2013 US Open Champ: Justin Rose
As much as I didn’t want to see Phil lose the US Open, I was really thrilled to have Justin Rose become our National Champion.
I just love these photos of Justin Rose (see above) hauling around his US Open trophy the next day in NYC while doing his whirlwind promotional tour there.
From what I have heard, there really does not seem to be a more decent, likable, hardworking and more talented golfer as Justin Rose.
I mean that 229 yard 4-iron into the 18th at Merion! talk about pure! Man, I could watch that over and over again (and probably should!) He has one of the smoothest swings on the PGA Tour by far.
As one of the commentators mentioned in the telecast a lot of the other players (who were in contention) need the trophy more than Phil does. For Phil it would have been a nice addition to his mantle but to have someone win his first major, that’s pretty cool because it’s life changing for them.
So many opportunities (both financial and otherwise) become available and now that Rose in the US Open 2013 winner I could not think of a better representative of the game than him.
I wanted to find out a bit more about “Rosey” so I collected a few links below that I hope you enjoy.
Justin Rose Profile
A PDF Trackman Report of JR’s swing session
Check out Justin’s web site – on this page if you look under “Team Rose” you can see his mental coach, fitness coach and more.
Justin Rose reveals fitness secrets
Top Image: courtesy of the PGA Tour
America’s Greatest Golf Tournament
My apologies to anyone I’ve offended by the title of this piece. Seems you can’t say much these days without getting someones Plus 4′s in a knot. All you who love the Masters, I ask your indulgence as well. Augusta is a beautiful course and a tournament that prepares and presents itself second to none.
HOWEVER, the U.S. Open is this country’s greatest golf tournament.
It’s OPEN, meaning anyone who’s good enough and qualifies can play. That’s the American way – dream it and we’ll give you a chance to make it happen if you’re good enough. The field in the PGA Championship is better if you look at the world rankings of the players. However, an Open, either the US or British, is more in tune with the spirit of golf by letting anyone play their way in. And that’s what it’s about.
The Opens are played on different courses every year which separates them from championships that play the same course, like Augusta. There are courses for horses as the saying goes. To win a lot at Augusta, the course has to suit your game. To win a lot of Opens you have to be able to play a vast array of courses requiring different strengths in your game.
Lastly, the Open has history on it’s side. Individual courses certainly have their own interesting history, maybe none richer than Augusta, but the Open encompasses all of U.S. golfing history. The Scots get credit for inventing the modern game, making the rules and showing the rest of the world its enduring beauty. But, it was the United States that picked up the baton from Scotland and built the game in the 20th century. When the U.S. Open visits old classic venues like Merion, that rich history takes front and center. The Jones’ Grand Slam, Hogan 1 iron plaque and Trevino snake add a cache to a U.S. Open that more modern courses won’t have for another 50 years.
When you talk Open, immediately the greatest names in golf are resurrected while we revisit the stories that will continue to define our sport for centuries. I hope the networks give us the kind of shots of the course that let TV viewers appreciate the beauty and craft that old courses like Merion so proudly display. Look closely and you’ll find features eerily familiar to some on your favorite course. It will be great if Merion dries out by the weekend. But, even if it doesn’t, this is the best golf tournament we have in this country and a true champion will win it.
How to Achieve a Proper Release in the Golf Swing
Properly releasing the golf club in the swing is a very important (but often misunderstood) key to a consistent and powerful golf swing. Here’s a few thoughts that might help.
Where the confusion comes in (I believe) is that many believe this to be a rolling or snapping of the wrists. Well, yes and no. It’s not “really” a roll it’s more of an extended release.
I first want to take a look at the optimal position of the club face and hands as the club is being released.
It’s something to certainly be aware of and you need to somehow “feel” it. A good drill (see above image) is to take your 8 iron and do the “split grip” drill where your top hand is at the top of club and your bottom hand is about 8 inches or so below it. Now swing until the club is parallel to the ground and swing through until it’s parallel on the other side.
You almost automatically feel more control of the club head and less “twitching/flicking” of the hands and wrists. That will really help give you a feeling of solidness through the hitting zone. It’s something I learned from David Leadbetter and have used for years when I think I’m becoming too “handsy.”
Another way you can feel this position is to think of yourself taking a hockey shot with a puck. There is no flipping of the hands just a smooth sort of “held-off” feeling. No wonder so many hockey players become excellent golfers!
In reality, a good swing will naturally happen via centrifugal force. The club head gets heavier as it reaches the hitting zone and the wrists unhinge naturally at the right time to square up the clubface. But, of course, we’re not all pros right?!
Tom Watson actually suggests that you try to touch your left forearm with your right forearm as you hit the ball. Your forearms won’t probably touch but the attempt will lead to a much better release (particularly if you’re a slicer)
Another important part of a solid release is your grip. If you have a weak left hand grip it’s going to be much harder to release the club. If you feel you’re not getting a strong release check out that top hand of yours and possibly strengthen it so you can really sling that club through the hitting zone.
In addition to your grip it’s often helpful to drop your back foot a bit. This helps in turning your hips going back and release the club much better coming through the ball.
Try using the Here’s the Best Golf Drill Ever Invented (it’s the 1 drill that can cure SO many things!) But take care to grip the club lightly and have “spaghetti” arms (meaning, nice and soft)
At the same time really sling your arms through the hitting zone and release the club. Don’t flip but use some of the thoughts (split grip/hockey) we discussed above. Look at the picks of Ernie’s hands above – you don’t see any “flipping” do you?
One final thing to think about is to make the toe of the club pass the heel through the impact zone. That thought has helped me many, many times particularly with the long irons where it’s vital for hitting solidly struck shots.
If your not used to this it’s going to feel a bit weird. But it should promote much more freedom – almost a type of abandon and recklessness. That’s good. That’s what you want to feel.
Keep working at it. Feel it from the ground up. Have a good, solid foundation so you can have a stable base and a nice, relaxed upper body. Start feeling that newfound freedom and power you can achieve through a proper release. Good luck!
PS: It might not be up for long but currently in our video section (to the right of this post) there are some additional very good release drills. Definitely worth checking out!
Gentlemen Only . . .
There’s an old misconception that the word GOLF is an acronym – standing for Gentlemen Only, Ladies Forbidden, but here at GolfDash we’d never support that as being remotely true.
According to the Scottish Golf History web site, “many people believe the old word ‘gowfe’ was the most common term”, a tradition continued by Loudoun Gowfe Club, and that the words golf, chole and kolf – terms for various stick and ball games played in medieval Britain and continental Europe – “are all presumed to have originally meant club”
However, it seems that it isn’t clear from where the word was actually derived. It was first recorded in an Act of the Scots Parliament of 6th March 1457, when James II stated that “the fut bal ande the golf” were to be “nocht vsyt” – in other words, outlawed – to encourage archery practice instead.
Of course, before the advent of dictionaries, words were often written phonetically and there could be all sorts of spellings. The Elementarie, composed by the Headmaster of Merchant Taylors’ School Richard Mulcaster in 1582, is seen as the forerunner of the first actual dictionary in English, although its words were not defined. That came in 1604 with Robert Cawdry’s Table Alphabetical, in which the word ‘golf’ doesn’t appear in any guise.
Neither does the word ‘insurance’(which is hardly surprising since it would be another hundred years before London’s growing importance as a trade centre led to increasing demands for ship and cargo insurance) but nonetheless, the two words go together absolutely naturally now: Golf Insurance – trips off the tongue!
Back to the original paragraph: male or female, young or older, good or bad spellers – Golfplan don’t discriminate in any way and all can access premium golf insurance.
Anchoring Ban: Messy But Right
It’s now official; anchoring the putter is BANNED beginning January of 2016. I watched the presentation by the USGA executives just minutes ago and I believe they got it right. Logistically it was messy, but the reasoning was sound and the integrity of the game has been maintained, unlike so many other sports.
I can only hope that the PGA will ‘do the right thing’ and go along. They have always played by the Rules of Golf and need to continue to do so. Going their own way would tear the game to pieces. Golf is unique in its rules and reliance on player integrity. The PGA would seriously undermine that if they go their own way. The touring pros are a small group, but the most visible. They are leaders in technique, equipment and behavior. We emulate them. Just think how many of us still hitch up our pants because Arnie did it.
Some will say the rule is unfair, but fairness is always in the eye of the beholder. Golf is not about individuals, it’s about something must bigger; a set of rules that golfers are expected to implement whoever they are and wherever they play. If your ball is out-of-bounds you are expected to take the penalty whether your fellow players see it or not. Without that integrity, golf would lose most of it’s attraction. It’s one of the few institutions today that implore us to be our best selves.
All of the controversy you hear in the coming days and weeks will come primarily from the need of news organizations to fill 24 hour reporting. ‘Issues’ are their life blood and they will try and milk every drop out of this they can – until something else bigger comes along. Then they’ll drop it like a hot potato.
Keep in mind that very few golfers actually use an anchored putting stroke – 2-4% of all golfers and 16% of the PGA Tour. How many long putters do you see at your own course? Some won’t like it and they’ll complain, forgetting that golf is bigger than any of us. How many of us older players lost a stroke because a ball fell of a tee after we took our stance and prior to swinging at it? We didn’t like it, but those were the rules at the time.
Then there will be the self serving manufacturers who will complain because they put their own financial interests ahead of the integrity of the game. They’ll talk about it keeping people from taking up golf, but that’s all marketing speak for ‘we only care about our bottom line’. Shame on them for trying to influence the rules.
I’m glad this issue has been decided, though it’s not behind us yet. Personally I’m looking forward to trying to improve my own game and watching the last three Majors. I have a sneaking suspicion that they’re going to be very memorable.
Glute Stability in the Golf Swing
90% of recreational golfers have weak glute strength and therefore stability issues in their golf swings. Here’s how to strengthen yours and play some of your best golf ever.
The glutes (ok, for others – your butt!) are the biggest, strongest muscles in your body. I was really made aware of this with my recent visit to FitGolf Performance Center in Wilmington, MA.
Why are they important? Because they play a role in helping prevent you from swaying and sliding your hips by stabilizing your lower body. They also act as a stabilizer to help prevent you from losing posture in your backswing (by standing up) or early extending in your downswing (by moving forward).
They are also very important as they are a real source of power in your golf swing. They help transfer energy from your lower body to your upper body resulting in a tight, powerful coil and eventual release of power through the hands into the ball.
The funny thing was I thought mine were fairly strong until I was tested (I was tested both statically and dynamically). I guess in some ways it’s not surprising as I sit most of the day (I do quite a bit of software development) – even so, I do work out regularly but just goes to show the *specificity* of golf fitness training you need to play solid, consistent golf.
Since doing some of these flute strengthening exercises I’ve felt more solid in my swing than ever. It’s really quite amazing. Just look at the stability these PGA pros need to get out of the rough swinging as hard as they do. (by the way, sign up and win by checking the PGA Tour odds at bettingpro.com) You need solid core and lower body stability (and mobility) to play golf effectively.
If you already have a golf fitness routine, no problem, just add some of these exercise to your routine, they are easily integrated into almost any program. However, I must warn you, these seemingly simple exercises can prove to be pretty challenging, especially if they have been somewhat “dormant” for a while. In others words, expect your “sleepy” butt to wake up and let you know that it’s still alive! (by responding with some soreness initially)
If I had to pick three of the exercises below I would do the Kettle bell swing (1st and foremost), then the standing exercises (with bands) and finally the lunge exercise. These will give a great base from which to work from (and you won’t kill yourself by trying to do them all). Later, you can work in the others listed below or add additional ones you discover on your own. Of course, feel free to do them all if you’re so inclined.
Please let me know how these are helping (or not) your golf game. Also, if you have others that work for you, please share them in the comments sections below. Happy butt-busting!
Here are a few products that will be helpful with the above exercises (the bands are great!):
Aylio Bands (Low, Medium, Heavy)
Stamina 36-Pound Adjustable Kettle Versa-Bell
How FitGolf Will Dramatically Improve your Golf Game
Golf Fitness is one of those things, that I believe, can often dramatically improve your golf game even more so than golf instructional lessons. Here’s why.
I recently visited the amazing Dave DuPriest at his recently opened FitGolf Performance Center in Wilmington, MA who is really a genius in uncovering weak (i.e.; non-performing) areas of your body that are detrimental to your golf swing and either improve or stabilize them.
Dave has a rich background in fitness including a bachelor’s degree in exercise physiology from Umass-Lowell. He has also had stints as a physical therapist and personal trainer before opening the only FitGolf Performance Center in Massachusetts.
But I want to discuss more my experience when I visited so you can get a feel for how the process works.
First, when you walk in you notice right away that this is a top-notch facility from the immediate welcome area to the entire space just feels professional, clean and a “we-mean-business and take golf fitness seriously” attitude.
After meeting Dave (who is one of the most friendly guys you can meet) took me into a side room and began his Golf Performance Evaluation (which is just one service they provide). He asked me a ton of questions about me, my game, issues I’m having, etc. This is about understanding your history and goals.
Next, we went into a complete Functional Movement Screen and Anatomical Assessment. These are a series of very specific tests that help Dave assess strength, stability, mobility, etc. within your body. For example, some of the tests included things like shoulder rotation, spinal/pelvic rotation, abductor strength, etc. Each of these tests helps to paint further details of your golf swing motion and how this might be affecting your distance, consistency, etc. etc.
I loved this part of the evaluation because as much as you think you know your body you probably really don’t. One example was a glute test where I lied on my back and attempted to lift only my leg. I thought I did it fine and it felt fine. But Dave later shared with me that I was activating other muscles in able to do this. I said, “really!”
In other words things I thought were fairly strong (as I workout regularly) were not. So, I will say, almost without a doubt, you will find areas of your body that you had no idea were weak. It’s very fun to go through this.
After gathering this info we headed into the main training center which, by the way, is super state-of-the-art and has all this cool equipment including K-Vest 3-D motion swing analysis, Cybex power rack, Dynamic weight balance system, Keiser multi-purpose trainer, X-iser mini-step apparatus, treadmill, hydro rower, and two hitting bays with net returns. Very cool.
Dave had me put on the K-Vest which provides 3D motion analysis. It’s a type of strap-on harness that goes around your upper body and hips (you also have a sensor attached to your golf glove) that provides computer generated, digital feedback on your swing in 3 dimensions.
It’s able to measure changes in your spine and pelvic posture, alignment at address, pelvis and upper body turn, pelvic movement, upper body movement, etc. It also looks at your sequence of motion (kinematic sequence) This was great because after swinging with the vest on for a number of swings you can immediately look (and analyze) at the data on the close-by large flat screen monitor.
What was interesting to me that Dave pointed out was that I had excellent spinal rotation in my functional test but had a limited amount when swinging. Of course one was sitting and the other dynamic (swinging) so there was a definite stability issue that is not allowing me to fully increase my X-factor (separation between shoulders and hips) thereby possibly limiting additional distance. I had no idea!
Finally, we went on the the Dynamic Balance System Mat which helps measure balance at set-up and how your weight shifts in the golf swing. You basically stand on the mat and swing away. There are known patterns of successful golf swings which this procedure helps to measure against. It’s really fascinating to see how your weight actually shifts (in detail) throughout your swing.
Finally (we were closing in on 2.5+ hours) Dave has to take all this and interpret where the most positive change can be made. For me, it was a number of stability and strength issues – particularly in the flutes and abs which will help provide additional stability which is currently limiting my game.
Dave actually prints out the K-Swing summaries and all the *specific* golf exercises he suggests, based on his in-depth analysis. Mine are kind of like tissue paper now after reading and handling them so much!
Besides the service I mention above there are a number of other services including B3 SuperCharged Golf Fitness Program, Masters Program, FitGolf Handicap Assessment and more that you can see on the website below. The prices are very reasonable and in my opinion, worth EVERY penny.
Bottomline, I found this experience to be totally worthwhile in every aspect, and recommend it to any serious golfer. And my bet is it will uncover many things you didn’t even know that exist that might be limiting you from your total golf potential. Give it a try. Your golf game will thank you.
For more information, visit www.northshore.fitgolf.com, or contact David DuPriest at ddupriest@fitgolf.com or 978-447-5328.
“Quick 9″ Interview with CollegeGolfPass CEO, Kris Hart
This month’s “Quick 9″ is with CollegeGolfPass’ CEO and co-founder Kris Hart. Listen in as Kris shares more about this unique golf program.
1. Kris, tell me a bit about your background and how you started CollegeGolfPass?
My background in the golf world started out as a caddy at 12 years old (Oyster Harbors and Longmeadow Country Club). I was lucky enough to get introduced to the game through my brother who also caddied. I quickly fell in love with golf as a teenager even though my parents were not golfers. My golf life progressed as a competitive high school golfer and ended up playing varsity golf at Bryant University.
Bryant was where the idea for CGP started since I did not play on the varsity team my senior year deciding to focus on academics. Since I did not play on the team, I did not play much golf since it was too expensive on a college budget. I knew there were hundreds of other students on campus like me who liked the game, but were held back by the traditional barriers like cost.
3 years after college, I revisited the idea, did some research, and started executing. The business was started with a passion to grow the game and stop people from saying “man, I wish I started playing golf when I was younger”. Golf has meant a lot to me and my life and think every college students should be able to experience the game and all it has to offer.
2. Can you give us a quick overview of what CollegeGolfPass is all about?
CGP makes golf a reality for any college student by making the game more affordable, accessible and fun. We do this by making it very easy to learn golf, play more golf, and even compete. Any student can use our service for free to track their scores and find local courses to play, but students who join CGP as a member receive many other significant benefits which help them as a student golfer.
3. What’s included when you join the CollegeGolfPass Community?
The CGP Membership provides:
- Unlimited savings on greens fees of up to $85 per round
- A USGA GHIN Handicap
- Discounts on golf equipment
- Reduced fees for CGP tournaments
4. Is CollegeGolfPass just for college golfers?
Yes – You need to be an active college student to join CGP (graduate, law, and medical students can join CGP)
5. What is a “Mobile Membership” badge?
Instead of having a physical membership card you keep in your wallet, a mobile membership badge allows students to show their membership on their phone. Students simply show their college id and mobile membership badge on their phone to get the college-rate at any local CGP partner golf course. Anyone can instantly join the program on their phone too.
6. What has been the feedback so far on your business?
Our business has been built and will continue to be built for our members. We constantly survey, poll, interview, and ask our members what they want. The mobile membership, new golf course additions, score tracking, equipment discounts and other benefits of CGP have all been brought to us by our members. Our goal is to create a winning scenario for all parties involved in our business including golf courses, students, and the industry as a whole.
Students love our business since they can learn the game and play more affordably. Courses enjoy partnering with us since they get free marketing and ancillary revenue from new consumers. The industry a whole is very interested in CGP since we are growing the game and putting an end to the 18 year old lapsed golfer.
During the PGA Show in January our team met with many seniors leaders in the golf industry who were very interested in our business. American Express did a study on golf spending in the US between 2007-2011 . Golf spending for Gen Y increased 27% where as golf spending in every other demographic was down 19-21%.
7. Is the National Collegiate Club Golf Association also part of CollegeGolfPass and what exactly is it?
Yes, NCCGA and CGP are the same legal entity, but operate different brands. NCCGA is specifically for non-varsity competitive golfers that are part of collegiate club golf teams. NCCGA provides a tournament framework which includes two regional tournaments and a national championship each semester.
The NCCGA currently supports over 100 club golf teams at different universities across the country and plans to support over 200 teams by the fall 2013 season. We are lucky to have a tremendous student leadership team as part of the NCCGA and student regional coordinators helping run these events around the country.
8. What new developments in your business are you most excited about?
We are excited about the growth of both CGP & NCCGA. We are most excited to grow the CGP course network and be able to deliver a product to thousands of new student golfers around the country.
Students around the country suggest where they want college rates, and we go out and build the business for them. Watching the NCCGA grow to supporting over 200 collegiate club golf teams will be exciting too. Our roots are as a golf company, but technology is a big part of our business and we have some new technology developments in the works.
9. How can people contact, get involved and learn more about CGP?
To learn more about CGP or NCCGA, please visit our websites at: CollegeGolfPass.com and NCCGA.org. Kris can be reached directly at Kris@collegegolfpass.com.
Stack and Tilt (Continued)
Stack and Tilt is a now relatively famous system by teachers Michael Bennett and Andy Plummer that you just might want to investigate to create your best, consistent and most powerful golf swing ever.
Not long ago I did a complete review of the Stack and Tilt – Understanding the Numbers DVD called, Stack & Tilt: Is It For You? and thought it was one of the best DVD’s I had ever seen (and still do!)
It really took advantage of so much technology, biomechanics, alternate views, swing analysis, ProTracer and more. It’s really something you should invest in. It provides THAT much insight into YOUR golf swing that’s it’s invaluable.
One thing that might be helpful as you are looking at the Stack and Tilt swing is to (just for a moment) forget that’s it’s called, “Stack and Tilt” because as it’s obviously packaged as S&T it’s usefulness is more in the tenants it supports.
For example, the Stack and Tilt swing suggests that you keep most of your weight forward in your swing. There is really no weight shift, per say, just a rotary movement which keeps your spine over the ball and provides for more consistent ball contact.
Whatever you want to call it, this problem of weight shift and turning, etc. is one of the big deals in golf. How can you play consistently solid golf if your setup positions change throughout the swing? So this is something you can try out and test. Will it help your game? I’m not sure but it’s central (We all know) to solid ball striking.
That’s worth it right there. Whatever you want to call it – if you could be a more solid, consistent ball striker starting next week and you used part of the S&T system – so what?! You don’t have to be a paid Stack and Tilt sponsor – you’re only using it’s variables to your advantage.
There’s about 5 or so of these distinctions that help build the profile of Stack and Tilt. They all somewhat support one another. But, again, you can experiment with one or many of them all. It’s totally up to you.
To me, you can go in and cherry-pick what you want or what you think would work best for your current game from the DVD – just like you would with any teaching system – from Hogan’s to Leadbetter’s to Sean Foley’s and beyond.
I can almost guarantee you’ll find some major golf swing distinctions and you’ll get a deeper, more valuable understanding of your golf swing when you watch these DVDs. I’m still watching them and am still discovering things I missed on the first viewing or that I now see in a different angle.
The great thing about Stack and Tilt (to me anyway) is that it gives you another perspective through which you can examine your golf swing and the more knowledge and information you can gleen about it the more you can build a strong, powerful, consistent golf swing that works for you.
Check out the DVD here: Stack & Tilt: Understanding the Numbers
Best Golf Tip Ever
Hopefully the headline got your attention because this tip is the mother load. In my humble experience this is the most important golf ‘tip’ of all time. It’s the one thing that has always worked for me – if I can remember to do it.
So what’s the big secret? – RELAX. Before you stop reading, thinking to yourself ‘I already knew that’, stay with me here for a few minutes. What’s the proof that relaxing can make any golf swing better? For one, any sport is better when you are relaxed. Tension kills easy flowing movements. Tension causes your muscles to TENSE and tense muscles don’t make for smooth movements. Tense muscles kill speed. What separates the best sprinters in the world from the rest – how quickly they can relax muscles versus contract them. It hardly seems possible but test after test have proven it to be true.
What are typically your best golf swings? If you’re like most amateurs you’ll answer ‘my practice swings’. How many times have you or your golf partners moaned after a bad shot ‘If only I could hit my shots with my practice swing’? And why are practice swings so good – NO TENSION. How good a putter are you on the practice putts you make after you’ve just missed one. You are probably terrific because there’s no tension with the putts that don’t count. You swing freely. You don’t have tense muscles in your forearms to jerk the club off line or throw off your speed.
In other sports I’ve played, relaxing is critical. I’ve taught skiing and the biggest hurdle in getting a skier to tackle a challenging run, like steep moguls, is to get them to relax. Trying shooting a foul shot in basketball when you’re tense versus when you’re loose. No comparison. In almost any sport this is true, that’s why we have things like betting tips because, at times, sports truly are unpredictable.
Relaxing under tension is not easy, but it can be learned. The first step is to realize it’s absolutely critical for your best performance. Think of it as part of your pre-shot routine. You can be nervous between shots, you just have to be able to relax for the few seconds it takes to make your swing.
The key to learning relaxation is the same as every other golf skill – practice. When you’re playing a casual round or practicing be aware of the level of tension you’re carrying. You can’t fix something if you can’t feel it. Practice relaxation techniques. Just google that and you’ll find plenty of help. You can learn to feel and eliminate tension throughout your body pretty much on command. It may only last seconds but that’s all you need to hit a golf shot. Learn to do that and every aspect of your game and practice will improve! Your game will improve practically over night.
