Golf Tips

1 - Increased Distance

To gain more distance from the tee evaluate you current driver.  Make sure it has enough loft, most players would gain additional yards from the tee by playing a driver that has 10 degrees of loft or more. The correct loft, in conjunction with the correct flex shaft will allow you to maximize your current club head speed producing optimal distance.

2 - Accuracy for all clubs

To promote more consistency and accuracy in your game learn to square the back of your left hand at impact, assuming you are a right handed player.  You should feel as though you are turning the knuckles of your left hand down towards the ground, and through to the target as you contact the ball.  This will promote a squaring clubface at impact and improve your shot dispersion pattern.

3 - Distance Control When Putting

The ability to control the pace of your putts is paramount in determining the direction you aim the ball on the putting surface. Speed determines line. To control the pace of your putts learn to match the length of your stroke on both the back stroke and forward stroke. By being more cognizant of how far back and through you swing the putter you will be able to judge the pace and distance the ball will travel. Eliminating many of those dreaded 3 putt greens.

4 - Bunker play

Do you find yourself continually leaving the ball in the bunker or sculling the ball across the green? Then this tip is for you! Swing fast enough that you explode the sand behind the ball onto the putting surface. Forget the ball temporarily and focus on propelling the sand behind the ball onto the putting surface. Learning to swing fast enough to impel the sand from the bunker is the first step in consistently controlling the distance the ball travels from this intimidating obstacle.

5 - Around the Greens

Follow this simple rule around the greens and your are sure to improve your score:

1. If you can putt, putt.
2. If you cannot putt, chip.
3. If you cannot chip then pitch the ball in the air.

The moral here is to keep the ball on the ground or get the ball rolling on the ground as soon as possible around the greens. This is a more predictable and effective way to lower your scores.

Sport Psychology on the Golf Swing with Dr. Glen Albaugh

The Anatomy of a Pre-Shot Routine: What is Your SAT Score?

Next time you watch the best players in the world perform, pay attention to the consistency and precision of their pre-shot routines. Although pre-shot routines may vary in pace, time, physical movements, starting places, and imaginative mind activity, the structure of each pre-shot routine does not. Try the SAT procedure to help organize your pre-shot routine:
Strategy: Select a strategy that fits your game, the situation and your skill. Usually a conservative strategy is the best plan.
Aim your body, clubface, and mind to the target, and
Trust your swing; let your swing go without conscious control.
Together it’s seeing the shot, feel the swing that matches what you see and trust what you see and feel.
As you identify your pre-shot routine through experimentation and practice, the link among strategy, aiming and trust will become clear. A precise, systematic pre-shot routine will give you the best chance on each shot. With practice, for example, once you’ve totally committed to a shot of your choice - to the middle of the green, or down the left side of the fairway – the aiming and trusting part of the SAT will follow automatically.