Which Shaft Is Best For You As Far As Torque?

Some will tell us the most important part of the driver is the shaft. Let's consider shaft torque.  From a Harrison Shaft website article:
In general, the golfer with the quicker tempo and faster swing speed will benefit from a lower torque shaft if he can release his hands properly. The stronger his delayed release the faster the shaft recovery he needs to optimize the performance of his club. A higher torque shaft won't get the clubhead square quickly enough for his swing.
Golfers with moderate swing speeds or smooth tempos don't generate as much force as their faster counterparts. For these golfers a low torque shaft will tend to lead forward at impact and may not let the clubhead rotate enough to provide the kick they need to get extra distance. For slower golfers or golfers who cannot release their hands quickly a low torque shaft is likely to cost them distance or reduce the playability of a club.
“Is torque important?”
There are four criteria for evaluating a shaft: 1) Weight 2) Flex 3) Torque 4) Kick point. Torque ranks third in importance. A lower torque shaft that resists bending and twisting will prevent the clubhead from rotating and that should result in more consistent ball dispersion.
We know that torque measures are somewhat arbitrary. This factor reduces torque”s importance as a reliable indicator of shaft value. Nonetheless, the more expensive shafts have torque measures less than 5 degrees, irrespective of weight and flex. If you are willing to spend $50 (or more) for a replacement shaft, or $30 (or more) upcharge for a non-stock shaft then torque is probably important.
What shaft torque is right for me?
As clubheads have gotten bigger the tendency for the clubhead to rotate has also increased. Yet, getting a shaft with the lowest torque--”a shaft with the least amount of twisting”--may not be the answer to getting longer, straighter drives.
In general, a good rule of thumb about shaft selection is as follows:
Low clubhead speed + consistently square ball strike
=>medium torque, light to medium weight, light to regular flex
Low clubhead speed + inconsistent ball strike
=>Med/high torque, light to medium weight, light to regular flex
Moderate head speed + consistently square ball strike
=>medium torque, medium weight, regular flex
Moderate head speed + inconsistent ball strike
=> med/high torque, medium weight, regular flex
High clubhead speed + consistent ball strike
=>low torque, heavy weight, stiff flex
High clubhead speed + inconsistent ball strike
=>medium low torque, medium heavy weight, stiff flex
Low torque values are less than 3.0 degrees. In general, shafts with torque values under 2.5 degrees are too difficult for most golfers to use.
Medium torque values are between 3.0 and 5.0 degrees. These are the most common torque values available in high quality shafts.
High torque values are over 5.0 degrees, and are common in inexpensive shafts.
The better golfer you are, regardless of swing speed, the more you will notice differences in torque

Which Bridgestone Ball To Choose

The May 2017 issue of Golf Digest shows us the advantages of each Bridgestone new offering:

B330/330-S/RX/RX9  $45/$40.  The B330 and B330-S are made for faster swingers. (109 miles per hour or more).  The B330-S is for those wanting a little more spin.  At $5 less per dozen, the B330-RX and B330-RXS are for sub 105 mph swings.  The RXS is softer and spins more on short shots.

E6 Soft  $29.  The e6 has made a name for itself over the past decade by keeping average golfers tee shots in play and their iron shots launching higher.  The updated version's softer core aims to improve feel throughout the bag.  The core is also larger for faster ball speed.

Which Callaway Ball to Choose

Golf Digest's May 2017 magazine evaluated golf balls.  Last time we looked at Titleist balls.  This week we want to see what they say about Callaways.

Chrome Soft/X  $40.  Chrome Soft was a success, but some didn't like the pillowy feel.  Solving that issue is Chrome Soft X.  Both models have a dual-core, four-piece construction with a urethane cover.  The X provides a firmer feel with a more penetrating trajectory.

Superhot 70  $28. This three-piece ball with an ionomer cover features a slightly higher compression than it's predecessor for more ball velocity.  The middle layer helps control spin so longer shots fly straighter.  Bonus:  It comes in a 15-ball pack for the same price.

Supersoft   $22.  This top-seller's revise includes more speed, better spin.

Not as much variety as Titleist which is going to give you fewer choices.  "Remember: around-the- green scoring test:  Good chips and pitches are crucial to scoring.  The ball that helps you execute these shots the best should top your list"!

Which Titleist Ball To Choose

In May of 2017 Golf Digest rated the different brands of golf balls now available.  They start the article by saying "Any ball that helps your short game should top your list."  Here's what they had to say about the Titleist offerings:
Pro V1/V1x  $40/dozen.  A new dimple design on the four-piece V1x promotes a higher trajectory, and the revamped three-piece V1 comes with a reformulated core for less spin.
NXT Tour  $35.  The ionomer-blend cover helps the ball feel soft, but the large dual core and  its soft inner core are the real technological story.  The result is a higher ball flight with less spin and more distance for the longer clubs.
NXT Tour S  $35. This two -piece companion to the NXT Tour features a softer version of Titleist's ionomer-blend cover for those who want a little extra spin on short-game shots.  The lower-compression core means shots through-out the bag will feel slightly softer.
Velocity  $27. Its reputation as Titleist's distance ball long established, the current version offers a new focus on feel, thanks to a thinner cover.  Still, the larger, more resilient core powers distance, and a high launch helps iron shots land at a steeper, green-holding angle.
DT Trusoft  $27. It's soft with low spin but still has approach-shot control.

Odds of Making an Ace

In our Blog we have a list of those folks I know that have made an Ace.  There are only 5 of us.  So...what are the odds of actually making an Ace?  Well...according to an article in the Spring 2017 NCGA magazine and the Philadelphia-based US Hole-In-One - which provides prize insurance for tournaments and outings we have the answer.  "The odds of an amateur making an Ace on a par-3 are approximately 12,500-to-1, or the equivalent of 3,125 rounds (12,500 par 3's if each course has 4)."
Now if we look at the better players in the world...our tour pros..."their odds are 2,500-1 or 625 rounds (2,500 par 3's)." There are some on tour players that are still waiting to make an Ace even though they are the best in the world.  So....keep trying out there and it can happen!

ZEN GOLF: Preparation For The Shot - Relieve Tension For Best Results

According to ZEN GOLF: A very vital part of our preparation for a golf shot has to do with alleviating tension from the body. I know for me my best scores came when I was totally relaxed through out the round (the day I shot my age for example).  But...what does ZEN GOLF tell us about getting into that space.
As much as you can, let the tension in your body dissolve, including arms and hands, shoulders, and belly.  A certain amount of tension is necessary to maintain our posture and hold onto the club.  Any more than that interferes with the flow of the swing.
A key to removing tension is to breathe...a full breath.  The deep breath means your filling the bottom of your lungs.  This full breath presses down on your diaphragm, pushing out your belly.
So...be sure you remember to breathe and diffuse the tension before executing any shot.  Having engaged your mind fully from behind the ball in the image of the shot you've planned, gently take a full breath through you nostrils and slowly exhale through your nostrils and/or mouth.  Only when the exhalation is completed do you start your approach to the ball.  This transition from breathing to walking is very important!  Now you're ready to make a smooth flowing swing.
If you breathe fully to ease the tension in the body, when the mind checks on the body, it recognizes the lack of tension and concludes that "we're not in trouble anymore."

Kirkland Signature Tour Golf Ball - Golf Digest Take

Last Fall brought a buzz reminiscent of the early days of the Titleist Pro V1.  Except this ball was sold by a shopping club at a fraction of the price of tour-caliber balls- and was touted as performing just as well.
"In our $25-and-Under category, Costco's Kirkland Signature Tour Performance ball outperformed the others in several aspects of our evaluation process.  That makes sense.  A four-piece ball with a urethane cover should best out mostly two-piece balls with ionomer covers.  The only reason they didn't show it in the category was Costco's ability to continue to stock and sell the ball which is unclear. (Never been available in my area-Northern California)  They were also skeptical about the production capabilities and consistencies of an outsourced ball".

Top 3 Golf Magazine 2017 Rated Game Improvement Fairway Woods

Golf magazine released it's 2017 Fairway Woods club rating done by a 40 player panel of differing abilities.  In the Game Improvement category (more forgiving) there were 9 woods represented.  The top three that seem to give the most distance include:
1.  Callaway GBB Epic, $280.  "This was the top model tested.  It was universally liked by the panel.  Shots seem to fly as long on miss-hits as on center strikes".
2.  Taylormade M2, $250.  "Players with higher swing speeds get superior yardage - the 3 wood is as long as some drivers; exceptional length on miss-hits".
3.  Titleist 917 F2, $320.  "Possibly the longest hitter in the test - guys are wowed on both pure and off-center shots, extra length off the tee makes it driver-like"

USGA Comments on the Lexi Thompson Ruling and new rule change

"The LPGA learned of this breach after reviewing video evidence that was brought to its attention during the final round. The LPGA then correctly ruled that Lexi would receive a total of four penalty strokes, two strokes for playing from a wrong place and two additional strokes for returning the incorrect score card. These types of situations do not occur frequently, but when they do, the committee’s responsibility is to consider the evidence provided and apply the Rules accordingly. This was obviously a highly unfortunate situation which Lexi handled with poise and professionalism".

"As part of their Rules Modernization initiative, the USGA and The R&A have been discussing the use of video evidence and have developed a proposed new standard to limit its use when a player is estimating or measuring a spot, point, line, area or distance. Proposed new Rule 1.3a(2) provides that ”so long as the player does all that can be reasonably expected under the circumstances to make an accurate estimation or measurement, the player’s reasonable judgment will be accepted even if later shown to be wrong by other information (such as video technology).” When the proposed new Rules take effect in 2019, the committee would apply this new standard in determining whether there would be any penalty in this type of situation."

I wish they would go a step further, get in line with all of the other sports in the world and eliminate folks from home being able to make rule judgements. In this case a day after the event occurred which is really in outer space! Lexi's playing partner and probably a rules official could have made a ruling on the spot if they saw an infraction which none of them did!  Since no one did she correctly assumed she signed a proper score card...why wouldn't she!

Golf History Was Made Today

The Lexi Thompson, ANA decision was the latest all time bad decision possible.  First of all the rules commission has to quit taking viewers rules evaluations.  Secondly it is absurd to let a viewer's  next day ruling on the previous day is totally wrong.  To penalize Lexi for signing an incorrect scorecard 2 strokes when the round was over with no penalties assessed until the next day is completely unfair to the golfer who would have easily won the year's first major with just a 2 stroke penalty for the infraction which never should have been reviewed the next day in the first place.  This ability to let armchair viewers  affect rules and subsequent play is unheard of in any sport today why should the PGA allow it in golf ESPECIALLY the next day.  When the round is over it's over.  You can't be deciding outcomes the next day!  Today's decision is maddening to say the least!

Golf Wedge Bounce and What Might be Best for You

What exactly is bounce on a wedge?  I would guess most golfers aren't exact sure or have never even heard of it let alone considered what might be best for them.  Bounce is the angle of the sole against the ground at address.

 Or to put it another way...bounce angle is how much lower the trailing edge of the sole is in relation to the leading edge. According to a Golfsmith blog: here are the bounce angles common with today's wedges:
      Lob Wedge         0 - 10 degrees
      Pitching Wedge  2 - 5 degrees
      Gap Wedge        5 - 12 degrees
      Sand Wedge      10 - 16 degrees

Some wedge manufacturers indicate the degrees on their clubs.  Others you would have to go to the manufacturer to determine the bounce.

According to Golfsmith... clubs with bounce of less than 8 degrees are considered low bounce.  High bounce wedges have bounce degrees above 10.  So....which one should you choose? 

Your angle of attack is the key....if you generally take a divot with your short irons then you have a steep angle of attack and as some have said you are a "Digger".  If the answer is no then you are probably a "Picker". 
Diggers will benefit from a wedge with more bounce and a wider sole whereas Pickers will benefit with less bounce and a narrow sole.

If you are unsure... an experienced golf professional or club fitter using a lie board can help you with the proper bounce and sole widths.

IMPACT STICKER FOLLOW UP

My last post showed how I was able to get some improvement in my driver hits by shortening up my grip, standing a little closer to the ball, maintaining a lighter grip and swing to the target.

Because the hits were still high on the face and  a bit scattered I gripped down 1", lined the club up closer to the heal at address, kept the same light grip we've discussed in an earlier post, slowed up the take away considerably and tried to stay target oriented through out the swing.
As you can see the result was more consistent hits that were just slightly low on the face.  My next change will be teeing the ball 1/2" higher which should but me in the center of the club.  Without the use of these impact stickers it would be impossible to know exactly what is going on at impact.

Impact Stickers

I never used to think much about impact stickers but recently while playing in a group....one of the players had one on his driver.  I looked at the scatter pattern he had created with interest.  He offered me one so I thought why not.  What I found out, that I didn't know, was almost all my hits, while concentrated were concentrated from the edge of the center out to the toe.  Many of those hits gave me the consistent distance I'd been used to so it was quite a surprise I wasn't hitting the center of the club.

In an earlier post.... center hits give you the equivalent of an extra 8 - 10 mph swing. 
According to the impact label maker Longshot..... "Missing the Sweet Spot by one half inch equals a 7% loss of distance and missing the Sweet Spot by one full inch equals a 15% loss of distance".  If your off center drives are going 240 yards....hitting the Sweet Spot can increase your distance with the same swing by 16 to 36 yards! 

I used these Calloway stickers to help me center my drives as you can see by the notes I've taken from two trials.  As you can also see I have more work to do but it's getting better.  That's why I ordered a whole roll from Longshot.😀

RULES: Preferred Lies/Winter Rules

Here in California the weather has been very wet and the courses are soaked.  Playing the other day a question arose of how to lift, clean and then properly place the ball near the green.  My playing companion was just off the edge of the green and he wanted to use the one club-length that would put his ball on the green.  We had elected to play a local rule giving 1 club-length relief.  Under these conditions a ball lying on a closely-mown area through the green may be lifted without penalty and cleaned.  Before lifting the ball, the player must mark it's position.  We told him he couldn't move the ball to a spot that would put him on the green.  Here's the rule:  Having lifted the ball, he/she must place it on a spot within our one club-length distance of and not nearer the hole than where it originally lay, that is not in a hazard and not on a putting green.

Under rule 20-3d if the ball when placed comes to rest on the spot which it is placed and it subsequently moves, there is no penalty and ball must be played as it lies.

Additionally...If the player fails to mark the position of the ball before lifting it, moves the ball-marker prior to putting the ball back into play or moves the ball in any other manner, such as rolling it with a club, he incurs a penalty of one stroke.

MENTAL GOLF: Avoid the Anyways

I'm sure we've all done it....have some doubts somewhere in your set up and club selection that just doesn't seem quite right.  Zen Golf calls this the Anyways.  We might know what's wrong but not bother to do anything about it and "go ahead and hit it anyway", the result is usually terrible.  The first step in avoiding the anyways is recognizing them.  There are many different types.  One commonly occurs when using golf carts.  You leave the cart, go to the ball on the far side of the green or fairway and realize you have the wrong club for the shot and hit it anyway.  It happened to me at Poppy Hills where it was cart path only and the result of the wrong club was a triple bogey.

Another type is "between clubs".  Let's say you're at a distance a little too far for your 7 but shorter than you might hit your six.  If you set up for the shot with the 7 you might think you don't have enough club and with the 6 you might think you've got too much club.  If you don't make a clear choice you're setting yourself up for an anyway.

Another type is setting up with a club you aren't comfortable with...say a 3 metal on the fairway.  With no confidence in the club the result is usually bad.  I've never played with anyone who said they can't hit a 3 wood just before they attempted to do so that actually hit a good shot with it.

Other types can include feeling the ball is teed too high or too low.  Or maybe you feel the ball is teed to much forward or backward.  Sometimes you might feel you're too close or too far away from the ball.  Or you might feel you're playing too little or too much break on a putt.  If you're having a conversation to yourself about any of these..... all of these will result in anyways if you go ahead and hit the ball.

What can you do about it. Once you catch yourself in an anyway, before you go ahead, make sure you can commit to the shot...change the situation if you have to so you can commit to making the shot without having a negative conversation with yourself or feeling unusual or uncomfortable with what you're about to do.

Golfers Live Longer

There is an interesting article in this month's Men's Fitness magazine dealing with exercise and golf.  According to the article any consistent exercise is good for you...even golf...according to new data out of the U. of Edinburgh, in Scotland, where golf was born back in the 1400s.  The study, the largest and most systematic review ever done, found that golfers live longer than non-golfers and are in better health overall.  Author Andrew Murray, M.D. says "Golf is a great choice for longevity, physical, and mental benefits - you can play it from age 3 to 103."  Murray says just ditch the cart and carry your clubs.  An 18-hole round can burn 1,200 calories, compared with 600 for cart jockeys.

Lesson #2: The Feet Together Warmup Drill

It's  been raining a ton and a lot of the courses around the Bay Area are a mess. We haven't had the chance to hit the range and our swings are starting to get rusty.  I have been hearing it a lot on the range lately "I haven't hit a ball for 2 months".  This will be especially important for you golfers that come out of the snow country where your courses are closed for the season.

One of the best drills I have found when you start getting your swing back in shape after a long off is the feet together drill. It helps find balance, tempo and swing sequence. Pick up a 7 iron and start with the ball in the middle of your stance your feet together, swing easy...1/2 swing waist high to waist high, ...if you don't do this slowly you'll likely tend to lose your balance. Remember short and easy is the key. Keep your eye on the ball, you should actually see the club make contact. The key is finding your tempo and balance.

You should be striking the ball right on the sweet spot and it should be an effortless strike of the ball. The sweet spot is so important in maintaining distance with your shots.  If one is too fast with the arms and upper body you'll be hitting the ball fat or looking up will result in topped shots. Widen your stance with the same swing and maintain your balance. Increase your swing length little by little. If you start loosing the feeling you get when striking the sweet spot, dial it back some until you're nailing it again. This drill is not only a great warm up for lost practice time. You are practicing the impact zone of your swing which is the most important part of your swing. Practice this drill and it will lead to greater ball striking and more consistent play with your irons. 

Mike Lloyd

Assistant Golf Professional 

Poplar Creek Golf Course  

Swing Speed Vs. Sweet Spot

There is a very interesting small article in this month's Golf Digest.  In the article they say that there are millions of lessons given about how to increase clubhead speed, but focusing on speed ignores a gigantic piece of the distance puzzle:  hitting the sweet spot.  Golf scientist Dave Tutelman in the article says it hinges on the "smash factor"...the balls relative performance, depending on where on the face you've hit it.  A tour player hits the sweet spot a lot and his smash factor (ball speed divided by clubhead speed) approaches 1.48, but a 20-handicapper makes contact all over the face and is usually under 1.30.  If that 20-handicapper swings the driver 100 mph, that 1.30 smash factor could cost him or her up to 40 yards.  Another way to look at it:  Hitting the sweet spot is the equivalent of gaining more than 12 mph of clubhead speed which is dramatic.

Some articles say that a 1 mph increase of swing speed will increase your distance 3-4 yards. So....a 12 mph increase by hitting the sweet spot can give you up to 36 - 48 more yards! You can gain the same distance of a 10-12 mph swing speed increase by hitting the sweet spot of your club with your current swing!

EQUIPMENT: Which driver loft is best for you

There is an excellent section in the book "The Power Of Mental Golf" by Kerry Graham and Ricki Linksman, M.ED that deals with equipment and how it supplements the powers of mental golf. This is a really good book for golfers and instructors of any skill level.

According to them there is a misunderstanding about Driver Loft.  The myth is that the lower the loft the further the ball goes.  Driver lofts vary from 7.5 to 15 degrees.  You should buy the loft that matches your club head speed.  Most people don't know what their club head speed is or where they can even test it.  For that reason we'll talk about how far you hit your drives.

A major contributor to driver distance is club head speed. If we look at the distance you hit your driver it will be a good approximation of how fast you're swinging the club. The squareness of the hit in the face is the other most important contributing factor to distance.

The list below is a starting point as you test drivers:
          Driver Distance          Driver Loft
             100 yards                    15 degrees
             150                              14
             175                              12
             200                              11
             225                              10.5
             250                              10
             275                              9.5
             300                              9.0 - 9.5
             300+                            8.5 - 9.5

Matching the correct shaft flex and flex point with the loft is vital to creating the maximum distance possible which is something we'll be talking about later..

MENTAL GOLF: Target Orientation

In our ZEN Golf pre-shot preparation we talked about becoming "target oriented".  Today we want to talk about why this really works to give you a better understanding of how to view your target.

According to ZEN Golf the part of the mind that controls the body does so by images.  When someone asks you "don't think about monkeys" what is the first thing that comes to mind.....monkeys!  Similarly when you think about "don't hit it into the water" the first thing that comes into mind is water. How often do you actually hit it in the water? That's because the word "don't" is not an image it is purely conceptual. The last image you've given your mind is the water. In fact, it takes incredible talent to mishit a shot so accurately that you do go into the lake!

The other thought that is likely to be complicating your "lake" shot is you making sure you make a good swing so the ball doesn't go into the lake.  Now you've introduced a "mechanical" thought into the equation further complicating what you're telling your mind to do.

You need to mimic what happens in other sports... take baseball for instance. A pitcher's target is a very small catcher's mitt.  They make the pitch to the target without thinking about the mechanics of doing so. The clearer their image is of the mitt the more likely they are going to successfully hit the target.  Their sole clarity of thought through out the windup is sending the ball to the glove.  Similarly, you need to pick a small target on the fairway or green and make it the clear image in your mind while you're making your free full swing sending the ball to that target. As far as your mind is concerned there is no water.

EQUIPMENT REPAIR: Paint

I recently purchased an M2 driver on Ebay from a private golf course in Canada...Priddis Greens who is an excellent course to work with.  They advertised it as a demo club with some chips with pictures which the club members had caused.  Nobody seemed to want the club so I got it for less than half price of a new one figuring I could fix the damage.  I first went to Orchard Supply Hardware and got gloss white and gloss black paint.  The black wasn't bad but the white just didn't match. 

I located a company in Kansas...Golf Paint Inc. They have original paint for most all clubs.  I was able to buy both white and black M2 paint which worked great.

The bottles are small and expensive but you don't need much to fix a chip or two.

  I got a bonus with the black....it also matches the paint on my black XC60 Volvo!  This was a good company to work with if you need to freshen up your metal woods.

MENTAL GOLF: ZEN Golf Preshot Preparation

If we get "ball bound" or "mechanically bound" before the shot we lose track of the space we're sending the ball into. You need to visualize where you want the ball to land and keep that thought from preparation thru finishing the shot. ZEN GOLF wants you to tap into your inherent confidence without having to think about the mechanics of the swing  or fear of where the ball might go...OB, water, hazard, sand trap, etc.

They want you to make your perfect swing.  Everyone has one.  Your perfect swing is the best one you can make today. It can be improved later through more learning and practice, but right now it's the best one you've got.  You don't forget how to swing from one shot to the next.  It's just things get in the way.....mentally. We often get a poor result, analyze our swing, and try to fix it, only to have our "fix" interfere with the next swing.  Then we try to "fix" that swing, and soon we have so many fixes that our mind feels like a pretzel.  You've got so many mechanical thoughts there's no room in there for your mind to direct your shot!

Interference can come from someone talking, moving, a loud noise, etc.  Most interference originates in the way we prepare for a shot.  The basic point is: Don't change your swing, change your mind.  Clear the interference, concentrate on the target, then trust your own perfect swing that day and it will give you the most consistent results.  This is the fundamental perspective of ZEN GOLF.  It Works!

Distance Calculator: Cold Weather

Much has been said and written about how cold weather effects the distance you are going to get when you play in it.  There are several variables that come into play: cold dense air, cold ball, cold muscles, amount of clothes, etc. 

It is hard to put a number on how your cold muscles and clothes effect the result.  We're all different in that respect.  For example, the other day I was playing in 55 degree weather here in Northern California wearing long pants and 4 layers on top.  There was a guy out there at the same time playing in shorts and a golf shirt! He must have been from Minnesota.  Obviously the two of us might have a quite different swing.

There are two things that we can measure: cold dense air and ball temperature.
Cold Dense Air is heavier which creates more friction and drag on the ball in flight. The effect, according to the folks at Titleist, is a slightly higher and shorter trajectory. Former USGA technical director Frank Thomas has said the difference is about 2 yards for every 10 degrees change in temperature
Cold Ball Temperature affects the velocity with which the ball comes off the club. The colder the ball the slower ball speed you will get.  Titleist has estimated you lose approximately 1.5% of distance for every 10 degree drop in temperature below the optimum ball temperature (between 70-80 degrees).

Both are figured into the Distance Calculator To use the Distance Calculator you simply plug in distances you hit for each club at 75 degrees by double clicking on the appropriate cell and entering your distance.  Then plug in the temperature you'll be playing in by double clicking the yellow temperature box and enter the new temperature and click again.  Once you've done that the chart automatically calculates your new distance for each of your clubs.  Since most of us aren't pros our swings can be a little different each time so these new distances are an approximation.


You can see why, because of the shorter distance in cold weather, you may have to add an extra club to your shot to get the distance you need.

Rules Corner: "Dropping & Re-Dropping The Ball"

I'm going to cover Rule 20-2a, Dropping and Re-Dropping by Whom and How.

When a ball is to be dropped under a Rule (taking relief from an immovable obstruction, taking relief from a water hazard, or from an unplayable lie, for example), who can drop the ball?  It turns out...only the player herself!  The ball must be dropped from shoulder height, with elbow straight, while standing up straight.

Dropping Again...Did you know that sometimes a ball may be dropped repeatedly, 3, 4, 11 times or more? (Eleven may be hyperbole but I'm making a point!). There are 3 situations when this is true.  I'm going to use the term "dropped again" rather than "re-dropped to distinguish these 3 situations from the "drop, re-drop, place" requirements that will be covered next time.

1. If a ball is dropped in any other manner and played, it is a one stroke penalty.  Same thing if someone else drops a ball for you and you play it.  If it is dropped in any other manner (or by another person) and NOT played, it may be dropped again properly, no penalty under the "eraser" rule, 20-6.  You could drop a ball incorrectly, e.g. from above shoulder height, then from below shoulder height, then with you elbow bent, and still be able to pick it up and drop it correctly the 4th time under the eraser rule.

2.  If a player drops a ball and it hits her club, either before or after striking the ground within the allowable drop area (within 2 club lengths of where the ball first struck a part of the course) .....drop again!  This simply doesn't count as a drop and the ball must be dropped until it strikes the ground in the allowable area  without touching the club.    The player's club is EQUIPMENT as defined in the Rules.  (The definition of equipment is well worth memorizing, by the way.)  So this "drop again" requirement is the same if the  ball strikes/touches any of the players equipment, (golf bag, glove, etc.) or any person (the player's foot, knee, her partners foot, etc.).  What if the player marked her drop area with tees or other small objects such as coins and the ball strikes a tee when dropped?  Don't be fooled...a tee is NOT equipment!!.  This is a real drop under the Rules and the ball is in play: no "drop again" required for the fact of hitting the tee or small object.

3.  What if a player drops her ball and it doesn't strike the ground in the allowable area?  Again, no problem...drop as many times as necessary until the ball lands in the allowable area.  (Definition of Equipment:  anything used, worn, held or carried by the player or the player's caddie, except:
   a. any ball that the player has played at the hole being played and
   b. any small object, such as a coin or a tee, when used to mark the position of the ball or the extent of an area in which a ball is to be dropped.                Laurie
                                                                                                     

Your Mind Can Make You a Better Golfer

The mind is the most wonderful part of the human body.  It controls most of the things you do all day without you having to figure out how.  For instance...if you want to throw away a piece of paper you simply pick it up and without thinking put it in the wastepaper basket.  If the basket is close you can do it every time.  The brain figures out the weight of the paper, the distance to the basket and the trajectory necessary to get it in.  You don't have to think about the mechanics or do any mental calculations.

Have you ever just before you hit a shot had a picture in your mind of what that shot was going to do and look like?  Were you amazed that it actually happened?  This is the positive result your mind can achieve.  But....it can also cause a negative effect. Have you ever said to yourself don't hit it right into the pond and to your dismay it went into the pond?  Well... by looking at the pond and thinking about the pond you programmed your brain to make the body hit it there.  You need to feed your brain positive thoughts and pictures or you'll be the guy or gal picking the ball out of the pond next time.

I've never in my years of golf seen a player who mumbles "I just can't hit my fairway woods" ever hit a good shot.  They're programming themselves for a bad shot.

I also play with a good friend of mine of equal ability.  We only bet birdies for a dollar.  He will often say when I have a birdie putt "It's a good thing you can't putt" even though he knows I'm a pretty good putter.  I just don't let it get in my head and you can't let negative thoughts get in your head.

One way I used this negative effect to turn it into a positive for me I don't recommend you try.  It isn't fair for the other player and we're supposed to keep the game fair and honest aren't we?  There's actually a rule 33-7 that says a player who tries to get you to incur a penalty can be disqualified for taking an action contrary to the spirit of the game.  I'm not sure this next example counts. Two of us were playing #9 on the old course at Half Moon Bay.  Before they built houses on the course the left side was an open field out of bounds.  My friend who I'll call Bob had hooked his ball out of bounds the last time we played.  Wanting to humor him a bit I said "I sure hope you don't hook it left into that field again,"  You can guess what the result was....a giant hook into the center of the field.  I had just planted a negative idea into his head for his brain to work on.

When I was in my thirties I was playing to an 8 handicap...we didn't have indexing then.  My uncle was the golf pro at the Navy course in Southern California.  His were my first real lessons.  He taught me the Hogan Method and recommended I read nothing else except Ben Hogan Five Lessons, The Modern Fundamentals of Golf.  After two lessons the handicap ballooned right up to a 12 after hitting at least 500 balls a week for a month to get used to the new swing and knowing more about the proper swing.  I didn't realize back then how that could happen but as I look back on it....it was because I went from focusing on the target and where the ball was going to go to focusing on my new swing mechanics.  I'm glad I don't have to think that much about the mechanics anymore and I can concentrate on where I want the ball to go.  It's not an easy transition.  I still catch myself thinking about the swing or my putter stroke and the result is usually not as positive as I would like.

In the coming weeks we're going to be exploring my take on a really good book called Zen Golf -
Mastering The Mental Game by Dr. Joseph Parent. Dr. Parent is a noted PGA Tour Instructor at www.mentalgamemastery.com.  He has a Ph.D in psychology and has taught Buddhist philosophy and stress-reduction methods for over twenty five years. I'm not a Zen kind of guy but there are many great ideas in here worth exploring which I think can help you play better golf

Short Game Lesson #1

SHORT GAME LESSON #1
Since many of you don't always hit the green on your second shot, your short game can make or break your golf round.  Sound technique can add consistency to your  miss hits.  Consistency only happens when set up to the shot in the same way every time and swing the club the same way.  Let's go over the basic set up and swing for a pitch shot.

THE SET UP
Start with your hips, shoulders and feet square to the target, use a narrow stance.  You should use a neutral grip. Open your stance but keep the shoulders and hips square to the target; you'll feel a little coil, that's all we want and it's important. The ball should be a little back in your stance in order to create a descending blow at impact..  Remember ball first; than grass!

THE SWING

The pitch swing is very short, waist high in the back swing, a little past waist high in the follow through.  One of the most important aspects of the swing is the club path.  Because your hips and shoulders are square the club goes back farther down the target line.  You don't want the club to get behind you.  There should be a slight wrist break and the grip should be pointed parallel to your target line.  As you start the down swing your waist and shoulders rotate slightly and line up with your open stance.  After you strike the ball straighten up your knees as you follow through and finish tall.  The club at the finish should be pointed down the target line.  The key to this shot is keeping your left side stiff throughout the swing........... MIKE                                                                                  

Equipment: Eight Hot Drivers in 2014 by Golf Digest
Why would we want to post hot drivers for 2014 in 2017?  We're doing it because some of you might want to upgrade your really old driver with something newer that won't cost you an arm and a leg if you go to say Ebay to buy a perfectly good used driver.  Golf Digest tested and listed these 8 as their best:
Callaway Big Bertha   Street Price $400
Callaway Big Bertha Alpha  $500
Nike VRS Covert 2.0 Tour  $400
Ping G25  $250
Ping i25  $400
Taylormade Jet Speed TP  $400
We listed the street price so you'll know what you might want to pay in a good used club.

How To Establish The Right Grip Pressure
Many suggest the right grip pressure is that pressure one would use to hold a little bird in your hand.  Well....how many of us have actually done that?  How would you even get the chance to try that?  Where would you find the little bird to test it on?

There's a better solution.  Take the club you're going to use.  In your left hand hold the club parallel to the ground at waist high.  That's the pressure you're looking for.  It's a simple method that you can use on every shot!  Nothing to remember just hold the club out and keep that pressure.