August 05 blog
Achieving the Backspin
Golfers seem to have two ambitions above all others: they would
like to be able to drive as long as the pros and to be able to
stop their approaches on the greens the way the pros can. Much
sensible instruction has been provided on how to gain length off
the tee, but it has been my experience that the average golfer is
quite confused on the business of backspin.
First let me tell you how, contrary to popular belief, one does
not achieve backspin: you don’t get it by over-emphasizing the
down motion of the downswing-that is, by simply driving the ball
into the ground as forcefully as you can.
Backspin, to some degree, depends on the relationship of the
power of the blade to the power of the shaft. You must have the
fight equipment first. Then-it is all very unmysterious and
painstaking-backspin is produced by contacting the ball
absolutely cleanly, striking it a quarter of an inch or so above
its base as you hit down-and-through the ball. This takes plenty
of time and some skill to master, but it is this precise striking
of the ball that creates the spin in flight that in turn creates
the backspin action when the ball hits the green.
Let me repeat that…backspin is hitting the ball cleanly, and
hitting it a quarter of an inch above its base as you hit down
and through the ball. It takes a lot of practice to achieve
this, but it can be done.
08/16/05
Went up to Leominster, Ma last Friday to shoot some more golf training dvd’s with Sensei Mark.
Gosh the weather up there was as hot as it is down here in the South. Temperatures reaching 100 degrees. It was hot…no question about that.
One of the most interesting things that happened is Mark and I were walking across the parking lot and a fellow ran up to Mark and said “Sensei, I want to shake your hand. I bought your full swing video a couple of years ago and it has taken my handicap for 12 to 7. I still pull it out every now and then and watch it. I want to thank you. “ Of course, both Mark and myself was very pleased. From a 12 to a 7, that is quite an accomplishment!
Everything went very well and ending up with over 7 hours of new videos. Kim Novak, whose father is the Pro at Monoosnock Country Club hosted two videos. One is The Perfect Swing for Women and the other video is All About Golf. Kim is the number one lady golfer in Mass, and I am very proud to have her host these videos. She did a great job.
The Perfect Swing for Women, is a full swing video for women, with the perfect swing basics and is full of good golf content including about twenty minutes of putting tips. For a woman, by a woman.
The All About Golf video is for anyone that is thinking about taking up the game of golf. It explains all the basics of golf equipment, rules, and procedures. A very helpful video for anyone wanting to know about golf or anyone thing about starting to play golf.
Sensei Mark hosted one three hour video titled Total Golf. This dvd will cover in complete detail everything from the grip to putting, in much detail. Marks style and teaching method is very similar to Butch Harmons…now wonder they work so well.
The other two videos are Driver,Putter, and Wedge and Faults and Cures. All of these videos have very little BS, and plenty of techniques and secrets.
Thunder storms across the Atlanta area Sunday night made coming home Monday a hassle with canceled flights, but after twelve and one half hours, I finally made it…tired, but a good feeling of accomplishment.
Richard Myers
It pays to plan carefully for playing par 3 holes. Most courses
have four par 3's which the average golfer can reach with tee
shots. Threes on these holes can do a lot for your score and
give you a pshchological lift. So make the most of the
opportunity.
Forget your ego. Take as much club as you will neeed to carry
the ball to the pin. A check at one event showed 90 percent of
tee shots stopping short of the hole; 40 percent short of the
green. So consider taking a longer club than you might expect to
use.
Consider distance to the pin, not green. It can vary one or two
clubs, depending on pin placement and posistion of the tee
markers. Remember: Distance on card is from middle of tee to
middle of ghe green. So check pin placement and the tee markers
before selecting the club.
Consider also the wind. Tossing some grass on the tee is not
enough. The wind may be blosing differently at the gree, where
its effect is greatest. So check the flag and tops of trees near
the green.
Another distance factor is green elevation. If it's elevated,
better add 10 yards; lower, deduct 10.
Knowing you have the correct club will increase confidence, help
you make a soooth swing. You don't want to force the swing. Tha
twould affect your rhythm and swing arc. This should be a
control shot.
Study the green carefully to plan where you want to aim. Since
there's small margin for error on a par 3, play for the safe
part. You'll still be putting for a birdie. Adjust air to allow
for crosswind.
Always use a tee, but keep the ball close to the turf so you can
take divot and get backspin with an iron.
Dr Richard Myers
08/02/05
Are You a Duffer?
A duffer does more than play poor golf. He gives himself away by some of the things he does or fails to do that are typical of beginners-although many experienced players are guilty and may be put in this class.
Some things duffers do to violate the rules: some just violate etiquette. All are avoidable.
If your answer is yes to most of these questions, you rate in the duffer class no matter how low your handicap is or how long you have played golf.
On the tee, do you tee up in front of the markers, even just a little? Decide to wash your ball when it’s your turn to drive? Talk, laugh, move about or rattle your clubs when another is addressing the ball? Fail to put litter in receptacles? Drive before group ahead is out of range?
Through the green, do you walk ahead of others in your group and risk begin hit? Stand too close to one about to play a stroke? Play out of turn? Press the grass behind the ball down with your foot or club? Otherwise improve your lie? Forget to count strokes when you whiff or lose a ball? Pull up grass or weeds when in the rough or break off branches that obstruct your swing?
In a bunker, do you climb down or up a sandy bank? Or fail to enter at a level point nearest your ball? Leave footprints unraked? Touch the sand with the club when addressing the ball? Touch or remove natural objects?
On the green, do you change to a new “putting ball”? Or have to be asked to mark your ball? Or do you place your marker on the side, or in the front, instead of behind the ball? Or leave your ball in the cup after holding out when others still have to putt? Step on another’s line of putt? Press down with your putter or foot to smooth your line? Stand in the line of your putter, scuff the green with your spikes, fail to repair your ball mark? Are you not ready to putt when it’s your turn? Do you step close to the hole or damage the green with the end of the flagstick? After putting out, do you stay on the green to count strokes or mark the score?
All of us make mistakes at one time or another, but just keep the above in mind may help all of us have a better round, and alittle more fun!
posted by Richard Myers at 1:59 PM
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