Have your ever wondered how golf pros manage to lag long putts close to the hole? I am talking putts that cover significant elevation changes. Putts that are required to negotiate severe side hill breaks. Sometimes these putts are double breakers, that is to say that they cover a left hand break and a right hand break on the same putt.
How do the pros manage to lag these putts within a foot or two of the cup on a consistent basis?
How do they manage to lag putts of 50, 60, even 100 feet close to the hole?
There is a little known technique that they use which definitely helps their chances.
Imagine you are looking at a putt of say 60 feet that breaks left to right and is slightly downhill. How do you go about measuring distance, breaks, and other factors?
If you are like 95% of other amateur golfers you may squat behind your ball and try to figure out the line and weight of your putts. You may even try to plumb bob with your putter to try to work out the line.
Here is a a tip. Do not try to figure out break and distance from where your golf ball lies. Start at the hole and work back to your ball.
Step 1 Let us say that the last 10 feet of the putt is slightly downhill with no break.
Pick out a tuft of grass or a discoloration on the green 10 feet above the cup. Now imagine a small white saucer or other familiar object directly on top of your spot.
Step 2 Pick out a spot about 20 feet away from the first spot. Try to work out how the putt is going to roll from the second spot to the first. Look again for an identifying spot on the green. Imagine a second small white saucer on the spot. Try a couple of practice strokes to try to get a feel for the distance.
Step 3 Pick out a 3rd spot on the green between spot 2 and your golf ball. In the case of a 60 foot putt the spot should be about 45 feet away from the hole and 15 feet away from your golf ball. Again, imagine a small white saucer on the spot. Try a couple of practice strokes from the spot to get a feel for the increased distance.
Step 4 Stand behind your golf ball and draw an imaginary line between your ball, your 3 spots and the cup. Connect the dots if you will. Execute a couple of practice strokes to get the feel of the total distance.
Now putt your ball to the hole, trying to make the ball roll over your three spots en route to the cup.
With a little practice I am sure you will be amazed at the results. This technique should not take any more time than usual if you line up your putt when the rest of your group is lining up their putts. Enjoy!
Sunday, 1 August 2010
Thursday, 22 July 2010
How to Master the Golf Mental Game? Secrets the Pros Use to Keep Their Minds Sharp & Focused!
All successful golfers have their golf mental game finely tuned. The quality of every shot you play is dependent on how your state of mind is when you are standing over the ball. During the course of a round every golfer has to make decisions on what type of shot they have to play and when. For the professionals the importance of the golf mental game goes far beyond the area of decision-making. What type of golf swing you put on the ball depends entirely upon your state of mind.
All the mental golf advice and instruction will not help your game if your mental approach to golf is not up to a high enough standard. It is very important to learn how to be confident, stay relaxed and to deal with pressure if you hope to make consistent, solid golf swings.
Be Confident
In order to stay relaxed you must have a certain level of confidence. Tricky and sometimes strange things happen on the golf course so try not to be frightened or scared by them. Always play to your strengths and stay with the same routine. A lot of professionals before hitting shots try to envisage great shots they have hit in the past. It makes sense because what this does is it not only helps you to relax but also builds confidence.
Stay Calm & Relaxed
Most golf mental game experts all agree that the human body performs at its best when it is relaxed without stress. Relaxation reduces muscle tension, lowers the heart rate and helps the body perform a wider, smoother range of motion on the golf swing. Any tension in your muscles can change the arc and the tempo of the golf swing. It is hard to remain relaxed on the golf course so it is important to practice and use mental golf aids in between golf rounds.
Deal With Pressure
The best way to deal with pressure in your mental golf game is not to avoid it, but use it to your advantage. You can actually lift your game to levels you thought not possible with the right amount of pressure in your game. A lot of professionals see a difficult situation as an opportunity to overpower a less experienced player. They realise they can use the situation to their advantage and remain calm and play the winning shot. The strongest golfers out there today are the ones with the toughest golf mental game.
Troy Vayanos has helped hundreds of golfers play their best golf using simple, easy to follow techniques.
Get all you need to know about learning the golf mental game right here at http://www.GolfSwingWizard.com.
All the mental golf advice and instruction will not help your game if your mental approach to golf is not up to a high enough standard. It is very important to learn how to be confident, stay relaxed and to deal with pressure if you hope to make consistent, solid golf swings.
Be Confident
In order to stay relaxed you must have a certain level of confidence. Tricky and sometimes strange things happen on the golf course so try not to be frightened or scared by them. Always play to your strengths and stay with the same routine. A lot of professionals before hitting shots try to envisage great shots they have hit in the past. It makes sense because what this does is it not only helps you to relax but also builds confidence.
Stay Calm & Relaxed
Most golf mental game experts all agree that the human body performs at its best when it is relaxed without stress. Relaxation reduces muscle tension, lowers the heart rate and helps the body perform a wider, smoother range of motion on the golf swing. Any tension in your muscles can change the arc and the tempo of the golf swing. It is hard to remain relaxed on the golf course so it is important to practice and use mental golf aids in between golf rounds.
Deal With Pressure
The best way to deal with pressure in your mental golf game is not to avoid it, but use it to your advantage. You can actually lift your game to levels you thought not possible with the right amount of pressure in your game. A lot of professionals see a difficult situation as an opportunity to overpower a less experienced player. They realise they can use the situation to their advantage and remain calm and play the winning shot. The strongest golfers out there today are the ones with the toughest golf mental game.
Troy Vayanos has helped hundreds of golfers play their best golf using simple, easy to follow techniques.
Get all you need to know about learning the golf mental game right here at http://www.GolfSwingWizard.com.
Monday, 19 July 2010
The Inside Out Golf Swing - How to Hit a Draw in Golf Like Tiger Woods
Golf has become more and more popular these days. The US Opens started and every golf enthusiast is looking at the Tiger Woods golf swing. For sure, he knows the inside out golf swing, but how can you hit the ball right. If you want to better your game or want to know how to fix a slice quickly then this article is the place to go.
A simple but yet effective way to lower your score is to chose the right club. Yes, if you are a beginner you will struggle because there are so many different clubs available. Should you go for a used golf club or a brand new one. Discount or high priced. What grip is best for you?
All these questions have to be answered before your purchase. One advice is to try out different clubs. You must feel well with it and have a look at the quality. Especially when it is a used one. Even a customized set of clubs is possible. But this means to pay a lot of money. Anyway, try and see what fits to your needs.
After your decision and purchase you will want to know the inside out golf swing. My simple tip is practice. There is nothing more to say than that. Go to a driving range and hit the ball with your irons. As much as possible to automate your swing. Visualize your moves before you hit the ball. Mental fitness is the key to put your game to the next level. The most golfer did realize this and the only practising their physical fitness. But these two things are going hand in hand.
Of course, you need to know how a correct golf swing looks like and what drills you have to consider. There are a lot of good golf swing guides and videos available to improve your game.
Next you will want to know where to find such training guides and how to get the best inside out golf swing like Tiger Woods.
Mark Langer has helped a lot of people to improve their golf swing and showed them the inside out golf swing. Marks Free Online Course and his recommended Golf Swing Guides are jam packed with golf swing tips and techniques. Take advantage from a Golf enthusiast here http://www.golf-swing-guide-reviews.com.
A simple but yet effective way to lower your score is to chose the right club. Yes, if you are a beginner you will struggle because there are so many different clubs available. Should you go for a used golf club or a brand new one. Discount or high priced. What grip is best for you?
All these questions have to be answered before your purchase. One advice is to try out different clubs. You must feel well with it and have a look at the quality. Especially when it is a used one. Even a customized set of clubs is possible. But this means to pay a lot of money. Anyway, try and see what fits to your needs.
After your decision and purchase you will want to know the inside out golf swing. My simple tip is practice. There is nothing more to say than that. Go to a driving range and hit the ball with your irons. As much as possible to automate your swing. Visualize your moves before you hit the ball. Mental fitness is the key to put your game to the next level. The most golfer did realize this and the only practising their physical fitness. But these two things are going hand in hand.
Of course, you need to know how a correct golf swing looks like and what drills you have to consider. There are a lot of good golf swing guides and videos available to improve your game.
Next you will want to know where to find such training guides and how to get the best inside out golf swing like Tiger Woods.
Mark Langer has helped a lot of people to improve their golf swing and showed them the inside out golf swing. Marks Free Online Course and his recommended Golf Swing Guides are jam packed with golf swing tips and techniques. Take advantage from a Golf enthusiast here http://www.golf-swing-guide-reviews.com.
Saturday, 17 July 2010
How Do I Hit a Draw?
So many golfers strive to hit a draw. With over 95% of amateur golfers suffering from a slice it is no wonder that the most common question around the club house and practice range is "how do I hit a draw?"
Learning to hit a draw is not that difficult if you understand what causes the ball to draw.
Think of it like a topspin forehand shot in tennis. You know the one where they whip the racket over the ball and it shoots off at a high velocity dipping low over the net.
The draw shot in golf is similar. To do this you have to have an "in-to-out" swing to get the club moving in the right direction - out to the right if you are a right handed golfer and to the left if you are a left handed golfer.
If you have an out-to-in swing the ball must start off left (for right handers or right for left handers) of the target line and it is impossible to get the top spin on the ball if that happens. So the first thing you need is an in-to-out swing.
The second thing that is vitally important is the club face angle through impact. If has to be square. If it is open you will land up with a push and if it is closed you will land up with a hook.
The slightest change in club face angle through impact can make a big difference in the result. That is why you often hear golfers saying "everything is going wrong today and I don't feel as if I am doing anything different".
Most times they will be slightly off with their club angle through impact. A small adjustment is all it takes to get it right.
The swing is a bit more complicated because your natural swing will always revert to what you are used to. And your big muscle memories are stubborn. It is this muscle memory you need to change. The best way of doing this is through repetition. They say it takes something like 21 days to change out of or into a new habit.
Training your big muscles should be done by repeating drills, in slow motion at first, until they feel automatic to you. Remember when you first started driving a car how much there was to learn? Now you don't even give it a second thought.
Here's a little drill that might help - the Back and Under.
Here's what you do (remember do this in slow motion):
Take an appropriate stance with the club of choice and elevate it so the club is about 1½ feet off the ground. Make a back swing that is not pulled quickly inside - straight back will do. Note the angle of the plane going back. Now make a forward swing in which the angle of the plane is under or shallower than the backswing plane bringing the club back to the ball on the ground - the point of contact. On this forward swing keep your non target elbow (right arm for right handed players and opposite for left handed) tucked into your hip and your non target arm touching your chest. Your shoulders should be turning your arms.
Back and under - back and under. Repeat, repeat, repeat.
Do this consistently every day until it feels natural. Don't try it on the course until it is natural.
I trust I have gone some way to answering your question "How do I hit a draw?" by showing you a drill that can help in as little as 21 days.
Learning to play a draw is not that difficult.
The draw is probably the best shot in golf to provide you with maximum control. Don't believe me? Check what Bobby Eldridge and his team have to say about this over at Pure Point Golf.
Bobby and his team can show you exactly how to play the draw shot. Why not take a look and get your game to the next level?
Hit 'em straight and hit 'em long.
Learning to hit a draw is not that difficult if you understand what causes the ball to draw.
Think of it like a topspin forehand shot in tennis. You know the one where they whip the racket over the ball and it shoots off at a high velocity dipping low over the net.
The draw shot in golf is similar. To do this you have to have an "in-to-out" swing to get the club moving in the right direction - out to the right if you are a right handed golfer and to the left if you are a left handed golfer.
If you have an out-to-in swing the ball must start off left (for right handers or right for left handers) of the target line and it is impossible to get the top spin on the ball if that happens. So the first thing you need is an in-to-out swing.
The second thing that is vitally important is the club face angle through impact. If has to be square. If it is open you will land up with a push and if it is closed you will land up with a hook.
The slightest change in club face angle through impact can make a big difference in the result. That is why you often hear golfers saying "everything is going wrong today and I don't feel as if I am doing anything different".
Most times they will be slightly off with their club angle through impact. A small adjustment is all it takes to get it right.
The swing is a bit more complicated because your natural swing will always revert to what you are used to. And your big muscle memories are stubborn. It is this muscle memory you need to change. The best way of doing this is through repetition. They say it takes something like 21 days to change out of or into a new habit.
Training your big muscles should be done by repeating drills, in slow motion at first, until they feel automatic to you. Remember when you first started driving a car how much there was to learn? Now you don't even give it a second thought.
Here's a little drill that might help - the Back and Under.
Here's what you do (remember do this in slow motion):
Take an appropriate stance with the club of choice and elevate it so the club is about 1½ feet off the ground. Make a back swing that is not pulled quickly inside - straight back will do. Note the angle of the plane going back. Now make a forward swing in which the angle of the plane is under or shallower than the backswing plane bringing the club back to the ball on the ground - the point of contact. On this forward swing keep your non target elbow (right arm for right handed players and opposite for left handed) tucked into your hip and your non target arm touching your chest. Your shoulders should be turning your arms.
Back and under - back and under. Repeat, repeat, repeat.
Do this consistently every day until it feels natural. Don't try it on the course until it is natural.
I trust I have gone some way to answering your question "How do I hit a draw?" by showing you a drill that can help in as little as 21 days.
Learning to play a draw is not that difficult.
The draw is probably the best shot in golf to provide you with maximum control. Don't believe me? Check what Bobby Eldridge and his team have to say about this over at Pure Point Golf.
Bobby and his team can show you exactly how to play the draw shot. Why not take a look and get your game to the next level?
Hit 'em straight and hit 'em long.
Thursday, 15 July 2010
How to Put Backspin on Golf Shots - Tips on Perfecting Your Golf Backspin
When you are obsessed with the idea of making a golf backspin, then be prepared to accept the truth that it is fairly difficult to accomplish (not to mention that it can be hard to control).
There are very few situations when this difficult shot is actually needed in any given golf game. If you are looking at golf as a recreational sport, there is no need to learn the backspin (except if you want to show off!). Just to be realistic, there are certain elements that must first be met before a backspin may even be practiced:
o A perfectly dry set of golf equipment (inclusive of the club face and the ball). If you can manage to have a new set of golf balls, then they are the best balls to practice on.
o The player must be on the fairway
o The grass has to be cut very short
These conditions have to be present even before the shot is practiced. Now, down to the backspin:
1. Imagine that you are playing billiards and you are trying to create a spin on the cue ball. This is far from simple and only the best pool players are able to deliver this perfect spin.
2. Try taking that same action down to the ground (the physics involved are practically the same). It is believed that excellent golf players are also good putters. For those who would want to concentrate on their putting skills, billiards would be a good arena to begin with.
3. Create a backspin by making a downward hit on the golf ball and with a considerable force. Velocity plays a great part on the final blow so make sure you put in all your controlled force. This is the reason why the ball has to be really dry-a wet ball could skid.
4. Before hitting, make sure that you are hitting at a steep angle. Make sure to hit the lowermost portion of the golf ball.
5. The eventual goal for each golfer is to put the ball between the fairway and the club.
6. As the ball is squeezed into the golf club's grooves, it should create a backspin.
If you have strictly followed all the steps, you should be able to master this tricky move. But remember the rule of thumb on this shot: you will create backspin if you have a longer pitch shot.
The force needed to make a wedge shot that is more than a hundred yards should produce better spin than the action needed in pitching the ball at a few yards. This is the reason why professional golfers often do a lay up to make a longer approach shot.
There is nothing simple in creating a backspin so you'll have to persevere in your goal to finally perfect this complicated shot.
Raise your hand if you can execute the perfect golf backspin effortlessly. Well, the truth is even the best players on the tour are still practicing and tweaking their technique all the time. Golf411.org offers free lessons that will address techniques such as how to put backspin on golf shots. Visit Golf411.org for the free E-Course and Breakthrough Golf System that will decrease your golf handicap by 7-12 strokes in one week!
There are very few situations when this difficult shot is actually needed in any given golf game. If you are looking at golf as a recreational sport, there is no need to learn the backspin (except if you want to show off!). Just to be realistic, there are certain elements that must first be met before a backspin may even be practiced:
o A perfectly dry set of golf equipment (inclusive of the club face and the ball). If you can manage to have a new set of golf balls, then they are the best balls to practice on.
o The player must be on the fairway
o The grass has to be cut very short
These conditions have to be present even before the shot is practiced. Now, down to the backspin:
1. Imagine that you are playing billiards and you are trying to create a spin on the cue ball. This is far from simple and only the best pool players are able to deliver this perfect spin.
2. Try taking that same action down to the ground (the physics involved are practically the same). It is believed that excellent golf players are also good putters. For those who would want to concentrate on their putting skills, billiards would be a good arena to begin with.
3. Create a backspin by making a downward hit on the golf ball and with a considerable force. Velocity plays a great part on the final blow so make sure you put in all your controlled force. This is the reason why the ball has to be really dry-a wet ball could skid.
4. Before hitting, make sure that you are hitting at a steep angle. Make sure to hit the lowermost portion of the golf ball.
5. The eventual goal for each golfer is to put the ball between the fairway and the club.
6. As the ball is squeezed into the golf club's grooves, it should create a backspin.
If you have strictly followed all the steps, you should be able to master this tricky move. But remember the rule of thumb on this shot: you will create backspin if you have a longer pitch shot.
The force needed to make a wedge shot that is more than a hundred yards should produce better spin than the action needed in pitching the ball at a few yards. This is the reason why professional golfers often do a lay up to make a longer approach shot.
There is nothing simple in creating a backspin so you'll have to persevere in your goal to finally perfect this complicated shot.
Raise your hand if you can execute the perfect golf backspin effortlessly. Well, the truth is even the best players on the tour are still practicing and tweaking their technique all the time. Golf411.org offers free lessons that will address techniques such as how to put backspin on golf shots. Visit Golf411.org for the free E-Course and Breakthrough Golf System that will decrease your golf handicap by 7-12 strokes in one week!
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