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