loft changes over the years

Trust what you have trained

Don't take your training attitude to the golf course, it will hurt your performance. Motor skills have to be ingrained on the driving range/practice area before you can put it into autopilot. However, focusing too much on how to swing, once skills have been over learned can clog up the brain.

A. Playing - learning to let it flow.
B. Practicing - Drills for playing target golf.
C. Practice in thirds. Technical. Skill specific. Course play.

Practice more random shots.

If you have too much focus on performance and not enough on enjoyment and learning, your golf game will suffer.

Believe what you feel and not what you read.

Start with a good Grip

These moulded grips are ideal to start any golfer with this most important fundamental. The grooves in the grip put your hands in the correct positions. Even established golfers get this part wrong. Changing the grip always feels the most uncomfortable thing to achieve, So I suggest you get one of these and hit balls with it to improve your grip. They are inexpensive and well worth it! Please contact me if you would like one fitted.

NEW SEASON, NEW START

With the season just around the corner, it's a good time to check your basic fundamentals.

1.Grip

2.Aim

3.Posture

When you check out these three things you are halfway there

Golf ball performance in cold conditions

The cold weather has a dramatic effect on the golf ball. When a golf ball flies through the air it loses distance with the low temperatures, as cold air is more dense than warm air. If a golf ball gets too cold, its materials lose resilience resulting in a reduction of velocity.

If your playing in extremely cold conditions it is good to have two golf balls in your pocket and alternate the ball on each hole so you are keeping one warm. For the air temperature alone distance loss is around 15%

A lower compression ball would also help in colder conditions.

Strong Core, Strong swing

A strong core can reduce back pain. Balanced muscles in this area helps maintain appropriate posture and reduce strain on the spine.

Here are a three exercises you could do in the off season and you don't need the gym. Just done 2 to 3 times a week and you will certainly feel the difference by the start of the season.

I have found one of the most important assets, as a swing coach is to possess a knowledge of the anatomy, physiology and movement related to the golfers body to improve their golf swing.
The difference I have seen with many clients is fascinating and has brought major improvements to their technique. The golf swing can only improve if the body is programmed for the specific movements.

If you are interested in body screening and TPI Performance Physio, please let me know.

Make the off season your on season

This is the time of year to evaluate your season to see where you can make improvements for next year. You can then be ready and primed like a well trained race horse ready to bust loose in spring! Don't leave it till the last minute. The work you do over the winter will determine your summer game.

SWING TRAINING

Diagnose your mis< hits with your coach, get to the root of the problem and apply golf swing training drills during your practice. You can even do this at home with a golf club and a mirror. It's well worth having one or two lessons a month through the winter. Repetitive drill training for your golf swing will encourage your muscles to produce the correct technique. If you were to learn a language the best way is to keep speaking it all of the time so you hear the phrases and memorise them. This can't happen with long breaks. Learning a sport is no different. Constant repetition and practice is the key. STRENGTH TRAINING

This is a great time of year to strengthen specific golf muscles. TPI training and screening is available, see Carla in the Pro Shop for details. These are just simple golf exercises, you don't have to pound the gym for hours on end and any age can do it! Just a few minutes a day in your own home.

STRETCHING

This is a biggy! As golfers get older they lose a tremendous amount of flexibility, which results in a massive reduction in distance and golf swing consistency. The only way to stop this decline is to plan a specific stretching program. Please see Carla in the Pro Shop for help with this. You will be amazed over time at the freedom you will get in your movement if you do a few simple stretches 3 times a week.

Golfers always find time to come to the driving range, why not find some time for the activities above and really feel the difference by the spring.