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Archive for the ‘Golf’ Category
Thursday, January 7th, 2010
What Controls These Three Parts?
As players we NEED to understand that we MUST control the three parts of the golf club in order to strike quality golf shots. These three parts are:
1. The clubface
2. The clubhead
3. The clubshaft
These three parts MUST be controlled through three Stations – from Address, to the Top, and to the Finish. You'll notice that Impact is NOT included in these locations.
Impact does not have the rank of a station simply because it happens if you have controlled the club through the three Stations.
1. The left hand controls the clubface and its job is to impart "Hinge Action" to the face supplying direction, trajectory, and curvature. These three "Hinge Actions" are known as (1)Vertical – a wall, (2) Horizontal – a floor, and (3)Angled – somewhere in between.
In a Geometrically correct golf stroke (ideal application) the Horizontal Hinge Action is used. This action works just like a door that is opening and closing. While on a Horizontal Plane it is clear to see that there is NO turning or rolling in either direction. But on an Inclined Plane of motion there is a turn to the right and a roll to the left.
2. The right hand – more specifically the first joint of the right index finger – controls the clubhead, its job is to sense where the clubhead is at all times and to direct the action of the clubhead. Using what is known as the "Aiming Point Concept" the direction and point of location in the downstroke varies according to hand speed, and the club being used. The shorter the club the more in front of the golf ball the "Aiming Point" is.
For example, when hitting a greenside bunker shot the player should be looking at a spot behind the golf ball. This is because that's where we want the club to strike the sand.
The same principle applies here. A wedge for example would be in front of the ball. A 5 iron would be at the ball, and a Driver may be behind the ball.
3. Finally, the clubshaft controls the Plane. The Plane is the angle that the club moves back and down on. It can stay on the same Inclined Plane back and down, shift to another angle, or even have several shifts during the stroke. The simplest is to NOT shift at all. The next easiest is to only shift this plane angle once, then two shifts, then three shifts, etc. Annika Sorenstam, Tiger (when he's on), Adam Scott, Michelle Wie, and host of others use either a "single" shift in their procedures. Nick Price, Nick Faldo and others use a "double" shift while Jim Furyk uses a "customized" plane and multiple shifts.
You can use any of these and obviously play great golf, but remember – ANY PLANE SHIFT IS DANGEROUS!
Learn to control these three parts of the golf club and you will be on your way to golfing "Nirvana".
Pure Point Golf
Tags: Address, Aiming Point, As Players We NEED To Understand That We MUST Control The Three Parts Of The Golf Club In Order To Strike Quality Golf Shots, chuck evans, Clubhead, Curvature, education, Golf, Golf Ball, Golf Club, golf instruction. golf schools, Golf Shots, Golf Stroke, Greenside Bunker, Hand Speed, Hinge, Horizontal Plane, Inclined Plane, Index Finger, Job, Left Hand, Principle, Quality Golf, training, Trajectory, Turn To The Right
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Tuesday, January 5th, 2010
A new set of clubs for beginners is really not necessary; in fact the higher end clubs can be a hindrance on your game. Golf is unique in the fact that the sport requires a group of instruments, and equipment to play in full. Many sports like baseball or basketball just require a few items that are used by an entire team. Golf being an individual sport this aspect changes into a need for the right set of clubs.
Golf clubs are broken down into sets of complete or incomplete, as well as irons, woods, drivers, putters, wedges, and hybrids. Golf clubs can be purchased in any combination of the above, but typically for beginners it is good to start with the entire set. Also women's clubs are sold as sets, but typically differ from men's clubs in size. Golf clubs in sets typically come with a bag that has stands on it, so it can rest on itself while you are taking your shots. Also golf sets occasionally will come with tops for the heads, as well as towels, umbrellas, and even balls.
Golf club sets can be purchased at a number of places. In order of price, most expensive to least, you can buy clubs at a pro shop; this will be your most expensive option. You can also buy clubs at sporting good stores, or golf specialty stores. For those bargain shoppers you can purchase a full set of clubs at Wal Mart, or even your local thrift store. For the internet shopper's eBay offers a great selection of new and used golf club sets.
The cost for a set of clubs can vary from less than $100 for an entire set, to over $10,000 for the high end clubs. Typically golfers can buy a decent set of clubs for $400 depending on where they are shopping. High end clubs are often bought in singles, thus making it more costly to purchase a set. One driver can cost over $1,000 at a local pro shop.
The term you get what you pay for isn't true in the world of golf clubs. Unlike cars, or computers, typically golf clubs can be beneficial at a low cost. Further, many prefer cheaper clubs, or used clubs, because they offer a more standard weight and grip. Golf clubs are uniquely made out of several different materials, and can vary depending on a user's preference. The cheaper clubs have a level feel to them, and don't offer too much of any one element. If a beginner spends a large amount of money on an ultra light driver, it could be too light for them to learn the basics of their swing, this actually prohibiting them from learning the basics.
Overall it's important to start off with a modest set of clubs until your game advances to levels that call for new clubs. Plus with all the money you save you can buy your significant other a set, and make a date at the course.
Pure Point Golf
Tags: Bargain Shoppers, Best Clubs, Buying the Best Clubs for Beginners, Clubs Golf, Ebay, Entire Team, Golf, Golf Club, Golf Club Sets, golf clubs, Golf Sets, golf skills, golf tips, golfer, Golfers, Golfing, Hindrance, Hybrids, Internet Shopper, Irons, Specialty Stores, Sporting Good Stores, Team Golf, Thrift Store, Umbrellas, Wal Mart, World Of Golf
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Wednesday, December 30th, 2009
Ball position is a critical component that’s often overlooked by players with high golf handicaps. Ball position decides a shot’s initial direction. While theories on ball position abound, you need to find one that’s right for you.
Ball position affects a clubhead’s swing path, as I explain in my golf lessons. If the ball is too far back, the clubhead moves on an in-to-out swing path at impact, sending the ball to the target’s right. If the ball is too far forward, the clubhead moves on an out-to-in swing path at impact, sending the ball to the target’s left.
Correctly positioning the ball increases the clubhead’s chances of meeting the ball at the correct angle of attack and on the right target path. It also helps eliminate a fade or hook, along with other swing adjustments.
Most teaching pros subscribe to the standard ball position theory as do most players and most professional golfers. This theory advocates changing the ball’s position depending on the club used. If you’ve taken golf lessons or read my golf tips, you’re probably familiar with this theory.
For example, the ideal ball position for the driver is just inside the heel of your front foot. Placing the ball there ensures that the clubhead makes impact just beyond the swing’s lowest point, with an upward, sweeping motion of the club—the perfect swing for the being used.
The ideal position for long irons, on the other hand, is slightly back from the driver’s position. The ideal position for mid-irons is one or two balls back from this position. And the ideal position for short irons is in the middle of your stance.
These positions place the ball at the lowest point in your swing, given the length of the club used and the type of swing taken. In addition, placing the ball at these positions enable the golfer to make clean contact with a crisp descending blow—the key to hitting iron shots well.
Much golf instruction is built around the standard theory. But not every teaching pro advocates it. David Leadbetter, who’s taught numerous pro golfers, like Nick Price, and written several books, offers another approach. It’s one he stresses in his golf instruction books. Like the standard theory, it makes sense.
Leadbetter suggests that players with lower golf handicaps position the ball (1) just inside the left heel for woods and (2) two balls back for irons. For players with high golf handicaps, he suggests positioning the ball (1) in the middle of their stances for irons and (2) a ball or two forward from that position for woods.
His reasoning is logical. Players with low golf handicaps use their lower bodies more aggressively than players with high handicaps. Players with low golf handicaps are capable of taking advantage of a forward ball position. Players with high handicaps are not.
Golf legend Jack Nicklaus also offers a ball position theory, which he explains in his golf instruction books. It, too, make sense.
Nicklaus advocates a constant ball position, regardless of the club used. He believes that the ball opposite the left heel is the only spot where the club ever travels parallel to the target line. Any other position towards the back foot means the ball is struck too early in the downswing.
Instead of re-positioning the ball, Nicholas favors changing your stance, depending on the club. Open your stance for the shorter irons, and pull the right foot back, to make the stance wider and squarer, as the club’s shaft length increases. Winner of 18 majors, Nicholas has a theory that seems to work for him at least.
Another consideration with ball position is tee height. I tell players taking my golf lessons that the ball’s equator should be even with the top of the driver when the ball is on the tee. Placing the ball higher enables the player to hit the ball on the upward arc of his/her swing. Players with oversize clubheads, then, need longer tees to reach the right height.
A third consideration with ball position is weather. If it’s windy, tee the ball higher if you’re hitting with the wind to generate loft. The added loft enables the wind can carry the ball farther. Tee the ball lower if you’re hitting against the wind to produce a low shot, like a line drive in baseball. This type of shot cuts through the wind and rolls farther than a shot with loft.
Regardless of which theory it is, find one that’s right for you, just like Jack Nicklaus did. Test each theory out while on the practice range and under game conditions. Work on it until you find the ball position that’s right for you. Then, use it every time you play.
Pure Point Golf
Tags: Angle Of Attack, Ball Position, Ball Position For Different Clubs, Clubhead, Correct Angle, Critical Component, Golf Handicaps, golf instruction, golf lessons, golf tips, Hook, Ideal, Initial Direction, Iron Shots, Mid Irons, Perfect Swing, Professional Golfers, Rsquo, Swing Path, Target Path, Two Balls
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Thursday, December 24th, 2009
Golf professionals all have different opinions on improving your golf game, but most agree on one thing. Unless you keep your balance during the entire swing, you simply cannot have a good stroke. Keeping your balance should be easy right? If you are so tense that you’re crushing your club, tensing your entire body and trying to hit the ball to hard, it’s nearly impossible.
As a beginner playing golf, you’re told quite often to not hit the ball to hard. Staying focused and hitting the ball with the center of the club will give you a longer shot that a swing that doesn’t hit at the club’s center, no matter how hard. Establishing your balance frees you to hit the ball correctly.
Keeping your head still will allow you focus on the ball. With your eyes on the ball, this creates a foundation for keeping you balanced. It is imperative that you keep your head perfectly still and ensure it doesn’t move during your swing. Movements or distractions that disrupt your balance mean you lose focus on the ball.
Keeping your body relaxed is the key. Relaxing your muscles and body will prevent your head from moving during the swing.
Use a mirror to watch yourself. This allows you to quickly realize that you need to relax in order to keep your head still while you swing. Since your build and movements are not the same as mine, you’ll have to work out some of the details on your own. Work the most on keeping your head in the same position from start to finish through your swing. Doing this will let you focus on the ball and you will turn your hands at the right time.
If you can master keeping your head completely still, you’ll see several problems disappear altogether. Eventually, you will grip your club correctly every time, keeping your balance and keeping your head still, without even thinking.
A correctly formed follow through will also mean that you can keep your balance.
Concentrating on your balance, and keeping your head still will prevent you from swinging to hard or pulling your club away. The amount of strength you put into your swing will be just right, and you’ll stay relaxed and finish successfully with a smooth swing.
Enjoying a great game of golf requires keeping your balance. This isn’t a quick fix, it’ll take time but you should start seeing improvement quickly, but be patient. Focus on maintaining your balance, and your head in one position, and in almost no time at all you will be enjoying such an improvement your friends will be asking for your secrets.
Tags: Balance and Your Golf Game, Distractions, Golf Game, Golf Professionals, Keeping Your Balance, Mirror, Moving, Muscles, Playing Golf, Right Time, Rsquo, S Center, Stroke, Swing
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Tuesday, December 22nd, 2009
Back exercise and golf. Doesn’t that sound like a common denominator? Of all the injuries in golf, the low back is by far the highest one.
To explain why doing back exercise for golf is important, a golfer needs to understand why.
The golf swing is one of the most (if not the most) stressful movements on the lower back. Picture this. You’re in a static position at the start; then you try to rotate your upper body as far as you can go, while keeping the lower body as stable as you can.
This movement all by itself puts tremendous stress on the lower back. If you have a lower level of rotational flexibility, you are at HIGH RISK for low back injuries. You many have one as we speak.
Now picture having the strength to ‘uncoil’ that backswing, maintaining your golf posture at between 80-100 mph. If you have not participated in a back exercise for golf, you will not be able to generate any power at impact, therefore your driving distance is inadequate.
Does this sound familiar?
It should. I see this all the time on the golf course. Especially with the senior golfers. They have physically declined over the years and have not done any back exercise for golf and can’t generate and clubhead speed.
There is hope!
To remove the threat of low back injury and improve your ability to turn back and turn through with power, you just need to do a couple of simple back exercises for golf.
One example of a back exercise for golf that you should be doing several times a day is what I call the Lying Leg Crossover, which is incorporated in all my products.
Here’s what you do:
Lie on your back with your legs extended.
Raise one leg and bend at the knee to 90 degrees and the hip to 90 degrees.
Cross that leg over extended leg, while opposite shoulder stays on ground.
Go until slight pull in butt and lower back.
Hold and repeat once more.
Switch legs and do opposite side.
This is a very simple back exercise for golf and no equipment is required.
Just do this back exercise for golf religiously and you’ll see a HUGE improvement!
Pure Point Golf
Tags: Back Exercise, Back Exercise And Golf Are Synonymous, Back Exercises, Back Injuries, Back Injury, Backswing, Butt, Common Denominator, Crossover, Driving Distance, Exercise Back, Exercise Equipment, Flexibility, Golf, golf course, Golf Exercise, Golf Exercises, golf fitness, golf instruction, golf lessons, Golf Swing, golf tips, golf trainer, golf workouts, Golfers, High Risk, Posture, Several Times, Static Position, Switch Legs
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