My Grip Is Only As Good As My Setup

I had a great practice session today. It was the best I have struck the ball since I change my grip. If you have been following this blog you know that I am going through a grip change. And as with any change, it takes a while to put all the pieces together.

In a recent post I talked about an article I read in Golf Magazine, and how I used their methods as a model for my own grip. Swing Coach Mike read my post and pointed out a few things that I needed to do in my setup that would make the grip change truly effective. He had a few concerns with the pictures featured in the article and made a few suggestions. This is what he had to say...

I'll be interested to see how this grip change makes you look at setup, Dex. Just from what you described, your grip was definitely too strong. (As he said, that's a common problem for over-the-toppers.)

But if you're setting up like those Golf Magazine photos, I think you've gone too weak. Here's the problem: See how the butt of the club is pointing directly toward the bottom of the photo? See how the left wrist is bent? To return your wrists to that position at impact, you're going to have to flip the club head instead of leading it with your hands, which can cause you to hit thin or fat shots.

Remember the Walter Hagen post I did on December 30? Go to the 2nd video (the iron shot) and start the video, then immediately stop it. See how Hagen's shaft and his left forearm form a fairly straight line? Hagen set up that way because he intends to contact the ball in the same position.

This means his grip has to be a little stronger than the Golf Magazine photos -- otherwise, he'll leave the face open at impact unless he twists his forearms to square the club face. That's going to affect your accuracy in a bad way because it's hard to turn them the same amount each time.

Here's what I'd suggest -- and granted, this is without seeing your new setup -- take the grip as shown in the Golf Magazine photos, then straighten your left wrist so your shaft is in line with your left forearm. The face will probably be open now. Without changing your hand positions, turn the club in your hands so the club face is square to your target again. You should get more solid contact without affecting your accuracy as much.

I immediately watched the video of The Haig and then grab a golf club and set my shaft to the angle of my left arm the way he did. Mike pointed out that this is the same position I want to be in at impact, so it makes sense to start the swing in this position. I understood the logic, but at the time, it felt like a lot of shaft lean. I told Mike about this and he retorted with this...

You said it seems like a lot of shaft lean. It is... if you're only thinking one-dimensionally. ;-)

Yeah, that sounds funny. Here's what I mean: You're thinking about your ball position on the straight line running back from the target:

|>>
|
|
o--------------------- a -------- b -------

where "a" is your original ball position and "b" is where it would be after you straighten your left wrist ala Hagen.

What you're forgetting is that you can stand farther away from the target line and the ball.

1) Put the ball in your original setup position, and take your original setup.

2) Set your left wrist so the shaft and your left forearm form a straight line. The club head is farther behind the ball, correct?

3) Now, don't move toward or away from the target (that is, parallel to the target line). Instead, back away from the ball (perpendicular to the target line) and lift your arms just enough to keep the shaft / forearm line. You probably won't have to move back more than two or three inches, but you can leave the ball in the same position on the target line that it was before.

This may make your one-piece takeaway easier as well. Your swing will feel like it's more around you. And you keep the "straight line," so you hit the ball more solidly. Try that and see how it feels.

Again, I grab my wedge, and practiced the motion in my living room. Mike was right. It did feel like I was swinging around my body more. As I practiced, I realized that this tip allowed me to make a better shoulder turn to where my back was facing the target at the top of my backswing. Which helps to generate more club head speed, and as a result, should mean more distance.

My last concern had to do with balance. As I moved away from the ball as Mike instructed, I felt like I was leaning too far forward. I asked Mike for the fix, and he gave me some suggestions, but as I thought about it, all had to do was move back a little closer to the ball. Another example of an amateur trying to make the game more difficult than it has to be.

Mike gave me some great stuff to work on. I hope that it will help you as well. The only way to find out is if you give it a try. For those of you who can not play due to weather, these are a few swing thoughts you can work on in your living room. By the time season hits again, you will be a few steps ahead of the rest of the field. Have a great round and always hit your target.

*Start the video and then immediately stop it. Notice Hagen's shaft at address. It is just about in line with his left arm. If it's good enough for Hagen, it's good enough for me:-D


Golf setup picture found here.

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Taking My New Kodak Playsport ZX3 Digital Camera Out For A Test Run

Merry late Christmas to me:-) I purchased the Kodak Playsport ZX3 Digital Camera a few days ago and I am so excited to use it. If you have been following this blog, you know that I have been working with Mike Southern on improving my swing. Everything that we have worked on has been basically based on our written word. Fortunate for me, Mike seems to be a master at deciphering what I am describing about my swing and giving me the proper instruction.

All that has changed now. I will now be able to film my swing so that he can analyze, criticize, and maybe, sometimes even agonize over the quality of my swing. I do not have a tripod yet but plan on buying one within the next few days. Then we can get down to work and make some big improvements during 2011.

I took the Playsport out for a test run today. It handles very well and is easy to use. Nothing complicated about this one, but the quality is excellent. It has a slow motion feature which will allow my swing to be broken down frame by frame. No more hiding behind these post. Everything will be exposed.

This camera is no bigger than most cell phones and fits easily in my pocket. I can take still pictures with as well, so I will be using it for everything. My fiancee likes to hike, so when I move to Arizona, the camera will help capture many memories.

The coolest feature of the Playsport is that you can film underwater to a depth of ten feet. I have not tried mine underwater yet but Youtube has a bunch of videos of people using their Playsport submerged in water. I look forward to using my camera the next time I go snorkeling. The picture is so clear, it makes the user look like a professional.

The following video is my test run from today. As soon as I buy a tripod, I will be sharing more videos. I am a little nervous about showing the world my swing, but hopefully you will be able to learn from my mistakes and improve your game as well. I believe that sometimes you have to stick your neck out to achieve greatness. I might embarrass myself but it will make me better. Have a great round and always hit your target.



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What A Difference A "Grip" Makes

In my last post I talked about changing my grip. It has helped my ball striking tremendously. I just got back in from practicing and I have to say that I am very pleased. The way one holds the golf club really makes a huge difference. Those Golf Magazine guys might be on to something.

As expected, it took some getting used to when I first got out there, but after a while I started to see improvement. I hit 7-iron today and used my other club as an alignment aide to have one less thing to think about.

My shots were a lot more solid and online with the intended target. As I got more and more comfortable with the new grip, I began to hit a soft little draw. This means I am swinging more from the inside. What a beautiful sight.

When I switched over to my 52 degree gap wedge, I struggled a little bit. I hit a lot of shot right of my target at first. Then I remembered how Larry had me trying to pull hook the ball on purpose. Once I started turning my right arm over my left during the follow through, my shots improved.

The grip is truly the foundation of the golf swing. It all starts from there. My old grip forced me to take the club to the inside on my back swing, causing my infamous loop, which was an attempt to get back on the proper swing plane. The proper grip allows me to swing freely along the proper swing plane throughout the entire process. No adjustments are needed.

Another little adjustment that makes a huge difference. Golf truly is a game of inches and subtleties. Have a great round and always hit your target.



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Trying To Get A Grip On My Swing

I have been fidgety with my grip lately. As I am standing over a shot, I feel very uncomfortable. Sometimes I have to step off a shot because I grip my club, re-grip again, and then re-grip again. I fear that I have come down with a case of Sergio Garcia syndrome. Garcia went through a period in his a career in which he would re-grip it so much, the fans took notice, and even heckled him at one U.S. Open.

I began searching Youtube for grip lessons, but that proved useless, because it seems as if every teacher has their own philosophy as to why their grip is the best. As it turned out, a day after I set out to find the perfect grip, Golf Magazine did a special on proper grip technique for their January issue. An answer to prayer.

On the same day that I received my latest issue, I went out to my laboratory and started working on my grip. One of the guys that I see out there all the time was walking by and he said, "Nice swing. The only thing that bothers me about it, is your grip. Hi, my name is Larry." Hmmm...Here we go again. Someone trying to fix my swing.

Normally, I tune people out who try to give me advice about my swing. In my last post you met Coach Terry Crick, and you might remember that his favorite saying is, "Amateurs teach amateurs to play golf like amateurs." I am very hesitant to listen to anyone who claims to have the "magic fix", but since my grip is exactly what I am struggling with, and the fact that he recognized that just by looking at my swing, I allowed him to go on.

Larry pointed out that my left hand was rotated to far to the right. I thought my grip was okay because I heard that I should be able to see the two knuckles of my index and middle finger. He said, "Exactly, but your perspective is all messed up." He took his club and gripped it like I did and asked me what I saw. I was surprised. What I saw was four knuckles.

From my perspective it looked like two knuckles, but when I looked at it from Larry's perspective, I could see what he saw. A poor grip. He rotated my left hand to the left and put my right hand in more of a neutral position. I had a very weak grip.

It took some time to get used to this hand position, which I can understand. I had never held the club like this before, so of course it would feel a little foreign at first. I told him that it felt like my right hand was too far underneath the club on my downswing. He said, "Exactly. This grip promotes more of an inside to out swing path. It will help get rid of going over that top."

Larry had me hit some shots trying purposely to hook the ball to the left. He said that with my old grip I was probably forced to "hold off" my swing so that the club would not be closed at impact. Now that I am swinging from the inside, I don't have to hold the club off. After a while, I started hitting some draw shots. Something that I never experienced before.

I think this little lesson, coupled with what Mike has been teaching me, will help take me to the next level. The one-piece takeaway that Mike introduced me to feels a little smoother now. I used to hit good shots, but I was still lacking consistency. Mike, being a "virtual instructor", never had a chance to get a close look at my grip. I am sure that he would have pointed it out right away. I plan on getting some new footage for Mike to look at in the near future so that he can evaluate my progress thus far.

The following pictures are from the Golf Magazine article. The last two pictures are a great teaching tool that anyone can use. Check out the article so that you can read the description that coincides with each step for yourself. Hopefully it will help you get a grip on this game as well. Have a great round and always hit your target.

Read the Golf Magazine article here.

Step 1: Placing the handle

Step 2: Securing your left hand

Step 3: Setting your left thumb

Step 4: Positioning your right hand

Step 5: Securing your right hand

Step 6: Setting your right thumb

What your grip should look like

Try this!

Same position every time

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Terry Crick Says, "Amateurs Teach Amateurs To Play Golf Like Amateurs"

I had the pleasure of writing a guest post for one of my favorite golf blogs to visit, My PGA Golf Coach published by Coach Terry Crick. Coach Terry has a passion for teaching amateurs to play golf the right way. I love his enthusiasm. You get the sense that one of his main missions is life is teaching proper fundamentals to the amateur golfer. Coach Terry knows that amateurs will have more fun on the golf course when we score better and the only way to do that is learning the basics.

Coach Terry's favorite thing to say is, "Amateurs teach amateurs to play golf like amateurs." I agree. when I first started playing golf, my friends tried to teach me how to swing. The problem was that they had no idea what they were doing either so all I was getting was bad advice. All I learned was how to copy their mistakes.

It is important to get professional help when it come to golf. Golf can be such a technical game if you make it so, but if you find someone who can make it easy to understand then you are on your way to a better golf swing.

Coach Terry's teaching methods are very easy to understand and apply. He keeps all his instruction light and filled with excitement. I can tell that there is never a dull moment with him and his love for the game resonates with anyone he comes in contact with.

I encourage you to seek out your local PGA professional. Once you find someone you can connect with, the game will become so much easier, and thus more enjoyable. Be sure to check out Coach Terry Crick on a regular basis. Quality golf instruction is only a click away. Have a great round and always hit your target.



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Wishing You Happy Holidays, And Many Made Birdie Putts

Happy Holidays!!! Hope your stockings are full of pars, birdies, and lots of made putts:-) Have a great round and always hit you target.



This monster putt must have been on Dave Pelz's wish list:-)



Santa putting found here.

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Finally... A Working Laptop, Some Warm Weather, And Focusing On My Pre-Shot Routine

I haven't been able to post for a little while due to the fact that I was having trouble with my laptop. At the same time we experienced some cold weather over the past two weeks in South Florida. We got as low as 30 degrees one night last week. I had to really motivate myself to get out and practice.

South Floridians are spoiled when it comes to weather and year around playing conditions. If it gets too cold, it is easy for us say,"I'll take today off. It will be warmer tomorrow." We have the luxury of knowing that in the near future, the sun will be out again, and we will be treated to perfect conditions.

After reading this post by Heather from Real Women Golf , I just didn't feel right sitting at home because of a little cold weather. The rest of the country isn't as lucky as I am. I am sure some of you have faced similar conditions as the folks in the above picture. Nothing will stop some of you from getting a few hacks in.

I often read others golf blogger's posts as they count down the days until they can play golf again. This is something that is foreign to me as I have lived in Miami for the past 15 years and am moving to Arizona to be with my future wife in a few months. From warm to warmer right?

As I was practicing, I soon realized that I was going to have to be more focused in order to hit quality shots. Golf instructors always say that it is important to be comfortable before you take your swing. When the wind is howling and your hands begin to get cold, it definitely becomes harder to concentrate.

To help with concentration, I focused on my pre-shot routine, which, as my virtual mental coach David MacKenzie says, "...enables us to go into a concentration zone on demand, during our rounds and practice." He goes on to say, "Most negative interferences in the execution of a shot happen before we start the back swing. The routine takes us away from potentially negative thoughts and reminds us to be in a positive state of mind."

Going back to a familiar place makes a huge difference before hitting a shot. At the beginning of my practice session, I was distracted by the cold and my shots were all over the place. I was focused on staying warm rather than making a good swing. As soon as I reverted back to my normal pre-shot routine, my shots began to improve. Instead of focusing on the elements, I was able to put myself in a comfortable, familiar state of mind from which good shots are the result.

I will talk more about my pre-shot routine in some upcoming posts. After watching a few Sam Snead videos I having been working on some things that I think are helping my swing. The important thing about the pre-shot routine is to find something that works for you. Yours should fit your style of play and personality.

It's good to be back on my laptop writing about my experiences on the golf course. It also feels good to have the warm weather back for now. For those of you who can't play because of the weather, you can live vicariously through me. I promise not to be a wimp and to practice even if the conditions aren't ideal. I know that if you had the opportunity you would too because you love this game as much as I do. Stay warm fellow hackers.

Have a great round and always hit your target.

Cold Golfer Photo From World Golf Emporium.
Stay Focused Image Found Here.



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Jim Furyk Named 2010 PGA Player Of The Year

In a recent post we explored the hip movement of Jim Furyk. I don't know how good a dancer he is, but his hip action through impact is one that is said to be "the envy of many pro tour players." Despite his unconventional swing, Furyk turned in the most consistent season of any golfer on tour and was named player of the year.

Furyk had already won the Fed-Ex Cup Championship. He took home three tournaments winning the Transitions Championship, The Verizon Heritage, and finally the Tour Championship. These wins along with 7 top ten finishes secured his place as the points leader at the end of the year.

Most instructors would never encourage their students to emulate Furyk's swing, but I'm sure they do point out the work ethic that Furyk demonstrates. Tonight on Golf Central, Brandel Chamblee told a story of being paired with Furyk back in 1994, which was Furyk's rookie year. Chamblee was taken aback by this ugly swing but quickly found out that the ugly swing produced beautiful shots. More importantly, Chamblee found out how hard Furyk worked on his golf game.

Furyk's swing is basically self taught. The only instructor he has ever had is his father Mike who spent time as head pro at Uniontown Country Club near Pittsburgh. It is said that there are few players on tour who put in the work that Furyk does, and it is quite evident when he plays. He will step up to a putt, and then back off. Then he will step up to a putt, and if he's not comfortable he will back off again. He leaves no stone unturned in preparation for his next shot.

Being named player of the year has started conversation that he may be approaching Hall Of Fame status. He already has a major, sixteen wins, and a Fed-Ex Cup Championship. With another major, he should be a lock to be inducted. Looking at his swing, you would never think so, but Furyk has certainly made myself and many others a believer. Well done Jim.

Have a great round and always hit your target.





Jim Furyk photo found here.

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