Have your golfing partners or pro diagnosed your swing for you? “Oh yea, you’re over-the-top every time”, “stop casting”, ” you’re swaying again”. Even when you know what you do “wrong” you can’t stop yourself? After enough of this you just decide that you can’t change, you’ll always be a slicer, or inconsistent. You give up! I see it all the time…but there is a remedy, a way to change your swing permanently for the better…
Micro lesson is a newly coined phrase that refers to a shortened, hyper-focused golf lesson that helps a golfer learn specific vital motions essential to an efficient swing. The micro is short, 20-25 minutes in duration and has the student focus on a key element of the motion that is not properly timed or deficient in some manner.
To put this in context, let’s use the example of the senior player that is losing distance with his driver. This player (determined through video and radar analysis) is starting the downward motion with the shoulders and rotating them, instead of starting from the ground up.(like the throwing motion) The rotation of the shoulder creates a leftward path of the club and a descending blow which is a distance killer with the driver. (see Trackman comparisons of up/down attack angles on distance)
The root cause or deficient motion that reduces distance is not that the shoulders are rotating but when. So, in order for things to change for this golfer must learn how to change the sequence of his motion. Only when the efficient sequence is identified and understood can the golfer learn it, in the context of his golf swing. Because the golf swing is a fluid, balanced motion of the club in a big circle, the act of simply thinking of trying to change it isn’t enough to learn it to the level of automatic and dependable. Enter the Micro-lesson…
I will generally have the student slow the motions of his swing way down and focus on becoming more aware of the feelings that correspond to beginning the strike by using imagery and motions that are comfortable and automatic to them. In this example, we may toss a few golf balls to feel the proper sequence that they already successfully employ, automatically. (step, then throw) The intensity of this focus practice may not immediately show up in the golf swing, but learning takes time. The brain needs to make the connection between the automatic nature of throwing a ball and the initial movement of the strike.
Wintertime here in Indiana or the offseason wherever you are is the ideal time to break your swing down and do maintenance on it so that when March or April come around you are ready to hit the ground running!
If you’re a senior golfer like I am, you have two choices for keeping your game in shape during the winter: Go south or go inside. Snow birds have the best of both worlds, go north as the spring comes and south when winter hits. Each locale has generally warm golf-friendly weather, but what if you can’t go south? What are your options?
Doing nothing about your game is NOT a helpful option. That’s what I did several winters ago and I paid the price. I thought that 4-5 walks per week and snow shoveling was all I needed to stay in shape. Not smart! The walking was fine, though a brisker pace was needed. The shoveling worked all the wrong muscles for golf and I lost valuable time prepping for the season. So, not only were my golf muscles out of shape, they were tight and ripe for injury.
Your main golf muscles are your glutes, core and thighs. Hand and arms are always a priority because they perform they are your only contact with the club. While my students have heard me say “you don’t hit the ball, the club does”, it’s still important to have they main muscle groups toned and flexible for getting back to golf quickly. Let’s remember this: we are aging, no stopping that, but we can maintain and expand our flexibility and muscle tone far longer that previously thought. Here are a few suggestions, some I’ve done, others I want to this year.
Number 1
– Swing a golf club and hit some balls. If your swing is going to stay fluid, your timing on, and your swing “grooved” you have to have a club in your hand and a ball on the ground. We’re open here at the Golf Academy for hitting into nets, sure the feedback is limited and not the most ideal for practice, it is better that sitting on your butt! DO NOT use weighted clubs, they serve no purpose and have no positive effect on your swing. Studies have show that these favorites actually use different muscles that you use in your swing. Avoid them at all cost!!
Number 2
Yoga. Yea I know, well guess what? People are doing it, getting and staying more flexible and improving their balance. It doesn’t take long, an hour or so a day, is accessible (check out the Y or fitness club) and you can learn it from youtube.com or a dvd. It’s a great way to spend your winter and in talking to people who swear by it, you can feel the benefits in your golf swing.
Number 3
Swim. In addition to the cardio fitness benefits, swimming is a muscle toner and calorie burner. I’m going to try it this winter because I always felt that it made me loose and more flexible. When I was big into lifting heavy weights, I swam a few times a week (proof you don’t have to do it well) and noticed that it lengthened my muscles and kept me loose. The backstroke is a an excellent stroke over any other because the correct motion of your downswing has your shoulder and scapula moving the same way.
Finally
The importance of hand and wrist strength can’t be overstated. Especially for women, kids and beginners. When hands are strong, it takes less effort to maintain a proper grip without tensing the forearms. Tension in the forearms draws up to the shoulders, back leading to a reduced degree of fluid motion in the swing. Again, weighted clubs are a no-no. Simply gripping a club while watching tv and just swinging the club with strengthen your hands and tone your forearms. The shear repetition will make you stronger and toughen up you hands to avoid early season blisters.
Whatever you do, go south or go inside, be active, stay limber and stay toned! See your local fitness specialist for more details and professional plans. Or visit mytpi.com for information from the world leaders in golf fitness, the Titleist Performance Institute.
John
Ok, like everyone else who has discussed his imminent return via the Safeway Open, I was startled by the withdrawl from that and future events. Sounds like the Ryder Cup took valuable time away from his prep. Seems like the media got played by Tiger’s skill at saying nothing specific. I’m a fan, but tired of it. Maybe the media jumped the gun and made too much out of it. Maybe he’s doing a slow vanishing act from the game. If he thinks that he can play sporadically without anyone noticing, he doesn’t know his own impact. In this day and age, his every breath is reported by the TMZ media and he’ll never get the normal tour player treatment, he’s a huge celebrity. Arnie and Jack, Seve or Nick never had to deal with this media crush.
That said, Tiger has made an art form of talking like a politician. He can answer questions and never say anything, which is frustrating. Maybe that’s what he has been doing all along…playing the media dis-information game. Whatever it is, it works. No one knows what the hell is going on and far more people are feeling like I am…who cares?
Regardless of what you think of Tiger Woods the person, the golfer is set to make a huge impact on the Safeway Open in Napa this week. Johnny Miller, Tiger’s least informed critic behind A Million Mothers, is the host and will reap the benefits of Tiger’s appearance. The irony will not surpass the buzz created by the biggest mystery in the sport. Is he ready? Will his back hold up? Can he regain his form to reclaim the top spot in the game?
Your guess is as good as anyone’s…as long as it’s well thought out. Take into consideration Tiger’s age, his physical health over the last 3 years, his competitive spirit, his skills around the greens and the strong mental aspect of his game. Also, consider the generally lower level of competition in the early fall wrap-around events, consider the lack of pressure due to lower expectations because of his previous starts and stops. In my humble opinion, Tiger impresses and makes the cut; winning, not within reach, but I think he can be ready for the major next year and contend. Like I said, no opinion is too far out there. Jack came back and mad a resurgence at the same age, from ’77-82 with a re-invention of his short game and overcoming and tender back. As serious as Tiger’s back issues? Reports say no, but Tiger is by far the best athlete to play golf in it’s history.
Tiger has nothing to prove to anyone but himself, which is what got him to the game’s pinnacle. He’s like Michael Jordan in that respect, try to tell him he’s finished and he’ll come back to prove you wrong! Your thoughts?
America Wins!
I had high hopes of documenting the match by match results of this year’s event, but work got in the way! With a click of the button on the main page you can see the Ryder Cup Blog of the Golf Channel which I thought was well done. Here is my take on it.
The American team brought their A games on Sunday when it counted, no doubt but that’s not to say that the Euros didn’t play well. There were some awesome, historical matches, Wow!
Reed vs. McIlroy
– Patrick Reed proved he is a top tier player, I would look for him to use this success to catapult him to major champion status. Produced clutch shots all weekend, was an emotional sparkplug and took on the world’s best in Rory and beat him head to head in an epic match. Imagine going 6 under over a stretch of 5 holes and never taking an advantage. That’s what Reed did versus Rory. Unfathomable! And Rory was just being the great player that he is. Holing long putts to change the momentum and hitting monster drives with accuracy that kept the pressure on Reed all, day, long! One of the best matches in Ryder Cup history for it’s shear emotion. I want a recording of this for the archives, put it in a time capsule for future generations, it was that good! Reed’s short game really impressed me, world class.
Sergio vs. Phil
– If there was ever a match to rival the quality of play of this one, I haven’t seen it. Phil makes 10, 10 birdies in 18 holes and halves the match. You could argue that both of these players are past their primes (sad but true) and won’t play a big role in the majors anymore, but in this gut check of a competition they have the potential to inspire a whole team. Sergio showed me a lot, he made iron shots that showed he may still be one of the best ball strikers in the world. But, it was his often maligned putting that was like that 17 year old kid that rushed onto the world stage to challenge Tiger, that impressed. He’s still a whiner, which is a quality that defines his defeatist attitude in general. He just wasn’t scripted to win. You want to like him, but he makes it hard. Phil on the other hand played wonderfully all week and with all the things said in the media and other manufactured drama, he brought game. He was a combo of aggressiveness and safe that would have served him well in other major occasions. And he was smoking hot with the putter…10 birdies, c’mon, who does that? Everyone will tell you that Phil should have won, Sergio’s putt on 18 would have slid by in the movie version. But, well done by both, thoroughly enjoyable!
Pieters vs. Holmes
Both players had pretty good weeks. Pieters, whom I don’t remember hearing of before, hits it a ton and despite a very nervous start, put the hammer down on JB. It all comes down to putting and JB just missed a few that would have turned the tide in his favor. Holmes is still a favorite of mine because of the simplicity of his swing.
Ryan Moore
– Don’t wake this guy up! He won everything his last year as an amateur and showed occasional brilliance on Tour. But, his effort against Lee Westwood coming from 2 down to win the last 3 holes showed what he is truly capable of. He hits it very straight so maybe he’s a U.S. Open contender? His opponent Lee Westwood is a great guy, going through tough times personally, but he’s classy, makes no excuses and tells it like it is. Wish him the best, he will be a Euro Captain someday, despite no majors, if it’s possible.
Poor Danny Willett
– Love this guys game and his brother’s sense of humor! Too bad the Americans need silly things like them to motivate them. OR SHOULD I say , too bad the American press that thinks it motivated the American players. Couldn’t be further from the truth, the USA team understands how this crap happens and probably had a good laugh, but motivation, not. It was Danny’s distraction and no one else’s. Hope his brother got paid handsomely for the article or interview, ’cause Danny will be answering the media questions for months to come.
Zach Johnson: Modern day Ray Floyd?
What do you think? With that swing (lack of distance) and him being way off his putting form, he virtually wills a decisive victory over young Fitzpatrick 4 and 3! Sick as a dog, he guts it up and inspires his teammates.
Fowler steps up?
I pictured Ricky getting his a$$ handed to him by Rose and being reduced to cheerleader, but I was surprised and impressed. Rose hits it way too far and straight and that put a lot of pressure on Fowler. I didn’t think he could handle it, at all. For sure he is all marketing and no guts, pretty boy, kids idol with no credibility in the locker room. Not so, he went toe-to-toe with arguably the best player for Europe all day and won 16 and held on to win. Showed me a lot. Maybe he can win a major, time will tell.
Bad week for Kaymer:
Every Ryder Cup there is an American and a Euro that simply can’t hit the face. That was the kind of week that Kaymer had. Just not in sync, played his guts out, but couldn’t make a difference. Even the match with Kuchar was inconsequential because the cup had already been decided.
Spectators – Come on!
Seriously? What is it about the Ryder Cup that bring out the Ugly American in these people? Hell, isn’t this why we created professional wrestling? Y’all gotta promise me that if you’re at a tour event and hear some a-hole saying something ignorant, that you give them a sharp elbow to the sternum. It’s got no place and I’m not saying keep it to the stuffy golf clap either, just be civilized. Like the diehards pictured who have great fun AND are respectful.
Jordan?
High-five injury? How ’bout tired as hell? Jordan has had a long season, busy as ever and just couldn’t put it together like he’s capable. Chad and I talked about just having Jordan’s putting game! Give that to Stenson and he’s Tiger. Give Stenson’s ball striking to Jordan and you have Tiger! But, Jordan doesn’t strike it that well, he’s going to have to get there eventually or it will be a shame. I saw him hit several drives longer than his partner or competitors, so he’s not short, he’s erratic and he can’t dominate like he did being erratic. He’s too strong mentally to not make it happen, but it will take time. A good restful off-season would be helpful.
.Jordan warming up at the BMW in Carmel, IN
What made me most happy about this year’s Ryder Cup was the interaction amongst the players on both sides. This generation of competitors seems to have gained back something lost in the Zinger-Seve-Strange-Wadkins era of Ryder Cups. That being a friendliness that Arnold, Jack, Tony Jacklin and some of the old timers had. I see it in the way Reed and Rory embraced and showed respect to each other after playing the emotions with the crowd. I feel that the Zinger-Seve era showed each other up, to use a baseball term, right? Jordan Speith, Rory, Rickie, Jimmie Walker, all on both teams, maybe because they compete so much with each other on the World Tour, have become friends without reducing the competition. I think that Arnold Palmer would be really proud of these young men.
