Keeping tips

All things considered, I would say I have an average memory.  Usually, I can remember what I was thinking earlier in the day if it was remotely important, but there have been plenty of occasions where an “aha” moment in the morning is completely lost by the evening.  Most of the time it’s not a big deal, but when it comes to thoughts on the golf course I cannot afford to forget what I’ve learned that day.  So, utilizing a bit of technology, I email myself whenever I have a good realization or something that I want to keep in the memory banks down the road.  Then, in the evenings, I write all of those tips down.  There are probably hundreds of ways to make sure you remember something, but this tends to work for me.

Here are some emails I’ve sent myself from practice over the past two weeks:

 

Keep the wrist flat in the swing.

On pitches, turn shoulders don’t dip them.  Turn shoulders. Turn shoulders.

Unhood the putter and let the face lead striking up on the ball.

Look at the damn ball.  Especially when chipping, but all the time.  Just look at the ball, it’s not hard.

In full swing maintain control in right hand, when that hand slips you push it.  Also, move back some, when you hit inside you push it.

Stay more connected with your left shoulder because that’s how you keep all power connected, when you separate you lose that.

Always get back to square. This should be your mantra.

It’s all ball position with the 3 hybrid.  More back in the stance is push or slice and more forward is draw.  Just slight differences, but it can make a huge shot shape difference.

Don’t break wrists at chips, this is a recurring theme.  A slight hinge is okay, especially when the ball is buried.

Don’t get lazy, hold your right hand grip solid through swing, don’t let the club slip.

If the tee shot or 3-hybrid or any club is going left or screwing up in general, check to make sure my right shoulder isn’t open, close the right shoulder.

In putting, separate hands slightly and control aim of the club with the left hand.

Putt with shoulders and feel the twist in the stomach.

Don’t forget to hit the ball…

Hold the club with consistent pressure in chips and in all swings.

A golf glove isn’t to protect your hand, it’s to allow for a lighter grip in that it acts almost like tape to the grip.  Wear one and you can hold the club with less pressure.

Feel like your hips are moving towards the target during the backswing of pitches.

Trust my eyes don’t line up club face, line up body in putting.

In putting a push is a loose left hand, hold tighter left hand.

Keep the pace with all clubs, it is all internal.

In putting, keep strong tree-like legs, firmly planted in greens so they don’t move.

The full swing is from long to in.  Stretch those arms out then pull them in through the swing.

 

Those are some examples of the type of thoughts I have during a practice session.  Nothing overly groundbreaking, but subtle aspects of the swing and putt that I want to make sure to internalize for the long run.

Thanks for reading!