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
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