Winter Ideas For Your Golf Game

Want to maintain your golf performance?  Or perhaps improve in the off season?  Try one or two of the following :

1. Begin a daily stretching regimen - increased flexibility will allow you to swing more smoothly with a better chance to get "wound up," before you "unwind" in your forward swing.

2. Putt and chip in your house.  Put down a swatch of carpeting if you need to, and practice keeping the club low through the ball.  Brush the carpet on chips!

3. Watch a professional tournament. Look for common denominators in the leader's swings.

4.  Play your favorite course in your mind.  Close your eyes and imagine each shot. Make sure that you shoot at least par. :)

5.  If you have a consistent playing partner, whose game and opinion you respect, ask him/her what he/she sees as your main weakness. (Better chance of being able to receive this information when you are not close to a club).

6. Use this time to correct any "Set-Up" flaws.  If you need to adjust your grip, stance, posture, ball position, weight distribution at address, now is a good time to force yourself into the correct position.  Grip a club while watching American Idol...or the Super Bowl.  If you have an inflammatory personality, you better skip it while watching football. When you're changing into your pajamas at night, take a golf stance while looking in the mirror.  Better to look after your PJs are on.  Don't want to be distracted with bodily imperfections. :)

7. Go to an indoor facility and leisurely hit a few balls.  Don't worry about where the balls go.  Try to feel a consistent rhythm and hold your finish. Regardless of ball outcome, see if you can keep your balance.

8.  If you want to stay in a higher gear, take lessons and work hard on improving your physical motions. Find a teacher that you trust and then FULLY trust him or her.  Ask lots of questions, but be determined to fully appropriate the directions. You are always free to change course (pun intended), but be 100% in for at least a minimum amount of time.  Be sure about your choice and then choose to be sure about the instruction.

Just a few suggestions FORE YOU, Sue

Haven't Missed A Shot All Year!

Love the New Year!  Another fresh start is upon us.  For some of you, this means waiting for spring to hit your first shot of the year.  For hearty others, your shot will come while traipsing through the snow with an orange ball. And for those of you in warm climates, you may have already hit your first shots of 2013!

My wish for a happy new year, holds the exhortation to FORGET last year and start fresh.  Look back to evaluate and set a new course, (pun intended), then "fore-ge" ahead.  Be realistic and have high hopes as well.  Golf gives us heights and depths all in a 2-4 hour period.  A slice of life.  Know that the lousy shots will come, but approach every shot with hope. 

Keep moving forward and don't get discouraged.  Steady forward progress is what you are looking for.  Is there anything in your golf game, that you are repeating, just because it's all you know, or all you've ever done?  Be courageous and be willing to let go of your mediocre, but safe habits and routines, and venture out into new territory.

If you are an "elderly canine," (old dog ), you CAN learn new tricks.  Keep shooting for strong and sound fundamentals.  True, there are a lot of ways to hit a golf ball.  But all very good players, do many things the same.  Get to your foundation and if it hasn't been built on the right cornerstone, opt for rebuilding.  It will take some work, but it will serve you well for the rest of your golf life!

Happy New Course and Year! 

Fore you, Sue