Many golfers tell me that they intentionally try to keep their lower body still in the backswing. There are many reasons for this but usually golfers work on keeping the lower body quiet to reduce a sway or to “keep still”. While this makes sense, it is a distance killer and creates unnecessary pressure on the lower back.

Here are some tips to help you move better in the backswing:
1. Make sure you are in an athletic stance to start (neutral posture)
2. Begin the backswing with your arms and torso
3. Allow the lower body to move to help get more torque at the top of the backswing (See the pictures below illustrating the differences with and without hip turn)
4. Try this drill from the experts at the Titleist Performance Institute to get those hips in gear
​http://www.mytpi.com/exercises#reach_over_the_fence

*Swing Tip Suggestion: think of moving your torso or belly button rather than just your shoulders in the backswing to help your hips rotate more in the backswing

Next time you are at the range, add a little but more hip turn to really help your low back,  improve your length of backswing, and give you more distance. Happy Practicing!
 

Important Note: See the difference in length of backswing and torque in the photos above

Just like bringing your car in for service, you have to periodically check your basics on all parts of the game.

Here are some items to check for your putting:

• Grip - the most widely used grip is called the reverse overlap. It is when your index finger on your upper hand overlaps on the lower hand. This grip can prevent your lower hand from "taking over" during the stroke.
• Ball Placement - ball should be positioned left-center for right-handed golfers and right-center for left-handed golfers. Also note in the picture below, that hands should be over the ball. If your hands are too far behind or in front of the ball to start, you will influence the loft of the putter head and the distance of your putt.
• Posture - bend from your pelvic to have your eyes slightly inside or directly over the ball and lightly flex the knees.

(Important note: too much knee flex leads to rounded posture which makes it challenging to rock your upper body to move the putter)

• Pre-shot Routine - on every putt, rehearse your pre-shot routine to help transfer it to the course. A good routine should consist of a practice stroke, alignment, and setting the club next to the ball before setting your feet to encourage proper posture and aim of the clubhead.

(Important note: golfers who aim their feet before the clubhead tend to misalign right (if right handed) and left (if left handed)

These reminders tend to be overlooked so before working on your stroke, make sure to check your basics.
​Happy Practicing!

We recently had Best-selling Author of Zen Golf, Dr. Joseph Parent come to our club and give our members some tips. Here are some great keys to help your game:

1. A successful putt is when a putt is MADE and not necessarily HOLED. When a putt is made, it starts on your intended line. It can help us prepare for our putt and respond to the result when we know we MADE our putt vs judging each putt on whether we HOLED it.
2. Have a routine on each putt and commit to each part of your routine before hitting the ball. For example, part of your routine should be to read the green. Once you select the line, commit to it prior to starting your stroke.
3. How you respond to your putts/shots is just as important as the preparation and the swing. You control the narrative so focus on positive when possible and replace the negative with a plan or a post shot practice swing.   
   

 

"If you executed your putting routine that way, you will definitely feel that you made your putt. Then only two things can happen - either the ball will go in the hole, or it won't. If it does, enjoy your success. If it doesn't, learn from it." - Dr. Parent

Want a better golf lesson?

Don't just leave it just up to the Coach...

Here are some tips for better communication between the golfer and the teacher:

• Come Early - get to your lesson at least 30 minutes early to find out where you need to go, have an active warm up which includes stretching, and hit golf balls with several clubs.
• Share your Goals - be open, honest and realistic with the current state of your game and what your golf goals are. The more open you are, the more the coach can design a customized plan for you.
• Spill the Beans - tell us what hurts even if it does not seem relevant. We want know about pain on and off the course, past surgeries and any other ailments. In order to help learn a swing that is pain free, we need to know what is going on.
• Tell Us How You Learn - like most people, you probably learn in a multitude of ways but some have preferences. If you prefer to see/feel/hear what is going on, ask for the information to be relayed that way. 

These lesson suggestions should really help your experience the next time you get some help for your game.
​Happy Practicing!

With a little help from the sun, we can use this very simple drill to help your game. This drill is fantastic for the range, the golf course, and in the backyard. Although this blog post relates to fixing your sway, this exercise is terrific for self-correcting head movement, reverse weight shifting, and much, much more!

To try this drill:
1. Set up two alignment sticks or golf clubs on each side of your shadow (center yourself between the clubs)
2. Make full swings while you are watching the ground (see pictures above - starting position, correct backswing, and a sway)
3. Check your positions throughout to see/feel any extraneous movement

If you are a visual and/or kinesthetic learner, this drill is definitely for you. Unlike using a mirror, you can look at the ground with this exercise to simulate the same feel as your normal swing. Let's hope for some sunshine! 

Happy Swinging!

Take advantage of gym time and work on your swing. This exercise helps golfers to experience staying in posture while strengthening those muscles groups used for the backswing and downswing. Follow these simple steps:

• Utilize a resistance band (tie one end around a post) or a cable machine (set to your appropriate weight)
• Set the height of the band/cable to match your hand position at address (see photo of starting position above)
  
• Pull the band/cable away from the post/machine to feel tension and keep the tension throughout
• Small movement (half swing or less) with repetitions of the backswing AND the downswing (3 sets of 12 on each side)
• For more difficulty, stand on an unstable objective (bosu ball, balance disks, half foam roller, etc)

(IMPORTANT NOTE: Begin with proper posture and remain in that position throughout the exercise)

Try this great exercise the next time you are at the gym - Happy Swinging!

When it comes to shots around the green, there are some very common questions. What club should I use? What shot should I hit? How do I practice? An easy way to answer these questions is to decide where the golf ball should land. Golfers too often focus only on the target rather than where the ball needs to strike first. 

Here is a great exercise to help:

• Place several golf tees down (like the ones  pictured) where you want the ball to land
• Hit various types of shots that land next to each tee (bump and run, chip, pitch, and lob)
• Change your angle and target often and move the tees each time

After doing this drill at the practice area, take this focus to the course. The location of the flagstick, the speed of greens, and trouble surrounding the green are just a few influences when picking what shot to play. Remember, decide the landing spot which will help you select the type of shot and the club to use.
 
Happy Practicing!

The creators of the Orange Whip have created a great aid that has multiple purposes and is very simple to use. Here are some keys to utilizing the "Orange Peel" effectively:

• UNEVEN LIES: Make practice swings sensing all four uneven lies - downhill, uphill, ball above the feet, and ball below the feet.
• Fix your SWAY: Because the peel is curved, it helps you to solidify your base while making swings. This is especially important if you sway or have excess lateral motion in your backswing or downswing.
• Prevent Excess Movement: Besides preventing the sway, the curvature of "the orange peel" also allows you to prevent rocking from heel to toe or toe to heel during your golf swing. 

"The Orange Peel" can be used at the range or at home and is a great tool for fixing balance issues and helping you get comfortable with uneven lies.

Happy Practicing!

Here is a great way to practice taking a proper divot:

1. Utilize an ordinary kitchen sponge
2. Using a golf tee, secure the sponge in the ground 
3. Place the golf ball 8-10 inches in front of the sponge
4. Hit the ball without hitting the sponge 
*Wet the sponge down if you really want to be mean!! :)

Watch the video below to see how to set up this drill. Happy Practicing!

Sponge Swings

Here is a great way to practice a proper weight shift without spending a lot of money. Follow the simple instructions and pictures below for a very effective practice with a built in feedback system.

1. Buy two kitchen sponges 
2. Wet the sponges
3. Set them up by the golf ball where your feet will be
4. Make swings with the sponges beneath your feet

The goal of this drill is to squeeze the water out of the sponges at the appropriate time in the swing. Notice the difference in the proper weight shift and a reverse weight in the pictures below and how the sponges look. This will help you to sense how you are supposed to shift during the swing without swaying or reverse weight shifting.

Happy Practicing!