Perform Better Golf Blog

I’ve worked on my golf swing for many, many years. To the point of being fanatic. I’ve taken lessons, bought training aids, including dvds, books, ebooks, and made sure I had equipment fitted for me.

One thing I hadn’t really thought of that was so obvious was the motion of the golf swing. I know it sounds so completely and utterly simple, but I had been studying the golf swing from the WRONG angle for all these years, and until I finally started looking at the swings of the tour professionals I was not getting where I want to be with my game.

That all changed in a single MINUTE!

To get the right impression of the golf swing, you’ve got to view it from the back, NOT the side. From the back, you really see how circular the swing is. That was my ah ha moment after all these years. I’ve spent years on my downswing, but with the WRONG motion. Always coming down, down and down, and not around.

Take a look at the image below. See the circle?

Figure 2 is the figure you need to pay attention to. NOT figure one.

Notice the swing plane? See how the club goes around the golfer? Now for some of you, you might feel like it goes DOWN, but that thought for me is not a good one. When I think around I hit the ball solid.

So next time you are working on your swing and you’re studying the pros, make sure to watch from all the different angles and not just one angle like I did for all those years.

Fantastic Golf Swing Improvement Resource

If you want to learn simple tips and techniques to quickly improve your golf swing power and consistency, take a look at the Full Golf Swing DVD.

We are on Week 9 of our 10 week golf swing transformation with Morrie. Morrie had a frustrating week of golf, but we got him straightened out, and his spirits are back up. We’re on my main blog here, and unfortunately it does not allow comments, but I know your thoughts are with us.

The course and the greens look kind of trashed, but for some reason the video is doing some of this. The greens are much better than the video shows. Do I sound like I’m defending my course <grin>?

The Power Golf Swing Trainer we had Morrie try turned out so good for him, that he bought one right here on the site, and here’s what he had to say about it:

“Mike let me try his Power Golf Swing Trainer the other day…..and wow! It keeps your triangle and right arm in tact all through the swing. I added imediate distance and I could get through the ball with out trying to steer it. I ordered one for my self!

Many of you have been following “Mondays With Morrie” I’m Morrie, and this simple comfortable trainer worked for me in just a few swings I could see the triangle. Check out
my next episode tomorrow….you’ll see some mighty powerful results.”

Golf instruction is becoming high tec to say the least. To get a video of your swing is one of the most helpful things you can do to really take a look at the “root cause” of your swing faults and mishits. So once you get this video of your golf swing, what should you do next?

You have several options to take the next step. You can book a couple of lessons from a golf professional to work on what you saw on the video. You can go out on your own and purchase a golf instruction book at your local bookstore, or you can get a golf swing instruction video to learn in the privacy of your own home, without stepping foot outside your front door.

Don’t waste your money on a video or book that does not help you with your particular need. There is a lot of garbage out there, and it is imperative you stay focused on your “end goal”, which is different and unique for every golfer out there.

I am a firm believer in finding out the “cause” of your swing fault, and not just looking for a band aide to quickly fix it (because band aide fixes aren’t long term). Getting that initial video of your golf swing is the first start, then diagnosing what mechanically is happening, then finally locating the cause of it.

The last thing is to find is a resource like our Full Golf Swing DVD that will help you correct any mechanical inefficiency and get you on the path to better, more enjoyable golf.

With this approach, you’ll be shocked at how easy and quickly you can fix a swing fault forever! No more struggling on the course. You’re just a short way from playing your best golf!

Want a great golf gift for your loved one, co-worker, even your boss?

I have come across what I know to be the most effective power golf swing trainer to hit the market in a LONG time, that will definitely increase your power and more importantly your driving distance.

Take a look below at how I use this everyday, and can outdrive anyone in my foursome easily.

This is the Perfect Connextion Power Golf Swing Trainer available at Perform Better Golf!

Golf instruction just got a lot easier. Taking golf lessons is critical, but if you don’t have the correct feeling for a connected golf swing, you’ll struggle indefinitely. This swing trainer gives you “instant feel.”

Senior golfers struggle with golf swing mechanics due to declining physical abilities. You have 2 choices. Improve your physical abilities with golf-specific conditioning, or use effective swing trainers like this one to quickly see improvement. The combination of both is best!

Golfers need to understand feel, and feel is learned, not taught!

For any holiday,  Christmas, Father’s Day, Valentine’s Day, and Birthday’s, this is a great golf gift!

Learning how to be better at golf is a lifelong mission for most of us. Peaks and valleys is commonplace. We all are addicted to the challenge of hitting a good shot, and once in a while hitting one that keeps us “coming back”.

Below is a list of golf improvement approaches that you can use independently or in combination to learn how to play better golf:

Golf Instruction

The golf swing requires certain movements that are not very natural, so golf swing instruction should be at the top of your list, especially if you’re a beginning golfer. Learning the fundamentals of golf is something every golfer needs and struggles with even as you improve.

Golf instruction can be through private one-on-one golf lessons. Group lessons (which are less expensive). Online instruction is becoming more and more popular. Golf instruction books. And golf instruction DVDs is another great alternative, that is much less costlier than private lessons.

Golf-Specific Fitness

I’m making this number 2 on the list, but easily could be a tie with number one, as many golfers, especially senior golfers have physical limitations that will not enable them to apply what they learn in their golf lessons, making improvement nearly impossible.

I am a firm believer that you are only capable of what your body can do in golf. In simpler terms, your body is keeping you from a better game. How many times have you told yourself you need a bigger backswing? Come on…be honest! What you are indirectly telling yourself, is your body can’t make a bigger backswing, and I’m telling you the ONLY way to improve it is with golf-specific stretching exercises specific to your backswing.

If you’re looking for longer drives, you need to improve your core strength and flexibility. This is the engine to your golf swing. When I talk about fitness, I’m not talking about going to a gym, and spending 2 grueling hours a day. I’m talking about doing, easy, fun and effective exercises right in your home with minimal equipment.

All you need is an exercise ball, exercise tubing (w/handles) and hand weights. That’s your entire golf fitness “in-home” gym. For under $50 you can have your own golf fitness gym, and start seeing results quickly.

If you need guidance on your golf fitness program, take a look at my Effortless Golf Swing Training System.

Golf Swing Training Aids

Another great option that can be very effective for specific swing faults is a golf swing training aid. There is a lot of garbage out there, and a few good pieces. The goal of any training aid is to ultimately make your swing better, but more specifically to help you correct YOUR personal swing fault.

This swing fault may be any number of them, such as a slice, top, thin, chunk, hook, pop up or any other ugly mishit that we all hate. There is only ONE training aid I think so highly of that I offer it on my site. The hinged golf club is an absolute gem of a training aid.

This club gives you INSTANT feedback as to the mistake you’re making in your golf swing. Whether it be a jerky takeaway, or an off plane swing, the hinge will break to show you it’s incorrect. Whether your tempo is off, or your swing plane, this training aid will get you corrected making a near perfect golf swing in no time!

I’ll be back later today, to finish this post, so stay tuned!

I’ve been watching the series on the Golf Channel Tee It Up With Tiger. Tiger and Anthony Kim talk about golf swing technique and how they approach the game. It was kind of fun to see Tiger so casual and how Anthony Kim doesn’t put too much thought into his game, but has so much talent.

Tiger was very humble and impressed with Anthony’s golf swing. Hitting all kinds of golf shots “on call” from Tiger was pretty impressive. Here’s a guy who chokes up on every club he swings, and still hits it a TON.

Tiger was mentioning how pure Anthony hits his irons and even driver. When you can make solid contact with the ball into a square clubface, the ball will go a long ways. Goes to show you it’s not always how fast you swing the club, but how solidly you hit the ball.

The game of golf, and the golf swing are evolving. The modern golf swing has become the ideal for most amateur golfers. With tour players like, Adam Scott, Aaron Baddeley, and now the emerging star Anthony Kim, you’ve got a level of golf that is nearly untouchable for 85% of the tour players. Even Tiger Woods has a run for his money.

Can any golfer emulate the modern swing? I’m not sure it’s possible, unless the golfer improves both golf specific flexibility and strength with golf swing exercises that allow them to make full shoulder turns with no tension.

For the senior golfer, the modern golf swing may not be attainable. The key to good golf as you get older is “swinging within yourself”. You’ve got two choices as the years go on. Accept your physical decline and make compensations in your swing, or buck the curve and start fixing the machine and watch your game go to a new level.

Anthony Kim had a phenomenal year in 2008 and I look for him to do even better in ‘09.

Look at Anthony’s impact position! Most amateur golfers could not get their bodies to do that. Have their hips this open at impact. The core strength and flexibility to do this, is way above average, and can ONLY happen with golf-specific training.

Talking about these young golfers does not mean that there is no hope as you get older. It just means you need to adjust your golf improvement approach to enjoy your golf for years to come. The best way is to create a program that slows the aging process, and helps you maintain (or improve) a level of golf specific fitness that enables you to make more of a modern golf swing.

A couple of days ago, I did an article on long hitter JB Holmes golf swing. What we found out is there is no perfect swing or one answer on how to increase driving distance, but with that being said, there are a couple of key things you can definitely work on to achieve longer drives.

Solid Ball Contact

You have got to hit the ball with a square clubface no matter what. It does not matter how hard or how fast you swing if you hit the ball with an open or closed clubface. So you could really plead a case that solid contact is near the top of the list for increased distance.

Inside Swing Path

Coming from the inside on your downswing will create a “top-spin” draw ball flight, so when it hits the ground it will release and roll an extra 10-30 yards depending on the fairway cut and dryness.

Golfers lose so much distance because they swing from outside-to-in, creating sidespin that goes against the air, and exactly loses distance, compared to a inside-to-out, draw swing.

Staying Behind The Ball At Impact

This is one I have to work on DAILY! But someone who did it better than most is Ben Hogan. Look at how he stays behind the ball at impact.

It is so critical to feel like you’re behind the ball at impact. Most of us get ahead of it and end up throwing the club at the ball, instead of driving through it and getting a full extension like the pro’s get. Staying behind it is the ONLY way to achieve that full extension and maximum power through impact.

Now…on to the BIGGIES!!

Increase Golf Swing Speed

Given you’ve been able to accomplish everything in this article, the next VERY important aspect of increasing driving distance is absolutely increasing golf swing speed.

One of the easiest ways to increase your swing speed is to swing a weighted golf club. Swing this weighted club at a higher, yet controlled rate of speed, and your golf club will feel like a feather next time you go out and play.

Get A Bigger Backswing

To hit longer drives, you need a maximum turn to the top of your backswing. Most senior golfers have lost their physical ability to make this full shoulder turn. The ONLY way to get it back, is to work on your flexibility and strength in your core area.

I’ve put together in instantly downloadable report with 5 simple golf swing training drills you can do that will quickly get you a bigger backswing and longer drives.

Click here to learn more!

Golfers want to know the “magic bullet” for a better golf swing. What if I told you the most important thing in golf swing theory was some simple tip that any golfer could apply and see results? I hate to tease you like that, but I can’t do that!

Nobody can! Doesn’t matter if you pay $30 for a lesson, or $500. You have physical issues that are different than the golfer standing next to you. What will work for him may not work for you.

The root cause of your swing faults can be linked to a physical limitation or just bad swing mechanics, due to a lack of understanding of the proper golf swing sequence. Learning the golf swing fundamentals is the first step in understanding the correct golf swing.

Grip, stance, ball position and posture could easily be considered the most important thing in your golf swing, as if they are wrong, you will have no chance at creating a repeatable and sound golf swing.

Once you get the fundamentals down, you should break your golf swing into parts, and completely learn these movements before you move onto the next part (phase).

One-Piece Takeaway

The initial move in your golf swing is your golf swing takeaway. Take the club back in one piece with the hands, arms, shoulders and club handle move together the first 2-3 feet. This will promote a repeatable golf swing with no additional moving parts, like a wrist break or lift of the clubhead too early.

9:00 O’clock Position

When your club gets parallel to the ground on your backswing, it must be also parallel to your target line, and the toe nearly facing towards the sky, but not quite. With the checkpoint, you are on plane and on your way to a solid golf swing.

Top Of Backswing

There are many different ways golfers get to the top, and based on your current physical restrictions, you’ll either get in the ideal position or something hopefully close to it. This position is a 90 degree shoulder turn, with a 45 degree hip turn; the club is again parallel to your target line; your right elbow is pointing down, not out; right knee has same flex in it as it did at address.

Golf Swing Transition

This could be considered a very important key to a good golf swing that you can repeat for 18 holes. Your golf swing transition should start from the ground up. Your weight moves from your back leg to the front. This is not a lateral slide, but there is a definite shift towards the target. The upper body is held back at this point for a split second.

9:00 O’clock Position

We’re back to the 9:00 O’clock position like in the backswing. And we should be in almost the identical spot. Club parallel to your target line; toe of the club facing nearly skyward; right knee kicking inward toward the golf ball; your weight is now 50/50 at this point.

Golf Impact Position

Some of the top pro’s when asked what the most important thing in the golf swing is will say IMPACT. That answer makes a lot of sense, because this is the ONLY time your club contacts the ball, and the result is what your golf ball will do.

Your golf impact position should be as similar to the pro’s as possible. Shoulders back to square (or slightly open); hips rotated open quite a bit; hands ahead of the ball (unless it’s your golf driver); descending blow into back of ball; weight is 80% on your left leg; clubface is square.

Golf Swing Follow-Through

Just past your impact is the 3:00 o’clock position in your follow through. In this position, it should mirror your 9:00 o’clock one. Your club shaft is parallel to your target line; the toe of the club is up; your hands have turned over because you’ve released your club through impact; your hips, chest and shoulders are now facing the target; and your weight is now 90% on your left side now.

Balanced Finish

If you’ve done everything right, you’ll be balanced and completely on your left leg. Everything is facing the target. Your arms are relaxed with your golf club resting over your left shoulder. You’ve just hit a great golf shot!

So given all of this, you make the decision as to what the most important thing in your golf swing is.

I just got done watching The Golf Channel’s Playing Lessons With The Pro’s. They had JB Holmes on it, so since I’m a big believer in the advantages of power in your golf swing, I watched it (Tivo of course).

Look at his address position above. A really strong grip with his left hand turned over the top of the club quite a bit. Also, notice his ball position. Off his left foot instead of the heel. This could be the camera angle, but I’ll bet it’s pretty accurate.

What I see immediately in his swing (this is with a golf driver) is the minimal wrist cock at the top of his golf swing. So many teaching pro’s advocate a full wrist cock for maximum power, but he’s proving them wrong isn’t he.

But…what he does do is a FULL shoulder turn with a restricted hip turn creating maximum torque in his core area. This is the engine to his golf swing, and creates a tremendous amount of golf swing speed.

Notice on the way down, JB has a tremendous rotation of his lower body. His teaching pro on the show mentioned this is his power in his golf swing. The aggressive move of his lower body starting his downswing. He mentioned on the show, he feels like he pull’s down from the top. No wrist release (casting) of the club.

Please take note, it is not a slide of his lower body, but a rotation. He quickly follows his hips with his core, chest and shoulders aggressively turning through impact.

One thing he mentioned that I thought was interesting, was his “hands getting ahead of the ball” even with a driver. I had never heard of that before. He says it gives him that whipping effect very late in the swing maximizing his clubhead speed through the ball and not before it. He also, said it delofts his clubs making the ball fly lower and run after ground contact.

I find it interesting to see all the different golf swings on tour and how any of us can find a tour player to emulate with our particular body structure.

If you are not a full wrist cock kind of golfer, JB Holmes might be a swing you’ll want to try.