Don’t Ride, Walk

photo credit: SouthAsiaGolf   Flexibility and eyesight suffer the most as we get older.  Loss of muscle tone can be an encumbrance but it doesn’t mean all hope is lost.  Seniors can compensate in several ways.

More exercise and better equipment can make up for the loss of flexibility.  Rather than ride a cart, walk, however, if you cannot walk 18 holes, walk every other hole, just walk more often.  Carry two or three clubs to eliminate time consuming walks to and from the cart. 

1)  Allow your left heel to come off the ground during your backswing, this creates a better turn.  2)  Bend your left arm slightly when taking the club back which will create a longer backswing.  Both of these can make up for loss of flexibility.

The Aim Test

photo credit: USACE Europe District   Most amateur golfers have difficulty with their aim.  The next time you play, pay special attention to where the members in your group are aiming.  Many golfers, other than professionals, just don’t’ take where they are aiming serious enough.  They line the tips of their shoes with the target line, which really isn’t wrong, it’s just not totally right !

To make sure you are aimed properly, once you are solidly in the address position and stationary, take a club and place it across your thighs to check your correct aim.  You see, even though your toes are lined up with the target line, your hips may be open which aligns your thighs differently.  The thighs are a true measurement of the true aim point.

The Practice Swing

photo credit: rioncm   What is the purpose of the practice swing?  Have you ever heard the following comment?   “I wish I could hit the ball with my practice swing.”  Good practice swings are made because there is no thought about squaring the clubface and without a ball to aim at, there is no need to do so.

Instead of just swinging the club randomly, pick a spot on the ground;  a twig, a brown patch of grass, just pick something to aim at so you can concentrate on squaring the clubface.  Taking more than one practice swing is a waste of time for two reasons:  1)  It slows play.  2)  It wastes energy especially for older golfers.  Next time, pick a target, take one swing and square the clubface.

Grip Intricacies

photo credit: star5112   In Ben Hogan’s book, FIVE LESSONS, he states that the tips of the thumb and forefinger of the bottom hand, should never touch each other when gripping the club.  Yet, others teach that the two fingertips should come together.

There are also esoteric grips.  Bobby Jones, one of the greatest golfers ever, used the overlap with the tip of his right forefinger not touching the handle at all.  The back of the first joint of his forefinger pressed against the handle.

Even the most subtle changes in the grip can cause changes in shot direction:  hooks, slices, draws or fades.  If you have a good swing but inconsistent shot patterns, look for the grip to be the primary cause.  Get it checked out by an experienced instructor.

Looking Up

photo credit: rioncm   Looking up is one of the biggest excuses ever invented to describe a poor shot.  By the time you look up, the shot has already been executed (the mistake has been made). 

The best way to concentrate on any shot is by looking at the ball at all times, in fact,  it’s wise to look at just the back of the ball which creates even more shot concentration. 

Ben Hogan, when asked what he looks at during his swing, said that he loses “sight of the ball somewhere in his downswing.”  Very few of the top players admit to actually seeing the ball as it leaves the face of their club.  Keeping your eye on the ball allows you to take your mind off of other swing issues you may already have.

Carelessness Causes bad Shots

photo credit: edmenendez   Every bad shot is caused by carelessness.  Having the required knowledge of the game and being able to swing well does not guarantee success.  No matter how qualified you are, you must apply your knowledge before taking each and every shot, or you will never be proficient at the game.  Memorize the following to eliminate careless golf shots:

Before each shot: > (1)  consider the terrain then make your plan  (2)  select the proper club.  (3)  inspect your grip  (4)   use the right stance  (5)  aim correctly  (6)  maintain your posture.  Soon this will become part of your natural thought process.

There can be many reasons for missing a shot but carelessness should not be one of them.  Preparation is the real key.

The Ominous 3 Foot Putt

photo credit: Kevitivity   When faced with a 3-foot putt do you look for imaginary slopes, hit it softly and try to “baby” your putt into the cup?  If you do, you are not alone.  The short putt can intimidate even the best putters.  Doug Sanders, lost the British Open by one shot by missing a 2 footer.  Ben Hogan missed a 3 foot putt to lose the 1946 U.S. National Open.

Unfortunately, there are no magic formulas, every golfer should develop a method to deactivate the nervousness that accompanies short putts.  Practice this exercise:  Place 4 balls, two feet from the cup, on each side of the hole.  If you miss one start all over until you make all 4 putts.  Do the same at 3, 4 and 5 feet.

Golf Escapes

photo credit: thienzieyung   For 2010, consider the following for your next golf vacation:  Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, www.rtjgolf.com (800 949-4444), Play three consecutive days of golf on Alabama’s RTJ Trail and add a fourth day free (must be Monday-Thursday).  Experience your choice of the Trail’s 26 courses.  The Greenbrier, www.greenbrier.com/golfmagazine (800 453-4858), Set in the Allegheny Mountains, gaming in the Tavern Casino and enjoy shooting at the Gun Club with this GOLF MAGAZINE subscriber offer.  GolfPac Travel, www.golfpactravel.com (800 981-5829), Hammock Beach Golfaway-play the Ocean Course at Hammock Beach!  Book two rounds of golf and receive your third round at half price REF CODE: R-HABCB332.  Traditional Golf Properties, www.TraditionalGolfTrail.com (888 825-3436 ext 4), stay 3 nights and play 4 rounds of golf in March $279, April and/or May $329.

Tiger’s Cover Headlines

photo credit: David Boyle   Actual cover headlines since Tiger’s scandal began:  NEW YORK POST – “Cagey Tiger.”  DAILY MIRROR – “Tiger Woods Crash Horror.”  PEOPLE MAGAZINE – “Tiger in Trouble.”  US MAGAZINE “Yes He Cheated.”  DAILY NEWS – “Lust in the Woods.”  DAILY RECORD – “Tiger & the Porn Star.”  NEW YORK POST – “I’m a Cheetah.”  NATIONAL ENQUIRER – “Love Child & Sex Tape.”  DAILY NEWS – “Will Mrs. Woods Stay?”  DAILY NEWS – “Tiger Hides His Tale.”  NEW YORK POST – “Tiger’s Birdies.”  OK MAGAZINE – “My Side of the Story.”  DAILY NEWS – “Tiger Sliced.”  DAILY RECORD – “Tiger Row With Wife Lands Her Mum In Hospital.”  PEOPLE MAGAZINE – “Inside Her Ordeal.”  NEW YORK POST – “Tiger’s Green Fee’s.”  STAR MAGAZINE – “Tiger & Jessica.”  NEW YORK POST – “Tiger’s Back 9.”  DAILY NEWS – “Doctor No-No!”  NEW YORK POST – “Mistress: Tiger Paid Me.”

Thunder Bolt

photo credit: ab9kt   Tommy Bolt was known for his fierce, quick temper.  During the 1959 Memphis Open, Bolt was standing on the side of a green while his opponent was putting.  The gallery fell silent because of a loud sound of rolling thunder, the spectators began to laugh loudly.  They realized the “explosion” came from the pocket area of Bolt’s pants.

Bob Rossburg, players Committee Chairman tells it this way:  “As judge and jury of player behavior, I was obliged to defend the game’s honor.”  “Tom, you and I are good friends,” he said, “but we’ve had this report that you farted on the green.”  “Oh yeah,” Bolt said, “I just had to do it.”  “Tom, you can’t do that, not while a man is putting, you’re going to be fined.”  “Damn it!” Bolt said.  “You guys are trying to take all the color out of the game.”

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