Are YOU guilty of the Fatal Flaw? You may be if you are
not breaking 80 on a consistent basis. There are people
of all shapes and sizes who can shoot in the 70's nearly
all the time. Instead of saying to yourself, "I can't
stand that guy/girl", why not ask yourself "Why can't I
do that too?!"
One major flaw,(not The Fatal Flaw, but a close second),
occurs when a high handicapper tries to create power with
a fast swing. Power comes from the large muscle groups
like legs, shoulders, back and chest. Just swinging hard
at the ball with your arms will not generate the right
clubhead speed. Most amateurs do not understand that it
is the full body turn that enables longer, straighter
shots. Next time you are looking for more consistency
and length, try turning your back to the target on your
backswing and you will notice you don't have to swing
nearly as hard and you will hit it further.
Now, in terms of The Fatal Flaw, nearly every person I
consult with to break 80 does this single thing wrong.
It's not what you think...rather something you probably
have seen yourself but not realized. Every solid single
-digit handicapper I know does NOT do this and I have yet
to meet a person who plays exceptional golf who does. I
love the look of surprise on my reader's faces when they
learn this fatal flaw...it is simply priceless because it
is like they just were told how to undo years of bad habits
and start taking dead aim at the pins every time. The best
hint I can give you is that it has to do with the sequence
in which you swing the club and how you deliver the clubhead
to the point of impact.
OK, enough of the suspense.
The Fatal Flaw is...losing your spine angle/tilt at address in
the impact area. This causes thin, topping and fade shots.
It certainly does not help that our lives are becoming more
stationary instead of active resulting in poor fitness especially
the core and lower back.
To strike the ball more consistently keep your right shoulder
working down to the ball until the ball is gone and speed of the
club forces you to stand in balance. One way to feel this is to:
1) Put a club behind your neck
2) Turn back pointing shaft down toward ball
3) Turn through/finish with shaft too ball
This will give you the proper feel for keeping your spine angle and
strike the ball more solid.
Best Regards,
Glenn Ellis - Gatonet, Inc.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Monday, February 22, 2010
Consistency
Here's some insight into what you can do if
you want more consistency in your game:
*DEVELOP A PRE-SHOT ROUTINE AND FOLLOW IT- this will remind
you to go through your mental and physical checklist every
time you go to hit a shot.
*DEFINE THE PROPER POSITIONS OF YOUR SWING- once you know
where you arms, legs and shoulders should be when you are
swinging properly, all you have to do is check them to make
sure you are in the proper position before you pull the
triggger.
*ENSURE YOU HAVE THE FUNDMENTALS DOWN PAT- without the right
grip, setup or swing plane you will never be able to repeat
the same swing with any consistency. Worse yet, you may be
consistent already...but with the wrong fundamentals!
you want more consistency in your game:
*DEVELOP A PRE-SHOT ROUTINE AND FOLLOW IT- this will remind
you to go through your mental and physical checklist every
time you go to hit a shot.
*DEFINE THE PROPER POSITIONS OF YOUR SWING- once you know
where you arms, legs and shoulders should be when you are
swinging properly, all you have to do is check them to make
sure you are in the proper position before you pull the
triggger.
*ENSURE YOU HAVE THE FUNDMENTALS DOWN PAT- without the right
grip, setup or swing plane you will never be able to repeat
the same swing with any consistency. Worse yet, you may be
consistent already...but with the wrong fundamentals!
Thursday, February 18, 2010
The Next 7 Tips Will Help You Break 80
1) Add 'em up
All break 80 golfers I've coached do this one thing
and do it religiously. Keep track of how many fairways
hit, greens hit in regulation and putts you take per
round. This exercise alone will tell you the weaker
part of your game. The average player who shoots in the
mid and high 70's consistently will average about
8-12 fairways, 9-11 greens in regulation and
between 27-30 putts per round.
All break 80 golfers I've coached do this one thing
and do it religiously. Keep track of how many fairways
hit, greens hit in regulation and putts you take per
round. This exercise alone will tell you the weaker
part of your game. The average player who shoots in the
mid and high 70's consistently will average about
8-12 fairways, 9-11 greens in regulation and
between 27-30 putts per round.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Knock it Close from Short Range
===================================================
2) Knock It Close From Ultra-Short Range
===================================================
Normally, you shouldn’t break the game’s basics. But sometimes you find yourself in a situation where you must—such as when you have a decent lie in a greenside bunker and the hole is up close. If you can’t hit the ball high from the bunker, it will be hard to drop it close using your standard bunker shot. Instead, try this alternative.
Below are 7 keys to this shot:
1. Set up square to your target
2. Play the ball forward in your stance
3. Tilt your upper body away from target
4. Aim for an inch behind the ball
5. Keep your weight back at impact
6. Allow the club to pass under your hands
In this situation your standard bunker shot calls for you to hit a cut shot. This won’t work here. Instead, grab your lob wedge from the bag and set up square to the target, with the clubface pointing to your landing spot. Position the ball off your front heel and tilt your body away from the target.
In addition, aim for a spot an inch behind the ball and keep your weight back as the club enters the sand. You should feel like you’re slapping the club against the sand under the ball.
As you swing the clubhead past your hands, don’t slap it to the left (right, if your left-handed). Your right hand should flip under your left, so that the club points straight up in your follow-through, not back behind you. The ball should come out high, like a flop shot, and drop near the hole.
Normally, you shouldn’t disregard the fundamentals. But sometimes, you must. Hitting a flop shot from a bunker is one of those times. This shot is worth trying if your bunker shots barely clear the bunker’s front lip, or you take too much sand when using a sand wedge and leave the ball in the bunker.
2) Knock It Close From Ultra-Short Range
===================================================
Normally, you shouldn’t break the game’s basics. But sometimes you find yourself in a situation where you must—such as when you have a decent lie in a greenside bunker and the hole is up close. If you can’t hit the ball high from the bunker, it will be hard to drop it close using your standard bunker shot. Instead, try this alternative.
Below are 7 keys to this shot:
1. Set up square to your target
2. Play the ball forward in your stance
3. Tilt your upper body away from target
4. Aim for an inch behind the ball
5. Keep your weight back at impact
6. Allow the club to pass under your hands
In this situation your standard bunker shot calls for you to hit a cut shot. This won’t work here. Instead, grab your lob wedge from the bag and set up square to the target, with the clubface pointing to your landing spot. Position the ball off your front heel and tilt your body away from the target.
In addition, aim for a spot an inch behind the ball and keep your weight back as the club enters the sand. You should feel like you’re slapping the club against the sand under the ball.
As you swing the clubhead past your hands, don’t slap it to the left (right, if your left-handed). Your right hand should flip under your left, so that the club points straight up in your follow-through, not back behind you. The ball should come out high, like a flop shot, and drop near the hole.
Normally, you shouldn’t disregard the fundamentals. But sometimes, you must. Hitting a flop shot from a bunker is one of those times. This shot is worth trying if your bunker shots barely clear the bunker’s front lip, or you take too much sand when using a sand wedge and leave the ball in the bunker.
Monday, February 15, 2010
How To Drain 15-Footers
1) How To Drain 15-Footers
===================================================
Alignment is a precursor to your shot. If you’re not aligned properly in the box or on the fairway, you’ll be away with your shot. The same holds true in putting—especially when it comes to mid-range putts. If your putterface points open just a degree left or right of your intended target on a 15-footer, you’ll miss the hole by three inches. If you want to drain more 15-footers, aligning yourself to the hole is key.
Below are six keys to a dead on alignment method:
1. Hold your putter with your dominant hand
2. Stand behind the ball with your putter
3. Walk to the ball holding your putter in one hand
4. Set the putter behind the ball
5. Keep your eyes on your line the entire time
6. Turn your eyes down to the ball
If your read is right, you have a good chance of draining mid-range putts. The best way to make sure your read is right is by aligning yourself with the hole.
Start by taking the putter in your dominant hand. Then walk behind the ball to determine your line. Make sure you’re directly behind the ball. Now walk to the hole, holding the putter in your hand. Keep your eyes on your line. Set your putter behind the ball and point the face at the target.
Keeping your eyes on your line, take your stance and place your other hand on the grip. Once you’re settled in, turn your eyes down. Look at the hole to identify distance and pull the trigger. Once you set the putter down, don’t re-aim it. You’re already aligned it dead straight.
Practice this method a few times to you nail it down. Once you do, it will help you drain more 15-footers.
===================================================
Alignment is a precursor to your shot. If you’re not aligned properly in the box or on the fairway, you’ll be away with your shot. The same holds true in putting—especially when it comes to mid-range putts. If your putterface points open just a degree left or right of your intended target on a 15-footer, you’ll miss the hole by three inches. If you want to drain more 15-footers, aligning yourself to the hole is key.
Below are six keys to a dead on alignment method:
1. Hold your putter with your dominant hand
2. Stand behind the ball with your putter
3. Walk to the ball holding your putter in one hand
4. Set the putter behind the ball
5. Keep your eyes on your line the entire time
6. Turn your eyes down to the ball
If your read is right, you have a good chance of draining mid-range putts. The best way to make sure your read is right is by aligning yourself with the hole.
Start by taking the putter in your dominant hand. Then walk behind the ball to determine your line. Make sure you’re directly behind the ball. Now walk to the hole, holding the putter in your hand. Keep your eyes on your line. Set your putter behind the ball and point the face at the target.
Keeping your eyes on your line, take your stance and place your other hand on the grip. Once you’re settled in, turn your eyes down. Look at the hole to identify distance and pull the trigger. Once you set the putter down, don’t re-aim it. You’re already aligned it dead straight.
Practice this method a few times to you nail it down. Once you do, it will help you drain more 15-footers.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Better Putting
Imagine yourself on the local greens par four and your initial drive is a gorgeous hit that lands exactly where you planned it to be, then you hit your approach shot and it lands a few yards short of the flag, and then comes the putting game.
Is this where you get nervous? Three or even four putt the hole? Ending up with a bogie or maybe your getting a double bogey?
Well hopefully these tips can turn that around and give you the birdie or even eagle that you are looking for.
-->Get down real low when you are examining the green and its contours as this will allow you to get the best view possible. The contours of the green are necessary to understand because if you try and hit it straight and it hits a curve it will certainly not be going straight anymore.
-->Be sure to get different views of the putt to make sure that there is nothing that your missing whether that means looking at it from the side or from the other side of the hole. This is important because if you miss a curve your putt will most certainly not be landing where you want it to.
-->If you have a chance to watch someone else putt on the same green as you, watch what the ball does on the green. This will allow you to pick up the best way to hit the ball if you pay close attention.
-->Another great way to improve your putt is to keep your eye steady. Keep it concentrated on the grass one half inch in front of where the golf ball sits. Doing this will allow you to direct where your ball be going.
-->Practice is the most important part of becoming a better putter because it will allow you to know how hard you need to hit it. This will produce muscle memory that will make all your shots a lot easier.
These tips can help you create a much more sturdy and solid game. They will allow you to play golf better and with some good hard work lower your score.
Is this where you get nervous? Three or even four putt the hole? Ending up with a bogie or maybe your getting a double bogey?
Well hopefully these tips can turn that around and give you the birdie or even eagle that you are looking for.
-->Get down real low when you are examining the green and its contours as this will allow you to get the best view possible. The contours of the green are necessary to understand because if you try and hit it straight and it hits a curve it will certainly not be going straight anymore.
-->Be sure to get different views of the putt to make sure that there is nothing that your missing whether that means looking at it from the side or from the other side of the hole. This is important because if you miss a curve your putt will most certainly not be landing where you want it to.
-->If you have a chance to watch someone else putt on the same green as you, watch what the ball does on the green. This will allow you to pick up the best way to hit the ball if you pay close attention.
-->Another great way to improve your putt is to keep your eye steady. Keep it concentrated on the grass one half inch in front of where the golf ball sits. Doing this will allow you to direct where your ball be going.
-->Practice is the most important part of becoming a better putter because it will allow you to know how hard you need to hit it. This will produce muscle memory that will make all your shots a lot easier.
These tips can help you create a much more sturdy and solid game. They will allow you to play golf better and with some good hard work lower your score.
Monday, February 8, 2010
How to Improve Your Short Game
Top Mistakes
-->Trying to hit the golf ball up because most people try to hit the ball from underneath to give it that little bit more.
-->Trying to slow down your swing as you are about to hit the ball for fear of hitting the ball too far.
Simple Way to Fix These Problems
Shorten your backswing. It is that simple, not necessarily easy, but quite simple in theory. Shortening your backswing makes you hit more down in your stroke which nulls the effect of hitting the ball up, genius we know.
A shorter backswing solves the dread of striking the ball to strongly and sending the ball much farther than you wanted to. If your initial swing is not as far then you won't be attempting to slow it down in the middle of it either. Controlling the length of your backswing is essentially controlling the distance of your hit.
The solution is simple in writing but can be difficult to actually go through with which is understandable and in reality is expected. Changing your swing is like changing your fundamentals and everything that you were taught in the first place, it is not an easy task for anyone. It takes a lot of time, effort, and commitment in order to make this practice something that can help you out.
-->Trying to hit the golf ball up because most people try to hit the ball from underneath to give it that little bit more.
-->Trying to slow down your swing as you are about to hit the ball for fear of hitting the ball too far.
Simple Way to Fix These Problems
Shorten your backswing. It is that simple, not necessarily easy, but quite simple in theory. Shortening your backswing makes you hit more down in your stroke which nulls the effect of hitting the ball up, genius we know.
A shorter backswing solves the dread of striking the ball to strongly and sending the ball much farther than you wanted to. If your initial swing is not as far then you won't be attempting to slow it down in the middle of it either. Controlling the length of your backswing is essentially controlling the distance of your hit.
The solution is simple in writing but can be difficult to actually go through with which is understandable and in reality is expected. Changing your swing is like changing your fundamentals and everything that you were taught in the first place, it is not an easy task for anyone. It takes a lot of time, effort, and commitment in order to make this practice something that can help you out.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
The Bunker Shot
The bunker shot is probably one of the top things the golfer tries to avoid if not the number one thing that they do their best to hit around. Yet we all know that sooner or later our golf balls will most likely land in the sand sooner or later.
With this knowledge we should embrace the fact and try and work on our skills on hitting it out of the bunker so when it does happen you can be ready and get the ball back to a place where you want it.
Some great ways to make your bunker shot better include the following:
Tip 1 - Place a small divot in front of the ball in the direction that you are aiming for and use this as a guide. Hit the ball following this guide, hitting sand in the process of doing this is a good way to know that your hit is done well.
Tip 2 - Whenever you are going to hit the ball look down and keep your eyes straight down on the spot where your ball is. Look at your club and be sure that the face of the club is visible.
Tip 3 - Don't let your stance just settle into the sand because this will mess up your shot. Make the sand to work for you and get a firm stance and distribute your weight in a proper manner, in most cases you will want most of it to your left.
With this in mind the next time you begin to curse to no end, don't think of your ball being in the sand pit remember that it is a part of the course and anyone can play out of the bunker, even you.
With this knowledge we should embrace the fact and try and work on our skills on hitting it out of the bunker so when it does happen you can be ready and get the ball back to a place where you want it.
Some great ways to make your bunker shot better include the following:
Tip 1 - Place a small divot in front of the ball in the direction that you are aiming for and use this as a guide. Hit the ball following this guide, hitting sand in the process of doing this is a good way to know that your hit is done well.
Tip 2 - Whenever you are going to hit the ball look down and keep your eyes straight down on the spot where your ball is. Look at your club and be sure that the face of the club is visible.
Tip 3 - Don't let your stance just settle into the sand because this will mess up your shot. Make the sand to work for you and get a firm stance and distribute your weight in a proper manner, in most cases you will want most of it to your left.
With this in mind the next time you begin to curse to no end, don't think of your ball being in the sand pit remember that it is a part of the course and anyone can play out of the bunker, even you.
Friday, February 5, 2010
The Gofler
The Golfer
A golfer and his buddies were playing a big round of golf for $200.
At the eighteenth green the golfer had a ten foot putt to win the round, and the $200.
As he was lining up his putt, a funeral procession started to pass by.
The golfer set down his putter, took his hat off, placed it over his chest, and waited for the funeral procession to pass.
After it passed, he picked up his putter and returned to lining up his putt, and completed it, thus winning the game and the money.
Afterwards, one of his buddies said, "That was the most touching thing I have ever seen.
I can't believe you stopped playing, possibly losing your concentration, to pay your respects."
"Well," said the golfer, "we were married for 25 years."
A golfer and his buddies were playing a big round of golf for $200.
At the eighteenth green the golfer had a ten foot putt to win the round, and the $200.
As he was lining up his putt, a funeral procession started to pass by.
The golfer set down his putter, took his hat off, placed it over his chest, and waited for the funeral procession to pass.
After it passed, he picked up his putter and returned to lining up his putt, and completed it, thus winning the game and the money.
Afterwards, one of his buddies said, "That was the most touching thing I have ever seen.
I can't believe you stopped playing, possibly losing your concentration, to pay your respects."
"Well," said the golfer, "we were married for 25 years."
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Just Golfing...
When taking to the course on a lazy Sunday with some friends, use an explosive driver (http://www.driverswoodsandmore.com/product/003641), this may well give you the edge when you are playing friends that may be a bit sleepy or not quite with it.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Driving Tips
On your first few holes that you are going to play consider using a wood with higher loft than your driver. This will allow you to have more room for error and give you the opportunity to warm up before you begin playing.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Monday, February 1, 2010
Driving Tips - 5
If you are struggling with a slice or a hook when you are teeing off try the following. Whenever you are teeing off and you have a tendency to hook, lower your tee. If you have a tendency to slice, try heightening your tee.
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