Guaranteed you will hit the ball further when you don't try and hit it. We all hit our best shots when we focus on making a good swing. The act of hitting implies force - this leads to muscular tension, which destroys your golf swing.
Achieving the correct timing for the most efficient delay in your release of power is a very subtle thing. It depends heavily on the sequence of your body movements, that is what timing is all about. You cannot achieve this if you are hitting at the golf ball.
You always notice your practice swing is smoother, flowing and rhythmical compared to your real swing, the tension is worse when the ball is added, making a quick, jerky movement.
Try and remember, LESS IS MORE.
The main thing is to have a good time, with a good attitude. If you come off the golf course angry or upset, 'grow up or quit!' Learn to enjoy the game for what is has to offer, beauty, companionship, exercise, competition, fun. We get great satisfaction from playing well and we try to do so, that's the element of the challenge that makes golf so fascinating.
Wednesday, 19 February 2014
CHECK YOUR FUNDAMENTALS
Poor shots begin with a poor grip, aim and set up. The root cause is pure carelessness and the results are very costly. It takes experience to learn this.
Preparing properly for each shot, just means you have to pay attention and it doesn't take long. Almost any golfer can physically complete a good grip, aim and set up, it really doesn't need any physical effort. So few players accomplish this, they lay most of the blame for poor shots on other reasons! The fact is, in a high percentage of cases the shot is missed before the swing ever gets in motion!
Preparing properly for each shot, just means you have to pay attention and it doesn't take long. Almost any golfer can physically complete a good grip, aim and set up, it really doesn't need any physical effort. So few players accomplish this, they lay most of the blame for poor shots on other reasons! The fact is, in a high percentage of cases the shot is missed before the swing ever gets in motion!
Wednesday, 29 January 2014
Testimonial - Tom Wishon Clubs
Husband and wife, Pat and Terry, have been taking lessons with me and have written a testimonial about the Tom Wishon clubs that I fitted them with. See below:
Just a quick note to mention how myself and Pat are enjoying our golf again.
As you know we both have recently taken up our golf again, and therefore we thought that having some lessons would set us off on the right path (and hopefully do away with some bad habits – especially mine ).
Pat started her lessons with Carla first, and straight away felt the swing changes a great help, then after having a fitting session, decided to have a new set of Tom Wishon clubs and bought the recommended set of hybrid irons and woods. She is made up with her new clubs, they fit her perfectly, and now that she has the right gear the work you have done together is starting to show through as each time we play/practice she hits better shots, and so has more fun hitting them.
As for myself, the changes to my swing feel really good (especially when I do it right !!), and after taking your advice I too was fitted for new clubs, again I chose the Tom Wishon set of irons and woods, the clubs feel great and I am looking forward to improving my scores whilst having a great time hitting more good shots each time out.
We’re both looking forward to improving our game, and feel sure with Carla's continued help will do so.
Having professional help and advice is definitely the way forward if you want to improve.
As you can see from the testimonial above, coaching and club fitting go hand in glove - Carla.
Just a quick note to mention how myself and Pat are enjoying our golf again.
As you know we both have recently taken up our golf again, and therefore we thought that having some lessons would set us off on the right path (and hopefully do away with some bad habits – especially mine ).
Pat started her lessons with Carla first, and straight away felt the swing changes a great help, then after having a fitting session, decided to have a new set of Tom Wishon clubs and bought the recommended set of hybrid irons and woods. She is made up with her new clubs, they fit her perfectly, and now that she has the right gear the work you have done together is starting to show through as each time we play/practice she hits better shots, and so has more fun hitting them.
As for myself, the changes to my swing feel really good (especially when I do it right !!), and after taking your advice I too was fitted for new clubs, again I chose the Tom Wishon set of irons and woods, the clubs feel great and I am looking forward to improving my scores whilst having a great time hitting more good shots each time out.
We’re both looking forward to improving our game, and feel sure with Carla's continued help will do so.
Having professional help and advice is definitely the way forward if you want to improve.
As you can see from the testimonial above, coaching and club fitting go hand in glove - Carla.
Monday, 20 January 2014
Coach / Player Relationship
GOOD COACH
Enthusiastic
Trust
Opinion
Motivates
Knowledge of player
Gives confidence
Understands what you want
Judgement of feel and technique
Problem solver
Gives good explanation
Easy to get on with
Open minded
Good communicator
COACHABLE PLAYER
Wants to learn
A good listener
Desire
Good work ethic
Prepares practice
Gives feedback
Not afraid to fail
Sets goals and targets
Determined to achieve
Friday, 20 December 2013
Carla's Cowboys Golf Society
Christmas Round Up 2013
Firstly, I would like to welcome our new cowboy Graham Jackett, a keen marathon runner so don’t let him get behind you on the course. Hope you all had a good winter and another great trip was enjoyed in Spain. I got myself off to sunny Florida, where you can’t go wrong for guaranteed weather and very competitive green fees on great golf courses. Also, Disney magic, like a big kid with Mickey and Minnie mouse. It was great fun!
Sadly not long after I got home my mum became ill and died in March, thank you for all your kind messages. She was one of life’s characters, my best friend. Any of you will know what it feels like when you have lost someone you really love. There was no one prouder of my achievements in golf than my mum and she always took a great interest in Carla’s Cowboys. I managed to pass my PGA Advanced diploma and now have Advanced Professional status. I went to the graduation at Birmingham University in April. This was for mum!
The first competition of the year was at Frodsham, which was moved back to April as we had snow! Julie won with 34 points on a card play off from her better half, John. Then also off to play Sale in April, which was a lovely day. I played with Trixie Dixie and Julie and there was some good steady play. Dixie was driving like a demon! Julie was passing on some accurate yardages with her new GPS watch, couldn’t go wrong except put the ball in the hole! J.C was showing off with his new Motocaddy, boy did he look the part! “I wish the swing would match it” he chuckled. The winner on the day was Jesse James with 38 points.
May took us to hilly Houghwood and Bob commented that it was the best bacon butty he had had so far. The course was in lovely condition and the rain kept off. I played with Bagpipe John who had a very steady round, hitting all the par 3’s in regulation! His Scottish wheels only fell off for a couple of holes but he managed to settle himself down and single putt the last 4 holes. ‘Look at that,’ he remarked. Bronco brooks was our other playing partner, just not quite on his lovely roll today. I sneaked in for the 2’s so that was nice and Cool John O’Connell won with 37 points, which was a close call as he dropped his cigarette machine halfway round but J.C. found it and saved the day for him.
In June the cowboys headed off to Woolton golf club, which is a very nice parkland course and well kept. I was on holiday down in West Sussex, lovely part of the world and not a spot of rain. Our sympathy goes out to J.C as he lost his mum and couldn’t make it on the day. The winner was Bronco Brooks with 34 points. Around this time we had another new cowboy join us, Dave Stephens. Welcome Dave. Fast talking Bill introduced him so I will leave that with you!
Dr. David had a charity heart foundation day at Pryors Hayes in July and Brooky, Julie and John were in the team and they came third so well done to them!
We had a great spell of summer then, up in the high 70’s most days but unfortunately we had rain at Runcorn, end of July. The course was immaculate though. I played with Doc Dave and J.C. Doc Dave had some tree trouble and was getting a little frustrated after bragging he’d been playing so well and beat a 16 handicapper at Royal Liverpool golf club! If you know Runcorn you don’t have to be far off line to be in trouble!
We are all into these wrist GPS’s not sure we all know what’s going on with them though. J.C has one that talks to him because he can’t see it, he told me the yardage on one hole, “you have 203 yards to the centre of the green”. “Ok” I said, just about to take my backswing, “hold on” he cries, “that’s the time! I think everybody’s satellites are linking up with every body else!” We had a great day and a fantastic meal, “the best so far” George bellowed out. I’m not joking there was more meat on that chicken than there was on George! The winner of the day was Fast Talkin Bill with 34 points. He was chuffed to bits!
August shooting ground was Aldersey green, always a tricky one for some reason. Never many good shootin’ scores there. The winner was Slinghookin Steve with 33 points. J.C tried to turn up for the day but got lost and gave up. Lots of cowboys on holiday for this one, including me. Had a great time in Normandy, France and empty golf courses, a golfers dream!
Beautiful Indian summer day for the John Biss Trophy, he ordered it again!
Every body was a little nervous on the first tee as I chose to film their swings to show at the 19th, some cringed and some were quite chuffed.
It was a great day, I played with Maverick Mal, Gee Up George and Cool John O’Connell. Mal was very impressed with George’s colour coordination of the day, yellow and orange! George cried disappointedly that he has an orange towel for his golf bag but he’d forgotten it today. I’m not sure whether that upset him so much he started chucking his clubs on the 11th or the frustration of his bad shots! Could have been both! In fact, on the same hole Mal asked me if you could tap down the lie around the ball with your foot! What’s going on? We had lots of prizes and nearly everybody won something which was great but the winner of the John Biss Trophy was Bronco Brooks. A worthy winner indeed!
October, the last one of the year, for the cowboys, at Bidston Golf Club which none of us found easy in any way. We all had a few detours I ended up at Wirral ladies golf club and the Tennis club! Linda and Bob followed Steve and still got lost as they were following the wrong car! Eventually we all got there safely after staring at the rain, which hammered down all morning and by the time we teed off it was dry with just a bit of a gale! It was blowing that hard on the 1st hole that many a cowboy visited the car park, the bullets were firing! Ping! Ping! Nervously we checked our cars on the way out. I played with Linda and Jesse James, blind leading the blind. Which green are we playing to? We lost our trust following Steve, Julie and Bag pipe John as they walked off down a path because they couldn’t find the 2nd tee. There was a great deal of looking for balls too as the leaves were white! Sundance Stephens said he couldn’t believe how many balls he had lost on a course with no rough! He still managed to win though with 28 points, after hitting the portakabin on the 1st hole in the car park! Nothing like a good start eh!
The Player of the year is Bronco Brooks, who has shown his consistency throughout the season. It was a close win by 2 points. Well done and I’m sure you will all agree that David has done a great job organising all the games on a Wednesday for you. Also, thanks to Steve for organising the society day competitions once a month. This keeps our little society together, enjoying great fun and good company.
Wishing you all a happy and healthy Christmas and new year and good golfing for 2014.
Very Best Wishes
Love Carla
Firstly, I would like to welcome our new cowboy Graham Jackett, a keen marathon runner so don’t let him get behind you on the course. Hope you all had a good winter and another great trip was enjoyed in Spain. I got myself off to sunny Florida, where you can’t go wrong for guaranteed weather and very competitive green fees on great golf courses. Also, Disney magic, like a big kid with Mickey and Minnie mouse. It was great fun!
Sadly not long after I got home my mum became ill and died in March, thank you for all your kind messages. She was one of life’s characters, my best friend. Any of you will know what it feels like when you have lost someone you really love. There was no one prouder of my achievements in golf than my mum and she always took a great interest in Carla’s Cowboys. I managed to pass my PGA Advanced diploma and now have Advanced Professional status. I went to the graduation at Birmingham University in April. This was for mum!
The first competition of the year was at Frodsham, which was moved back to April as we had snow! Julie won with 34 points on a card play off from her better half, John. Then also off to play Sale in April, which was a lovely day. I played with Trixie Dixie and Julie and there was some good steady play. Dixie was driving like a demon! Julie was passing on some accurate yardages with her new GPS watch, couldn’t go wrong except put the ball in the hole! J.C was showing off with his new Motocaddy, boy did he look the part! “I wish the swing would match it” he chuckled. The winner on the day was Jesse James with 38 points.
May took us to hilly Houghwood and Bob commented that it was the best bacon butty he had had so far. The course was in lovely condition and the rain kept off. I played with Bagpipe John who had a very steady round, hitting all the par 3’s in regulation! His Scottish wheels only fell off for a couple of holes but he managed to settle himself down and single putt the last 4 holes. ‘Look at that,’ he remarked. Bronco brooks was our other playing partner, just not quite on his lovely roll today. I sneaked in for the 2’s so that was nice and Cool John O’Connell won with 37 points, which was a close call as he dropped his cigarette machine halfway round but J.C. found it and saved the day for him.
In June the cowboys headed off to Woolton golf club, which is a very nice parkland course and well kept. I was on holiday down in West Sussex, lovely part of the world and not a spot of rain. Our sympathy goes out to J.C as he lost his mum and couldn’t make it on the day. The winner was Bronco Brooks with 34 points. Around this time we had another new cowboy join us, Dave Stephens. Welcome Dave. Fast talking Bill introduced him so I will leave that with you!
Dr. David had a charity heart foundation day at Pryors Hayes in July and Brooky, Julie and John were in the team and they came third so well done to them!
We had a great spell of summer then, up in the high 70’s most days but unfortunately we had rain at Runcorn, end of July. The course was immaculate though. I played with Doc Dave and J.C. Doc Dave had some tree trouble and was getting a little frustrated after bragging he’d been playing so well and beat a 16 handicapper at Royal Liverpool golf club! If you know Runcorn you don’t have to be far off line to be in trouble!
We are all into these wrist GPS’s not sure we all know what’s going on with them though. J.C has one that talks to him because he can’t see it, he told me the yardage on one hole, “you have 203 yards to the centre of the green”. “Ok” I said, just about to take my backswing, “hold on” he cries, “that’s the time! I think everybody’s satellites are linking up with every body else!” We had a great day and a fantastic meal, “the best so far” George bellowed out. I’m not joking there was more meat on that chicken than there was on George! The winner of the day was Fast Talkin Bill with 34 points. He was chuffed to bits!
August shooting ground was Aldersey green, always a tricky one for some reason. Never many good shootin’ scores there. The winner was Slinghookin Steve with 33 points. J.C tried to turn up for the day but got lost and gave up. Lots of cowboys on holiday for this one, including me. Had a great time in Normandy, France and empty golf courses, a golfers dream!
Beautiful Indian summer day for the John Biss Trophy, he ordered it again!
Every body was a little nervous on the first tee as I chose to film their swings to show at the 19th, some cringed and some were quite chuffed.
It was a great day, I played with Maverick Mal, Gee Up George and Cool John O’Connell. Mal was very impressed with George’s colour coordination of the day, yellow and orange! George cried disappointedly that he has an orange towel for his golf bag but he’d forgotten it today. I’m not sure whether that upset him so much he started chucking his clubs on the 11th or the frustration of his bad shots! Could have been both! In fact, on the same hole Mal asked me if you could tap down the lie around the ball with your foot! What’s going on? We had lots of prizes and nearly everybody won something which was great but the winner of the John Biss Trophy was Bronco Brooks. A worthy winner indeed!
October, the last one of the year, for the cowboys, at Bidston Golf Club which none of us found easy in any way. We all had a few detours I ended up at Wirral ladies golf club and the Tennis club! Linda and Bob followed Steve and still got lost as they were following the wrong car! Eventually we all got there safely after staring at the rain, which hammered down all morning and by the time we teed off it was dry with just a bit of a gale! It was blowing that hard on the 1st hole that many a cowboy visited the car park, the bullets were firing! Ping! Ping! Nervously we checked our cars on the way out. I played with Linda and Jesse James, blind leading the blind. Which green are we playing to? We lost our trust following Steve, Julie and Bag pipe John as they walked off down a path because they couldn’t find the 2nd tee. There was a great deal of looking for balls too as the leaves were white! Sundance Stephens said he couldn’t believe how many balls he had lost on a course with no rough! He still managed to win though with 28 points, after hitting the portakabin on the 1st hole in the car park! Nothing like a good start eh!
The Player of the year is Bronco Brooks, who has shown his consistency throughout the season. It was a close win by 2 points. Well done and I’m sure you will all agree that David has done a great job organising all the games on a Wednesday for you. Also, thanks to Steve for organising the society day competitions once a month. This keeps our little society together, enjoying great fun and good company.
Wishing you all a happy and healthy Christmas and new year and good golfing for 2014.
Very Best Wishes
Love Carla
Friday, 8 November 2013
PRE - SHOT ROUTINE
A pre - shot routine is a consistent set of actions and thoughts carried out before each shot. If the golfer is not consistent in thought and action then he/she does not have a pre- shot routine. It is important because it allows the golfer to retain control during pressure situations. It is helpful to develop and practice the same routine, you can do this on the driving range and take it onto the golf course.
I see this often on the driving range where golfers are just striking the ball anywhere, not using the targets on the driving range and not using a pre- shot routine. No wonder they can't see consistency on the golf course! This pre - shot routine should continue right through your game, even your putting. All players you watch on T.V have a pre - shot routine so if it's good enough for them.
Here are a few tips for you to try,
1. Stand behind your ball to target line and pick a spot inches away from your ball looking down the target line, this will help you zone in on your target and take dead aim!
2. Make a couple of practice swings as you visualise the shot.
3. Walk up to your ball to address it, keeping your eyes over your aim line.
4. SWING TO YOUR TARGET!
A pre - shot routine will lead to concentration. Concentration cannot be forced, so just let it happen. Having a consistent pre - shot routine and imagery of the shot will develop concentration naturally.
I see this often on the driving range where golfers are just striking the ball anywhere, not using the targets on the driving range and not using a pre- shot routine. No wonder they can't see consistency on the golf course! This pre - shot routine should continue right through your game, even your putting. All players you watch on T.V have a pre - shot routine so if it's good enough for them.
Here are a few tips for you to try,
1. Stand behind your ball to target line and pick a spot inches away from your ball looking down the target line, this will help you zone in on your target and take dead aim!
2. Make a couple of practice swings as you visualise the shot.
3. Walk up to your ball to address it, keeping your eyes over your aim line.
4. SWING TO YOUR TARGET!
A pre - shot routine will lead to concentration. Concentration cannot be forced, so just let it happen. Having a consistent pre - shot routine and imagery of the shot will develop concentration naturally.
Friday, 18 October 2013
Uphill, downhill and sidehill lies
Some golf courses are more hilly than others, so you need to understand how to play those awkward up hilly lies. When you are on the driving range you are always practising from a flat lie so it can be difficult to put it into practice.
On the course you have to make sure you align your body up with the slope or down with the slope always making sure that you are level with it. Making the correct choice of club is also important, for example:
UPHILL LIE - This will increase the loft of the golf club. Take less lofted club. Ball position forward in your stance.
DOWNHILL LIE - This will decrease the loft of the golf club. Take more lofted club. Ball position back in your stance.
UPHILL SIDEHILL - Make sure your golf club swings level with the ground, you will more than likely have to hold further down the shaft than usual. Aim further to the right as the ball will fly to the left because of the slope.
DOWNHILL SIDEHILL - You will have to bend more in your posture and aim left as the ballflight will go to the right.
Make sure you take plenty of practice swings so you can maintain good balance This will also help you feel where you are going to make contact with the slope and the ball.
On the course you have to make sure you align your body up with the slope or down with the slope always making sure that you are level with it. Making the correct choice of club is also important, for example:
UPHILL LIE - This will increase the loft of the golf club. Take less lofted club. Ball position forward in your stance.
DOWNHILL LIE - This will decrease the loft of the golf club. Take more lofted club. Ball position back in your stance.
UPHILL SIDEHILL - Make sure your golf club swings level with the ground, you will more than likely have to hold further down the shaft than usual. Aim further to the right as the ball will fly to the left because of the slope.
DOWNHILL SIDEHILL - You will have to bend more in your posture and aim left as the ballflight will go to the right.
Make sure you take plenty of practice swings so you can maintain good balance This will also help you feel where you are going to make contact with the slope and the ball.
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