POMONA, N.Y. (March 16, 2006) -- Every day you sit and stare out the window watching for the first verdant glimpses of spring. You can’t wait, but you feel that nagging itch of uncertainty threatening. As you prepare yourself mentally for that first climb to the first tee of the season, you need not fear. Some of the top, teaching professionals in the area offer their help. Here are some tips from Empire Golf Management to help get your game up to speed:
Spring Checklist – Sean Toohey, Head Golf Professional,
New Jersey National Golf Club, Basking Ridge, NJ
The clubs have been sitting quietly in the garage all winter waiting for spring, but before you grab them and go, take inventory. First, you want to check those grips. If you see worn spots where your thumbs rest, it may be time for some new ones. If they are still in good shape, you should give them a good rubdown with hot soapy water and a sponge to remove any dirt or oily residue. They will feel like new when you are done.
Second, make sure you have all the little things that are going to make the round go smoothly. Do you have a ball mark repair tool, ball marks, tees, golf balls (no need to store your entire collection in your bag), a glove, the Rules of Golf, a towel and an extra pencil? Having these items will make that first round more enjoyable for you and your group.
Now that the bag is ready, get yourself ready. It’s a good idea to start simple and slow. I know you haven’t ripped a driver down the center in a while and you’re dying to do it, but let’s start with the short stuff. Your full swing will come back much more quickly than your short game, so spend time getting your feel back with short chips and putts.
After some time on the short game, go to the range, stretch and try hitting solid seventy-five yard pitch shots. You are probably saying, “When do I get to swing away?” Trust me, if you start simple and slow, your game will take shape faster than if you go straight for the driver. Take a day or two focusing on these things and your season will get started on the right spike.
What Would Jack Do? - Jay Bowden, Head Golf Professional,
Pine Hill Golf Club, Pine Hill, NJ
As we get closer to the golf season and the azaleas begin to bloom at Augusta National, you need to decide if you are ready for the season or work still remains to make this year better than last. Let’s look at a few things you could work on to help your cause.
First, ask the guys in your foursome if they have noticed anything unusual in your swing. One thing about golfers- they are always willing to give advice. This could give you a good starting point, but you need to take these tips with a grain of salt (unless your regular foursome includes “The Golden Bear’).
All kidding aside, I believe Jack Nicklaus can provide some insight into good early season preparation. Each year at the beginning of the season Jack would visit his old teacher, PGA professional Jack Grout, for a few hours. They would review and work on some of the basics like grip, stance, posture and swing.
My recommendation would be that if you really want to start the season off correctly, do what Jack did and go see your PGA golf professional. They will help get you started off on the right foot. In the twenty years that I have been teaching golf, I have spent a lot of time fixing and adjusting some of those well-intentioned tips that spouses and friends felt compelled to share. If you want to do it right, seek out your pro.
Consistent Chipping – Mike Yevchak, Head Golf Professional,
Pine Barrens Golf Club, Jackson, NJ
An efficient short game is always important, but particularly early in the season when approaches might not be consistently stiff. Miss a few greens and you will want to have a solid chipping routine. In order to chip consistently, you need to pay close attention to your set up and contact.
With the correct set-up, you are in a position to quickly develop feel for the distance and line of the shot. With incorrect set-up, you have virtually no chance of making repetitively accurate shots.
Your weight should be placed primarily on your left foot with your hands ahead of the ball. By doing this you promote club acceleration through the ball with a descending blow. The ball should be positioned no farther forward than the middle of your stance. This forces your left hand to lead through the stroke.
You should align your feet slightly open (left of target for the right-handed golfer) to the target so that you can feel free to swing toward the target with a firm wrist. Hips and feet are slightly open with shoulders parallel to the intended target line.
Once you have a proper set-up, the chipping stroke brushes across the grass under the ball. The loft of the club lifts the ball into the air carrying it onto the green where it rolls like a putt to the hole. This is an arms only stroke with the hands staying ahead of the club head. The hands and body play no part in a well-executed chip.
A good way to visualize the shot is to think of it as a putt with a lofted club. How much loft is needed depends on how far the ball needs to carry before reaching the green. It always pays to take a practice stroke first to get the feel for the right stroke and for distance. Make sure that you believe in the stroke, and execute.
Speed Trap- Sean Callanan, Head Golf Professional,
Minisceongo Golf Club, Pomona, NY
One of the biggest traps that golfers fall into is the overswing. Too much Tiger TV has many golfers swinging with delusions of grandeur. Yeah, it looks cool when you see a 340-yard bomb bounding down the fairway, but Woods made $80 million last year doing that. You didn’t.
That being said, distance is an increasingly important aspect of the game. You just have to go about achieving it the right way. In softball it might be effective to swing with all your might. In golf it is suicide to do so. Distance is generated by controlled force, not brute force.
Start by making some slow motion swings. Focus on the flow of the swing. These practice swings should be done with intent, not just as a matter of going through the motions. Check your plane and posture throughout the swing.
Steadily increase the velocity of your swing by relaxing and extending the club. Make sure that you remain focused on the sensation of flow. Your grip should stay relaxed and your swing should feel fluid and controlled. The moment you feel a clenching of the muscles in your hands and forearms, slow it back down. Try to keep your body quiet. Continue this drill until you are taking full, controlled swings.
Remember these words of wisdom- swing faster, not harder. Think smooth and fast, not hard and jerky. It is great to hit the long ball, but 250 yards down the center will beat 300 yards in the trees any day of the week.
Empire Golf Management – Changing the face of golf in New York and New Jersey. A ten year-old subsidiary of Bergstol Enterprises, Empire Golf Management is responsible for the financing, development, managing, merchandising, and day-to-day supervision of the eight golf clubs within the Empire Golf Management portfolio. With superb layouts and championship course conditions, Empire aims to provide an excellent golf experience to Members and guests alike. Empire’s ‘Club Max USA’ Program offers golfers the experience of being a Member at a variety of courses for the price of one. Empire Golf Management is located in Pomona, NY; (845) 362-9146 (www.empiregolfmanagement.com).
CONTACT:
Barbara Murphy or Tim Reihm
Smith O’Keefe and Associates
800.222.0461 ext. 101 or 114
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