MissPar

Style » Must-Haves » Summer Sun

admin — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 13:45:50 +0000

Great Finds for Summer Fun!

I am always on the hunt for unique products. And what better way to kick-off this summer with these stylish pocket-size sun protectors!

SuperGoop! A SPF 50 Antioxidant-Infused Sunscreen Day Cream ($37 / 2.4 oz.) Buy it »
Introducing the next generation of sunscreens-our best defense against UV damage: Antioxidant-infused Mineral Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Protection. This Mineral suncare is very concentrated – a little goes a long way. A dime-sized amount easily covers face. When applying, dispense into one hand and use your other hand to dip into the lotion and dot on face or body rather than rubbing together both hands.

Key Benefits
• Loaded with super antioxidant, anti-inflammatory olive oil polyphenols combined with pomegranate and green tea extracts, infused into a hypoallergenic mineral SPF that will not irritate even the most sensitive skin types
• Water Resistant (up to 80 minutes). Safe for infants, 4 months and up

Check your moles for:

Sunforgettable Mineral Powder Sunscreen SPF 50 Brush $ 60 Buy it »
Sun protection is the fundamental step in keeping skin healthy and beautiful. Sunforgettable’s highly refined minerals shield skin from the damaging effects of the sun and environment, helping to defend against the signs of aging. Sunforgettable SPF 50 is a lightweight mineral powder with a barely-there feel that provides a safe, non-irritating, instant UVA and UVB sun protection. The self-dispensing powder brush makes this sheer formula easy to apply and reapply throughout the day. 3 Shades to choose from!

Sunforgettable Mineral Powder Sun Protection SPF 30 ORB $40 Buy it »
Sun protection is the fundamental step in keeping skin healthy and beautiful. Sunforgettable’s highly refined minerals shield skin from the damaging effects of the sun and environment, helping to defend against the signs of aging.

How to Use this Product:

How to use: Sweep brush over your skin to release powder. Use small circular strokes to release more powder for more coverage. Apply liberally and evenly all over your face and chest before sun exposure; reapply every two hours throughout the day for continued protection. Apply over Sunforgettable Primer SPF 30 for ultimate protection.
How to prime your brush: Hold brush in your hand and remove cap, place the brush hair on the back of your other hand. Gently press the hair down against your skin and slowly move in a circular motion. This allows the mineral powder to flow into the brush hair. Glide your finger tip across the top of the brush and you should see minerals float into the air. Now, your brush is primed and ready for application.
How to clean your brush: Spray a cloth with Colorescience Pro Brush Cleaner. Hold the brush upright and gently work cloth through the brush hair. Note: Most colore will not be removed, only oil and build up. Leave brush to air without the cap for a few minutes to dry.
Maintenance tip: Your brush may clog if the hair has too much oil or build up from a heavy moisturizer or oily skin. Clean your brush regularly to prevent build up or blockage.

SPF30+ Towelette Multipack x10 Buy it »
Scented in TOCCA’s classic Stella fragrance (Italian blood orange), these towelettes are pre-moistened in a gentle, sweat-resistant, broad spectrum SPF 30+ physical sunscreen that’s enriched with Vitamins E and B5, aloe and marine silk. The individually wrapped towelettes make it easy to be sun savvy no matter where you are – on the beach or on the go. Includes 8 individually wrapped 8” x 8” towelettes.

Key Benefit

My new favorite lip protection. This product claims it is Ultra hydrating. Ultra sleek. Ultra shine. And I couldn’t agree more. It is! Available at your local Pharmacy.

For ultra-protection and a look that’s fabulous all day long. With a little help from vitamin E and aloe, Carmex Moisture Plus™ lip balm helps nourish and moisturize lips leaving them so kissably soft they will be hard to resist. Available in 5 shades including clear.

Have fun in the sun With SPF 15, Carmex Moisture Plus protects your lips from the sun so you can play all day and know you’re covered.

Bonus: Take it out for a night on the town. A sheer pink, sheer peach, sheer berry, sheer plum or clear satin gloss finish add a hint of shine, while the sleek, slant-tip applicator looks almost as stylish as you.

Know-How » Focus 2 » Lessons

admin — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 18:20:39 +0000

Lessons are Critical!

I could not have dropped to a 5 in 5 without lots of lessons

Even the Pros have a Pro for their swing, a Pro for their putting and a Pro for the size inches.

If they need one… so do you!

When I started, I signed up for a series of 10 lessons. I got a deal by signing up for a series of lessons and more importantly, it meant that I was making a commitment to improve!

The most important factor when spending money for professional lessons is don’t waste your money! If you take a lesson and then do not work on the principles in between lessons then what’s the point?

Or, I see this quite often and I was guilty of this, you stray off track. You read a tip in a golf magazine and before you know it you are heading down the wrong road. Moral: Stay on track!

Also, make time to earn the short game and putting with your pro. Clinics are great and fun way to work on your short game as well without breaking the bank.

Clinics and Programs: The Get Golf Ready program is a terrific program. Also, the LPGA Clinics, EWGA and Women On Course offer fantastic programs and clinics for players of all levels.

Next in this series: Focus 3 » Practice

Know How » Focus 5 » Mental

admin — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 18:11:27 +0000

Mental Stamina

I saved this topic for last because as most of you already know, golf loves to play with your mind. And if you let it, golf will not play nice-nice. The most powerful tool you’ve got is your attitude. A positive attitude through the good, the bad, and the ugly will take you far in this game, and on the road to quick improvement.

5 SUGGESTIONS TO KEEP YOU POSITIVE

1. Don’t use the word Don’t, Can’t, or I’ll try.

Your brain doesn’t comprehend the word ‘Don’t.’ It only comprehends your focus.
Instead say to yourself: “I am going to hit this ball to that far left palm tree just right of that cart sign.”

I find, as do the pros, that a pre-shot routine is the best method to establish a consistent focus AND to help eliminate the Don’ts. Always select a specific target on every shot, even your putting. The more specific your target, the easier it is for your brain to register, and get that ball to your intended target. If you are focusing on the water, then that’s where your ball will go. So for example, if you get to a hole and all you see is trouble, change your focus. What trouble? Pick your landing area and narrow your focus to that far left palm tree, just right of the cart sign.

Bonus: Focus helps relax the mind. A relaxed mind produces a tension-free swing!
Extra Credit: ONE swing thought… not 300.

“When I step up to a shot…all shots…I only see the target. Where do I want this ball to go.”

2. Expectations more often than not, do not yield good results. If you have high expectations of shooting your lowest round, you are setting yourself up for disappointment.

Example: You are playing your last 2 holes poised to break 90 and you say to yourself, 2 more holes, I just need to make a bogey on each and I break 90… Yippee!! You walk off the 18th with a snowman and a double from 17. Your focus became score, the end result. This is a huge no-no.

Bonus: The key is to enjoy the process, score is an afterthought. If you play each shot, enjoy the process of each shot without concern of the outcome. You’ll be surprised when you tee it up without expectations how well you’ll play.

Extra Credit: Sometimes I ask a friend to keep my score, so I can free my mind and just play.

3. Body Awareness
Know where you hold your tension so you can release it. I hold tension in my shoulders and arms. Tension causes you to grip your muscles which is death for distance and a free flowing ball strike.

I also hold tension in my mouth. I discovered this when I saw a picture of myself swinging. I was appalled! One it looked horrific, mouth all tense and crinkled, and 2, not good for wrinkle prevention. I never would have known I held tension there until I saw that picture! Needless to say, I was mortified.

Extra Credit: Try this today: Bring awareness to your mouth by opening it slightly, smile, then swing. You’ll be amazed at the result!

Another body awareness area is your hands, specifically your grip pressure. Many suffer from the death grip syndrome. Here are a couple of drills to help you eliminate the death grip. The first is a drill to help you determine your personal grip pressure.

Bonus: This next drill is for the brave and dedicated players. I learned this reality check drill at the Golf54 school in Arizona. The Drill: You literally throw the club. Word of caution: Be careful of your fellow golfers, and be sure to stay clear of bodies of water. If not, you may find yourself diving in after your club when it goes flying into the leech-infested pond!

4. One of those days…aghhhh!
Laugh or hum after a bad shot, or if you are experiencing one of those days. I know it’s easy to say “stay positive,” but when you are having one of those days, or you are a new golfer and every shot is a skull, chunky money or worm burner… aghhhhhhh, it is a real challenge to stay positive! Believe me, I’ve had plenty of those days. In fact, early on I did not handle it well. I still struggle with it; I’m a type A, what can I say.

I envy the people who hit a bad shot and laugh! I love that. My mother humms a song, and her friend Betsy counts: 1,2,3…

When I am out there hitting the ball like crap, I go right back to the basics. “Okay… what’s happening here. I take a quick inventory of my set-up, alignment, tempo, grip pressure and tension levels, then make the necessary adjustments throughout the round. They are subtle. Maybe I say, “Okay slow the pace of my takeaway.” Or, if I am open at address, I make the adjustment to feel closed at set-up. If all else fails, I say “back to the drawing board… off to the range after the round, or it’s lesson time!”

Extra Credit: Try this today: Laugh after a bad shot. Even if you have to fake it. You’ll be surprised at the results!
When making an adjustment to your set-up or swing, if it feels the same or comfortable, then chances are you are not doing it.

Bonus: Exaggerate the change to see results. Remember, what you feel and what’s real are quite different in most cases.

5. Fear of Embarrassment
This is a biggie for anyone at any level! Annika was so incredibly nervous when she teed off on the first hole at Colonial when she played with the men. Her thought: “Okay, just swing with good tempo and keep it down the middle. She also did some deep slow breathing.

Fear of embarrassment is natural. But just know this: no one really cares how well or how bad you hit, or what your score is. A great tip I got was to fake it until you make it. Act confident, and eventually you will be.

In fact, when I was playing tournaments, and was so crazy nervous I forgot how to swing, so I became someone else. During one match-play event, I was really struggling with nerves, so I switched gears and morphed into Phil Mickelson. I literally walked like him, and played with his confidence. This mind game is super-effective because it gets you out of your own way. Plus, it’s fun! Who would you be?

Bonus: Remember: No one will remember that skull, whiff or chunky-monkey. However, they will remember your attitude. Stay positive, have fun, and enjoy this great game!

Extra Credit: Try this today: Morph into your favorite player. Today, this player for me is Yani Tseng. Who would it be for you…today?

I hope you have enjoyed this series on Focus. My goal is scratch and I know this to be true, no matter what level you are at, golf requires focus. If you desire improvement of any kind, complacency won’t work in this game. In case you missed them:

Focus » Intro
Focus 1 » Set Goals
Focus 2 » Lessons
Focus 3 » Practice
Focus 4 » Play

Deal » RuleFourteen

admin — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 15:01:08 +0000

Golf is a serious game that requires seriously clean clubs. Joe Borgenicht, the CEO of rulegolf understands the importance of clean clubs for crisp, solid shots, and so do I.

RuleGolf has a serious policy about their products which downright impresses me. Joe’s brand position: At rulegolf, our goal is simple: we want you to rule your game. And we are dedicated to creating innovative golf accessories (golf towels, golf divot tools and golf tees) that focus your game and allow you to do just that. We are golfers too and we understand that there is always the desire to improve your game — to get the most out of your time on the golf course. All golf accessories we design start with that in mind. As a result our golf accessory designs are simple. They are a premium blend of both form and function, produced with your potential in mind. We intend to enhance your enjoyment of the game by making the processes simpler.

When you use rulegolf tools in your game we hope that you find 3 things:
Clarity: You need a clear mind to take your best shot and our golf accessories will help you find that clarity between shots.
Confidence: Knowing what you intend to do is half the battle. We believe in your ability to swing your golf club they way you intend.
Connection: Whether it is your intention to connect with the ball or connect with your playing partners, we believe that our products will allow you to do both.

Golf is a serious game. Joe Borgenicht get this, and understands the importance of adding a splash of humor. I was in stitches… and awe watching his Less is More promotional video. Thanks Joe for making us laugh!

MissPar readers enjoy a 20% savings off RuleGolf products. Enter code MISSPAR during checkout. Offer expires July 30th, 2012. These towels are a must-have for our bag and make great gifts for your golfing buddies and significant other too. Buy now »

Good Reads » Even Par

admin — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 14:20:02 +0000

Developing relationships in business is not a new concept. In fact, it’s all about the relationship in most cases. People prefer to do business with people they like and trust, and business and golf go hand in hand. The boys get this concept. Spending five hours on the course, outside of business suits and office talk, people become just people, playing a game. In Leslie Andrew’s newly released book, Even Par, How Golf Helps Women Gain the Upper Hand in Business she takes the mystery out of this powerful business tool.

I enjoyed reading Even Par because it gets right to the point. It covers the essential nuts and bolts of why and how to run… not walk to incredible opportunities on the course. Topics include: Myths and Realities, The Difference Between Boys and Girls, Nuts and Bolts of Getting Started, The Invite—and I love this one—How to Not Make a Fool of Yourself. The book provides insightful knowledge on the inner blocks women create for themselves and how to abolish these debilitating obstacles. Plus, essential must-know golf terms and rules are included in this must-have tool for every woman in the corporate world!

It was during these golf outings that a particular phenomenon became apparent to each of us—there were few other women anywhere in sight. We knew how much golf helped each of us in our careers, so why hadn’t our female colleagues gotten the memo? – Leslie Andrews and Adrienne Wax

About the Authors:
Leslie Andrews is a Class A LPGA Teaching Professional and former Executive Director of the LPGA Teaching & Club Professionals. She has her MBA from Dartmouth and was recently named the Best of the Best Golf Instructor by Dan’s Papers. Her company Golfing Women is dedicated to helping women enhance their careers through golf. Leslie is a sought-after speaker, whose speaking engagements have included the Boston Golf Expo, Harvard Business School Women’s Leadership Conference, Credit Suisse Women’s Network, EWGA National Conference, and Columbia Business School Leadership Conference. Leslie has also appeared on TV segments relating to women and golf for WB-11 and ABC morning news, as well as on numerous radio talk shows on golf.

Adrienne Wax was born and raised in NYC, the daughter of a New York city cab driver — hardly the typical beginning for a fledgling executive or a golfer! The product of an inner city public school education, Adrienne worked her way through Lehman College, graduating at the ripe old age of 20 and attended Baruch College for her MBA. Adrienne envisioned GolfingWomen with an eye toward helping other executive women learn to leverage a tool that had proven so successful in her own career. Drawing on the skills from her successful corporate career, Adrienne, along with Leslie Andrews, soon launched Golfing Women and their first book, Even Par.

Leslie Andrews and Adrienne Wax, both successful marketing executives, left corporate America to launch a golf business with two goals in mind:

To help executive women learn to use golf for business. Golf is a critical skill for building relationships in business, and relationships are the key to business success. Guys leverage golf; women don’t – and they should.
To provide practical, simple, effective golf instruction. The philosophy? If you take lessons, you should get results.

For $14.95, Even Par is a no-brainer for every woman in the corporate world who understand the value of creating relationships on the course. Buy now »

Know-How » Focus 4 » Play

admin — Sat, 26 May 2012 15:48:43 +0000

Play to improve…with a splash of etiquette

One of many mistakes I made in my early days was spending too much time on the range. I became a great range player. In fact, I could have won major range tournaments.

It’s important to get out and play the game, even if it’s 9 holes. Or, if you are new to the game, find a Par 3 course in your area. This is a great way to play without the intimidation factor of a big course.

In it’s simplest form, the object of the game is to get the ball in the hole, so have fun with that process, not worrying too much about swing thoughts, or other annoying self-sabotaging-fear-based thoughts. For the more advanced players, the Par 3 is a great way to work on wedge play and short game shots.

If you are super-new to the game and worry about holding others up, share this with your playing partners. Ask them if it would be okay if you could throw them questions here and there.

You could state that:

“I want to keep pace of play, and if I miss something on the etiquette or rules front, please be candid and let me know, thanks!”

Knowing the basic etiquette to ensure you don’t annoy anyone is always welcome.

For example, some people are not patient with new golfers, so the more you know up front the better off you’ll be. When I was learning the game, I would mark my ball completely wrong. One of my friend’s friend got so annoyed by this, he complained about it during and after the round. I am thinking…lighten up buddy!

Asking questions is a great way to learn fast. Knowledge breeds confidence. There are no dumb questions in this game. The only dumb question is the one you do not ask.

HERE ARE MY TOP 5 ETIQUETTE TIPS

1 Stand out of the players peripheral, be still and quiet.

2 Don’t dilly dally over the ball, or take five practice swings. Standing too long over the ball creates tension and doubt. Instead, be athletic, focus on your target and hit the ball.

3 Pace of play: take three clubs to your ball: The club you think you might use, and a club above and below that selection. Don’t waste time walking to your ball to get a yardage… then walking back to the cart to get the club…and then walking back to ball. This is super annoying!

4 Fill your divots and fix your divots on the green.

5 Mark your ball ALWAYS and mark it correctly.

Bonus tip: If you are a new player, playing a Par 4 and you are on your 6th fairway shot, sometimes it is okay to pick up to keep the pace of play. Or, if you are on the green and on your fourth putt, go ahead and pick it up.

Focus 5 » Mental. The last Focus in this series of game improvement.

Know-How » Focus 3 » Practice

admin — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 23:02:23 +0000

Focus No 3 » Practice

I love this… it cracks me up! I am hitting balls on the range and someone comes up with a mammoth bucket, sometimes two. The first club they take out of their bag is the driver! From there, it becomes a banging-balls-at-warp-speed-with-zero-focus session.

Many players newer to the game are under the impression that if you hit a gazillion balls, you’ll get better. This could not be further from the truth. As my instructor poetically states:

Going to the range without a purpose: you’ll get fresh air, you’ll get some sun on your face, chat with your buddies, and maybe even blow off some steam from the day. Going to the range with a purpose is called practice. – Marc Spencer, PGA

Here is my suggestion: Go to the range with a very specific purpose. For example, one of my focus areas for the range is improving my ball striking. So today, I am going to work on hitting down on the ball by ensuring my hands are ahead of the clubhead at impact. To help me achieve this, I am going to use the Tour Striker, a training aid designed to kick your butt!

Ever notice how your tee shots are pretty good, sometimes amazing, but when you hit your second shot from the fairway… kabang… topped balls, chunked balls, and the dreaded texas bug-runners. The culprit is simple. If the clubhead gets to the ball before your hands… you’re done. If you do not hit down and through… you’re done. Enter the Tour Striker; designed to intuitively teach you how to compress the ball to get it up.

Remember, golf is a game of opposites: You need to hit down to get this puppy up.

I have only been working with the Tour Striker for a few sessions, yet I am already seeing improvement in my ball striking! Full disclosure: I love this club…and I hate it!

I hate it because it takes away all forgiveness leaving only the sweet spot. I love it for the same reason. Without forgiveness, you are forced to find a way to get this sweet spot onto the ball. And let me tell ya something, at first it is not easy. In fact, it is downright humiliating! My balls were squirting left, right and center without much height. My hands were not leading the way enough to make the Tour Striker happy. Essentially, I released a bit early.

My Suggestion: Once you have the Tour Striker in hand, {MissPar readers get a 10% discount + free shipping…Use code MissPar during checkout}, I highly recommend you head on over to the official site of the TS and watch Martin Chuck’s video. Phenomenal.

Martin is a PGA professional and the creator of the Tour Striker. He not only talks about how to use the TS, but also how to swing the club. In his lesson, you’ll learn the importance of body rotation and pivot {backswing/downswing}, the elusive lag, the-always-important grip and the definition of clubface path.

You may want to get a bunch of grapes and have a club handy before you begin watching. He really simplifies and provides vital information to improve your swing…I really enjoyed it!

I watched the video and I also booked an appointment with my pro. I suggest you do the same. Your pro is like your kickstart to using the club properly based on your current swing.

PRODUCT INFO:
Ladies Version: The Tour Striker Ladies/Junior 8 Iron training club is cast of 433 stainless steel and has a regular flex graphite shaft. The grip on the Tour Striker Ladies/Junior 8 Iron club is smaller than a man’s grip, allowing for ladies/juniors to easily grip the golf club. The lie angle and shaft length may be modified for a nominal additional fee. These customizations can be made in the ordering process on line and may add 3-5 days to the time it takes for you to receive your order.

Price: $99

Deal for Miss Par Readers: MissPar Readers enjoy 10% savings on their Tour Striker + free shipping. Enter Code MissPar during checkout. Hurry offer expires 6/30/2012! Get the Tour Striker »

Next in this series Focus 4 » Play

Talk » Upcoming Events » Ben’s Friends

admin — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 17:21:45 +0000

B E N ’ S F R I E N D S G O L F C L A S S I C

Their mission is to eliminate the challenges of Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS)…the #1 genetic cause of life threatening childhood obesity.

On June 13, 2011, our grandson, Benjamin Catalfamo was born with Prader-Willi Syndrome
(PWS). As most people in the U.S., we knew nothing about this rare disorder prior to his
diagnosis. We are now committed to help fund research in the hopes to find a cure for the
constant hunger children with PWS suffer. We hope you will join our circle of Ben’s Friends for
the 1st Annual Golf Classic to benefit the Foundation for Prader-Willi Research. – Pat & John Whitney

About the Foundation for Prader-Willi Research
Proceeds from the Ben’s Friends Golf Classic will go to the benefit of the Foundation for Prader-Willi Research. Their mission is to eliminate the challenges of Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS)…the #1 genetic cause of life threatening childhood obesity. PWS is a complex genetic disorder that occurs and randomly affects approximately 1 out of every 12,000 births. Babies born with PWS produce limited growth hormone and without treatment, experience underdeveloped muscles and limited growth. Children with PWS suffer from an unrelenting, overriding physiological drive to eat…for someone with PWS, the feeling of fullness after eating is missing. We want PWS children to be able to feel full, to have more energy to play and to live independently. As an “orphan” disease, PWS depends on grassroots fundraising to support research efforts.

EVENT DETAILS

WHEN: AUGUST 7, 2012
WHERE: Waverly Oaks Golf Club, Plymouth, MA
COST: Download pdf sponsor and details »
WEBSITE: www.fpwr.org

EVENT SCHEDULE

11:30 AM
Registration
Silent Auction Opens
Driving Range
——-
1:00 PM
18 Hole Shotgun Start
4-Person Scramble Format
——-
6:00 PM
Cocktail Hour
——-
7:00 PM
Dinner
Silent Auction Closes
——-
8:00 PM
Prizes and Drawings
Live Auction
Support Ben’s Friends and Register today!

History has shown us again and again that the only force known to effect real change, even in the most desperate of circumstances, is one of which we all have an unlimited supply. That force is love, and that love is most powerful when it comes to fighting perceived threats to the lives of our children. It was this force that caused us to form The Foundation for Prader-Willi Research (FPWR).Help the FPWR find new treatments and a cure for Prader-Willi Syndrome. You can help defeat PWS!
Register or Learn More {pdf} »

Know-How » Focus 1 » Set Goals

admin — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 17:02:03 +0000

Focus No 1 » Set Goals

If you desire improvement of any kind it is critical to set goals. Without goals how can you monitor improvement? Without goals your focus will be scattered. Goals make it easier to stay on track and make the learning process more fun.

Goals need to be measurable and realistic based on your time and drive. For example, I want to drop 5 strokes off my handicap this season, or I want to hit more fairways this season.

An unrealistic goal may be: I want to drive the ball 270 yards this season, or I want to drop from a 30 to a 10 this season.

Once your goals are set and written down, you’ll need to jump in and get to it. The biggest issue I see with the improvement process is lack of time. “I don’t have time to practice.” I believe, if there’s a will…then there’s a way to find a bit of time to dedicate to your game.

Even if it’s a half hour working on your backswing or putting. Or, perhaps you’re a busy mom or you perpetually work late. May I suggest improvement at home in front of the mirror, or try this great tip from Suzy Whaley:

I recently attended the EWGA Boston Kick-off. Suzy Whaley was the guest speaker. I was wow-ed by her teaching style and sense of humor. I was in stitches! She immediately got us on our feet…well, should I say, balancing on one foot.

A critical element for good ball striking is good balance. Without balance, you will tend to compensate somewhere in your swing. And in many cases, we have better balance on one side versus the other. For example for a right-handed golfer, say you are solid on your right side, yet, not as balanced on your left leg…a bit wobbly. As a result, you may struggle with your finish, by falling back, rather than getting fully to your left side. So here’s something you can do at home to improve your balance. In fact, my friend is already doing it! She placed a post-it on her bathroom mirror. Click image to enlarge and read post-it!

The Exercise: While brushing your teeth, stand on one leg for one minute. Switch legs after one minute. Advanced move » close your eyes and brush your teeth on one leg. Do this either method {eyes open or closed} and watch your balance improve. Thanks Suzy for the great tip!

Home is also great place to learn the top 10 rules and etiquette, read books on the game, or watch golf tournaments! In fact, I learn so much using the features of my remote control!

For example, Yani Tseng happens to be my swing model. When she’s about to pull the trigger, I hit the pause button and either slo-mo the swing, or hit the pause-pause-pause button to view frame by frame. For me as a visual learner, it helps me to see her positions. I take it one step further by taking video of my swing at the range, using a simple Panasonic camera with good quality video. Then, I compare my swing to Yani’s! I make a few mental notes, and head back to the range the next day to work on the tweaks. I also share my focus with my Pro and off we go!

Right now my dream goal is scratch, but to be honest, that is not realistic…this season. I am simply not playing, or practicing enough. Yes, time is my culprit. That’s fine. I simply need to dial down my expectations.

My overall goal is to shoot mid 70′s consistently from the average 6100-6400 yard courses I play. To get there, I am working on posture, alignment and creating more club head speed to gain a few more yards. Click goal sheet image to view larger!

Where I lose the most strokes…putting. My current putting average is 34 putts per round. My goal is 28 by the end of the summer. I also continually work the tempo in my short game and putting.

My Suggestion » Track Your Stats! HOW CAN YOU IMPROVE IF YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHERE YOU NEED THE IMPROVEMENT? Tracking your stats is an easy way to establish a starting point and to monitor progress.

Begin by tracking fairways hit, greens in regulation, and number of putts per round every time you play.

You will begin to see the error of your ways. Once you have at least 5 rounds of statistics, take these to your Pro for evaluation.

Focus 2 & 3 » Next in this game improvement series. Look for it mid-April!

Hint: I love it…and I hate it!!

Know-How » Focus » 5 Areas of Focus

admin — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 16:47:51 +0000

IMPROVE with 5 Areas of Focus

My goal is scratch and I know this to be true, regardless of what level you are, golf requires focus. If you desire improvement of any kind, complacency won’t work in this game.

How many of you want to improve your game…this season?

I took up the game of golf in 2000 and never thought I’d author two golf books. Crazy what passion does. When I was learning the game there was minimal on the bookshelf for the visual learner. Lots of text-heavy coffee table style books, certainly not suitable to bring to the course without looking like an oddball.

So, sometimes I’d bring golf magazines. But in the 90 degree heat, they did not hold-up well… plus they were also too big. Then, I’d write a few tips down in a little booklet, but with me…no visuals…no go. The moral of this tale: there was a gap that needed filling!

I have a huge drive to improve and love the process, most of the time. I know that when I am making a swing change, even just a tweak, I will fall 3 steps back to get 1 forward. I know this to be true, so I will do my best not to get impatient, or frustrated. Sometimes that doesn’t always work, but at least I am aware.

Being a passionate golfer, I am observant. There are a few commonalities that I notice among players of all levels that make it more challenging to find improvement. I will share 5 critical areas over the next several weeks that will apply to the new golfer, or advanced player. Follow these 5 focus areas and you will expedite your learning process dramatically this season!