Will Curry

What others do to create consistent golf swings may be helpful but you need to sort out what works for YOU. Your mind and body are not in the same condition as the pros [or any of your playing partners for that matter] so don’t expect that their technique is going to work for you. If you watch enough golf on TV you can recognize each of the better players by their unique swing. THEY ARE ALL DIFFERENT and yours can be different too but you need the same basics.

If you can make a practice swing and end up in a balanced, finish position then you are in a calm frame of mind and a good starting position for each shot. Just focus on taking the same backswing and follow-through for every shot in your round. It will only happen if you focus on calm consistent transition at the top to start your acceleration.  The RUSH AT THE TOP will kill your consistency.

Consider these facts:

1. Hideki Matsuyama had a recent amazing stretch of 10 tournaments where he either finished in first or second place. His average driving distance is shorter than most of the pros but his delay at the top of his swing allows him to create consistently straight shots at his target. You just may want to try this.
2. Every pro has a unique swing but they all end up with a posed finish in perfect balance. If you do anything, finish your swing in balance.
3. Justin Thomas won the last 2 tournaments in Hawaii to start 2017. His success is based on his commitment to the shot. He decides on his shot. Takes a practice swing and pulls the trigger. He does not rush his process but there is no delay during his preparation and completion of his swing. [In this video of his swing you can see that he actually triggers his back swing by rotating his head slightly back before he starts the rotation of his shoulder.  This is a similar move to Jack Nicklaus.
4. I often ask others about their break through thoughts. One uses a warmup split grip and rotation to force his arms and body through the shot. Others start with pressure on their leading foot to make sure that their body can keep up with their arms as they swing through the ball.
5. I use words which have meaning to me in order to block out all other thoughts: “Sweep in and through” to slow down my backswing and to end with a balanced pose. [You can’t say or think 2 words or thoughts at the same time – trying it! You will be amazed at how it improves your swing focus.]

We all know that consistent hits in golf will allow you to par every hole. A consistent swing for consistent hits with each club in your bag should be your primary focus. Your mind has to be calm and relaxed to allow a smooth and consistent tempo for your body. If you are not in balance at the start, at the top and at the finish then you better take some lessons to get back in sync.

Practice for relaxed consistency and a balanced finish. Learn the basics of the golf swing and then hone in your skills by practicing with GOLFSTR+ for every swing in your game. Buy one today at www.golfstr.com

If you don’t start each round with a relaxed body and confident mind, the wrong guy is showing up. What we all need is a method to create this state of mind every time we swing a club. Last week I promised to share my findings to create your future success in golf. The payoff is that it will make you a renewed person in mind and spirit. It’s happening to me and it will happen to you too.

We have all hit perfect straight shots with impact on the center of the face of every club in our bag. Our goal is to repeat this with every swing. It only happens when you don’t rush the transition and you allow your club to accelerate from the top. Make it your goal to finish every swing in a balanced pose as you watch your perfect shot.

For success in golf you only need to be Relaxed and Confident. That will set you up for success with every swing of any club.

1/ RELAX YOUR BODY AND MIND: I discovered the solution by watching and hearing the success stories from Jason Day, Tiger and every friend who has a breakthrough in their game. You may have seen Jason Day take his time to sort out his shot and visualize his shots as he squints and flutters his eyelids. Tiger clicks into his focused trance by shifting into his mental zone. Many pros work with mental trainers to reach this state of mind (in the zone) but there must be a better way for the weekend warriors.

Jason Day talked about a new way to train your brain for better golf in Golf Digest, Nov 2016.  Clear your mind for one thought when you swing. Take your time to sort out your setup. Pick your target, select the right club and adjust your stance for the right lineup. Check that your grip is loose and your shoulders are relaxed and dropped (not tight at you neck). Doing these steps will actually clear your mind.

2/ CONSISTENT [CONFIDENT] HITS: Your goal is to create a consistent swing (for your drives, fairway shots, chips and putts – each club needs your unique swing thought). Justin Thomas takes very little time to prepare for each swing and then execute. [After Alabama lost in the college football championship, Justin had a lot of disappointment on him mind. He sure figured out how to focus. At the age of 23 he is the youngest play to set the lowest PGA tournament score at -27.] Justin has one swing thought for the club and shot that he is making. He steps up to the ball and executes that swing though and you should do the same thing.

Your body is in a different physical condition every day that you start a round of golf. So you need to prepare for each round at the range to determine the setup and tempo for each club. Sort out what is working for you. DETERMINE A SINGLE SWING THOUGHT THAT YOU NEED WITH EACH CLUB and use those thoughts during your round TO KEEP YOUR MIND FOCUSED. Those swing thoughts may change slightly before each round but you need to use the single swing thought that works for you.

Practice with your GOLFSTR+ to develop your swing thought that allows you to execute the perfect shot with every club. Buy one today at www.golfstr.com

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Have you ever noticed that every golf training aid, swing tip or golf exercise promises 10 to 15 more yards? What’s the use of hitting 10 to 15 more yards further into the rough, pond or bush? These ads are appealing to your macho instinct. Every golfer wants to swing faster and hit longer drives but it is not that easy. My point is that consistent hits and landing in the fairway ARE FAR MORE IMPORTANT TO YOUR GAME than extra distance. I finally sorted this out and want to share my findings.

I recently watched Henrick Stenson and 2 playing partners on a long par 5. All 3 pros hit drives in the fairway. All 3 chose to hit the perfect layup in the fairway to avoid the deep rough and deep sand traps guarding the green. All 3 chipped to within 10 feet and all 3 birdied the hole. I know that these professional golfers are consistent hitters but they are also realistic golfers. Get out of your macho mindset. You should focus on reaching the perfect position in the fairway to landing on the green in regulation near the hole.

1. Accept your Driver Limitation: Determine the distance that you can consistently hit your drive in the fairway. If you can’t hit 5 straight shots in a row with the same club then you may be swinging to fast. Your body is out of sync with your swing.
2. Swinging harder and faster will give you worse results.
3. Fix your swing with lessens and then use a GOLFSTR+ to hone in your muscle memory for every swing in your game.

Consistency should be your priority. You are NOT destined to be a pro golfer so get realistic. With consistent hits, you CAN par every hole! If you play a golf course often enough, eventually you WILL par every hole. So why not calm down, tee forward if you have too, keep every drive in the fairway and get it close to hole out in 1 or 2 putts on every hole.  Bingo, you just broke 80.

Imagine being a confident Adam Scott as he finishes his swing in balance and admires his shot.

All you have to do is relax your mind and body, don’t rush your swing, accelerate through the ball and finish in balance as you admire your shots.

Stay tune for next week’s solutions to calm down, tune-out the crap and play the way you golf in your dreams.

When you learn to control your mind for golf it will affect the way you live your life. You will become the caring and understanding person you have always wanted to be. Success in your game will create more success in your life. Start by honing your skills with GOLFSTR+ for every swing in your game. Buy one today at www.golfstr.com

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Your mind and your resulting ANGER are your primary enemies in golf. Your game is most affected by your reaction to every poor shot. Whether you bottle it up or throw clubs, it will affect your next shot. We all get caught up in our last bad shot. Even our good shots can inspire us to swing harder and faster to create the next bad shot. Fortunately I saw a great solution from Golf Rx to shift your mind back to normal. This is a great solution to overcome your inner demons.

Have you ever heard that “bad golf shots come in 3’s” and a 4th bad shot is just the start of your next 3. We need to break up these crazy thoughts. After each bad shot we need a way to bring ourselves back to the present.

You can’t improve your game with those crazy demons in your head. [Caddyshack]

                    HERE ARE THE 3 STEPS presented by Golf RX:

#1 Observe 5 Things in your immediate vicinity: a golf ball, grass on your golf club, bird in the tree, golfer smoking and the pin flag is red. It will instantly bring you back to reality.

#2 Forgive yourself. We are not perfect. Even the pros don’t make perfect shots all the time. It’s OK to make mistakes so forgive yourself and get on with your game.

#3 Be Positive: Studies have shown that if you fake being positive it will actually change those bad feelings. Fake it. Change your physicality. Stand tall, shoulders back, pump your chest out and smile.

A friend recently pointed out that in every PGA tournament there are golfers shooting in the 80’s. Wouldn’t it be great if the cameras spent some time showing us their mishits. How about those shots that ricochet deeper into the trees; 3 attempts to get out of a bunker or those missed chip shots. Come on GOLF CHANNEL and NBC, show us how the pros really play this game.  Give us some reality so show us that the pros really are human.

Slow down and approach your next shot with a fresh state of mind. Your next shot will definitely be better than your last shot. Remember those wonderful shots when you practice with your GOLFSTR+ : keep your leading elbow straight, hold your flat wrist in your back swing and master your lag. Buy one today at www.golfstr.com

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This is Part 2 of the Swing Tips to let your eyes control your game. Your eyes help your feel the distance and direction of every hit. In putting, when your eyes focus on the ball during your swing, they force your head and shoulders to hit through the ball and to avoid lifting up during your putt.

Putting is a head game. If you don’t think you can sink a putt then you are destined to miss it – – – even the short ones. Confidence is a critical factor in making putts. No guts, no glory. So you better start by committing to sinking every putt. Decide that you are going to accelerate your putter through the ball and up the target line that you choose. Now you are ready to let your eyes FEEL the distance and your shoulders swing like a pendulum as your putter hits dead center on the face.

Have I got your attention? All of the following points about using your EYES to sink putts are wasted if you don’t start with a Positive Mental Attitude and the right mechanics. Your shoulders do all the work.  Your elbows, wrists and fingers are locked on your putter. If you can’t lock them, practice with your GOLFSTR+ to make sure that your leading wrist is locked. Now use your eyes to make your putt on autopilot.

1. On your approach shot to the green look for 2 levels on the green. You want to reach the perfect level with a high shot (and very little roll on the green) or a chip shot to roll your shot up to the hole.
2. When your ball lands on the green watch the direction of the roll but be careful to discount any slice or hook caused by a poor swing of your club.
3. 

   See the breaks and determine a target where you need to aim to handle the break.

   During every putt, watch the break as your ball slows down to use this knowledge for your next putt.

4. When putting, your last visual check should be up your target line for distance and direction. As your eye traces back to your ball, stop moving your head and keep your eyes focused on the back of your ball. Let you putter continue to trace back on the same line and then through the center of your ball as you swing up your target line.
5. Putting is only successful if you can read the green. You can only choose your line and your speed. After that you only have 1 task. Impact on the center of your putter and hit the STRAIGHT LINE that you chose in your setup.
6. Dave Stockton’s putting tip is to putt with your leading hand. The back of that hand has to continue to point at the target line even after impact as you are putting with a locked flat wrist.
7. Use your eyes to see the distance you want to putt. Take a practice swing to FEEL the amount of swing you need to hit your ball that distance. Look at your target distance again and run your eyes back along the target line to STOP at your ball as your putter swings back on the same line and then through the ball on the same line as you change your focus from distance to point of impact which is dead center on your putter face.

GOLFSTR+ is a great training aid to help you learn to putt with a locked wrist. When you practice with GOLFSTR + it give you the confidence that you need to take with you during your round of golf. Buy one today at www.golfstr.com

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We all know that focus is critical for consistent golf but there are DO’s and DON’Ts in golf to help you win at this game. Of course you need to keep your focus on your swing and your target but your eyes can destroy the outcome if you don’t use them properly. This is a collection of the important areas where your eyes must be used to calibrate your brain for distance and direction. Once you take the wind, humidity, temperature into consideration your eyes need to take over.

This is a game of feel and mental control but let your eyes put your body on autopilot.

Part 1: Drive, Fairway and Approach Shots

1. Jack Nicklaus always said that you need to line up all shots by choosing a specific spot where you want to land your ball.
2. See the distance to a bunker or obstacles and choose your club and direction to make sure that your next shot is an easy shot.
3. Use your practice swing to determine if you will see your shadow or tree shadows move during your swing. Understand it, accept it and forget it. Use your focus on your ball to ignore moving shadows.
4. See the lie of your ball. Is there a clean approach to the ball or will you be hitting heavy grass before the ball? Get your ball out of the deep rough with a shorter club and a steeper swing down and through the ball. Hitting to safety is your only objective.
5. Watch for changing wind directions before every shot and compensate for it before your swing.
6. You may want to line up your tee shot with a line or the logo on your ball running diagonally from the inside of your swing path to out (creating a draw swing). Your mind will see that line and can use it to avoid a slice swing
7. Focus your eyes on the back of your golf ball. (Don’t watch your club
   

   Keep your eyes on your ball until impact before you complete your rotation to a balanced finish.

   head in your backswing.) For all of your shots, focus on the impact at the center of your club face to control the direction of you shot. [Hint: You can’t see the instant of impact but you better test it out with a marker or powder to figure out the right stance because that’s why your shots are going all over the course.].

8. Sean Foley said that club face direction is responsible for 75% of the initial direction of the ball. Grip your club lightly during your setup and focus on the square face of you club to your target line.
9. Don’t rush to look up as you swing. Your focus is on your ball. Looking up early will cause you to top the ball and hit a grounder into a pond or bunker. Stay down and get your body through the shot as you rotate and lift your head and body to a balanced finish.

Let your eyes control your game.  See your ball during your swing. Practice with your GOLFSTR+ to learn to keep your leading arm straight or your leading wrist flat in your backswing and to create lag in your trailing arm. Your body should to be on AUTOPILOT so buy one today at www.golfstr.com

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Sand Traps have always been a mystery to many of us because they are always changing: wet, dry, fluffy, hard. They change with the course and the weather as they dry out. Then you have lies that are uphill, downhill, sitting in a foot print, “fried egg” or buried in the overhanging edge. I was glad to see that Golf Digest recently gave us a simple set of rules to escape the 2 types of sand.
• Type A: Deep, soft, dry sand
• Type B: Shallow, firm, wet sand

Type A Sand: In soft fluffy sand it is very easy to take too much sand and leave the ball in the bunker. Bounce is your best friend here. You need to be able to make a full swing without the fear of digging deep into the sand. Here are a few tips to maximize the amount of effective bounce at impact (for righties).

This California view may be gorgeous but if you land in these bunks, your full swing in that soft sand better catch some sand before the ball or your are swimming.

• Stand with your ball forward of center
• Wiggle your feet down for stability and compensate for depth by gripping down.
• Take an open stance (toes lined-up left) and club face open (edge lined up right of target)
• Hands even or slightly behind the ball at address
• Full follow through with the club face pointing at the sky and take sand before and after the ball.

Type B Sand: Firm sand or shallow sand does not allow for the club to dig very much. Thus, it is very easy for the club to bounce right off the sand at impact and hit the middle of the ball, sending it to unknown territory.
• Line up your ball in the middle of your stance.
• Club face square to your target.
• Hands even or slightly forward of ball.
• Finish your swing with a short, low follow through.
• For green side shots you still need to take sand before and after the ball (but a lot less in firm sand).

Old Sand Tip: Swing to lift the sand, your ball and an imaginary quarter sitting beyond your ball.

Other sand tips include using a Gap Wedge or Pitching Wedge for longer shots where you take less sand or a clean hit by impacting the ball first. Using a longer club is no advantage if you hit the bunker lip on your way out. Buried in the overhang? Pound your sand wedge directly into the bottom of the ball to pop it up & out or you should take an unplayable penalty with a drop in the trap if the top edge is overhanging.

COMMON SENSE PREVAILS from the Golf Gods: Rules of Golf Update, January 1 2017

On a green if a ball is accidently moved by a practice swing, a kick, a drop of a ball marker or the pickup of a ball marker by any player, the ball is replaced and there is NO stroke penalty.

On the green if your ball is move by wind or rain or gravity, you must play the ball as it lies and there is NO stroke penalty.

On the fairway, rough or bunker (anywhere off the green or teeing surface) if a ball is moved by activity of the player, the ball is replaced and the player gets a ONE stroke penalty.

On the teeing surface if a ball is moved by mistake (during the setup or practice swing) it can be replaced WITHOUT penalty.

Practice makes perfect with GOLFSTR+ in bunkers too. Your leading wrist stays flat throughout your follow through. No SCOOPING. Buy one today at www.golfstr.com

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We play this game for personal fulfillment and self-gratification. It feels so good to hit that perfect drive and then landing it where you planned to hit it. The correct club face impact is critical for the perfect climax that we all want. Watching the motion on Tiger’s driver in super slow motion at the point of impact (during the Hero World Challenge Tournament) helped me discover the importance of finding the “G” Spot. Passionate golfers will be pleased to hear that the “G” stands for Great Spot.

A Great drive keeps you out of the rough and long enough to simplify your next shorter shot into the green. It makes this game so easy. It gives you the confidence that your next hit into the green will be a winner. These 3 observations are so important for the right club face impact.

Impact should be centered and just above the horizontal center line to cause Clubhead Rotation and more lift without killer topspin.

1/ In super slow motion I saw Tiger’s ball flatten as the driver face rotated along its horizontal axis. The impact on the top half of the club face allowed the face to actually bend backwards (about 5 degrees) to increase the launch angle (before it snapped back to its original position). I could not tell if the flexibility came from the shaft or the head of the club but it sure highlighted the need to impact your ball on the topside of the center line of your club face. That’s the “G” Spot. By the way the climax of that drive was spectacular and long.

2/ In a recent blog, Hank Haney also pointed out that recreational golfers revert to their 3 wood for more consistent hits when their driver is not working. He stated that “higher loft give you more control. But, losing the distance from your driver is a big mistake.”  Impact above the centerline of your driver club face will give you more loft (as stated in point #1).  What he did not mention was that the recreational golfer may by impacting their driver below the “G” Spot. Impact on the bottom half of the face may be dropping the face angle, adding to their top spin and killing their distance.

3/ Tiger is most likely using stiff shafted clubs. If his club face flexes up at impact, can you image what your regular flex or senior flex graphite shaft is doing? After I hit a series of good drives my mind gets revved up. I tend to rotate my hips too early, pull my driver into my body and impacting my ball on the outer part of the club face. That torque on the outer part of the club face launching my ball well to the right of my target line and normally into trouble. That’s another problem we all need to avoid.

Practice your swing with GOLFSTR+ and spray your driver club face with Dr Scholl’s Foot Power to see the point of impact on your driver face. Tiger Woods has found the G-Spot and you should too.

Christmas Discount:   For a 15% discount Use Coupon Code:   Xmas16.    Buy your GOLFSTR+ today or buy this wonderful Christmas Gift at www.golfstr.com

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We can all swing a golf club but are you aware that a few minor adjustments can change your game forever?  Why not shake your game up and lower your scores. That’s exactly why you may want to take a golf lesson to discover simple changes. Another option could be in these tips. Each one was published by a professional golfer to tweak their game. I’m hoping that a few of these will light up your game .

1. For longer drives, keep your head behind the ball at impact as you swing from the inside with more power through the ball.

2. Focus on the words LAUNCH for drives and POWER for fairway shots. LAUNCH your drives as you swing up and POWER your fairway swing through your ball as you graze the turf after impact.

3. Golf Digest Tips to eliminate Yips in putting and chipping: Great idea to get rid of this problem is to practice by letting go of your club with the tailing hand at impact. This forces your leading hand to accelerate through the ball to finish your body rotation and swing.

4. If you can’t hit the turf after the ball with your iron shots, try positioning your ball slightly back of the center line in your stance. This will de-loft your club, give you more distance and add power when you swing down through the ball and then the turf.

5. The #1 page searched on the GOLFSTR website is: “Swing with your chest first for distance” [Click to check it out].  Just start your downswing by rotating your chest and leading hip. Relax your swing to improve your release sequence.

6. You can’t generate maximum power if you don’t turn your shoulders in your backswing. If your shoulder turn is limited make sure that you create a 90 degree wrist cock (with your flat leading wrist), hold this lag position at the start of your downswing and release through the ball. It creates amazing straight shots.

Tiger has not played a tournament for 15 months, he’s ranked 879 in the world BUT HE IS BACK: He made 2 eagles on the front 9 in the Hero Pro-Am. His old, old swing looks great.  CONFIDENT?   You bet!

7. Confidence is only built by what you put into your game. If you have a problem swing with a specific club then work on it at the driving range. Use your GOLFSTR+ to practice until you hone in on the right swing. Lock in the feeling of that perfect swing and then take that FEELING with you to the golf course.

8. How can a scrawny kid hit a ball over 240 yards? It’s not his strength. It’s timing! Hold your wrist lag as you start your downswing and whip your wrists through impact. Whipping the head of your club to cause a whooshing sound is definitely creating more speed and power and distance.

9. Club head speed is only part of the equation for your consistent swing success. A square club face impact by driving through the ball will minimize the top or side spin which is killing your shots.

10. Practice with your GOLSTR+  for every swing in your game. Learn to control your straight leading elbow, your flat leading wrist in putting and chipping, your limited lag in your trailing wrist for chipping and lag for power. Buy one today at www.golfstr.com

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If you treat your round of golf as a game against YOURSELF, you can win every time. Your environment and your golfing partners are not your competition. Golf is an individual game where you are totally in control of the outcome. You control every shot so it’s up to you to not let others or your environment control your game.   So set your mind to control your game and to make every shot an improvement over the last one.

First you need to understand why hazards attract balls? Actually they don’t but it appears that they do. When you start worrying about a hazard, your body starts to tighten up and your muscles shorten your arms. You can aim away from the hazard but your tight and shortened arms may still top or toe the ball into the hazard. Your tight grip may also close the face of the club so that you pull the shot into the rough on the other side of the fairway. Don’t let this happen!

Remember that every swing of your club is a chance to improve your game. Do it for yourself and enjoy your game.

TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR MIND TO WIN AGAINST YOURSELF: A tense body will destroy your swing. Recognizing this will allow you to free yourself from your golf demons. A lose grip and relaxed swing will win every time. Don’t rush your swing. Let your club accelerate from the transition to create your power.

I recently saw a blog by Golf Info Guide sponsored by Thomas Golf which described a plan to help you win against yourself. They broke the game down into 3 areas: Tee Shot, Approach Shots and Patience.

Tee Shots
-These are your longest shots so set yourself up to allow your normal draw or fad to land in the fairway.
-Avoid penalties such as Out of Bounds (white stakes), water hazards or a fairway bunker.
-Decide on the best location to approach the green and plan your shots for the best approach to avoid bunkers and heavy ruff.

Fairway Shots
-For long approach shots, hit short of green side bunkers or to the easiest approach side of the green.
-Club selection, alignment and distance are all critical. Take a practice swing to get the right swing feel.
-When hitting for the green remember: LOW SIDE WINS.  Hitting the center of the green is always a good shot but putting with speed from below the hole is always easier than putting downhill.

Patience
-One mistake or missed swing can cause the next mistake. So don’t rush your next shot.
-Get over it. You can save a lot of strokes if you just slow down and prepare for your next shot.
– Recover from a mistake. Change your club and go through a methodical lineup for your next hit.

Getting uptight will ruin your game. Decide that you are playing against your inner self. Ben Hogan said that “the most important shot in golf is your next one”. No matter whatever you did on your last shot, look at your next shot as a challenge to ensure that you avoid potential problems to cut strokes.

If you control your mind and temperament, you can save many shots in every round. Missed shots will happen, BUT DON’T WASTE THE NEXT ONE. Accept your punishment and put your next shot in a great position to improve your chances to land on the green for your next shot.

Work on improving your mind control and making a perfect swing with every club. Practice with GOLFSTR+ for 6 swing fixes and enjoy your next round of golf. Buy one today at www.golfstr.com

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