1. What’s In Your Bag
2. Five Keys To Hitting It Straighter
3. Question of the Week - Easy Fixes For Golfers Who Pull
4. Article - Maximizing Distance Off The Tee
5. Article - How To Become A Great Shotmaker (Part II)

What’s In Your Bag

If you’re just starting to play golf, you probably don’t care about what’s in your bag. But you should care. Carrying too many clubs can make a difference in your scores. It can create confusion when choosing a club to hit and cost you strokes. Carrying too many clubs can also slow down your rate of improvement. Smart golfers carry only the clubs that suit their games.

Below are five tips on what to carry in your bag:

• Driving club with 13 to 16 degrees of loft
• Fairway wood with 19 to 23 degrees of loft
• Oversized irons with forgiving design
• PW and SW with substantial bounce
• Putter with heel-toe weighting

A good beginner’s set includes a driving club with 13-16 degrees of loft, with a regular-flex shaft of standard length. Using a 3-wood as your main driving club is a good idea for beginners. It’s shorter and easier to hit than a driver. Later, you can switch.

A good beginner’s set also includes a fairway wood, with loft of 19-23 degrees and a shaft with the same flex as your driving club. If you’re using a three wood off the tee, use a 5-wood in the fairway.

You should also carry a set of oversized irons (5, 7, 9) with a forgiving design, perimeter weighting, and low center of gravity. Choose irons with light, flexible shafts (graphite or steel). Also carry pitching and sand wedges with substantial bounce (12 degrees). The bounce helps prevent the leading edges from digging.

In addition, you should carry a putter that feels comfortable. You may be using this club for a long time. So you want it to feel good. Other putter features to look for are heel-toe weighting and a shaft length that fits your posture.

Golf lessons are important. But not as important as what you carry in your bag. If you’re new to golf, use a half set of clubs. Until you can hit those correctly, you don’t need any more.

Five Keys To Hitting It Straighter

Your goal on every hole should be to hit the green in regulation. That would leave you with a putt for birdie, or better still, an eagle. Hitting a green in regulation is hard if you can’t hit it straight. Hitting slices and/or hooks all the way down the fairway makes it difficult to reach the green in regulation. But a good swing combined with a good line of play should produce a straight shot.

Below are five keys to hitting straight shots:

• Relax your right side
• Memorize the line of play
• Visualize the image of the target
• Fix the line of play in mind
• Start on the line of play

The mental preparation you do before you swing is critical to hitting straighter—and longer— shots. Begin at set-up by thinking about relaxing your right side (left side for lefties). The thought helps keep that side of your body lower through impact.

Next, visualize the line of play and commit it to memory. Create a visual image of this pathway in your mind. When it comes time to hit the ball, the path you want the ball to travel on is fixed in your mind.

In addition, start the club on the line of play. An on-line takeaway increases your chances of actually hitting the ball where you want and often helps compensate for a bad swing.

Triangle Takeaway Drill
This drill grooves a one-piece takeaway and helps you start the club on the line of play. Select a driver. Grip the clubshaft a few inches below the club’s handle and place the butt end of the club gently against your stomach, at a point just above your belt. Practice making small swings while concentrating on keeping your arms close to your sides with the club touching your navel.

Combining this drill with the mental keys described above will help you to hit straight and accurate shots with regularity. That’ can’t hurt your game.

Question of the Week - Easy Fixes For Golfers Who Pull

Q.You always have advice for slicers, but none for us “pullers.” I couldn’t slice in a million years, but I can “pull,” even hook, all day long. It’s more pronounced with my fairway woods. Help!

Roger
Council Bluffs, Iowa

A. Thanks for the question, Roger. Believe it or not, slices and pulls stem from the same fundamental swing flaw—approaching the ball on an out-to-in swing path. To eliminate pulls (and slices), you need to learn to swing on an in-to-out path and square off the position of the clubface through impact.

Try one or more of these fixes:

1. Close the overall alignment of your body
2. Close your clubface a little
3. Encourage your right arm (left arm for lefties) to close early in the swing
4. Encourage your right arm (left arm for lefties) to aggressively cross over your left (right).
5. Strengthen your grip

To strengthen your grip, move both hands to the club’s right until you can see three knuckles. Left-handers would move their hands to the club’s left.
Fixing a pull is often a case of trail and error. So you may have to try a combination of these fixes until you find the right answer. But the solution to your problem is there somewhere.

If you’ve got a golf question you’d like answered, send an email to us at questions@howtobreak80.com and we’ll review it. I can’t guarantee that we’ll use it but if we do, we’ll make sure to include your name and where you’re from.

If you want to truly discover the secrets of shooting like the Pros and creating a more reliable and consistent swing, check out: http://www.HowToBreak80.com

Also, for past issues of this newsletter and some of my most recent articles, visit our blog at www.HowToBreak80.com/blog

Here are some of my recent articles:

Article - Maximizing Distance Off The Tee

Article - How To Become A Great Shotmaker (Part II)

Until next time,

Go Low!

Jack

P.S. Feel free to share this newsletter with family and friends. If you would like to subscribe to this newsletter, go to http://www.howtobreak80.com/newsletter.htm

About the Author

Jack Moorehouse is the author of the best-selling book “How To Break 80 and Shoot Like the Pros!“. He is NOT a golf pro, rather a working man that has helped thousands of golfers from all seven continents lower their handicaps quickly. His free weekly newsletter goes out to thousands of golfers worldwide and provides the latest golf tips, strategies, techniques and instruction on how to improve your golf game.

Usually, we attribute the difference between a good putter and a poor putter to mechanics. Good mechanics produces good putting. Bad mechanics produces bad putting. Good mechanics are what most golf lessons and golf tips emphasize. And that’s fine. You can’t be a superior putter if your mechanics are wrong. But mechanics aside, what else makes one golfer a better putter than another? Research shows that focus and concentration is the difference, underscoring the importance of the Quiet Eye.

The Quiet Eye
Simply put, the Quiet Eye occurs when your gaze remains absolutely still on the ball just before and as the stroke is performed. Two key elements in the Quiet Eye are location and duration. Research shows that golfers who putt well focus on either the back or the top of the ball. Which is better? Both locations improve accuracy, but a weight of evidence now favors the back of the ball. As for duration, good putters have a Quiet Eye duration of two or three seconds on average. Less skilled player held their gaze steady for one or two seconds on average.

Why is the Quiet Eye so critical when you putt? Your hands are controlled by your brain, which gets valuable information from your eyes. As you putt, your brain must organize 100 billion neurons. Your gaze keeps these neural networks informed. They in turn control both your hands and body when putting. But these networks stay organized for only a short period, creating a window of opportunity that must be used when it’s at its most optimal: This is the Quiet Eye period.

Unfortunately, the Quiet Eye is the first thing to go when under stress. It moves with the stroke. When you choke, the billion cells in your brain lose their effectiveness in solving the putt’s slope, curvature, distance, and location problems. Even hours of golf instruction sessions and practice focused on mechanics may not be able to save you when the pressure is on. On the other hand, developing proper mechanics builds confidence—another key element in putting. But confidence may not be as critical to putting accuracy as the Quiet Eye.

Developing the Quiet Eye
Routine Research shows that an average golfer using a pre-shot routine based on the Quiet Eye sinks more putts than when not using the routine—whether the routine is learned in golf lessons or self-taught. Visualization is a key element of this routine.

Focus on the hole
Once your putterhead is set behind the ball, pick a specific location on the hole where you want the ball to go, like a blade of grass or a small feature on the cup’s front lip.

“See” the ball go in
Look at this location for about two seconds. Visualize the ball going into the hole.

Scan from the hole to the ball
Smoothly shift your gaze without interruption from the target to the back of the ball. Your gaze should move efficiently and calmly.

Eye on the ball
Fixate on the back of the ball. Imagine just the right contact of the putterhead on the ball. Picture a line through this contact point to your spot on the hole.

Stay steady
Maintain a Quiet Eye on the one spot on the back of the ball from the backstroke through contact. Don’t peek! Take a look at your ball going in the hole only after putting.

The Quiet Eye may be an objective measure of “being in the Zone,” according to some experts. This idea of being in the Zone, or in the “flow,” as some athletes say, has been around for a long time. But until now, there has been little scientific evidence that the Zone exists—let alone can be measured. Developing the Quite Eye technique might not only help you access the zone when putting, it might also help you achieve better putting accuracy, knocking strokes off your golf handicap.

For more about the Quiet Eye, see the Quiet Eye Web site (http://quieteyesolutions.com) or the Web site of Dr. Joan Vickers (http://www.kin.ucalgary.ca/nml) , a leading researcher in this area.

Jack Moorehouse is the author of the best-selling book “How To Break 80 And Shoot Like The Pros.” He is NOT a golf pro, rather a working man that has helped thousands of golfers from all seven continents lower their handicap immediately. He has a free weekly newsletter with the latest golf tips, golf lessons and golf instruction.

But did you know that there is one part of the golf swing that can REALLY RUIN your game if not done correctly? See, there’s one thing that can ROB your swing of precious distance and proper ball contact and it can be really frustrating trying to figure it out.

So, I’ve made a short five minute video that shows you exactly what this miscue is and how to avoid it.

Yes, this is part of our latest Seniors DVD but in fairness to those who are not seniors, this same concept and instruction applies so it would be beneficial to see this eye-opening video. It’s just that this issue is more prevalent in seniors but trust me, there are still a great majority of us who commit this mistake, regardless of age.

Make sure to watch the entire video because some of the best drills and explanations are toward the end.

Enjoy!

Jack

P.S. This video tip is part of the brand new Seniors DVD which we recently launched. Learn how to play the best golf of your life with this unique and proven system.

But match play is a highly popular format. Many golf leagues use it. Many tournaments do as well. So if you’ve never played this golf format, rest assured you probably will. Done right, match play is a lot of fun, especially if you’re on a team. It also provides some variety from stroke play. And it gives you a different perspective on your game. Obviously, you have to approach it differently than you do stroke play.

Below we describe five popular match play strategies. They’re time-tested strategies that work. Keep them in mind whenever you play match play.

Form A Game Plan
To win, you must form a game plan—and stick to it. This is a key golf tip on match play. Don’t let your opponent dictate play. Take control of it early and try to keep it throughout the match. Size up your opponent and the golf course. Disregard golf handicaps when doing this because they don’t mean much in match play. Then, decide how to play each hole based on your capabilities. In formulating your game plan, keep one thing in mind: pars win matches.

Apply Pressure Whenever You Can.
Among the keys to winning at match play is applying pressure. It can cause opponents to make mistakes or take bad swings. So apply pressure whenever you can. For example, if your opponent hits a good drive and you can afford to sacrifice a little distance, try to hit just short of him. That way you can apply pressure by hitting it close. This is an excellent strategy to employ on the closing holes. Making him/her press even a little bit in an effort to match your shots often results in a poor swings.

Control The Match’s Tempo
Controlling tempo is another way to apply pressure to your opponent. If he/she is hyper and fidgety and likes to play quickly, take the opposite approach. Play at a moderate speed, especially if you make a mistake, like skulling one out of a greenside bunker when your opponent is on the green. Take your time raking the bunker and walking to your ball. It allows you to simmer down and it gives him some time to think about his putt. Controlling tempo isn’t always easy. I know. I once had a student taking golf lessons that couldn’t sit still. It was all I could do to slow myself down when playing with him. Just be careful that you don’t unduly delay the game.

Control Your Opponent’s Putting
Putting is just as important in match play as it is in stroke play, if not more important. Concede short putts early but not late in the match. Don’t give your opponent the opportunity to practice any shot that might help him or her later on. This is an old golf tip that works. If your opponent isn’t used to putting short ones, it will be that much harder for them at crunch time.

Know When To Gamble
Know when to gamble and when not to. If you’re down 2 with 3 to play and your opponents plunks one a foot from the hole, it’s obviously no time to lay up. The trick is to recognize those times when it’s absolutely necessary to gamble, when gambling is worth the risk. As you play this format more, you’ll learn when these times occur. Keep them in mind. It may help you in the future.

Match play isn’t about you and the course in a quest for the lowest golf handicap you can achieve. It’s a contest about you against the golf course AND an opponent. That added element makes match play challenging and fun.

Jack Moorehouse is the author of the best-selling book “How To Break 80 And Shoot Like The Pros.” He is NOT a golf pro, rather a working man that has helped thousands of golfers from all seven continents lower their handicap immediately. He has a free weekly newsletter with the latest golf tips, golf lessons and golf instruction.

1. Throw Away Those Bunker Problems
2. Five Equipment Tips From The Pros
3. Question of the Week - Making Captain Hook Walk The Plank
4. Article - Sink More Putts With The Quiet Eye
5. Article - Five Match Play Strategies That Work

Throw Away Those Bunker Problems

The biggest obstacle to getting out of bunkers isn’t always physical. Sometimes it’s psychological. Many golfers execute the mechanics of a bunker shot perfectly. But after a bad shot or two, they become too tentative with their swings. That, in turn, causes them to mis-hit the shot, which costs them strokes.

Below are six tips to keep in mind when hitting from a bunker:

• Open the clubface
• Form the grip
• Choke down on the club
• Open the stance
• Aim right of stance
• Dig a solid foundation

The mechanics of bunker shots are straightforward. Start by opening the clubface first and then gripping the club. This ensures that the clubface stays open throughout the swing. Many weekend golfers do the opposite.

Also, choke down on the club to improve control and compensate for digging your feet into the sand. Digging your feet in tells you how soft the sand is and how the club will react when it enters the sand. Digging your feet in also provides a solid foundation, so you won’t slip when swinging.

Open your stance by pointing your feet, hips, and shoulders left of the target line (right of the target line for left-handers). Aim the clubface right of your stance, placing it in line with the target. Then, swing away.

Here’s where weekend golfers often mess up. Afraid of mis-hitting the shot, they take a half-hearted swing and either skull the shot or hit it fat. To prevent this, imagine yourself picking up a handful of sand and then throwing it back over your shoulders at the finish.

Visualizing this commits you fully to the shot, improves the shape of your swing, and allows your sand wedge to glide evenly through the sand, splashing the ball out softly on the green.

Don’t let bunker shots intimidate you. Adjust your stance to the type of sand in the bunker. Then, commit fully to the shot using the sand-tossing image. You’ll get out in one every time.

Five Equipment Tips From The Pros

How important is confidence to your game? Most experts say it’s a critical to playing well. Usually, you can boost confidence by practicing. But sometimes you can boost confidence by finding a club that feels just right. Since that’s hard to do, you may be forced to tailor your existing clubs to improve feel.

Below are five equipment tips employed by the pros to improve feel:

1. Shrink the putter grip
2. Tip the club’s shaft
3. Change shafts completely
4. Counterbalance the club
5. Check the driver’s clubface

Good putting requires a good touch. That’s especially true on the Tour, where the greens are fast and slick. To enhance feel, the pros will often fit their putters with thinner grips. Better feel can only improve your putting, not harm it.

Tipping refers to how a shaft is cut before being placed in the club head. Most times, players who shorten their clubs cut from the grip’s end. But for extra stiffness and increased control, the pros cut their shafts from where it’s inserted into the clubhead.

Today, shaft options exist for nearly every kind of player. If you want to imitate the pros, change your shafts to high-performance ones. Better yet, get fitted for your clubs by a clubfitter.

Counterbalancing a club adds weight away from the clubhead. That shifts the club’s balance point more toward the shaft’s middle, providing a more balanced feel. Look for counterbalanced shafts when buying clubs. Or, add lead tape.

Tour players carry drivers with either square faces or faces that are a few degrees open. These types of faces help prevent big hooks. Consider making the change if hooking is a major problem. But be careful, they also produce a lower ballflight.

Making equipment changes won’t guarantee you’ll shoot par next time you play. But it can boost your confidence. And confidence is vital to playing well, so anything that boosts it is worth considering.

Question of the Week - Making Captain Hook Walk The Plank

Q. Hello Jack, I’ve been playing golf for two or so years and have been trying hard to apply as many golf tips (plenty from you!) to my game as I can. I very rarely slice the ball, but instead I hook/draw the ball too often without getting the ball in the air (mostly from the fairway).

Thanks
Mark Piper

A. Thanks for the question, Mark. Fixing a hook can be just as hard for some as correcting a slice is for others. To correct a hook, you must adjust your swing and then practice the new swing until it’s ingrained.

Basically, there are three ways to fix a hook:

Use a slicer’s grip
Hooking is sometimes due to excessive hand and wrist rotation through the downswing. So instead of hitting the ball with a squared clubface, you hit it with a closed one. If that’s why you hook, the cure is to adopt a slicer’s grip. At address, instead of having the two folds in your hands between both thumbs and index fingers pointing to the right shoulder (right-handers), point both folds more toward your sternum. The change prevents a too closed clubface at impact and encourages you to get more of your body into your swing.

Turn and burn
You may also be hooking because you fail to turn your body during your swing. When the body fails to turn, the clubface closes too fast, causing the ball to hook. To cure this problem, speed up your turn to the target. Increasing your body’s rate of rotation delays the closing of the clubface, eliminating the hook.

Equipment Changes
A third way to fix a hook is to through equipment changes. You could fatten your grips, making it more difficult for you to over-rotate your hands and hook the ball. Or, you might try shortening the shafts on your club. The shorter shafts make you stand a little more upright. You may lose some distance by doing this, but it’s better being on the fairway short than out of bounds long.
Any of these three approaches will correct your hook. The trick is discovering which one works for you. When you do, practice until it becomes second nature.

If you’ve got a golf question you’d like answered, send an email to us at questions@howtobreak80.com and we’ll review it. I can’t guarantee that we’ll use it but if we do, we’ll make sure to include your name and where you’re from.

If you want to truly discover the secrets of shooting like the Pros and creating a more reliable and consistent swing, check out: http://www.HowToBreak80.com

To view this newsletter online, please visit:
http://www.howtobreak80.com/newsletter10212009.php

Here are some of my recent articles:

Article- Sink More Putts With The Quiet Eye

Article - Five Match Play Strategies That Work

Until next time,

Go Low!

Jack

P.S. Feel free to share this newsletter with family and friends. If you would like to subscribe to this newsletter, go to http://www.howtobreak80.com/newsletter.htm

About the Author

Jack Moorehouse is the author of the best-selling book “How To Break 80 and Shoot Like the Pros!“. He is NOT a golf pro, rather a working man that has helped thousands of golfers from all seven continents lower their handicaps quickly. His free weekly newsletter goes out to thousands of golfers worldwide and provides the latest golf tips, strategies, techniques and instruction on how to improve your golf game.

Painful because it is SO EASILY CORRECTABLE that it just kills me to think someone is robbing themselves of distance and accuracy without even knowing it.

If you’re 55 years or older and are starting to lose distance on your shots or can’t seem to hit the ball consistently straight, then you’ve absolutely got to watch this video.

http://www.break80today.com/seniors/senior-golf-swing-mistake.php

Pay close attention at about the 34 second-mark…Bobby will show you exactly how many seniors look when attempting a backswing.

Today’s drill will show you exactly how to cure this problem and even if you don’t have this problem, this video will help you realize how to hit the ball properly with less effort.

Tap on the link below to check it out.

http://www.break80today.com/seniors/senior-golf-swing-mistake.php

Enjoy!

Jack

P.S. This video tip is part of the brand new Seniors DVD which we recently launched. Learn how to play the best golf of your life with this unique and proven system.

The first step in fixing your game is determining problem areas. Once you’ve done that, you can develop a game plan designed to abolish swing flaws. Lastly, you must work on ingraining technique. Determining your problem areas does you no good if you don’t correct them. Below are some areas of your game to examine when things go bust. We’ve also provided some golf tips to help streamline practices.

Ups and Downs
When you miss greens, you must be prepared to play different shots. The only thing you should think about after missing a green is making par. Scrambling up and down trims strokes from your golf handicap. When facing a chip shot, think in terms of two techniques—hitting the ball with a closed clubface or an opened clubface. Use your closed clubface when you want to run the ball or hit from hardpan. Use your open clubface when close to the pin or from long rough.

Also, use the club’s leading edge, not the toe, to determine the club’s true angle. At practice, spread balls at various spots off the green and then chip them on the green. Experiment with different shots to get the feel of each. While taking golf lessons and reading golf tips in magazines are also good ways to improve your chipping, the best way is to practice chipping as much as possible. The best chippers are self-taught.

Rough Escapes
Shots that miss the green often find the rough. Previously, players used the sand wedge from the rough. Today, players have the 60-degree wedge. They need to use their imaginations a lot less. The key for playing from the rough with the 60-degree wedge is follow-through. Good rough players complete their follow-through. Poor rough players don’t. Don’t get so concerned about getting out of the thick stuff that you stop at contact. Also, try to prevent your right-hand (left-hand for lefties) over the other hand. Keep the clubface open and you’ll get more height on your shots.

Lag Putting
Lag putting is all about pace. Golf tips in sports magazines agree. To lag put well, read the green before getting to it. You want to see the fall of the ground before you reach the hole. Also, after determining your line, make a few practice strokes while looking at the pin. When you look at the target, it sends signals to your brain to move your arms and shoulders the correct speed to putt the ball the right distance. This doesn’t happen when taking practice strokes with your head down.

Putting
Some say that the key to putting is maintaining the triangle formed by your forearms and hands during your stroke. Others say that it’s confidence. More than likely it’s a combination of the two. By keeping the keeping the triangle intact, you eliminate al wrist action, which can kill a putt—short or long. Instead, power your stroke with the muscles in your shoulders. If your wrists push the putter past your hands, you won’t be able to control distance putts. Practice with a metronome for rhythm. Or try putting with your eyes closed. It forces you to visualize the stroke and helps feel and speed.

Hopefully, these two articles give you a game plan to implement when things go bust. And trust they will. Like the pros, you’ll experience a rough patch when it comes time to playing. But if you stop to fix your game, you’ll never go bust. Pre-empting major problems before you ingrain bad habits keeps your golf handicap low.

Jack Moorehouse is the author of the best-selling book “How To Break 80 And Shoot Like The Pros.” He is NOT a golf pro, rather a working man that has helped thousands of golfers from all seven continents lower their handicap immediately. He has a free weekly newsletter with the latest golf tips, golf lessons and golf instruction.

The caddy chatted about a number of things, like the changes he saw during his time on the bags, such as the introduction of metal shafts and metal clubheads on drivers. The best part of his article, though, was his take on what he thought was the difference between weekend golfers and professional golfers. Below are some of the golf tips he thought would help weekend players trim strokes from their golf handicaps.

Play To Your Strengths
Playing good golf isn’t about shaping shots. It’s about shaping shots to your strength. Many players with high golf handicaps don’t play this way. Instead, they let the course dictate their shots. In other words, they hit without thinking. Then play whatever lie they get—uphill, downhill, etc.. But smart golfers control their shots. They look for targets that favor their strengths—even if they’re adept at working the ball. In most cases they stick with what comes naturally—no matter where the pin is on the green. Play to your strengths and you’ll cut strokes off your golf handicap.

Stick With Your Routines
Pre-shot routines are the key to consistency. Players like Justin Leonard and Jim Furyk are known for their pre-shot routines. But fans don’t realize the amount of pressure professional golfers face. To achieve consistency under great pressure, pro golfers use a routine for each shot. This systematic approach ensures that the golfer is in the right frame of mind to hit a shot. More importantly, it ensures proper setup, which, in turn, dictates proper positioning of the body. Develop a routine you’re comfortable with. And remember to set the club first before the body.

Keep A Solid Forward Leg
Not keeping a solid forward leg is among the most common errors instructors see in golf lessons. Watch the pros on TV—men or women—and you’ll notice that that they all keep a solid forward leg. They have to if they want to generate the kind of shots they need to compete on the tour. A solid forward leg helps you swing along your body, not around it. Keep the knees flexed, but the forward leg solid. You’ll see both your ballstriking and shotmaking greatly improve.

Move On
Golf is as much mental as it is physical—maybe more. One of the keys to conquering the mental side of golf is not letting bad shots get to you. That’s why it’s important to acknowledge—and accept—that you will occasionally hit a bad shot. Nobody hits perfect shots every time, not even Tiger Woods. And sometimes, luck works against you. It’s okay to get a little angry now and then, but don’t let that anger get to you. And don’t dwell on it. Let it go. Move on. There’s nothing you can do about the bad shot anyways. It’s done. Focus on the next shot. Remember, winning is a positive state of mind.

Use Shadowing Putting
Professional golfers are all great putters. When they err, it usually isn’t mechanical. It’s things like keeping their eyes on the putter head or poor rhythm. To combat this, the pros use a simple drill, called shadow putting. When it’s your turn to putt, turn your back to the sun so it casts a shadow in front of you. While watching your shadow, make a few practice strokes. Imagine you’re swinging to the beat of a metronome. Once you have your rhythm, move to the putt. In golf instruction sessions, instructors tell people to back off the putt if they feel their rhythm is off. Then take a few practice strokes emulating the metronome all the while. That’s good advice.

One other golf tip from the caddy is to perfect your posture. Good posture leads to proper weight shift and a more fluid release through the ball. Weekend golfers often over look good posture as a key fundamental, as they do the other fundamentals in this article. But my thinking is: if a fundamental is important enough for the pros, it’s important enough for myself and players trying to whittle down their golf handicaps.

Jack Moorehouse is the author of the best-selling book “How To Break 80 And Shoot Like The Pros.” He is NOT a golf pro, rather a working man that has helped thousands of golfers from all seven continents lower their handicap immediately. He has a free weekly newsletter with the latest golf tips, golf lessons and golf instruction.

We just put the finishing touches on one of the finest DVD’s we’ve ever done…and it’s designed strictly for Seniors.

There’s a short video about it which you can see here:

http://www.break80today.com/seniors

With guys like Tom Watson and Greg Norman turning back the clock and competing (if not winning) against competitors half their ages, it should serve as real inspiration that age now is a small factor in how well you play.

As a senior, you should still be able to hit the ball far, make pure contact and putt lights-out.
And I’m gonna show you how.

For years you guys have been clamoring about us coming out with a DVD specifically for Seniors and now we’re ready to deliver it to you.

And oh yeah, did I mention that the method we’re teaching is designed to be be 100% PAIN-FREE?

Here’s some of what you’ll learn in the DVD:

* How to hit more greens in regulation.
* Achieve greater distance than you imagined possible.
* Stop worrying about bogies and start making pars and birdies again.
* Special methods and techniques for seniors only

http://www.break80today.com/seniors

You don’t have to worry about being one of those old duffers that nobody wants to play with and everybody wants to play through. I’ll make sure of that!

Enjoy!

Jack

P.S. I forgot to mention the DVD is 30% off if you order it now. So save yourself some money - as well as some time.

1. Reading Break From Off The Green
2. Achieving A Good Swing Plane
3. Question of the Week - Hitting From a Bare Lie
4. Article - Five Golf Tips From An Old Caddy
5. Article - Fixing Your Game When Things Go Bust (Part II)

Reading Break From Off The Green

Playing from the fringe is trickier than it looks. Unfortunately, some weekend golfers take this shot for granted. Smart players don’t. They approach the shot with the idea not of sinking the shot, but of just getting it close. But dropping one in from off the fringe every so often saves strokes and boosts confidence.

Below are three golf tips for playing the fringe:

1. Play the same amount of break
2. Hitting a low running shot
3. Hitting a high shot onto the green

Next time you’re on the fringe, remember these three scenarios:

* If you’re putting from the fringe (or hitting a low or high shot) that’s going to land on the fringe, play the same amount of break as you would for a putt. Be sure to take into account the direction of the fringe’s grass. If the grass is dark, the grain is against you. It will slow down your ball. If the fringe is shiny, the grain is with you. It will speed up the ball.

* If you’re hitting a low running shot with a low lofted club, a fairway wood, or a hybrid, the amount of break depends on the slope of your landing area. Low shots hit with these clubs travel faster than those hit with wedges. Thus, the slope in the line will affect your ball less, at least until the ball slows down as it approaches the hole.

* If you’re hitting a high shot onto the green with a short iron or wedge, keep in mind that shots with these clubs travel slower than those hit with less lofted irons. That means they’ll be more affected by the slope in the line.

Don’t take the shot from the fringe for granted. Study the break carefully and put a good shot on it. Sinking one from the fringe saves you at least one stroke and sometimes two. It also boosts your confidence.

Achieving A Good Swing Plane

Some experts consider swing plane the most important concept in golf. Others disagree. But one thing is clear: achieving the correct swing plane is critical to solid ballstriking. Staying on plane in golf relates directly to how straight, high, and far you hit the ball.

Below are five keys to a great swing plane:

1. Rotate your upper body against steady hips
2. Retain the triangle formed at takeaway
3. Keep the hands parallel to the target line
4. Maintain the bend in your knees
5. Don’t move the club behind you

To envision a perfect swing plane, imagine a dotted line drawn from the ball through the club shaft and grip. This is your swing plane line. The club should remain on this dotted line on the same plane angle through takeaway until the club shaft is parallel to the ground. From there, the club may move slightly off plane as you complete your backswing. This is natural.

At the top, the transition from backswing to downswing drops the club back on the dotted line so the club approaches the ball on the same plane as before. The rotation of your forearms through impact keeps the club on line well into the finish. While the bend in your knees formed at address creates a solid platform to support your return. Don’t allow the club to get behind you or under the swing plane during your backswing.

Swing Plane Drill:
Grip down on the shaft of a short iron so that the club’s butt end almost touches your belly. As you swing back, maintain the triangle formed by your hands and forearms by keeping the butt end of the club pointing at your belly until the head is just outside your back foot. As you start our downswing the drop your arms so the butt end of the club points away from your belly. This is the correct delivery position.

Do this drill correctly and your clubface will remain square and on plane. As a secondary check make sure the club head lies outside the hands and your top arm sits above your bottom arm.

No one has a perfect swing plane. But good ballstrikers keep the club on plane throughout the key parts of the takeaway and follow-through.

Question of the Week - Hitting From a Bare Lie

Q. Hello Jack, Thank you for all your advice. What are you supposed to do when you’re 50 yards from the pin on a bare lie? I find sand wedge has so much risk (topping/thinning etc.) that it’s just too much trouble. Yet, you’re too far out for a putt/chip. It looks like a sitter at that range — but it seldom is.

Best regards,
Tony

A. Hitting from a bare with a sand wedge is risky. It’s an easy shot to botch, since the ground is less forgiving than the grass. So you want to be as conservative as possible with the shot.

To avoid a mis-hit, use a 9-iron instead of a sand wedge. A 9-iron has a sharp leading edge, which cuts through the back of the ball, but offers less risk than the sand wedge. Also, use more of a chopping motion when you swing. Aim for the lower half of the ball when you swing. You want to hit the ball cleanly off the ground.

Otherwise, you don’t need to make many other adjustments. Take your normal stance, put your weight on the front foot, position the ball toward the back of your stance, and place your hands in front of the ball.

You must practice the shot to perfect it. Pick a spot about 50 yards from the green with a hardpan lie. Take the setup described above except with no ball. Practice by sticking the club in the ground using an up-and-down motion, instead of a back-and-forth one. After taking several practice swings, drop a ball on the hardpan and hit away using the same motion.

Repeat this sequence until you hit clean shots regularly. Don’t worry about distance or accuracy in the beginning. It will come as you master the shot.

If you’ve got a golf question you’d like answered, send an email to us at questions@howtobreak80.com and we’ll review it. I can’t guarantee that we’ll use it but if we do, we’ll make sure to include your name and where you’re from.

If you want to truly discover the secrets of shooting like the Pros and creating a more reliable and consistent swing, check out: http://www.HowToBreak80.com

Also, for past issues of this newsletter and some of my most recent articles, visit our blog at www.HowToBreak80.com/blog

Here are some of my recent articles:

Article - Five Golf Tips From An Old Caddy

Article - Fixing Your Game When Things Go Bust (Part II)

Until next time,

Go Low!

Jack

P.S. Feel free to share this newsletter with family and friends. If you would like to subscribe to this newsletter, go to http://www.howtobreak80.com/newsletter.htm

About the Author

Jack Moorehouse is the author of the best-selling book “How To Break 80 and Shoot Like the Pros!”. He is NOT a golf pro, rather a working man that has helped thousands of golfers from all seven continents lower their handicaps quickly. His free weekly newsletter goes out to thousands of golfers worldwide and provides the latest golf tips, strategies, techniques and instruction on how to improve your golf game.

In addition to sharpening your green-reading skills, you also need to develop a green- reading routine. Developing one helps improve your putting. It not only provides a systematic way to putt, it also relaxes you, and it prepares you physically and psychologically to putt, which helps sink more putts. This in turn boosts your confidence. And confidence—as I’ve said in my golf lessons and golf tips—is the key to lights out putting.

Below is a green-reading routine I use in my golf instruction sessions. It gives you an idea of what a good routine looks like so you can develop your own.

Approaching the Green
Getting the big picture helps when putting. Take a mental inventory of the green as you approach it. Note its general shape. Also, note which way it slopes. Is it sloping away from your ball or toward it? Does it fall off to one side? The green’s larger features impact your putts more than the smaller breaks, so get a good look at these as you approach the green.

Calculate Distance
Most golfers take only general assessment of distance before putting. Accurately assessing distance is as critical to good putting as judging the break correctly. Pace the distance from the ball to the hole, just as you would if you were in the fairway. In general, figure one inch of backswing for every foot of green.

Determine Speed
In addition to calculating distance, you also must determine the putt’s speed. Always look up slope to get an accurate idea of the elevation. As the elevation for your putt changes, so does your target. For an uphill putt, hit the ball with enough speed to go a few feet beyond the hole. For a downhill putt, hit the ball with enough speed to stop a foot or two in front of the hole.

Judge the Break
Since few greens are perfectly flat, odds are your putt breaks. Try squatting behind the ball to gauge the high and low side of the break. Look from your ball to the hole. After determining the break, walk over to the low side and look at it. Looking at the break from the low side offers a better picture of the slope than looking from the high side. The closer the break is to the hole the more impact, since the ball slows down as it gets to the cup.

Put It All Together
Having determined distance, speed, and break, you now must put it all together. You must create an accurate picture of the ball rolling to and falling into the hole. Keep these rules of thumb in mind:

• Putts breaking left to right enter the hole left of center.
• Putts breaking right to left enter the hole right of center.
• Downhill putts break more because you hit them softer at the start.
• Uphill putts break less because you hit them harder at the start

Putts from the fringe need special attention. How the break affects your ball with putts and chips depends on how long the ball spends in the air. The longer your ball stays in the air, the less your ball breaks.

Sinking more putts, as I’ve said in my golf tips and golf articles, is the fastest way to chop strokes off your golf handicap. Among the keys to sinking more putts is improving your ability to accurately reading greens. Accurate green reading helps you determine a putt’s speed, distance, and break. Make sure you spend time developing this skill whenever you visit the practice green. It’s worth the time and effort.

Jack Moorehouse is the author of the best-selling book “How To Break 80 And Shoot Like The Pros.” He is NOT a golf pro, rather a working man that has helped thousands of golfers from all seven continents lower their handicap immediately. He has a free weekly newsletter with the latest golf tips, golf lessons and golf instruction.

]]> http://www.howtobreak80.com/blog/2009/10/07/using-a-green-reading-routine-improves-putting/feed/ http://www.howtobreak80.com/blog/2009/10/07/using-a-green-reading-routine-improves-putting/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/GolfInstructionHelp/~3/9QuMhgWjl20/ http://www.howtobreak80.com/blog/2009/10/05/golf-tips-from-a-swing-machine/#comments Tue, 06 Oct 2009 03:00:25 +0000 jack http://www.howtobreak80.com/blog/?p=671 You might not think that a swing machine invented to test shafts could also help lower golf handicaps. But it can. You just need to study it. Called Iron Byron, this machine was developed by a leading research facility for a shaft manufacturer more than 40 years ago. Iron Byron has the world’s only perfect swing—one with power, accuracy, and control. It’s a swing that every golfer strives for when he or she goes to the range. Let’s see what golf tips we can glean from the machine’s swing that can help you transform your swing.

But first, here’s a little history of Iron Bryon’s birth. It all began in 1963. Gurdon Leslie, vice president of True Temper, asked Battle Memorial Institute, an Ohio research and development facility, to build a machine to test his company’s shafts. In response, Battle engineered Iron Byron, which copied the swing of the legendary Byron Nelson. Why him—because even at 50, he hit shots with machine-like consistency when tested by George Manning, the project’s head engineer. Today, there are more than 40 Iron Byron machines installed worldwide.

Three Key Elements
While the machine’s key purpose is to test golf equipment, its can also be used to illustrate swing’s critical features. While you might think the machine’s design is rather complex, it’s actually quite simple conceptually. It contains three key elements that all good golf swings—human or machine—have:

1. Circular Body Rotation
2. Unrestricted Hinge
3. Constant Forward Tilt

All three elements are critical. If you “disrupt” one or more during a swing and it breaks down, causing you to mis-hit. Do this often enough and you’ll add strokes to your scores and golf handicap.

Iron Byron’s power source is its drive cylinder. Attached to it is a rigid metal arm holding a golf club. A pneumatic motor drives the arm. It has no power of its own. It needs the motor to work properly. What implications does this design have for your golf swing? The rigid metal arm resembles your arms during a swing. They should remain powerless and still until you coil or uncoil. Your legs and hips, on the other hand, act like the machine’s motor. They drive your torso. If you want drive the ball farther, you must use your “pneumatic motor” (legs and hips) to rotate your torso faster, not your arms.

An Unrestricted Hinge
The metal arm has a sleeve that grips a club. The sleeve attaches to the arm by an unrestricted hinge. It enables the club to hinge fully at the top of the swing, unhinge at impact, and re-hinge during follow-through. If rust occurs, it restricts the hinge’s movements. Tension in your wrists is like rust on the hinge. It “builds” in your wrist the harder you try to hit the ball with your arms. This slows down the unhinging process. Eliminate the tension from your arms and wrists and you’ll unhinge faster and keep the clubface square at impact.

The third key element of Iron Byron’s golf swing is forward tilt. The machine is mounted at an angle, enabling the club to reach the ball. Once the machine is set on this angle, it never raises its drive cylinder or lowers it during the swing. Your torso is your “drive cylinder.” When you bend from the waist to assume the step up position, you set your body’s spine on an angle. Just like the machine, you have to maintain this spine angle throughout the swing. This maximizes your chances to find the ball’s sweet spot.

This article contains a brief overview of Iron Byron’s mechanics and how they compare to a human’s golf swing. If you want a more in-depth golf lesson-type analysis, you can go to www.swingmachinegolf.com. There you’ll find a book written by Paul Wilson, a veteran teaching professional. Titled Swing Machine Golf—The Fastest Way To A Consistent Swing, the book shows you how you can become a human swing machine and improve your power, accuracy, and control. Accomplish that and you’ll trim strokes from your golf handicap.

Jack Moorehouse is the author of the best-selling book “How To Break 80 And Shoot Like The Pros.” He is NOT a golf pro, rather a working man that has helped thousands of golfers from all seven continents lower their handicap immediately. He has a free weekly newsletter with the latest golf tips, golf lessons and golf instruction.

]]> http://www.howtobreak80.com/blog/2009/10/05/golf-tips-from-a-swing-machine/feed/ http://www.howtobreak80.com/blog/2009/10/05/golf-tips-from-a-swing-machine/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/GolfInstructionHelp/~3/4s0gFN8yVio/ http://www.howtobreak80.com/blog/2009/10/01/the-man-behind-the-400-yard-drive-nyle-pruitt/#comments Thu, 01 Oct 2009 19:52:28 +0000 jack http://www.howtobreak80.com/blog/?p=664 Huge drives. We all want them but sadly most of us have no clue how to do it.

And if you can look me in the eye and tell me your game couldn’t use more distance off the tee, I’d say you’re probably not telling the truth.

So let’s talk about distance. There’s this guy who has created quite a buzz recently in the golf world. He’s been featured in Golf magazine and many other golf outlets such as the Golf Channel.

And I’m gonna show you how he hit it 400 yards in just a minute.

But surely you’ve heard of this him…guy named Nyle Pruitt. I have been getting a bunch of emails and inquiries about this guy so I got a hold of Tim Oyler from Performax Golf (the guy who shoots all those HD videos for Nyle).

Now, I’d never heard of that product before so many of my readers started asking about Nyle but do remember one teaching Pro friend of mine mention his name recently.

Tim (from Performax) and I chatted and it turns out he has a pretty interesting story. Tim told me he is a fanatic golfer but he was sick and tired of being out driven and ridiculed by his friends. So he
drove from Oklahoma to Texas to track down a Long Drive Champion called Nyle Pruitt in the hope of finding out his secrets to hitting long drives.

Now Nyle has a really impressive long drive resume (he even played on Tour for a number of years) and Tim convinced Nyle and a bunch of his buddies to spill the beans on all their secrets…then he videotaped them doing it.

You can check it out here.

YES! You heard that right. Tim has Nyle the “Nyleator” Pruitt and his long drive buddies showing you their secrets…and it’s absolutely FREE.

In the videos you’ll see step by step stuff like:

==> The #1 mistake most bad golfers make with their swing.

==> How to easily and naturally add yards to your drive using stuff you already know. (If you can hit a baseball, swing a tennis racquet or even skip a rock on a lake…this will work for you)

==> Why everything any golf pro has ever told you is dead wrong…and how your lower body is the secret to longer drives and a safer back.

==> And much, much more…

Tim has agreed to give my readers access to some of Nyles’ best videos.

But don’t worry…even though Nyle is a pretty solid well built dude…these techniques will work for you no matter where your game is or what physical condition you’re in.

In fact Nyle’s Power Secrets have been scientifically tested by doctors, chiropractors, engineers, orthopedic surgeons and are proven to prevent injury and increase longevity. (Heck–half the people who use his techniques are in the golf business as players, coaches or therapists.)

Now I got Tim to give you a special never before released to public video when you visit this page.

There’s more great content coming for you from Tim and Nyle over the next few days so keep an eye out for it.

Enjoy!

Jack

P.S. By the way, these guys have a complete system for hitting the ball a country mile called “Power Secrets”. They normally sell it for $97 on their web site but I’ve arranged a deal with them so you can get it for free. Read here for more details.

Tags: nyle, pruitt, long, drive, power, secrets, drive, free, trial

]]> http://www.howtobreak80.com/blog/2009/10/01/the-man-behind-the-400-yard-drive-nyle-pruitt/feed/ http://www.howtobreak80.com/blog/2009/10/01/the-man-behind-the-400-yard-drive-nyle-pruitt/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/GolfInstructionHelp/~3/p0bBuD26sts/ http://www.howtobreak80.com/blog/2009/09/30/666/#comments Wed, 30 Sep 2009 22:15:34 +0000 jack http://www.howtobreak80.com/blog/?p=666 In this issue we’ll discuss…
1. Setting Your Body Square
2. Slamming The Brakes On Approach Shots
3. Question of the Week - Keeping Your Left Arm Straight
4. Article - Golf Tips From A Swing Machine
5. Article - Using A Green-Reading Routine Improves Putting

Setting Your Body Square

If you watch a lot of golf on TV, you might have noticed that no two setups are alike. Some players flare both feet. Some are square with the right and open with the left. Others are square with both feet. These stances all have one thing in common: balance. Pro golfers adjust their stance to accommodate their core rotation. The result: better lower body balance.

Here is a five-step test to determine your core rotation:

• Stand 3 feet from the corner of a room
• Set your feet parallel and face the corner
• Close your eyes and relax your body
• Open your eyes after a second or two
• Determine if your body has moved.

Some players achieve perfect balance with a square stance. Usually, these players have a strong core-conditioning program. But most of us have some degree of core rotation requiring a change in stance to achieve balance. The test above helps determine your core rotation.

After taking the test, widen your stance by two feet and repeat the test. You’ll probably see a change in your core rotation. Now, flare your left or right foot until your torso points directly at the corner after you open your eyes. Start from the beginning every time you change your stance. Do that until you’re square. Keep in mind your stance changes with even the slightest alteration of stance width.

Balance affects your golf swing. Without it, your chances of executing a fluid yet powerful swing diminish. You achieve balance when your body core is centered. But tension, strength of abdominal muscles, and other changes cause you to rotate subtly left or right. Use the test above to determine your core rotation, and then square up your stance to achieve balance.

Slamming The Brakes On Approach Shots

Tour pros have a wide variety of approach shots to go to when they’re within 100 yards. Among their favorites is a low wedge shot that lands on the green and stops dead after a couple of hops. This lets golfers get close without having to hit a more lofted club, like a lob wedge. These clubs are harder to hit, presenting a higher risk of mis-hitting the shot. This low wedge shot reduces that risk and saves you a stroke or two in the process. This shot is also useful when it’s windy, since it keeps the wind from influencing the ball’s flight.

Here are five keys to the low wedge shot:

• Use a 9-iron or pitching Web
• Set weight on the front foot
• Make a short swing
• Lean forward during shot
• Steepen the angle of attack

Ideally, you want to use a 9-iron or pitching wedge for the shot. Set up so your body weight favors your front foot. Then shorten your swing. Make sure you finish before your hands pass shoulder level. This keeps the shot low. Leaning forward steepens your angel of attack into the ball and imparts more spin to stop the ball.

If you have a bad lie—the ball is in a hole or divot—you must steepen your angle of attack even more, if you want to slam on the brakes when the ball hits the green. In addition to placing your weight on your front foot, de-loft the club slightly by leaning the shaft forward. As your body turns through, steepen your downswing, hitting the ball first.
Mastering this low wedge shot takes practice. But it’s worth the time and effort. Used correctly, it can save strokes when you’re within 100 yards.

Question of the Week - Keeping Your Left Arm Straight

Q. Hi Jack, How do you keep your left arm straight when using your driver? I hit my driver okay by reducing my back swing but have the tendency now and then to take too much causing my arm to bend.

Regards
James R.

A. Thanks for the question, James. Your left arm (for a right hander) must be straight at impact to make solid contact. But a straight left arm during the backswing is another matter. If you can keep it straight through the backswing, you’ll produce more distance because your swing radius is wider. But some people—either because of age, a lack of flexibility, or injury—must bend the left arm a little during the backswing. That’s okay, as long as the rest of the swing is sound.

But to maximize distance, you’ll need to re-establish the correct width of your backswing arc as you transition to the downswing. To do this, your right elbow must form a right angle as it folds back at the top of the swing, forming an “L” shape. In this position your left arm, is comfortably straight (not tense) and your club is parallel to the ground, assuming you hinge your wrists correctly. From there it is simply a matter of bringing the club down straight through impact

One way to maintain a straight left arm during your backswing is to imagine some people standing behind you when you swing. As you take the club think of trying to touch them with the club. That will keep your left arm extended and maximize swing radius.

If you’ve got a golf question you’d like answered, send an email to us at questions@howtobreak80.com and we’ll review it. I can’t guarantee that we’ll use it but if we do, we’ll make sure to include your name and where you’re from.

If you want to truly discover the secrets of shooting like the Pros and creating a more reliable and consistent swing, check out: http://www.HowToBreak80.com

Also, for past issues of this newsletter and some of my most recent articles, visit our blog at www.HowToBreak80.com/blog

Here are some of my recent articles:

Article - Golf Tips From A Swing Machine


Article - Using A Green-Reading Routine Improves Putting

Until next time,

Go Low!

Jack

P.S. Feel free to share this newsletter with family and friends. If you would like to subscribe to this newsletter, go to http://www.howtobreak80.com/newsletter.htm


About the Author

Jack Moorehouse is the author of the best-selling book “How To Break 80 and Shoot Like the Pros!”. He is NOT a golf pro, rather a working man that has helped thousands of golfers from all seven continents lower their handicaps quickly. His free weekly newsletter goes out to thousands of golfers worldwide and provides the latest golf tips, strategies, techniques and instruction on how to improve your golf game.

]]> http://www.howtobreak80.com/blog/2009/09/30/666/feed/ http://www.howtobreak80.com/blog/2009/09/30/666/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/GolfInstructionHelp/~3/4LWkEXwyaA8/ http://www.howtobreak80.com/blog/2009/09/23/golf-tips-and-instructions-092309/#comments Wed, 23 Sep 2009 22:53:42 +0000 jack http://www.howtobreak80.com/blog/?p=660 In this issue we’ll discuss…

Save Strokes from Hillside Lies
Hitting the 3-Wood High Or Low
Question of the Week - Conquering Those Long Bunker Shots
Article - Four Keys To A Perfect Swing
Article - Become A Lights Out Putter With A Practice Routine

Save Strokes from Hillside Lies

Golfers botch hillside lies for two reasons: They either fail to make solid contact on or lose their balance during the shot. The reason: With sidehill and downhill lies, you tend to lean into the hill as you swing. The result: an inconsistent array of fat and thin shots. But if you make clean contact on hillside lies, you’ll hit it straighter and save strokes.

Below are four keys to making clean contact with hillside lies:

• Adjust your club selection
• Adjust your ball position
• Flare your downhill foot
• Make your normal shot

The key to this shot is making sure your shoulders match the hill’s slope, which you can do with a simple adjustment of your front foot.

Start by choosing your club. An uphill lie adds loft to your club. Use a less lofted club. A downhill lie subtracts loft from your club. Use a more lofted club.

Adjust your ball position as well. For an uphill lie, play the ball forward an inch or two. For a downhill lie, play the ball in the middle of your stance or slightly back.

Finally, match your shoulders to the slope without losing your balance. Do this by flaring your front foot about 45 degrees. Then swing normally.

Your flared foot evens out your stance and puts the ball at the bottom of your swing. This keeps you from slamming your clubhead into the hill or the center of your ball. A flared foot also gives you more freedom of movement in your backswing and makes you feel balanced while swinging.

Don’t let hillside lies throw you. Make solid contact by (1) adjusting your club selection and ball position, and (2) matching your shoulders to the slope by flaring your front foot. Learn to make clean contact on hillside lies and odds are you’ll eliminate those extra shots that pad your scores.


Hitting the 3-Wood High Or Low

One course I play has two different types of par 5s. Both greens are reachable from the fairway in two with a 3-wood. But on one you must go over a small pond to reach the green. On the other you have nothing but fairway between you and the green. On the first you want to hit a high shot that falls softly on the green. On the second you want to hit a low shot that runs to the green.

Here are five keys to hitting the 3-wood from a tight fairway lie:

• Play the ball back in your stance
• Sweep the ball off the turf
• Hit with a descending blow
• Shift your weight to the front side
• Swing through the ball

The key to hitting different shots with the 3-wood is to adjust your stance, not your swing, to achieve the lofts you need. In fact, it’s almost always better adjust your stance than change your swing.

For the high shot over the water, play the ball a little more forward in your stance and drop your hands slightly at address. Also place a bit more weight over your back foot by tilting your spine away from your target. These adjustments position you perfectly to sweep the ball off the turf while adding loft to your clubface.

To play a shot with a lower, more piercing trajectory, do the opposite. Position the ball where you’d play a mid-iron and set more weight on your forward leg. These adjustments de-loft the club at impact and produce the lower ball flight you need to run the ball to the green.

Adjusting your stance to achieve a different shot with the 3-wood is the preferred option when you need different ball flights from the same club. It’s both safer and easier to execute this move than changing your swing.

Question of the Week - Conquering Those Long Bunker Shots

Q. Hi Jack, I get out of greenside bunkers fairly easily, but the longer bunker shots are a problem. What do you suggest for a 25- to 50-foot bunker shot?

Robert K Mokros
Spring Hill, Florida

A. Thanks for the question, Robert. The goal with a long bunker shot is to hit the ball high and drop it softly on the green.

Using a normal set-up, position the ball just inside your front heel, open your stance slightly, and grip down on the club, applying light to moderate pressure. Point the clubface at the target and the shaft’s butt at your stomach.

As you start back, cup the back of your left wrist (right wrist for lefties). This adds loft to the clubface. On the way down, maintain the cup of the left for a long as possible. Feel as if you’re pulling down with the left arm. Then lock the back of the left wrist, allowing the clubface to slide through sand without it closing.

Finally, let your hands and wrist fall together as the body weight shifts to the outside of the front foot. Keep your head behind the ball by trying to peek under it at impact.

You’ll need a lot of backspin with this shot. So use a wide arc during your backswing by keeping your hands as far from your shoulders as possible. Also, use an inside-to-square-to-inside swing path.

Execute the golf tips explained above and you’ll hit a long bunker shot that drops softly on the green.

If you’ve got a golf question you’d like answered, send an email to us at questions@howtobreak80.com and we’ll review it. I can’t guarantee that we’ll use it but if we do, we’ll make sure to include your name and where you’re from.

If you want to truly discover the secrets of shooting like the Pros and creating a more reliable and consistent swing, check out: http://www.HowToBreak80.com

Also, for past issues of this newsletter and some of my most recent articles, visit our blog at www.HowToBreak80.com/blog

To view this newsletter online, please visit:
http://www.howtobreak80.com/newsletter09232009.php

Here are some of my recent articles:
Article - Four Keys To A Perfect Swing

Article - Become A Lights Out Putter With A Practice Routine

Until next time,

Go Low!

Jack

P.S. Feel free to share this newsletter with family and friends. If you would like to subscribe to this newsletter, go to http://www.howtobreak80.com/newsletter.htm


About the Author

Jack Moorehouse is the author of the best-selling book “How To Break 80 and Shoot Like the Pros!“. He is NOT a golf pro, rather a working man that has helped thousands of golfers from all seven continents lower their handicaps quickly. His free weekly newsletter goes out to thousands of golfers worldwide and provides the latest golf tips, strategies, techniques and instruction on how to improve your golf game.

]]> http://www.howtobreak80.com/blog/2009/09/23/golf-tips-and-instructions-092309/feed/ http://www.howtobreak80.com/blog/2009/09/23/golf-tips-and-instructions-092309/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/GolfInstructionHelp/~3/y7U_OZtbBV8/ http://www.howtobreak80.com/blog/2009/09/16/golf-tips-and-instructions-091609/#comments Wed, 16 Sep 2009 22:52:42 +0000 jack http://www.howtobreak80.com/blog/?p=655 In this issue we’ll discuss…
• Hit It Close With Super-Soft Pitches
• Using Your Wrists To Turn On Power
• Question of the Week - Chipping It Close From A Downhill Lie
• Article - Splitting The Fairway
• Article - Three Drills To Fine Tune Your Tempo


Hit It Close With Super-Soft Pitches

To hit it close when there’s a bunker between you and the pin, you need both loft and distance control. You have to get over the bunker, but you don’t want to roll too far past the pin. Hitting a high, floating lob shot with your 60-degree wedge is an option. But it takes practice to master this shot. It’s also risky. You could hit it thin and land in the bunker. The super-soft pitch is a safer alternative.

Below are five keys to hitting super-soft pitches:

• Sole a 56-degree wedge
• Play the ball slightly back of center
• Keep your shoulders level
• Swing your arms and chest away
• Stop your swing just after your back knee

The key to this shot is pre-setting your body in the correct impact position. This helps you strike the ball with just the right amount of spin and loft.

Sole your 56-degree wedge with the face square and pointing directly at your target. Don’t open the clubface. Play the ball slightly back of center and lean your shaft forward, without closing the clubface. Also, line up your grip with your sternum about an inch in front of the ball. Make sure your shoulders are level and your arms hang straight down. Ease off on your grip pressure.

Make your backswing by swinging your arms and chest away from the ball using an easy hinge of the wrists. Your path should feel straight, but with a slight turn. Stop your backswing just as your hands pass your back knee. You want to return the club, shaft, and weight to your start-up position. Finish your swing with your hands low and directly in front of your chest.
When you execute the shot correctly, your club descends into the bottom of the ball, creating the correct loft to send it into the air, land softly on the green, and roll close to the pin.

Using Your Wrists To Turn On Power

Poor ballstriking can cost you a lot of strokes. Several common swing errors lead to poor ballstriking. But if you’re also slicing the ball, it’s a good bet you’re not releasing the club properly. That can get you into serious trouble. More importantly, it can balloon your golf handicap.

Properly releasing the club:

• Ensures solid contact with a square clubface
• Adds power to your swing
• Allows clubhead to exit hitting zone on plane.

These advantages work together to assure golfers hit longer, straighter shots. If you think you’re not releasing the club properly, try these simple golf tips:

Hinge your wrists fully after impact: Golfers plagued by poor ball striking don’t release their wrists properly. Instead, they keep them firm and lift the club onto the next plane. This results in a swing flaw known as the “chicken wing,” in which the golfer never bends his front arm. When swinging the club, your front arm should bend, but with your elbow pointing toward the ground as your wrists unhinge.

Swing your driver with just your back arm and hand: This exercise ingrains the feel of a powerful release. As your hand reaches your back knee on the downswing, begin unhinging your wrist and then really unload through the hitting zone. Also, bow your back wrist as your hand come through contact and “throw” your club at the target.

Make swings with both hands on driver: But make sure to unhinge your wrist fully through impact, so that the wrist of your backhand is bowed and the wrist of your front hand is cupped. If you start hooking, add more body turn to the shot.

Work on these golf tips for better ballstriking. When your shots start flying straighter and farther, you know your releasing the club correctly.

Question of the Week - Chipping It Close From A Downhill Lie

Q. Hi Jack, On the course I play a lot, I seem to face a lot of downhill chips. I either run it way past the hole or dub it, leaving me with nearly the same shot and a very bad temperament! Any advice?

Jeff Bramhall
Bronxville NY

A. Thanks for the question, Jeff. Chipping from a downhill lie is tricky. If you’re not careful, it can cost you two or three extra strokes. Extra strokes can turn a good round into a not so good round.

Having chosen your club, you want the contact point to be where it would be from a level lie. So you need to adjust your body position and center of gravity to account for the slope. To do that, set up with your front shoulder low and your stance slightly wider for stability. Brace yourself on your front knee and set your weight on the inside of your front foot.

Position the ball back in your stance. (How far back you position the ball you’ll learn from experience.) Keep your hands ahead of the ball at address. Now hit down firmly. Work the club under the ball. And lead the hands down the slope.

If the ball is in the rough, you’ll also have to account for the grass. Even if you swing hard, the grass can still catch your clubface and twist it. Since your goal is to get the ball out of the rough, you’ll need as much loft as you can get. Follow the same guidelines as above, but use a sand wedge and open your stance even more.

If you’ve got a golf question you’d like answered, send an email to us at questions@howtobreak80.com and we’ll review it. I can’t guarantee that we’ll use it but if we do, we’ll make sure to include your name and where you’re from.

If you want to truly discover the secrets of shooting like the Pros and creating a more reliable and consistent swing, check out: http://www.HowToBreak80.com

Here are some of my recent articles:

Article - Splitting The Fairway

Article - Three Drills To Fine Tune Your Tempo

Until next time,

Go Low!

Jack

P.S. Feel free to share this newsletter with family and friends. If you would like to subscribe to this newsletter, go to http://www.howtobreak80.com/newsletter.htm

About the Author

Jack Moorehouse is the author of the best-selling book “How To Break 80 and Shoot Like the Pros!“. He is NOT a golf pro, rather a working man that has helped thousands of golfers from all seven continents lower their handicaps quickly. His free weekly newsletter goes out to thousands of golfers worldwide and provides the latest golf tips, strategies, techniques and instruction on how to improve your golf game.

]]> http://www.howtobreak80.com/blog/2009/09/16/golf-tips-and-instructions-091609/feed/ http://www.howtobreak80.com/blog/2009/09/16/golf-tips-and-instructions-091609/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/GolfInstructionHelp/~3/0KYV-RVx6bQ/ http://www.howtobreak80.com/blog/2009/09/09/golf-tips-and-instructions-090909/#comments Wed, 09 Sep 2009 22:30:17 +0000 jack http://www.howtobreak80.com/blog/?p=652 In this issue we’ll discuss…

1) Hitting Shots That Stick Saves Strokes
2) Tee Height Strategy With Oversized Drivers
3) Question of the Week - Hitting Down Produces Best Results
4) Article - Two Drills To Help You Achieve Solid Contact
5) Article - Better Balance Equals More Consistency

1) Hitting Shots That Stick Saves Strokes

Golfers are always looking for ways to shaves strokes off their scores. Hitting approach shots that hit and stick is a great way of doing that. Hitting these types of shots is almost mandatory on courses with firm greens. On these greens the ball hits and bounces off, leaving you with a long chip back instead of an easy putt. That adds strokes to your score.

Below are four tips on hitting shots that stick

* Grip the club at its full-length
* Move the ball up slightly in your stance
* Place a little more weight on back foot
* Use a higher follow-through and fuller finish

When the greens are firm, you must hit it really high to hold the green or get it in there close. To do this, you must produce more backspin—the result of increased swing speed.

Start by choosing a club with plenty of loft, like a 9-iron or pitching wedge. Make sure the clubface is clean and there’s some grip left on it. Using the right ball—high spin/soft cover— also helps.

Grip the club at it’s full-length. and move the ball up slightly in your stance—maybe a half a ball or so. Depending on the lie, you may want to place a little more weight on your back foot at address. Also, keep your head down when you swing until your back arm pushes it up. And use a higher-follow through and fuller finish when you swing.

Placing a little more weight on your back foot helps keep your weight behind the ball and not on top of it. Staying on top of the ball is more of a knock down position. Using a higher, full finish increases swing speed, which is what you need to add backspin to the ball.

This type of approach shot carries more than other balls, but it won’t roll far when it hits the ground. On softer greens, the ball often sticks right where it hits. On firm greens the ball tends to roll off. Regardless of what type of greens you play on, learn to hit approach shots that stick and you’ll chop strokes off your handicap.


2) Tee Height Strategy With Oversized Drivers

More and more golfers are buying drivers with oversized clubheads. The larger clubhead is more forgiving, cutting down on mis-hits. Fewer mis-hits off the tee generally mean better scores. But how high do you tee the ball with these huge clubheads to get the most out of them. Do you tee it in the middle of the face? Higher up? Lower down? It depends.

Below are five tips on teeing the ball for big clubheads for a normal drive:

* Make sure half the ball is above the top line
* Place your weight slightly on your back leg
* Tilt your shoulders slightly upward
* Position the ball in line with heel of front foot
* Place hands slightly behind the ball

The key is the type of trajectory your want. For a normal trajectory place the tee so that half the ball is above the clubhead’s top. Position your weight slightly on your back leg and tilt your shoulders slightly upward. Then, line up the ball so that it’s just off the back heel of your front foot and place your hands slightly behind the ball. This set-up puts you in the best position to take advantage of the large clubhead.

If you’re down wind or looking for some extra distance, try teeing the ball even higher, say about two-thirds above the driver’s topline. That promotes a higher launch angle. Also, position the ball just forward of your normal set-up, which places your hands farther behind the ball than usual. Place slightly more weight on your back foot.

When battling a crosswind or hitting into the wind, try teeing the ball lower than usual, with about one-third of the ball above the club head’s topline. Maintain the same ball position as normally and balance your weight almost evenly over both feet. This more level set-up helps you launch the ball lower to prevent the wind from really affecting the ball’s flight.

Bigger clubheads means fewer mis-hits. But they can confuse you when it comes to how high to tee the ball. Try these golf tips on tee height next time you play and you’ll get the most out of your oversized driver.


3) Question of the Week - Hitting Down Produces Best Results

Q. Hi Jack, We have a beautiful 7500-yard course in Bangalore. I am 60 years old and have learnt the game over the last 3 or 4 years. My handicap is 21. I find hitting down with my irons easier than playing with my woods. I carry a 3-wood and 3 rescue clubs, 20, 23, and 26 loft, instead of 3, 4, and 5 irons. I have tried sweeping the ball with these clubs, but the results are poor off the fairway.

If I get a good result it is when the ball is sitting up in the light rough. What am I doing wrong?

Thanks
Salil Punoose

A. Thanks for the question. One of the biggest problems with hitting the 3-wood and the hybrids is the club’s loft. Since these clubs don’t have much loft, golfers often try to scoop the ball in the air. This causes them to hang back on their right side and swing up on the ball. This, in turn, has the opposite of the intended effect: The club makes contact on the upswing and the golfer tops the shot.

When you address the ball, position it back in your stance a couple of inches. Many weekend golfers position the ball inside the heel of their front foot, just as they would a driver. That’s not back far enough. They either top it or skim it along the ground. But you’re not hitting a driver. Move the ball back toward the center of your stance and hit down on the ball, like an iron.

If you hit the ball with a descending blow, you’ll scrape the grass or even take a small divot. To do this, you must shift your weight to your front side and swing through the ball, letting your arms fully extend. Think about keeping the clubhead traveling down the target line for as long as possible. This helps keep the clubface square.

And don’t try to blast the ball out of sight. I know it’s tempting. If you’re using a three-wood, the green is probably out of reach. And swinging hard throws off your tempo, causing mis-hits. So why risk it. Instead, dial it down a notch. Pick a spot on the fairway. And ease up on your swing. Use the same tempo as you would with an iron.
In addition, try using a 3-wood off a tee next time you’re at the range. That will help you get used to the idea of hitting down on the ball to get elevation. Above all, trust the club’s loft.

If you’ve got a golf question you’d like answered, send an email to us at questions@howtobreak80.com and we’ll review it. I can’t guarantee that we’ll use it but if we do, we’ll make sure to include your name and where you’re from.

If you want to truly discover the secrets of shooting like the Pros and creating a more reliable and consistent swing, check out: http://www.HowToBreak80.com

Also, for past issues of this newsletter and some of my most recent articles, visit our blog at www.HowToBreak80.com/blog

To view this newsletter online, please visit:
http://www.howtobreak80.com/newsletter09092009.php

Here are some of my recent articles:
4) Article - Two Drills To Help You Achieve Solid Contact

5) Article - Better Balance Equals More Consistency

Until next time,

Go Low!

Jack

P.S. Feel free to share this newsletter with family and friends. If you would like to subscribe to this newsletter, go to http://www.howtobreak80.com/newsletter.htm

About the Author

Jack Moorehouse is the author of the best-selling book “How To Break 80 and Shoot Like the Pros!”. He is NOT a golf pro, rather a working man that has helped thousands of golfers from all seven continents lower their handicaps quickly. His free weekly newsletter goes out to thousands of golfers worldwide and provides the latest golf tips, strategies, techniques and instruction on how to improve your golf game.

]]> http://www.howtobreak80.com/blog/2009/09/09/golf-tips-and-instructions-090909/feed/ http://www.howtobreak80.com/blog/2009/09/09/golf-tips-and-instructions-090909/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/GolfInstructionHelp/~3/SJaCQHBGXDc/ http://www.howtobreak80.com/blog/2009/09/03/peak-performance-golf-swing/#comments Thu, 03 Sep 2009 18:40:29 +0000 jack http://www.howtobreak80.com/blog/?p=647 I’m in the golf business so you can imagine how many golf products and gimmicks I see. And to be honest, I quite enjoy keeping an eye out for these things as it really seems interesting which ones tend to work out and which ones don’t.

But when someone comes out with an instructional product that proposes an entirely new swing (just as when the “Stack and Tilt” swing came about), I want to learn more.

You’ve probably seen Don Trahan’s infomercials (Peak Performance Golf DVD’s) on the Golf Channel or late night television. It’s a relatively new product that came out this year. He’s also running a ton of advertising on the web as well on the major golf sites.

And it’s being touted as “pain free” and good for middle-age and seniors because I guess you don’t have to make a full shoulder turn?

And you know what? I have no clue if this product is junk or if it’s a real gem. Which is why I’m posting here so you guys can give me any experiences you’ve had with this product or give me the lowdown on exactly what is “revolutionary” about this product.

I want to make this clear–I am NOT endorsing this product. I just want to see what you guys thought of it since they were spending so handsomely with all that advertising.

So, leave a comment below if you have any data on Mr. Trahan’s product…myself…and others would like to know.

The web site is http://www.peakperformancegolfswing.com/dvd-series.

You can also get more info on his home page at http://www.peakperformancegolfswing.com where he offers some freebies such as training videos (I haven’t downloaded them so I’m hoping you guys can give me your 2 cents.)

I am keen on this because I know the modern golf swing can be complex sometimes. If someone can simplify it somehow, I’m always game to listen.

Look forward to your comments.

Jack

]]> http://www.howtobreak80.com/blog/2009/09/03/peak-performance-golf-swing/feed/ http://www.howtobreak80.com/blog/2009/09/03/peak-performance-golf-swing/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/GolfInstructionHelp/~3/UaxK9yzbkHw/ http://www.howtobreak80.com/blog/2009/08/28/golf-tips-and-instructions-082609/#comments Fri, 28 Aug 2009 21:43:08 +0000 jack http://www.howtobreak80.com/blog/?p=644 In this issue we’ll discuss…

Slide and Turn For Distance
Sticking It With A Hybrid
Question of the Week - Increasing Driving Accuracy
Article - Five Keys For A Simple Swing
Article - A Simple Plan To Improve Your Short Game

Jack’s Note: Golf’s playoffs are finally here… the Fedex Cup. I am personally nota huge fan of it because I think the real trophies are the four majors. But I will say it keeps the season interesting.

How much is a good golf lesson worth? It really depends on how bad you want to improve I guess. And now we have a way you can get seven of those priceless lessons for about half of what a normal lesson would cost.


Slide and Turn For Distance

To really drive the ball, you must make a full shoulder turn. By doing so you assure proper weight transfer and boost the chances of swinging on the correct plane. Both things lead to increased distance. But if you’re going to drive the ball, you also must employ your hips properly.

Below are the five keys to employing your hips properly:

• Make a smooth transition
• Start down with your hips
• Slide hips slightly toward the target
• Shift weight to front foot
• Return front foot to ground

To hit for power, you must retain the front-side tension built up in the backswing. Ultimately, the tension creates the clubhead speed needed to drive the ball. To retain that tension at the start of the downswing, you must move forward with your hips, slide them slightly toward the target, and then uncoil them back to the left. In other words, slide then turn your hips at the same time.

Also, as you start forward, shift your weight onto your front foot, and return your front heel, pulled up on the backswing, to the ground. During the hip slide-turn, keep your arms and shoulders in the same position they were in at the top of the swing. You can feel the tension of the backswing coil as you complete this sequence.

The best players actually start forward with the hips before the upper body has quite completed the backswing. But that requires perfect timing, so it’s best that weekend golfers slide then turn to start the downswing. Below is a drill that helps improve your shoulder turn:

Get a driver or an iron and take your normal stance. Tuck a golf ball under your back armpit. Now swing the club. If you move your arms without turning properly, the ball drops out. If you execute the turn properly, the ball remains in your armpit throughout the backswing.

This drill teaches you to keep your arms from separating during the backswing. From there, it’s just a matter of following the sequence described above. If you do that, you should start getting additional distance from your drives.


Sticking It With A Hybrid

For those who watched the final round of the PGA Championship, the shot of the day was Y.E Yang’s chip-in for an eagle. It gave him a one shot lead over Tiger Woods, which Yang never lost. But an equally critical shot was Yang’s second shot on the 18th—a hybrid draw to within 12 feet of the pin. That shot was just as important and dramatic as the chip-in because it sealed the win. It’s a great shot to be able to hit on command. Let’s review the shot’s keys:.

Below are six keys to hitting the hybrid draw:

• Adopt a closed stance
• Hood the clubface
• Follow an inside path
• Hit down, not up
• Stop short of parallel
• Turn the hands over

You have to make some minor adjustments to hit a good hybrid draw. Begin by setting up with the ball slightly back in a closed stance. To ensure a low, right-to-left ball flight (for right-handers), hood the clubface by turning its toe toward the target. To hit a higher, hybrid draw, position the clubface square to the ball, and put a little more weight on your back foot. Also, move the ball slightly forward.

When swinging, concentrate on taking the club back inside. Pull the club back as usual, but stop well short of parallel on your backswing. Once you get to the top, swing down, as if you were hitting an iron off the fairway. Turn your hands over on the way through the ball, with the right hand eventually resting on the left. Also, maintain the slight bend that occurs in your right wrist all the way through impact.

Of course, you’ll need to practice a hybrid draw to ingrain the feeling of hitting one solidly. But once you get the hang of it, you’ll be able to hit the hybrid draw on command. It’s a good safe shot to have in your bag of tricks.

Question of the Week - Increasing Driving Accuracy

Q. Hi Jack, My main problem with my woods is a fade. Occasionally, I hit a slice with my woods. The driver is the worst. My 3-wood is the better of the woods, at 60-70% accuracy. With my irons I usually reach the greens in regulation. I have broken my handicap in my last three rounds and used metals for no more that five strokes. Currently playing off 23 my goal is to reach 10. This will require more accuracy with my drivers. Any suggestions?

Regards
Geoff Dening

A. Thanks, Geoff. Accuracy is about balance, control, and rhythm. So when it comes to my students, I generally tell them: Keep your swing on plane, maintain good rhythm, and control your clubface. Don’t lift your right heel (for right-handed golfers) too high. Don’t pin your right elbow to your body. And feel your right shoulder hit your chin as you make contact with the ball.”

If I had to give mental tips, I would keep the five tips below in mind the next time you have to hit the fairway:

• Don’t assume your going to hit a perfect shot
• Relax. Don’t allow tension to creep into your set-up
• Tee up on the side of trouble to guard against a bad shot
• Aim for a clear definite target within reach
• Don’t worry about distance. Accuracy is the priority.

Keeping these mental tips in mind and using proper swing mechanics will help improve your accuracy.

Here’s a drill used by Davis Love III to improve accuracy. His father taught it to him when the son was young. The father had young Davis work on hitting 125 yards shots and then 150-yard shots while taking a full driver swing. Once Davis learned this, he progressed to 175, 200, and 250 yards. The drill lengthens your swing arc, helps develop great control, and creates a heightened sense of rhythm.

If you’ve got a golf question you’d like answered, send an email to us at questions@howtobreak80.com and we’ll review it. I can’t guarantee that we’ll use it but if we do, we’ll make sure to include your name and where you’re from.

If you want to truly discover the secrets of shooting like the Pros and creating a more reliable and consistent swing, check out: http://www.HowToBreak80.com

Also, for past issues of this newsletter and some of my most recent articles, visit our blog at www.HowToBreak80.com/blog

To view this newsletter online, please visit:
http://www.howtobreak80.com/newsletter08262009.php

Here are some of my recent articles:
Article - Five Keys For A Simple Swing

Article - A Simple Plan To Improve Your Short Game

Until next time,

Go Low!

Jack

P.S. Feel free to share this newsletter with family and friends. If you would like to subscribe to this newsletter, go to http://www.howtobreak80.com/newsletter.htm

About the Author

Jack Moorehouse is the author of the best-selling book “How To Break 80 and Shoot Like the Pros!”. He is NOT a golf pro, rather a working man that has helped thousands of golfers from all seven continents lower their handicaps quickly. His free weekly newsletter goes out to thousands of golfers worldwide and provides the latest golf tips, strategies, techniques and instruction on how to improve your golf game.


]]> http://www.howtobreak80.com/blog/2009/08/28/golf-tips-and-instructions-082609/feed/ http://www.howtobreak80.com/blog/2009/08/28/golf-tips-and-instructions-082609/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/GolfInstructionHelp/~3/wKrhXYETeHE/ http://www.howtobreak80.com/blog/2009/08/27/full-swing-lessons-explained/#comments Thu, 27 Aug 2009 18:07:59 +0000 jack http://www.howtobreak80.com/blog/?p=632 Concern #1: Will This Work for Me?

The biggest question that we have received so far is “Will this work for me”? Those that are using the our fundamentals-based swing already know that this instruction works. However, we believe that this question does apply to everyone, so we’re going to address it.

Background:

If you’ve been with us for some time now you probably know that- we believe in testing everything before we get it to you. To do that with this Full Swing Lessons Video, we gave the video to a group of 18 golfers in AZ over a period of 4 weeks. What we found was really astonishing. On average, the golfer that tried these methods:

* Stayed on the fairways more often – almost 25% more often.
* Lowered their average scores by 3.5 strokes the very first round after watching the DVD.

I personally wish they had dropped more strokes but wasn’t surprised by the nearly four strokes they were able to drop immediately. But from the comments on the previous online videos that were sent out you can tell that the stuff really works. Here’s more of what we found.

Before watching the DVDs, our group of 18 golfers hit an average of 8.2 fairways through a round of 18. Not too shabby. If you figure an average of 4 par threes over 18 holes, our golfers were already hitting 8 of 14 fairways. After watching the Full Swing Lessons instruction only once, our subjects improved to 9.8 fairways hit. If after watching one video, you hit one more fairway per round, I’m sure you’d take it.

Bottom Line:

By hitting and staying on the fairway more often, the golfers we tested improved their average score by 3.5 strokes. They stayed on the fairway more often, had easier approach shots, giving them better putting opportunities, and ultimately lowering their scores. We couldn’t have asked for a better result.

Our test subjects experience was a very positive one and we are confident that you will experience similar results.

Concern #2: Will I Have to Change My Swing?

Many people have been asking if they will have to change their swing to be able to benefit from this DVD.

The beautiful thing about the swing we teach is that we don’t believe in changing someone’s swing from the ground up, just to change their swing. We believe that some golfers need to focus just on one or two swing mechanics that they are not currently doing correctly. This instruction will tweak your swing instead of completely revising it. The idea is to give the golfer different swing thoughts and minor mechanical adjustments only. None of the golfers in our test were asked to change their swings in any major way. We just worked with them to refine their swing and improve in minor areas to get the best results.

Each golfer on this DVD has been experiencing some problem in their swing – hooking, pushing, hitting the ball fat, etc. – so we only cover with them the things that we see them doing to cause these problems and how we think they should fix it. If we have a golfer that’s pulling the ball, we won’t suggest a completely new swing to resolve their pull, we just tweak their current swing to remove the pull. By watching these golfers’ swings before and after my fixes, it will help you to find the fixes to your own swing issues and correct them.

Bottom Line:

This instruction will help you find and fix the issues in your own golf swing as well as any single golf lesson you can get. It will do it at half the price of an hour long golf lesson and best of all, you can watch this lesson over and over again. Whenever you experience an issue in your golf swing, just pop the video back in the player and give it a watch.

We’re really looking forward to hearing all of the great successes that you have after watching this video. I know that it will help to improve your game almost immediately. Only a few days left until this is released, and we’ll keep you informed in the coming days. We look forward to working with you.

In case you missed the sample videos:

Watch Secret Golf Lesson #1

Watch Secret Golf Lesson #2

Leave your comments/concerns/questions below!

You can find more in-depth information on the Full Swing Lessons DVD here.

***Remember–this is a trial product. We have limited stock.

Go Low!

Jack

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