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Archive for August, 2010
August 26th, 2010 | 
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I read a theory as I was attending management training about a fellow by the name of Dr Edwin Locke. He developed a method to obtaining just about anything you want to achieve by using a goal setting technique called SMART. I want you to try something over the next ten days and comment on how you did.
First Step:
Write down a goal for your self to achieve in the next 10 days. The goal must be SMART, specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and have a time limit.
Specific:
I will be able to chip the ball within 3 feet of the hole on 9 out of 10 chip shots from anywhere within 10 yards of the practice green in 10 days
Measurable:
I will hit 50 chip shots everyday for 10 days and try various methods and clubs to land the ball with in 3 feet of the hole
Achievable:
I will get within 3 feet of the flag, I know I can do it because chipping is very easy and will save me at least 5 strokes a round.
Realistic:
It is very realistic to get the ball within 3 feet of the flag on every chip because good golfers do it all the time and I can do it too. It doesn’t take strength to chip, only feel and accuracy.
Time:
In 10 days, I will hit 9 out of 10 chip shots within 3 feet of the cup everytime.
Summary:
If you set a goal for yourself and use the SMART method you can improve your chip shot and thus improve your golf score.
Try it and let me know how you did. If you need help read my article on practicing the chip shot.
Importance Of Warming Up
I am guilty, I’ll admit it. I show up sometimes about 5 minutes before the tee time and grab a club, take a few practice swings and away I go to another miserable round. Listen my friend, take the time to warm up before you play your next round of golf and you will be surprised by how well your game improves.
A good healthy warm up will prevent injury and will get you to loosen up and be ready to hit.
Start by Stretching
When you arrive at the golf course, go to the practice green or chipping area and do some stretching. A few stretching exercises will begin to ease the tension in your muscles and get you ready to execute your golf swing.
Some exercises for stretching are the torso stretch, the back stretch, the trunk rotation, and the shoulder stretch.
Torso Stretch
This will improve your trunk rotation and increase your flexibility. Start by holding a pitching wedge in the front of your belly button, grabbing the handle with your left hand and the club head with your right. Now turn your upper body to the left, just like you do when you turn to your left during your swing. Now take it nice and slow. turn to the left and then turn to the right. Do this about 5-6 times and increase your rotation each time stretching out your muscles in the back and torso.
Back Stretch
This will give your muscles in your back and shoulders some loosening action. Raise your pitching wedge above your head fully extending as high as you can. Now bend your torso to the left and then to the right without rotation. Repeat about 5-6 times.
Trunk Rotation
This will also increase your flexibility. Take the golf club and place it behind your back, with your inside crook of your elbows holding the club. Rotate your body to the left just like in the golf swing and then to the right, keep a steady rhythmic pace. Repeat about 6-8 times really feeling the stretch
Shoulder Stretch
This exercise will help lengthen your turn. With no club take your left hand and take it across your chest as if you were starting your back swing. Extend it parallel and hold it with your other hand. Now repeat this with the other arm. Do this about 5 times.
Summary
If you stretch and warm up before you start your round you will find you are more flexible and loose and can shave a few strokes off your golf score. The Torso, Back, Trunk, and Shoulder stretch will help you when you warm up
until next time,
John
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Click Here For Stretching Tips!
What Kind of Golf Ball Should I Use?
Today I am going to talk about Golf Balls. How does the golf ball effect your score? Do you want distance? Do you want spin? What do you want from the golf ball?
A lot of us have spent a tremendous amount of money getting the best golf balls, but, does this really give you lower scores? I would say that the majority of players need a ball that they can control off the tee and goes a longer distance.
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Distance Balls (hard cover)
These type of balls are probably the least expensive but they travel farther and move straighter if you have a swing either medium or high in your swing speed and you want more distance then this is the ball you want to get.
Do not fall for the hype on the tv ads. Try a few different brands yourself. If it feels right use it. I score better with the cheaper hard cover balls, believe it or not.
Low Compression
These balls have a hard cover and they are meant to go farther for those with low swing speeds. I really can’t tell the difference but, some people say these balls give them 10 or 15 more yards. I don’t know. I guess if you have a slower swing that might be true.
Both the Distance balls and Low Compression balls are designed to reduce the spin and thus travel farther.
Multi-layer (Soft)
Multi-layer Balls have a soft shell and are designed to give you maximum spin. They also are more expensive and are designed for low handicap players who want to hold the fast greens and still get the distance.
Since they spin more they also spin more if you slice and spin more if you hook. If you can’t hit it where you want it, I suggest you save your money and go with the distance balls.
The soft balls also deform much more easily so you have to be aware you will use more of them and they are more expensive. For me these balls are horrible for my putting. Then again, I am just the average player so I go for the hard cover.
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Conclusion:
In summary, you have 3 type of balls to choose when you go to purchase, Distance, Low Compression, and Multi-layer. Based on how well you hit the ball is what you should base your decision on. I recommend a distance ball for the average player like you and I.
Until next time
John
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