Winter is quickly plowing down on us as colder temperatures, morning frost on the car and snow are positive reminders that for many of us golfers, the playing season is over. The big question, as Chuck asks below, is what can we do to be ready for next season?
Chuck C. says:
Winter is setting in here in Connecticut and I have been 'trying' your PPGS system for about a month or so with varying results. As a low handicapper I realize it will take a lot of work to improve scores over the long run, but I welcome the challenge. What intrigued me the most was the notion of being able to play as I age gracefully, now 65. What one or perhaps two things would you recommend I work on over the winter at an outside range? My worst shot is the pull hook.
Thanks for the daily emails, they are great to read.
The Surge says:
For Chuck and all of us, even here in the South where we can still play a little, the first and most important issue is to stay or get fit. Start with a checkup and recommendations from your doctor as to what he or she suggests you are able to and should do. I am sure this will start with a weight management or weight loss program centered on a good diet and nutrition, and an exercise program.
The next issue will be to start on a good flexibility and conditioning program, as well as some strength training. These programs are available at most Y's, gyms and health clubs. Joining a program at these facilities is good because you will have expert guidance and training from well trained staff. You can get this expert help and training individually or in group sessions. Either way, whichever is best for you, expert advice and guidance will help you have better workouts, see more improvement and, most importantly, keep you safer from over exertion and injury. Many of these trainers can develop a golf specific training regime. All you have to do is ask. This is important for the trainer to know especially in strength conditioning. Golfers want speed not muscle, so our strength training should uses less weight and more reps.
Golf training should start with some drills to work on fine tuning the PPGS setup. You can practice setup by looking into the mirror or just looking down at your knees, seeing and feeling the resisting and limited turn backswing. You are looking and feeling the resisting forward kneecap, which turns slightly inward and moves no more than an inch or two. You also then turn your focus and attention again to both seeing and feeling the LOAD over and onto a flexed back knee. The back kneecap like the front, can turn outward a little, but the key is the weight must remain centered over the foot.
One of the best swing drills would be the 'Butt on a Wall' drill to work on swinging the limited turn ¾ vertical over the toe line backswing. Skipping rocks on a lake is a great drill for the backswing, especially for feeling transition, release and the forward swing to the T ' Finish. Lastly, you can practice you're your setup routine again, using the mirror to look for reinforcement. Remember, the more senses we use, the more powerful the feedback and the quicker the learning experience.
Chuck, for actual practice at the driving range, you can also work there on your setup, but now you need to work alignment into the routine. Since you are hitting a lot of pulls, alignment is critical, as aiming right (for a right hander) is a major cause of pulls as well as a ball position that is too forward in your stance.
The major swing issue for pulls is usually swinging too long and turning too much in the backswing and getting into the SBG (Sacred Burial Ground). This causes the outside to in forward swing, which is crossing the aiming line, swinging left of the target. A square club face at impact swinging left is a pull shot. Over-releasing, the toe turning past toe up, will turn the shot into a pull hook.
The wide knee drills, resisting the forward knee and loading the back knee and the butt on the wall drill, and skipping rocks, will help you feel the takeaway straight back into the mitt and up the tree for the limited turn backswing. The skipping rocks will really help you in the forward swing, up to a dynamically balanced finish. It is important to make good and perfect practice swings as prefect practice makes perfect. If there is a short game practice area and putting green put in a lot of time and practice there.
Finally, I will emphasize that you work on secret number 5 of the PPGS, 'Who Cares!' This means that if you hit a bad shot and you ask yourself what happened or what did you do wrong, your answer is, 'Who Cares!' There are too many single possibilities, as well as multiple problems, that it could be. To try this and then that and then something else is nothing more than groping around in the dark. That is not only is a total waste of time, energy and golf balls, but it is also messing up your mind and your swing.
The real response to 'Who Cares!' is followed by the statement, 'I will do the next setup and swing right.' That way you are only focusing and working on positives of the PPGS setup and swing: The things you know are right and what you want to do.
Get into a good health and fitness routine and practice regime this winter and your game will be primed and ready when golf season opens next spring. Then, maintain those good habits and practice and your body, swing and golf game will be fine tuned year round.
The Surge!