Nancy Quarcelino School of Golf - Blog

Why We Teach Golf

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 12:27:24 -0500

I just recently returned from the LPGA Teaching and Coaching Summit where I was asked to speak on teaching group sessions.

Many of you have taken golf lessons from my school and many more have participated in group classes. I was asked to talk to my fellow golf professionals about the “what, how and why” we teach.

“What” we teach is simple. We may help you with your slice or help you pitch the ball close to the hole. “How” we teach is the delivery in which we give you the information; we may help you by giving you drills and games, using training aids to give you the feel for your golf swing, or video tape your progress. But “Why” we teach, well I had to think about that for a minute.

Our tag line for the Nancy Quarcelino School of Golf is “Where Golfers’ Train to Play”. Golfers of all levels of ability can come to our school and get the proper training to help them progress to the next stage of their golf career.

That means the new golfer can learn skills and progress to the golf course to play with their friends and family. That also means the executive of a company can learn how to play with other people and not be intimidated. It even applies to the young junior golfer that wants to join his or her golf team can learn what it takes to play and compete at the middle school, high school, college and possibly tour level.

“Why” do we teach golf? Because of you. Because you have dreams and ambitions. Because you have the want and desire to play a game that challenges you and your spirit.

Golf is the only sport where “you” call the penalty on yourself. You become vulnerable and exposed when you have to hit in front of your friends who may play better than you. But golf can also bring you such joy that one shot can make your day and motivate to come back again and again.

We teach golf because we want to be on that journey with you. We want to be there for you when you hit your best shot and play your best game. We love golf and thank each and every one of you who have allowed us to be a part of the process in watching your love for the game grow.

Nancy Quarcelino and Rita Reasons

Think Twice Before Asking for Advice!

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 11:26:56 -0500

Last week during a lesson with one of my students, I couldn’t help but overhear two other golfers practicing on the driving range.

In just FIVE minutes I heard the following banter. It was so unbelievable that I had to quickly go to my note pad and write down what I had just witnessed. Take a moment and reflect back to a time when maybe you either witnessed or actually took part in the following scenario.

From one golfer to another, here was just a sampling of the conversation: “Keep your head down. Swing easy. Watch how I do it. Keep your left arm straight. Swing through the ball and finish. You are rising up. Keep your feet still. You are swinging like a baseball bat, swing like this. You are topping the ball, stay down.”

Now don’t get me wrong, these guys were having a blast beating golf balls out in the range. And that was just what they were doing, beating balls. One guy was the leader/teacher helping his friend.

As I think about this, it may also be the advice you are given either from your playing partners, friends, spouse or even your teacher. You may even be partly to blame for all this advice.

How any times have you turned to the person next to you and asked, “What am I doing wrong?” One thing you can count on for sure, your golf friends don’t want to disappoint you so they will answer you with some of “their” swing thoughts which may or may not work for them.

Most of the time you are just reacting to the result of the golf shot you just hit. If you topped the ball, you hear keep your head down from your friends. If you fall off balance, you hear swing through the shot. And, if you swing the club like a baseball bat, you hear keep your feet still.

What I have learned from teaching and coaching students is that golfers always want to know everything that is going on with their golf swing/game. What I know for certain is that when I suggest a change, that one change will affect many more things in your golf swing. That is why I go to the “root” cause of any swing issues you may have. Thus you will leave the lesson tee with “one” swing thought.

Without the proper supervision, you are going to adjust to every swing you make. You are going to “try” and manipulate the golf club/swing to make the golf ball do what you want it to do. That is why with one swing you may top the ball and the next swing you may hit two inches behind the ball.

On the other hand, if you just rely on “one” swing thought or focus, you will begin to achieve the results you so desire.

Life Lessons Apply to Golf as Well

Thu, 25 Aug 2011 12:47:12 -0400

One of my favorite books is “Life's Little Instruction Book” by H. Jackson Brown, Jr. In this book there are 511 suggestions, observations, and reminders on “How to Live a Happy and Rewarding Life”.

As I read this book I find that many of the suggestions offered can be easily used on the golf course. I teach lessons every day, golf lessons. But sometimes those lessons become more about life than about golf. Here are a few “suggestions, observations and reminders” that came out of this book that you can use in your golf game as well.

Treat everyone you meet like you want to be treated. Compliment good shots and do not “wish” bad luck on your opponent. You want to win or lose with dignity and respect.

Strive for excellence, not perfection. You can never be perfect in golf. You just want to do your best that day.

Compliment 3 people every day. Tell your playing partner or opponent “good shot” when they have played well.

Leave everything a little better than you found it. This is all about the golf course. Repair your ball marks, pick up trash, and fill in your divots. Leave the golf course better than you found it!

Become the most positive and enthusiastic person you know. People want to play with positive people. You never want to be known as that person that is hard on themselves and others.

Say, "Thank you" a lot. When someone compliments your game, say “thank you.” I hate it when someone says “thanks but that was just luck”. Just say “thank you” and go on.

Commit yourself to constant improvement. There are parts of your game that can always be improved. Take lessons or practice to keep improving.

Have a firm handshake and look people in the eye. Learn to shake hands and look the person in the eye. When you finish a game, win or lose, shake your opponents hand and make eye contact. Keep your emotions in check.

Be the first to say hello. Be the first to say hello to your playing partners. Give them that firm handshake and wish them good luck in their round.

Stop blaming others. If you are playing poorly, know you are the only one in control of your golf game. Don’t blame the weather; everyone else is playing in the same conditions. Don’t blame a slow playing partner; learn to pace yourself and your golf game.

Take responsibility for every area of your life. Only you can make your golf game better. If you did not get to practice or play to prepare for your next round, only you are responsible.

Don't be afraid to say, "I made a mistake." Before you sign that score card, don’t be afraid to change the score when you forgot a shot. Better to change it before you sign the scorecard than be disqualified after you signed a wrong score on a hole.

Don't be afraid to say, "I don't know." If you don’t know the answer to a question, say “I don’t know”. If you don’t know the rules of golf, buy a rule book and learn the rules.

How to Draw the Ball

Mon, 08 Aug 2011 18:55:20 -0400

Golfers come to me all the time wanting to learn how to draw the ball. They understand that they can hit the ball farther by hitting a draw (right to left shot for a right-handed golfer).

But before you start trying to learn how to work the ball, please also understand this fact: if you can hit the ball in one direction and be consistent in that direction, you can play great golf! You will be able to hit many fairways and greens in regulation if you just play your “stock golf shot”.

Your stock golf shot is the shot you normally hit. For me, I hit a draw all the time. That is my stock golf shot. It is very hard for me to hit a fade. I can do it, but it is not easy for me, and I am not successful all the time.

But, you want to learn how to draw the ball…… right? Well, here is how you can get more distance. The simplest way to draw the ball is to close your club face. For a right-handed golfer that means you turn the toe of your club to the left or an 11:00 position (as if you were looking at a clock). The score lines on the face of your golf club will now be pointing to your right heel (a square club face has the score lines right down the middle of your feet).

Now, grip the club so the club stays closed in your hands.

Next, aim the club face (closed) to the target you want to hit (the pin or the fairway) and aim your body to the right of your target. If you happen to be behind trees and need to draw the ball around the trees, your body will be aiming to the right of the trees. When your set up is complete, you will now swing toward your feet line or right of the target. Because the club face is closed or aimed left, the ball flight will start to the right of your target and then draw back in (left) to your target.

For those who are interested, to hit a fade you will open your club face and grip it open. You will then aim your club face to the target and your body and feet line left of the target. When you swing with your feet line, the open face will curve the ball (right) to your target.

Hitting either of these shots when playing golf, takes practice. The day will come when you will have the opportunity to use one of these shots. But if you haven’t had the chance to practice the shot at hand, you may end up being better off by just hitting your “stock shot”!

The US Women's Open Championship

Tue, 12 Jul 2011 13:42:59 -0400

What can you learn from the 2011 Women’s US Open Championship? Major championships are meant to be difficult. When the USGA runs a tournament, they want to protect par at all costs. The rough will be deep, the greens will be fast and the golf course will be long.

This years’ championship was held at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, CO. This event was the longest golf tournament the LPGA/USGA has ever put on. I guess you could say both from a yardage standpoint and with all the many rain delays! The golf course played over 7000 yards and the elevation was 6400 feet which played havoc with all the LPGA players and their caddies.

The winner, So Yeon Ryu won in a playoff against fellow Korean Hee Kyung Seo. The winning score was 3 under after five grueling rain delayed days. What made this tournament so difficult was a combination of the yardage, elevation and rain delays. All factors playing against the golfers making for a very challenging major tournament.

At all times, the players kept track of the location of Cheyenne Mountain and the Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun. Why? When putting the ball, it will always break downhill and away from the mountains. Good to know if you are playing in a region with hills and mountains like at The Broadmoor.

The other factor that affected everyone’s club selection was the elevation. If you drive the ball high in Colorado you will hit the ball much farther than normal. One player, who averages 280 off the tee, actually hit a drive 330 yards! Everyone had to factor in the altitude along with their distance to figure out what club they needed to hit on every shot.

Annika Sorenstam, this year’s honorary chairman, said to win a major championship you must have a little luck, lots of patience and not think too far ahead. She also said you must have a good, all around game. You must drive the ball straight to keep out of the deep rough and know how far you hit every club in your bag as you may not be hitting right at the pin. She was exactly right. I watched the golfers use the slopes of the green to help feed their ball to the hole.

You can use these same tips when you go play your golf course. The elevation may not be 6400 feet here in middle Tennessee, but the greens may be elevated and you will have to hit a longer club to get to the flag. We also have some mountains in the area so you can expect the ball to break away from the mountains when you are putting. And, as always, it is better to hit the driver straight and in the fairway!

Use these tips from the pros the next time you play golf. Go have fun and play more golf!

Nancy Quarcelino Selected as Guest Instructor for the Ryder Cup Junior Academy

Mon, 06 Jun 2011 22:46:23 -0400

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. - The Ryder Cup Junior Academy, which was developed in response to recommendations from past United States Ryder Cup Team Captains and was part of the 2010 Ryder Cup Outreach program, is set to begin its first session, and will feature 1995 U.S. Ryder Cup Captain Lanny Wadkins, June 6-12, at the PGA Center for Golf Learning and Performance in Port St. Lucie, Fla.

This new initiative, designed to expand the outreach of the Ryder Cup and provide aspiring young players an opportunity to experience an elite player development academy, while targeting those who may not have the resources or means to attend, will also offer the juniors expert instruction from award-winning PGA Professionals. It also puts a strong emphasis on playing and competing in both stroke- and match-play formats.

"The vision of the Academy is to provide up-and-coming juniors a unique chance to attend an elite Ryder Cup training camp is spot on," said Lanny Wadkins. "I look forward to drawing upon my career and experience as a United States Ryder Cup Captain and player to spend quality time with these young golfers participating in the Ryder Cup Junior Golf Academy and share what I've learned and teach the skills, commitment and dedication required to bring their game to the next level."

"The attendees of the Ryder Cup Junior Academy will experience a true once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn from golf legends, such as Billy Casper, Lanny Wadkins and Dow Finsterwald, as well as top PGA Professionals from across the country," said PGA of America President Allen Wronowski. "We are excited to host these junior golfers, as it is a point of pride to share our expertise with the future of the game."

As part of the 2010 United States Ryder Cup Team's charitable commitment-which has already impacted U.S-based charitable organizations and students at colleges and universities nationwide-the team designated $50,000 each to create and support the Ryder Cup Junior Academy.

Each of the 41 PGA Sections nationwide had the opportunity to nominate one boy and one girl each, with the remainder of the juniors selected through an at-large process. A total of 70 juniors were selected to participate in the inaugural year.

Review of the New Nike Golf Ball by Rita Reasons

Wed, 27 Apr 2011 20:21:31 -0400

Beginning this Friday, April 29, 2011 you will have the opportunity to purchase the new revolutionary Nike 20XI golf ball. You may have already read about it in golf magazines or heard about it on the Golf Channel.

I tried out the 20XI-X last week while playing a couple of holes after completing a day on the lesson tee. I have to admit; I hadn’t warmed up or even stretched like I tell my students to do. I was anxious to get to the course and try out this new ball I had heard so much about. I really didn’t know what to expect or if I would even be able to tell that much of a difference.

Well, I would like to report back to you that I can really tell a difference! I could feel the ball explode off the face of the club, it seemed to hang in the air longer than I am accustomed, and I got added distance. My only complaint was that I ran out of daylight and wasn’t able to try out the 20XI-S.

What makes this new 4-piece ball different from previous ball designs is the lightweight rubber-less core made of polymer. By making the core lighter, Nike has achieved a higher MOI (moment of inertia) with a heavier outer layer. What this means for you is a tee shot with less spin which produces better carry and control. The 20XI-S has a soft urethane cover for maximum spin and feel and the 20XI-X has a firmer cover for lower spin and more length.

My advice to you is to get them as soon as you can because retailers will not be able to keep them in stock. They are just that good!

Why Do You Play Golf?

Mon, 18 Apr 2011 13:04:09 -0400

Do you play golf to have fun and not worry about your score? Or do you play golf to shoot the lowest score you have ever played?

I think there are always two schools of thought on this subject. I play most of the time to have an enjoyable round and not concern myself over my score. I like doing this when playing with friends or enjoying a nine-hole round of golf at the end of the day. Then there are the times that I play with other professionals and colleagues where my competitive nature comes out and I want to play great golf. What do I do to prepare for each one of these rounds?

When I go to play golf for fun there is not much preparation for my game. I make sure I have plenty of golf balls, my equipment is clean and I have what I need to go out and play. I will always warm up before the round just to get loose. I will putt a few on the green to get a feel for the speed of the greens. I will rarely practice days before to get ready for a fun round of golf.

But, when I am going to play with other professionals, I get game ready. I will practice well in advance of the round. I will consult with Rita Reasons, my coach, on my golf swing and have her watch me practice my routine, and hone in on my fundamentals. I will even play a practice round to get my competitive juices flowing. I want to feel some pressure that will be similar to the game I am getting ready to play.

Whether you play for fun or play to do your very best, everyone wants to be respectable with their game. Just remember preparation is the key to everything. Even if you are playing golf for fun, get your game and your mind ready to enjoy the type of game you want to play.

PLAN for Improvement

Mon, 11 Apr 2011 10:46:27 -0400

Recently I developed a training strategy for one of my students which will provide the support he needs to achieve his goals for golf this year. Knowing what he wants to accomplish and the time his schedule will allow helped me develop a plan specifically for him.

Regardless of the type of golf instruction you take, there must be a plan for improvement. At the Nancy Quarcelino School of Golf you have many choices to consider in the development of your game. You have the option of private instruction or small group programs to help you with certain parts of your game.

As educators, we understand that the learning process takes time. You learn best with short bursts of information spread out over a long period of time. That is why we develop our golf schools the way we do, to support the learning process.

For example, in our Golf Advantage Program (our supervised practice sessions) you have the opportunity for us to assist you every week with your practice. By knowing what you are working on, we keep you in check and make sure you are practicing effectively for your goals. If you can practice one day a week under a trained eye, you will get better. We help you develop good practice habits. We have had some previous students participating in this program knock 10-15 stokes off their scores in one season.

The Golf Advantage Program meets every Wednesday from 6-7:30 p.m. April thru September. There is a one time enrollment fee of $350 which includes all sessions and a 30 minute private goal setting/video session.

Another example would even benefit a new golfer; The Women’s Beginner Program keeps with the same theme of learning; short bursts of learning over a period of time. This is especially key for beginner golfers. There is so much to learn and in order for you to be comfortable on the golf course, hearing the information and practicing it over and over helps to develop your confidence to play golf with your friends.

The Women’s Beginner Program meets every Saturday from 3:30-4:30 p.m. and Tuesday from 6:00-7:00 p.m. April-September. It also is a one time enrollment fee of $350.

Many of our students especially like the Focus-One Training Sessions. This program is designed to help golfers “focus” on one specific part of the game so that you can select the sessions that best fit your needs.

By hosting these training sessions throughout the golfing season, once again you will learn more effectively and transfer your learning to the golf course. These sessions are taught on Saturdays from 1:30-3:00 PM and on Thursday evenings from 6:00-7:30 PM April thru September.

What we know for sure is that in order to learn how to play golf, shoot low scores and have more fun; you must learn the fundamentals properly, practice effectively and play on some consistent basis. Join us this golfing season and let us help you make a plan as to how to reach your goals which will make golf more fun for you!

The Best Womens Beginner Golf Program Ever

Wed, 27 Apr 2011 20:19:56 -0400

The big push in golf right now is to get more women playing the game. Do you know why? Women are the buyers and decision makers for most of the purchases in the household. Guys, if you want to play more golf, get your wives and girlfriends out on the golf course!

The PGA of America has had promotions throughout the years to get more people playing golf. The Nancy Quarcelino School of Golf recognizes the need of more women playing the game. We have had the leading women’s beginner program in the Nashville, TN area for over 15 years.

“Get Golf Ready” is a program offered by the PGA of America, designed to teach you the game of golf in five short lessons. At the Nancy Quarcelino School of Golf, we are committing to be with you ALL SUMMER LONG!

Our Women’s Beginner Golf Program is “Get Golf Ready” approved by the PGA. This year we are introducing an exciting new format which we believe is the most innovative program ever to be offered for anyone wanting to learn to play the game of golf!

Participants in this program will pay a one-time enrollment fee ($350) which will allow you to attend beginner training sessions of your choice from April thru September. The Women's Beginner Program meets on Saturdays (3:30-4:30) and Tuesdays (6:00-7:00)

This program, taught by LPGA professional Rita Reasons and LPGA/PGA Professional Nancy Quarcelino, will provide you with the basic fundamentals and knowledge needed to play golf. There is no need for you to feel intimidated; everyone in this class is new to the game.

NQSOG Women Beginner Program highlights:

• Multiple 1 hour sessions from April thru September.

• Learn basic rules, etiquette, and golf terminology.

• Develop full swing/short game fundamentals.

• Understand the use of all the clubs in your golf bag.

• Clubs will be provided if needed.

• Club fitting evaluation and recommendations.

• Playing opportunities.

• On-line communications and networking.

• Field trips to different golf venues.

• 10% discount on clubs purchased at the NQSOG. (restrictions may apply)

• 10% discount on any additional programs or private lessons at the

KICK-OFF EVENT FOR THIS PROGRAM ON SATURDAY, APRIL 2 (3:30-4:30)