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Archive for February, 2010

Learn Secret Swing Tips With Small Toe Adjustments

When a golfer makes a bad shot, you never really hear the excuse

The Annoying Tree Branch

A common predicament on the golf course places you about 100 yards from the green but an annoying, low hanging tree branch is right in front of you some 10 to 15 yards away, keeping you from hitting your normal 9-iron approach.

Instead of grabbing a saw and shopping the branch down, as we would all like to do, the solution is a shot that will carry no farther than a 9-iron, but start off with the trajectory of a 7-iron.

Either one of these clubs can be used.

The 7-iron can be used so long as you’re choking down on the grip and then hitting the ball as normal as possible. The 9-iron will work just fine as well, which I prefer to use in such a circumstance, so long as swing adjustments are made, as follows:

You have to shut the face of the club, move the ball back toward the middle of the stance, and keep your hands ahead of the ball. The effect is a reduced loft of the iron.

And finally, place all of your weight on the left side and keep it that way throughout the entire swing. The result should be a solid 9-iron shot that takes off low to the ground and shoots right under the tree branch.

Fun Warm-up Game: First Player To Make Six

Sometimes life gets in the way of getting yourself to the golf course. And with limited time to warm up on the practice green due to arriving late, it’s best to just have some fun and roll out as many putts as possible with another partner.

Try this fun warm-up game:

1) Both you and your partner grab a golf ball.

2) Select 2 holes on the practice green that are cut about ten to fifteen feet apart.

3) Position yourself to the side of one hole while your partner stands at the other. Keep your ball between your feet and the hole closest to you.

4) At the same time (or quickly alternating shots with your partner), putt to the opposite hole.

5) When the ball arrives at or in your hole, grab it up and putt it into the other hole.

6) The first one to sink six putts wins the warm-up game. Switch sides and continue the game until it is time for your round.

Stretching For Golf: “Back” To Basics

There is no greater stress handled by the body during golf than the muscles of your back. With all of the twisting that a proper golf swing requires, you must spend just a few minutes to warm up the area with the following routine:

1) Grab a short club and put it behind your back and across your body. Thread it through the crooks of your bent elbows.

2) Assume your golf stance as if you’re standing over the ball. Keep some flex in your knees, with a straight spine and your butt stuck a bit out.

3) Now mimic your backswing with your upper body by making a level turn back, and hold it. Feel that motion and that weight on your back hip. Your belt buckle should point directly to your right (for right handed golfers). Hold that position for approximately ten seconds.

4) Turn back the other way, up off your back side and onto your front, into your follow-through as you normally finish your swing. Hold that position for ten seconds as well.

5) Repeat the exercise several times, moving slowly and holding at both ends.

Stretching For Golf: Loosening Up The Legs

Before you hit the driving range, practice green, or the golf course for a round, you need to stretch your leg muscles. You use these muscles all throughout your practice sessions and real golf games.

Getting The Legs Ready

Your legs, which include the ankles and feet, are very important to a good golf swing. Your legs are the base which provides foundation, balance, and power. When you step out of your cart or before you stroll over to the practice tee or the green, stretch those hamstrings!

The hamstrings are the most powerful muscles in the legs when it comes to playing golf. They are the muscles most featured in the swing. Simply put your heel on the back of the cart, and slowly lean forward to grab your toe with the opposite hand.

WARNING: Do not hurt yourself! If you cannot reach your toe then stretch as far as you can go without pain.

You should feel your hamstring on the back of the stretched leg. Hold still and count to ten, then repeat the stretch with your other leg. Go back and forth several times until both legs feel loose and limber.

Stretching For Golf: Warming Up The Chest, Back & Arms

There are many ways to improve your golf game, but one of the most overlooked strategies that can have an immediate positive effect are quick stretching routines.

A great way to warm up the muscles of your chest and back before playing golf, with a little extra work for the arms, is the following simple routine:

1) Hold the shortest club in your bag (putter or sand wedge) between your palms at arms’ length in front of your body, applying pressure on the ends of the grip and blade.

2) Keeping your left arm firm and straight, with a little resistance, push the club with your right hand toward the left side of your body, rotating the back of your shoulder blades.

Note: This stretches out your biceps and shoulders. Hold this position for at least ten seconds.

3) Do this pushing exercise at least two to three times in each direction for maximum results.

Stretching For Golf: Warming Up The Shoulders & Back

Looking to improve your golf game? Imagine taking just 5 minutes to follow a simple stretching routine that will put you physically above the rest on your next round. The following exercise is a simple stretch that is designed to loosen up the shoulders and the back muscles, which play in important role in your swing.

First, take out the shortest club you have in your bag, either the putter or the sand wedge, and follow these steps:

1) Point the grip-end of the golf club into the palm of one of your outstretched hands and the blade of the club into your other palm, and with your arms extended straight out in front of you.

Note: The shaft of the club should be at arms length in front of you, parallel to the ground.

2) Keeping opposing pressure to hold the club in place, bring your left arm up and over your right until your arms are crossed and you feel pressure on your shoulders and back. Hold this position for about ten seconds.

3) Now perform the same movement in the opposite direction (counter-clockwise) and hold the position for ten seconds.

4) Repeat these steps several times until you feel adequately stretched and warmed up.

Stretching For Golf: Taking Care Of Those Rotator Cuff Muscles

The muscles of the body should be worked and stretched for maximum gains in your golf game. It is common knowledge to stretch out the legs, torso, and arms, but very few golfers pay attention to stretching the rotator cuffs, which make up the shoulder joint.

Stretching out your shoulders is easy, but you should perform the stretch deliberately and with patience and care.

First, take a club, the wedge will do fine, and hold it by the grip. Using a club gives this activity some weight for resistance.

Now get to work on those rotator cuffs:

1) With your off-hand at your side, gently begin to swing your arm with the club alongside your body, forward and back, without bending your elbow.

2) When you are comfortable, slowly swing your arm forward. Keep the arm as straight as possible. As you move the arm forward go all the way above your head and back behind you, making a large circle.

Note: If you find it tough to go back and around, just try the movement going forward and around.

3) Stretch the same with both arms until your shoulders feel relaxed.

Putting Tip: Recognize That Every Putt Is Just A Straight Line

The green will break in many different directions on each hole, and on any golf course you may play. Therefore one of the secret tips to successful putting is to understand that regardless of the break, right to left or left to right, your stroke must always be made on a straight line.

Pick your target, one that will allow for the break, and simply roll the golf ball in a straight line directly to that spot. The green will do the rest of the work for you and carry the ball toward the hole.

Most golfers attempt to steer the ball and vary their strokes, but breaking greens are actually your friend, so long as you treat each putt in the manner described above.

The same goes when attempting a chip shot toward the hole. Do not vary your swing. Just choose a spot that will allow for the break and make your chip shot directly down the target line, straight to your chosen spot.