Golf Tips On Club Selection

Below is a video of our workshop lesson on golf club selection at Pendleton this last Saturday.  It's not as simple as, "what did you hit George?"

Here's the process you might want to consider:

1) You have to play with the same golf ball all the time!  Find a golf ball you like and can afford.  I prefer a golf ball that spins.  Please stay away from anything that claims to go straight.  Most of your scoring is from 80 yards and in and a no spin ball will run across the green and cost you more strokes than that slice in somebody's back yard you're worried about.

2) Find a time when the golf course is not busy to hit a few balls at a par three or go out to the driving range when it's not busy and use your exact golf ball and preferably have a friend stand out on the range and mark where the balls lands.  I would start out with something like an eight iron.  Maybe even a nine or pitching wedge.

3) Develop an even and consistent tempo to your swing.  Swinging too hard will cause inconsistencies in your distance control.  It's just as bad to be 30 feet short or past as it is to be 30 feet to the right or left.  As Nicklaus would say, "swing within yourself."

4) Check the lie angles and lofts on your golf clubs.  Each golf club should be exactly four degrees difference in loft.  Example, 5 iron 28 degrees loft a six iron 32 degrees of loft.  Faulty loft readings on your golf clubs will make it very difficult for you to be consistent in distance from club to club..

5) I take every opportunity to throttle back on speed, (take a four iron and swing easy rather than hit a five iron hard).  There is less chance of a poor contact with the ball at impact when you swing easy which effects your distance and spin control significantly.

Here's the video below in Part 1 and Part 2.

 

Golf Swing Anaysis Zach Johnson

Here is an analysis of this weeks winner on tour, Zach Johnson.  He is a body turning type of swing but more importantly he is a very very nice guy.  A positive influence on the people he meets and an example many other players on tour should follow.

Notice how he rotates on his spine.  Yes there is good and bad to this method, just like any other.  If he maintains his spine angle throughout the swing he will be consistent.  Downside is he might not be a long hitter, (averages 276.4 off the tee) and he might have some back issues later in life, maybe.  I'm not a Doctor or Chiropractor and each individual has their own issues when it comes to good health and sports injuries.

Again, the best part of this fine golfers is his attitude and Christian foundation.  It's always fun to root for the good guys!

Please, Adam Scott...Say It Isn't So!

Yes, once again, it is the mental part of this game that will jump up and bite you and especially in a major.  Maybe you noticed in the early part of the round Adam was putting very hesitant, leaving everything short.  As Vince Allen used to day, "he's already taking the gas!"  I would say, "the defensive team is on the field."

Golf is no different than any other sport.  A football team gets ahead 21-3 at half time and comes out in the second half playing conservative and looses 24-21.  (Cleveland Browns vs. Miami Dolphins) That is exactly what happened here.

How many times have we seen this scenario before.  How about the Shark, Greg Norman, when he lost the Masters with an eight stroke lead going into the last day.  Back in 1973 I was lucky enough to have the honor of spending an entire week with Jimmy Demeret.  He told me that whenever he would tighten up and get nervous he would just say to himself, "they can't electrocute me if I play bad so relax and let it rip."

Adam Scott would have played differently if he only had a one stroke lead going into the last day, believing he needed to make birdies.  He played not to loose from the beginning! With a swing like this, why gag on the greens?  See a swing analysis below.

Here's the tip of the day.  How you think, will control how you play!  In fact, Gary Player used to say, "the difference between good players and great players is the way they think."  Yes folks, it's only a game.  Don't feel too sorry for Adam, considering he just bought a Golfstream jet for about 25 million bucks.

You want pressure?  Try doing night patrol in Iraq in over 100 degree weather.  What if your credit cards are maxed to the limit and your kids are sick.  That's pressure!

When you're playing golf remember it's only a game.  There are far more important things in life.

Golf Tip On The Proper Body Turn and Release

Here's a video we took yesterday of one of our favorite students.  Another great Hokie from Virginia.  John  has been working very hard on his golf swing and has come a long way since we first started.  He's getting to the finishing touches now and is only a split second off where he needs to be.

What we do cover here in this video is something that is not covered enough.  The plane of the shoulders vs. the hips at impact.  The shoulders are on a much steeper plane at impact than the hips.  Golfers tend to rotate their upper body on the same plane as the hips.  That's baseball! With golf, the ball is on the ground. 

Watch this video.  It may be an eye opener for you.  Visit our site http://www.quickfixgolf.com for more tips and sample videos.  Our new website should be up and running by Wednesday, (cross your fingers) and will include even more videos to help your golf game.  Don't forget our new Unlimited lesson Program for $19 per month.  You can see the details on our website.

Every Golfer's Dream...Shoot Your Age!

Well, Bill Wagner, (student/member of Quick Fix Golf) shot better than his age!  Bill is a very youthful 74 years young and shot a 71 at Providence golf course this past week.  Yes a 71!  Worse, yet he is going to improve even more!  After taking a lesson this week, (he was smart to come in after shooting the 71 to see what he was doing well) we found more room for improvement.

Bill is a pastor of a Baptist Church in Richmond and quite a Gent.  A student of the game and always asking questions, which I like.  When students ask questions it toggles my feeble brain, which makes sure I cover all the information you need and deserve.

All the best Pastor and maybe before the year is out we can boast of a 69 or better. (Oh yea, that no man should boast, sorry)

Hey, Bobby:

I want to give credit where credit is due.  Last night at Patterson you gave me pointers on my grip, backswing, and hip turn.  I tried to put them into practice today at Providence Golf Club and guess what--I shot a 71.  This included one eagle and three birds!  Three shots under my age!  Thanks for your patience with an old cogger. 

Hoorah!  (A little Marine Corps lingo there.)

Bill Wagner