Keeping the ball in play.

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Golf Lessons By Tom Ward

Projecting to the target during the swing will not only help create accuracy, but encourage the body motions to swing the clubhead to and through the ball towards the target.

Learning how to aim is vital if your to have success in scoring. The clubface is the only thing that will make contact with the ball, therefore the clubface should be aimed towards the target with the shoulders paralleling the target line. Do not take the stance first. The feet do not hit the ball, so line up the clubface first, and then take your stance.

The target is not always the center of the fairway or green. To setup the next shot the target could be to the left or right of the fairway. Ball flight differs between players. If a player fades his tee shot, the target would be to the left of center of the fairway. If he draws the ball, the target would be right of center.One good point here is to always aim away from trouble on the course whenever possible. If there is trouble on the right, tee on the right side of the teeing area. Do the opposite if the trouble is on the left. In other words,tee the ball on the side the trouble is.

On shots to the green line up to the center of the green. If the ball should fade or draw,you are still on the green. This is a good rule of thumb, however if your highly skilled then hit the shot fading or drawing that your comfortable with as part of your arsenal. Keep the ball in play and avoid the penalties and difficult lies, and positions that will cause you to score those nasty high numbers during your round.

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Understanding how your wrists work in your swing!

Golf Lessons By Tom Ward

To keep the clubface in the correct position throughout the swing, the left wrist must move in a flat position. What I mean by flat is in relation to the back of the left forearm, and the back of the left hand for right-handed players with the opposite for the left-handed players. To deviate from this position will roll the clubface out of position.

Keeping the left wrist in this flat position will allow the correct movement of the wrists at the top of the backswing, and the starting of the downswing, which is an up and down motion, keeping the clubface maintained in the proper position throughout the swing.

To check to see if the wrists are in the proper position that was mentioned above, swing the club half-way back about hip-level high with the clubshaft in the position horizontal to the ground. If the left wrist is in this flat position the clubface will be parallel to the target line, or the toe of the club will be pointing vertically towards the sky. Half-way through the forward swing with the shaft horizontal to the ground again the clubface should be parallel to your target line or toe facing upwards towards the sky. In these positions the left wrist has remained in the flat position throughout your entire swing which translates into a solid straight shot on line to your target. Finally, remember that any attempt to hit the ball with your hands will force the wrists out of position, and the cause them to break down which results in wayward shots.

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Seek first to Understand, and then to be understood

Golf Lessons By Tom Ward

In my Golf seminars, I usually start out with this wonderful quote to make a point. Knowing that different words mean different things to different people, it's critical that the teacher and student are on the same page in order to reach the objectives collectively that each desires, which are getting the player to reach their goals they have set, and for the instructor to impart his or her knowledge to the student which will make an everlasting impression leading to a successful conclusion for both parties. I find it's incredibly important that I have an understanding of what my students have been exposed to, and their impressions, and interpretations on what they feel are attempting to do by taking up the game. The descriptions they give me allow me to create a greater understanding on where they are coming from, and how best to approach them in a way that they can learn most efficently. The biggest problem in learning is communication! In future articles I will deal with this subject at greater length

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The Best Lesson I Ever Had

Golf Lessons By Tom Ward

As a Golf Instructor who has traveled extensively around the world teaching the game of golf to players from all walks of life, I have heard numerous excuses from golfers on why they don't play better. Such worn out expressions such as " You can't teach an old dog new tricks", or I'm too old" to name a couple. Then a few years ago I ran into a fellow that changed my life, and inspired me to become a better teacher by walking in his shoes so to speak. When I stage golf clinics, or exhibitions I try to motivate golfers to reach their potential, and I have Steve Minot to thank.

Steve's example has not only made me strive to be a better instructor, but more importantly to have greater patience, understanding, and become more grateful for all that I have in my life. I never allow my students to use the word failure, or think for a moment that they can't succeed in reaching their desired goals.

"Failure is not about falling down in life, it's about not getting back up".

 

That profound statement reminds me daily of Steve Minot who heads up a Colorado based golf tournament that is held annually every August in the Denver area for disabled golfers. I have been privileged since 1991 to have been invited to participate in the tournament and stage a demonstration for all the golfers in attendance.

Steve has polio! I remember vividly the first time I played golf with him, and he would fall face down after each shot he hit. Well my first inclination was to help him up which I learned quickly that he had no need for my assistance. Can you imagine the love he must have to play the game under this scenario? Other golfers get tired after walking a few holes.

After we played, Steve asked me for some suggestions about his game which I gladly supplied. I felt that fundamentally he did a lot of good things. He's a fine golfer who regularly shoots in the high 70's and low 80'S. I was determined to get him out of the falling down mode after each shot which he had continued to do. I began to hit shots on one leg to simulate what Steve was experiencing to help give me a better understanding of how to attack his problem. This allowed me to reap information of the restricted motion that was forcing him out of balance after his shots.

Well, without going into great detail, I was quickly able to get Steve back on track, and eliminate his balance problem once and for all. It was so rewarding to see him hit the ball well, and maintain his balance throughout his entire swing. The bonus that was derived later was that he began to hit the ball much further than he ever had before and with tremendous accuracy.

Since that time a few years ago, I have incorporated numerous variations of (trick shots) so to speak, hitting on one leg, on my knees, behind my back, blindfolded, with only one arm, etc. In reality, these are solid fundamentals that drive home the point to people who attend my clinics will observe that no matter what limits you may have physically, they don't have to be mentally. Remember, that ball doesn't care if your black, white, red, or with one arm, one leg, sighted or not. Only 3 things effect the ball flight:

• 1. Speed
• 2. Angle of attack
• 3. Clubface at impact(square/open/closed).

Golf truly is a great equalizer because it doesn't discriminate. Finally, the wonderful saying "What the mind conceives, the body can achieve" really drives home this point that the only limits we have in our lives are in our "minds". I have Steve Minot to thank for this valuable lesson. It's the best lesson I will ever have, because it's a lesson of a Lifetime.

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Learning the Swing Center Feel for Better Shotmaking

The simple way to learn the proper feel of your swing center is to place a golf ball on the ground and, with sun to your back, take your stance in a position whereby the shadow of your head covers the ball. As you swing, keep your eyes on the shadow. During the swing the shadow will move slightly, however if it moves off the ball you have lost the correct swing center. If the shadow remains on the ball you have kept the swing in the correct position. Repeat this excellent drill daily so as to reinforce good habits that will yield the reults you seek.

You swing the club by feel, and you learn feel through good motion. Keeping your eye on your shadow will teach you the feel of your upper body staying in position - neither moving to the right or left- nor up or down.

To keep other body movements from moving the swing center keep your weight to the inside of your feet. Never allow this weight to transfer outside as this will pull you out of position. Allow the rotation of the shoulders and arms to carry the club to the top of the backswing. These are some key points that will give you feedback in understanding how to feel the proper swing center.

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Shoulder Movement in the Golf Swing

The club is indirectly tied to the shoulders, therefore shoulder movement will determine the direction the club will travel.

The left shoulder sets up the backswing by rotating down and under the chin. This shoulder movement directs the clubhead travel to the inside of the target line. The shoulder turn determines the length of the backswing.

When starting the downswing the shoulders should be passive, allowing the forward motion of the legs to pull the right shoulder down and forward, squaring the shoulders to the target line at impact. If the shoulders have moved into an open position (facing to the left of the target) prior to impact, the clubhead will travel outside-to-inside of the target line. This brings the clubhead over the ball promoting an over the top move.

If the shoulders are in a closed position (facing to the right of the target) the clubhead travel will be inside-to-outside of the target line. With the shoulders parallel to the target line at impact, the clubhead travel will be inside-to-direct. This shoulder motion allows the clubhead to travel to the target, not away from the target as in the other positions.Remember the shoulders must remain passive, and are a follower in your swing, not a leader.

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Golf Lessons By Tom Ward

"There is No Secret to the Golf Swing"

 While all golfers continue to look for that secret that will perfect their swing,. it is wishful thinking that they will find it because their is no secret to swinging the golf club. Even with the best of players no two swings are alike. What works for one player doesn't necessarily work for another. There are no two swings alike - similar, but not alike.

I could ask ten players what starts the downswing, and I would get ten different answers. It has been said that golf is both an art and a science. "To know a thing by its parts is science: to feel it as a whole is art." It helps to understand the mechanics (Science) of a swing. It also helps to understand how to develop the feel (Art).

Once the motion in your swing has started, there should be no interruption. It should be a smooth flowing motion from start to finish; not a series of abrupt actions. To teach your muscles the proper feel is to realize that the physical movements of the body determine how one swings the club. This is why a correct grip is extremely important since it's the only contact you have with the club and controls the clubface angle.

 

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