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