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Summer is drawing to a close, therefore you need to
get out there and play some golf while you can. Many of
you will not be able to get out in a few weeks, so take
advantage of it now.

Had a great response to the yoga and golf idea. Read Richards thoughts for the next few weeks and I will see what I can come up with.
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Special notice

If you have a topic you would like to have discussed or
would like more information on a certain subject, just
send me an email and let me know. It may take me a
while to get to it, but we will. Your comments are
welcome and appreciated. The only requirement is you
put your name in each email.
Richard@thinkandreachpar.com



If you like this newsletter, I would appreciate it if
you would forward a copy to your friends and ask them
to subscribe. It's a free gift!!

Special announcement

Many of you have asked for the body golf series in dvd.
They are now available on the website now. The Deluxe
Series is in DVD.

Joe Delorenzo is Think And Reach Par's resident golf
pro. If you are having a Problem with your game, send
me your email and Joe will answer all that he can. I
just ask that you put your name in each email.



Swing analysis is now up and running. If you would like
your swing analyzed, the cost for a limited time is
$24.95. Just email me a copy of the digital file in
jpeg. If you don't have a digital camera, you can
mail me a vhs or mini dv video. Check it out here:
www.thinkandreachpar.com/tarp/swinganalysis.html

Or go to the products page on the website and look for
the link on the bottom of the page.

Quote of the week:

"We need to teach the next generation of children from day one that they
are responsible for their lives. Mankind's greatest gift, also its greatest
curse, is that we have free choice. We can make our choices built from
love or from fear."

Elizabeth Kubler-Ross
Author

Golf quote of the week:

My worst day on the golf course still beats my best day in the office.
John Hallisey


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Other Comments:

I have little time, but do like your newsletters.
I don't read most of them because they are too long, too much info, too much time to read it all.
I would probably read your newsletter word-for-word if it was less than half the length.
Just a suggestion.
Ed

Received this one from a subscriber. I know the newsletters are long, but I thought you could just read what you wanted to, and ignore the balance…like you do with a newspaper. What do you think? Should I cut the newsletters down to 3-4 pages? It’s your newsletter, and I value your opinion, just let me know.
Richard@thinkandreachpar.com




Comments from subscribers
Just a few on the golf and yoga idea

Hi Richard: I've been doing Pilates now for about 6 months and have noticed a substantial improvement in core strength and an improved back (no more back pain). Yes, I think that your emphasis on Yoga would be well received.

Bill

hi,richard. i would love to see your thoughts on yoga and golf. i`ve cracked ribs twice this summer playing, and need to find a way to eliminate this happening again,as you can imagine! i go straight to the tee box,without range balls,streching,etc.i can`t play for at least 3-4 weeks when this happens, and i`m usually shooting low 70`s when it occurs. then the layoff! bring it on! thanks, rob,harbor oaks golf club

Richard thanks for the great newsletter. I am interested in the Yoga & Golf material. Let me know when you have complied.

Thanks,
Elizabeth

Sounds like a great idea to me. Will be looking forward to seeing it.

William

New subscriber. Like the tips. Very interested in the yoga.

Dwayne Brock
Richard,
Thank you for the newsletter. I would most interested in more info on golf
and yoga.
Thank you,
Nick

Long time, no write, but I've been enjoying the weekly newsletters for some time now. Just thought I'd let you know that I'd be interested in any articles or products you might offer in the yoga area. I've been doing the stretches and exercises on Matt Fury's tapes for some time and it seems to help my physical flexibility and stability, but a little more flexibility and stability in the mind would probably be good too!

-Mark


I purchased the "Body Golf" video and implemented Mark's techniques. The part about the double-club pendulum swing really helped in my timing that otherwise was erratic, at best. From the practice tees to the course was the real test. Without getting too long-winded about my new playing style, the lower score at the end of the game set the tone for the rest of the day. I enjoy walking away from the 18th with a smile on my face. The neat thing? I now have the tools for more improvement."
Sincerely,
- T. McCarl, Huntington Beach, CA


Thank all of you for your response.

This weeks Q & A from our resident pro, Joe Delorenzo:


How are Course Ratings and Slope Ratings made?

A course rating is simply the average score that
scratch golfers would likely shoot on that course.
Slope ratings, however, are a lot more complicated.
The USGA has a formula that factors in all kinds of
variables such as distance, flat or hilly land,
doglegs, forced layups, elevation changes, altitude if
over 2000 feet, prevailing wind, fairway widths,
sizes, shapes, contours and firmness of greens, amount
of rough near landing areas, water hazards, bunkers,
out of bounds, trees, and psychological factors due to
visible dangers. The higher the slope number, the
more difficult the course.



Do All Tips Apply to Everyone, Regardless of Handicap?

It is widely known that the vast majority of golfers
cannot break 100. However, most instructions that you
might see on TV or read in magazines do not always
tell you whether certain tips are most appropriate for
low handicappers or high handicappers (example:
taking a full turn and swinging hard may not be good
advice for a high handicapper). If the instructions
are giving you more and more things to think about
while you are swinging, then they must be aimed at low
handicappers , since they must be assuming you already
can make clean contact on every shot, and you play
several times per week. For high handicappers, or
people who play less frequently, I feel we must be
careful to keep the game simple. It makes no sense to
overly complicate the swing for them. Clean contact
on every shot is of paramount importance.

We are not robots. We all have different amounts of
hand-eye coordination skills and athleticism. No two
people are built the same. Everyone has some
differences in bone and muscle structure, and the way
our natural hinges work (wrists, elbows, shoulders,
hips, knees, etc.). Although it makes sense to try to
imitate the way the pros swing to some degree, you
can’t expect a high handicapper to execute every
single move like the pros can. Pros play every day
and have personal swing coaches, and the best
customized equipment. People who play less frequently
and have average equipment, average physical skills,
and cannot afford lessons must tailor their
expectations accordingly.

It is OK to have a long list of swing keys, but it is
hard to think of more than one or two at a time during
your swing. Therefore, just pick from your list one
key for the backswing and one for the downswing.
There may be a certain combination of keys that seem
to work better one day and a different combination on
another day. Why is that? Because your swing is
controlled by many different muscles of differing
sizes and shapes, all of which are getting bigger or
smaller, stronger or weaker in different combinations
every day, so without you realizing it, your swing
does change. This is true for all sports, not just
golf. Nobody ever maintains a perfect swing for very
long. Be prepared to adjust, and minimize the slumps
which happen to everyone.

Joe DeLorenzo








Long Practice Sessions Equal Lower Scores
by
Mac Stevenson
On days when you can’t play with your regular group, turn the time into a rigorous practice session instead of just taking the day off.

A few long and intensive periods of practice can really help lower your scores. These practice routines--when done properly--can be time consuming and tiring. Consequently, you don’t want to do it so often that it becomes work. And you want to plan your practice ahead of time so you’ll get the most possible benefit out of your efforts.

Older players will get tired more easily, so they should plan their long practice sessions with care. Long practice routines should be done in the following order:

• Start your practice with 15-20 minutes on the putting clock while you’re still fresh. Don’t overdo the putting practice, but work hard at it while you’re doing it.
•
• After putting, practice your chip shots, pitch shots, and sand shots. The short game is vital and you should be sure you’re using the proper fundamentals when you work on it.
•
• Move to the driving range and start practicing with all the clubs in your bag, first hitting short irons and then moving to the longer irons.
•
• Hit your driver and fairway woods last because these are the clubs that will tire you the quickest.
•
How long you practice with each of the above-mentioned clubs will vary from player to player. Try and get in as much work as possible without becoming so fatigued that the practice becomes a chore and less beneficial. Hit balls until you’re pleasantly tired.

Don’t expect your long practice session to help your game the very next time you play, although it might. These occasional long sessions will improve your game over time if you practice the proper techniques and fundamentals.

Almost every serious golfer will confess that they hit the ball better on the driving range than they do on the course during a competitive round. This is normal. After all, you’re perfectly relaxed, hitting from a level lie, and you develop a repeating rhythm on the driving range. But don’t become discouraged when you don’t hit it as well on the course; practice will pay off over the long haul. You’ll hit fewer horrible shots and your consistency will improve.

During competition, don’t approach a pitch- or chip shot while telling yourself: “I hit this shot perfectly when I was practicing yesterday.” That puts too much pressure on your game. Forget the practice and concentrate on the shot. Just remember that shots hit during competition are entirely different from those on the driving range or chipping green.

One very positive result of long practice sessions is that you’ll realize you’re physically capable of hitting some superb golf shots. Even if you don’t do it right away on the golf course, you’ll know in your mind the potential is there. Stay with your practice routine, even though you will suffer through some disappointing golf games just like everyone else does.

Your short game will really improve if you practice it frequently for shorter periods of time. And it’s less tiring to hit pitches and chips than full shots. Just 20-30 minutes before a round working on your short game will pay huge dividends.

Practice should be fun. If you do it too often and for too long, it becomes work. So plan a schedule that you can enjoy, and be patient; lasting improvement in your golf game will be gradual and almost imperceptible. But over a period of a month or more, you’ll realize you’re getting better.


Richard’s thoughts:
Let’s get some of the principles of yoga behind us, then, we will work on some of the techniques of “Yoga and Golf” ( the actual “do this”)
Once the physical conditioning issues are addressed and the techniques of the game, such as the swing and putting, are committed to the subconscious mind, the psychology of the game needs attention. Without the technique for mastering the psyche in golf, you may remain frustrated, stressed and disappointed with your performance. We are all at the mercy of mind and emotions. Attitude, relaxation abilities, visual skills and emotional control, plays a vital role in your golfing success. Too much anxiety in play can lead to physical tension, and physical tension can kill your swing.

Golf is a competitive game whether you are playing against yourself or others. Self-destructive thoughts can impinge on the game of the best players. Golfers psychologically interact with the equipment, the golf course, co-players, spectators and themselves.

Fear is at the root of most golfer perceived threats that trigger a mindbody defense mechanism. Fear defense systems vary individually. Some people are naturally more calm and relaxed under pressure and don’t let problems or frustration get to them. Others are more sensitive to stress and may become upset much more easily. Fear can come from anxiety about self-esteem and what others think about you. Fear may also be imbedded in topping the ball. Fear of fear itself is natural, too.

Will I hit the ball? Will the ball go where I want it to go? Will others play well? What will others think of my play? Will they laugh at m, behind my back? Anxiety is largely an attempt to defend pride or ego. Most often, golfers are not aware of their own ego.

Emotions can interfere with mind-body unity, breathing and concentration, spoiling the tempo of the swing, decision-making, confidence and worst of all, enjoyment of the game. Most often, compromising feeling come from too much thinking and worrying about what others may think. Hitting a bad shot at a crucial time can stay in the golfers memory for years.

When fearing a long drive or missing a short putt, increased adrenaline, heart rate, blood pressure and respiration prepare the body to deal with a threat by increasing anxiety. While never really in physical danger, the golfer suffers anxiety triggered by a perception of a threat to self esteem or ego. When the fear defense system kicks in, the golfer becomes agitated. Whether feeling more powerful of less able, the golfer is usually vulnerable. The energy of rear becomes self-destructive.

Being aware of the physiological way that the body works can be the most important part of the game. You can change your mind-body chemistry simply by changing your thinking---from fear and tension to more positive emotions, such as joy.

Next week…Focus.

Until next week.good golfing!!

Dr Richard Myers
www.thinkandreachpar.com

New South Media, LLC
100 Gilderbrook Rd
Greenville, SC 29615

864-675-0038

Email: Richard@thinkandreachpar.com

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