Want a useful golf tip?
Strengthen your stomach muscles. When you have a strong stomach, you will have a healthier back and a stronger core. So start doing some sit-ups and some core strengthening exercises like pilates or yoga. Right now, yoga for golf seems to be very popular. For good reasons. Yoga will help your flexibility and your breathing, both of which are necessary for golf. If you're flexible, you will have a better and longer swing.... If you breathe properly, you will have more power and endurance....So the next time you're watching Tiger Woods play in a golf tournament in some exotic locale, get off the couch and onto your yoga mat....you can strengthen your stomach while watching great golf on TV. It's called multi-tasking!!
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Monday, September 29, 2008
Let the Club do the Work
Well, my husband taught me an interesting thing at the driving range last week. I was having trouble with my irons, as usual - they're not my favourite clubs. (Give me my driver any day....)
So what he said to me was this:
Let the club do the work!
Don't use your arm muscles!
Feel the weight of the iron!
Let the weight of the iron hit the ball!
Then he asked me to take a few continuous swings back and forth to feel the weight of the iron. Then he told me to close my eyes and repeat this action. Then I had to simulate the full swing without using my muscles, just the weight of the iron. Gradually he told me to incorporate my hip rotation into the swing to increase my power.
After I did this for a while, I found myself being able to successfully hit the ball with each one of my irons. I was thrilled!!!!!! Can't wait to now go out on the course and show off my new skill.
So what he said to me was this:
Let the club do the work!
Don't use your arm muscles!
Feel the weight of the iron!
Let the weight of the iron hit the ball!
Then he asked me to take a few continuous swings back and forth to feel the weight of the iron. Then he told me to close my eyes and repeat this action. Then I had to simulate the full swing without using my muscles, just the weight of the iron. Gradually he told me to incorporate my hip rotation into the swing to increase my power.
After I did this for a while, I found myself being able to successfully hit the ball with each one of my irons. I was thrilled!!!!!! Can't wait to now go out on the course and show off my new skill.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Practise. Practise. Practise.
Like anything, the more you visit the driving range and practise your shots, the better your golf will be. We all know this, but why don't we do it???
Last week I was dragged to the driving range by my husband/golf mentor with the promise of a Japanese lunch, offered as an incentive after hitting 100 balls. Diligently I divided my balls into 10 groups of 10. Then, before I did anything else, I warmed up and stretched for a good 10 minutes. I knew that if I didn't, I would pay for it later....then I started with my sand wedge and hit 10 balls. After that, I went through each of my four irons, two hybrids and three woods. I kept notes on how far I could hit with each club. I also tried to make sure to set up properly and hit each shot as if I were on the course. By the time I got to my driver, I was feeling quite proud of myself! That Japanese lunch was going to taste delicious!
Maybe that's the trick: promise yourself a small reward each time you visit the driving range.
Last week I was dragged to the driving range by my husband/golf mentor with the promise of a Japanese lunch, offered as an incentive after hitting 100 balls. Diligently I divided my balls into 10 groups of 10. Then, before I did anything else, I warmed up and stretched for a good 10 minutes. I knew that if I didn't, I would pay for it later....then I started with my sand wedge and hit 10 balls. After that, I went through each of my four irons, two hybrids and three woods. I kept notes on how far I could hit with each club. I also tried to make sure to set up properly and hit each shot as if I were on the course. By the time I got to my driver, I was feeling quite proud of myself! That Japanese lunch was going to taste delicious!
Maybe that's the trick: promise yourself a small reward each time you visit the driving range.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Preshot Routine
If you pay attention to how a good golfer sets up his or her shot, you'll probably notice they have some kind of preshot routine. Consistent routine is invaluable before each shot. Why? Because it helps you focus on the task at hand. It also helps you build a positive mental picture which will then help you attain success.
1. Stand behind the ball and look toward the target.
2. Visualize the flight of the ball.
3. With shot in mind, pick a close target to aim towards: leaf, discoloured grass..
4. Aim the clubface to that point rather than distant green.
5. Set up perfect alignment: (club square behind ball, back of left hand faces target, line of toes is parallel with target line, heels are shoulder width apart, left shoulder is higher than right...)
6. Take a deep breath and take a swing!
I always breathe in with my back swing and out with the follow through, because then I feel I have more power in my swing. But that's just me! I also try to make sure I follow through completely, keeping my head down and my hips facing the target at the end. Good Luck!!!!!
1. Stand behind the ball and look toward the target.
2. Visualize the flight of the ball.
3. With shot in mind, pick a close target to aim towards: leaf, discoloured grass..
4. Aim the clubface to that point rather than distant green.
5. Set up perfect alignment: (club square behind ball, back of left hand faces target, line of toes is parallel with target line, heels are shoulder width apart, left shoulder is higher than right...)
6. Take a deep breath and take a swing!
I always breathe in with my back swing and out with the follow through, because then I feel I have more power in my swing. But that's just me! I also try to make sure I follow through completely, keeping my head down and my hips facing the target at the end. Good Luck!!!!!
Good Setup is so Important
One of the tips my father gave me was the importance of a good setup or address position. A great setup, apparently, is essential to a great swing.
That means, your body alignment has to be square to the line of the ball's flight. You have to be relaxed and perfectly balanced with your chin up (not in your chest) to leave room for your left shoulder to turn in the backswing. This will help to keep your ball go straight. You have to have your back straight and be bent forward from the hips. Your knees are bent but not rigid. Ball position is essential: a ball too far back may result in the ball going to the right; a ball too far forward may result in the ball going to the left. Similarily, the width of your stance is also important: a width too far apart will restrict your backswing, while a narrow width will affect your balance. Of course ball position and width of stance are both influenced by the club used. So it's important to memorize these for each of your woods and irons. Another great tip is the power of a preshot routine, but I'll get into that later!!
Happy Golfing!
That means, your body alignment has to be square to the line of the ball's flight. You have to be relaxed and perfectly balanced with your chin up (not in your chest) to leave room for your left shoulder to turn in the backswing. This will help to keep your ball go straight. You have to have your back straight and be bent forward from the hips. Your knees are bent but not rigid. Ball position is essential: a ball too far back may result in the ball going to the right; a ball too far forward may result in the ball going to the left. Similarily, the width of your stance is also important: a width too far apart will restrict your backswing, while a narrow width will affect your balance. Of course ball position and width of stance are both influenced by the club used. So it's important to memorize these for each of your woods and irons. Another great tip is the power of a preshot routine, but I'll get into that later!!
Happy Golfing!
Monday, July 28, 2008
Warming Up for Golf
I have two back stories for you: One is my girlfriend, Yukiko, who played golf on a crisp autumn day in Vancouver last year without stretching beforehand. The next day as she arrived at the airport en route to catch a plane for Japan, she found to her horror that she could not get out of the taxi. Her husband ended up cancelling their trip and heading for the emergency at the nearest hospital. She was in bed recuperating for two weeks.
The second story is my husband who began the golfing season with three days in a row of driving range, and two games. The fourth day he went to water the plants on the balcony just before preparing to leave for the local pitch and putt with me. Instead of pitching a golf ball, he pitched sideways onto the floor of the patio. I found him in agony, unable to move. I quickly called our golfing friends who rushed over with a physio friend in tow. After 30 minutes of manipulation, we managed to prop him up against a barstool. A week of daily chiropractic therapy was needed to recover and then another week of daily stretching and back exercises before my husband could move normally.
Moral of story: Take ten minutes of overall stretching before you play and also after you finish your round. Your back will be much healthier if you do this. Happy Golfing!!
The second story is my husband who began the golfing season with three days in a row of driving range, and two games. The fourth day he went to water the plants on the balcony just before preparing to leave for the local pitch and putt with me. Instead of pitching a golf ball, he pitched sideways onto the floor of the patio. I found him in agony, unable to move. I quickly called our golfing friends who rushed over with a physio friend in tow. After 30 minutes of manipulation, we managed to prop him up against a barstool. A week of daily chiropractic therapy was needed to recover and then another week of daily stretching and back exercises before my husband could move normally.
Moral of story: Take ten minutes of overall stretching before you play and also after you finish your round. Your back will be much healthier if you do this. Happy Golfing!!
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Golf in the Now
Probably one of the best tips I can offer a fellow rookie golfer is the powerful advice of always being in the present when you’re playing golf. Especially when you’re at the first tee and have to tee off in front of other golfers impatiently waiting for their turn. Especially when you have to make that crucial chip on to the green. Especially when you're on the green and have to make your final putt. Don’t worry about your financial situation; don’t plan what’s for dinner; don’t dwell on your daughter’s latest problem at school. Instead, take a deep breath and empty your mind. Repeat your favourite mantra. As I mentioned before, mine is "smooth as silk". Find a calming phrase that will help you focus on your swing. All you should be focusing is on that little white ball. Take it from me.
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