Different Perspective on Putting

 Instead of worrying about whether your stroke is going back on the correct path, focus on the length and pace of the stroke.  Whatever the distance of the putt, allow the putter to swing back and through the same length.  This will allow the ball to “get in the way” instead of hitting at it.  The pace of the stroke should be the same pace throughout.  These two tips will go a long ways in helping you control the distance of your putts.

Matching up the body

Ideally in the golf swing you want the body, club and arms to match up throughout the swing.  When this synching of body, club and arms match up you hit your straightest, most consistent shots.
When the body gets out of synch and moving faster than the club you'll have a tendency to leave the ball out to the right.  Likewise, when the arms and club move faster than the body, the club closes faster and the mistake will be a hook.
From a teaching perspective, you want to slow the body down and speed the club up to help fix a slice.  To fix a hook, the body needs to move faster and lead the club to impact.  These moves are as much timing of body parts as they are physical moves.

Tips for 1st Tee Jitters

 All golfers experience some nerves on the first tee.  The apprehension of how the round will play out creates tension.  Before you hit your tee shot, take a couple of deep breaths.  Practice breathing in through your nose for five counts, and then exhaling through your mouth for five counts.  This will allow you to calm your nerves and give you a chance to put a good swing on the ball.

 Take your time getting to the 1st tee.   A common mistake golfers make is they're not prepared for the round.  Too often the hurry to the 1st tee to play a relaxing game of golf.  It doesn't work.   Try taking a little extra time driving to the course.  Start to think about enjoying yourself and your company in the upcoming round.  This will help set the tone for the round.

For tournament players dictate the start of the round in your warm-up.  Take your time between shots.  I wouldn't hit any shots at 100% of your capability.  If you warm-up at 75% and then allow your nervous energy to kick in, you  should be able to find your tempo much sooner as you start the tournament round.

Masters Moments

Maybe one of the best Masters watching I've ever seen.  From Thursday through Sunday, everyday delivered a different story line.  It was great to see Fred Couples and Tom Watson play so well in a Major Championship at their age.  Those guys can still play with the best in the world.  Fantastic to see Tom Watson get an exemption today into this summers' U.S. Open at Pebble Beach.  His game is ideal for the golf course.  You must play solid from tee to green and that's Tom Watson.  BTW, he won there in '82.

Phil Mickelson silenced alot of critics with his convincing win.  To shoot a bogey free score of 67 while playing in the last group is huge.  The shot he pulled off on 13 could be the best of the year under the circumstances.

Kudos to Augusta National for setting up the golf course for excitement.  The golf course is simply the best venue for championship golf in the world.  And Sunday afternoon didn't disappoint.

My biggest takeaway from the week is just how many shots were holed out from off the green.  On the most difficult greens the PGA TOUR plays all year, it's just amazing how incredible their short games are and for that matter irons as well.

Big South Conference Player of the Week

Congratulations to Liberty University Sophomore Jordon Frye for being named Big South Conference Golfer of the week.  Jordan has been a student for three years and has improved immensely.  It's great to see his hard work pay off.  Well done Jordan.  Jordan Frye - Player of the week

April Issue - Avid Golfer

Here's the latest issue of Avid Golfer.  My thoughts on the positioning of your head and eyes throughout the golf swing.  Check it out.   April issue - Avid Golfer

Masters Week - Tuesday

I'm sure everyone is getting their fill of Masters information from various sources.  The weather and course look perfect as usual.  The pairings were just announced and Tiger is playing with KJ Choi and Matt Kuchar in the 1st round.  He goes off at 1:42pm est on Thursday so his play will be available for most of Thursday's telecast.
Lots of talk about the grooves for this week.  Most players are saying that they shouldn't be an issue unless you get in the second cut of rough or if the fairways get wet.  Then it could get very dicey around the greens.
If you're interested the latest odds on winning the Masters are below:
Tiger Woods - 4:1
Phil Mickelson - 9:1
Ernie Els - 10:1
Steve Stricker - 14:1
recent winner Ian Poulter - 33:1

2009 British Open winner Stewart Cink - 66:1

Happy Easter

I would like to wish everyone a Happy Easter today.  I hope you get a chance to rest and relax with your family and friends.
My favorite week of the year is coming up.  The week of The Masters.  And it gets started off with a bang. Tiger's press conference tomorrow at 1pm.  Once that's out of the way, hopefully the week can be a little more business as usual.  The coverage of The Masters is so good now.  You've got all 4 rounds covered and the first 2 rounds replayed at night.  The Golf Channel will be all over it the entire week as well as numerous web sites you can follow on the internet.

Who wins is anybodies guess.  I do know that a player that's playing very well so far this year has this week circled every year has his favorite week of the year.  And he's won there as well in 1992.  My pick Fred Couples.  Stranger things have happened.  Enjoy your day and week.

Slice and Hook tendencies

How your body works with your hands, arms and club is paramount to hitting consistent golf shots.  With that being said, golfers that have a slice tendency will have their body's out racing the golf club in the downswing.  The opposite is true if you hook the ball.  Ideally, you'd like to have the club, hands and arms in synch with your body at all times.
If you miss to the right, keep your upper body turned and let the golf club catch up to the body.  If you hook, you've got to speed up your lower body and make sure you turn through the shot.  This motion is every bit a timing move as a physical move.