Early Mistakes That Lead To High Scores
Every spring golfers flock to shops like ours set on making this the year that they shoot the lights out. They’ve done their homework over the winter and have all sorts of preconceived ideas as to what combination of equipment will yield the best results. I thought we’d take a look at some of the common mistakes I see customers make when shopping for equipment at the start of the season.Don’t make your buying decisions based on the first few swings of the year…
I know this one sounds really basic but it’s amazing how many people buy clubs before hitting the range for the first time. People have to remember that they’re buying clubs that will perform during the most important shots of the year… not clubs that will fit their worst swings of the season. Go knock off the rust with a few trips to the driving range and then look at new clubs. Look back on last season and think about what kind of shots you were hitting. These shots will eventually find their way back into your arsenal unless you took a bunch of lessons in the off season. I see a lot of low hooks early in the year and some golfers figure that their slice somehow disappeared over the winter. Don’t fool yourself… if you sliced all of last year, you’ll probably slice this year too. Buy accordingly!
Add a few MPH to your early season swing speed…
Kind of a basic one but an important one to remember. We measure a lot of swing speeds at the start of the year as people look to fine tune their new purchases. It’s important not to underestimate your swing if you are buying early in the year. Focus less on the swing speed reading that you get early in the year and think more long term. I find most people will swing 5-8 MPH faster as the season rolls on. If you’re on the “swing speed fence” and have to choose between shaft flexes… it’s something to keep in mind.
Don’t commit to a golf ball right off the bat…
Choosing the right golf ball is vital and it’s a decision that doesn’t have to be made before you step onto the tee for the first round of the year. Buy a few different sleeves and take them out to test before deciding on your ball for the year. Find one that works well and stick with it… your swing will probably never be consistent but at least your golf ball will be…
Buy now and fit later…
Unless you spent your winter golfing, you’re probably best to use your new clubs before getting them fit. It’s not a huge deal to change lie or length down the road. Focus on shaft flex and grip size when initially purchasing clubs, go use them for a while and then look at getting them fit. Fitting someone early in the season is a fun time… we can fit one swing but it can get a bit tricky when you throw three or four different ones at us! Most shops have no problem fitting down the road… just remember to hang onto your receipt.
Sometimes the best purchase is the one you don’t make…
I know that the equipment companies don’t want to hear this but it’s true.
If everything was working well last year then you’re probably best to stick with it for a while. The start of a new season doesn’t mean you have to buy new gear. New clubs will still be there over the summer if you really get the urge to change it up. You might find that some new grips and spikes are an inexpensive alternative to dropping the big bucks.
Think of the course before buying the equipment…
Play the same course all the time? Have you ever stopped and looked at your bag to see if it matches the types of shots you see on a regular basis? If you play a really long course… load up on hybrids and/or fairway woods. Is your home course shorter? Lose a few long irons and add some wedges. Take notice of your turf and sand conditions… these are important when selecting the proper bounce on your wedges. Find a putter that suits the speed of your greens. Invest in a light stand bag if your course is hilly and you want to walk. Make sure you have the right tools. Everyone is all about distance at the start of the year but they often don’t realize that the little things will probably make more of a difference. An important tip if you’re moving to a new course this year!
Be sure to swing by SirShanksAlot.com for all you golf club reviews, golf news and golf rumors!
Right Hand Release For More Power
There is so much conflicting information out there for getting more power. You know me by now…I am a firm believer in working on the machine via golf fitness to improve the body’s ability to produce more power, but there are other ways to help with this power leak in your golf swing. One way is to release the club through impact. This release can cause a wicked hook if you overdo it, but with a little practice, you can get your release to impart a ton of power into your golf ball.
PGA Players Taking Steroids?
Gary Player started it at the British Open. Boy did he create a stir! Gary stated very strongly that he knows for a fact players who are on steroids. It was interesting hearing what some of the players had to say.
“He knows two [players]? I know zero,” six-time major winner Nick Faldo said. “Never heard of anybody.”
“If anything, probably out here it would be testing positive for maybe being hung over a little bit,” Woods said. “But that’s about it. I know some guys have taken Medrol packs for inflammation in their wrists, but other than that, I really don’t see anybody doing anything, or have heard anybody doing anything.”
“I don’t think there’s even a remote chance that will happen,” he said of a golfer testing positive for steroids. - Phil Mickelson
Do you think Phil is on steroids? Not! How about John Daly? Or maybe Sean O’Hair (weighs 150 pounds dripping wet).
I think a little controversy won’t hurt anyone. We need to stay light-hearted about this and see how it plays out. Can’t wait to see!
Here’s The Truth About Swing Plane
Just a reminder - we are talking about swing plane here, not swing path.
Do you remember that classic picture of Ben Hogan with a plate of glass resting on his shoulders? That picture was designed to give golfers, like you a visual understand of what the swing plane is. To be completely honest, it’s not something you really need to stress yourself over.
This is because there is a lot of variance in the position of swing plane from player to player. It will change based on your height, weight, distance you stand from the ball, club length and the list goes on. So this means there isn’t one ‘right’ swing plane to have.
The important thing to remember about the swing plane is what I like to call the “Consistency Triangle”. If you can get your swing in it you’ll be giving yourself the best chance at consistent results. In the picture to the right, my swing plane is drawn in blue, where the “Consistency Triangle” is shown in yellow.
As long as your club is pointing in the general direction of the ball in your halfway back position, your plane is doing okay. Use a mirror to check your clubs position; ideally it should be pointing directly at the ball as shown in the picture. This will maximize your chances of being on the correct plane into impact.
Give it a try! Be sure to drop by The Golf Drill Guru for all your golf instruction needs!
Putting Tip For Short Putts
The number one reason why amateurs miss short putts is deceleration. This symptom can creep up in many parts of your game, especially with chipping and putting.
If you notice yourself stubbing chips and putts, or have trouble keeping those short ones on line, I would bet you even money you’re decelerating into impact.
I cannot stress enough the importance of following-through to my students, I like to try and squash this fault as soon as possible. This simple move will help your short game tremendously as you no longer have to worry about potentially chunking or stubbing the shot. If you follow-through, the ball has nowhere to go but forward.
If you start over-thinking things and try to steer your shots, the deceleration bug will creep in, and you’re game will suffer accordingly. This is a simple drill I use to try and incorporate this simple fundamental into my students early in their lessons.
I get them to putt to a hole about 5-10 feet away, but place a headcover / ball / range bucket in the way of their backswing to force them to keep it short. This forces them to accelerate into the ball and the results are immediate.
I would recommend everyone try this drill as you may not think you decelerate, however the results this drill produces may make you think otherwise. Don’t miss it.
This putting drill is provided by The Golf Drill Guru.
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