Putting Is Very Important (Lesson No. 56)

Practice Short Putts

We need greenies and they are hard to come by. An easier way to shave strokes is to practice 3-4 ft. putts. Maybe you are tired of working on your irons and driver at the range. Maybe disappointed.

Go to the putting green and simply find a level area followed by an area with a slight bend right or left. Practice your short putts and learn how to be not timid. Short putts need a firm stroke with follow through to your target aim.

You will save strokes with a little practice on the putting green. More up and downs and pars will happen!

Richard

Tags: Golf, beginners at golf, Putting,

Use The Driving Range Properly (Lesson No. 55)

Beating Balls Helps Very Little

Years ago Randy Brooks, Asst. Pro at Pine Isle Golf Resort near Lake Lanier, Ga. told me "Only perfect practice makes perfect (helps you get better)." Twenty years later I understand exactly what he was saying. After the early stages of learning the game we need to experiment to find what works best for us. Mainly because we are all quite different physically and in terms of coordination.

My experience has taught me to go to the driving range and work experimentally on the elements of the golf swing. Watching Arnold Palmer, years ago, tune up for a Sr. Tour event on the range I noticed he began with a short iron and easily swung to loosen up for a while. He then graduated to the longer irons and finally the driver. Many start with a wedge. I begin with my seven iron because it resembles more clubs that I use most often.

As for experimenting, I think of my take away, then my lower body and finally my upper body. Most of my efforts to improve accuracy and distance involve the address at take away and the initial grip pressures and turn away from the ball. Balance and posture are exceedingly important in preparing for a good shot.

Lately I have found that relaxation techniques are vital to a good take away. I begin to relax en route to the golf course! Then again after a few shots on the range and again after the second or third hole during play. Tension builds and must be alleviated frequently during practice and also during play.

My current swing thoughts involve the words "Easy followed by Acceleration". Review Lesson No. 51 at left. Scroll down.

Good luck helps too.

Richard Englefield

Tags: Golf lessons, Beginning golfers. Driving range

Stay In Touch With Your Game

How Often We Forget.......

Sorry, we sold out. We might resume production.

Ten years ago I wrote a few articles about game improvement and devised a few items to improve my own game. The Swing Thought Reminder Board shown above was by far the best device I've ever used for improving my game. The subtleties and nuances required for improved consistency were too easy to forget. Frequently I would have to relearn my new techniques each time I returned to the golf course. The home based reminders etched those ideas in my mind so I could easily bring them to the course for my next round of golf.

I have about ten Swing Thought Reminder Boards left over from my earlier marketing efforts a decade ago. It occurred to me they might be helpful to others. If you'd like to try one we'll send it to you for $10. postage prepaid. Included is a Dry-Erase Marking Pen that wipes clear and clean with dry or damp cloth.

I suggest you send an Email telling of your plans to purchase with your mailing address. I can then acknowledge your Email and advise our mailing address for your check. Upon receipt of your check or money order we'll ship immediately, postage prepaid. Sorry we do not accept credit cards at this web site because we are not in business full time..

Best recollection, my costs were around $4.00 for the Boards and $1.50 for the Dry Erase Pen. Postage will be around $3.00. (prepaid). This is merely a close out and we hope an opportunity to help someone's game. However, if we sell them quickly I could be persuaded to go into business again.

At my Country Club three weeks ago we placed five on the counter for display, out of curiosity. Yesterday only two remained. So we shall see.......

The pictures above give you an idea how the boards may be used at home, etc. A daily reminder is an excellent way to ingrain your game improvement ideas.

Good luck.

Dick Englefield

Email:

symphonycomposer@aol.com

Tags: Golf Game Improvement

A Surprisinig Way to Improve Your Game! (Lesson No. 54)

Practice At Home

I'm lucky to have some acreage, so I have mowed the pastures and put in a mini - nine hole golf course. All par 3s except for one dogleg par four - 310 yds. No putting greens but pins are in place for targeting.

Practicing at home in the yard has value. There is no pressure which reduces stress which in turn teaches us to play without stress. When I go to the golf course I am far more relaxed. Particularly true of the short game which we all can find a place to practice on.

Merry Christmas and a Happy new Year!

Richard

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Back Swing (Lesson No. 53)

Easier Than You Think

If the back swing is not correct hitting at impact will be troublesome. There are ideas and concepts that will help you achieve a better back swing.

1. Arms should be straight at address because they provide maximum leverage at impact.

2. Sometimes the left arm will bend in the back swing. En route to the top of the back swing you should extend your left arm to guarantee a straight left arm (for righties) at impact.

3. The upper body should turn away as the club is taken back. It is said the motion is similar to sitting in a chair and turning toward a person sitting next to you.

4. A good tip for  your short game is to keep the right elbow close to the body for chip shots.

5. For the driver a bigger turn is required. It is often said that we should turn our back toward  the target. For additional distance a slight hip turn is suggested.

6. The driver take away should have medium speed going back for control and a lift toward the top. Often we see pros pause at the top to insure balance & control during the down swing.

7. Remember the driving range is of great value when learning. It should teach you to ask yourself "What was not right in that swing." The  next practice shot will get better.

Good luck and practice often.

Richard

code 2090

Tags: Golf, Golf Lessons, Golf Tips

Summer Heat Commands Preparation (Lesson No. 52)

Be Prepared !

Record breaking heat  throughout the United States causes many problems for golfers and particularly new golfers. The following suggestions will  help your game, beginner or experienced.

You will need to hydrate before going to the golf course. Drink plenty of water or a product like Gatorade before and during your game. Electrolytes such as calcium & potassium are very helpful at preventing leg cramps and weakness. Salt having sodium is lost through perspiration. Therefore be sure you have an adequate salt intake during hot weather. Sodium is required for good muscle activity. As I recall it has something to do with the "salt pump". A good idea to consult your physician on the subject because some people must restrict their salt intake.

Always bring a fluffy towel to the golf course. You'll need the towel to wipe your arms and hands before your next shot. You also must wipe your grips as the pros do before addressing the ball.

In that connection I find that I need three new or dry golf  gloves for each nine holes. I change gloves after each set of three holes. It is imperative and absolutely necessary to change gloves or your next shot can be ruined! Those who ignore this advice will find their next 6-7 ( or more) shots ruined.

The swing thoughts for the day are simply water and more water, dry gloves and new gloves, salt and electrolytes and a fluffy towel.

Richard

Tags: golf, heat, exercise

Relaxing For Distance & Accuracy (Lesson No. 51)

Believe The Tiger !

In golf you must do less to achieve more. Several thoughts and tips learned from the past tell the story quite well.

My first instructor at Pine Isle Golf Resort at Lake Lanier, Ga. told me to swing a little easier. Another Pro at Raccoon Int'l in Newark, Oh. advised me that my arms should feel loose like spaghetti. Tiger Woods and many other tour pros often say they swing at about 80%. Still a third Club Pro advised me to do stretching exercises before playing golf.

All the foregoing strongly suggest that loose and easier is best. Why? Because they all promote something called "Quickness" that cannot be achieved with full strength. Remembering our Physics and Mechanics classes we recall that Force = Mass x Velocity Squared.  In golf the formula explains why different strokes are achieved by different folks having different lengths & weighted clubs. Club fitting is therefore a very good idea. Velocity is obviously paramount. Leverage is also a factor in determining club lengths. All the above must suit the abilities of the golfer.

The point is that we need to achieve club head speed and acceleration at impact for maximum force. Gearing up to kill the ball wastes much exertion at the top of the back swing, far too soon. With a relaxed set up and easier back swing we conserve energy for the impact area. Velocity and acceleration at impact is maximized in this way.

The best tip I ever received was free and from my older brother who said, "You'd better relax your right hand before the back swing." I worked on that idea and expanded the concept to relaxing my right hand and right arm and then both arms and hands and hit my 8 iron 165 yards! Not bad for someone my age, nearing 70 and accomplished when I was age 68.

Balance is so important it must be mentioned. Good posture and being relaxed at address go together to improve your swing speed. Therefore when the weather improves go to the range and work on a relaxed set up and good posture that allows an easier back swing. You'll be surprised at how much further the ball goes and how much easier the game can be.

There must be a good reason why they call Ernie Ells "The Big Easy". Tiger achieves his great swing speed by swinging 80%. Jack Nicklaus says, "This game is not hard. It's really easy." It's probably a lot easier than most of us think.

Richard Englefield

www.symphonybyenglefield.com (Click here)

 

Tags: golf, swing speed