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.
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.
Top PGA Pros on Twitter
This is a fun graphic showing the top 10 PGA pros on Twitter. You’ll probably not be surprised at 1 or 2 but you might with the other 8.
I guess like a lot of people I love using social media to follow the golf pros. For example, I’m always love checking what @david59duval (David Duval) is up to and where he might be playing next. I’ve even interacted with him a few times.
It’s also fun to follow players on the different tours. Like some of the players from the Asian tour or the European tour or the LPGA. There are so many to follow. Use the list below as a starting point to discover what some of the top PGA pros are saying and Tweeting. Have fun.
Oh, and follow us here: @golfdash
Note: Infographic supplied by Your Golf Travel.
6 Traits That Make Adam Scott a True Champion
Here are 6 traits that really came to light for me in watching Adam win the 2013 Masters. We can all learn something from this true champ.
Quit I Shall Not – It probably would have been easy for Adam to say the heck with it after his implosion in the 2012 British Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes but he kept at it, realized it was just one event and there were many, many more in his future and everything’s a learning experience if you look at that way. It’s often very tempting to just throw in the towel but Adam didn’t, he just dug deeper.
Humble as Humble Pie – One thing you just have to love about Mr. Scott is his self-effacing, humble charm. Talk about a 180 from Mr. Woods. There is nothing braggadocios about him. It might have to do with the fact he’s 32 now and after his Tour Championship at age 23 he was heralded as the next superstar. A lot of time elapsed. He’s taken a few to the chin. He knows golf is not always a kind game (ask Sergio). And it never really ends up the way we think it will, does it? (but you need to *know* that and just roll with things)
Understands the Lineage of Golf – One of the first things I heard from Adam Scott in the press room after his Master’s victory was how influential Greg Norman was to him and his career. He didn’t really have to discuss that but he did. He recognized Greg’s huge influence on him (and a ton of Aussie golfers) and let the world know about it. Adam understands he is part of a lineage of golfers and probably wouldn’t have reached the pinnacle of his career without the help and kindness of others.
Positive Influence – I can’t imagine nicer person in sports. He smiles a lot, I saw him give golf balls to kids, signs a ton of autographs and is probably one of the best liked players on tour. Why, because he’s approachable and gives back to the game in a myriad of ways. You could almost hear the relief and gratefulness in his voice.
It’s All Perception – What I know and what I read is that Adam put even more of commitment into his game after the Open meltdown in 2012. The best way around that is to just learn from it and keep practicing. I remember hearing he mentioned he really blew it and just felt awful and Greg Norman said to him he played 68 holes better than anyone in that tournament. Now that’s positive re-framing! That’s what you have to do. Re-frame your perceptions in a powerful, empowering way and get on with it!
Just Do it – I can’t imagine a more different last 3 to 4 holes Adam played compared to last year’s Open. I mean on the finishing hole (18) he striped his tee shot and ended up with that amazing birdie. On both playoff holes he hit long straight drives and kept himself in the tournament. He really stepped up his game. He made the putts when he needed to. He made them this time. It was amazing to see. No backing down at all. Just a beautiful thing to watch.
Tiger Controversy at the Masters
You have to love a game where a guy can hit a great shot and have it end up costing him 4 strokes. In the final analysis that’s what happened to Tiger on the 15th hole yesterday at the Masters when he hit the flag stick and his ball caromed into the water. He took a penalty stroke and then replayed the shot not from the same spot but from a few feet farther back.
The issue of him maybe not playing from the same spot was brought to the rules officials and they decided, while Tiger was still playing the 18th hole, that there was no violation and let him sign his card as it was. After further review and talking to Tiger, who was completely honest about what happened and that his intent was to improve his lie by going back a few feet, they decided that he needed to be penalized another 2 strokes.
Last year the USGA ruled that players who signed a wrong scorecard didn’t have to be disqualified if they didn’t know it was wrong before they signed. Most agreed this was a good rule change at the time. So what’s the big brouhaha? Didn’t everything play out as it should have?
I’m going to take my fight in this directly to Brandel Chamblee who feels Tiger should do the honorable thing and withdraw. I’m going after Brandel because I like his commentary and I respect him tremendously for the insights he brings to golf broadcasts. I’m completely surprised that he and I are on opposite sides of this issue.
Golf is a game that lives and dies by its rules and it’s code of conduct which is golfer honesty. First, Tiger was honest and explained exactly what he did. Secondly he followed the decision of the Master’s rules committee without complaint. This is what golfers are expected to do. We all know that the golfers don’t make the rules. It’s not like they should have convened all the players last night and had them vote on what should happen to Tiger. Like the young Chinese amateur who was penalized yesterday for slow play, the rules committee tells you what their decision is and you abide by it.
So why should Tiger withdraw? As far as I know, players withdraw when they are hurt or maybe there’s a personal emergency which requires they leave. Withdrawal isn’t a tool that players use to remove themselves when they’ve come up with an interpretation of the rules and apply it to themselves. Disqualification is what a tournament committee does to a golfer who has done something for which the Rules of Golf requires them to be disqualified. This is similar to other sports like downhill ski racing. You withdraw if you’re hurt or don’t want to race for some personal reason, you’re disqualified when you don’t conform to the rules such as missing a gate.
I’m not sure why Brandel thinks Tiger should withdraw. Should all players judge their moral character before, during and after a round and decide whether they should withdraw. Of course not. That’s not the way golf works. If someone, or the player themselves, think a golfer has broken a rule, then the rules officials are alerted and they make the final decision. It’s not up to commentators or spectators or fellow golfers.
In Tiger’s situation at Augusta, the rules committee interpreted and applied the rules assessing him a 2 stroke penalty after the round. They decided that he shouldn’t be disqualified. It’s not up to Tiger to be his own rules committee and disqualify himself. The USGA and PGA Tour agreed with Augusta National’s ruling. Tiger took his penalty without complaint and is abiding by their decision. All is as it should be.
What Chamblee is asking is for Tiger to disqualify himself by misusing the withdrawal provision in golf. That’s not the way the game is played. A player hits a great shot and ultimately loses 4 shots according to the Rules of Golf. That’s golf as it should be. The Rules of Golf are what they are. Sometimes we don’t like them because they don’t align with our idea of fair play. In this case Brandel Chamblee wants them to be interpreted according to his views. That’s not the way it works. It’s up to the Ruling Bodies and tournament committees to do that. Our personal feelings don’t matter. Go ask Casey Martin about it if you’re still confused.
Slow Motion Golf Practice
I know there is a lot of hoopla about the Masters this week and who’s going to win, etc. We, of course, do know Tiger is the golf betting favorite with Titan Bet to win his fifth Green Jacket at Augusta but, aside from that, I recently found something I thought you might be interested in.
I’ve been recently getting more into Tai Chi lately. Not specifically for golf. I was just interested in the “slowing down” part of the practice and just the physical beauty of it. However, the more I practice the more I can see its benefits – health, mindfulness, exercise, meditation – it’s all there.
If you don’t know what Tai Chi is, it’s defined as: “a Chinese system of slow meditative physical exercise designed for relaxation and balance and health.”
Now this isn’t the first time I have written about martial arts and golf. I wrote an article a few years ago called: “Alternative” Golf Power Using Martial Arts – http://golfdashblog.com/alternative-golf-power-martial-arts/ so would say this is another aspect of that conversation.
I have never really practiced Tai-Chi before but I contacted a Qi Gong Master who suggested a form of Tai-Chi called “Silk Reeling” and said if practiced long enough (didn’t really say HOW long) it would totally transform your golf game. He said he had seen it, many, many times. Of course, I was immediately interested.
He recommended a specific DVD (which I will list below). Let me just tell you it’s a lot harder than you think it is. But it does get easier the more your practice. I’m only on the first set of forms but my breathing and movements are starting to synchronize more and more. You can almost feel the internal power (Chi) building.
And, believe it or not, you actually get quite a good workout, particularly your legs as all the movements are initialized from the ground. Hmmmmmm, sounds familiar. It also teaches you how to relax your body while moving – again, not as easy as it looks.
But back to the original intent of the article. I was perusing an older golf forum and found some video of Hogan I have never seen before. It was weird. He was showing a friend of his one way he practices – in slow motion.
When you watch it, it actually looks like a slow motion video until Mr. Hogan hits the ball and it goes about 15 feet or so. But I was unaware how often he did this slow motion practice.
It ties perfectly to Tai Chi and is a wonderful way to practice because it makes you immediately aware of your body movements. Like Tai Chi it helps you sense areas of tension or Chi blockage in your swing. It makes you keenly aware of how your golf swing movements flow together.
But, you know, no one wants to slow down. Everybody just wants to pound balls at the range with the biggest (or hottest) driver they can find and expect instant results. The art of Tai Chi runs just the opposite of that. It *intentionally* forces you to slow down. To really empty your mind and just be aware of your body, balance and breathing.
I think Ben Crenshaw used to practice this too. Of course he was tied in with Hogan and his teacher Harvey Penick so I’m not surprised at all.
So try the slow motion practice. It’s one of those things that seem so obvious but it’s the last thing you might think of trying. To me, anything the great Hogan did to practice and improve is well worth, at least, trying.
Here’s the DVD I mentioned above: Qi Cultivation and the Secrets of Manipulating Energy, Progressive Silk Reeling, Series I
