Struggling On The Greens? This Putting Drill Can Help Instantly
By Brendon Elliott, PGA
Published on Tuesday, February 20, 2024
Beyond some standard fundamentals, the art of putting is as individual as a fingerprint.
We all have unique factors influencing our approach to putting: our height, body type, tempo at which we walk and talk and, most impactfully, how we see a putt with our eyes all influence what we do with the flat stick, whether we know it or not.
We often force ourselves into a setup position that is too “squared off” or “technically sound” to allow our eyes to see that critical starting spot to roll the ball over just after impact.
Our brain, or subconscious, will actually reroute the putter on the downstroke if it feels that something is “off” visually when you make those last few looks with your eyes down the target line. This will lead to often funky-looking strokes and a potential massive loss of confidence.
If you’ve been experiencing some struggles on the green, not to fear. This drill below can help right away.
Find your spot
With three golf balls, start with a putt of 6 feet on the practice green.
Really focus on your putting line. Take a trip around the hole and see the line from all sides.
Once you are confident on the line, find a point on your line about 4-6 inches past your ball and align the mark on your golf ball to that point. Pro tip: Using your golf ball mark is a critical part to being a good putter!
As you start to get set up to the ball, make it a point to feel comfortable with what you see with your eyes as you are over the ball. How does the line on the ball look in relation to that intermediate starting point? How does your putter head look with regard to the ball and your intermediate starting point? Adjust your body, line, or even your putter head if it seems off a bit.
It is critical to get your setup conditions correct in terms of what you see as you are over the ball and not necessarily in a way that feels more “technically sound.” Your eyes and instincts, unique to you, are far more critical in allowing you to roll the ball end over end and over that intermediate spot on your line.
Once you start continuously rolling the ball over that intermediate spot on your line, this drill will allow you to putt with more confidence and think less about how technically sound your putting may be. Technique is essential, but it often handcuffs golfers by not allowing them to stroke the putt freely and confidently!
A Swing Tip You Can Learn From the NFL Quarterbacks Who Played in the Super Bowl
By Ryan Adams, PGA
Published on Sunday, January 28, 2024
A thrilling match-up for Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas on Feb. 11 ended as it should.
With drama.
The Kansas City Chiefs won their second straight Super Bowl, defeating the San Francisco 49ers 25-22 on a short pass play in overtime. The game was fun to watch, with high-flying offenses, stout defenses, plenty of storylines . . . and how could we forget Taylor Swift?
Believe it or not, though, there’s also a little golf lesson you can learn from the quarterbacks playing in today’s game.
Did you see how Patrick Mahomes (above) of the Chiefs and Brock Purdy of the 49ers were making their throwing motions? Well, there’s a lot of similarities between the way these quarterbacks sling it and how to create more powerful strikes with every club.
Let’s break it down.
Wind up and weight transfer
The first step for a quarterback is winding up their upper body and then transferring weight to the front foot to fire a pass. That’s a lot like the golf swing if you think about it: You make a full turn and then transfer your weigh to the lead side to maximize power. Look at Mahomes below as he steps into a pass:
He can’t make this throw without transferring his weight to the lead side. When they weren’t under pressure during the Super Bowl, Mahomes and Purdy started throws by stepping into them, and not hanging back. When you hang back on your trail side, there’s no energy going to the ball (or in the quarterbacks’ case, the pass) which makes it harder to create good contact.
Try this: Make practice swings with a full turn (shoulder under chin) and then on your downswing, take a step with your lead foot like you’re throwing a football or baseball. You’ll understand the proper sequence a lot better.
Unwind the lower body
Once you’ve made that first step, it’s time to unwind the lower body. You’ll see in the Super Bowl that the quarterbacks create space with their lower body by opening their hips and firing through with their upper body. Without that, it’s nearly impossible for them to make a proper move and throw the ball. Look at Purdy unwindingfor a big throw here:
Same goes for your golf swing. There’s no way for you to hit the ball squarely without unwinding and rotating your hips to clear out space for the arms, hands and club. Not only are you clearing out space but because you made that move we described above in the first step, your sequence is right on and that means really good contact with the ball.
Try this: To understand this hip clear-out, get in stance and then take your lead hand and press it into your lead hip. You should feel an open rotation, or a “clearing out” of your lower body. Another way to think about this is if you had a belt on and tugged it with your lead hand. Attempt hitting a few half shots with this idea in place with your wedges.
Hopefully this two-part tip is something that will help you, like it helps these great quarterbacks on the NFL’s biggest stage.
Golf is unique treat that can be enjoyed at any age. Teach a child to play and they’ll have a foundation in place for decades of enjoyment on the course alongside friends and family.
PGA Professional Justin Blazer, the director of instruction at Duran Golf Club in Viera, Fla., wants his students to have fun learning and cultivates their interest by drawing inspiration from other athletic pursuits.
Here are nine tips to keep golf fun and exciting for junior golfers.
1. Find a PGA Professional, give your child room to grow. Research your area and locate an instructor who specializes in junior golf programs, is certified, or at the least has significant experience teaching kids. Then, offer support and encouragement but allow the pro to give the golf advice. Too much information from too many sources can strip the joy from the process of learning how to play golf.
2. Group instruction works best. Blazer played college basketball, so he comes from a team sport background. He reflects on growing up playing little league baseball, when he looked forward to practicing for a couple of hours because it meant a chance to hang out with his buddies. With the time available between shots, golf is the most social game. Instruction should follow this lead. Kids who learn, laugh, improve and struggle together are more likely to return for more.
3. Younger kids need variety. You’re never too young to learn, but the smallest swingers need a mixture of activities to keep clinics and lessons fresh and exciting. For Paul Johnson, head pro at the Links at Lost Plantation in Rincon, Ga., this might include an impromptu game of freeze tag in the midst of a driving range session, an obstacle course session or whacking tennis balls instead of golf balls to build confidence and break monotony. Any activity that emphasizes hand-eye coordination, balance or athletic movement benefits a golfer’s early development. Even if it doesn’t include touching a golf club or ball.
4. Don’t sweat the details. Solid fundamentals are important, but it’s fine for a beginner to have flaws in their grip or stance as long as they are hitting the ball, having fun and wanting to return to the course. Blazer believes his students’ pleasure is more important than applying undue stress in pursuit of perfection. If the time comes, he likes to turn his pupil into the teacher, have them ask questions about why such a change might be necessary. That keeps the students invested in the decision.
5. Get on course – as soon as possible. Juniors who spend too much time banging balls on the driving range can easily lose interest. Besides, the golf course is where the game really comes alive, remains fun and fresh, poses a unique set of circumstances each day. A golfer understands the reason to spend quality time practicing chipping or bunker play once they’re faced with those challenges on the golf course.
6. Let your child decide, it’s their journey. Not all junior golfers will want to play in tournaments. Some might like to compete, but only in a group setting. And others may enjoy the game just because they can be outside and spend hours sharing good shots and laughter with friends. Parents who push their child down the wrong path may drive their child away from the game. The decision to pursue a tournament title, college scholarship or professional career should always come from the golfer and no one else.
7. Slumps are part of sports. Every golfer reaches a point where scores aren’t improving because putts don’t drop or drives miss their target. Understand that all athletes have stretches where they simply don’t perform their best, sometimes for reasons that defy explanation – if they can be identified at all. Baseball hitters, field goal kickers, 3-point shooters all deal with low periods during a season, Blazer points out. Dwelling on what’s gone wrong can bring any golfer down. To maintain perspective, set reachable intermediate goals and keep the focus on the process of having fun.
8. Parents, don’t rush to spend. It’s tempting to rush out and buy expensive golf clubs and flashy clothes as soon as your son or daughter mentions they’d like to spend an afternoon on the golf course. Hold on to your debit card for a minute, however. Expose your child to the game first. Many instructors have clubs available for kids to use during lessons or clinics. If your child decides they like the game and want to continue playing, then find equipment that fits them. Proper club length and weight are imperative for young beginners. Clubs that are too long or heavy can introduce bad swing habits.
9. Enjoy this game together. Father and son, mother and daughter. Walk nine holes on a warm summer evening. Start a holiday tradition of sharing a round, and observe it whether there’s rain, sleet or wind. Watch the major championships, learn the rich history of the game and discuss your favorite players. Attend a PGA or LPGA Tour event and observe those who play the game best. Find time to play a round on a family vacation. Celebrate the good shots, forget the bad ones, laugh a lot and let each memory soak in.
How and where the history of golf originated is largely unknown and continues to be the subject of much debate. However, it is widely understood that the Scots during the Middle Ages were largely responsible for creating the game of golf we play today, a claim that has undergone substantial scrutiny and numerous challenges over many centuries.
Several forerunners to the history of golf date back to early 1297, and the Dutch have the closest ties to the origin of golf. Further evidence is supported by early 13th-century Dutch literature, which contained numerous references to “golf-like” games with medieval names such as “spel mitten colve” (play with club).
The Role of the Scots in Shaping Modern Golf
Commerce between Scotland and Holland blossomed throughout the North Sea trade route during the beginning of the Middle Ages. Sailors and traders often became stranded or delayed due to bad weather. They became perfect candidates to become introduced to a new and better way to enjoy their leisure time. They began participating in their favorite local sports of the day. In many instances, some of the players shown in Dutch pictures wore kilts, indicating they were Scottish visitors.
The 19th Hole Tradition: Celebrations in Golf’s Early Days
The first written word of golf in Scotland dates back to 1457, when golf was declared illegal. In Holland, the earliest written record dates back to 1297 and describes a cross-country version of a game with four players to a side, playing four holes with the objective being to strike the doors of pre-selected buildings with the ball along the way, the equivalent today of “holing out.” The prize for the winning side was often a barrel of beer, indicating that celebrating at the “19th hole” is a long-standing time-honored tradition.
The Rise of Golf Festivals and Markets
The history of golf also shows Scottish and Dutch people jointly attending many festivals, fairs, and extensive market gatherings, where among the countless items sold were leather-covered balls stuffed with feathers or cow hair. The only other early-style golf ball we know of was made of wood. Interestingly, during the middle of 1600, the Scottish king appointed a “golf ball maker” to balance the trade deficit better because the feathery golf ball was expensive.
Holland’s Claim to Golf’s Origins
One might assume from this information that one could reasonably make a strong case for Holland being labeled “the true founder of golf.” But looking beyond the Dutch border, historical records indicate that Belgians played a similar stick and ball game called “chole,” derived from Italy. But, these were one-club contests, with some of those clubs being used to perform more than one type of shot. Modern-day golf as we know it today is played with various clubs, up to fourteen, according to the official USGA Rules of Golf and the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews.
The Growth of Golf as a Large-Scale Sport
Also, the game today is played over a large area, frequently exceeding 100 acres, using a small ball. The primary object is to stroke the ball into the hole in the fewest strokes possible from a designated starting area (teeing ground). For the most part, the Scots developed and propagated the game of golf as we know it today. Clearly, they deserve much of the credit for the game.
There comes a moment in every round where we really need to hit a pressure filled shot. Watching the 103rd PGA Championship yesterday, Phil’s game was wavering after the wayward tee shot on the 13th hole. Over the next couple of challenging moments, he hit some average shots. With Brooks Koepka’s birdie on the 16th hole, Phil’s lead was gone.
Phil completed the Par 5 16th without a birdie. The success of the entire day now hinged on the next iron shot. The most difficult hole on the course was parred by Brooks. Phil had to match his score or even try to beat it. With his most committed swing of the day, Phil drew a straight line to the flag with his shot tracer. The pressure of the moment and the difficulty of that play could have easily caused him to guide the swing. When belief mattered most, Mickelson moved through it with confidence.
Within that crucial moment, what can we learn from Phil’s focus and commitment? Any expert instructor can teach positions in the golf swing. Being labeled a “coach” implies a little more. PGA Coaches don’t just teach their students the golf swing, they also coach them on how to use it. When preparing for one of those pressure filled shots, use Phil’s formula to perform.
Proper preparation starts with a powerful mindset. Dottie Pepper commented during the
telecast about Phil meditating. Behind those sunglasses, Phil filters out the noise and focuses on the target. Creating self-belief comes from a having a relaxed mind. Practices like meditation or just simply calming your thought process is the first successful step to pulling off the play.
Select the club you can swing. One of the worst mistakes we can make in these situations is trying to hit half shots. This is a very important point. Changing the speed and length of your swing will create more stress in an already super stressful situation. Correct club selection can actually help remove anxiety from the shot.
When it comes time to hit the ball, use your routine. You have a routine for a reason. Sticking to that routine for hours during a round of golf is impossible. We all have moments when we stray from our process. For this shot make it your best routine of the day. Do that and you’ll be really ready.
Envision the shot as you walk into the ball. If you don’t see it, you cannot create it. You see great players do this on television all the time.
Now you’re ready. Once you’re in the address position and ready to go; swing it. You chose that club for a very specific reason, now follow through on that intent. Make a complete swing. Hold your finish until the ball lands near your target.
These specific keys will allow you to perform your best under the tensest of times. Watch the coverage today. Now that you’re aware of what it takes to perform like Phil on the 17 th tee, observe all the contenders. Personality plays a part in this process too. Follow your favorite golfer and watch their routine. Their process will no doubt contain these five points.
As a PGA Coach, here’s one more tip on this subject. Screen shot this article. Save it in the pictures on your phone. Then when you practice, you can use that picture as a checklist. Start to incorporate each of the five keys into your pre-shot routine. Build a successful process on the range. One you can use like Phil when you have to perform under pressure.
Stay Centered and Balanced with this Drill from PGA Coach Cathy Kim
Published on
If you’re a golfer that has a hard time staying centered in the golf swing, PGA Coach Cathy Kim has a great drill for you.
Some golfers tend to move their head from side to side or shift their weight too much in the swing. It typically means the weight is rolling in their feet.
If you struggle with this problem, try going to the opposite end of the spectrum and taking some swings with your feet together. Hitting some shots on the range with your shoes side-by-side will help you feel the way your body moves and eliminate the sway in your swing. Ultimately, the drill will help teach your body to move and rotate properly without losing your balance.
Once you’ve centered and balanced your golf swing, you can attack your tempo with another great tip from Kim.
Operation 36 Announces Bold Initiative to Create 1,000,000 New Golfers
Matt Reagan, PGA
Co-Founder and CEO, Operation 36 Golf
Garner-based golf player development program, Operation 36, announced its bold initiative to grow the game of golf in a wildly impactful and measurable way over the next five years.
Co-Founders Matt Reagan, PGA, and Ryan Dailey, PGA have made Operation 36 well known because of their very different approach to teaching beginner golfers. Traditional wisdom says new players should get private golf lessons, and stay on the practice range until they are good enough to get on the course.
Operation 36 takes the traditional model and flips it on its head. All new players begin on the course. Instead of starting at the tee box, they play from 25 yards away from the hole. Once the player shoots par (36) from 25 yards, they back up to 50 yards, and so on, until they are shooting even par (36) from the full tee box. It’s timely, it’s fun, and it provides step by step improvement.
This golf program was initially seen as only a Junior Program that had caught fire as the standard for introducing any beginner to the game, including adults. It is now taught by nearly 700 coaches across the world at over 450 facilities with over 28,000 golfers.
Now the company has set an even bigger initiative.
Co-Founder Matt Reagan said, “There is a problem with how golfers are introduced to the game. It is our mission to give these new golfers the best program and technology possible to make becoming a life-long golfer a fun experience. Our team has been hard at work over the last 10 years to build the programs, technology, training, and network to help carry out this mission. We believe the foundation is in place to set our big Network-wide goal. We are going to introduce 1,000,000 new golfers to the game and get them to shoot even par (36) for 9 holes by the end of 2025! The best part is we can guide golfers and actually measure it with our technology. We will be the first company in golf that is able to accurately measure and relay the impact to the public. It can’t happen unless we pull everyone into the mission to grow the game. From Golf Pros as program leaders to existing golfers as influencers, we want everyone to have a complete plan to pull someone new into the sport. Over the coming months, we will be focused on continued growth and aligning with industry partners to bring the 1,000,000 new golfers goal to life!”
Operation 36 recently launched a new website, as well as a Program Map. Families who want to get involved with a program can now easily connect with a local Operation 36 coach. In the coming months, the company will be rolling out more tools to attract families to learn to play golf.
The mission at Operation 36 is to design the #1 Programs and Technology to introduce and progress a beginner in playing the game of golf.
The lower body plays a pivotal role in generating power in the golf swing.
But it’s also important to improve your fitness & conditioning in the lower body to assure that you can play the game for life.
Fortunately, PGA Coach Thor Parrish shared a pair of exercises that won’t only improve your strength but will help teach your body the proper movements needed to prevent injuries on the course and in your swing.
So check out yet another great fitness tip from Parrish below & be sure to connect with a PGA Coach in your area to find out what tips & drills are best to improve your game.
