Monthly Golf Tips
Fall and Winter Stretching
At this time of year the temperature starts dropping but there is still a lot of great golf weather in store, so don't let yourself be hampered by a silly injury due to lack of preparation in your stretching. Stretch your neck muscles by turning your head in one direction, keeping your shoulders straight and use your hand to push against your chin in that same direction. It is very important to stretch your rotator cuffs, stretch the back portion of your shoulder joint by pulling your arm across your body, under your chin and as far back as manageable. Stretch the front part of the rotator cuff by reaching overhead and gently pulling on your elbow with the opposite hand. Last but not least, don't forget about your hips and lower back. Simply lie flat on your back on the floor and straighten your right leg as you bring your left knee up to your chest by pulling in with your hands. Reverse legs, and then bring both knees to your chest. For all stretches, do 5 to 6 reps on both sides, holding for 10 to 15 seconds each time.
October: A Solid Golf Swing
Use a slow turn on the backswing, thinking of a good angle, turn the shoulders and hips. When the club has reached the top of the backswing, you should be in a semi crouch position. Pause slightly when you reach the height of your backswing. On the downswing it may feel like your trying to hit the ball with the bottom part of the club (the grip) held in the left hand. Once in this position throw your right shoulder as hard and fast as possible into the shot and continue with a sweeping motion.
September: Always Experiment
As many of my students know, we enforce good golf fundamentals and we relate these fundamentals to the greatest players in the game. We also identify unorthodox motions in some of these great player's swings. If you have a swing that confounds the purists but you still get results some of the time, you have to be able to recognize what you are doing well to get these results. This is why I have said repeatedly that experimentation is so important in determining what is most comfortable for your golf swing!
August: A Proper Golf Warm-Up
To improve your golf game, being properly prepared and stretched before the game is the key. Arrive at the course at least forty-five minutes in advance to allow time to hit some full shots, as well as do some chipping and putting. Don’t try to change your swing. Remember this is a warm-up session and not a practice session. The small amount of time it takes to warm up properly before a round of golf, will be well worthwhile.
July: Lifting Your Head Too Soon
One of the weekend golfer’s common faults is lifting his/her head too soon after impact. What, in fact, happens is that the player is too eager to see the results of his/her shot and lifts their head before impact. Instead, drive the right shoulder through the ball, with the hand finishing high. It is important to remember that on the down swing, the left shoulder should turn as much as 180 degrees. This will help you stay through the shot longer, resulting in a better drive.
June: Coming Over the Top
If your right shoulder comes over the top of your down swing, the club head will travel along an out-to-in swing path and a sliced shot will result. To restrain the destructive shoulder action, concentrate on pulling butt, or end of the handle of the club down towards the ball in the down swing. This will make you more left arm conscious and will encourage the right elbow close to the body in the down swing. The club head should travel on an in-to-out swing path.
May: Middle Irons
There is no reason for the weekend golfer to hit these clubs hard. If more distance is required, simply take more club and keep the same tempo. The address position is very important. Position the ball just left of center in the stance. Position the hand far enough ahead of the club face to ensure that the shaft of the club and the left arm form a straight line. With the hands in this position, swing freely with a good tempo creating a smooth swing.
April: How to Improve your Score
