between your right thumb and forefinger should point toward your left arm pit. If you are having trouble with a SLICE, Strengthen the grip. (Rotate the toe of the club head slightly to the left, while keeping the grip the same.) If you HOOK the ball, Weaken the grip. (Rotate the toe of the club head slightly to the right.)
Where should I position my ball?
When hitting your wedges or short to middle irons, establish a stance that positions the ball near the center of gravity of your body near the axis of rotation. Your belly button is about the perfect ball position, as you want the lowest point of your arc, to be slightly ahead of the ball. Your arc is the radius of the circle made by the extended length of your left arm and the club. It's center is your left shoulder hinge. With longer irons, hybrids and fairway woods, you may wish to move the ball a bit more toward your left or forward in your stance to eliminate a large divot and sweep the ball off the ground. When you are playing from the tee, the ball is elevated off the ground and should be placed farther forward in the stance to take advantage of being able to hit it after the lowest point in your arc and produce a higher trajectory.
Many of my beginning students and even the PGA and LPGA professionals I have coached ask my advice about darn near everything to do with Golf. Here are a few of the WHAT, WHEN, and WHYs?
Why do I hit good shots on the practice range and I don't hit near as well on the course?
The answer is very simple... You are not keeping score on the range!
When you get out on the course you become aware of and care about RESULTS. EGO and emotions affect your attitude, choices, and motor skills. When you play with 2 or 3 buddies, your nerves are even worse, because friends are judging you. If you are paired with people you don't know, it's even worse. If you wish to get better when it counts, find ways to make your results important while you play recreational golf.
There are two ways to help solve this problem: The first is to put some pressure on yourself as you practice. Play some games that make your practice more meaningful, such as hitting five shots in a row to a specific area, and if you fail START OVER. It's quite interesting how much pressure you may feel on that fifth try, after being successful with the first four. This kind of practice works for any shot and as you become a better player your targets can become smaller.
The other way to help alleviate pressure is to play with people that you hope to impress with your skills and/or play for some kind of prize. Whether its a nickel bet or a Wednesday Pro-Am, at a tour event, the more you play with your Ego on the line, the more comfortable you will become. I assure you that I went through some very interesting emotional experiences when I fist played as a Professional. I still feel a bit of tension in my gut when I line up a putt to win a few dollars from my buddies, but I know they probably have more problems than I, as they have less experience playing golf under pressure.
What golf ball should I be playing?
Unless you can shoot scores near par, it really doesn't matter very much what golf ball you use. Unless you can consistently hit your mid iron shots the same distance and trajectory with the proper spin on each shot, you just wasted $50 on that dozen Titleist ProV-1s. If you regularly score in the mid-80s, you may want to experiment with balls in the Mid-Price range, as feel and spin rate will vary depending upon the ball design. Consider a SOFTER or lower compression ball if you can't drive it at least 200 yards. And if you struggle to break 100, whatever you fish out of the pond or find in the woods is fine. Investing your hard earned money in some LESSONS will pay off far more than a $300.00 Driver or an $75.00 box of Tour quality balls.
What shaft is best for me?
It's a common misconception the stiffer shafts allow you to hit it farther. The shaft only connects the club head to the golfer's grip, and the FLEX allows you to have feel and helps with timing. Most golfers are playing with the wrong flex. Seniors, beginners and higher handicappers would benefit from more flexible shafts. Graphite shafts, absorb the shock of impact and are lighter so they and may give you a little more club head speed (distance) than steel shafts. If your club head swing speed with a Driver is under 90 mph, go with SENIOR or SOFT flex. If your speed is over between 90 mph and 100 mph, try a REGULAR flex. When you can consistently swing at or near 100mph, try the STIFF flex, and ONLY those with well over 110 mph club head speed should even try XSTIFF shafts.
What kind of Clubs should I play?
What is your objective? For a recreational player who shoots around 100 and plays fewer than 10 rounds a season, there are many sets that don't cost an arm and a leg. For a serious amateur who spends significant time at the club and enjoys playing several times weekly, perhaps a name brand professional quality set is appropriate. Despite the advertising claims, I assure you it's unlikely that anyone will introduce a revolutionary miracle club next season. Titleist, Ping, Nike, Mizuno, Callaway, and other high-end manufacturers have pretty much perfected clubhead technology. Metal headed, Spring faced, Drivers, Perimeter weighted, Milled, Forged, Irons, LCG fairway woods and Hybrids, Offset Wedges, MOI Putters, ETC. The top brands spend millions on R&D and promotion and they must charge a lot to recover these investments.
Golf is a HOBBY, and a pastime for most of us. I have a friend who owns more than 20 high end fly fishing rods, reels and other fishing tackle that surely cost thousands of dollars. On the other hand, I have caught some nice fish with a $50.00 rod and reel. I always tell people that whatever you decide to spend for equipment should be justified by your enjoyment of game.
Is my Grip right?
Most people hold the golf club incorrectly. Think of the end of the grip as 12 o'clock. For you RIGHT HANDED golfers, your left thumb should be placed down the shaft at the 1 o'clock position and your right palm should cover it with your right thumb placed down the shaft at the 11 o'clock position. Keep the back of your left wrist FLAT and the crease between your right thumb and forefinger should point toward your left arm pit. If you are having trouble with a SLICE, Strengthen the grip. (Rotate the toe of the club head slightly to the left, while keeping the grip the same.) If you HOOK the ball, Weaken the grip. (Rotate the toe of the club head slightly to the right.)
Where should I position my ball?
When hitting your wedges or short to middle irons, establish a stance that positions the ball near the center of gravity of your body near the axis of rotation. Your belly button is about the perfect ball position, as you want the lowest point of your arc, to be slightly ahead of the ball. Your arc is the radius of the circle made by the extended length of your left arm and the club. It's center is your left shoulder hinge. With longer irons, hybrids and fairway woods, you may wish to move the ball a bit more toward your left or forward in your stance to eliminate a large divot and sweep the ball off the ground. When you are playing from the tee, the ball is elevated off the ground and should be placed farther forward in the stance to take advantage of being able to hit it after the lowest point in your arc and produce a higher trajectory.