Golf Accessories Organization

ACtually, every golf lover also hopes to improve their golf games and there are lots of companies that are can help you to achieve the goal. However, golf swing is the main thing that most of the people want to improve.

Playing swing well is the basic requirement for playing golf well and lowering your golf score more. In case your swing is not that good, you can hardly direct your ball well or hit it correctly. By improving your swing can help you to have a good golf game that you can develop. There are a lot of books, videos and other golf related products to help you. One of the newer and also more useful golfing aids available is golf swing software. It may seem a little bit complicated but like all good things, it is pretty simple to use.

Golf swing software is really just a software which looks at your swing, see what is wrong and suggest you how to put it correct which is more or less the same as your private golf pro or teacher. Of course the pros with golf swing software is that when you have purchased it, you can use it whenever you need it.

It can be a really useful tool if your game is not that great and you are not able to find out what is wrong. By using the golf swing software to analyze your swing, you can then know if you have done something wrong. It can also be a good way of tracking your improvement and progress when you are trying to make some changes to your swing. This way you can try out what you are doing is correct and which area you need to practise and improve more. Lesson can be really expensive if you have to keep trying every time you cannot find out what is wrong in your golf game.

Even though it seems difficult, golf swing software is in fact very easy to use. The basic idea is that you will take a video of your swing and then import it to the software, it then shows you what is wrong and what you can improve your swing. It does not need to analyze the whole swing at a time. It can simply analyze every section of your swing separately. This makes it much more easier to check where you did wrong and how to change it. But this golf software cannot replace the real golf instruction from a pro but it can be a very useful option to improve your progress.

Rashme Wong is a successful Internet Marketer and publisher of AmazingGolfSwing.info. She provides more golf swing tips, putting tips and more information on golf swing software that you can search and learn on her website.

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The perfect golf swing. Aren’t we all look for it? Now the educating part. The perfect golf swing is not attainable! Did that get your attention? Let me say it one more time. The perfect golf swing is not attainable! Unlessyou have a higher level of strength and flexibility specific to golf.

I know you’ve probably heard this beforebut the question isdid you take it to heart? Or did you just shrug your shoulders and continue on the same frustrating path to your hopeful golf improvement?

When we break down the golf swing mechanically and physicallyit’s amazing to see what the body goes through when a near perfect golf swing is performed. There is an enormous amount of core strength and flexibility. Upper spine and low back strength. Then hamstring strength and flexibility. Shoulder stability from a rotation standpoint. Quad strength to maintain adequate knee flex and posture. I could go on and on.

Are you getting the picture?

To achieve a near perfect golf swing takes a physical approach. One that focuses on your current limitations and how it is affecting your golf swing. Once you realize what limitations are causing your swing faultsyou’ll be well on your way to a perfect golf swing.

How many times have you made an attempt at a golf swing only to fall off balance and mishit your shot badly? How about your backswing? Have you tried and tried to make that 90 degree shoulder turn like your pro said, only to create such a tense and powerless golf swing you were ready to give up the game?

I’m here to tell youyou’ve got to change your approach if you want to achieve that perfect golf swing. Start with YOU and you’re on your way!

About The Author: Mike Pedersen is one of the top golf fitness experts in the country, author and founder of several cutting-edge online golf fitness sites. Take a look at his just released golf fitness dvds at his golf swing trainer site - Perform Better Golf.

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The slice is probably one of the most common swing flaws for amateurs. It is an outside-to-inside swing path that creates side spin on the golf ball.

The side spin causes the ball to cut hard to the side, making it a very frustrating day on the course. It also seems to be one of the most difficult swing flaws to fix.

There have been hundreds of so-called golf training aids that guarantee to cure your slice. And I am sure we have all bought or thought about buying one of these gadgets after a frustrating day on the course.

Some of these golf-training aids do help you to cure your slice; others do not.

In addition to golf training aids, there have been countless articles written about the golf slice.

These articles discuss the slice in-depth and oftentimes provide “fixes” for the golf slice.

If you’ve been a golfer for any amount of time, I am sure you’ve come across at least one or two of these articles. Maybe you have even tried to implement some of the suggested fixes into your golf swing. Some of these golf swing fixes may have helped, others maybe not.

At BioForce Golf we are committed to improving your golf game. And we believe it is fundamentally a process of improving both the body and swing.

As a result, we are committed to providing you cutting-edge, researched, and PGA-Tour-proven information in the areas of golf instruction, golf fitness, and golf swing improvement.

Providing information on curing swing flaws like the slice is no different. Recently, some research from the University of North Carolina provided some interesting information on curing the slice.

A Professor from UNC and the head teaching pro from Pinehurst (venue of the 2005 US Open) performed a series of research studies on the golf swing slice.

These researchers took a group of golfers prone to slicing the golf ball through a battery of tests. These tests were to determine the best swing drills to the cure the dreaded slice.

Golf swing drills, in general, break down the golf swing into manageable parts to allow an individual to work on a specific part of the swing.

It is very difficult, as we all know, to work on “fixing” your swing when performing a full swing. It becomes too much for the brain and body to process.

It is usually best to break down the swing into parts and implement drills that work on specific parts of the swing. This allows you to simplify the process, fix the area of the swing that needs work, and eventually bring it back into the full golf swing.

Back to the research project on the slice and the swing drills. After the process of taking these amateur golfers through this battery of swing drills, the researchers found that two swing drills were of the greatest benefit.

These two drills apparently showed the greatest effect on assisting the amateur golfer prone to slicing to fix such a problem.

The first drill that showed benefit was the “toe-in drill.” This drill apparently placed the golfer in the correct positions during the swing to assist in curing the slice.

The second drill was the “split hand.” This drill helped the amateur “feel” the correct release of the club and the swing path of the club.

Again, both of these drills during this research project indicated the greatest amount of help to the amateur in the attempt to cure the slice.

What points of validity can we draw from this research project? Obviously, the “split hand” and “toe-in drill” are beneficial in assisting an amateur golfer with the slice.

Secondly, it probably indicated that there are many swing drills and possibly training aides that are not beneficial to amateur golfer.

This points to the idea that the amateur golfer must understand the swing in order to decipher what are the best drills for their swing.

Finally, it indicates that proper swing mechanics are necessary for fundamental success on the golf course.

Obviously, a poor golf swing will result in poor play on the golf course.

Implement this and other information provided by BioForce Golf to help you develop a better golf swing.

Sean

About the Author

Sean Cochran is one of the most recognized golf fitness instructors in the world today. He travels the PGA Tour regularly with 2005 PGA & 2004 Masters Champion Phil Mickelson. He has made many of his golf tips, golf instruction and golf swing improvement techniques available to amateur golfers on the website http://www.bioforcegolf.com. To contact Sean, you can email him at support@bioforcegolf.com.

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When it comes to getting some golf instruction, we sometimes can be overwhelmed and feel like it’s doing more damage then good (that’s the destruction part which I’ll cover in a moment). In this article I’d like to speak to the beginners and those with handicaps that have a lot to be desired.

Golf instruction for those of us who have extremely challenging games, should always cover the fundamentals of the game. In particular, 2 areas. Fundamentals are the foundation of golf and should never be overlooked. Many pro’s go back to the fundamentals when things start getting out of control. If they do it, then we should also.

Here are two primary golf instruction fundamentals:

1 - Your Equipment - Grip, stance, posture, and swing will all be affected by the kind of equipment you use. Yes, some equipment is better then others, but we should always do our best with what we have until it’s time to upgrade.

Clubs that are too heavy will be difficult to control. Club’s that are too long or too short will throw off your stance and your swing. In addition to length, clubs have flex and torque ratings which you should understand.

Learn about your clubs as best as you can until Christmas comes around and you can upgrade to those high end clubs that your golf instructor keeps telling you to get.

Let’s look at your shoes for a moment. If they don’t stick, you won’t stick it. Meaning, you’ll tend to move so much that you’ll miss that sweet spot most of the time. Notice Tiger when he swings, his left foot is a permanent fixture.

When buying shoes with spikes (not allowed at all courses!), make sure there’s no spike directly beneath the ball of your foot. That tends to produce sesamoiditis, which is a pain in the ball of the foot and very common among golfers who play regularly. When it comes to shoes (or any of your golf equipment) you get what you pay for. If you go cheap, you’ll get cheap and have to deal with the consequences. If you can afford to get top professional quality equipment, then go for it.

2 - Your Body - Exercise or stretching out before a round of golf should never be overlooked. This is really an important part of golf instruction for amateurs and pro’s alike.

Putting requires relaxed concentration, driving mandates strength and limber joints. Therefore, we should always warm-up with some simple exercises that will cause us to be limber, loose and relaxed.

If you’ve ever pulled a muscle or through out your back while teeing off, then you’ll know what I’m talking about. Keep all angles and extensions age appropriate.

If you’ve played golf for any long period of time, then you’ll fully understand that the parts of the body which are mostly affected are the lower back, forearms, knees, hips, neck and hamstring. It’s wise to be physically fit before teeing off.

In this article I’ve chosen to discuss two important, yet overlooked, fundamentals of golf instruction. I know you probably expected something different, but these area’s are vital to remember and they can pull you out of many jams (and avoid many) if you keep them in mind before setting up to tee-off at hole one. Sure it’s good to learn the greatest and latest techniques, but remember the two areas of golf instruction that we have looked at today are the roots that will keep you firmly planted during the game and for many more years to come.

John Culotta is an epublisher and and golf player who has done extensive research on the latest and greatest resources on golf instruction. To learn more, visit http://www.e-golf-instruction.com/

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Many people seek out discount golf equipment as a way to save money when getting started playing golf or to upgrade existing golf clubs and other equipment down the road. Since golf can be an expensive sport to play, it makes sense that you would want to find the best deal on golf equipment without spending a fortune. With so many products available to help improve your game, golf can quickly become a past time with an expensive price tag. Purchasing discount golf equipment is one way you can keep more cash in your pocket while continuing to enjoy this wildly popular sport.

Head out to one of your local sporting goods stores or one of the specialty stores that stocks used sporting goods and you’ll find a wide variety of discount golf equipment. In fact, you’ll likely find just about everything you might need, including golf bags, more clubs than you can imagine and other items as well. Depending on the stores you shop in, these items might be used or new, but of course the used items will be less expensive so we’ll focus on those for now.

Of course, the question is “Do you really get what you pay for?”. Well, that depends on the product, but consider this. A year back, someone purchased the latest, greatest golf club in order to shave a few points off his game. Or perhaps they purchased a golf training aid to help develop a more powerful swing. But those items quickly made their way into the basement or the garage, never to be used again. So the owner decided it was time to sell them or trade them in for something else. But does that mean that old club or that used training aid is no good? Hardly!

Much like cars or other items that people purchase and then trade in, just because it’s older, used equipment doesn’t mean that it’s obsolete. In fact, it could have simply been a case of a lack of effort on the part of the owner that caused them not to see the results they wanted. The used exercise equipment market is a prime example of that.

The good thing is that for the new golfer or person who just doesn’t play that often, you can take advantage of these “early adopters” and their need for the latest products simply by checking out the items your local used sporting goods store has to offer.

You can also find discount golf equipment online. This is especially true with online stores that stock the latest gear. Much like the car market or electronics market, these stores often have to make room for the newer models by getting rid of last year’s offerings which can result in deep discounts if you keep an eye out for online specials.

Of course, if you have deep pockets and are willing to pay top dollar for your golf equipment, then you can afford to have the latest products that hit the market. But for the cost-conscious golfer or someone just getting started, discount golf equipment can be a great way to enjoy the game of golf without spending a fortune.

STOP: Are you spending too much time and money trying to lower your golf score? Why do some people seem to excel with ease while most players continue to struggle? Learn how you can quickly and easily improve your golf game in record time and leave your golf buddies in the dust by visiting UltimateGolfSecrets.com.

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Being a good golfer requires a good level of fitness. Remember, there are 18 long holes you have to play! Thats a lot of walking, and swinging and carrying of your bags. If you really want to improve your score, enjoy the game more and in general feel fitter and healthier, then you need to conside golf resistance training. Regardless of your age, if you start to use resistance traiing on a regular basis, this can help you get into better shape and even help stave off disease.

For the golfers who want to add more power to their swing, whilst also giving their stamina and endurance a boost to complete all the 18 holes should consider resistance training, also known as strength training. This is also a great way to loosen up muscles, preventing injury whilst out there on the golf course. Resistance training simply involves lifting weights or working out with the resistance machines at a gym. If you want to, you can also do the resistance training at home, just by using everyday items that you already own.

To begin with, it is important that you speak with a doctor before undergoing any form of extra excercise. Put simply, resistance training, as previously described should be considered as “strong medicine”, if only because you could hurt yourself if you are unsure of what you’re doing or you aren’t sure of what level you should undertake when you are working out. Providing your doctor, once you have been checked out, gives you the go ahead, you have another important decision to make.

To join a gym or not to join a gym?

This problem can be solved very easily with a little leg work, so to speak. Find out where the gyms in your local area are situated, then try to visit each one of them. Most gyms will offer a free tour, possibly even a free workout to make sure that they offer the right facilities and equipment for your needs. By taking advantage of the different offers that each gym makes before you join, it will allow you to asses which, if any, is the right gym for you.

If you decide that you don’t feel comfortable joining a gym and wouldn’t like to be attending on a regular basis, or if you don’t want to be paying the monthly fees for the membership then you could also consider working out at home by doing the golf resistance training their instead.

You may want to make the initial one off investment of buying dumbbells and gym equipment that you could set up in a spare room, therefore eliminating the need for an ongoing monthly payment to the gym. To begin with, though, you may not even need to purchase any of these to do your resistance training.

One example of a great excercise for your legs involves just squatting down. This particularly, will work the backs of your legs. Using just the wall for support to lean against, or do it in the middle of the room if you so wish, for a harder work out. Start by placing your hands on your hips, your feet slightly apart, lining up directly under your shoulders.Lower your body down, as far as is comfortable or until your thighs are at a 90 degree angle to the floor, bending you knees, whilst keeping your back straight. Then push up slowly. Repeat until you feel it is starting to work the muscles in your legs.

Another resistance training excercise for golfers is to use a chair. Sit on the chair, scoot the front seat whilst keeping your back straight. Then with one foot firmly placed on the floor, straighten your other leg until it is now horizontal, stretched out, parallel to the ground. Now repeat this excercise with the other leg, giving both legs a thorough resistance training work out.

A simple resistance training excercise for your arms involves using just 2 cans or beans or soup, or what ever you have at home in your cupboards. Sitting on a chair, with your arms resting relaxed at your sides, a can in each hand, slowly raise your arms, in an arc like direction. Moving your arms upwards and outwards, stretched away from you, until they are now parallel with the ground, pointing away from your shoulders. Now slowly lower them down and repeat.

If you wanted to work both legs and arms at the same time. Simply do both squats and arm raises at the same time. Standing in the middle of the room, with your arms by your sides and a can in each arm, begin to squat as described earlier, whilst lowering your body down, being to raise your arms. This should result in your arms being parellel with the ground at the same moment as you are squated down. Slowly raise your body and lower your arms at the same time. This should also result in increased focus, co-ordination, as well as increased muscle strength.

Simon Ashton is the founder of a http://www.golf-equipment-instruction-guides.com>Golf Equipment Instruction Guides A website created to give advice on purchasing the right Golf Equipment and Instruction Guides on how best to improve your game of golf.
http://www.golf-equipment-instruction-guides.com>Golf Equipment Instruction Guides aims to be an informative, unbiased site for your daily golfing needs and news.

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It is a simple question yet one that is not easy to answer. I imagine that most of you come up with some definition that is something to the effect of “Flexibility is stretching, right?” That answer is partially correct. Flexibility training incorporates stretching techniques. However, it is NOT limited to traditional stretching, and the two terms cannot be used interchangeably.

We Should Talk About What Flexibility Means

According the National Academy of Sports Medicine, flexibility can be defined as the normal extensibility of all soft tissues that allow full range of motion of a joint. You will note that nowhere in the definition of flexibility is the word stretching used. To help further explain, understand, and clearly define flexibility, let us take the definition and break it down into three parts. The first part of the definition, “the normal extensibility,” is best understood by thinking of the muscles in your body. Each muscle in your body has what is termed a “normal length-tension relationship.” When the muscle is at its “normal length-tension relationship,” it functions correctly. When the muscles contract and extend (i.e. when you “flex” your bicep in the mirror, your bicep muscle is contracting and your tricep is extending) they enable you to create movement of your skeleton. Often, athletes cause a disruption of the “normal length-tension relationship” through training, which leads to one muscle becoming shorter or longer than its normal length-tension relationship. When this happens, the body begins to have difficulty moving the skeleton in a safe and efficient manner, which will be magnified when trying to perform athletic movements.

The second portion of the definition of flexibility discusses “all soft tissues.” This part of the definition is quite easy. As you know, the human body is comprised of numerous types of cells and tissues. Soft tissues are simply a categorization of certain types of tissues in your body including muscles, ligaments, and tendons.

The final part of the definition reads: “that allow full range of motion of a joint.” Every joint (where two bones are connected in your body, i.e. shoulder, hip, elbow, etc.) moves through a specified range of motion determined by the design of the joint. The anatomical structure of a joint determines the amount, direction and type of movement through which a joint moves. This is known as the range of motion. To achieve a full range of motion, the surrounding muscles and connective tissue have to be flexible enough to allow the joint to move through that range of motion. To demonstrate what a full range of motion is, bend your elbow as much as you can (brining your hand as close to your shoulder as possible) and then straighten it. Each joint in the body has a range of motion that is unique to the design of the joint. For example, the shoulder joint is classified as a ball and socket joint, which has a range of motion of 360 degrees (a much greater range of motion than the elbow).

Once broken down, flexibility is simply defined as: every ligament, tendon, and muscle (soft tissues) in your body, having the correct length-tension relationship (normal extensibility) to allow every joint in your body to move through its full range of motion. This concludes the first part of this article. We now have a pretty simple working definition of flexibility. In the next section of this article we will discuss the question: “Why is flexibility important to the golf swing?”

The Real Meat of the ArticleFlexibility and the Golf Swing

So now we have a “working definition” of flexibility. We probably need to discuss the golf swing briefly to create the connection between “your” flexibility and “your” golf swing.

Breaking down the golf swing, we know that it is categorized into different phases: address, take away, back swing, transition, down swing, contact, and follow through. Your local swing coach has probably discussed the importance of these phases of the swing in order to create a good swing. I am sure you also are aware that the body must “move through” these phases in a certain sequence for a correct swing to occur. The key phrase when it comes to the golf swing and flexibility is “move through.”

Go back to the definition of flexibility. What does it tell you? In general, it says that every muscle, ligament, and tendon in your body must have the correct range of motion within itself to perform the activity you ask of it. Take that definition and place it upon what movements are required of the golf swing. It essentially states that your individual body MUST have the required flexibility parameters within every muscle, ligament, and tendon to execute the golf swing correctly.

Now the kicker question: what happens if your body does not have the needed flexibility parameters to swing a club on the correct path? Is the answer, “Forget about golf and go grab your fishing pole?” No, that is not the correct answer. Your body is a little smarter than that one wise-crack answer. If you ask your body to do something, nine out of ten times it will “try” to do what you are asking it to do. When your brain tells your body to do this and this and this in a certain order, your body is going to try as hard as it possibly can to complete the task. The task (in our case the golf swing) may get completed, but probably not exactly as we would like. In the golf swing, this results in shots that we are really not happy about (slices, hooks, blocks, etc.)

When the body does not have the needed flexibility to swing a club on the correct path is what we term “compensation.” Compensation is the body’s way of making up for inefficiencies it may have within it. If you do not have the flexibility properties in, say, your hamstrings for the golf swing, your body will create compensation patterns in your swing to “make up” for the lack of flexibility in your lower body. So the reality of the situation becomes that, regardless of how hard you work on your swing and how much you practice, until you correct the flexibility issues within your body it will be very difficult to correct your swing. So there you have it! The connection between flexibility and the golf swing is a very important connection if you are looking to make good shots on the course.

How do I get it?

We have discussed flexibility and the golf swing. You now have an understanding about the definition of flexibility, the importance of flexibility as it relates to the golf swing, and what happens if you do not have it (flexibility for the golf swing, that is). Now the final question to answer is: “How to I get it if I don’t have it!” That is a question to answer in another article, or take a look at our web site www.bioforcegolf.com for more answers.

Sean Cochran is one of the most recognized golf fitness instructors in the world today. He travels the PGA Tour regularly with 2004 Masters Champion Phil Mickelson. He has made many of his golf tips, golf instruction and golf swing improvement techniques available to amateur golfers on the website http://www.bioforcegolf.com

Check out his manual and DVD, Your Body & Your Swing, ( http://www.bioforcegolf.com/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=93 ) on BioForceGolf.com. To contact Sean, you can email him at support@bioforcegolf.com.

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Getting the golf swing plane right and virtually perfecting this key aspect of the game is the deepest desire in the heart of any golfer.

This is not too difficult to understand because the golf swing plane ultimately determines the quality of the golf swing. The golf swing in turn determines the overall quality of game the golfer will play and his final score. His general score and performance are all heavily dependant on the golf swing and it’s quality.

Getting your golf swing plane correct is easier said than done because of various factors. In the past golfers would take years of practice to get their golf swing plane right. These days things have changed dramatically with the entry to the sport in the recent past, of a new breed of professional golfer. This new breed of golfer has been more agile, much more physically fit and in fact a regular exerciser.

This is a far cry from the golfer of old in the days when exercise was unheard of in this sport that was considered strictly leisure.

The result is that golfers are able to perform much better and get their golf swing plane right. At times this is even happening to junior golfers who are much younger. Some are barely in their teens while others are even younger.

What is coming out clearly is the fact that golf specific exercises play a key role in helping any golfer dramatically improve on their game quicker and perfect various aspects of their game much more rapidly, like the golf swing plane for example.

Golf specific exercises usually include a wide range of different categories of exercises designed to stretch muscles, condition them and most important strengthen for better performance and a higher level of endurance on the course.

The end result is an excellent golf swing plane.

About The Author: Mike Pedersen is one of the top golf fitness experts in the country, author of the Ultimate Golf Fitness Guide, and founder of several cutting-edge online golf fitness sites. Take a look at his just released golf fitness manual at his golf fitness training site - Perform Better Golf.

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Conditioning for golf sounds like an oxymoron doesn’t it? But let me ask you this. Do you feel stress in your body during or after a golf swing? I’m referring to physical stress. The muscles tightening; the lower back stiffening; the joints aching; or just plain physical fatigue. The reason I ask is to make you aware that conditioning for golf will help eliminate all the above.

I’ve written many articles pertaining to the traumatic effect the golf swing can have on the body. Swinging a 3 foot plus lever (club) at up to 100 mph in a very dynamic and sometimes uncomfortable position (golf posture) will abuse your body quickly if you have not prepared your muscles from both a strength and flexibility standpoint.

Physical breakdown of the body is a common occurrence for golfers. Many golfers don’t realize the intense pressure the golf swing causes, and yet they’ll deal with aches and pains through their entire golfing career.

It doesn’t have to be that way!

Golf is an athletic movement and you should physically prepare your body to perform, like any other athlete would for his or her sport.

Doesn’t that make sense?

I see golfers every day on the range and the golf course who are physically broken. They have locked up shoulders, inhibiting their ability to rotate fully; they have no core strength (most golfers are sporting too many pounds in the middle) to produce power and distance; poor hamstring flexibility, making it impossible to maintain golf poster; the upper back muscles are weak and tight causing the rounded upper back, eliminating any chance of proper spine angle.

I could go on and on, but I think you’re getting the picture.

I don’t know if golfers are in denial of the importance of conditioning for golf, or just don’t want to put any effort into that aspect of the game. But either way, it is inevitable that a weak and restricted body will have no chance at maximizing potential. It’s a physical impossibility.

Conditioning for golf should be taken seriously!

When you do a program specific to golf, it can be fun. Boredom is one of the biggest causes of consistency and results. But if you knew you were doing something not only for your personal health, but to benefit your golf game, wouldn’t that motivate you to stick with it?

We’re not talking about going to a gym for 2 hours with all the muscle heads. We’re talking about 20-30 minutes a day in your home. Simple and fun exercises with tubing, handweights and a stability ball. Your complete golf fitness gym for under $60. No gym memberships. Just a fun routine in the privacy of your home.

Evaluate where your golf swing and game are currently and ask yourself this question. “Would I play better if I could move my body more fluidly and powerfully?” The answer is a resounding YES! You’ve got to realize this sooner or later. Prepare your body to perform and the sky is the limit.

Get started right now on your conditioning for golf!

About The Author: Mike Pedersen is one of the top golf performance experts in the country. He is Golf Magazines golf performance expert; author, and founder of several cutting-edge online golf performance membership sites. Take a look at his just released golf dvds and manual at his golf swing tips site - Perform Better Golf.

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Several years ago, I was at a facility where the pro shop over looked the putting green. As I was working away, I could see one of the better junior golfers practicing his putting. He spent at least an hour practicing 18″ putts. He had apparently missed a short putt during his last round and was trying to build up his confidence again. He was making putt after putt after putt. Half an hour into the session, he missed one of those 18″ putts. Then he missed another and another. I could see it in his face that he doubted himself more and more. What started out for the first half hour as a confidence builder became very destructive.

After he finished his session, we talked about what had transpired. The fundamentals of his stroke were solid. The putt he missed during the round was just a mental lapse which will occur from time to time. He realized his mind had wandered beyond the stroke at hand.

We set some goals for him. His first goal was to stay focused on each putt and his second is to not dwell on the mistake he previously made, to remember the made putts even after a missed a putt.

We then discussed his practice session and we came to the conclusion that his approach would have only resulted in a negative outcome. The rebuilding of his confidence on the short putt should have only taken ten minutes, not a half hour or an hour. His expectation was to never miss an 18″ putt. That is not being realistic. Anyone given a task to repeat without a break for a long period will lose their concentration and make a mistake.

Prior to your practice sessions, establish appropriate expectations and goals. Do not think you are going to be perfect. An appropriate goal may be to perform your practice task correctly 3 out of 10 times. The next session your expectations may be to increase your performance to 4 out of 10. On the back side, realize that you do get tired both physically and mentally. If you have been performing the skill you are working on at an appropriate level and it starts to deteriorate, that does not mean you have lost it. Quite often, it just means you are tired. Don’t dwell on it. Move on and do something else.

Golf Tip: When practicing any specific aspect of your swing, do not get caught up in the outcome of where the ball goes. Only focus on the particular skill you are working on and gauge your success by your performance of that skill. Even if you whiff the ball, it may be a successful swing because you performed the task set forth for that swing.

Ron Hanson, PGA Professional
Director of Instruction - Interbay Golf Center
Seattle, Washington

For more help with your golf game, visit http://www.ronhansongolf.com

Ron Hanson is the Director of Instruction at Interbay Golf Center in Seattle, Washington. Through countless hours of instruction, numerous appearances at exhibitions and published articles, he is one of the most highly regarded instructors in the Pacific Northwest. Ron received national exposure on the Golf Channel as a featured instructor for an episode of The Golf Channel’s Golf Makeover Challenge. He recently completed the first in a series of instructional DVD’s. “Golf in Balance, Volume I” is a simple, understandable overview of the golf swing appropriate for golfers of all levels. To see more about “Golf in Balance” visit http://www.ronhansongolf.com

- Golf in Balance with Ron Hanson -

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