Perform Better Golf Blog

The No Backswing Golf Swing. What the heck? I thought the Stack and Tilt Golf Swing was the new, whiz bang golf method taking the golf community by storm. Is golf now getting like dieting? There’s a “new way” every week.

This no backswing approach is one that’s been used as a golf drill by golf instruction professionals for years, so it’s kind of comical this is the new craze in golf swing improvement.

It has a lot of merits to consider. The short backswing makes your transition and sequence of motion in the downswing much easier. It enhances solid ball contact which maximizes distance; so what you think you might lose from backswing coil, you gain in ball/clubface contact.

Unfortunately the negative is the golf swing requires a take-away. This no backswing golf swing removes that, so you might have a difficult time carrying over from the drill to can actual swing from address.

This may or may not be an issue, but I think doing the No Backswing Golf Swing is worth a shot. Who knows…you may dramatically improve your golf swing consistency and mechanics.

If you’re a golfer looking to quickly and effectively improve your golf swing speed, power and distance, you’ll want to take a look at our Power Golf Swing Weight Trainer.

I am always on the lookout for golf swing trainers that will help golfers add more power and distance, and this one “fits the bill” completely!

It is now part of my power training routine, and I can already feel a difference in my flexibility and power.

It’s ONLY a fraction of the cost of a weighted club, and it’s the most portable of all of them!

Learning how to be better at golf is a lifelong mission for most of us. Peaks and valleys is commonplace. We all are addicted to the challenge of hitting a good shot, and once in a while hitting one that keeps us “coming back”.

Below is a list of golf improvement approaches that you can use independently or in combination to learn how to play better golf:

Golf Instruction

The golf swing requires certain movements that are not very natural, so golf swing instruction should be at the top of your list, especially if you’re a beginning golfer. Learning the fundamentals of golf is something every golfer needs and struggles with even as you improve.

Golf instruction can be through private one-on-one golf lessons. Group lessons (which are less expensive). Online instruction is becoming more and more popular. Golf instruction books. And golf instruction DVDs is another great alternative, that is much less costlier than private lessons.

Golf-Specific Fitness

I’m making this number 2 on the list, but easily could be a tie with number one, as many golfers, especially senior golfers have physical limitations that will not enable them to apply what they learn in their golf lessons, making improvement nearly impossible.

I am a firm believer that you are only capable of what your body can do in golf. In simpler terms, your body is keeping you from a better game. How many times have you told yourself you need a bigger backswing? Come on…be honest! What you are indirectly telling yourself, is your body can’t make a bigger backswing, and I’m telling you the ONLY way to improve it is with golf-specific stretching exercises specific to your backswing.

If you’re looking for longer drives, you need to improve your core strength and flexibility. This is the engine to your golf swing. When I talk about fitness, I’m not talking about going to a gym, and spending 2 grueling hours a day. I’m talking about doing, easy, fun and effective exercises right in your home with minimal equipment.

All you need is an exercise ball, exercise tubing (w/handles) and hand weights. That’s your entire golf fitness “in-home” gym. For under $50 you can have your own golf fitness gym, and start seeing results quickly.

If you need guidance on your golf fitness program, take a look at my Effortless Golf Swing Training System.

Golf Swing Training Aids

Another great option that can be very effective for specific swing faults is a golf swing training aid. There is a lot of garbage out there, and a few good pieces. The goal of any training aid is to ultimately make your swing better, but more specifically to help you correct YOUR personal swing fault.

This swing fault may be any number of them, such as a slice, top, thin, chunk, hook, pop up or any other ugly mishit that we all hate. There is only ONE training aid I think so highly of that I offer it on my site. The hinged golf club is an absolute gem of a training aid.

This club gives you INSTANT feedback as to the mistake you’re making in your golf swing. Whether it be a jerky takeaway, or an off plane swing, the hinge will break to show you it’s incorrect. Whether your tempo is off, or your swing plane, this training aid will get you corrected making a near perfect golf swing in no time!

I’ll be back later today, to finish this post, so stay tuned!

I am always interested in hearing how golfers do their golf practice sessions. It is all over the map from having no agenda at all, to breaking it down to minutes per component and swings per golf drill.

Lets dig a little deeper. You have weaknesses in your golf swing, and most of the time you know what it is (ie. can’t make a full backswing, coming over the top, chicken wing on the follow through), but do you do golf practice drills to correct it?

This may be like a “no duh” statement, but it is a good reminder to go to your practice sessions for golf with an agenda specific to your swing faults. Focus on the drills that will help you improve them and then…and only then bang a few drivers:).

Sometimes it is better to just do that drill for the session and then get out of their.  Let your brain and body mellow out after that.  You don’t always have to spend 2 hours at the range, unless it’s catching a tournament without the wife knowing. LOL

Man…how important is the short game in golf?

I am a prime example of this. I usually drive the ball very far and fairly straight, so I typically have a wedge in my hand on most approach shots.

If this is the case, why do I shoot in the low 80’s and sometimes high 70’s, and not in the low 70’s?

Short game!

As I have mentioned many times before…my putting sucks! I easily lose 5-6 strokes every single round from putting. How about you? Do you make your putts? I’m talking about the realistic ones. The 3-4 footers.

I have even gone to the range and practiced my putting and STILL miss them on the course.

The bottom line in golf is getting the ball “in the hole!”

If you are having difficulty with your driving distance, then that really adds to the mix and can make for a long round of golf. This is definitely when you want to work on your body via golf fitness.

Either way…we keep going at it don’t we?

I was just watching the Golf Channel and saw that they put a “ticker” on Jijay Singh. This “ticker” clicked over EVERY TIME Jijay contacted a ball in practice or play. The point they were making was Vijay’s golf practice ethic. He was there WAY BEFORE the round started…and the LAST ONE to leave in the evening.

This “ticker” had recorded over 550 golf practice shots by the time I left the television viewing area. They said that is the equivalent to 2 entire tournaments in ONE DAY!

Wow!

Vijay is a golfing machine!

Don’t forget he uses the very popular golf training aid called the SPEED STIK everday as well!

Stretching before golf is non-existent with most amateurs. That sounds harsh, but I can tell you that 90% of the time I go to the range, golfers walk up and start hacking balls. No stretching before golf…no nothing!

Would you ever see an athlete do this? Then why would a golfer be any different? Golfers are athletes…and all athletes need to prepare their body to perform. This requires stretching before golf practice and play.

All it takes is minutes or less to effectively get your body warmed up and ready to shoot low scores. I have a stretching before golf section in my golf training manual that shows simple and dynamic movements to feel loser than you’ve ever felt on the first tee. No more blow up holes!

The kind of golf stretching I’m talking about is dynamic (movement) type stretching, not static (hold) stretching.

Picture how fluid the golf swing is and then do movements that are specific to rotation, golf posture and width in your golf swing.

The more efficient you are with these simple golf stretches, the quicker it will take and the sooner you’ll be able to do the fun stuff…hitting balls and playing your best!

Golf lessons can get very frustrating, but to avoid this, you need to have an agenda before you even see a golf professional. This agenda is one that is for YOU…not for your golf pro.

Go into your golf lesson with the intention to get your pro to give you the reason WHY you are hitting the ball a certain way and a golf drill or golf tip you can do that will correct it.

Make sure you understand it 100%!

If you don’t, have the pro execute it himself several times so you get a good visual.

Doing drills to correct swing faults is a very effective way to improve your swing.

Also…take a few notes and have your pro create a journal that he keeps, so when you see him next time, he’ll be able to reference it, to meet your needs.

Most people do their golf practice more when they’re playing badly as opposed to when they’re striking the ball well. When you’re playing badly, it’s time to take a golf lesson — not practice a bad swing.

When you’re playing good and striking the ball well is when you want to practice more so you can learn to repeat that good swing. To be good at your practice you must think on every shot and develop a good routine.

You’re better off making 10 good thoughtful swings then hitting 50 balls rapid fire with little thought. Also, when practicing don’t hit too many balls without a break because fatigue will set in and swing will break down.

This tip is from Thomas Tetrault, PGA Pro, Fall River Country Club

Can you believe it?

Tiger did it again!

Two tournaments…two playoffs..two WINS!

Tiger is so tough mentally! Even though his play might not be the prettiest out there…he gets it done.

His golf practice (preparation)…physically, mentally and technically is unmatched…although Vijay would be a very close second.

This could be a HUGE year for Tiger! Every other player better notch up their performances to keep up.