David Leadbetter Online

Tips: 4 Keys to Consistent Iron Shots

2008-02-18T21:20:06Z

4 Keys to Consistent Iron Shots by David Leadbetter If you think about the great players through the years, some have been really good drivers of the ball -- Greg Norman, for example. Some have been great putters -- Seve Ballesteros comes to mind. Tiger and Jack are certainly known for their all-around games. But one thing is for certain of all players who win tournaments, particulary majors: Their iron play is top notch. Consistent iron play is all about controlling distance, trajectory and spin. Here are four keys to help you reach a higher level with your iron play.]]> 1. ADDRESS Getting your shoulders fairly level puts you in position to hit crisp irons. With a driver, the shoulders are tilted more away from the target. To achieve this position, stand a club in front of you and push downward with both palms on the butt end. This gets you more centered. 2. BACKSWING The more compact your backswing, the easier it is to hit solid irons. To eliminate wasted motion, pre-set your wrist hinge and then simply turn to the top. Feel this sensation when starting from your normal address position. 3. SPINE ANGLE One crucial element for good iron play is to maintain a constant spine angle throughout the swing. This enables you to hit down at impact, correctly taking a divot after the ball. Many amateurs tend to rise up as they swing the club down in a mistaken attempt to help lift the ball into the air. Lifting leads to poor contact such as fat or thin shots. To correct this tendency, swing to a finish position and then hold it for a moment. Then bring the club back down as if someone hit the rewind button. You should be able to get right back into your address position. That's maintaining your spine angle. 4. IMPACT To achieve the correct pinching action -- where clubhead meets ball and then descends into the turf, producing that textbook feel and sound -- rehearse an exaggerated impact position at address. Lean the shaft forward, with your hands well ahead of the clubhead (left). Make your normal swing, and try to re-create this feeling when you strike the ball.

Denis Watson Gets Another Chance

2008-02-07T05:48:37Z

Denis Watson Gets Another Chance On the wall, next to a metal gate in front of the spacious house just off trendy Las Olas Boulevard, is a small plaque with the words Villa Una Vita. "That's the philosophy we have in this household," said pro golfer Denis Watson, 52, who lives there with his wife, attorney Susan Loggans, and their five children. "Una vita. You only have one life." But it sure seems like Watson, one of the favorites in the Champions Tour event that starts Friday in Boca Raton, has had at least three lives.]]> Denis Watson gets another chance [Palm Beach Post]

Lead's Views: Growing the Game in the U.S.A.

2007-12-14T05:09:52Z

Lead's Views: Growing the Game in the U.S.A. Monthly commentary from David Leadbetter The Ryder Cup these days is truly a spectacular event. There is probably more buzz and anticipation surrounding it than any of the four major championships, and for overall excitement, it rivals any sporting event. But the results have become predictable, which has prompted a question I hear repeatedly. Why, at the moment, can the U.S. not win the Ryder Cup, especially considering that the Americans, as individual players, are ranked far higher in the world than most of the Europeans?]]> Lead's Views Archive - Monthly Commentary Directly from David Leadbetter

December 2007 - Growing the Game in the U.S.A.

November 2007 - The Different Approaches to Golf Instruction

October 2007 - Wisdom to Grow On

Where to begin? Many theories have been floated, including: Europeans are more used to the format; they gel better as a team; they seem to want it more; most of their players have come up through the school of hard knocks and are not as coddled as the U.S. players; Europe excels at match play versus stroke play, etc., etc. Some of these reasons may be valid, but there is a more deep-rooted problem. As we all know, the world of professional golf today has become positively global. A look at the PGA Tour and LPGA confirms it. In a rather short period of time, they have become a melting pot of international players. The tours are drawing from all over the world, and nearly every international player's goal is to compete in the United States - because that's where the money is, the facilities are best and the competition is keenest. With a deepening talent pool, an interesting undercurrent has developed within the PGA Tour, where few highly ranked Americans are under the age of 30. They are far outnumbered by the foreign "youngsters" in the same age bracket; an issue that helps feed the competitive imbalance in the Ryder Cup. To a large extent, the relative absence of young Americans is a direct result of junior golf initiatives overseas. The powers that be in the U.S. (the USGA, PGA Tour, manufacturers, golf journals, etc.) are constantly talking about how to grow the game. It's tough to grow it in the 30-to-50-year-old age bracket - we live in a busy world where time is increasingly limited - wherein family and business commitments leave little extra time for more golf. It's crucial that we look at growing the game at the grassroots level. This is where the greatest volume of future players will emerge, not to mention the stars of tomorrow. Having lived in the U.S. for a number of years, and loving every minute of it, I definitely believe there's an issue with how the game is being developed. By all accounts, the growth of the game is stagnant. Here is a statement that might intrigue you: To a large extent, juniors in the U.S. are at a disadvantage compared to their foreign peers. In my view, it's a cold, hard fact. There are dozens of junior organizations running tournaments all over the country - I'm on the board of the largest and most prestigious, the American Junior Golf Association, a privately operated organization that professionally runs dozens of tournaments nationally for top juniors. They do an excellent job, but for the most part, they have to rely on donations and corporate sponsorship; as opposed to government or golf federation funding. It is the tour every young golfer aspires to play in order to further their golf resume and become nationally ranked. But its ranks are comparatively small. What about the First Tee program, you say? It's a wonderful concept which introduces inner-city and underprivileged kids to the game. More than golf, it develops social and learning skills that are so necessary to help young people get prepared for life. The problem then becomes, where do the kids go from here? How do they move up to the next level in golf, where coaching and competition costs money? It's not cheap traveling and playing junior golf. For the most part, the First Tee facilities are nine holes - some are smallish par-3 courses. Boredom becomes an issue if they can't play and compete against other young golfers. The AJGA is aware of the problems and has instituted a program whereby they give scholarship waivers to deserving juniors. The Ace Grant Program identifies juniors who have the ability, but not the necessarily the resources to travel, and gives them entry into certain events. But it's really only a partial solution to the problem. Let's look abroad at other models. Youngsters who are members of clubs in Denmark, where it's a rule that at least 10% of club members have to be juniors, receive free coaching, paid for by the national golf federation of that country, the equivalent of the USGA. These kids play regularly at their home club, compete in interclub matches, and if they reach a certain skill level, are sent to another coach higher up the chain. Finally, if they cut the competitive mustard, they graduate to the national level, where tournament entries, travel and coaching are covered. The national team consists of highly motivated boys and girls who want to reach the top. These youngsters don't necessarily come from wealthy families, yet they have every opportunity to fulfill their potential. International golf federations frequently are funded firstly by government contributions, and secondly, every member of a golf club is levied a small amount on their membership dues which is specifically earmarked toward developing the game - specifically junior golf. This is often true throughout much of the world. Take the small populated country of Australia (population 20.5 million, or smaller than the state of Texas alone). It's become hard to count how many great young Aussies there are on tour! Many, if they show talent, go through the Australian Institute of Sport, an organization that identifies young talent, shapes it and guides hungry, motivated kids who are ready to tackle the world. Stuart Appleby lived on a humble dairy farm and played a rag-tag course where the grounds keeping duties were handled by the town folk, but thanks to the Aussie developmental programs, became one of the top players in the game. In the States, it should all begin with more junior members at private clubs. The biggest noticeable difference in the systems here and abroad is, apart from the odd exception, juniors cannot join private clubs unless their parents are members. What would happen to an Aaron Baddeley (an American-born player who moved to Australia as a toddler), whose parents didn't play golf, had he remained in the States? If you want to grow the game in the U.S., then open underutilized private clubs to local juniors at a modest fee. There are hundreds of clubs in metropolitan areas where play on most mornings, for instance, is nonexistent. As a rule, clubs are losing members and struggling to survive economically and some have been sold off for real estate. Yet the next generation of customers is being ignored as a solution. Place restrictions on the total number of juniors and limit their tee times if necessary, but if they have a low handicap, they should be able to play almost anytime. The club professional and a handful of club members could help school the rawest players in the game's rules and etiquette. But the upside is potentially tremendous - these are members of the future, and we have a chance to instill a passion for the game at a young age. All this hit home a few years ago when I was doing a book signing in Chicago, a city with an abundance of great private courses. A lady in her 60's came up and wondered if I could help. She was a member of a private club and had two granddaughters who loved the game, but her club limited play only to the children of members. Although she had four or five private clubs within five minutes of her house, the children could not play any of them. So, she was forced to drive her granddaughters across town to a public course to take lessons and play, where they tried to find a spot among the adult golfers playing - a crazy situation. Sorry to say, I had no answer for her. A very prestigious private club in London, Sunningdale, which will host the Women's British Open in 2008, has a very active junior membership. Parents don't have to be members and kids ride their bikes to the course. They have their own committee and junior club captain and many current full members of the club are former juniors who went through the program. Ian Poulter, the well-known European Tour player, plays out of a fine club north of London called Woburn, which has over 100 junior members - half claim handicaps of 5 or better. The Woburn juniors play interclub matches, compete in junior tournaments, and if they are good enough, receive instruction by English Golf Union coaches. Australia's Robert Allenby once told me that his junior membership fee to Royal Melbourne was $150.00, which gave him reciprocal rights at other great clubs in the famed Sand-belt area, which includes some of the finest courses in the world. It certainly is interesting to compare how the various models work - or how they don't. When I first came to the U.S. and conducted junior clinics at a private club in Chicago, the majority of the young players were dropped off by their parents and had little interest in playing. The clinics were more of a babysitting service than anything. Yet if enthusiastic youngsters are allowed to join a club, I guarantee that they will have the passion and desire. They will be hungry scrappers with lofty goals who are helped and encouraged along the way to reach those aspirations. Granted, it's expensive to play golf in the States - pricey real estate costs a fortune to maintain - but if you want to grow the game using the international model, then the rules of membership need to change or the private clubs could follow the dinosaur into extinction. Annika Sorenstam's parents were shocked at how few juniors play at private clubs in the States. Whereas, back home in Sweden, there are always kids playing, practicing and competing in club competitions. Kids just like their two daughters, Annika and Charlotta, who both made it to the LPGA. How many potential Tigers and Annikas are we losing in the U.S.? Since talented young athletes, of which there are millions, are not being given the opportunity to play this great game, then golf is the loser. If national pilot programs were established in the States, it not only would help preserve the game, but ensure its crucial transition into future generations. Surely, some budding American stars would be identified and given crucial assistance as they moved through the developmental pipeline, just as the Aussies and Scandinavians have been doing for decades abroad. Interestingly enough, the British have adopted a more positive approach to get more young players into the game in recent years, and are really starting to see the benefits of all their hard work. Seventeen year-old Oliver Fisher was the youngest player ever to play in the Walker Cup in 2005. The pool of talent in Great Britain is growing tremendously! In my opinion, the U.S. really needs to jump on the bandwagon. Who knows, they might even win the Ryder Cup more often! Until next time... "Hit 'em well" David L.

Tony and Gipper Finau Visit ChampionsGate

2007-12-10T14:39:50Z

Tony and Gipper Finau Visit ChampionsGate Big hitting golfing phenoms, Tony and Gipper Finau (ages 18 and 17 respectively) recently visited The David Leadbetter Golf Academy World Headquarters at ChampionsGate for a session with David and his staff.]]>

David Leadbetter Golf Academy Comes to California

2007-11-05T12:14:55Z

David Leadbetter Golf Academy Comes to Southern California There are a number of David Leadbetter Golf Academies conveniently located throughout the world providing world-class golf instruction at world-class resort destinations. Among the impressive list of locations are ChampionsGate (Orlando, Florida), LaPlaya Golf Resort (Naples, Florida), Red Sky Golf Club (Vail, Colorado), The Fairmont Chateau Whistler (Whistler, BC), Wailea Golf Club (Maui, Hawaii), and Nemacolin Woodlands Resort (Farmington, Pennsylvania). Southern California, despite being home to some of golf's most revered courses, has never been home to a year-round Leadbetter Academy... That is, until now!]]> Scheduled for a December 4, 2007 grand opening, The David Leadbetter Golf Academy at Strawberry Farms will feature a variety of world-class instructional programs for adults and juniors, including one to three-day mini schools, retreats, private sessions and corporate events. "We have been looking to establish a west coast presence for a number of years and Strawberry Farms, with its conveniently accessible location and stunning facilities, is clearly the perfect match for our west coast headquarters" said David Leadbetter. "Southern California has always had a rich golf tradition and we look forward to becoming part of that legacy through our new state of the art golf academy." Conveniently located in the heart of Orange County, near John Wayne Airport and Interstate 405, Strawberry Farms Golf Course combines the rural beauty and tranquility of the surrounding area with the challenge of true championship golf. As one of the premier golf courses in Southern California, Strawberry Farms is a preferred course among corporate groups and golf enthusiasts alike, and an ideal setting for the latest David Leadbetter Golf Academy. "We are proud to have been selected by David Leadbetter as the location for his first west coast academy," said former California Angels infielder and Strawberry Farms managing partner, Doug DeCinces. "The world class reputation that a David Leadbetter Golf Academy brings to the area is unmatched and will allow us to offer our guests a wide variety of instructional programs and services." David Leadbetter and Doug DeCinces cut the ribbon signifying the opening of The David Leadbetter Golf Academy at Irvine, California's Strawberry Farms Golf Club, while Olympic Gold Medalist (and Leadbetter student), Bruce Jenner looks on. An instructor for some of the best players in the world, including Ernie Els, Nick Price, Charles Howell III, Trevor Immelman, Ian Poulter, Julieta Granada & Michelle Wie, David Leadbetter created the first David Leadbetter Golf Academy in 1983 to give amateur golfers access to the elite instruction that previously only professionals enjoyed. Internationally regarded as the premier golf instructor in the world, David Leadbetter has established 30 Golf Academies in 13 countries throughout the world. Programs at each Golf Academy are taught by Certified Instructors who have undergone a comprehensive training program designed and overseen by David Leadbetter at the David Leadbetter Golf Academy World Headquarters at ChampionsGate, Florida. All Instructors undergo a rigorous 12-month certification process, during which they train under Leadbetter and the Worldwide Director of Training and Certification. Instructors must also complete an annual recertification. For more information on any of the David Leadbetter Golf Academy locations, interested golfers can call 888-633-5323. Link: David Leadbetter Academy at Strawberry Farms [Programs and Pricing]

Setting the Record Straight Regarding Michelle Wie

2007-11-01T14:26:24Z

Setting the Record Straight Regarding Michelle Wie By Lorne Rubenstein as it appeared in The Globe and Mail It's important to get something straight right off the top. David Leadbetter is not leaving his student Michelle Wie, notwithstanding how some people read - well, misread - an Oct. 17 column here. In that column, Leadbetter referred to Greg Nared, who had just become the second manager in a year to leave Wie. Leadbetter said it was beginning to feel "like this is the Titanic." He was referring to others leaving. He was staying. Leadbetter's comments caught the eye of a couple of popular ESPN shows, some prominent websites, Golf Channel, and the blogosphere.]]>

Driver Swing Sequence: Ernie Els

2007-10-30T20:59:20Z

DRIVER SWING SEQUENCE: ERNIE ELS Ernie makes it easy: Balance helps it all flow. Swing analysis By David Leadbetter Looking at Ernie's swing sequence, it's easy to see why so many players at all levels marvel at how he's able to make it look so effortless. A true swinger of the club, Ernie combines balance, power and rhythm in a package that's clearly one of the best actions of all time. At address, Ernie looks comfortable and balanced, with his arms hanging in front of him and his weight on the balls of his feet. You can see the lack of tension in his arms, which shows that he's got perfect, light grip pressure. With that tension-free grip, Ernie feels as if he's engaging his midsection at the takeaway, and his backswing starts in a smooth, synchronized way.]]> 1. READY TO FIRE Ernie's shoulders are in great position at address: He pulls them back so his chest feels "wide," and his right shoulder is slightly below his left.

2. COORDINATION
Compare the second and third frames to see the sequencing of Ernie's club, hands, arms and chest and how they coordinate. Notice how his chest hasn't turned until frame No. 3, after the club and his arms have moved significantly.

3. THE BACKSWING One of the keys to Ernie's power is his wrist action. Notice the complete wrist set at the midpoint of the backswing, in frame No. 3 on the left. Ernie's left arm is parallel to the ground, and he has set the club at more than 90 degrees in relation to the ground. With this sort of leverage - and the club swinging in balance - Ernie can simply turn to the top and then let his swing uncoil smoothly.

4. AT THE TOP Like some of the great swingers who came before him -- Sam Snead is the best example -- Ernie begins to move his lower body back toward the target just before the club gets to the top.

5. IN THE SLOT Ernie uses his right side so well in the downswing. His right shoulder is moving down and slightly under his left. Many poor players swing the right shoulder out toward the target line, or "over the top."

6. CLEAN LINE You've heard the phrase "hit against a firm left side" -- this is a perfect picture of it. Ernie's arms and chest are uncoiling around his left leg, whipping the club through with great speed.

7. RETAIN THE SPINE ANGLE THROUGHOUT One of the challenges Ernie faced after surgery on his left knee was to avoid favoring it -- consciously or unconsciously. He sometimes struggled in his ball-striking with the long clubs because he would come up out of his posture before impact to try to alleviate pressure on the leg.

8. THE FINISH In these photographs, you can see how Ernie retains the angle between his upper body and lower body from address through to the finish. He's all the way back to where he was before the injury.

Golf Tip: Sweep Uphill Chips

2007-10-29T19:51:36Z

Golf Tip: SWEEP UPHILL CHIPS Your club's approach should follow the angle of the slope When playing a course with elevated greens, you'll frequently find yourself chipping from an upslope to save par. But a normal chipping stroke, where you hinge your wrists and then make a steep, downward strike, can result in hitting a fat shot that comes up short. Simply put, the club gets stuck in the ground. For this common short-game situation, you need to sweep the ball off the slope, not hit into it. I recommend taking a less-lofted club--the upslope will help get the ball in the air--and then making a swing that goes from low to high. In other words, the backswing should stay low to the ground, but the through-swing should move upward along the slope.]]>

You'll make a clean hit, picking the ball off the grass. And when it lands on the green, it will usually roll, and not check up. That's because the sweeping action makes the ball come off the club with less backspin.

Lead's Views: Monthly commentary from David Leadbetter

2007-10-18T12:59:20Z

Lead's Views: Monthly commentary from David Leadbetter One of the fascinating aspects of the game of golf to me, one who has been involved in the business of teaching for the past four decades, is the sheer volume of instructional material that has been put forth through the years. No other sport or activity as far as I am aware, has ever spawned so much instructional information. And all how to get a little ball into a hole. It really is amazing and I have to say that I am very thankful because this thirst for knowledge is what has given me a living.]]>

Ernie Els Wins HSBC World Match Play Championship

2007-10-15T12:37:53Z

The entire David Leadbetter Golf Academy family congratulates Ernie Els on his HSBC World Match Play Championship! Ernie Els won his seventh World Match Play championship yesterday by beating Angel Cabrera, 6 and 4, in the final at Wentworth in Virginia Water, England. Els took the lead on the first hole, with Cabrera taking a bogey, and went on to claim his first win of the year. "It is absolutely a dream come true. I would never in my wildest dreams have thought I could win this seven times," said Els, who also won in 1994-96 and 2002-04. "It truly feels unbelievable. The course is obviously my home course. It has been a great week."]]> Return To The Top [Golf Digest] Els wins HSBC World Match Play Championship [CallawayGolf.com] Els enhances reputation as King of Wentworth [Rueters UK]

James Leadbetter Goes Wire-to-Wire in First Tour Win

2007-10-14T16:37:42Z

Future Collegians World Tour World Woods Rolling Oaks Open Oct 13 - Oct 14, 2007 World Woods Golf Club Congratulations to one of David's all-time favorite students, his son James, who led wire-to-wire to win his first FCWT event in the boys 11-12 division. Leadbetter who fired a 2 under par 70 on Saturday to lead all scores, followed up with a round of 80, to earn his first FCWT title by 7 strokes. Leadbetter's round was also the Low Round of the day for this division - one stroke better than 2nd place finisher Ryan Stovash, also of Orlando. Stovash led this division in pars with 19 for the weekend, while Leadbetter led in birdies with 10 on the weekend. Eleven year old Gavin deFisser of Gilbert, AZ (2015), a 3rd year player who won the ASU Open last season, finished in 3rd place at 161.]]>

Golf Tip: The Golden Rules of Pitching

2007-10-08T18:56:37Z

THE GOLDEN RULES OF PITCHING By Scott Holden, DLGA Senior Certified Instructor One of the most common complaints I hear from golfers is: "I'm absolutely terrible from one-hundred-yards-and-in to the flag. I don't strike the ball solidly and I can't control my distance or direction." The first thing I tell them is, "You're not alone." Let's examine this problem as it relates to a larger issue, and that is, how one approaches and plays the game of golf. I believe approaching this problem from this point-of-view will accurately expose this common complaint for what it truly is, a symptom of a larger problem.]]> solely with their arm and hand strength. This approach tends to feed on itself and leads to other common problematic symptoms such as: gripping to tightly, too much tension in the arms, hands, and shoulders, swinging the club off-plane, a lack of proper coil with the torso, and releasing the club too early on the downswing. Without question, the arms and hands play a very important role in the golf swing, but as they swing they MUST be synchronized with the coiling and uncoiling of the golfer's torso. That is why golf is such a difficult game. It takes a tremendous amount of work to learn how to synchronize the arms, wrists, torso, and leg action that takes place in an athletic golf swing. So, you're asking, what does this have to do with one's poor chipping and pitching? Well, to a certain degree, a golfer can get away with having overactive arms and hands in the full swing, but it will usually destroy their short game. Around the green, with respect to most chipping and pitching, a golfer's arm and hand action must calm down. There are two golden rules that most golfers with short game problems should live by: Golden Rule #1: Around the green, the body is the boss! More specifically, when I refer to the "body", I mean the upper torso. The arm swing and wrist hinging must greatly diminish and the power should be supplied by the pivoting of the upper torso. The arm swing and wrist hinge is not needed for most short shots. Golden Rule #2: All chips and pitches MUST be struck with a slightly descending blow with the hands ahead of the ball at impact. The grip MUST precede the clubhead to play well around the green. Remember this mnemonic: choke down, lean left (toward the target), and strike down. Give these "Golden Rules" a try. Making the body the leader and the arms and wrists followers will help keep your chipping and pitching motion in better "synch." Better technique always leads to better ball control and you must learn to control your ball to play this game well.

Golf Tip: Three Steps to Better Putting

2007-09-30T16:54:42Z

Golf Tip: THREE STEPS TO BETTER PUTTING By Bob Lohr, DLGA Senior Certified Instructor In my personal experience as a PGA Tour player and as an instructor at the David Leadbetter Golf Academy, I have found that inconsistent putting, in many instances, can be a result of poor decision making, or in some worst case scenarios, no decision making at all. I am the first to admit there are a handful of essential "putting fundamentals" that should be adhered to in order to become a great putter.]]> 1. Commit to your read. Reading greens admittedly can take years of experience and practice; however, I have found my confidence increases when I am able to look at a putt and definitively come to a conclusion about what I believe the putt will do. 2. Commit to your alignment. How often do we as golfers get behind the ball, read our putt breaking from right to left an inch and a half and then change our mind because it doesn't look right as we stand over the ball? We've all done it and know this unsettling feeling. This is your cue to back off and start over at "step one". You must commit to your read then commit to your alignment. Now is the time to make a decision. This certainly has helped me and I assure you it will help you putt with greater confidence and consistency as well. 3. Commit to finishing your stroke. I see so many players - amateurs and pro's alike - move their body or their head to see where the ball is going. This nervous motion leads to miss-hit putts and compromises consistent distance control and speed. I like to commit to myself that I'm going to finish my stroke (I personally hold my finish in the follow through) giving me a high probability of a solid strike, therefore good distance control. I encourage you to follow this simple, three step approach and you'll be surprised how a little decisiveness can translate to more enjoyable, consistent putting.

Golf Tips: A Cure For Over The Toppers

2007-09-26T19:19:19Z

Golf Tip: A CURE FOR OVER THE TOPPERS By Tim Mitchell, Certified DLGA Instructor Golf is a game of perseverance...is it not? No matter how talented or accomplished a player is, that player still goes through bouts of immense suffering while playing this stup...er, I mean wonderful game. It's the nature of the game, and the nature of those crazy enough to play it. A common fault that is the cause of SO much suffering in this game comes from one of the most dreaded phrases in golf.]]> To help change that mechanical debauchery, try the following drill: 1. Grab one golf club from your bag and head on into the living room and stand next to the couch. 2. Get into your golf posture, with your toes parallel to the front part of the cushions and your target hip approximately one-inch away from the arm of the couch. Hold your golf club across the back of your shoulders. 3. Make a full backswing and stop at the top. Here's the key to this drill: While keeping your back facing the couch (or your imaginary target), let your target hip touch the arm of the couch BEFORE you let your upper body unwind. To exaggerate this feel, try to turn your shirt buttons (or sternum) over your non-target foot while your lower body (your target hip) tries to touch the arm of the couch. If this is done correctly, you'll probably need to start scheduling a weekly visit to your chiropractor. In all seriousness, you should start to feel like your upper body and lower body are traveling in opposite directions at the same time, which is a good thing for an over the top swinger. If you slow this drill down and take a closer look, understand that the lower body starts the downswing while giving the upper body a bit of incentive to change the sequence of when it starts to unwind. You'll begin to see a golf club being delivered on a better path which should lead to more shots staying on the golf course. Give it a try in your house. Embrace and exaggerate it there before you bring it to the driving range. Give yourself that same bit of time to accept it on the driving range before bringing it to the golf course. Let it blend in slowly...patiently. Monitor the changes taking place in your motion. In a couple of months all your golfing buddies will want to know how you did it! Good luck!

Learning How to Trust Your Game

2007-09-21T22:29:38Z

LEARNING HOW TO TRUST YOUR GAME By Dr. Robert K. Winters - DLGA Sport Psychologist "Play your own game." Almost everyone who is a student of the game has heard this piece of golfing advice. I often ask veteran golfers what "playing their game" means and they often respond that they aren't sure what it's supposed to mean, even though they have heard the concept mentioned for years! They intuitively know that the concept is important, but are relatively unsure how to create or produce a mindset for playing with trust and to believe in their talent.]]> Playing Your Game: What does it mean? Essentially, playing your game is an individual concept. It means that you play golf the only way that you know how to play. It is YOUR WAY. It means that you can't play like a Tiger Woods or Charles Howell III, no matter how diligent you work at your game or how many lessons you may take. But it does mean that you can maximize your athletic genius. The truth is, you have special qualities and attributes that are uniquely yours and no one else is quite like you. Your game is as individual as the fingerprints on your hands. Playing your game means that only you can pull off certain shots the way you perceive them. This is because only you can see a shot in your minds-eye, create it, and internally "know" if this shot fits your capabilities at that one, particular moment in time. It means you can only play with what you presently possess. Your golf game is based upon your experience level, style of play, attitude, physical and emotional characteristics, power, touch, and finesse'. You create your golf game and because you have taken the time to train yourself to play in certain way, you must also learn to trust your creation! A classic example of players who have created their own styles of play based on their personalities and individual strengths can be illustrated with the playing comparison of Fred Funk and Tiger Woods. Another classic match up would be the twosome of Corey Pavin and John Daly. Fred and Corey play their games with accuracy and precision as their main source of strength, while John and Tiger take a more aggressive and powerful approach. And if we take a look at the future of women's golf, how about the physical differences between a Michelle Wie and a Julieta Granada? Michelle is over six feet tall and hits the ball prodigious lengths while Julieta is just a shade over five feet tall but can hit the ball with surprising length and with amazing accuracy. Each of these tremendous golfers has been blessed with tremendous talent and eye-hand-body coordinated movement. By understanding their strengths and weaknesses, every one of these players has developed a personal style that matches their mental and physical makeup and also created a foundation for trusting his or her ability. This knowledge in turn, helps each of them to play with emotional freedom when they are in competition because they intuitively know that they have worked hard to create their personal playing style. By trusting their instinct and grooming their golfing competencies, allows them to tap into their individual potentials and win championships! Therefore, playing your game suggests that you are the sole creator of your game. It simply means that when you tee it up with other people, you really don't care about their game, because you are absorbed into doing your own thing and doing it well! It also means that when you are playing with someone else, you cannot control their ball or results, just as they cannot control yours. Learning to "play your own game" can elevate your golf experience to new levels of trust and emotional freedom. You reach these new levels when you do not allow yourself to become confused, distracted or interfered by others. Ultimately, playing your game means that you discipline yourself to focus only on your game and understand what you can and cannot control. Because only you have control over your thoughts and actions, it becomes crucial to your golfing success to play your game that matches your personality and playing characteristics. The following is a list of six simple tips that will help you develop and play your game to higher levels of effectiveness and trust. If you can commit to adopting these tips into your golf game, you will be surprised at how well your score will improve and how your level of enjoyment will rise!
Tips for Trusting Your Game 1. Develop a rhythm for your golfing day and play to that pace, speed and tempo. Do not feel that you have to speed up or slow down just because others are faster or slower than you. Stay within your pace and personal rhythm. 2. Hit your ball only when you are totally focused and committed to your target. 3. Play with a "focused and decisive mindset" that suggests, "I am focused on playing my shot this way!" Commit to your decision and stick to it! 4. Avoid comparing your game to others. Do not allow yourself to be "talked into" hitting a club or playing a hole in a particular way that is incorrect for you. A large part of becoming a smart golfer is not making stupid or incorrect decisions trying to impress others. 5. Play only those shots that you feel comfortable with and know that you can hit! 6. Accept the fact that you will make mistakes during the round (and you will) and know that you can live with them because you are playing golf in a manner that is right for you!
A Final Word One of the best ways to improve your level of golf trust is to learn how to play your own game and stay committed to your game plan. Your scoring potential is much more likely to improve if you understand that ultimately it is you who controls your golfing attitude as well as your golf ball! May you always play and trust your game!
Dr. Robert K. Winters DLGA Sport Psychologist You can learn more about Dr. Robert K. Winters at www.MindPowerSports.com. Original content copyright © 2007 Dr. Robert K. Winters & David Leadbetter Golf.