2016 March

Why is it that when your game is falling apart nothing seems to go right? I love that title line from a Kiwi friend who comments when he sees the rails falling off: “ Must be that Steel Plate between your ears.” That’s exactly what happens when I put one in a sand trap or pond and my brain changes to a steel plate before I duff my next shot. It’s only one bad shot and one recovery shot or penalty shot so get over it.

I got in a rut with my drives on my last outing and did not realize that I needed to weaken my trailing hand grip until the start of my second nine. Swinging harder and faster was not the right solution. I know that I am not alone in this category so I thought I should share some of the comments found in a recent GolfWRX email.

This is not a good finishing pose for Rory after another bad shot  (not at all like the club twirl when Tiger and Rory hit a great one).

“Rory McIlroy had two stellar rounds at the Arnold Palmer Invitational: The Ulsterman fired a second-round 67 and a final-round 65. Unfortunately, his first and third-round efforts were considerably less stellar: McIlroy carded a pair of sloppy 75s, in which he tallied a stymieing five double bogeys on route to a T27 finish.

Following his final round, the 26-year-old attributed the high scores and spate of big numbers to what’s going on between his ears, rather than any swing-related issues. [Yes, it was that steel plate again.]

‘ These high scores, I know it’s nothing to do with my game, really. It’s nothing to do with me technically. It’s more mental. I’m beating myself up over mistakes that I’m making on the course and then I’m not letting myself get over it so that it sort of lingers there for the next few holes.

This week what I’ve done is I’ve let it linger. I’ve mentally not been able to get over it and I haven’t bounced back. That’s why there was two 75s in there because it was nothing technically or anything else. I feel like my game is in great shape. Really good with my putting. Good with all aspects of my game, really, so mentally being better and not being so hard on myself. ‘

Staggering admissions from a multiple major winner and the former No. 1 golfer in the world. However, with this from Rory, plus Jason Day’s talk of reaching out to Tiger Woods for help with his mental game and clinging to an on-course attitude of “patience” and “aggression” this week at Woods’ behest, we’re delivered a poignant reminder: Even the world’s best golfers can struggle with the basics of the mental game in the crucible of tournament conditions.

We aren’t sports psychologists here at GolfWRX, but the importance of focusing on the shot at hand and not dwelling on previous strokes is critical to playing golf well, as all average golfers and casual sports fans would likely agree.”

I couldn’t resist sharing this summary from GolfWRX. It was a wonderful interview and we all need to recall it when our game starts to go south. So keep practicing with GOLFSTR+ for every swing in your game and stay focused on your next shot. Buy one today at www.golfstr.com

We all have good days and bad days on the golf course but is there a way to turn them all into GOOD DAYS? Do you ever wonder who showed up to make so many amazing shots on the first 9 holes? Then miraculously IT disappears! Our physical condition, energy level and mindset change all the time and they must to be causing the inconsistency in our games.

I invented GOLFSTR+ to help me learn to practice my golf swing correctly. Practicing to swing with a straight leading arm or locked wrist or with lag in my backswing has really helped me lower my score. Unfortunately my mind gets excited when I hit the perfect drive or approach shot. Possibly a boost in adrenaline adds a little more power into the next shot. “What was I thinking?”

I have been looking for ways to control my swing speed and mind for every shot. I just wanted to share some QUIRKY MOVES that may help your game:

1/ Rickie Fowler Waggle: I have been using this waggle with great results. It loosens up my back and it slows down my backswing to improve my transition. I start my backswing using the same slow and deliberate take away. I know that the backswing to downswing speed is supposed to be 3:1 but I seem to need a little more time at the top to start my downswing with a trailing foot push. I seem to need a 4:1 or 5:1 ratio so that I can feel the rhythm when I make my transition (and to avoid a rushed whipping action at the top).

2/ Ben Hogan’s Trailing Foot Push:  Yes, you read this in our recent Swing Tip but I wanted to share comments from Scott Mohn, an avid GOLFSTR+ user and follower: “It is amazing. I just started to emphasize this move this morning when I was warming up for my round. I kept thinking about it all day — get in good contact with the ground, take it back easy so I can feel myself starting the downswing and push off with the instep of my trail foot. It worked like a charm: 35-39 =74. A great day!!! 🙂 Scott”

3/ Setup with a Pre-loaded Leading Side: I golfed recently with Andy S. (who I met at the Blue Martini 2 years ago in Naples, FL and learned that he was one of the first 100 golfers to buy a GOLFSTR). He now has a very powerful straight arm swing but during his setup he pre-loads his left side as if he is already pushing forward off his trailing foot at the top of his backswing (ref Ben Hogan). It gives him great results, especially with his stinger hits to stay low in the Florida wind. NOTE: Golf-Info-Guide by Thomas Golf warns that too much pre-load on your leading foot will cause major problems. HINT: You may want to try a little pre-load to avoid swaying your head back from the center-line in your backswing.

4/ Putt Like a Pendulum: Adam Scott and Phil Michelson use a claw grip with one hand to avoid letting that hand take control of the putter swing. It helps them avoid swinging in an arc when putting. I control my putts with my leading, left hand (which is my dominant putting hand). I learned to swing with my shoulders by training with a GOLFSTR (no wrist action) and release the putter with my trailing hand at the point of impact.  This allows my leading hand to swing straight up my target line (like a pendulum on a clock). You need to make a few practice swings to get the feel for the right amount of backswing before you commit to the putt for distance. My putter is on fire!

Practice any of these Quirky Moves with your GOLFSTR+ before you try them out on the golf course. For your straight arm swing, lag & distance training and flat wrist putting buy one today at www.golfstr.com

40% of your strokes are made with your putter in every round of golf. You really should take advantage of this club to cut your scores. The top pros have changed to fat grips but have you noticed the variety of grips that Rory, Jordan, Phil, Jason and Sergio are using? They are all different and you need to understand why.

Avoid Swing in an Arc: The Pros all know the line where they want to hit each putt but they need to be swing the putter directly up that line and hitting on the center of their putter face.  If they swing their putter in an arc it’s impossible to hit putts without some side spin. When you swing in an arc the face of your putter is always changing direction. THIS IS NOT GOOD!

Sink More Putts? The Pros know that they have to choose a target line to compensate for the slope and tilt of the green. Good putters choose the right direction and speed to accommodate that tilt. After you choose your target line, a straight putt and speed ARE THE ONLY THOUGHTS that you need for a good putt.

Why Are the Pros Changing Their Putting Grip? We are seeing Rory and Jordon gripping with left hand low and Phil is gripping with an interesting claw grip with his trailing hand. The science of putting is different for each person based on being left or right brain thinking and the physical strength of our bodies on the left or the right side of our bodies. No one is identical so everyone should experiment for your optimum putting grip for your preferred style of putter and handle grip.

This old putting sequence illustrates how  Rory McIlroy rocks his shoulders and follows through by swinging straight up the target line.

The pros determine their dominant putting hand in order to make a straight swing through the impact point with the ball. Ideally [for a right hand club] you should be controlling your putt with your leading arm as the swing of your putter from the center line of your body (which is in line with your ball at rest) to your left shoulder will create the least arc in your swing. [If you control your putter with your trailing arm, it tends to wrap around your body as you swing from your right shoulder and pull your putt left. ]

Phil and many others use a claw grip to minimize the control of his claw grip hand. They depend on their other hand [the dominant putting hand] to control the swing directly up the target line. There is nothing wrong with a conventional grip as long as you let your dominant hand force the putter to swing directly up your target line at the point of impact with the ball. [Impact only lasts for a split second as you impact the ball but direction and momentum of your putter makes all the difference.]

Determine your dominant hand by hitting multiple putts with one hand at a time to understand which hand gives you the best control for direction and distance. Adjust your putting style to make sure that your dominant hand is in control. Always practice putting making sure that you putt by locking your leading wrist and swing with the rocking action of your shoulders. Practice with your GOLFSTR+ to lock your wrist. Buy one today at www.golfstr.com

Last week we highlighted Ben Hogan’s swing thought to TURN YOUR HIPS FIRST to start your downswing. Ben may only have thought about starting his downswing with his hips, but he knew that there was a sequence of moves connected to that single swing thought. As a matter of fact, your whole body has to “get INTO the swing” or you will be looking at another fat hit or topped ball.

When we tense up for a difficult shot we tend to forget about starting our swing with our hips. Our lower body JUST LOCKS UP. We tend to rush the swing by turning our shoulders and swinging with our arms and lose our balance backwards. Your hips have to start the sequence of your swing.

Andrew Rice’s Swing Tip:
In a recent Revolution Golf Blog, Andrew Rice gave a swing tip about pushing off with your trailing foot and “walk through your swing”. This reminded me of Ben Hogan starting his downswing by rotating his hip forward (up the target line). Andrew pointed out that Gary Player used this move to help him get his body over the ball. Your center of mass needs to be over your ball (rather than falling backwards) at the point of impact to allow your body to finish in a balanced pose on your leading foot.

HIS SUGGESTION: During your practice try a slow swing and walk through the swing. He pointed out that you can’t get your balance forward (up your target line) unless you push with your trailing leg to create a forward lean.

You can’t get your hips moving without pushing off with the instep of your trailing foot. As you reach the transition from the backswing to the downswing DON’T RUSH. Let the weight of your club do the work. You need ONE THOUGHT:

Hogan and Woods both push with their trailing instep to start their downswing.  These images show their hip shift as they keep their head behind the ball.

PUSH with the instep of your trailing foot to turn your hips. I now use the simple swing thought of: “Push UP” in order to push off and swing up to a balanced forward finish.

This starts the chain reaction of PULLING your straight leading arm down before you RELEASE your wrists to WHIP your club head from the inside slot and UP your target line to a BALANCED finish.

Don’t forget to HOLD YOUR POSE and admire each amazing shot.

If you can’t slow down your rhythm to the speed of an Ernie Els’ transition then mentally say the words “Sweep in” during your backswing as a reminder to pull in (with your trailing wrist) for lag and the words “PUSH up” during the downswing to a finished pose. Your hips lead your upper torso as your arms pull down for the release of your wrists.

Practice with your GOLFSTR+ to keep your straight leading arm in the backswing and to get the right rhythm to avoid rushing at the top.  Buy one today at www.golfstr.com

Weekend Golf Warriors and Low Handicappers watch the Golf Channel and read Swing Tips & Golf Books hoping to find the Holy Grail of Golf: What’s the crystallized swing thought to control our bodies for the perfect shot every time we swing.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls do I have your attention? The answer has been available ever since Ben Hogan figured it out. Two weeks ago we provided a You Tube video of Ben Hogan’s swing in slow motion in our Swing Tip titled: The Pause That Refreshes. Thanks to a response by one of our followers (Mike Stair, author of an abbreviated version of Ben’s book: The Modern Fundamentals of Golf), we were provided with some key points to consider. His comments are in the quotes below.

1/ ”The downswing happens in as little as 300 milliseconds. That is as fast as the human eye can blink! There is no time for any inner monologue or swing thoughts.”

2/ “Therefore, everything you delivered to the ball at that instant was prepared (or not prepared) by how you held the club, what stance and posture you chose, and if you maintained those positions by preserving contact with your torso.”

3/ “I think you can plainly see that your focus, when drilling the golf swing on the range, needs to be directed towards those things, not the flight of the ball.”

4/ “The downswing, ball impact, and ball flight are merely the evidence — revealing either your success, or what aspect of your hold, stance, posture, or connection you need to improve on.”

5/ And now BEN HOGAN’S RECOMMENDED SWING THOUGHT: “Ben said that in the downswing, he thinks of only two (2) things, turning the hips first and then hitting as hard as he can, first with the upper body.”

Ben Hogan Swing Thought: Turn the HIPS FIRST as you pull your shoulders down with a straight leading arm.

[Turning the my hips first has really helped me power my hits but “hitting as hard as he can” is just not a good thought for my personal swing performance. More power may work for the pros, like Ben Hogan, who golf for a living and practice all the time. Swinging harder is NOT smarter for the run of the mill golfer! Only using 90% of your power will give you more consistent hits. Hitting the fairway is always better than hitting long and deep into the rough.]

Stay tuned for more training on swing thoughts next week. Practice by slowing down your transition, pushing with your trailing instep and pulling with your shoulders as you train with your GOLFSTR+.     Buy one today at www.golfstr.com