MOI vs. ROI…IS NEW EQUIPMENT REALLY THE ANSWER?

            Golf equipment is changing and evolving almost daily it seems, equipment manufacturers are introducing new and improved models at a rate of every 6 months or so, but does that mean you should run right out and get the latest model to improve your score?

            As a Golf Professional, I had access to and used to change my golf clubs every season to get the latest and greatest model of Driver, or the new cool iron set, and give away my (like new) previous set to friends or family. Back in early 2000, I received my new Taylor Made Iron set, the new 300 Forged Tour set. I absolutely loved these irons, but foolishly got rid of them the following season to make room for the new RAC model. While the RACs were great irons, they were not as solid and forgiving as the 300 forged set.

            Fast forward 10 years and 7 sets of irons later, I still haven’t found a set of clubs I like better than the 300s, so what does that tell me? Golf equipment companies have a chokehold on the golfing public, they own the golf airways and spend millions convincing us that we NEED the newest offerings, promising more distance, more forgiveness, better ball flight, and lower scores, but is that the whole truth?

            I believe some of the Driver new technology can help the skilled player with spin rate, launch conditions, and ball speed, but in the hands of 99% of us who play for fun on a semi regular basis (Teaching Professionals and Club Professionals included) the difference is negligible and it certainly does not improve our overall score, and iron sets offer even less of a scoring advantage.

            If you own a low center of gravity, perimeter-weighted iron set with a good shaft and grips made in the last 10 years, you don’t need a new set of irons.  We all want a new set of irons, we’ve been conditioned by the powerful manufacturers who pay the top players in the world to showcase their equipment that we must have the latest and greatest in order to get to the next level, but do you?

            Have you ever noticed how many “ #1 Club in Golf” claims there are out there? All of the top manufacturers claim the #1 spot for one thing or another and we are caught up in the hype and excitement of newer and better. While I’ve had my latest set of irons for more than 3 years now (Nike CCi Forged) they will have to be replaced soon due to wear and tear, I do admit to changing my driver to try and reduce ball spin. Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing I love more than heading to the golf store and manhandling the new sticks, they’re very pretty…but when it’s time to change irons due to wear and tear, I now think about something different.

            Equipment manufacturers scientists are bombarding us with new terms like COR (coefficient of restitution), LCG (Low center of gravity) and MOI (Moment of inertia) and while all of these are measurable improvements, there is one term you should consider before pulling out the Visa card, ROI (Return on Investment).

            Retailing up to, and exceeding $1000.00, new golf equipment is no longer a purchase but an investment, and your job is to get a good return on your investment (ROI). There are a lot of factors that may weigh in on this decision; the promise of increased performance, identification with your favorite Professional player, or an emotional attachment to a specific brand; but will any of these factors improve your score…in a word…no.

            The perception that improvement comes with new equipment is a manufactured belief thrust on us by golf’s big business, if equipment was the answer, we’d all be shooting under par by now, and we all know, that’s not the case, average scores have not significantly improved for more than 50 years. A golfer will think nothing of spending $500.00 on a new driver with big promises, but will balk at spending the same $500.00 on a full day clinic that will guarantee game improvement and lower scores virtually every time, and with the equipment he already has.

            So what really drives us as golfers? Lower scores, beating our friends, steady improvement, or keeping up with the trends. The closer I look, the more I understand we all want to improve at this incredible game but are confused at how to do it. If you have to spend money at the shop this year, buy these, in this order; New grips, have your clubs re-gripped, they will feel like new, 6 fresh well fitting gloves, 2 pairs of comfortable, supportive shoes, and try out some new technology in golf balls, these equipment purchases will make a difference without breaking the bank. While the above purchases will surely help, your largest ROI always was, and continues to be, lessons from a competent Golf Teaching Professional. The growth of the game, and your individual improvement rests squarely on the shoulders of the Teaching Professional, seek one out today, and enjoy the guaranteed results of your new relationship.

           

           

            

THE KING HAS SPOKEN:

The King Has Spoken:

            I happened to catch an episode of  “12 Nights at the Academy” with Kelly Tilghman this week and her guest was none other than the King himself, Arnold Palmer. I will always stop what I’m doing and have a listen when Arnold has something to share and once again, I wasn’t disappointed. Arnold talked a little about his career, his grandson, who is now trying to make his was in Professional golf, equipment repair (grips to be specific) and what I was waiting for, practice advice.

            Ms. Tilghman asked him for advice on practice habits and focus for three different levels of golfer, a high handicap player, a mid handicap player, and a scratch or low handicap player. I was very excited to hear what he had to say about each level of golfer because after all, he is the King.

            The first type of player he commented on was the High Handicap player. Arnold began with the importance of a good grip like his father showed him when he began playing and then stressed a high handicap player should always work on the basics; Grip, posture, balance, and solid contact. If you work hard on the basics, the rest of the game will begin to fall into place. Great advice if you ask me, I think golfers are trying to do too much as high handicap players, the basics are where they need to focus for sure.

            The next player Arnold was asked to comment on was the mid-handicap player. The 12-18 handicap player that can get the ball around the course pretty good, but needs to shave of a few strokes to bring the handicap down. Arnold said that these players are already pretty good, but in order to get to the next level, they should get to work hard on the basics: Grip, posture, balance, and solid contact. Working on these basics of the game will allow the mid handicap player to progress to the next level more quickly. A mid handicapper will get more out of the basics than trying to do too much. Again, I have to agree, mid handicap players are trying to do too much by trying to implement everything they read or see on TV, this will surely hold them back.

            The last player Arnold was asked to comment on was a scratch player, or low handicap player. Arnold turned to Kelly and said “Well, when I talk to a scratch player, I would tell them the same thing I tell myself when things are going bad, when I am struggling with my game…I do what my father told me and go straight back to the basics”. I work on stance, alignment, balance, grip, and making solid contact. When I get all these things working well, the game comes around pretty quickly”. Once again...I have to agree. The low handicap players I work with are always trying to find something magic to bring them back when the game goes south. The answer is…as it is with every level of player…work on the basics.

            Simplicity is the KEY to playing this game well; the more you try to complicate things, the worse it gets. I know this to be a fact, and when you hear it straight from the King, there should be no argument. I thought I would comment on this show because Center of Gravity Golf is built around the basics and a validation from Arnold himself, although not direct, is worth it’s weight in gold.

            The message here is pretty clear, work on the basics…keep it as simple as you can, get good at grip, balance, alignment, and solid contact and the rest will take care of itself. That’s how COG is structured, and it works very well for any level of golfer. 

ARE YOU TOO BUSY TO PRACTICE?

We live in a culture where time has become the most precious of commodities. Between work, commuting, family, and home, finding the time for a round of golf a couple of times a week is becoming an exercise in time management. If you are a golfer, you understand the lure of the golf course; the fresh air, the camaraderie, the beauty of the golf course, and the thrill of a well-struck shot or a great putt that takes us away from the daily grind, even if only for a few hours.

Thousands of people across North America are joining the fraternity of new golfers every week, buying new equipment, taking lessons, joining leagues, or taking part in Corporate golf outings aimed at team building, improving the corporate culture, and yes, even conducting business, and all of these new golfers have a few things in common with the rest of us die hard players. We all enjoy the challenge, we all want to get better every year, and we don’t have the time to devote to the practice range.

Golf lessons from a certified Golf Professional are certainly a must have, a few good lessons on the golf swing and scoring game will counter months, or even years of frustration trying to figure it out on your own, the problem comes from what you do with those lessons. A Golf Professional, no matter how talented, can only impart his, or her knowledge on you in a classroom or range setting, it’s then up to you to take this knowledge and turn it into a golf game, and that takes practice time.

A serious amateur golfer will put in up to 10- hours per week on the practice range in order to compete at a high level, a Professional can double that time plus play a few rounds to improve or keep their scoring touch. So where does that leave the rest of us, those of us with regular jobs, families, and stuff to do? While it’s important, even therapeutic to go the range and grind through a couple of buckets of balls, are we doing our golf game any good?

Those of us with limited time have to maximize the minutes we steal for practice and make the most of our range encounters. The most successful golfers will follow a practice routine that they can translate into a golf game when they get to the course. Below is the practice routine suggested for all students of “Center of Gravity Golf”, this gives a player the best chance of bringing the range game to the golf course, and seeing steady, marked improvement…and it’s more fun.

1)    Never Use Block Practice: Block practice is what you see most everyone at a range engaged in. Hitting 7-iron after 7-iron, after 7-iron, is not a good way to improve your golf game. I call “Block Practice” exercise, while a short warm-up is ok, hitting 25 drivers in a row does nothing for your golf game. Remember, golf is a game, and should be practiced as a game.

2)    Practice Like You Play: After you warm up, your practice session should mimic a round of golf at your favorite course, or the one you will be playing soon. Picture the first hole and take the appropriate club for the shot. Hit the shot and live with the consequences, just like real golf. Estimate your remaining yardage and choose the appropriate club for that shot, and so on. For your shots into the green, pick put a specific target and estimate if you hit the green in regulation. Keep your fairways and greens in regulation stats, chipping and putting will come later. Using this practice range method will put you in the position to hit every club in your bag in a simulated game situation making it easier to translate from practice range to golf course.

3)    Practice with a Friend: From experience I’ve learned that getting to the gym a few times / week is easier and more enjoyable if I have a workout partner, the same goes for golf. A practice partner will help you get to the range, have more fun, and learn a lot faster. Playing the “Range Game” with a friend will make your practice time more enjoyable, fuel your competitive spirit, and help you focus on each and every shot ensuring more success on the course.

4)    Play Chipping and Putting Games: Playing closest to the hole chipping games with a friend will sharpen your skills and competitiveness much faster than mindlessly chipping 25 balls to a single target. In golf, you only have one chance to hit your shot, and practicing this way will lessen the anxiety you feel in a game situation. The same goes for putting. Playing a putting game with a friend will sharpen your eye and improve your putting much faster than hitting 20 10-footers in a row. Friendly competition for Cokes or Coffee will make your limited practice sessions really pay off.

5)    Get a Plan: Every golfer should have a plan before tee time. Having a game plan for all situations will give you the confidence to perform in any situation you may come across on the links. Most golfers try to “wing it”, and that’s when the big numbers show up on the card. “Center of Gravity Golf “ outlines a plan of attack for all situations ensuring lower scores and lots of fun on the course.

So if you’re like me and have limited time for practice, try this method, it’s fun, fast, and delivers the results you want in a short time. A typical practice session with a friend should not take more than an hour, and will show up on the golf course with lower scores and increased enjoyment.

                                                                       Rob Bernard CPGA Professional

                                                                                    Center of Gravity Golf

IS CENTER OF GRAVITY GOLF TOO EASY?

I think as a species, we have been conditioned to believe learning a new task or becoming proficient at a skill should be difficult. This is very evident at every turn when I watch golf videos or listen to golf professionals explain how to swing a golf club “properly”.

            It seems to me; almost everyone has a different idea on how this should be accomplished, adding to the confusion and slowing down the learning process. Any time there is conflicting information, the brain has trouble filtering out what it is supposed to tell the body, and frustration sets in.

            Let’s think about something; Old Tom Morris used to get a featherie ball around the Old Course in St. Andrews in the 1800s in very few strokes without the aid of a swing coach, fitness coach, or nutrition coach. I love watching the old Champions Tour videos with Chi Chi, Lee Trevino, Byron Nelson, Arnold Palmer, and a host of others, every swing different, all getting the job done, and not a swing coach in sight.            

            With all the differences in the golf swings of the early 20^th century, the similarities are glaring, every player had impeccable balance, a specific sequence to their swing, and understood how to use geometry to control their ball flight, other than that, each and every swing was very unique.            

            It seems today, we are trying to force a new belief system of perfection in a golf swing, with specific angles and positions that must be hit in order to produce desired results, and while that may be great if your paycheck depends on your golf score and you have 20 hours / week to devote to practice, for the rest of us… it spells disaster.

            Having too many swing thoughts or conflicting information makes it impossible for the weekend golfer to improve or enjoy the game to it’s fullest, the golf swing is an athletic move and while every body has different physical limitations, every golf swing is also a little different. The Great Golf teacher Harvey Penick once said  “Beware of the golfer with a bad grip and a bad swing, for he has learned how to score with the swing he has” I believe amateur golfers world wide should take heed in this comment, your swing doesn’t have to be perfect, it just has to be yours, and you have to own it!

            Students and clients of Center of Gravity Golf have told me a thousand times;  “This is too easy, I finally get it!” The reason is simple, I let them use what they have naturally and teach them the proper sequence to swing the club, and it never fails. Once a student discovers his way of getting it done, it never leaves him.

            The principles are easy, the boss fingers control the clubface, the feet control the ground, the center of gravity triangle controls the geometry of ball flight and consistency, and the two power sources are the “engine” and the “piston”; put them in the proper sequence and you have a golf swing you can rely on. 

            So is Center of Gravity Golf too easy?  I think it’s just easy enough, but I’ll let you be the judge. A very smart man once said, “This is so easy…it just might work”... and it does.

           

           

            

Indoor VS. Outdoor practice…which is better?

There has been much debate on the effectiveness of practicing or 

getting golf lessons in an indoor facility verses an outdoor driving range or 

practice facility. Until just recently, golfers had no choice but to find a spot 

on a range when they could and get some swings in trying to work on their 

swing; or just relieve some stress. 

While a traditional driving range can be a wonderful place to spend an 

hour on a nice day, is it the best learning environment for a new golfer, or 

the best practice option for a serious player to hone specific skills? Until 

recently, I would have emphatically said yes, but with the terrific advances 

in the technology of ballistic golf ball tracking and behavior, my thoughts on 

the subject have dramatically changed.  

Learning a new skill, or perfecting an existing skill requires the full 

concentration of the golfer in order to retain the necessary nuances of 

balance, sequence, ball compression, and expected results into their “golf 

swing memory”. If the object is to train or perfect a motor skill, the 

influence of outside agencies will, and does slow down the process. 

Wind, rain, heat, cold, inconsistent hitting surfaces, and other 

distractions will slow the learning process as they take away the focus of the 

learning task. 

Sure, these are the conditions a golfer will face in a real world 

situation on a golf course, and will have to learn how to deal with one or 

more of them on a daily basis, the only constant is the golf swing motion. 

I believe if the golf swing motion is perfected in a controlled 

environment away from outside distractions, the “swing memory” is able to 

become deep seeded more quickly, and the player can focus on the influence 

of the conditions of the day, trusting the golf swing to get the job done. 

Let’s do a Pros & Cons list of the driving range learning experience 

verses the Controlled environment learning experience. 

Driving Range:



Pros: 
Readily available - Fresh Air - Plenty of room  - Sunshine - Real life experience  - Familiar


Cons:  “Outside distractions, wind, rain, heat, cold, bugs”.  - Inconsistent surfaces.  - No privacy.  - Time constraints (dark). - Unsure of carry distances - Unsure of trajectories - No feedback on ball speed, or spin
rates. - Poor learning environment. - Typically bucket sales driven, - limiting time or adding expense. - Limited essential feedback if no Professional guidance.

Indoor Golf Simulator Controlled Environment:

Pros: Readily available - Open long hours any weather. - No outside distractions. - Comfortable, controlled  - learning environment. - Privacy. - Consistent hitting surface. - Instant essential feedback on  ball speed, trajectory,spin  rate, and carry distance. - Able to see improvement. - Able to focus on skill sets. - Practice effectively without  - Professional feedback. - Able to practice in “Game Situations” - More fun = better learning - Ability to record results.


Cons:
Unfamiliar environment. - May feel closed in. - Trouble adjusting to instant feedback. - May be uncomfortable with computer technology.
 
The indoor learning and training golf facilities today are far advanced from
the simulators of just a few years ago. With the new tracking technology,
better playing surfaces, and ever more realistic graphics than can mimic
wind, fog, or rain conditions if you want, have in my opinion, eclipsed
trudging down to the range to get in a few licks. Golfers can now practice or
play after work, before work, on lunch hours, even when they only have 30
minutes to spare.
As a Teaching Professional, this technology is a godsend. No more
“rain outs”, “wind outs”, or” too hot” outs to mess up my teaching book. Not
only is the environment controlled, I can teach until 11PM if I want, but the
real advantage is the accelerated learning.
In the controlled environment of a new technology golf simulator, we
can work on specific aspects of balance, consistency, trajectory control, ball
speed, and distance control with very specific, instant feedback. This quickly
builds golfer confidence and accelerates the learning experience.
For me the choice is clear, on a beautiful day, an hour at the range will
always be an enjoyable distraction; but if you want to learn a solid golf
swing and short game scoring prowess…head inside, take full advantage of
new technology, Professional feedback, and take control of your learning
process.

Center of Gravity Golf & the Senior Golfer

Center of Gravity Golf is in Hawaii, performing open golf clinics and teaching private lessons for approximately 1000 golfers per week.

One of the things that stand out as I look over the audience is the average age of the participants. While there are significant numbers of baby boomers, new comers, and even a few youngsters in the mix, a large portion of the attendees are “Senior Golfers”.

Once you’ve reached the age of 50 you are considered a “senior golfer” but I’ve had private lessons with golfers as old as 91! Bottom line is, no matter what your age, you can still strive to improve your golfing experience and the proof is in the bookings. Senior golfers come to me generally after seeing one of my open clinics and explaining how Center of Gravity Golf can help them enjoy the game more by creating consistency in their game and learning how to get some of their lost distance back.

Let’s face it, all golfers want to be more consistent and hit the ball a little further, seniors are no different. There’s a great satisfaction in getting a golf ball airborne and watching it fly to its destination, the first thing I always address is getting the ball airborne at the proper trajectory, then we talk distance.

Center of Gravity Golf teaches us that the golf swing is simple geometry and learning how to control that geometry is the secret to consistent ball flight. First of all, the target hand (the one with the glove) is the BOSS of the golf club and has to be in control of the golf club at all times during the golf swing. When the target hand is in control of the golf club, the bottom of your swing has been established right on your center of gravity (use your shirt button as a reference point). This ensures proper, consistent ball position and you can now establish your center of gravity triangle. This consistency triangle runs from your center of gravity, (shirt button) to the knuckles of your big toes, (where the bunions grow), and back to the golf ball. This triangle is the “Secret” to consistent ball striking and improving club head speed through balance…not effort.

In my lessons, I never talk about club head speed; I believe it only encourages players to “try harder” which causes unnecessary movement of the triangle as well as right hand hits (fat shots). Club head speed is a by-product of balance in your triangle. I’ve proven it thousands of times, if you stabilize your triangle, and your center of gravity is comfortable, the club-head moves faster by default creating consistent ball flight and more distance with less effort. If you really want to get your distance back, now that your triangle is stable, learn to fire your piston. (Release the club-head). Golf balls are designed to fly; they are the most regulated of all golf equipment.

All of the energy in golf is in the golf ball; your mission is to get it out. If most of your golf clubs send the ball about the same distance…you’re not using the power of the golf ball. In order to make a golf ball fly, you must compress it against your club-head during your swing. The compression motion is the rotation of the target hand forearm (the one with the glove) through the ball at the bottom of the swing. During the years the motion has been called (flipping the wrists) (snapping the wrists) (Supination & Pronation) etc. I call it firing your Piston, a simple rotation of your left forearm through the bottom of your swing…that’s what releasing the club head is. This is the compression rotation that squeezes the golf ball and causes it to fly. (effortless power)

With my senior clients, I get an average of 25 extra yards with this move and have recorded as much as a 50 yard increase in ball carry when a student learns to use the power of the golf ball, instead of trying to force the ball out with brute strength and effort.

The Putting Game:

The putting game is the most important of the 4 short games in golf because it comprises almost half (and sometimes more than half) of all the strokes we take in a round of golf. The fastest way to reduce your score in golf is to take fewer putts per hole, this has been an accepted truth in golf instruction for as long as I can remember, and I can't disagree with it. Building a solid, confidant, putting game will certainly take your golf game to the next level.

If you already have a good putting game, think for a minute what your score would be if you were a poor putter. I think in order to create a good putting game you can rely on; you have to understand the way we think when it comes to our ultimate target, the hole. In the game of golf, the definition of "par" on a hole allows an expert golfer 2 shots on every green to complete the hole in the allotted number of strokes. That's 36 putts per round to shoot an even par score if you hit every green in regulation. Now we already established how many greens in regulation the average golfer hits, not many, so let's say we had a great ball-striking day and we hit 9 greens in regulation.

If we took our regulated 36 putts to complete the round, we would shoot 81. Not bad, but if we converted 6 of the missed greens into 1 putt greens we would shoot 75, big difference. So the question is, how do we convert 1/3 of the greens we miss into 1-putt greens? If we take 1 putt on 1/3 of the greens in a round of golf, we lower our score by 6 shots. That's the simple math, and it should put into perspective, the task we have at hand. When broken down, the job doesn't seem so daunting. Taking 1 less putt, every 3 holes is an achievable goal for everybody who plays this game. First, let's think about our target.

We have been taught either through Professional instruction or personal experience to be very cautious and careful when putting. I can remember being taught to putt to an imaginary 3-foot circle around the hole when I was 15 - 20 feet away. I think this style of putting breeds a tentative putting stroke that doesn't flow like the great putters you see on any Tour. This is the very reason we leave mid range and short range putts short of the hole, we're scared of the 3 foot putt coming back if we miss.

A very smart golf coach once said, "If you're not trying to hole every putt, you're going to get beaten by someone who is." Let's face it, most Tour Events boil down to a putting contest, they all hit it great, and they can all chip it close, it's the putter that makes the difference between 1st and 10th place on the leader board. If a Tour player adopted the attitude we have in the putting game, he, or she wouldn't be a tour player for long. So the first thing we have to do is change out attitude about putting, how do we do this, first we have to build a confidant putting set up and putting stroke.

The Set-Up:
The putting set up is very important in a few aspects; the most important is that you are comfortable. I find a lot of golfers are trying to force themselves into a position they see a player do on TV or that their teaching Professional wants to see and they are not comfortable standing over the ball. If you're not comfortable standing over a putt, you will tend to freeze over the ball questioning yourself on line, speed, etc, this is disastrous. I don't care if you stand with your feet together, apart, or on 1 foot, as long as you are in a comfortable position to execute the stroke. Being comfortable is the first and most important part of a confidant putting stroke. The only "rule" I have is I like to see your eyes directly over the ball at address. This gives you a "down the line" perspective of the putt and allows you to see the line better.
The next Step is the proper fitting of your putter. Most putters today come in one or two standard lengths, a proper fitting putter will allow you to get comfortable over the ball with the blade flat on the ground square to the line you pick. Be sure to seek Professional help when picking, and fitting your next putter, it makes all the difference. Always remember, on the green, you are only in control of two things; initial direction, and initial speed, after that you can only cheer for it on the way to the hole. Concentrate on the things you can control and your putts will start to fall.
For more on Putting, visit me at www.cogolf.ca

Simple is Good!

What Makes C.O.G. Different?

SIMPLE IS GOOD!

Center of Gravity Golf is NOT the same old thing you hear every day on the golf course or on the lesson tee. You will never hear the old standbys of golf instruction like “Keep your Head Down” or “Left arm straight”. Instruction like this has (in my mind) been what’s holding us back as a Nation of golfers who never seem to get better no matter how many golf tip articles we read or watch. It really seems to me, things have become so confusing regarding the golf swing, we are always looking for something that makes sense. Center of Gravity Golf Makes Perfect Sense!

1)    Born from necessity: Too many complicated contradictions out there!

2)    Based on simple geometry and physics: Makes perfect sense to your brain

3)    Utilizes your personal attributes: Doesn’t try to push you into a (mold)

4)    Gives you a simple plan to succeed and improve steadily without spending hours at the range: I know you don’t have hours to spend there.

Center of Gravity Golf WILL teach you this:

1)    How to find the bottom of your golf swing consistently.

2)    C.O.G. will solve the “Ball Position” riddle

3)    The absolute “Secret” to becoming consistent

4)    The easy to remember 3 piece golf swing:

5)    The Proper “Sequence” of the golf swing (there is only 1 proper sequence)

6)    Increase your distance; Learn to use the energy in the ball!

7)    The two power sources of the golf swing (There are 2 major power sources)

8)    The geometry problem we face with the Driver, and a set up plan to fix it once and for all.

9)    An absolute GAURENTEE you will NEVER SLICE the ball again 

AND THAT’S JUST WITH THE FULL SWING!

Not only is C.O.G. a full swing system that will have you hitting it better than you ever have in no time, it’s also a system for scoring by laying out “The Plan” so you can hit the right shot with confidence no matter where you are in the scoring zone from 100 yards and in.

The C.O.G. Scoring Plan GUARANTEES a minimum of 5 shots off your score the FIRST time you put it into play. The better you get at “The Plan” the more shots you save; it’s as easy as that.

I am so confidant you will improve every aspect of your game, I am offering a 365-day Guarantee! If you do not have a better understanding of the golf swing, eliminated your slice, improved your distance, have a better short game and are putting better, I will refund your purchase price, no questions asked!

Time Your Golf Swing:

When the Golf Season is upon us and as we scramble to any open range we can find to start getting the bugs out, it's important to work on something specific when we get there. One of the most important aspects of a sound golf swing is swing rhythm, or timing. What I'm talking about is the physical time it takes your golf swing to happen from address position to impact. After working with and timing hundreds of golf swings, I have determined that the average mid, to high handicappers swing takes between .50 and .95 of one second to take place. This is much too quick to maintain balance or any swing consistency as the quick, jerky movement leaves a lot of room for error and causes balance problems that lead to miss hit shots.  Most of the low handicappers and Professionals I've worked with all maintain a swing time between 1.25 and 1.75 seconds from address to impact. This is a significant difference and dramatically increases your chances for maintaining balance and consistent ball striking. Slowing down your swing time in no way adversely effects swing speed,  as it generally focuses on the first three feet of the takeaway. The first three feet of the takeaway are critical to the remainder of your swing as they set up the path, plane, arc and balance of the golf swing. Taking your address position, simply push the handle of the golf club straight back from the ball with your target side hand (the one with the glove). Not only will this significantly slow down your takeaway, it will ensure you make a powerful  A turn away from the ball and not pick, or snatch the club away quickly with your hands. When this move becomes comfortable, get a stopwatch and have a friend or your local CPGA Professional, time your swing from address to contact. Using the thought, "Push the club to the top" . This should slow your back swing down until it takes the better part of one second to complete. When you learn to allow your swing to take the time it needs, better balance and more consistent shot making is sure to follow.

Improve Your Consistency

Isn't what you're looking for a consistent, reliable golf swing that you can count on at that first tee when everyone's watching? People spend millions of dollars each year purchasing equipment and gadgets that promise them the perfect swing, when really they should be concentrating on the simple science behind a great golf swing.
The fundamentals of the golf swing are based on scientific facts such as center of gravity, power, thrust, consistency triangle and more.
If you take the tour players and break their swings down to the fundamentals; (like what happens at address, back swing, impact, and follow through), about 95 percent of what they're doing is the same. Their swings look different, because each player's swing has its own personality. But, fundamentally, their swings are very similar. They have to be, or they wouldn't be playing on the tour.
We've taken the golf-swing fundamentals and made them easy to understand, without the technical mumbo jumbo.
Being a consistent ball striker or increasing your consistency on the golf course really begins with an understanding of the geometry of the golf swing and how to control it. I believe the golf swing is simple geometry and physics. Understanding this geometry and how the physics of the swinging motion tries to alter it is the key to becoming a consistent ball striker.
I was always taught that the triangle running across your chest to shoulders and down your arms to the grip of the golf club was the triangle you had to maintain in order to create or maintain consistency in your ball striking. What I've discovered through the Center of Gravity golf method is this described triangle does NOT control consistency in ball striking and actually impedes the natural flow of the golf swing by trying to consciously control it. The real consistency triangle you must maintain throughout the swinging process runs from your Center of Gravity, (Use your shirt button as a reference point), to the knuckles of your big toes, (where the bunions grow) and back to the golf ball. This triangle formed at the address position must be maintained through the impact position in order to create a consistent bottom or impact point to your swing. When your target hand is allowed to be the boss of the golf club, the bottom of your swing will always be where your center of gravity is.
You're looking for results, and we're going to put you on the right track to getting them. Incorporating these ideas into your swing easy but it will take time and practice. But as long as you're working on the fundamentals, you'll be working toward developing a consistently great golf swing.

Golf Pro Rob Bernard is a Class "A" member of the Canadian Professional Golfers Association. Touted by "Golf Canada Magazine" (June 2005) as one of Canada's Most Respected Golf Professionals, Rob has more than 15 years experience as a dedicated Teaching Professional. http://www.cogolf.ca

Swing Hard in Case You Hit It!

Swing hard in case you hit it… Rob Bernard CPGA (Center of Gravity Golf)

I’m probably one of the few Golf Professionals that never really talks to my clients about club head speed. The old joke on the tee box is always, “Swing hard in case you hit it” when in fact “Swing smooth” would be a much better thought. While it’s true that increased club head speed will cause the ball to fly further; the thought of swinging harder actually has a detrimental effect on the speed of the golf club. Increased club head speed actually is a byproduct of excellent balance and proper sequence of the golf swing, trying harder is a sure fire way to hit short golf shots all day long. I never want to put an image in the mind of a client to increase the speed of the club head, this encourages a golfer to “try harder” and that never works. Any golf Professional will tell you they usually swing the club at about 75 to 80% of their maximum, this insures they stay in balance and make solid contact which they know will produce predictable trajectories and carry distances for all their clubs. Any time one of my clients wants to increase distance I start to talk about ball speed. I have always found that ball speed was a more relevant subject and when we learn how to increase ball speed, more distance comes naturally. One thing a lot of golfers don’t understand is that the most powerful piece of golf equipment made is not the $500.00 driver, actually  the $5.00 golf ball is the most powerful and most regulated piece of golf equipment there is. There are golf balls today that any Pro could hit 400 or 500 yards…we’re not allowed to use them of course, but they are out there. Golf balls are strictly regulated in initial velocity, size, weight, and flight characteristics so golf courses don’t become obsolete overnight.  The reason a Golf professional or a top Amateur can hit a regulation golf ball so far is not because of strength or swinging hard, it’s compression. Learning how to squeeze a golf ball is the secret to gaining lots of distance with very little effort. You’ve probably heard the phrase “effortless power”, this comes from understanding that all the energy in golf is in the golf ball…we just have to learn to get it out.  How do you get it out? You squeeze the golf ball using what Center of Gravity Golf calls the “Piston”. The Piston rotation is the release of the club-head through the ball. This releasing (rotating) action compresses the ball causing it to fly. Golf balls are designed to fly and when you compress them properly it will astonish you how far they will fly and how well they hold their line. Learning to release the club-head properly through the ball is the key to maximizing your ball speed and getting your youthful distance back.  The release of the club-head is actually just a 90 degree rotation of the club-head through the bottom of the swing. Most golfers either don’t release it at all, or they release it too late, after the ball is gone. Late release of the club-head causes high, short shots, off to the right. If you ever noticed that all your mid irons go the same distance…you’re not releasing the club-head and you’re merely pushing the golf ball around the course. Find the position of your grip with your left hand so that when you rotate your fore-arm to the left, (toward the target) the toe of the club is at a 90degree angle to the ball. On your down swing, don’t hesitate; rotate your left fore-arm (fire your Piston) on the way to the ball as if you want to hit it with the toe of the club. This is the feeling of releasing the club. After you force it to turn a few times, leave it alone…it should go on its own and you will be on your way to making the ball fly and increasing your distance in no time. In my classes it is not un-common to effortlessly increase ball speed by 20 – 30 miles/ hour which can mean an extra 25 – 50 yards on a 7 iron shot alone. For more information on the “Piston” and releasing the club, visit me at on line at www.cogolf.ca  and Get Your Swing in Gear.

Don't let the Tail Wag the Dog...

Spending time with Jr. Golfers_is_one_of_my_favourite_things,_and_sometimes_I_

learn_as much_from_them_as_they_do_from_me,_let_me_explain.__Jr._Golfers_have_

a_great_zeal__for_the_game,_they_love, and understand_that_it_is game_and not_life_or_death._It_s_this_freedom_that_allows_kids_to_swing_freely_and_putt

fearlessly_and_this_is_why_they_progress_so_fast,_to_a_point._Its time_that_I_start_to_talk_to_them_about_getting_their_swing_under_control._Jrs._

generally_have_very_long_and_somewhat_ferocious_swings_causing_balance_

problems_and_directional_issues._While_swinging_freely_is_critical_to_playing_

your_best_golf,_having_the_free_swing_motion_under_control_is_the_other_piece_

of_the_puzzle._Jamie_is_15_years_old_and_only_2_years_into_his_golfing_life._He_

caddies_for_me_at_local_professional_events_and_we_try_to_play_9_holes_

together_once_a_week._After_working_on_his_grip_and_ball_position_we_never_

really talked_too_much_about_the_swing_until_lately._Jamie_has_the_classic_long_

loopy_Jr._swing_and_when_he_catches_one_it_really_flies,_problem_is, _he_doesnt catch_

them_all._After_hitting_one_of_many_scuds_one_afternoon_he_asked_me

what_he_was_doing_wrong,_I_told_him_that the_tails_wagging_the_dog._This_got

him_thinking._I_explained_to_him_that_the_swinging_club_head_weighs_

about_a_pound_for_every_mile_per_hour_that_you_swing_it._He_was_probably_

moving the_club_65_„_70_miles_per_hour_so_he_had_a_65_„_70_pound_weight_

pulling_his_body_around,_he_needed_to_learn Dog_wags the_tail._In_order to_get_Jamie's

club_under_control_I_had_him_firm_up_the_bottom_three_fingers_on_his_left

hand_and_push_the_club_away_from_the_ball_getting_his_left_hand_as_far_

away_from_his_body_that_he_could._This_move_ensures_he_has_a_wider_arc,_a_

shorter_back„swing,_and_his_right_hand_doesn't_get_control_of_the_club_

causing_a_hitting_motion._His_swing_looks_under_control_now_and_his_mis„hits_

are_getting_fewer._He_paid_me_back_during_a_professional_event_while_

caddying,_after_hitting_a_wedge_shot_fat_and_dumping_my_ball_into_a_hazard_I_

started_to_show_some_frustration._He_smiled_at_me_and_said;_it's_only_a_game_Rob...

Good_lesson_Jamie._

Do You Have a Plan for Battle?

The “Game” of golf is really a strategic battle between you and the golf course you’re playing. As the golfer, you’re trying to get your golf ball into the hole and the golf course is putting obstacles and things in your way in order to make it difficult for you, “and” the golf course has Mother Nature on its side! Wind, rain, heat, bugs, pests, etc. are all there trying to throw your concentration off as you try to negotiate your ball around the course, taunting you into a loss of concentration and a poor shot. It always surprises me how golfers go to battle with the golf course day after day with no specific plan of attack.  A wise General once said “It’s better to have a plan and be wrong, than to never have a plan at all”.  Truer words have never been spoken, especially when it comes to the “game” of golf. I see a game of golf as a strategic battle with the golf course. In order to win, or even advance, You must have a plan of attack for the course, and follow the plan.  A Touring Professional will have a very detailed plan of attack for the golf course he or she is facing for that day in order to give them the best possible chance of beating the golf course on that day. The Tour Player dissects every hole, every shot, giving them the greatest opportunity to beat that particular hole they’re playing by making a birdie or better, sometimes they win, sometimes they tie (par)…sometimes the golf course wins, as long as the player wins or ties the majority of the 18 battles of the day, they win the war and collect a nice check.  Your battle may not be with Par, yours may be with bogey, or double bogey; it really doesn’t matter as long as you identify it and create a plan to win. The more of the battles you win, the lower your handicap gets, and the more challenging the game gets, hence the never ending lure of golf.  I know it’s not fair to compare our game with that of the Touring Professional or expect to have as intricate a plan as they do; they have a caddie to help them map out and plan a strategy to attack the hole and they spend the hours of the day while we’re at work, practicing specific shots, yardages, and options to help them win as many battles as they can with the golf course. If we are to start winning more battles, having and implementing a plan is the answer. We all know golfers plateau with their game…they become an85 shooter, or a 90 shooter and they seem to stay there, never really improving. I truly believe (and I’ve seen it a thousand times) when you have and implement a plan for each hole you can and will improve on a steady basis, you really can’t help winning more battles. The biggest problem we face is the guesswork that plagues us when we have an uncomfortable distance to carry the ball to the green, especially if there are hazards guarding the green that love to swallow up new white golf balls. Ponds, bunkers, streams, out of bounds, and countless other hazards put there to intimidate us, do just that. The major reason they intimidate us so much is that we are always guessing at the shot we have to hit in order to avoid the hazard and get the ball safely on the putting surface. When we are guessing at what it will take to get the ball safely on the green we create doubt in our minds and in our stroke, inevitably miss hitting our shot creating another doubt filled shot or a penalty stroke if we happen to find a hazard. The majority of our extra shots in our golf games happen from inside 50 yards of the green. This is the area of the golf course where we need to possess, and implement a game plan. The average golfer in North America (mid handicapper) will hit on average 3 greens in regulation in a round of golf. This means he/she is in this “scoring zone” a minimum of 15 times during a round of golf. How many times have you been down in front of the green in 2 shots and then end up taking 4 (or more) shots to get the ball into the hole? THIS is where a plan will bring your game to the next level. The simple math tells us if you implement a plan successfully only 1 time every 3 times you attempt the shot, you will save a minimum of 5 shots off your scorecard. The more confident you become with the plan, the more shots you will shave off your score. On a good ball striking day, I will hit 9 or 10 greens in regulation, in order for me to shoot even par or under par, my short game and finesse game plans had better be working, and they do!  If you are a 95 shooter now, once you implement “The Plan” you will be shooting in the 80s in no time. Let’s get smart and create a plan that WILL change your golf game and lower your scores permanently. I have formulated, use, and teach such a plan with great success. The following short game plan will encompass the 4 short games in golf, the Chipping game, the Finesse game, the Pitching Game, the green side bunker shot, and putting. (I know that’s 5, but I threw in the Green side bunker shot for good measure)  Understanding and putting this plan into action will virtually guarantee lower scores the first time you use it. Let’s have a closer look at “The Plan” and how to put it together to take the guesswork out of your short games and start to win more battles and reduce your handicap…guaranteed!

So it's winter and you can't golf...now what?

So it’s Winter…Now What?

Well I can see the Christmas decorations at the mall, the trees are all but bare, and getting in 9 holes is becoming increasingly more difficult.  The short days can only mean one thing (in Canada at least) time to put the sticks away and dream of warm summer days to come. Seven months of dreaming can get a little tedious if you haven’t got a trip south planned, so what can a golf nut do for all that time? Of course there are things you “should” do…hit the gym, work on your strength and stamina for next year so you can gain a few yards and finish your round with lots of gas left in the tank, good luck with that. I (like everyone else) have good intentions when it comes to extra curricular activities like the gym, but after work and a nice hot supper, the couch seems to call my name and I settle into the cold winter night with a Golf Magazine, good book, or the dreaded TV. I guess that’s not all bad, I can watch golf on TV and perhaps learn something through osmosis, or at the very least pick up a tip or two that will surely make the difference next season. Golf Tips are a dime a dozen these days, how many sports do you know of that publishes multiple magazines each and every month that dole out game changing tips like they’re going out of style? My guess is none, I have never seen, much less purchased any other sport magazine that promises so much from tidbits of advice week after week, and the kicker is one magazines expert will totally contradict the other magazines expert! What am I supposed to believe…This is exactly what I think is wrong with golf today, too much conflicting information from way too many sources of varying opinions, is it any wonder the average golf score has not come down at all since the early 1900s. The mean golf score still hovers around 100, even with all the advances in technology of the golf ball, equipment, and the conditioning of the golf courses, and don’t get me started on equipment. If every driver, golf ball, and gadget that promised us an extra 10 yards over the last 20 years actually delivered, we’d be hitting the ball 1000 yards by now, there’s even a tee that promises more distance just by putting your ball on it! So…is new equipment the answer, probably not, unless you’re playing with blades from the 70s and persimmon woods.  Well then what is the answer? What can you do this winter to guarantee improvement in your game for next season? If you will do these simple things while watching TV, or relaxing, just a few nights a week, you will be a better player come spring.

1)     Squeeze a Ball: Having a soft ball to squeeze while watching TV is a sure fire way to increase your distance and control of the golf club. My favorite squeeze toy is a sponge rubber puck, readily available form any sporting goods store. Use primarily the “Boss Fingers” (Pinky, ring, and middle) to squeeze 10 -20 times before switching to the other hand, switching back and forth until muscles tire. This will increase strength in the fingers, wrists, and forearms so you can easily control your golf-club and fire your piston (release the club) much faster creating more ball compression, increasing distance, spin rate, and control.

2)     Light Stretching: After your squeezing exercises, be sure to stretch out your hands and fingers. You should also lightly stretch your shoulders, legs, back, and hips, this will allow you a greater range of motion resulting in a more powerful turn with less effort. Yoga is the very best golf compliment, if you have time, join a class or do a few poses a night to stay limber and injury free.

3)     Swing a Heavy Club: If you have the room, the best golf exercise I know is to swing a weighted club. You can pick one up at any golf retailer and they even have short ones you can swing in the living room. The heavy club not only strengthens your golf muscles, it can help you create a perfect swing sequence by rehearsing your swing in ¼ speed. This is best done in front of a mirror if available, fix your eyes on one spot and rehearse your swing while keeping your head still and your Center of Gravity in a fixed spot. This rehearsal will train your body to swing the club without moving side to side (off the ball).

a)      Push the club to the top of your swing with your boss fingers.

b)     Turn your engine toward the target while holding the club at the top

c)      Let gravity take the club to the bottom and fire your piston with your boss fingers.

d)     Hold your in balance finish position for a count of 2.

e)      Repeat until muscles show signs of fatigue.

                        This could be the best thing you will ever do for your golf game…

4)     Do Balance Exercises: The most important thing you can work on for your golf game is your balance. Dynamic Balance (Balance while in motion) is the secret to consistency in ball striking and affects every stroke you make from driver to putter. The better you control your dynamic balance, the more consistent you are in every aspect of your game. Working on, and understanding how to control your balance while swinging a golf club around your body will be an enormous asset to your consistency.

a)      Simply stand on one foot for the count of 10 and then switch to the other foot.  You will quickly learn which side is stronger and work the weak side harder until they are equally strong. When you think you are pretty good at it, try it with your eyes closed.

b)     If you can get a balance board from a sporting goods store, practice your balance while in your golf stance holding a golf club. This will strengthen your stabilizer muscles allowing you to hold your balance better during your swing. Once again, if you think you’re pretty good at it, try it with your eyes closed.

            5) Putt a Little: One of the easiest things to do to improve your score is to continue to putt over                 the winter months. Any carpeted surface will do and putting for 15 / 20 minutes a night will surely improve your prowess on the greens.

                        a) Groove Your Rhythm:  Pick up a music metronome and work on your                                                 putting rhythm.  Start at around 65 beats /minute and adjust up or down to find a rhythm that feels good to you. Stroke varying lengths of putts using the rhythm you chose. This will help smooth out your stroke and create a                                                 winning putting rhythm.

                        b) Stare at your Target: Using your putting rhythm, stroke varying                                                             lengths of putts while staring at the target. This exercise takes your                                                             thoughts away from mechanics and puts it on the target where it should be. If you are using your putting rhythm, you will automatically adjust the length of your stroke to fit the distance your eyes see. Taking your mind                                                 off mechanics and focusing on target will make you a better putter instantly.

                        c) Make a Game of it: Create pressure for yourself by making a game of your putting                                     practice. Place a quarter on the carpet 3 feet from your starting point and see how many                                     times you can hit the quarter in a row. After 5 in a row, move back to 5 feet, and then to                                     10 feet. Creating pressure and putting to a small target will increase your putter control                                     and sharpen your aim. You are only in control of 2 things when you putt, initial direction, and initial speed. These fun games will sharpen both over the winter months. Watch this putting tip you can do over the winter months...Until next time, Check out Center of Gravity Golf, and be the best you can be.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwNiM6d1j9U