Swinging on the Plane

Golfers that hit the most consistently straight shots are the ones that swing the club up and down the plane. Swinging on the plane minimizes your mistakes and elevates your opportunity for good shots.  Below is a detailed instructional video from my youtube channel, timcusickgolf, that explains swinging the club on the plane.

Swinging the club on plane

Motivation

Everyone needs motivation at some point during the day.  Some for different reasons than others.  It's a necessary part of everyday life.  Unfortunately, alot of individuals don't reach for outside sources to motivate them.  As a result, they turn to excuses to logic something out.  Whether it's relationships, sports, business or just everyday life, to be successful, you would like to stay as motivated as possible in everything you do. 

If you're looking for some extra motivation today, look no further.  The link below will give you all the motivation you need to get up off the couch, drag yourself out of bed or dig in just a little deeper when times are tough.

All the Motivation You'll Need

Ball Against the Collar of the Rough

In the summer time when the grass is growing and some rough is established around the green, the ball may come to rest against the collar of the rough.  It's a difficult shot to chip because the ball is sitting below the top of the rough and you will tend to get too much grass between the ball and clubface.
I usually opt for a 3-wood in this situation.  Below is a detailed instructional video from my youtube channel, timcusickgolf, that outlines how to play this shot with success.

Ball Against the Collar of the Rough

High Pitch Shot

Hitting a high pitch shot isn't the highest percentage shot around the green.  But, it's a necessary shot when you're faced with an elevated green, shot over a bunker or a pin that's tucked close to the edge of the green.  First, you must have a lie that allows you to use the bounce of the club.  A lie with cushion under the ball allows you to hit the ground with the bounce of the club, which lets the club side under the ball.
Below is a detailed instructional video from my youtube channel, timcusickgolf, that outlines the technique necessary for being successful at pitching the ball higher in the air.

High Pitch Shot

Off to School

The summer is coming to an end and that means it's back to school for all the kids.  For four of my competitive junior golfers it's back to school an entirely different way.  They're off to college.  For Anthony Paolucci, Phillip Rosengarden, Luke Kwon and Mary Cathryn Rau it's time to enter a new stage in their life.  Each is entering college and getting ready to play college golf.

Anthony Paolucci - University of Southern California
Phillip Rosengarden - Lafayette University
Luke Kwon - St. Edward's University
Mary Cathryn Rau - Creighton University

All four students have worked very hard on their game for a number of years.  They've been successful at the junior level and I'm confident they'll be successful at the college level as well.  I wish each of them luck in their new endeavor.

The Axis of the Body Pivot

The way the body turns back and through in the swing is vital for solid contact.  The setup and the angle that club swings up and down the plane play a major part in how the body pivots throughout the swing.  Below is a video clip from my youtube channel, timcusickgolf, that describes in detail the components of the pivot during the swing.

The body pivot

Grip and Clubface

Controlling the clubface during the golf swing is essential for hitting straight shots.  Getting this control starts with having a correct grip.  A nuetral grip will allow the opportunity to have the clubface to be square throughout the swing. 

Below is an instructional clip, from my youtube channel timcusickgolf, that outlines how to control the clubface throughout the swing.

Grip and Clubface control

Assessing the skill of Hitting over Trees

When faced with a shot over trees you must be confident in the club that you pick to play the shot.  You're first order of business is to clear the trees.  Even if that means you don't get to your intended target, make sure you clear the trees.  If it's a choice between a 7 or an 8 iron, pick, not guess, the club that you're fully confident that's going to clear the trees. 

Below is a video clip, from my youtube channel timcusickgolf, that goes into detail the execution of this shot.

Hitting over Trees

A Working Vacation

Just back from 10 days of vacation in Northwest Indiana.  My wife's family is from the area.  The vacation actually was a working vacation as The Northern Amateur was being played at Sand Creek CC.  I had six of my college players participate in the three day event.
I've taught each of them for at least 4 years so it was a fantastic opportunity for me to see them compete.  Having spent time coaching college golf and teaching Tour Professionals from all the Major Tours in the world I can safely say there's a few glaring differences between the levels of play.
The two biggest areas that really stood out from watching all the players are the ability to lag putt and maintain their emotions/attitude for the entire round.  These two areas added strokes to almost every players  scorecard each day.  Lag putting is important on every putt that's struck.  Most players are good with starting the putt on line but don't put enough attention to the speed of the putt.  This really should be the last thought or feeling before the putter is taken back.
On the emotional side, few college players are able to battle through a bad shot or bad hole without it effecting them on the next shot or hole.  As a result, they aren't able to battle through tough stretches during the round.
Improving these two areas will undoubtedly lower any golfers score.  Both take attention and practice.  But it's certainly worth the reward.