The Golf Swing Blog - Golf Instruction and Golf Lessons for Golfers

A Golf Blog for Golfers that are frustrated with the endless stream of Golf Tips from the Golf Instruction Magazines. This is beneficial for Golfers that haven't improved their golf swing after investing in the typical 30 minute Golf Lesson. Golf Improvement Weekly is brought to you by Golf Schools by Golf Made Simple. So if you liked this article - there are many more like this on the website is http://www.GolfMadeSimple.com

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

 

The 30 Minute Golf Lesson

The end of the golf season is approaching for many Golfers. As most Golfers in North America and Europe start to clean their clubs before putting them away in storage for the winter (you do clean them … don’t you?), the question that must be asked is: Did you have fun playing golf this past summer?

If your answer is yes. Excellent – that’s what it should be – then there’s no reason for you to read any more of this article.

Yet, if it’s no. Then there needs to be a follow-up question – Why didn’t you enjoy golf this summer?

As many Golfers start each season with hopes of playing better than the year before – many end the season not seeing the results they were hoping for.

So the question now becomes – what hindered you from seeing these improved results?

Was it that you didn’t play enough?

Was it that you didn’t practice enough?

Was it that the golf lessons that you thought were going to help – really didn’t help?

If it was the question above (about golf lessons) - Was it that you reverted back into old habits and regardless of what you tried to do – you couldn’t get out of them?

Each year, as spring approaches, many Golfers get excited with the thoughts that they’re going to play a lot of “Good Golf” during the summer. Yet, in many cases, you start playing a few rounds of golf in the spring; however those rounds became so frustrating – you decide that you’re going to take golf lessons before the season really kicks into gear.

Unfortunately, many Golfers fall into the trap of thinking that a Golf Instructor is a Golf Instructor is a Golf Instructor. I mean – “All Golf Instructors are equal. One is just as good as the other. Right?” And this misconception causes many frustrated Golfers that are looking for a little more consistency in their golf swing to go for the easiest, least expensive golf lesson option – the infamous 30 minute golf lesson that costs around $35. And – as a bonus - if you sign-up for 6 lessons – you get a discount … usually 6 lessons for the cost of 5.

What a deal!

This seems to be the most popular way Golfers get their lessons. Unfortunately, many of these Golfers are still just as inconsistent after their 6 lessons. I can’t tell you how many emails and phone calls we get each week from Golfers that have been taking this sort of lesson program for years – yet haven’t gotten any better. And are now on the verge of quitting because they don’t believe that they’ll ever improve.

Think of it this way: If you wanted to learn a language … say you were planning a trip to China and you wanted to learn Mandarin Chinese. So you signed up for 6 – 30 minute language lessons. Do you think that after those brief lessons that you would be able to say much more than “Can you tell me where the bathroom is?” – “Thank you” and/or “I’ll have the duck.”

It’s the same with 30 minute golf lessons. And I say this even though it will upset some fellow PGA Professionals who teach 30 minutes lessons. Yet, I have to be honest – 30 minute lessons don’t work. But, maybe, just maybe this will be the kick in the pants that some Instructors need to start moving towards 1 hour minimums. (If you’re a PGA Member that’s not happy with what I’m writing – please call me, I’d be happy to discuss it with you.)

So because I’ll probably get death threats and so forth directed to me – I better explain why I believe that.

You may be taking instruction from a talented Pro or even with the greatest Instructor in the world, someone that can help you to see and feel what you need to do better, along with helping you to make improvements in your golf swing. Yet, if you’re taking a 30 minute lesson and finally get the concept, the feel and the ability to do what your Instructor is asking you to do fairly quickly – 25 minutes into the lesson: then you have only 5 minutes for your Instructor to watch you do it by yourself.

Now, is 5 minutes enough time for you to make your golf swing consistent, repeatable, automatic and free from old habits slowly creeping back in? Hardly. As soon as that Instructor’s next lesson arrives and you move to another area of the range tee to continue your practice – within 2 or 3 swings you’re most likely going to slowly start reverting back to your old habits (a little more every swing) without even knowing it.

The new habit wasn’t ingrained enough while the Instructor was there to make sure that you’re able to repeat it swing after swing or there to make the little adjustments necessary after every swing that included the smallest speck of your old bad habit that slowly creeps back in a little more every swing and/or there to work with you to train you to be able to diagnose this yourself.

30 minutes is not even close to enough time!

Most Golfers (including Tiger, Annika, Phil, Jack, etc.) need an Instructor watching them for more than 30 minutes to make sure that they’re doing what’s necessary every swing. And those guys know their golf swing a heck of lot better than you and I know ours. Because it’s amazing how many Golfers take a 30 minute lesson, do well during the last few minutes of that lesson, then as soon as they go to practice on their own or go on the golf course – they play worse than before the lesson.

Has that ever happened to you?

Why? Well, the easiest answer is that you start to revert back to your old habits – but it’s even worse than that … you get stuck between your old habits and the new instructions that your Instructor just worked with you on. So if you’re depending on a 30 minute lesson once a week to help – you’re often going backwards.

Again, it’s like learning a foreign language: after 25 minutes of trying to say “Can you tell me where the bathroom is” in Mandarin … your language Instructor will finally say – “that’s it, you got it. Try it again.” Yet, as you practice saying it to yourself on the car ride home – even though you think you’re saying it correctly – you’re probably not saying it exactly as you did in front of your Instructor those last 5 minutes.

And as you keep practicing it – you’re continually getting farther and farther away from saying it correctly because your Instructor won’t be there to correct you until your next 30 minute lesson in 167.5 hours later (6 days and 23.5 hours). And how many times do you think a motivated student will be repeating that sentence the wrong way in those 167.5 hours?

Plenty!

Probably just as many times as you go over the golf swing and the corrections your Instructor worked with you on. So now, when you go out to the range to practice by yourself – you’re probably not swinging like you were in front of your Instructor at that 25 minute mark of your lesson. You’re probably reverting back to old habits – and there's no one there to let you know that you're ingraining even more bad habits into your golf swing?… or even worse – there's no one there that can help you relieve the frustration of getting stuck between the old and new.

How do I know this? Experience

And now - The Experience of the last 10 plus years of speaking to 1,000’s of Golfers (each year) that have called GMS because they became so frustrated taking normal golf lessons and going through the scenario written above.

And as one gentleman (who inspired this article) recently put it: “I have been getting 6 – 30 minute lessons for approximately $200 – every year for the past 8 years, and have not improved one iota. I have calculated that I have spent $1,600 and wasted 8 years of golf. I had a friend that just started playing golf last year, he went to GMS this past spring – and is now beating me. He spent about the same amount of money as I did – yet he improved more in 3 months than I have in 8 years (96 months). Sign me up!”

The Monkey will ...…. well, just reread the article above to find out what the Monkey does

The Player knows that a sustained session with his/her Instructor is critical in order to be able to see Results that stick

Go ahead, Be A Player!

Regards,

Marc Solomon - Your Instructor For Life

"I Went From A 28 Handicap To A 12!"

Jeff,

I just wanted to say hi and let you know that even though I couldn’t attend GMS the last couple of years, you guys are still helping me…what you teach works if we just stick with it.

I attended in 2004; 2005; 2006; 2007; I improved each year and my handicap went from a 28 to a 12 during this time. Golf was finally becoming fun.

Last couple of years I was unable to attend (I got married and she’s not a golfer yet) didn’t stay in touch, began to tinker with grip, set up, swing plane, and even with rhythm – started using a 3 count rhythm instead of tick-tock, gradually started playing like a Monkey again.

At the end of June I was in 14th place in my league out of 52 guys and I was averaging 45.4 strokes per round for 9 holes. I was very frustrated and not having much fun. I started thinking about GMS and checked my notes.

I stopped tinkering and started to focus on making a good PLAN, paying attention to where my club face was aiming, feeling balanced in my set up, making a good swoosh in my Rehearsal Swing, and only thinking about tick-tock when I swing.

I started playing better almost immediately.

In the second of half of my league I averaged 39.4 strokes per 9. I shot my all time best for 9 holes – a 36, I won the second half championship in my league and beat the first half champ for the season championship. Had several rounds of 18 in the high 70’s, I also won more skins than I ever have. Golf is fun again.

Hope to get my wife and another couple to attend GMS in the near future. Thanks again, and may I never again stop tick-tocking.

Mike K. – South Amherst, Ohio- Sent September 28th, 2009

Attended Tampa, Florida location on April 10th to 12th, 2007

"We Have Broke 100 Several Times!"

Kimberly S. and I took the class last spring in Amelia Island and would love to return before the end of this year. What is your schedule for October and November?

We would love to take the class again. We have each actually broke 100 several times!! Now we would love to reach 90!

Thanks,

Kim M - Ridgeland, South Carolina- Sent September 24th, 2009

Attended Amelia Island, Florida Location on April 27th to 29th, 2009




Click on any of the dates listed below to send an email request for more information

Upcoming Dates Golf Made Simple

Tampa, Florida

October 23rd to 25th - Tampa

October 27th to 29th - Tampa

October 30th to November 1st - Tampa

November 6th to 8th - Tampa

November 9th to 11th - Tampa

To see dates beyond those listed above for our Tampa, Florida location beyond the dates listed above Click Here

Palm Springs/La Quinta, California

November 6th to 8th - La Quinta

November 9th to 11th - La Quinta

November 13th to 15th - La Quinta

November 16th to 18th - La Quinta

November 20th to 22nd - La Quinta


To see dates beyond those listed above for our Palm Springs/La Quinta location beyond the dates listed above Click Here

Sotogrande, Spain (Europe)

December 4th to 6th - Spain

December 7th to 9th - Spain

December 11th to 13th - Spain

December 14th to 16th - Spain

December 18th to 20th - Spain

To see dates beyond those listed above for our Spain location beyond the dates listed above Click Here

Phoenix, Arizona

November 6th to 8th - Phoenix

November 9th to 11th - Phoenix

November 13th to 15th - Phoenix

November 16th to 18th - Phoenix

November 20th to 22nd - Phoenix

To see dates beyond those listed above for our Phoenix location beyond the dates listed Click Here

Boca Raton, Florida

November 6th to 8th - Boca Raton

November 9th to 11th - Boca Raton

November 13th to 15th - Boca Raton

November 16th to 18th - Boca Raton

November 20th to 22nd - Boca Raton

To see dates beyond those listed above for our Boca Raton location beyond the dates listed Click Here

Click to see dates for other GMS locations:

Florida:

Amelia Island - St Augustine


California:

Virgina

Colorado

Lake Tahoe

Washington DC

Denver


Photos Of Newest GMS Locations

Golf Instruction Picture Tahoe California

SilverRock Resort - GMS La Quinta location

La Quinta, California, USA

Golf School Picture Denver Colorado

Almenara Golf Resort - GMS Spain (Europe) location

Sotogrande, Spain (just west of the Costa del Sol)

Golf Lesson Picture Virginia Washington DC

SilverRock Resort - GMS La Quinta location

La Quinta, California, USA



"The Evolution Of A Golfer"

Excerpted from Classic GIW Issue 215- October 24th, 2007

"Why is it that it seems like some people that begin to play golf pick-it-up right away? Then before you know it, they’re breaking 100, busting through 90 and in less than 2 years – they’re in the 80’s for a short spell before moving into the 70’s in year 3 or 4.

On the other hand – Why is it that some people begin to play golf, make some progress, but then get stuck and don’t improve from that point? They start off like most people learning the game, taking baby steps towards improving and then wham – they hit a wall and stay there for the next 5, 7, 10, 20 years.

Which group are you in? 7 out of every 8 Golfers are …

Continue reading the rest of this Classic GIW - Click Here



By the way, the first Golf Made Simple DVD has been the #1 Selling Golf Swing DVD on Amazon.com. After years and years and offers upon offers from people that wanted to produce a DVD for us; we decided we wanted to do it our own way. We've created a DVD to help you become a Player, as opposed to all the other Monkey stuff that's already out there.

Our DVD - How To Improve Your Golf Swing Indoors is improvement ... GMS Style. What's GMS Style? It's a Results Based Approach as opposed to the Theories and Assumptions Based Approach that millions of Golfers struggle with year after year.

Are you ready to end the struggle?

Click here to purchase on Amazon.com

Or call us at 1 (888) 580 - 3635


GMS Bonus Material

For Anyone Considering Video Analysis - We have added our report on: "Using Video Analysis To Improve Your Golf Swing" to the Golf Made Simple website for you to download and view.

Just click here to be taken to the download page on the http://www.GolfMadeSimple.com website. It's easy, it's free and it's a pretty extensive report on our findings.


Indoor Putting Drill - If you'd like for us to email you a special Indoor Version of an excellent GMS Putting Drill that you could spend hours on - email us at IndoorPuttingDrill@GolfMadeSimple.com and put GIW in the subject line.


Tour Putting Square - Use the Tour Putting Square inside your home to improve your scores. Just send us an email at TourPuttingSquare@GolfMadeSimple.com with the subject: Tour Putting Square – and we'll email you how to use this game changing drill.

Swing Drills & Core Training - To view a segment that covers 2 swing drills you can practice inside, plus 3 exercises to strengthen your core - email us at: PushUp@GolfMadeSimple.com with the words 'Golf Improvement Weekly' in the subject line to receive a link and password to access the video segment from our DVD - 'How To Improve Your Golf Swing Indoors'



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Thursday, October 01, 2009

 

Two New GMS Golf School Locations

"Two New GMS Locations - "Hello Europe"

We interrupt our regularly scheduled golf instruction article to make a special announcement. GMS is proud to announce the opening of 2 new GMS locations. We normally reserve this space to speak about ways for you to improve your golf game (and we’ll get back to that next week). However, every once in a while we need to make a special announcement.

Two New GMS locations that will knock your socks off! First, for Golfers in Europe (and North Americans, South Americans as well as people in Asia and Australia that like to travel) ... we're proud to announce GMS Europa! Yes, GMS has just signed an agreement to open in Spain. In Sotogrande in the southwest section of Andalucia. Look for more info below.

And here in the States - we also have a new location - we have upgraded our Palm Springs/La Quinta location to SilverRock Resort. As good as the Trilogy Golf Club at La Quinta was - SilverRock Resort is even better. SilverRock Resort is so good - it's the home of the Bob Hope Classic PGA Tour event each January. And I have to say it is one of the most beautiful golf courses I have ever played!

To see how beautiful these golf courses are - the photos in this issue are dedicated to our two new locations.

GMS Europa!

As many Golfers may ask why open a location in Spain - the answer is based on the number of Golfers that travel more than 8 hours from Europe to see us here in the States. And it just so happens that back in March, we were contacted by this fantastic resort in the South of Spain (on the Mediterranean Sea just west of the Costa del Sol), about GMS starting a program at their resort.

Almenara Golf Resort has 148 rooms, multiple restaurants, 27 holes of the finest golf, plus one of the most extensive practice facilities I have ever seen. At the practice facility ... in addition to the beautiful turf, multiple target greens, private teaching area and 3 short game practice greens .... it also has 3 regulation practice holes (one Par 3 & two Par 4's).

How good is Almenara Golf Resort? Well, it shares the same property and is a hip-high wedge away from Valderama Golf Club (home of the 1997 Ryder Cup - do you remember watching that on TV) Almenara Golf Resort ... such a great facility - in a fantastic location!

GMS Palm Springs/La Quinta

Although we're going on our 3rd year in La Quinta (our 6th year in California), we had the opportunity to move from a great golf course to an even better golf course. Not just the quality of the golf course - we've also upgraded the quality of the practice facility.

SilverRock Resort (as you'll see from the photos) is amazing. Since 2007, it has been the host site for the PGA Tour's Bob Hope Classic each January. So you know the golf course has to be nice.

The practice range at SilverRock is just about as good as it gets - it's huge and we have our own private practice area on the backside all to ourselves!

What a golf facility!

To read more about these 2 excellent facilities - check-out The Buzz below by scrolling down.

Go ahead, Be A Player!

Regards,

Marc Solomon - Your Instructor For Life


"From A 21.5 Handicap To A 15.8!"

Just to let you know I really enjoyed my program with James and happy & proud to let you know my handicap is now a 15.8. Prior to my work with my GMS Instructor, James ... it was a 21.5!

Mike K. – Renton, Washington - Sent August 26th, 2009

Attended Phoenix , Arizona location on April 17th to 18th, 2009


"They Want Me To Give Them Lessons!"

Jeff,

I spoke with you a couple of weeks ago about my iron play. I was consistently hitting the 8 - 9 & PW short or to the right (at a right angle actually). Since our talk I have moved the ball forward in my stance & have had much better luck

Today, I played in a tournament and the other three in my group wanted me to give them lessons on getting on the green! I told the group - "I don't do lessons, but go to GMS & you can chip like this too."

I also won most fairways hit in my 9-hole league last Tuesday - 7 out of 7.

Thanks for your help,

Rita Skog - Fairfield, Connecticut - Sent August 20th, 2009

Attended Boca Raton, Florida Location on April 3rd to 5th, 2009


Click on any of the dates listed below to send an email request for more information

Upcoming Dates Golf Made Simple

Tampa, Florida

October 23rd to 25th - Tampa

October 27th to 29th - Tampa

October 30th to November 1st - Tampa

November 6th to 8th - Tampa

November 9th to 11th - Tampa

To see dates beyond those listed above for our Tampa, Florida location beyond the dates listed above Click Here

Palm Springs/La Quinta, California

November 6th to 8th - La Quinta

November 9th to 11th - La Quinta

November 13th to 15th - La Quinta

November 16th to 18th - La Quinta

November 20th to 22nd - La Quinta


To see dates beyond those listed above for our Palm Springs/La Quinta location beyond the dates listed above Click Here

Sotogrande, Spain (Europe)

December 4th to 6th - Spain

December 7th to 9th - Spain

December 11th to 13th - Spain

December 14th to 16th - Spain

December 18th to 20th - Spain

To see dates beyond those listed above for our Spain location beyond the dates listed above Click Here

Phoenix, Arizona

November 6th to 8th - Phoenix

November 9th to 11th - Phoenix

November 13th to 15th - Phoenix

November 16th to 18th - Phoenix

November 20th to 22nd - Phoenix

To see dates beyond those listed above for our Phoenix location beyond the dates listed Click Here

Boca Raton, Florida

November 6th to 8th - Boca Raton

November 9th to 11th - Boca Raton

November 13th to 15th - Boca Raton

November 16th to 18th - Boca Raton

November 20th to 22nd - Boca Raton

To see dates beyond those listed above for our Boca Raton location beyond the dates listed Click Here

Click to see dates for other GMS locations:

Florida:

Amelia Island - St Augustine


California:
Virgina
Colorado

Photos Of Newest GMS Locations

Golf Instruction Picture Tahoe California

SilverRock Resort - GMS La Quinta location

La Quinta, California, USA
Golf School Picture Denver Colorado

Almenara Golf Resort - GMS Spain (Europe) location

Sotogrande, Spain (just west of the Costa del Sol)

Golf Lesson Picture Virginia Washington DC

SilverRock Resort - GMS La Quinta location

La Quinta, California, USA


Two New GMS Locations!

Spain - I love Spain, I love Europe, I love Tapas, and I absolutely fall head over heels for Spanish Wine.

Now I'm absolutely gaga over golf in Spain.

I, as most people that watched the 1997 Ryder Cup played in Spain at Valderama Golf Club - was mesmerized by the beauty of the golf course and the scenary that surrounded Valderama - the Mediterranean, the hills, the olive groves, the impossibly blue sky.

Well, our newest GMS location is about a hip-high sand wedge away from Valderama. Almenara Resort located in Sotogrande includes the Hotel Almenara, a world class spa, 2 pools (indoor & outdoor), sauna, steam rooms, restaurants, etc. Plus, Sotogrande includes a marina on the Mediterranean with shops, cafes and restaurants, along with 5 golf courses including the world famous Valderama Golf Club (1997 Ryder Cup).

Just imagine your morning session working on your golf game at our fantastic practice facility - then going to the clubhouse for lunch, as you sit on the veranda with your Instructor gazing out over the Mediterranean Sea enjoying yourself.

Then for dinner - you could either eat at the resort (hotel or marina) or hit the incredible tapas bars in either one of two small towns (one on the beach, but both within minutes of the resort). Trust me - I'm going on experience. And if your experience is half is as good as mine was ... you're in for a phenomenal time!

To read more about our location in Spain, you can go to the page on the GMS website: www.GolfMadeSimple.com/golf-school-spain.html - where we have more info including a map to pinpoint our new location in Spain!

To hear more about Spain, the airport to fly into, sidetrips, more about the resort, etc. - give us a call. We're all too happy to discuss one of our most favorite places on this planet.

1-888-580-3635 (US & Canada) - 001.904.460.8355 (International)

Palm Springs/La Quinta, California - SilverRock Resort Golf Club

We have also upgraded our golf course in La Quinta, California. If you have been around GMS for a while, you have definitely heard me speak and write about my love for the Palm Springs/La Quinta area. Being an East Coast person - growing up I was always transfixed on the television watching the PGA, LPGA and Senior PGA Tour events played in the desert in November, December, January and February. As the Northeast was gray, wet and nasty - there was Jack, Arnie, Gary and Tom (Nicklaus, Palmer, Player, Watson), playing in the most ideal conditions imaginable.

So when I was able to make my first trip out to La Quinta to set-up our GMS location there a couple years ago - I was able to cross off another line on the "Bucket List". And now as we transition GMS from The Trilogy Golf Club at La Quinta (host to 4 PGA Tour Skins Games) to SilverRock Resort (host to the PGA Tour's Bob Hope Classic) - I have to say that in a short period of time ... GMS is aligned with the best golf course (non-private) in the Coachella Valley!

SilverRock Resort is absolutely beautiful. Just look at the pictures.

Most of our Golfers stay at the new and beautiful Embassy Suites in La Quinta. We stay here whenever we've traveled to La Quinta and I must say it's really nice. The suites are fantastic. Plus, the breakfast in the morning and the Manager's Happy Hour in the afternoon are excellent!

And an additional bonus with our new location is that the hotel is now literally 1 mile from SilverRock Resort. All you do is go straight out of the hotel, make a left, go past Arnold Palmer's restaurant ... and you're there in 2 minutes.

The location of the hotel is so convenient. It's situated right across from the Old Town La Quinta shopping area which features shops and restaurants – with Arnold Palmer’s restaurant just down the street. Plus, a couple of miles away is LG's Steakhouse which offers the best Filet Mignon we've ever had. In fact, we went back two nights in a row just for the steak. The fish eaters from the previous night turned into carnivores the 2nd night. LG's is incredibly good and highly recommended.

If you have never been to the California desert – you're missing something special. Now, it wouldn't be my choice of locations in June through September (we actually migrate our La Quinta location north to Lake Tahoe during this time), however from November through May – I couldn't think of a more perfect place to be. I guess that's why so many professional golf events are played in this area – from the Skins Game to The Bob Hope to The Dinah Shore.

The biggest tournaments in the world call the La Quinta/Palm Springs area home – if you haven't been there – you should make a trip to see why. All I can say is that I never understood the allure to this area until I made my initial trip out there – now I can't get it out of my mind!

To see and read more on our new location at SilverRock Resort - go to:

www.GolfMadeSimple.com/palm-springs-california-golf-schools.html

For more information on available dates at any of our GMS locations: call me or email.

Regards,

Alex - Director

Toll Free - 1-888-580-3635
International - 001.904.460.8355
Email: IWantToBe@GolfMadeSimple.com

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Thursday, September 03, 2009

 

"Only A Small Percentage Of Golfers Will Improve"

Why we call a frustrated Golfer a Monkey has nothing to do with one’s ability or the scores that you shoot. It has to do with how a Golfer goes about the learning and improvement process. I’ve seen Players that are just starting to break 100 and I’ve seen Monkeys that shoot in the low 80’s. The difference is that the Monkey will become frustrated because they’re in the same scoring range for an extended period of time – while the Player is excited because they’re seeing improvement every time they step on the golf course.

The Monkey uses the same bad habits over and over expecting to improve. The Monkey continually goes to the practice range without a PLAN banging ball after ball in rapid fire succession expecting to hit straighter shots. The Monkey hits their 3 wood for their second shot on every Par 5 regardless of the situation expecting to get closer to the green. The Monkey tries every new tip and gimmick hoping to find something magical.

The Player on the other hand has a PLAN. They know what the Strengths and Weaknesses of their golf swing are. They know how to practice their Driver. They know how to practice their fairway woods. They know how to practice their wedges to create backspin. They know how to practice their putting for 45 minutes without it becoming as boring as watching paint dry.

What’s the difference between a Monkey and a Player? It’s how they go about learning to play better. The Monkey gets stuck in a scoring range and then will try anything in desperation to start improving again – though often times they become more and more frustrated. The Player sees and feels continual improvement – the Player often has other Golfers asking them how they’ve improved so fast.

For example: when the Monkey wants to improve their Driver; they go to the driving range to hit ball after ball towards the middle of the range. And this Golfer will often hit the ball well enough to feel that they had improved. Yet, the next time on the golf course – reality sets in – and you’re not hitting your Driver as well as you did on the driving range.

Why does this happen so frequently to the Monkey? Why can the Monkey hit it so well on the range and then when they go to the golf course ….. well, let’s just say it doesn’t go as well. While the Player often hits their Driver as well and in fact, many times they even hit their Driver better on the golf course.

When the Player wants to improve their Driver; they also can go to the driving range. Though, they have a PLAN that they’ll stick with. Part of that PLAN is that the middle of the range isn’t a target. Why? Because the middle of the driving range isn’t as defined as the golf course. When’s the last time you saw a fairway with the middle as wide as the middle of the driving range? Also, when have you ever seen the middle of a driving range include water, trees, fairway bunkers and other assorted distractions such as houses?

The Player hits their Driver to different targets just like they do on the golf course. And the Player that’s really taking their game to the next level is the Player that makes their targets on the driving range – smaller than the targets that they’ll see on the golf course. The Monkey does the complete opposite by making a target on the driving range that’s over twice as big as the target they’ll have on the golf course.

No wonder the Monkey gets frustrated on the golf course!

The Player uses a PLAN to make ‘fairways’ on the driving range. I say ‘fairways’ as opposed to the ‘fairway’ because as the Monkey just keeps hitting to the middle of the range – the Player is constantly changing their targets. Why? Well, is every golf hole straight and over 100 yards wide like the driving range?

You have the talent to be a Player. You know it and I know it. The problem is that you might be going at it like a Monkey.

The Monkey will read the above and say ‘I know what I’m doing, I’m so close to improving – I just need to hit more balls to become more consistent’

The Player
knows that Tiger, Annika, Jack, Lorena and every successful Player has a PLAN that doesn’t include just banging golf ball after golf ball into the middle of the driving range.

Are you happy with your progress? Do you have a PLAN other than just banging golf ball after golf ball into the middle of the driving range?

Go ahead, Be A Player!


Regards,

Marc Solomon - Your Instructor For Life


GMS Bonus Material



For Anyone Considering Video Analysis - We have added our report on: "Using Video Analysis To Improve Your Golf Swing" to the Golf Made Simple website for you to download and view.

Just click here to be taken to the download page on the http://www.GolfMadeSimple.com website. It's easy, it's free and it's a pretty extensive report on our findings.


Indoor Putting Drill - If you'd like for us to email you a special Indoor Version of an excellent GMS Putting Drill that you could spend hours on - email us at IndoorPuttingDrill@GolfMadeSimple.com and put "Blog" in the subject line.


Tour Putting Square - Use the Tour Putting Square inside your home to improve your scores. Just send us an email at TourPuttingSquare@GolfMadeSimple.com with the subject: "Blog" – and we'll email you how to use this game changing drill.

Swing Drills & Core Training - To view a segment that covers 2 swing drills you can practice inside, plus 3 exercises to strengthen your core - email us at: PushUp@GolfMadeSimple.com with the word "Blog" in the subject line to receive a link and password to access the video segment from our DVD - 'How To Improve Your Golf Swing Indoors'

New GMS Locations!


There’s so much to talk about, but I only get a limited amount of space to write – so I don’t know how much I can tell you in this issue. But it’s all exciting news, not just for us, but for you also. From the surveys that we have taken – the #1 thing that gets the people that follow GMS the most excited is new locations.

And we have a couple more that we’ll be announcing in the coming weeks. One will be in a similar location as a present GMS location – yet, at an even higher level golf course. I mean – this is a fantastic golf course! What is it? I can’t tell you yet. First we must send out a special email to all our GMS Alumni to announce this location to them. Then we’ll announce it to everyone else.

Please don’t get upset at us for taking care of our Golfers first – we just like doing it the exact opposite of the cell phone companies who care more about new subscribers than the ones who have been with them for years. We take care of our Golfers and if you’re not a GMS Golfer yet – trust me, we’ll take care of you when you become one.

The other new location? Well … let’s just say that this is going to be even bigger than big. We’re finalizing plans – however, once it’s finalized – it’ll just open up the world to our offerings.

GMS Golfers – be on the lookout for an email or two in the next couple of weeks about these new locations as you’ll have first chance at available dates. After which time, we’ll announce these 2 new locations to the world!

Current GMS locations: Florida - Tampa, Boca Raton, St. Augustine, Amelia Island. California - Palm Springs/La Quinta, Lake Tahoe. Arizona - Phoenix. Washington DC. Colorado - Denver

For more information on available dates at any of our GMS locations: call me at 1-888-580-3635 or email IWantToBe@GolfMadeSimple.com

Regards,

Alex - Director

Toll Free - 1-888-580-3635
International - 001.904.460.8355
Email: IWantToBe@GolfMadeSimple.com

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Thursday, August 27, 2009

 

"The Best Way To Practice Your Golf Swing"

If you're looking to improve your golf game and understand how a Player practices (as opposed to how a struggling Golfer practices) - read the below paragraphs and fill in the blanks as they pertain to your golf game. Then below that section – we’ll explain how you can use your answers to improve your golf game, golf scores and golf swing.

The worst part of my game is _______. If I wanted to improve this part of my game, I should _______.

In the next week, I’m going to devote ___ hours to working on the worst part of my game that I listed above. I’m going to go to _______ (name of golf course/driving range) to practice improving that part of my game. First I’ll get warmed up by _______ . Then I’ll get into trying to improve this part of my game by working on _______ (what part of that swing should you work on first).

I will then practice doing this for about ___ minutes. Then I’ll move on to ________ (another part of that swing). And I’ll practice that for ___ minutes or until I feel satisfied with my progress.

Once you feel that you made improvements (a couple of days or weeks later), you must ask yourself the same questions again and work on the next part of your game that's holding you back from consistency.

Then the next time you go out on the golf course, you must determine if you improved the worst part of your game. Now what's improvement? Well, if you say that your Driver is the worst part of your game because you lose 4 golf balls each round ... and after practicing using the system above – you only lose 2 golf balls the next time on the golf course – that’s improvement. Anyone that doesn’t think that that’s improvement – will never allow themselves to improve.

You’re looking for improvement – not perfection!

Has anyone ever used a sheet of paper to write down the above practice PLAN or something similar? Or do you do what the typical Monkey does? Which is to just go to the practice range when you get the urge, buy a bucket of golf balls, start with your wedge and move to your 7 iron and then to your 5 iron and then to your Driver (for at least half the bucket of balls).

Or do you wait till the last 30 or 45 minutes before your round to practice hitting golf balls before going to the 1st tee?

Most successful Athletes/Golfers have a PLAN to improve. They know what they need to work on. And they set aside time to do it. For example – do you think that Lance Armstrong just got on his bicycle and started pedaling when he went out to practice? Or did he sit down and figure out what his practice schedule should be for each day of the week?

How about Roger Federer the tennis player? Do you think he just goes to the court to practice a few serves, then volley with another tennis player and then maybe play a set or two? Or does he look back on what he needed to improve on from his last match and then worked exclusively on that until he felt good about it.

And of course Tiger. Do you think he has a PLAN? Well, maybe you could blame Tiger’s early exit from the British Open on his wayward Driver. I guess Tiger did, because when he came back for 3 events in a row (two 1st’ place finishes and a 2nd place) his Driver was much improved. Do you think he came up with a practice PLAN to improve his Driver for those 3 events?

And now that he felt that his putter let him down at his 2nd place finish (the PGA Championship), does anyone want to bet against Tiger’s putting in his next event? Why are we probably going to see improvement in his putting? Because he probably has a practice PLAN all set-up to make sure his stroke is better in his next tournament.

Maybe Tiger doesn’t say exactly word for word what I wrote above (where you fill in the blanks about your game), but I’m sure it’s pretty darn close. How do I know? Because Tiger has a practice PLAN. And that’s how you set one up.

We could get into any sport with just about any of the great ones that have succeeded in that sport and you’ll probably find a common link amongst their practice routines. Meaning:
• The setting up a practice PLAN based on improving their weaknesses
• How they stay focused on that one thing they most need to work without skipping around to other tasks
• That they continue to practice that task until they're satisfied with their improvement and then determine their next weakness to improve

The concept the majority of Golfers use to improve – “Oh, I’m just going to go hit some golf balls.”

If you set-up a practice PLAN: Do you think that that you would improve more than if you didn’t set up a practice PLAN? If your answer is that you would accomplish more – then why aren’t you doing it?

I do know why many Golfers don’t practice. And I’d love to say it, but I having a feeling many Golfers would be offended if I do. So I’m going to watch my tongue. Yet, if you’re the kind of Golfer that doesn’t want to use the “Oh, I never practice” excuse to brush off your bad shots – then I suggest that you set-up a practice PLAN.

Now before we’re bombarded with emails saying – “Well, how do I set-up a practice PLAN?” I suggest that you go back to the very top of this article. Highlight the 2nd through 5th paragraph, hit Control (Ctrl button) and the letter "c" to copy (or right click your mouse and select copy). Then open Microsoft Word and hit Control and the the letter "v" to paste (or right click your mouse and select paste).

Type your answers in the blanks. Print the document. And then put it in your wallet or purse so that it bugs you every day you don’t practice what you typed in. The first step in a practice PLAN is to determine what you need to work on. The second step is to get your butt out there and do it. 8 out of every 8 Golfers want to improve – however, unfortunately 7 out of every 8 Golfers reading this won’t do what’s suggested. They’ll read this, think that it’s too simple to do – and they won’t do it.

Well, it may be simple, but it works. The old phrase states – “A long journey starts with the first step.” And the old New Jersey lottery used to advertise – “You gotta be in it to win it!” Well, regardless of whichever scripture you follow – the message clearly states that you need to somehow start the process. And that’s what those paragraphs at the top are doing for you. It’s helping you start the process.

The Monkey either goes to the range and hits too many balls without a defined purpose or they just don’t go to the range

The Player has their practice all mapped out for them before they get to the range – that’s why we call it a practice PLAN

Go ahead, Be A Player!

Regards,

Marc Solomon - Your Instructor For Life

GMS Bonus Material



For Anyone Considering Video Analysis - We have added our report on: "Using Video Analysis To Improve Your Golf Swing" to the Golf Made Simple website for you to download and view.

Just click here to be taken to the download page on the http://www.GolfMadeSimple.com website. It's easy, it's free and it's a pretty extensive report on our findings.


Indoor Putting Drill - If you'd like for us to email you a special Indoor Version of an excellent GMS Putting Drill that you could spend hours on - email us at IndoorPuttingDrill@GolfMadeSimple.com and put "Blog" in the subject line.


Tour Putting Square - Use the Tour Putting Square inside your home to improve your scores. Just send us an email at TourPuttingSquare@GolfMadeSimple.com with the subject: "Blog" – and we'll email you how to use this game changing drill.

Swing Drills & Core Training - To view a segment that covers 2 swing drills you can practice inside, plus 3 exercises to strengthen your core - email us at: PushUp@GolfMadeSimple.com with the word "Blog" in the subject line to receive a link and password to access the video segment from our DVD - 'How To Improve Your Golf Swing Indoors'

New GMS Locations!


There’s so much to talk about, but I only get a limited amount of space to write – so I don’t know how much I can tell you in this issue. But it’s all exciting news, not just for us, but for you also. From the surveys that we have taken – the #1 thing that gets the people that follow GMS the most excited is new locations.

And we have a couple more that we’ll be announcing in the coming weeks. One will be in a similar location as a present GMS location – yet, at an even higher level golf course. I mean – this is a fantastic golf course! What is it? I can’t tell you yet. First we must send out a special email to all our GMS Alumni to announce this location to them. Then we’ll announce it to everyone else.

Please don’t get upset at us for taking care of our Golfers first – we just like doing it the exact opposite of the cell phone companies who care more about new subscribers than the ones who have been with them for years. We take care of our Golfers and if you’re not a GMS Golfer yet – trust me, we’ll take care of you when you become one.

The other new location? Well … let’s just say that this is going to be even bigger than big. We’re finalizing plans – however, once it’s finalized – it’ll just open up the world to our offerings.

GMS Golfers – be on the lookout for an email or two in the next couple of weeks about these new locations as you’ll have first chance at available dates. After which time, we’ll announce these 2 new locations to the world!

For more information on available dates at any of our GMS locations: call me at 1-888-580-3635 or email IWantToBe@GolfMadeSimple.com

Regards,

Alex - Director

Toll Free - 1-888-580-3635
International - 001.904.460.8355
Email: IWantToBe@GolfMadeSimple.com

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Saturday, August 15, 2009

 

"The Golden Rules Of The Golf Swing"

What movement in sport has more to-do’s, along with more not-to-do’s than the golf swing? In the golf swing we have the Golden Rules like: we need to “shift our weight” – yet not “sway”. In the golf swing we need to “cock our wrists” – yet not “flip our wrists”. In the golf swing most Golfers will tell you that you can’t lift your left heel on the back swing (right handed Golfer) and yet, if you don’t lift your heel – many don’t have the flexibility to make a “perfect” shoulder turn.


So how do you “shift your weight” without "swaying"? And how do you “cock your wrists” without “flipping your wrists”? And how come it was alright for Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson to lift their heel on the backswing – yet you’re not allowed to?


Why are there so many dang rules when swinging the golf club?!!!


One of the best pieces of advice that a Golfer should listen to is that there are no Golden Rules as far as how to swing a golf club. Although, I would say that if there was anything close – it would be: that the direction your club face is pointing when it hits the golf ball is more important than anything else than you have ever heard or will ever hear about – that is … if you want to be in control of the direction the golf ball flies.


See, we get so overwhelmed with all these “Golden Rules” on what we need to do to hit a golf ball – that we bog ourselves down. It’s almost as if you have so many thoughts of what you need to do correctly before hitting the golf ball – that you have very little chance of consistently hitting a good shot.


Yet, the concept of a good golf shot comes down to one important factor when using a Results Based Approach – “The golf ball will go in the direction my club face is pointing when I hit the golf ball.”


And although there are many that will say – “Well yes Marc, that is true. But in order to do that you need to have all these other Golden Rules happen.” To which I believe my response would be – how many of the same exact Golden Rules do Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Jack Nicklaus share? How many of the same Golden Rules do Stewart Cink and Jim Furyk share? And Lorena Ochoa and Annika Sorenstam?


Do these golf swings that are mentioned above look exactly the same? Or lets put it another way – if you were to put a bag over the head of each Golfer (so you couldn’t tell who it was – made Mickelson play right handed or the others play left handed), even the most casual Golf Fan would be able to tell which is Tiger’s swing and which is Jack’s swing. Meaning Tiger doesn’t have the same exact Golden Rules as Nicklaus. And Mickelson doesn’t have the same exact Golden Rules as Cink. Etc., etc., etc.


What Golden Rules are you applying to your golf swing right now? And who told you about those Golden Rules? Did you read about one of Sergio’s Golden Rules in a golf magazine and decided it needs to be one of your Golden Rules? If so, why? How do you know that Sergio’s Golden Rules apply to your golf swing? And what’s worse, maybe you’re already doing that Golden Rule well in your golf swing (but not know it), so now when you apply it to your golf swing – you’re overdoing it. Which could cause even more problems in your golf swing!


Here’s a Drill using a Results Based Approach for you to do:


Take out a wedge and hit a golf ball 10 yards. After the shot – determine if you hit it solid and if it went in the direction you intended.


If you hit it solid, hit a golf ball 30 yards. After the 30 yard shot – determine if you hit it solid and if it went in the direction you intended. If it wasn’t as solid or as straight as the 10 yard shot – go back to the 10 yard shot and try to find out what you did differently (besides making a longer back swing) and hit another good shot from 10 yards.

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After you hit another solid 10 yard shot - go back to the 30 yard shot and try to feel what you’re doing different in your swing. When you do hit a good 30 yard shot ….


Then hit a 60 yard shot. After that shot - determine if you hit it solid and if it went in the direction you intended. If not, go back to the 30 yard shot and try to find out what you did differently. If you did hit the 60 yard shot well – go to 90. Then follow this process until you’re taking full swings.


Why will this drill help you?


It’ll help you in many ways. The first is that most Golfers try to determine what’s wrong with their golf swing primarily after taking full swings. Yet, that swing happens so fast and your arms and body are moving at a speed that doesn’t allow many Golfers to feel what they’re doing during the swing. By starting with these small swings – you’re better able to pinpoint what’s happening in your golf swing at different points in your swing.


So now you can narrow down where the problem is in your golf swing instead of just taking one full swing after another and pretty much guessing what’s wrong. And believe it or not – your guesses may be heavily influenced by the Golden Rules you saw on the golf channel last night or in the last issue of a golf magazine. Which probably has nothing to do with your golf swing – yet because you’re looking for answers – they sound like the thing you should try next.


Second – many of the problems that 8 out of every 10 Golfers have in their golf swing happens during the time period when the club head is lower than your shoulders. Yet, 8 out of every 10 Golfers are working on something to fix a perceived problem that’s happening above their shoulders. Remember, the problem you perceive at the top of your golf swing could be caused by something happening when the club is lower than your shoulders.


Which is another way of saying that too many Golfers are working on trying to fix an “effect” vs. what they should be doing – working on fixing the “cause”.


So by starting with small golf swings and working your way up – you’ll be determining (using a Results Based Approach) where your problem is occurring in your golf swing. Unfortunately, it’s been pounded into the heads of many Golfers that improving your golf swing is all about taking full swings. And yes, you need to take many full golf swings on the golf course. Yet, the best way to fix your full swing isn’t just by practicing full swings.


The teaching method I’m introducing to you above is a Results Based Approach of finding out where in your golf swing your swing is breaking down. It shows that if you hit your wedge well with the 10 yard shot and you hit the 30 yard shot well and the 60 yard shot well and then mess up the 90 yard shot (which to many would be between a ¾ and full swing) – it shows that you’re doing something bad in your golf swing somewhere in the area where your body and club passes through 60 yards as you go to a 90 yard backswing. Which you’re also probably doing at that point of your golf swing while hitting your Driver using a full golf swing – yet, you probably won’t detect this happening while hitting full Drivers because it happens too fast for many Golfers.


How do I know this works? Because using this Results Based Approach we’ve been able to display at least 2 testimonials every week in Golf Improvement Weekly for the last 284 Issues and are displaying 100’s more on the www.GolfMadeSimple.com website. When’s the last time you had the pleasure of telling anyone about how well you’re playing and how good you feel about your golf swing?

The Monkey will continue to work on hitting full shots until they “get it”

The Player finds where their golf swing is breaking down using a Results Based Approach

Go ahead, be a Player!

Regards,

Marc Solomon - Your Instructor For Life


"How To Achieve Your Golf Goals"

Excerpted from Classic GIW Issue 208 - August 15th, 2007

"Would you be happy if you shot what might be your best score ever in an important event or tournament, then shot a disappointing score the next round? Would you celebrate or would you lament?

"This is the story of a Golfer that I’ll call Jim.

"Jim has been playing golf for a number of years and generally has played pretty good, though he always wanted to get better – probably just like you hope to do. Jim enjoyed playing and competing in his county’s Amateur Golf Tournament every year. Yet, there’s been this nagging feeling that he desperately wanted to …."


Continue reading the rest of this Classic GIW - Click Here

GMS Bonus Material

For Anyone Considering Video Analysis - We have added our report on: "Using Video Analysis To Improve Your Golf Swing" to the Golf Made Simple website for you to download and view.

Just click here to be taken to the download page on the http://www.GolfMadeSimple.com website. It's easy, it's free and it's a pretty extensive report on our findings.


Indoor Putting Drill - If you'd like for us to email you a special Indoor Version of an excellent GMS Putting Drill that you could spend hours on - email us at IndoorPuttingDrill@GolfMadeSimple.com and put GIW in the subject line.


Tour Putting Square - Use the Tour Putting Square inside your home to improve your scores. Just send us an email at TourPuttingSquare@GolfMadeSimple.com with the subject: Tour Putting Square – and we'll email you how to use this game changing drill.

Swing Drills & Core Training - To view a segment that covers 2 swing drills you can practice inside, plus 3 exercises to strengthen your core - email us at: PushUp@GolfMadeSimple.com with the words 'Golf Improvement Weekly' in the subject line to receive a link and password to access the video segment from our DVD - 'How To Improve Your Golf Swing Indoors'


The Buzz - Who's Thinking Of November In Palm Springs/La Quinta, California?

Who’s thinking about November and December already? Well, apparently many Golfers. Because we have never had so many Golfers sign-up for programs in November and December this far in advance. Though, thinking about it – it is a smart move. Signing up this early insures you get the dates you want – as opposed to having those dates sold-out. Because as you probably already know – we limit our classes to only 4 Golfers. So we frequently sell-out dates.

Like the locals know in areas like Florida and La Quinta/Palm Springs, California and Phoenix, Arizona – some of the best weather of the year is in the middle of October through the beginning of December.

And although there are people saying – “You’re thinking of November already? We haven’t even gotten to Labor Day yet!” Apparently there are more people than you think that are planning November dates because we already have more people signed up to attend our La Quinta location in November as of today – than we had actually attend in November of last year. So if we’re ahead of last year’s pace and its still 3 months away – imagine what it’s going to be like trying to get dates when we’re into October.

For pictures and more information – click here to go to: http://golfmadesimple.com/palm-springs-california-golf-schools.html

Or for more information on available dates at our La Quinta/Palm Springs, California location: call me at 1-888-580-3635 or email me at IWantToBe@GolfMadeSimple.com

Regards,

Alex - Director

Toll Free - 1-888-580-3635
International - 001.904.460.8355
Email: IWantToBe@GolfMadeSimple.com

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Wednesday, August 05, 2009

 

"How Easy Do You Make Your Golf Swing?"

Here are 9 of the most popular golf swing thoughts that many Golfers have before hitting a golf ball:

1. Keep my head still
2. Left arm straight (right arm for left handed Golfer)
3. Shift my weight
4. Eye on the golf ball
5. Turn my shoulders
6. Don’t sway
7. Make sure to swing easy
8. Clear my hips on the way through
9. Follow through all the way

Now which of these 9 do you think about before and during each shot? What? All 9?! Before and during each shot? Seriously? Wow!!!

The question I must ask is: if you did think of these 9 thoughts (or something similar), how many can you expect to do “correctly” on each golf swing? Now, I’m not saying that I agree that these are important thoughts – in fact, I believe that many of the 9 can do more harm than good to a Golfer getting ready to hit a golf ball. But, besides that point – the question needs to be: How much can you think about during one golf swing and still be able to hit a good golf shot?

Now, if there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years, it’s that women can think about more things at one time than men can. This is a point that my wife has expressed to me many times over the last 10 years while she gives me my list of “Honey Do’s”. Yet, even the greatest multitasking female couldn’t consciously think about and do all 9 of those swing thoughts (or even 4 of those thoughts) during a golf swing that takes less than 2 seconds!

And besides, if you did ask a Golfer that happens to be on a ‘Good Streak’ for a few holes on the golf course – “You’re swinging so well, what are you doing?” – The answer 9 times out of 10 is simply something to the affect of: “I don’t know. I’m just trying to swing smooth.” Yet, if you say to a Golfer that happens to be on a ‘Bad Streak’ on the golf course – “What’s going on? You’re not playing as well as usual. What are you doing?” – The answer 9 times out of 10 is usually something to the affect of: “I don’t know what I’m doing. I’m probably thinking too much. I’m trying to … and also to … and on some swings I try to … Ohh, I just need to stop thinking about so much!”

Have you ever been in either of those situations yourself?

Now please, don’t misconstrue that I’m saying that if you only think of swinging smooth (and nothing else), that that will allow you to play your best golf ever. There might be more that goes into it. However, it’s a good place to start with rather than really screwing yourself up by trying to keep your head absolutely still while thinking of the 8 other things you need to do.

Yet, we need to make the distinction between ‘swinging smooth’ and ‘swinging easy’. I believe these are two totally different concepts. For example: For years, Golfers have marveled at how Fred Couples and Ernie Els have the ability to swing so smoothly. Yet, in typical Golfer talk – the description of their smooth swings have been misidentified by many Golfers marveling: “Ernie just swings so slow and easy and hits the ball a mile.”

Which is not true because Fred and Ernie don’t swing slow.

Couples – who still is in the top 10 in Driving Distance at 290 something yards a drive – has a swing speed around 120 miles per hour. There’s nothing slow or easy about 120 mph. Especially when the average male Golfer swings their Driver at speeds approaching 90 mph. And yet, after hitting a bad shot, this 90 mile per hour male Golfer will often say: “Oh, I tried to kill that one. I swung too hard. I wish I could swing as slow as Freddie Couples.” And the craziness about that statement is that you actually are already swinging 30 mph slower than Couples. Swing any slower and you’ll be 40 or 50 mph less than Freddie!

A Golfer that tries to swing “slow” and/or “easy” often throws off the timing of their golf swing more than they know. Which is the total opposite outcome of what they were hoping for. Whereas many Golfers will try to swing slower so that their timing (and consistency) will improve – the slowing down of your swing can cripple your golf swing in multiple ways. Too many ways to explain here – though we can get into two of the more frequent problems it can cause many Golfers.

A Golfer that’s trying to slow down their backswing could be causing more harm than good because of what happens much of the time when they transition from the back swing to the forward swing. If you’re swinging too slow on the way back – as you make the transition to now swing forward, you have two choices:

One - Continue to swing at the same speed and hit the golf ball ‘nowhere’. ‘Nowhere’ can be translated into – you’re not hitting the golf ball much distance at all because you have a very low swing speed. Yes, you maybe a little more accurate – however, you’re very short off the tee – making the hole very long and many times much more difficult.

Or

Two – Abruptly speed up your forward swing so that you can create some swing speed to hit the golf ball farther. However, many times when a Golfer transitions from a slow back swing to a fast forward swing – many Golfers have the tendency of having their arms and hands outrace their body – while other Golfers may have their body outrace their hands and arms. Whichever tendency it is for you – just know that it could really foul up your golf swing in a big way.

So, many Golfers get stuck in the game of changing their swing every other shot because of this. The first shot they try to swing slow and they hit the golf ball much shorter than the people they’re playing with. The next shot they want to hit the golf ball farther while maintaining a “slow and easy swing” – so they have a slow back swing and then to get a little more power on the forward swing - they swing hard at the ball. Which invariably throws off your timing, swing path, swing plane, blah, blah, blah and causes the golf ball to slice off into the trees, or causes you to pop the golf ball straight up in the air, or top it 50 yards or …. whatever else a golf ball can do to annoy you on the golf course.

So on the next swing this Golfer decides they rather stay in play than lose another golf ball – so you go back to the “slow, easy golf swing” for a few holes so that you can play: “Well, At Least I’m Keeping It In Play” Golf. Yet, after a couple holes of: “Well, At Least I’m Keeping It In Play” – which translates into hitting the golf ball short and taking 3 or 4 shots to reach the green – you try one more time to swing with a little more power and …. let’s just say you go right back to the slow and easy swing that allows you to play the unfulfilling game of “Well, At Least I’m Keeping It In Play” Golf.

Do you know anyone that plays that way?

For Golfers that want to gain extra yards (while still keeping the ball in play) – we can very easily help you increase your controlled club head speed using what we call – ‘Effortless Power’. We work with many Golfers (from around the world) helping them to smooth out their golf swings which allows you to create the sensation of having ‘Effortless Power’. And that ‘Effortless Power’ often gives you the feeling as if you’re “swinging easy”. Yet, in reality, you aren’t “swinging easy” – you’re ‘swinging smoother’ along with having more power, control and consistency!

And although most people reading this will never approach a swing speed of 120 mph with their Driver – you can still improve your distance (and consistency) by having your swing speed increase from the 80 mph range to the 90 mph range or 90 to 100 or 100 to 110 - while swinging even more smoothly than you are right now. Trust me, I’ve seen it many, many times where a Golfer has gained 20, 30, 40 , even 50 yards on their Drives and then remarked: “I can’t believe that I hit the golf ball that far. Wow! And it felt like I swung soooo easy!!”

The Monkey falls into the trap of trying to “swing slow and easy” and then gets into the battle between having no distance (but being straight) vs. trying to get more distance (but being inconsistent)

The Player knows that there’s a huge difference between ‘swinging smoothly with Effortless Power’ vs. “swinging slow and easy with no power”

Go ahead, be Player!

Regards,

Marc Solomon - Your Instructor For Life



Golf Schools by Golf Made Simple Inc. on Facebook

GMS Bonus Material

For anyone Considering Video Analysis - We have added our report on: “Using Video Analysis To Improve Your Golf Swing” to the Golf Made Simple website for you to download and view.

Just click here to be taken to the download page on the http://www.GolfMadeSimple.com website. It’s easy, it’s free and it’s a pretty extensive report on our findings.

Indoor Putting Drill - If you’d like for us to email you a special Indoor Version of an excellent GMS Putting Drill that you could spend hours on - email us at IndoorPuttingDrill@GolfMadeSimple.com and put ‘Blog’ in the subject line.

Tour Putting Square - Use the Tour Putting Square inside your home to improve your scores. Just send an email to TourPuttingSquare@GolfMadeSimple.com with the subject: ‘Blog’ – and we’ll email you how to use this game changing drill.

Swing Drills & Core Training - To view a segment that covers 2 swing drills you can practice inside, plus 3 exercises to strengthen your core - email us at: PushUp@GolfMadeSimple.com with the words ‘Blog’ in the subject line to receive a link and password to access the video segment from our DVD - ‘How To Improve Your Golf Swing Indoors’

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Tuesday, July 28, 2009

 

"Why Not A Consistent Golf Swing On The Course?" - Golf Improvement Weekly - July 28thy, 2009




Issue #282

July 28th, 2009

Call Us Toll Free:
1(888) 580-3635


"Why Not A Consistent Golf Swing On The Course?"

“Why? Why? Why? – Why did I hit that shot? What was I thinking?!”


Have you heard that before? Well … who hasn’t let that pass through their lips after making a big mistake that might leave you with a snowman (an 8) on the scorecard?


It’s like – “where was my brain?”


Listen – golf courses are often designed to test a Golfer’s strategy versus being designed to test your golf swing. I’ll give you a perfect example: Tom Fazio has been heralded as quite possibly the top golf course architect in the world since the early 1990’s. Yet, as far I can recall, you really don't see a Tom Fazio course used for a major championship and rarely (if ever) used for a PGA Tour event. Why is that?


Many Golfers find his golf courses very challenging yet the Touring Pros would probably tear up many of his courses. Why is this?


I don’t believe most Fazio golf courses are designed to test your golf swing as much as they are designed to test your strategy. **I’ll get back to the basis of the article in a minute (this isn’t an article about Tom Fazio) – though I believe I can help relate this to your golf game because most Golfers have played a Fazio golf course** On most Fazio golf courses – he leaves a lot of room off the tee to hit the golf ball and his greens are notoriously large – which should make them both easier to hit.


Yet, even though Fazio fairways tend to be super wide – most Golfers have trouble hitting his fairways. This is because a great designer like Fazio knows that the extent of strategy most Golfers can muster is limited to aiming to the middle of the fairway. So to defend his golf courses - he creates angles and obstacles that makes hitting fairways more difficult to do. Or he designs a hole that allows you to easily be in the center of the fairway – yet makes sure that being in the center will make your shot to the green much tougher by toughening up the angle for your next shot.


Yet, many Golfers don’t think this is necessary to know until they become more consistent with their golf swing. Let me state it right here and now – if that’s your philosophy: You’ll never be consistent on the golf course because the challenges you face on each shot directly influences the consistency of your golf swing!


Have you ever said – “Why can I hit the golf ball so much better on the driving range than I can on the golf course?” Well if so – you better continue reading:


On the driving range you’re faced with just raking over the next golf ball and concentrating on your golf swing - on the golf course you’re faced with thinking about your golf swing in addition to all obstacles that you need to avoid. Of course it’s easier on the driving range – there’s nothing to worry about or obstacles that need to be avoided.


Which brings up an interesting question: why does the average Golfer struggle when they play a Tom Fazio course – yet, the PGA Tour doesn’t usually play his golf courses?


A big part of that might be that the Pro’s would eat many of those courses up. Not just because their golf swing is better – but also because the strategy of the PGA Touring Pro is usually far superior to the average Golfer. And I say this knowing that I’m going to hear many people say – “Well yeah, their strategy is better because they can execute that strategy more consistently because they have a better golf swing and know where the golf ball is going.”


That’s agreed – to a point.


Certainly it’s easier to keep to a strategy when you’re in better control of where your golf ball lands. However, whether you’re able to play to your strategy or not isn’t 100% reliant on how consistent your golf swing is. Yet, on the golf course, your golf swing is just about 100% reliant on having a strategy based on the level of your golf swing.


For example: I can take a Golfer that averages 95 on their golf course and have them score 89 without helping them with their golf swing or putting stroke once during that round. (Or a 105 Golfer and have them score 99 – or an 85 Golfer and have them score 79). I’ve done it countless times with Golfers I have worked with.


So if this is true – and it is: How can I do this? How can I help a Golfer instantly shave 6 strokes off their golf game (the first time meeting them) without once helping them with their golf swing?


To continue reading "Why Not A Consistent Golf Swing On The Golf Course" – click here


If you're looking for more consistency on the golf course - I urge you to continue reading.


Regards,


Marc Solomon - Your Instructor For Life


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"I Have Improved 10 Strokes"

GMS - So it is now a little better than one year since my GMS clinic. My average score has improved by 10 strokes. At the Baltusrol course in NJ I hit a 38 on the front from the blue tees. I had two bad holes on the back, but still ended up with a low 80’s round.


Tempo and ball striking with a plan. Every time there isn’t a plan it works less.


I am 59 years old averaging 275 yards off the tee with occasional bombs over 320 yards. Same tempo. My wedge game is working and most iron shots are coming off the face well. I have hit 13 greens in regulation average over my last 4 rounds. Last week I eagled a 675 yard par 6 (non PGA approved I am sure). The best part of my new found game is how relaxed I am on the course at most times.


I am interested in course 2 so I can get to a 9 to 10 handicap.


Please let me know the scoop.


Thank you,


Mark G. - Glenn Rock, New Jersey - Sent July 22nd, 2009


Attended Amelia Island location on July 11th to 13th, 2009



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"4 Pars In 9 Holes - Previously Pars Were Rare For Me!"

Jeff,

My experience with James was surely more than I had expected. I now know what most of my previous mistakes have been and how to correct them.


I played today with one of my regulars and the improvement showed by scoring 4 pars for 9 holes. Previously pars were rare for me. I can't remember ever having more that two in a single 9 holes and even one was a very good round.


Bill L. - Hudson, Wisconsin - Sent July 22nd, 2009


Attended Denver location on July 13th to 15th, 2009



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Golf Tips and Special Pricing For Tahoe!

Continuing from last week’s Buzz – we have already received some great golf tips (Best Golf Tips and Worst Golf Tips). So, thank you for everyone that sent them in over the past week. But, we want more. So please keep sending them in to GolfTips@GolfMadeSimple.com


If you missed last week’s GIW – here’s a little bit of what we wrote: So we’d like to start compiling a list of the worst Golf Tips Of All Time. Now, maybe this is a Golf Tip that helped a friend of yours, but when you tried it – you had bad results. It could be something you heard from an Instructor, or from someone at a cocktail party, or something you read in a magazine or on the Internet.


The key is that it's a Golf Tip that you have tried – not something that you heard, but just sounded stupid. It has to be something that you tried and caused you to actually start hitting the golf ball worse after doing so.


When you email this to us – you don’t have to include your name if you don’t want to. However, we would appreciate if you could describe the Golf Tip, what it was designed to help you fix and the results you encountered.


Saying that – if you’ve ever come across a Golf Tip that did help you – we’d like to hear about that also.


In a future GIW, we’ll write about the “winning” Golf Tip (and we’ll include your name only if you want us to), along with sending the “winner” a special prize.



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***Also – Lake Tahoe Special***


Save $150 At Our Lake Tahoe Location!


Hope you’re having as good a summer as we are. If not, here’s something that might make you happy: We received a telephone call just the other day from the owner of The Lodge at Whitehawk Ranch (our Lake Tahoe location). Jerry wants to stimulate business in August and September – so he asked us - if he reduced the rates for their cabins by $50 a night – would that help to bring more people to his facility.


We said – ‘we think so.’


Now this isn’t a discount dreamed up by GMS – we’re doing very well, even better than 2008 (and 2008 was a record year for GMS). Yet, we received this offer from the The Lodge at Whitehawk Ranch and we’re going to pass over the savings to you.


So what does it mean? It means - that if you come for a 3 day GMS Program at our Lake Tahoe location (this August or September) and stay at the Lodge at Whitehawk (which is right on the golf course), because of Jerry’s generosity – you’re receiving $150 off the GMS Program.


Again, GMS has never discounted or run specials – we have enough demand from Golfers that we never have to do so – yet, when we’re offered a discount by one of our partners, we’ll pass that discount on to our Golfers.


For more information on available dates at our Lake Tahoe location: call me at 1-888-580-3635 or email me at IWantToBe@GolfMadeSimple.com

Regards,

Alex - Director

Toll Free - 1-888-580-3635
International - 001.904.460.8355
Email: IWantToBe@GolfMadeSimple.com

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Email Us Your Questions, Comments & Suggestions about
Golf Improvement Weekly | Click Here


In This Issue...

Click on any of the dates listed below to send an email request for more information

Upcoming Dates Golf Made Simple

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Washington DC - Virginia

August 7th to 9th

August 11th and 12th

August 18th to 20th

August 21st to 23rd

August 25th to 27th


To see other available dates for our Washington DC Location beyond the dates listed above Click Here

Lake Tahoe, California

August 10th to 12th

August 17th to 19th

August 21st to 23rd

August 24th to 26th

August 28th to 30th

To see other available dates for our Lake Tahoe location beyond the dates listed above Click Here

Denver, Colorado

July 31st to August 2nd

August 3rd to 5th

August 7th to 9th

August 10th to 12th

August 14th to 16th

To see other available dates for our Denver, Colorado location beyond the dates listed Click Here

Click to see available dates for our other GMS locations:

Florida:

Boca Raton - Tampa - Amelia Island - St Augustine

California:

Palm Springs/La Quinta

Arizona:

Phoenix

Photos Of Recent GMS Classes

Golf School Picture Washington DC

Eleanor M., Colin M.

Washington DC | July 21st to 23rd| 2009

Golf School Picture Denver Colorado

Pruitt F., Richard C., Randall C.

Denver Colorado| June 1st to 3rd | 2009

Golf School Picture Lake Tahoe

Let's Just Say That Is One Happy Golfer!

Lake Tahoe, California| July 20th to 22nd | 2009

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Have you attended a GMS Program and would like your Photo?

Send an email to myplayerphoto@golfmadesimple.com
include your 'name, location and program dates'.






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"Tiger Woods Vs. Rocco Mediate"

Excerpted from Classic GIW Issue 243 - June 18th, 2008

"Wow! Was that a fantastic golf match or what? Tiger and Rocco – Player e Player for 19 holes. That’s about as good as it can get.


But, I’m sure you’ve had your fill of hearing and talking about the match. Enough about them already - let’s get to your golf game. What could you take away from the US Open to help your golf game – and I’m not talking about one of Johnny Miller’s tips.

I believe that many people were rooting for Rocco because they could relate to him more than they could relate to Tiger. You don’t see Tiger struggling as much with his game, he makes shots that you could only dream of and he’s super long off the tee. And although Tiger has had to work and has worked harder than anyone on the planet to earn his superior skill – many people don’t see that and understand ...

Continue reading the rest of this Classic GIW - Click Here

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By the way, the first Golf Made Simple DVD has been the #1 Selling Golf Swing DVD on Amazon.com. After years and years and offers upon offers from people that wanted to produce a DVD for us; we decided we wanted to do it our own way. We've created a DVD to help you become a Player, as opposed to all the other Monkey stuff that's already out there.

Our DVD - How To Improve Your Golf Swing Indoors is improvement ... GMS Style. What's GMS Style? It's a Results Based Approach as opposed to the Theories and Assumptions Based Approach that millions of Golfers struggle with year after year.

Are you ready to end the struggle?

Click here to purchase on Amazon.com

Or call us at 1 (888) 580 - 3635

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GMS Bonus Material

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For Anyone Considering Video Analysis - We have added our report on: "Using Video Analysis To Improve Your Golf Swing" to the Golf Made Simple website for you to download and view.

Just click here to be taken to the download page on the http://www.GolfMadeSimple.com website. It's easy, it's free and it's a pretty extensive report on our findings.


Indoor Putting Drill - If you'd like for us to email you a special Indoor Version of an excellent GMS Putting Drill that you could spend hours on - email us at IndoorPuttingDrill@GolfMadeSimple.com and put GIW in the subject line.


Tour Putting Square - Use the Tour Putting Square inside your home to improve your scores. Just send us an email at TourPuttingSquare@GolfMadeSimple.com with the subject: Tour Putting Square – and we'll email you how to use this game changing drill.

Swing Drills & Core Training - To view a segment that covers 2 swing drills you can practice inside, plus 3 exercises to strengthen your core - email us at: PushUp@GolfMadeSimple.com with the words 'Golf Improvement Weekly' in the subject line to receive a link and password to access the video segment from our DVD - 'How To Improve Your Golf Swing Indoors'


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