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Guaranteed to Improve Your Golf Game!

John — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 18:54:23 +0000

I’ve now seen a couple of more of the Golf Channels ’12 Nights at the Academy’. If you have this channel, then it’s a must see. They have done more for instruction with this series than the last 10 years of golf magazine articles put together. Give yourself the gift that keeps on giving and tune in. Your handicap will thank you!

Some episodes really standout, though I’ve picked up at least one good tip from most of them, such as Annika explaining her quick head release at impact. Of the ones I’ve seen my favorites are Martin Hall, Wayne Palmer, Jimmy Ballard with Rocco Mediate and Dave Stockton. As an example, Dave Stockton teaches his amazing and, I believe, groundbreaking putting method in this one session, saving you some thousands of dollars and a trip to his California teaching center. It is really phenomenal and all you have to do is tune in. It’s going to resonate with you, plus it’s not complicated and doesn’t require any special equipment!

For me, the Mediate and Ballard episode is just as eye opening. If you’ve seen Rocco’s swing of the last 5 years then you have seen Ballard’s approach in action. I knew it was different, but couldn’t put my finger on the components. All is explained clearly and simply in this episode. Ballard spent a lot of time with Ben Hogan, so he’s got a lot of credibility in my book. He’s also worked with plenty of top champions. I love his clear, down to earth explanation of why the swing works best in a specific way.

It certainly worked for Rocco Mediate. In late 2004 his career was over and his back was completely shot. In desperation he went to Ballard. As a result he nearly beat Tiger in the US Open a couple of years later, rejuvenated his career and (here’s where it gets really interesting for older golfers) has no -as in ZERO - back problems.

’12 Nights at the Academy’ is groundbreaking. The Golf Channel has done a great service for amateurs and the game of golf. If golfers can’t get better then the game is going to continue to stagnate and not grow. I don’t know how they did it, but they got some of the game’s great teachers and players to reveal golf’s secrets.

Unfortunately I can’t find anyplace on line where you can watch the series intact. The Golf Channel website has some short golf tip videos but to watch the whole show you’ll have to have access to the Golf Channel on your tube. I have the 4 episodes I mentioned above saved permanently on my Tivo box. I recommend you do the same!

Lefty Wins 2010 Masters!

doug — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 19:37:38 +0000

Not sure about anyone else but somehow I just cannot root against Phil Mickelson. He is, well . . . just too damn nice of a guy. Lot of people knock Phil because he’s too “scripted” – everything he says seems to be thought out – “Mr. No Spontaneity,” he’s sometimes called.

I personally just don’t get it. Phil seems to be one of the most articulate players on tour and to my mind always shares valuable insight into his game and golf in general.

This really seemed like a different Phil in a lot of ways. I just got the impression that it’s was awesome to win but, heck, it’s really just a game. He has more important matters to deal with – his wife Amy and his Mom and their health challenges moving forward.

The scene of Phil and his wife really just embracing the moment after walking off the 18th will undoubtedly always be special to them. After all we never really know how many moments any of us have. Here’s hoping Phil and his family have many, many more.

Tiger Woods and a New Kind of Power

doug — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 12:29:47 +0000

I watched both interviews with Tiger yesterday. One with Kelly Tilghman of The Golf Channel and the one above with Tom Rinaldo of ESPN.

Both covered a lot of ground and both were fairly candid I thought. To me anyway, it certainly does look like a new Tiger – in a lot of ways.

He mentioned that he got away from his core values – which I imagine, might be fairly easy to do when you have access to almost anything as a mega millionaire and one of the most famous athletes on the planet.

In a strange way, this, obviously (and I say obviously because it could not have happened any other way) was something that Tiger’s life “needed” in some way to further his own spiritual growth.

Funny, earlier in the day, I was viewing a commencement speech by Steve Jobs that was eerily familiar to Tiger’s. Not so much in terms of content but in terms of growth and in terms of these dramatic life “events” being cornerstones to greater work and a more fulfilling life.

As Steve mentions in his address “You can never connect the dots looking forward. You can only do it looking backwards.”

Again, I would not be surprised to see Tiger’s future unfold in a much more powerful, giving and spiritual direction. One that is about bigger things than Tiger and golf itself. Of course, golf will be the vehicle but these past events, in some strange way, may be the best thing that ever happened to Tiger.

It is well worth listening to (clocks in at about 15 minutes) and can be found here: Steve Jobs’ 2005 Stanford Commencement Address.

I would be curious to hear your thoughts.

Sheer Golf Power!

golfdash — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 15:25:45 +0000

This guy Jamie Sadlowski is incredible to watch in this long drive contest video. Talk about sheer power! The guy is 5’10″ tall and 165 lbs!

A couple things I noticed when watching his swing. First, it is so well balanced. Not some sort of wind up and casting at the ball – like your trying to kill a squirrel with a hockey stick!

Therefore, consider going slightly wider in your stance when hitting the driver. You need a solid base when you generate greater speed by swinging the driver.

Second, the takeaway and backswing are very deliberate and not rushed. It takes time to build energy and power – which is a good reminder for anyone.

I know, it can sometimes be depressing to watch these guys hit it so far while we struggle with our own game BUT try to look at this video and really SEE how these guys generate this explosive power. I find the slow motion really help me visualize certain swing “positions”

Let’s face it, hardly any of us will ever come close to hitting it anywhere close to these long drive champs but we can learn from them – learn about using your legs, learn about using lag correctly, learn the value of a slow, smooth and complete backswing, learn how to build core strength (and much more) – so we can learn how to drive a golf ball the best we are capable of.

Help My Swing, Please!!!!

doug — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 16:58:56 +0000

I mentioned in my last post Golf Swing Turn! Turn! Turn! that I recently took a lesson at a local club and wanted to share the video with our audience.

So, I’m going to expose my swing in order to get some feedback on it. My swing is in a bit of trouble – mostly some serious power leaks.

The video does stop at certain points but will continue after a few moments. Towards the end you will see a view from behind.

Really would love any comments and/or feedback.

An Amazing Ben Hogan Golf Video

doug — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 20:45:34 +0000

Not sure about you but I never tire of seeing the power and beauty of Ben Hogan’s golf swing on video.

I happened to come across this Ben Hogan video, which I had not seen before. A lot of the footage I had not seen either so it was a pretty cool find (for me anyway)

Additionally, it has a nice, new-age soundtrack allowing you to fully concentrate on the swing.

Now that I am thinking about it, it is nice not to have verbal analysis of a golf swing for a change – what your left with is a classic golf swingthat is just beautiful to watch. Enjoy.

Would love to hear your comments or thoughts on it. Thanks!

Note: The video above is NOT the original I wrote about initially. It was removed from YouTube by the video owner. I have replaced it with a new one which I like very much (although I loved the initial one better and wish it still lived in YouTube land but unfortunately it does not any longer)

A MUST have – The Ben Hogan Collection

My favorite new Ben Hogan book – The Secret of Hogan’s Swing

Love this one,too – Hogan

How to Start a Proper Golf Downswing

doug — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 19:00:13 +0000

The golf downswing is one of the most critical moves in obtaining a consistent golf swing. And there is no one better to help explain (and show) this key move then Tiger’s coach, Hank Haney.

One note: an important point Hank mentions is “You can’t make a proper downswing unless you complete a proper backswing” I thought that was a critical insight and further emphasizes the connectedness of the golf swing as one motion, not separate ones.

Walk The PGA Tour

John — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 15:44:23 +0000

Click Image To Play Video

If you haven’t seen this video yet and you’re a golf enthusiast or fan, then it’s a must. If someone you know says that golf is a stupid game or a waste of time, show it to them.

For me, this video gets to the heart of golf, it’s not about playing the game as much as it’s about the MAGIC of the game.

It demonstrates better than a thousand or 10,000 words ever could why golf is inspirational on so many levels. Enjoy and pass it on!

The Hottest Player on Tour: Kenny Perry

doug — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 16:07:41 +0000

Kenny Perry is probably THE hottest golfer on the planet today. It really is amazing to think he is playing his best golf of his career into his late 40′s.

It’s a curious thing. I have heard him say before that nothing has really changed in his routine, workouts, etc. It’s just “clicking” in a way it has not before.

Funny, that has happened to me on occasion. I have played really good golf for a few seasons, then, nothing. I hate to admit it but I am in one of those “valley” stages (as opposed to “Peaks”) Oh well, that’s life (and golf).

But back to Mr. Perry. I just love this guy. He does have a bit of a unique move in his swing (when his swing transitions to the downswing and he loads his legs) I could watch that over and over (check out the video below). It’s such a powerful move. You can really see how he uses the ground for his power.

Maybe there is no rhyme or reason WHY he is playing the best golf of his career. There really doesn’t have to be. The proof is: it IS just happening.

I really was rooting for him to win the Masters this year but he DID lose it. You need to suck it up being two strokes up with two to go. He just had that crazy “flip” or hook going on.

Perhaps he can learn from that lesson. Heck, he shot a 63 the last day at the Travelers recently so no choke there. But, it was not a major.

I, for one, hope he can get at least one major before he hits the senior circuit. It would be fitting and a blessing for one of the most talented players on the PGA Tour.

I Have included a few other related link for all you KP fans below:

Kenny Perry Website

Become a Kenny Perry Fan on Facebook

What’s in Kenny Perry’s Bag (pages 1-4)

Kenny Perry’s Golf Course

Back on Track: The David Duval Swing

doug — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 15:30:15 +0000

I, for one, am so glad to see David Duval back and swinging like the Duval of old. And I really enjoy his recent US Open interviews.

He has always been known to be an intelligent guy but it is just fascinating to hear someone who has been to the utter bottom and fought his way back and what it was like. John had a nice article on this a few years back, called, David Duval As Teacher

But then again he also depicted his demise in, The End of David Duval’s Pro Career. So what do you think now, John???

Although there appears to be a *slight* David Duval weight gain (heck, he’s a fairly new dad now so has probably been eating a lot of good home cooking!) his swing looks rock solid and long!

And he went from 882 in the world ranking to 142, not bad, huh!

I am going to include a few videos. The first (towards the end) show a nice slow-mo of the Duval swing and the second show his recent 2009 US Open highlights. Enjoy!