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From Jeremy Logan,
golfer: |
Hi. I need help with my mental game and
physical game. I have seen a few times this year, out of all our golf
matches, my real swing, or how I should be swinging. Now I
have tried to duplicate it, but it just doesn't seem to be working. Every
time
I play, something new is wrong with my swing. I find myself making silly
beginner mistakes. I need to help with my drives and my iron play. I seem
to draw or hook my drives, and every now and then I will fade or slice
them, but not as much as the draw or hook. I have a problem getting off
the tee also. My irons are not as bad, but not good either. I seem to fade
my long irons, but my shorter 7-pw irons are ok. What can I do to improve
my game and finally show everyone - and prove to myself (including my
coaches) - that I am a good golfer? |
|
PGA/LPGA
TEACHING
PROFESSIONAL
RESPONSES: |
Arizona
"Jeremy: let me first address the ball curving issue. If the ball
is hooking the face at impact is closed if it fades it is open. I want you
to look at your grip when you take your set up and look to see how many
knuckles you see more than two your grip is to strong meaning the face
will tend to get closed. I would think that if you hook or tend to draw
the ball and then occasionally fade one you may just be holding on fearing
the ball may go left? I want you to make sure that your set up is perfect
do not over look this. grip, ball position, alignment and posture. This
will make or brake it. If that checks out perfect then make sure that
there is not excessive rolling of your hands during the swing. So here is
a little drill for keeping the hands quiet from set up position just go
forward to belt high your body should just turn and your right palm should
face your left but not on top. Try hitting some SW's from waist high to
waist high and feel your body just turn and your hands stay quiet. Your physical
part? One, get with a personal trainer to start lifting weights and make
sure that your are stretching every day for no less then 20 min.
This is what I have done in the past 11 months, from 125 maximum bench
press to 185; driving distance went from 245 carry to 265 - wow!!!!!!!!
Makes the 5 pars a lot more fun. If you want to hit it further
period weights help, too. Mental: see a sports psychologist read every
book Dr. Bob Rotella
has ever written, and Eight Traits of a Champion." - Frank
O'Connell, Teaching Professional |
California
"Jeremy: It sounds as if you have many errors in your swing and
you are doing your darndest to band-aid them. Unfortunately, band-aid
approaches don't last. You need to really concentrate on your set-up
fundamentals (GASP) - grip, aim & alignment, stance, and posture. Then
make sure you swing in balance. You will then see a consistent ball
flight, not necessarily the one you want, though. Only then can you really
start to work on creating the ball flight you want. You mental game will
always deal with focus. Where is your focus? On the ball, your mechanics,
or the target? You need to learn to react to the target which is done with
a good pre-shot routine. None of the above can be accomplished without the
aid of a skilled, certified golf professional. Ask around in your area and
find one with many years' experience as strictly and instructor and, in
particular, one dealing with better players. Good Golfing." - Kati
Biszantz, Teaching Professional |
Florida
"Hi, it sounds like you have a problem with consistency, however
this could happen for many reasons. I suggest going to see a
professional that has a good reputation and really find out what is going
on. I have several schools across the country, and if you could get to one
of them it would be great. Otherwise, go see someone that you trust.
Good Luck." - Jim
McLean, Teaching Professional |
Florida
"Jeremy: you need to work on your club-face position at impact and
your swing path. These are critical areas in creating the flight of your
shot. Take swings in slo-motion and stop at impact. The club-face should
should be square (the bottom edge of the iron is perpendicular to the
ground). Try to swing between two tees. Put a tee 1/2'' away from each
side of the club-face. This helps you swing toward the target. Hitting
straight shots will help your mental attitude." - John
Pallot, Teaching Professional |
Florida
"Dear Jeremy: You have discovered the difference between a
friendly game and tournament golf. Do not get discouraged. If you know you
are capable of making the swing you want, then it is important when you
play to keep a positive attitude, especially after a bad shot. This game
can turn around very
quickly in competition. Everyone else feels the same pressure. Focus on
the shot and that you can make it rather than how someone else perceives
your game. You are thinking to much of the outcome and not enough on the
moment. That's for the mental game. As for your swing, this does not
change from day to day or hour to hour. What does change is your tempo.
The only thing you should be thinking about in tournament golf is club
selection and shot according to the elements and tempo, from the
driver right through to the putter. The ball can go anyplace without a
completed back swing and smooth follow through. You need to establish a
smooth and rhythmic tempo. Below is a tip written by Mr. Stafford, who I
may add had a Masters Degree in music. When you are done reading this try
swinging your driver with the same tempo as your nine iron. Hope this
helps and good luck."
- Your
Roland Stafford Golf School Professional
TEMPO TIP
You must have a smooth, rhythmic tempo in order to get the most of your
swing. You notice I did not say slow or fast, but smooth and rhythmic. Let
me show you the best way to establish a good tempo. For our
purposes, tempo is the length of time the swing takes from start to
finish. Speed is how fast the club swings. Establish your tempo with a #5
iron as this is an average length club. Make sure you warm up first.
Now you should try to swing all your clubs the same tempo you used with
the #5 iron (the same length of time from start to finish). Consequently
the #6 iron will swing slower than the #5 and progressively get slower as
the as the club gets shorter. Conversely the longer clubs will swing
progressively faster. The speed of the club is dictated by the length of
the club and is not your concern. The same tempo is your concern. |
Florida
"Jeremy: It sounds like you may be standing a bit more upright to
compensate for your longer clubs. This causes your swing to flatten,
producing a round-house effect and putting a cut spin on your shots.
If you try and stay behind it, you may hit a pull or a pull-hook. I would
advise studying your 7-iron set-up and copying it for all your clubs. I'm
referring here to the amount of bend you have at the hips and your ball
position. People play the ball too far forward with longer clubs. Your
problem is a common one and will certainly be helped by creating a
pre-shot routine that puts you in the same position each time. Good luck,
and keep swinging!" - John
Brott, Teaching Professional |
Georgia
"Jeremy: I don't doubt that you're capable of hitting different
ball flights; however, I find it very improbable in my students that
slices and hooks come from the same golfer. Often, slices are mistaken for
pushes and hooks are mistaken for pulls. Most of the time, I find that an
opposite ball flight comes from some
compensation to correct the first mistake. There is no compromise for
sound fundamentals. Take a lesson from someone that uses video, and you'll
see what I'm talking about. If you come to me and I can't help you, I'll
quit teaching!" - Ted
Fort, Teaching Professional |
Georgia
"Dear Jeremy: What you need is some help from a golf professional
in your area. If you are a High School golfer and need some help, most of
the pros out there will be happy to help someone for a few minutes, maybe
even at no charge. Your problems can come from several areas. Answering
them in writing would not do you much good. Establishing a routine and
seeing a professional will help you tremendously. The fact that you hit
your lower irons well and the longer not is not a different swing, but the
reality is very likely that your mistake does not show up in the lower
irons because they have more loft. More loft creates less side spin and
more backspin." - Marten
Olsson, Teaching Professional |
Georgia
"Jeremy: There are a few items to consider. 1. If you have not
accomplished the basic fundamentals such as grip, posture at address and
maintaining the correct posture during your swing, you will see many
variables of shots, mostly undesirable. You need to develop a consistent
set up and pre shot routine to see a consistent shot pattern. This will
also satisfy your mental game. 2. The longer the club, the more
exaggerated your swing flaw will be. For example, the shorter irons seem
to work OK, most the time, if your fundamentals are not sound the longer
clubs, will be all over the charts - inconsistent shots. I suggest you get
with a PGA or LPGA pro close to where you live or work. Develop a plan to
learn the correct basics and stick with them. This will give you your own
swing, one you can rely on to know why things happen on the course the way
they do. If things go bad on the course, you need to know why it happens
and you will be able to deal with the situation in a positive manner. I am
glad to help you more if you have questions please contact me. Thanks for
visiting our site."
- Julie
Brown, Teaching Professional |
Indiana
"Jeremy: It sounds as though
you need to work on path issues in your swing as well as clubface angle at
impact. A hooked shot means your clubface is closed at impact and
generally is too much from the inside of your target line. Make sure you
aren't confusing a hook with a pull also. Most shots which start left of
your target are pulls which can either hook or slice depending on clubface
position. Keep those short irons going straight at the target because they
are indeed the ones which provide birdies and good scoring opportunities."
- Bruce
Cohen, Teaching Professional |
Kentucky
"To Jeremy: to prove to yourself and your coaches you're a
"good" player requires the scores to back it up. That's
difficult to do if you are having inconsistency with your ball flight -
especially with your driver. Find a good teacher you feel comfortable with
and have confidence in. Stick with him and be patient in the changes he
suggests. Best of luck with your game." - Steve
Kirkpatrick, Teaching Professional |
Louisiana
"In response to your letter I shall reply in the most significant
way possible to my teaching philosophy.
First is your mental game. Writing your letter about your negativities is
like watching a rerun of Celion
Dion's "Titanic" Video. We all get use to it, and soon
sing the entire lyrics to the song. Let go of your fears and downfalls by
changing something in your swing. The way you take your pre-shot routine,
the way you line up your shot, ball position, tempo, and most of all is in
the things just mentioned, are part of your regime period. Second is your
physical game. Practice, Practice, Practice. You never mentioned anything
about your game matching your skills on the practice tee. Is there any,
and if so, are they alike? Just remember one thing: practice makes
permanent, not perfect. If your are consistently making the same mistakes
on the driving range, 99.8% chance you'll bring it to the
course. All you're doing is telling your muscle memory that, "Hey,
this must be correct because I'm doing it consistently". Whether the
shot is good or poor, it will be replayed and reproduced. If your game is
good on the range and bad on the course, obviously it is mental. You need
to find your
own comfort zone that you have when you practice so you can reproduce that
also. If you see that you can't bring the good side of practice to your
actual competition swing, see a PGA Professional for further help. He/She
will take you on a playing lesson to see how you use your course
management under pressure. Which in your case, is your matches." - Dane
Pontiff, Teaching Professional |
Maryland
"Hi Jeremy: Sounds like you need to develop a practice vs.
playing ratio. I find that if you can find time to practice at least two
times to every time you play will benefit you. While practicing work on
the pace of your swing. I suggest swinging 80% maximum. Start by hitting
hundreds of sand wedges to groove the 80% swing. Two things will come out
of this: a more consistent swing and a whole lot better short game. Good
luck." - Norm
Vacovsky, Teaching Professional |
Massachusetts
"Thank you for you interest in lessons and help. I would say that
you should definitely see your local PGA golf professional for help. I
would first start with your grip, posture, alignment and ball position.
These are four components that can really make or break your golf swing
and game. Thank you again, and good luck and stay with it." - John
Lynch, Teaching Professional |
Minnesota
"In order to get your results to become more consistent, you must
develop a precise routine. This includes a pre-shot, during swing, and
post-shot discipline. Send me your address and I'll send you a 4x6 card to
help you." - Jim
Manthis, Teaching Professional |
Missouri
"Seems that the focus on the target is lacking. Try to visualize
the shot and then hit it to the target. In regards to the hooks and
slices, one must repeat the best swing in the shot. I teach my students by
example of one of the best shots I hit. I was at my Player Ability Test
and still remember hitting a 6 iron, 196 yards to the hole with a slight
breeze in my face. I put the shot 3 foot from the hole and made the
birdie. So, always remember your best shot with that club and then anchor
your mind to that and produce the shot. Remember, always see it, feel it
and then just do it. Visualize the result and not the mechanics. Let the
mind work for you." -
Jess Hansen, Teaching Professional |
Missouri
"Jeremy: You have a lot of solid questions. You seem to have a
passion for the game. Have you had lessons? If yes, have you
practiced a lot? Or do you just play? Do you understand what causes
a hook, draw, fade or slice? If you have a good instructor these types of
ball flight will be easier to understand. When you understand them, they
will be easier to control. When the ball is struck with the club face
open, you will push, fade or slice. When you over rotate the club face,
you will draw or hook the ball. Sometimes even pull your shot. The speed
of your swing and the timing of your swing will cause all of the above to
happen. How long have you played? Email me if you like."
- BJ
Miller, Teaching Professional |
Missouri
"It sounds as though there is a lot of
tension in your set up. Relax your forearms and grip. Take a deep breath
before you move the club away from the ball. The tee shot and drive of
the golf ball should be fun!! It is the best opportunity to let it
rip. Relax your muscles and focus on contact. The ball should be in the
middle of the full swing. Keep it in the short grass." - Jeff
Field, Teaching Professional
|
Nevada
"To Jeremy Logan: It sounds as though
you are still in the development stages of becoming an accomplished
player. Be patient with your development as building muscle memory and
consistency of motion take time, and the learning curve varies by golfer.
If you are competing at a high school level, make sure you spend most of
your practice time on the short game elements of pitching (distance
control), greenside recoveries (carry vs. roll) in shot selection and
execution, and putting, (focus on distance control and not holing putts).
These areas will assist you in developing a visual anticipation of what
your swing should look like and what the shot shape should be as part of
your pre-shot routine. As you get better at this visualization, you
will be better under the gun at swinging within yourself when the
adrenaline is running during competition. Continue to enter as many
tournaments as you can to increase your exposure to pressure and new
circumstances for shot selection and execution. Good Luck!" - Tony
Parenti, Teaching Professional |
Nevada
Dear Jeremy: First, how old are you and for how many years have you been
playing this silly game we have come to call GOLF? Drives come off
the tee! When you tee up for a Par 3 and with a long iron, you still
have problems, right? You have also observed a tendency to 'Fade
and Slice'. So you can make all the shot errors at least occasionally. I
want to tell you that is not bad, my friend! You have all the
making of a good ball striker! You have all the shots, all around where
you want to be! "My irons, are not as
bad but not good either. I seem to fade my long irons, but my shorter
7-pw irons, are ok." They
are likely about the same 'PEI' as your longer shafted clubs. Here is
what I mean: If you strike your 200 yard five 20 yards off line, your
'Percentage Error Index' is 10%. Right? Now, if you make a 20 foot Putt
and miss it by 2 feet, you are still a 10% PEI. If you make a 20
yard Chip Shot and miss by 2 yards, you are a 10% PEI for that specific
stroke. I suspect your short game, or your short Iron Shots are no more
accurate than you long irons or the long shafted clubs. I, over 31
years of teaching, have seen and heard dozens, no hundreds of
students tell me that their 'Short Game' or 'Short Irons' are not bad!
But when we evaluate each shot buy the 'PEI' method, we find out the
truth! Don't take me too negatively here. My job and obligation as a
teacher to you is to tell you the truth for all advancement and
improvement in Golf must be based on the simplicity of truth.
"What can I do to improve my
game?" Come to the '555 Golf Academy'
so you can 'Master The Basics' without which you are going to continue
to be frustrated and underachieve. You must get the basics right first
and before you take one more step into the playing arena. Find a proven
effective and respected local golf teaching professional. Listen to his
advice and invest in your game wisely. "Finally
what can I do to show everyone and prove to myself, including my
coaches, that I am a good golfer?" Earn
the right to play better GOLF for yourself! Not for anyone else! The
absolute objective of the 'Great Game Of Golf' is to find and enjoy
'PURE PERSONAL PLEASURE'. When you play better, earn the right to play
better, you will automatically show your coaches that you are an improved
golfer. In fact, if they are good coaches, they will have been watching
you grow in your elevated skill levels and you will NOT have to show or
prove anything to them. When this happens, you will know you are
improved both in your heart and your mind and it will show in your
scoring! This Golf is all about Jeremy and no one else while you are
learning and mastering. After that, it is about sharing your new found
pleasures with others. Golf is a microcosm of the bigger Life! If you
have further questions, simply 'E-mail' me or one of my very talented
and dedicated staff directly. We are here because you are there!
Enjoy!"
- Karl
Fischer, Teaching Professional
|
New
York
"Jeremy:
The first thing I would check is not your swing, but your setup
(pre-swing). It sounds to me if your having trouble getting off the tee (I
assume meaning getting the ball airborne?) As well as hooking the ball: 1)
I would check to see if you are setting into the ball properly. Setting
into the ball means you want your lower body leaning 55% over your target
foot and your upper body leaning 55% over your rear foot. This will
promote a more downward blow to the ball, which you want with all clubs.
2) check that your ball position is not too far forward in your stance.
That will promote a left shot. As far as mental, don't try too many
different things on the course. Pick one or two things to work on at a
time and stick to them. Keep it simple and let your body play golf, not
your head. Feel what you want to do and let it happen. Hope this
helps." - Randy
Friedman, Teaching Professional |
New
York
"Dear Jeremy: First of all what I would recommend for you in
regards to more consistent performance
is to work on a solid pre shot routine. Similar to basketball players at
the free throw line and tennis players with their serves we need to be
able to get things on automatic when we play. The first step towards
accomplishing this is to be in a familiar place to enhance performance.
This pre-shot routine will help you to be the player that you know you can
be. The routine will be specific to you and I encourage you to work on
this at the driving range. Things that it will include will be alignment,
perhaps a practice swing, and motion to reduce tension. This can be in the
form of waggles with the club and moving weight between your feet to get
you into motion. It is very difficult to go from a static position into
motion without waggling. Maybe some deep breathing might be beneficial to
reduce tension.
The pre-shot routine is specific to you and as you develop your routine
you should be so committed to it that you will come to feel that you
cannot perform without it. My students have found comfort in the
familiarity of the routine and it is helpful in maintaining rhythm out on
the golf course. It helps them to not speed up or even become too
deliberate over shots. Certainly there are mechanics to work on at
the range but hopefully this will help your performance out on the golf
course to encourage you to be the golfer that it sounds like you know that
you are!" - Linda Mulherin,
Teaching Professional |
North Carolina
"Hello
Jeremy! I know what you are going through. I myself find sometimes making
about 20 different swings at the ball! The best advice I can give
you is if you have a video recorder, tape your swing and pick out the
areas that need work. You can take it to your Coach, Local Pro or even to
the Driving Range Pro if one is available. Have them help you as well.
Jeremy, I think golf is mental. A lot more mental then physical! 90%
mental, 10% physical. That's my opinion! The swing's are there, it's
just a matter of repeating them. Just because you make one bad shot or one
bad swing, you assume that your swing is all wrong. Not necessarily!
That's why I think having a video recorder will help tons. My boss
has been successful with having video taping available to our members -
it's helped a lot of people. It's the best way to see yourself, hearing it
only helps so much. Seeing it for yourself does wonders. As far as
the mental side? Just remember, keep a calm head and do not......repeat
"DO NOT GET ANGRY." It only makes it worse! I hope
you find your swing. It takes time. Once you find a swing that fits you,
stick with it. Don't go trying to change your swing in the middle of a
round. That's what the RANGE is for! If I can help you anymore, just write
me. I'll do whatever I can to help. Take care and good luck!" - Michael
Shoda, Teaching Professional |
North
Carolina
"It sounds like to me that Jeremy could be having a problem with
his timing at the bottom of the swing, due to a flip with the wrists. If
the hands are allowed to clear at the bottom of the swing then you will
hook the ball, and if the hands are not able to clear at the bottom, then
you will be forced to block or fade the ball. My suggestion would be to
try and correct this problem by taking the wrist movement out of your
swing as much as possible. Feel like you are making more of a body turn
without using any hand or wrists movement at all. This sounds like one
problem that would be better corrected if I could watch the swing in
person, but that would be my best guess with the information provided.
Thanks!"
- Brian
Fritts, Teaching Professional |
Oregon
"Jeremy sounds like you have a lot of pressure on yourself to
perform. You may seem to be so focused and mechanics and what other people
think that you create tension in your body. I think that I wrote to you
before and it sounds like you are not getting a weight shift and which
will make it difficult to come into the back of the ball. Make sure your
upper body gets over you and above your right knee. Feel
weight on the inside of the right heel and instep. That should help. Let
me know how that works."
- Penny
Larsen-Gebauer, Teaching Professional |
South Carolina
"Jeremy: It sounds like you are good athlete with a desire to
play better. I also perceive that you have labored under several erroneous
swing concepts that you rely upon. I call them misconceptions. I do not
often attempt to make band-aid corrections, for they soon fall by the
wayside and doing so on the internet in your case would be foolhardy.
Nonetheless, I do have a few pointers to pass on. Playing the game has
nothing to do with trying to make power happen. Tension is the most common
cause of error in the golf swing. Ball location should be in front of your
forward cheek on all shots. Never try a manual rolling of the forearms
through the ball. Of course, you could send me a video tape of your swing
from several angles, and I will reply with a knowledgeable assessment. I
will charge you for that service. Check me out at doctorgolf.homestead.com.
Good luck!" - Michael
Lucas, Teaching Professional |
South
Carolina
"Jeremy: Let's first tackle your mental side. It sounds like you
might be trying a bit too hard. In the process, you are inhibiting your
natural abilities to happen. If you are putting yourself under a pressure
situation, like a golf match, and you keep trying very hard to make a
great swing, sooner or later your brain short circuits. When this occurs,
your brain and body revert back to a swing movement that has
been engrained longer than the "real move" that you are trying
to make. Sometimes the harder you try, the worst things get. I see this
with my full time academy students everyday. In order for your swing
to happen naturally, you will need to first practice your swing changes
daily on the range. Be conscious of the new and better positions you are
trying to achieve, and try to hold those positions to teach your body and
brain how you want your swing to feel. Also on the range, practice putting
pressure on your swing. There are numerous ways of doing this. The most
popular way is to play games with others on the range. Any type of
situational practice that places pressure on you and your swing will help
you cope better with pressure during matches. As you adapt to pressure
situations, you will make better decisions that you will commit to, and in
turn, you will make more natural swings with less tension.
As far as your shot problems go, I would find a PGA Professional near you
to diagnose any basics that need to be fixed (grip, alignment, stance,
posture, ball position). Once these become more consistent, it will be
much easier to make movement changes within your swing. It is going to
take a true commitment from you to spend extra time on the practice range
and green to make these changes more permanent. This way, when you are
under pressure, your body will revert back to what you
have practiced. Your coaches probably already know that you have the
potential to be a good golfer. They are waiting for you to believe
it in yourself, and to put in the time practicing to prove it to others.
Trying hard to prove it on the course during matches is going to be too
difficult without the proper amount of practice time. Try proving it by
practicing with more commitment, and discipline, so you don't have to try
so hard during the matches you play. Let me know if I can help you
further."
- John
Hughes, Teaching Professional |
Texas
"Jeremy: Let's do the
physical stuff first. Ball Flight: How every golf shot starts is according
to the path that the club head swings on. The path is totally controlled
by your arms. So alignment and posture are of the utmost importance. How
every golf shot then curves is according to the club face angle at impact.
The hands are the only parts of the body that can control the club face.
So grip and grip pressure are important. Practice hitting iron shots and
analyze your divots. Where the divot points is evidence of the path. We
want the divot pointing straight to the target for a straight shot. The front
of the divot indicates the club face angle at impact. We want it straight
across. Practice until you can get at least 8 out of 10 divots pointing at
the target with the front straight across. When that happens the ball will
start straight and not curve at all. Mental: We want to see the shot, feel
the shot, and trust the shot. See it by observing the situation and making
a strategy. Feel it by making a practice swing, just like the real one you
will make, and listen for the club head to brush the grass. Trust it by
realizing your grip has the clubface where it's supposed to be, your
posture has you set up for a square path, and you are confident because
you have just rehearsed the swing you are about to make. Go ahead and play
the shot with confidence and trust. Good luck!" - Dave
Baron, Teaching Professional |
Texas
"Jeremy, you have the eternal problem shared by all golfers of
all skill levels, how to play your best when it matters the most. You seem
to state a very popular theme which is to concentrate on the execution and
the results will take care of themselves. As you said though it doesn't
seem to be
working. Hitting golf shots is rhythm and balance. Scoring at golf is
chipping and putting. Before your competitive rounds try these
drills. On the range with your 7 iron take 3 shots at 25% with your feet
together, 3 shots at 50 % with feet slightly apart, 3 shots at 75% with
normal stance. Go to the practice green make 5 three foot putts in a row
using just your right hand (assuming you are right handed, hit some chip
shots and then go. Chart your rounds for fairways hit, greens in
regulation, number of putts and penalty shots. Then you can realistically
see what your abilities are, best of luck.
If none of this helps, do what my mentor Harvey Penick said, 'Take dead
aim!'"
- Wiley
Osborne, Teaching Professional |
Texas
"There are some swing fundamentals that are definitely missing in
your swing. It sounds as though you're not working with a coach since
you're not sure what's going on. My recommendation is to find a teacher
and stick with him or her. You need a teacher who will help you understand
your swing and what is going on with your swing when you're hitting it
well as well as when you're hitting it poorly."
- Ray Lamb,
Teaching Professional |
Washington
"Jeremy: There are no short cuts to improving in the game of golf
and quite simply, it takes a lot of time and PROPER PRACTICE! You don't
mention how long you have been playing, but by the sound of your letter
I'm assuming you're a High School player. Here are some ideas for you.
You're absolutely right about needing both mental and mechanical swing
technique help. Everyone does... even Tiger...just on different levels.
First of all BE PATIENT with yourself. You have to be your best friend.
I'll guarantee you your teammates and competitors won't be. They want to
take your spot on the team or beat you. Create positive affirmations
about your golf swing/game. i.e. "I'm proud of my smooth
putting stroke." When you hit a bad shot do not affirm, "I
stink", rather say, "that's not like me" and go to the next
shot. GET IT! The better you are to yourself mentally the quicker you'll
improve mechanically. As far as your swing goes it sounds like you have to
get to the basics. Get with a good local Pro that also has a good playing
record and can relate to your competitive situations. I always tell my
good High School and College students there are 5 types of golf swings.
#1. The practice swing. #2. The swing on the driving range. #3. The swing
on the golf course. #4. The swing in a tournament...and #5. The swing in a
tournament when you're tied for the lead coming down the last hole! You
need to make swings #4 & 5 be like swings #1 & 2. Tip: Play a
round of golf on the range. Alter clubs. Hit a drive, then a 7 iron, etc.
Take your time. Play your golf course on the range all the way from #1
through #18. Mechanically, it sounds like you need to swing through the
ball better and not hit at it. Extend through the impact area from the
ball to a point at least 5 inches ahead of the ball. This should help you
start to create better backspin, which is "straight spin". Get
to a PGA Pro....lot's of drills, better mental thoughts and
visualization and good sound fundamentals. There are no quick fixes, be
patient, practice right. It will pay off for years to come!" - Kevin
Bishop, Teaching Professional |
Vermont
"Jeremy: Thanks for your e-mail. The good news is that your
mental game must be good! Your physical game could use a good fundamental
review. Start by checking your grip - the top hand (left if you're a
right-handed player) should hold the handle of the club high in the
fingers and in the palm. You should be able to "hinge" your
wrists with your left hand. The "V" formed by your thumb and
forefinger should point to your back shoulder. Your right hand grip should
be more in your fingers. Grip pressure should be light. For an
illustration of the correct grip, along with other tips, visit
www.thegolfschool.com and click on Monthly Tips. Good Luck!" - Jay
Morelli, Teaching Professional |
Wisconsin
"Jeremy: You
have a lot of "STUFF" going on. It sounds as though you have a
pre-shot routine issue. Make sure you have the same pre shot routine on
every full swing. Short swings could have their own pre shot routine. The
next time you hit a great shot under pressure, write down everything that
you thought or felt. Practice that feeling on the practice tee along with
our pre shot routine. While preparing to hit a shot, ask your self: Where
do I want to go? Have I ever hit that shot before? When? How did I do it?
Go into your routine. Hit the shot and then ask yourself, What did I feel?
How did I do? What do I need to do to do it again? You will better
understand the set-up menu that you will want to create for each shot.
Best of Golf." - Craig
Waryan, Teaching Professional |
Wisconsin
"Jeremy: It sounds to me like you don't have sufficient
fundamentals to be a consistently good golfer. Judging by your description
of your game you don't excel in any one area, and basically need help in
everything from driving to iron play. Just about every golfer can hit
their 7 thru PW because a lot of
mistakes can be "covered up" because of the loft on the short
irons. It also seems like your mental problems are stemming from the fact
that you have no idea what "swing" is going to show up on any
given day. I would recommend your course of action to be as follows:
1. Make sure your most basic fundamentals are in check. These are
basically grip, stance, and aim. (It also wouldn't hurt to add a
consistent pre-shot routine to your game to help you elevate some mental
pressure before swinging during a round.) 2. Begin to learn what
causes a ball to do what it actually does. Golf is not magic, think of
more as science. Look at your current shot patterns more specifically. Do
you push slice, pull hook, pull slice? (There are a total of 9 directions
your golf ball can go. Can you name all 9? If so, you are already on your
way.) If not, here's a quick summary: Your body action, which is mainly
controlled by the hips, controls the initial direction of your ball -
straight, pull, or push. (i.e. where the ball STARTS). Your hand/wrist
action controls where the ball will FINISH. Master these two simple
fundamentals, and you can begin to understand why a ball flies the way it
does. From here, you can always go back and re-work these fundamentals, so
your game is never too far away. Eventually you want to get to the point
where you truly understand your swing, and that will definitely help out
your mental game too!" - Brian
Gadowski, Teaching Professional |
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