You Need 2 More Eyes To Play Better Golf

Hello Shot Nation!

Here's hoping all your golfing dreams come true in 2011!!

I've been a little lazy with the golf tips... sorry!  I hate winter and have sort of been in shut down mode.  The Shot Taker has certainly been entertaining as usual, so I know you are surviving.  Anyway.... I am going to start posting with a little more regularity as we get closer to spring time!


One goal that I want ALL of you to set for 2011 is to stop trying to "know" what is wrong with your golf swing.  You might think you "know", but you don't.  David Leadbetter, Butch Harmon, Hank Haney and all the other GREAT teachers of the game can fix your swing, but they CANNOT fix their own!   Sure, they or you for that matter, can work on specific drills on the range to give yourself some clues, but unfortunately when it comes down to it, unless you can SEE your own swing, you will not fix it until you "stumble" on the right correction.  And that provides that you know what you are looking for once you see it!
 










A Picture From My Dreams Last Night.... Come on Springtime!

OK, so if you know how to correctly set up a video camera to record your golf swing and have the knowledge to review and know what you are looking for, you need to do this.  A picture is worth ..... you know.

Regardless of whether you can do the video camera..... here is where the 2011 resolution comes in.  Find another set of eyes that you trust to look at your swing.  You want this person to look for ONE THING only in your golf swing..... Shoulder Alignment!  If you get this part correct, the rest will sort of take care of itself.  Most all swing problems begin and end with shoulder alignment. PERIOD. 

Make sure this person knows what to look for.  And then for goodness sakes, LISTEN to him and BELIEVE his evaluation!  Then TRUST him to show you where your shoulders should be aligned.  Don't doubt him!  His eyes are more accurate than yours.

Here is my golf swing tip for those of you who have trouble with correct shoulder alignment that relates to aiming to far to the left of your target (slicing the ball).  Get in your golf stance and simply grip the club with your left hand low, then without moving, correct your grip to having the right hand low.  You will now have your shoulders square!  How hard is that??

Keep it Smooth Golf Nation!

Coach
"The Shot Maker"

Qualifier Schmalifier

Well, crap. As I said earlier, I failed in my mission to make the City Tourney.  I, not being able to do anything normally, had the entire committee  in  a huddle deciding my fate. When you either have an 8 or a 3 on a hole, depending on the ruling, that tends to happen.

I let my nerves get to me at the beginning. I had that feeling of do I really belong here, am I good enough, why is Shakira overtaking Pam Anderson as my number one hottie. Wait, that was later.
or

Anyway, I'm not going to lie, after the shitty start I was thinking.."Here we go again. Just like always you are going to bend under the strain of a tourney and fail miserably."  But, I am very proud that I didn't fold up the tent. I kept fighting and made a bit of a comeback. This led me to ask.   Is losing easier than winning?

I wonder if sometimes in the back of my mind I take the easy way out and do what is expected. Let my nerves get to me and just know that it's easier to fail and bitch about it over a few beers than to actually face my fears and make good shots.

Send me and the Coach and email and we will post some of your stories, anonymously, about times that you have failed in your mission. I think we could all learn a lesson or two from our stories.  Email address is ashotofgolf@gmail.com

What's next on the "Takers" golf schedule? This weekend is the Beat The Pro at my club. Two man teams play one best net vs the head pro and his assistants best gross ball.  I think I'm playing, waiting on my brother to decide if he can play. The next biggie is the member/guest which is the third weekend in August.

My main goal in the next few weeks is to work closely with the Coach, hopefully including a practice session together, and really start working hard on my swing. I've got to get it better so it will hold up better when things are a little tense.

The next blog will talk about "Hit and Giggles." Playing golf with your wife. The ShotGal should love this one.

Swing Hard

The Shot Taker

The Shotmaker Needs Some Bunker Help

Yes, The Shotmaker recently played in a tournament and could not hit a bunker shot.  He asked me, his coach for a golf drill he could do at home to improve his technique.

I proceeded to tell him to order a truckload of sand and hit wiffle golf balls out of it.  Just kidding of course, though I did specifically tell him to NOT order the sand.  TSM is very dedicated to improving his game and since he has a small back yard, the sand was not a practical idea.  I was afraid he might not figure it out.

Here is the practical free golf swing tip that I gave him.  You too can do this as long as you have some grass in your yard, or your neighbors yard, or the city park.

Simply take a long tee and place it in the ground.  Be sure the tee is as long as possible.  Then take an open stance, open up the blade of your sand wedge and swing at the tee, making it pop out of the ground.

Next do the same drill again, except you are now going to put a ball on the tee.  Open up your stance and clubface and swing under the ball, striking only the low part of the tee.  If you do it right the ball will fall to the ground.

Then when you are on the course, simply visualize this drill and do the same thing.  Hit the sand under the ball and the ball will pop out every time.

UPDATE--  The Shotmaker has completed his first round of the tournament and has himself in excellent position to win or make a very high finish.... something he has never done to date.  He shot a solid round of 75.  His big key now is to not celebrate too much tonight at the local pubs.  The tournament can be won tomorrow, or lost tonight.  I have a good feeling that he will make good decisions and be ready to play tomorrow.  His main emphasis should be on each shot he hits, while not suckering himself into a match play frame of mind.  He cannot control what the other guys in his group do, he just needs to hit and forget and move on.  I am sure you will get a complete review on his next post.