Prepare To Be Your Best in 2010

If you are one of the many golfers who have been at the same level for too long, and have a burning desire to improve then use the winter to reflect and analyse your performance over this past season. Really take the time to think through the strengths and weaknesses of your game just how a business does at the end of each year. It is in the winter time we can really prepare ourselves for the upcoming year. Now is the chance to create that plan and really make an effort to change the most important weakness in your game, but don't fall into the trap of making all aspects better. Become a master at one element whilst just maintaining the others.

Phil Mickleson a few years ago went from in the mid eighties for sand saves to third, he did this with the help of his coach Dave Pelz telling him the average bunker shot around the green is only 10 yards. Knowing this Phil practiced many hours the 10 yard bunker shot trying to get as many balls inside a three feet circle as possible. He improved so much just through focused practice and understanding where he had to get to.

So when reflecting upon your game, don't just think about the way you play think how you practice to. It may be as simple as changing your focus and your practice!

Being Engaged

As the season is drawing to a climax, now is the time to be focused on the process as you are playing. Are you one of the those golfers who have hit a shot and then wondered afterwards if you should have hit that shot or not?
For me every shot requires full commitment and engagement, to do this get clear about what you want to do with the golf ball, what you can do with the golf ball and how you want to achieve it. Once you have a clear image and a feeling walk into the golf ball with authority and pull the trigger.
Then once you have hit the shot ask yourself three vital questions.

1) What was good about that shot?
2) What could you do better?
3) How are you going to do this?

Next time you are out on the golf course just try releasing all thoughts of consequence on the shot and play in the "zone".

Give it a try

Can you make the change you want

Over recent years the golf industry has been fascinated by the way the body works in the golf swing. The Titleist Performance Institute is at the fore front of this development. A few weeks ago I went away and did an intensive two day seminar at which we learnt how to screen the body and subsequently learn how that can influence the body. My thought today is.... Is your body holding you back from making the swing changes you want to make?

Bringing back the art of Golf

With the aid of modern technology the game of golf is getting more and more involved with the science of golf. Over recent years computer systems have been developed to analyse a golf swing to the nth degree to the extent that we now have biomechanical units to look at the swing in 3D. There has also been a huge change in the equipment we use. I believe, all of this has not helped the average player play better because the ART of golf has been lost, the sensory aspect of the game, the instinctiveness. Of course there is a time and a place to use modern technology, so a balance is essential. I propose you use this tip to bring back the art of your game.
Next time you are on the driving range I recommend that you hit a 9 iron its regular distance, hit about 3 balls. Then proceed to hit 3 balls with each club from your 9 iron to your 5 iron the same distance as your 9 iron. This exercise will help you utilise your senses and get an understanding of the speed at which you swing and how this influences how far the ball will go. I think this is a great exercise for the season as it helps you find your rhythm as well as helping you to understand the difference in flight and roll with each of the clubs.
Next time you are on the driving range give it a go. I wish you all the best in bringing back the art of your game.