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Richard’s Quick Tip:
Long-Iron Attack
Many of the subscribers have told me that they have great
difficulty hitting long irons. One reason so many people
miss-hit long irons is that they try t scoop the ball up with the
clubface. This attempt to hit the ball on the upswing ruins more
potentially good shots than any other fault, unless the other
fault is fear or being afraid to trust the long irons. The three
most important essentials in hitting long irons are balance, ball
position and hand position.
Weight should be evenly distributed on both feet and slightly
back on the heels. The head should be anchored over the ball and
should remain there during the swing. The ball should be
slightly inside the left heel at address. Assuming that a drive
would be addressed opposite the left heel and that a five-iron
would be played opposite the middle of the stance, the long irons
would be just about halfway between. Hands should be kept well
ahead of the clubhead at address to induce a descending blow.
Hit down and through the ball. Take a bit of turf and finish
your swing with your hands high. There are few more satisfying
shots than the properly hit long iron. Over come any fear you
may have for the two and three irons, and you’re on your way to
more golf enjoyment and lower scores.
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Comments from subscribers:
Dear Richard,
I purchased the Body Golf swing tape from you earlier this year.
At that time, I had been inconsistently shooting 85 to 95 on my
home course for a couple of years.
After studying the tape thoughtfully, I am now shooting
mid-seventies, or no worse than a recent 84. My best game in the
past week (I play nearly daily) was a 73! Can I attribute all
this progress to just the tape? Not really, although the swing
mechanics are excellent. The real reason is the series of little
tips you provide in the No B.S. Newsletter. Little things like
checking my grip before EVERY shot, swinging in balance and the
very important question of timing are basic fundamentals most
golfers overlook. It is absolutely amazing how much farther and
on target that little ball goes with a well-timed swing and an
on-balance finish. As Sensi Mark says: "it's just a little
dance". But let me get a little fast, or out of time, and its
anybody's guess where the ball will go. (Usually its a wild hook,
caused by letting my body get ahead of everything else).
Thanks for your efforts. I can assure everyone who subscribes to
your newsletter that if they will follow your tapes and
suggestions with an "empty cup" they too will experience that
thrill of finishing a good round with a low score and the same
ball they started with.
Anson
Knoxville, TN
Congratulations Anson. How pleased I am to hear how well you are
doing. You are evidence the Body Golf videos do work. Thanks
for letting us know.
Richard
Richard,
Do you know what would be nice? If instructions were given as
"front or back foot" and "top or bottom hand" rather than "left
and right".
Being a lefty, a former athlete, and now coach, I find that golf is the only
sport that uses "left and right".
Thanks
John
Hi Rich,
What do you think of natural golf method? The reason I am asking
you this is, there are lots of golfers out there that stopped
playing golf because it takes too much time and money to maintain
a good game. Believe it or not, I think you would agree with me.
Hence, I am seeking for a swing that will provide me with
consistent ball striking even if I hadn't practised for 2 weeks!
Its like I am able to play tennis after 2 weeks of being a couch
potato! I know that my thoughts may sound a bit naive or silly
but if its what it takes to get more people to play golf, we need
to develop a swing like a tennis stroke! Please let me know if
there is such a swing out there like I described. Thanks again
Rich!
Jack, CA
Nice to hear from you Jack. The natural golf method is just like
any other method. It will work for some people and not for
others. Just like Body Golf, it will work for some an not for
others. I don't think you are going to fine a swing that will
work for what you are looking for. The occasional golfer. Golf
is totally unlike tennis. Tennis is a very simple game and
requires the same moves all the time. It does not require the
mental work and muscle preciseness of golf. Tennis is more of a
physical game than golf. Golf requires not only the exact muscle
use, but the exact mental use. I honestly don't think you are
going to fine a one swing fits all, good for playing golf twice a
month. I just don't think it's out there, but if I run up on
something, I will let you know.
Richard
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Quote of the week
"A person of power embraces challenges in complete gratitude. No
matter the situation life may bring, discontent is never
justified, rather all is experienced as an opportunity and a
privilege to adventure and grow."
James Ray
Author and Speaker
===============================================
Golf quote of the week:
"The reason the pro tells you to keep your head down is so you
can't see him laughing."
-Phyllis Diller
=================================================
Questions and Answers by Teaching Pro Mr Joe DeLorenzo THANK YOU
for taking your time to answer these Joe.
Joe is also available for private lessons. "For private or group
lessons in Chicago's northwest suburbs, contact Joe at
golfwithjoey@yahoo.com
A Bit Of Golf Trivia:
When youngster Francis Ouimet stunned the golf world by defeating
British stars Harry Vardon and Ted Ray in the US Open, how many clubs
were in his bag? (answer below)
Joe,
What about the head during a Golf swing? There are some people
that say that the head has to be absolutely still and the eyes have to be on
the ball during the swing until the follow through. Contrary to this,
there is a school of thought that the head being still is a myth. This
states that if the head is still, it robs the power that the body can generate.
Surely, Golf instructions are more difficult than the game itself. Would
appreciate your insight and advice in this matter.
Regards,
Vinodh.
Hello Vinodh,
Absolutely still is incorrect. Steady is correct, meaning that
the head can rotate a little bit. It is true that you can get more power by
allowing the head to move sideways during the backswing, but that is only for
people who have no problems with good ball contact. If you find yourself
hitting shots fat or thin or wild, then I would recommend keeping the head
more
steady and avoid the sideways movement. As we said to Sid from Australia
last week, Jack Nicklaus' instructor used to grab the back of his hair to
prevent too much head movement, and Jack was still one of the longest drivers
of his era, so I am not sold on the idea that sideways head movement
helps.
Joe
Joe,
Thank you for accommodating me in your golf tips. I've been
playing for almost six months now but I still could not break 100 on my
games. Could you also help me cure my left arm to be strait during backswing
up to impact on the ball and slice.
Respectfully yours
Alex Ricohermoso
Hello Alex,
Keeping the left arm straight (assuming you are right handed)
accomplishes two good things. It assures the widest possible arc, and the
wider the arc, the higher the clubhead speed. It assures a more consistent
arc,
for example, if you allow the left elbow to bend, you have to be
consistent in how much it bends or else the arc will be inconsistent, and
therefore your ball striking will be inconsistent. Of course you should not
make
too much of an effort to keep it perfectly straight or else you might
restrict your
natural swing, just keep it comfortably straight. If you are
slicing, there are probably other reasons at play, possibly your grip or your
weight shift, or your swing plane. I would recommend trying the Body Golf Slice
Buster video, it should help you.
Joe
Joe,
I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW
1. WHY I TEND TO HIT THE BALL "THIN" OFF MY IRONS.
2. WHAT DRILLS CAN I DO TO HELP THAT.
3. I HAVE A REAL HARD TIME GETTING THE CLUB BACK TO PARELLEL AND
INOT ONLY WATCH THE PROS BUT SOME GUYS AT DRIVING RANGES DOING IT
EFFORTLESSLY. WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP MYSELF WITH THAT?
THANKS,
Rob Wing
Hello Rob,
I think your number 3 might have something to do with your number
1. You might be so concerned with getting the club back to parallel,
that you ball striking may be suffering because of that. Although it looks
like
the classical thing to do, it is not absolutely necessary, especially
with irons. Many pros only get to parallel with woods, not irons.
Besides, some of us are not built the same as others so we cannot swing the
same way. Look at how short the backswings are for Dana Quigley, Allen Doyle,
Jim Thorpe, and several others, they do not even come close to parallel even
with woods, and yet they are very successful. As for your number 2, I would
recommend the drills shown on the Body Golf videos, such as the double
clubber and the toe drag drills. You may also find that the Body Golf drills
and
exercises might result in your getting closer to parallel without having to
concentrate on that.
Joe
Joe,
I have always been a banana slicer until i recently purchased a
used Tour Edge Bazooka driver with a 10degree offset. Now the ball goes so
straight that i am having trouble getting used to it, not that i am
complaining, i love it! I would like to know why? It looks like i am holding
the
face square to the ball. Is this club just covering up a swing fault?
I am a little perplexed, but having more fun.
Jim
Hi Jim,
It sounds like your Bazooka is "heel weighted" which is intended
to promote a draw, like many new drivers are doing. It is also likely that
your shaft is different. This would only be covering up a swing fault if you
are also slicing all your other clubs, but you did not mention that. Do
you still have your older driver? If so, do you still slice it? If you do,
that is proof to everyone that you should never change your swing for a
driver, especially if you are hitting your other clubs straight. You can
heel-weight your own driver by applying lead tape at the heel. This tape is
available a many golf shops.
Joe
Question for the Evil Twin:
Jody, does golf give you a peaceful feeling?
Answer: The geese laugh at you, the trees taunt you, the sand
mocks you, the water calls your name - there is no peace. This is war.
Answer to the above trivia question: Francis Ouimet used only 7
clubs to win the US Open. That was probably all his ten year old caddie
could carry.
For the full story, read the fascinating book "The Greatest Game
Ever Played" by Mark Frost, available at many libraries.
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Golf Potpourri
by
Mac Stevenson
Desperation Destroys Judgment
Whether on the golf course or in everyday life, it’s difficult
for all of us to recognize our limitations. Accepting our
shortcomings is important in daily life and it’s vital on the
golf course.
All golfers occasionally hit poor shots at the worst possible
time. The normal reaction is to have a feeling of desperation
creep into your psyche, feeling you have to do something
spectacular to make up for the bad shot. More often than not,
that not only isn’t possible but it’s disastrous to even attempt
near-impossible shots.
Often we find ourselves in an untenable situation on a particular
shot because of the weather, a prior poor shot, or our limited
ability. When this happens, don’t try to force a miracle shot
that will lead to a round-ruining hole.
Here are six examples of problem shots that all golfers encounter
from time to time:
(1) On a par four or five, you can have a long approach shot
to the green because of a poor tee shot or a fierce headwind. If
it’s a shot that you are unlikely to hit successfully with a
three wood, use a more forgiving club like a five wood that will
leave you in a good position to approach. The percentages are
against reaching the green with the three wood, and you can end
up in the rough or a trap if you try it.
(2) When you have an 80-100 yard iron shot that’s downwind to
a pin set behind a trap on a downhill lie, don’t try and hit a
miracle shot to get it close. You’re in a situation where you
have to accept a par or bogey and go on to the next hole. Be sure
and hit your approach safely on the green so you don’t jump up a
double-bogey by hitting a dumb shot.
(3) Don’t be embarrassed to hit a wood instead of an iron to
a long par three into the wind, even if your playing companions
all hit an iron. It’s a game of how many, not how. Play within
your own capabilities.
(4) On slick, downhill putts with a lot of break, allow more
break than you need to in order to stop the ball close the hole.
If you try and make the putt, chances are you’ll let it get away
and three-putt. However, circumstances during a particular round
will dictate whether or not to do this. But it’s a good rule to
play more break than you think you need on treacherous downhill
putts. In other words, you’re sacrificing a long-shot chance to
make the putt in order to be certain of a two-putt.
(5) On short pitch shots out of heavy rough close to the
green, it’s easy to try to be too cute with them. You have to
chop down on the shot and hit it firmly to be sure it comes out
of the heavy rough. This shot is extra tough to get close to the
hole and the first consideration should be to make certain that
you get it on the green within easy two-putt range.
(6) When an errant tee shot puts you in the trees and you
have a choice between hitting through a narrow opening or
pitching back to the fairway, take the safer course. If you try
and hit a full shot through a narrow opening, you can end up in
even more trouble and jump up a double- or triple-bogey.
That’s just six examples of difficult shots that can lead to
wasted strokes; there are so many predicaments requiring you to
rein in your emotions that they would fill a book.
You have to think on the golf course and you must maintain your
concentration and poise. Be aware of and accept your weaknesses
and make the best of unfavorable situations; that’s as good a
rule as there is for golfers of all skill levels.
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Richard’s Thoughts
Everyone assumes the large golf companies are making money hand
of fist, but I read an article the other day stating some of the
big names may be in trouble.
The golf industry as a whole is in trouble and things have been
rough. In some areas of the country the number of rounds are
about half what they were last year. The number of total gofers
and the number of rounds are way down. Companies like Callaway
Golf reported a net loss of $34.9 million for the third quarter
of this year.
Waylans Golf a regional chain in Massachusetts if folding up.
Natural Golf is on the ropes. Their Golf Channel reality show
was a failure. They have gone through all the money (12 Million)
they raised in an IPO earlier this year. Their stock opened at
$5.00 and is now at $.70. Now, they’ve laid off 40% of their
work force and according to their quarterly report, they owe more
money than they have on hand. From what I understand, many
companies are down 10-30% in sales this year with a few off even more.
I know of several golf stores that are barely hanging on by their
teeth. The sales and profit is just not there.
Where is all of this going? I don’t know. What’s the cause? I
suspect the economy has something to do with it. I think this
golf boom came along about the time of Tiger Woods. He bought a
lot of attention and excitement to the sport. That bought in an
surge of people. Also, golf has become a pretty expensive sport.
Also, especially in the South, there is a golf course on every
corner From where I live here in northwest South Carolina, there
are 42 golf courses within a forty-five minute drive, with three more
new ones under construction, that I know of. That’s a lot of
golf courses for one and one-half million people.
Time will tell.
Until next week…good golfing!
Dr Richard Myers
www.thinkandreachpar.com
www.superbabysitting.com
864.675.0038
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