There is probably more information on the grip than any other single issue in the golf swing. Although many different grip types can be effective, one issue that affects consistency and control more than any other is grip pressure. Not just too tight/too loose grip pressure, but changes in grip pressure during the swing. I see many people who will white knuckle the grip at address and then let go of the club at the top of their backswing and re-grip the club on the downswing. Consequences of this action include club twisting, blistering hands, ball striking inconsistencies and a general feeling of a lack of control over the club.
There are 2 ways to remedy these grip pressure problems.
1) FINDING THE CORRECT GRIP PRESSURE: This is easier than you think, but it does require going to the driving range and experimenting. The question you should ask is how tight is just right? But how do you know how tight is too tight and how loose is too loose? This is where you need to experiment. Get a bucket or 2 of balls and get loosened up. Now take 5 balls and hit them with the tightest grip pressure you can muster (100%). Now do the same using the lightest pressure that you can still control the club with (15%). Now work your way toward the middle....go to 70%, 30% and finish with 50%. While you are doing this activity use a club you are comfortable hitting and don't try anything else. Just hit balls and focus on the pressure exerted by your hands. Now notice your contact with the ball, control of the club and your shots; the more ideal pressure will result in better shots and swing comfort. Go back if you have to and do it again....as you do this you will start to see patterns developing. I have done this with students many times and it is amazing how different a golfer's shots and comfort level can be once the "correct" grip pressure is found. Beleive it or not some people do better with really tight pressure or really loose pressure (not the pressure recommended by instructional books). Why? Everyone's physiology is different. Once you find your ideal pressure, your level of effort and your contact improves immediately. When your grip pressure is not ideal the result is inconsistent control, erradic contact and the swing feels like "work". Make a mental note of your best pressure and make an effort reinforce the pressure with practice. Reinforce the pressure on the course by incorporating this awareness exercise in your pre-shot routine. When you address the ball take your grip and squeeze as tightly as possible....then back off the pressure until you reach your ideal, then take your swing.
2) REMOVING THE TENDENCY TO LET GO OF THE CLUB DURING THE SWING: Many more golfers do this than people think....not just beginners, but I have seen it with golfers who have played for many years. The most typical problem is when the golfer lets go with the "pinkie" finger of the top hand (left hand on the right handed golfer) on the club at the top of the backswing. Then when the swing is finished and golfer brings the club back to center the head is twisted. A great way to check and fix this problem is to put a golf tee just under the "pinkie" finger (or where ever you are letting go of the club, put the tee under that part of the hand). Your goal is to keep the tee under your finger(s) throughout the swing without over-squeezing in the process. If the tee drops out, then you let the finger loose. I have had people practice with a tee under the hand, and I have even had them play with the tee under the hand until they no longer have problem letting go of the club.
REMEMBER: For anything to become properly incorporated into the swing, you must have anextended committment over time for it to become habit. Some call this the 'rule of 21'.21 sessions (whether practice for 10 minutes or more or play a round of golf, each is considered 1 session) focused onthe activity to incorporate into the swing.
The 2 aforementioned drills should be done at least twice (once at the beginning of the season and once well into the season) a year just to check to insure that you have full control of the club with proper pressure.
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Lessons for Kids---When to start your child or grandchild.
Every year I get this question: What age do I get lessons for my child? The short answer is to let your child try hitting balls without instruction at first. When they are ready for instructional help, they will ask. At that time get them lessons.
This is the long answer: There is no specific age to start everyone with lessons. My opinion is that everyone goes thru stages in golf as in life. The best time to get lessons for kids is at the end of stage one (see golf stages below). Your child has tried hitting balls on the range and/or golf course. They have gotten to the point where they want to have a better quality of shot and they ask for help. Now they are ready to receive instruction. If you enroll your child in a golf camp or lessons before they are through stage one they will not be ready to receive instruction (i.e. they won't listen).
The exception to this rule is if the child specifically asks for lessons in advance of picking up a club (this is rare for kids and most adults as well).
Stage 1: GOLF IS A "HIT"(a.k.a. the curiosity stage): The person's interest is in just making contact with the ball without regard to where the ball goes...only that it goes somewhere. For some this experimental phase is enough to last them a long time. At some point the person gets bored and they either quit hitting (we won't call it golf at this point) or they ask for help.
Stage 2: LEARNING THE TOOLS OF THE GAME: At this stage the person is tired of just swinging and wants to have more control and consistency over where the ball goes. Even if they only have a little success with one club in this stage it is enough to help them to start "spreading their wings" and developing rudimentary golf skills that will help eventually carry them to the golf course.
Stage 3: LEARNING TO PLAY GOLF: Making contact with the ball now is not the formost concern for this person. They have enough skills however raw, to make the ball move forward on a regular basis. Now they must learn how to apply their skills toward playing the game of golf. They learn that sometimes an ugly shot gets a great result and a pretty shot does not always end up in the best place. The final part of this stage is having enough golf skills to be able to keep score without having to pick up and move the ball forward at some point to complete a difficult hole.
Stage 4: REFINING THE GOLF SKILLS & PLAYING SKILLS: The golfer begins to hone his or her skills and become more efficient in applying and executing those skills on the course. Score becomes more important as a measure of success in golf and there is a greater level of expectation for the outcome of certain shots.
Stage 5: MASTERING SHOTS & COMPETITIVE SCORING: For the golfers in this stage solid, consistent contact with each shot is a forgone conclusion. Golfers at this stage are approaching par for their 18 hole scores and are looking for maximum efficiency on the course.
For any lesson to have a chance for success, the person (either child or adult) must be readyto receive the instruction. They have to have an attitude of openess toward help and trying something new.
This is the long answer: There is no specific age to start everyone with lessons. My opinion is that everyone goes thru stages in golf as in life. The best time to get lessons for kids is at the end of stage one (see golf stages below). Your child has tried hitting balls on the range and/or golf course. They have gotten to the point where they want to have a better quality of shot and they ask for help. Now they are ready to receive instruction. If you enroll your child in a golf camp or lessons before they are through stage one they will not be ready to receive instruction (i.e. they won't listen).
The exception to this rule is if the child specifically asks for lessons in advance of picking up a club (this is rare for kids and most adults as well).
Stage 1: GOLF IS A "HIT"(a.k.a. the curiosity stage): The person's interest is in just making contact with the ball without regard to where the ball goes...only that it goes somewhere. For some this experimental phase is enough to last them a long time. At some point the person gets bored and they either quit hitting (we won't call it golf at this point) or they ask for help.
Stage 2: LEARNING THE TOOLS OF THE GAME: At this stage the person is tired of just swinging and wants to have more control and consistency over where the ball goes. Even if they only have a little success with one club in this stage it is enough to help them to start "spreading their wings" and developing rudimentary golf skills that will help eventually carry them to the golf course.
Stage 3: LEARNING TO PLAY GOLF: Making contact with the ball now is not the formost concern for this person. They have enough skills however raw, to make the ball move forward on a regular basis. Now they must learn how to apply their skills toward playing the game of golf. They learn that sometimes an ugly shot gets a great result and a pretty shot does not always end up in the best place. The final part of this stage is having enough golf skills to be able to keep score without having to pick up and move the ball forward at some point to complete a difficult hole.
Stage 4: REFINING THE GOLF SKILLS & PLAYING SKILLS: The golfer begins to hone his or her skills and become more efficient in applying and executing those skills on the course. Score becomes more important as a measure of success in golf and there is a greater level of expectation for the outcome of certain shots.
Stage 5: MASTERING SHOTS & COMPETITIVE SCORING: For the golfers in this stage solid, consistent contact with each shot is a forgone conclusion. Golfers at this stage are approaching par for their 18 hole scores and are looking for maximum efficiency on the course.
For any lesson to have a chance for success, the person (either child or adult) must be readyto receive the instruction. They have to have an attitude of openess toward help and trying something new.
Monday, December 24, 2007
Introduction to GairsGolfBlog
Hello and fore(!) to all golfers and future golfers!
Do you love golf? Or are you intrigued and would like to learn more about this great game we call golf? Well, you've come to the right place!!!
My name is Gary Winters and I love golf as much as you do! I am a PGA professional whose been involved in the game for almost 30 years in some capacity either as a player or working in the business of golf. The game to me is most importantly about the fellowship we develop with other golfers, the courses we play, and memories we have of our experiences in the game.
I live in Northeast Kansas and own a driving range called Tee It Up. I have a small shop called Gair's Golf Shop that I do all the "traditional" golf pro stuff. I do my very best to help people with their game thru both traditional and modern(digital video) instruction. I also work with their equipment thru repairs and re-furbishment. And finally I fit, adjust and construct equipment to specifically fit all who come to Gair's Golf Shop at Tee It Up Driving Range. My hopes and goals for this site are to give all who come here something they can use in their life's journey in this great game o'golf.
Much of what I submit here are experiences, observations and common questions that I have had over the years and every day at my shop. My intention is to have specific articles to help each level of golfer as well as equipment, equipment maintenance, club fitting articles and more. It will take a while to transpose all the information I've accumulated over the years, so I ask that you please be patient and come back to this site on a regular basis to see the updates.
If you want to contact me directly for any questions or to just talk golf, here is my contact information.
Gary Winters
PGA Professional
Gairs Golf Shop Inc.
Tee It Up Driving Range
785-554-9249
gairsgolfshop@gmail.com
Do you love golf? Or are you intrigued and would like to learn more about this great game we call golf? Well, you've come to the right place!!!
My name is Gary Winters and I love golf as much as you do! I am a PGA professional whose been involved in the game for almost 30 years in some capacity either as a player or working in the business of golf. The game to me is most importantly about the fellowship we develop with other golfers, the courses we play, and memories we have of our experiences in the game.
I live in Northeast Kansas and own a driving range called Tee It Up. I have a small shop called Gair's Golf Shop that I do all the "traditional" golf pro stuff. I do my very best to help people with their game thru both traditional and modern(digital video) instruction. I also work with their equipment thru repairs and re-furbishment. And finally I fit, adjust and construct equipment to specifically fit all who come to Gair's Golf Shop at Tee It Up Driving Range. My hopes and goals for this site are to give all who come here something they can use in their life's journey in this great game o'golf.
Much of what I submit here are experiences, observations and common questions that I have had over the years and every day at my shop. My intention is to have specific articles to help each level of golfer as well as equipment, equipment maintenance, club fitting articles and more. It will take a while to transpose all the information I've accumulated over the years, so I ask that you please be patient and come back to this site on a regular basis to see the updates.
If you want to contact me directly for any questions or to just talk golf, here is my contact information.
Gary Winters
PGA Professional
Gairs Golf Shop Inc.
Tee It Up Driving Range
785-554-9249
gairsgolfshop@gmail.com
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