July 05 blog
Master Carlos and Arnaldo
"Hello, Master Carlos? This is Arnaldo, your country house
caretaker."
"Ah yes, Mr. Arnaldo. What can I do for you? Is there a problem?"
"Um, I am just calling to advise you, sir, that your parrot
died."
"My parrot? Dead? The one that won the competition?"
"That's the one."
"Darn! That's such a pity! I spent a small fortune on that bird.
Oh well...what did he die from?"
"From eating rotten meat."
"Rotten meat? Who was so mean as to give him meat?"
"Nobody. He ate the meat of one of the dead horses."
"Dead horse? What dead horse, Mr. Arnaldo?"
"Why those pure breed ones that you had, sir. They died
from all that work pulling the water cart."
"Are you insane? What water cart?"
"The one we used to put out the fire."
"Good Lord! What fire are you talking about, man?"
"The one at your house! A candle fell and then the curtain
caught on fire."
"What the.....!!! But there's electricity at the house!!!!
What was the candle for???"
"For the funeral."
"WHAT BLOODY FUNERAL???!!!!!"
"Your mother-in-law's! She showed up one night, out of the
blue and I thought she was a thief, so I hit her with your new
Tiger Woods Nike Driver."
SILENCE ...
"Arnaldo, if you broke that driver, you are fired!"
07/28/05
Other women are saying they don't understand why Michelle wants to play in the PGA, that she should stay in the LPGA, that playing in the PGA is not going to help women's golf.
Others are questioning on a daily basics as to whether she should playing in this or that.
But for her part, Michelle has held her dignity and is doing her talking on the golf course.
Michelle has gone thru 9 caddies in her short career. He father influence has been credited with the caddies leaving. Finally he obtained the job himself and is now Michelle's caddie for the Open this coming weekend.
Richard
07/25/05
I just want to say thanks for the help. you guys have a good thing going. It would be nice to see you guys on those hour long infomercials on the golf channel because people buy that crap and you guys have a product that's actually worth buying. My father and I decided to take up golf a few months ago because I've always been an athlete but never had the money like these yuppies to pay for golf. But I have some money now that I'm 27 and I can still get to the gym 4 days a week and so does my dad so we are in good shape. We got some nice clubs and decided to get into it. I mean I've been a handful of times in my life. I hit my driver naturally (from the start) about 320 yards topped out probably, off the mat. Ask me to do it 5 times in a row and there's NO chance. I also couldn't hit an iron consistently to save my soul. All over the place. Anyway we bought a handful of DVD's and all that and yeah there was some improvement with the grip and to get a circular motion and all that but none I repeat NONE out of like 5 other dvd's by Leadbetter, Wally Armstrong (although I like this one too), golf for dummies, oh yeah and need I say a couple hundred dollars in tutorial books and magazines. None of them made improvements to my game and my SWING like the golf school package with Sensei Mark Anthony did. I mean I still have my struggles I'm no pga tour I've only been playing a couple months and have only hit 18 like three times and nine holes several times but I go to the range alot right now to practice. My swing is so much more CONSISTENT!! and smooth than ever before and right after watching these videos there were IMMEDIATE RESULTS. Another good story is that I decided to read a fundamental book (I forget who it was by) AFTER I had success and was happy with the school videos by you guys, just figuring more info couldn't hurt. Well let me tell ya I was all over the place again, throwing my clubs, cursing, literally ready to burn this stupid technique book. I went home and that night I watched the DVD's again went to the range the next day and I was back to hitting the ball straight, high, long, and consistent which consistency is what I was struggling with the most. I mean a couple more months and I might just feel confident swinging with my eyes closed. My swing feels so good and comfortable. I just want to say THANK YOU for all of your tips and help. They have taken strokes off my card and years onto my life : ) . Good luck with this product you guys are down to earth people and make the game simple and easy to learn. You guys truly deserve to succeed.
thanks again,
Nicholas Dudley
07/24/05
Joe,
What is your take on last week’s newsletter’s debate
on Natural Golf?
Jack
Hello Jack,
Natural Golf was started by a man named Jack
Kuykendall, who has since left that company when it
went public and started his own Level Power Golf
concept. Jack openly claims the current Natural Golf
methods are not the same as he intended, and he really
rips them on his website, but his new LPG concept is
way different. What makes this such a great country is
that everyone is allowed freedom of speech, to have
their own interpretations, and to express their own
opinions publicly. You don’t have to agree with
everything you read, but sometimes a little
controversy leads to some interesting reading. Natural
Golf has 4 main concepts, and if they work for you,
that’s fine, go ahead. Moe Norman, whose swing Natural
Golf claims to emulate, was a great ball striker, but
Mr. Kuykendall claims Natural Golf’s concepts are no
longer the same as Moe’s. Nevertheless, some people
say they have been helped with Natural Golf concepts,
but in my opinion, you have a better chance of success
with the Body Golf concepts.
Joe
Pack a Tent to Read Strange Greens
Your imagination can help you save strokes when you’re putting on
unfamiliar greens. Putts that apparently break in one direction
often break just the opposite way because your eyes are deceived
by the surrounding terrain.
Imagine that you’re walking into a tent that covers the entire
green as you approach it. Cup your hands over your eyes to help
form the tent in your mind. With outside distractions gone, the
real slope and roll of the green will be more obvious.
This cover-up tactic should help you reduce three-putting on
courses you’re playing for the first time.
07/18/05
Balance Your Swing
Can you turn the club loose with the middle three fingers and
balance it on the thumb while gripping it with the little finger
only at the top of the backswing? Are the shoulders turned
enough so that the club is pointing toward your target? This is
a valuable (it is only an exercise) designed to get the left
thumb under the shaft so that the club will be balanced and ready
for the hit.
If you aren’t getting the club back in the proper slot,
correctly gripped, you will not be able to hold the club, let
alone get it through the ball properly. Do not let it slip off.
When you’ve succeeded in developing the balance as illustrated,
re-grip, swing through and do the same at the top f the
follow-through. Golf is played with the hands. Therefore, the
right grip takes preference over anything. Most players ought to
grip with the back three fingers of the left hand and the middle
two of the right.
Some golfers have stated that they get the feel of the hit with
the thumb and forefinger of the right, but usually they are
seasoned golfers. If you are not so fortunate as to play a lot,
try using the middle two fingers of the right hand as your
pressure points. Once this is mastered, concentrate on
developing rhythm and timing.
07/15/05
Fans jammed every nook and cranny of the historic 18th hole to get a look at the greatest championship player in golf's history. Nicklaus propped hisleft leg on the Swilcan Bridge and had pictures taken of himself, Steve his son, Tom Watson and Luke Donal and their caddies.
Nick Faldo said, "They shold make him out of gold and stick a little Jack on every tee box."
In his last round he shot an even par 72 and ended 3 over fo the two rounds.
Farewell Golden Bear...my friend.
Richard Myers
07/12/05
by
Mac Stevenson
Slow play on the golf course is caused by many factors; however,
the worst offenders are exceptionally poor players who are
usually beginners.
Golf needs new players, young and old. But they should have to
achieve a certain skill level before they are allowed on the golf
course.
Acquiring basic skills isn't something that will take a ton of
money and hours of practice. All that is necessary is some
instruction on the basic fundamentals of grip, stance, and swing.
These can be learned from videos, books, magazines, and lessons
from professionals or friends who are good players.
Beginners can learn how to hit the ball well enough to keep play
moving with just a few instruction sessions and by hitting 15 or
20 buckets of practice balls on the driving range. And beginners
should learn the fundamentals of chipping and putting before they
venture out on the course.
This isn't to say that new players have to be accomplished
golfers before they're allowed on the golf course. It is to say
they should have enough skill to hit the ball reasonably well and
not hold up everyone playing behind them.
It isn't always beginners. Good players can be the worst
offenders of all. Some of them watch too much golf on TV and
think they have to imitate the pros. And others are egotistical
clods who think they're better than they are and play at whatever
pace they want and say to hell with whoever is behind them.
Fivesomes should be barred from all golf courses. A fivesome that
plays quickly is no problem, but you have a day-ruining dilemma
when you get behind a slow one.
The staff in pro shops should tell suspect groups--before they
allow them to tee off--to let faster golfers play through. This
is particularly true at municipal courses. Suspect groups are
golfers (in name only) who don't know how to play and are just
out to enjoy some good weather and kill an afternoon. And, in the
process, ruin the day for everyone behind them.
Every golf course has slow players who are regulars. These
everyday players act like they own the course and--in many
cases--no one has the fortitude to tell them that they need to
speed up their play. That's up to the pro in charge, and it's
easier said than done.
Here are a few common-sense rules that all golfers should follow
to speed up play and make the game more enjoyable for everyone:
(1) Don't spend much time looking for lost balls. Drop one
where you think it should be and continue with the game.
(2) Play ready golf on the tee. Regardless of who has honors,
the player who is ready should tee off.
(3) When a player skulls a chip shot over the green, go ahead
and putt rather than waiting for him or her to walk clear across
the green to hit their next shot.
(4) Study your putt while your playing companions are
chipping or putting. Don't wait until it's your turn to putt.
(5) Take one and only one practice swing before you hit your
shot. Some players take four or five practice swings before every
shot and slow down the foursome. It not only won't help your
game, it holds up everyone behind you. And it's stupid.
(6) Don't be afraid to tell extra-slow players in your group
that they need to speed up their pre-shot rituals.
(7) When the group behind you is conspicuously faster than
yours, let them play through. And when your foursome is allowed
to play through a slower group, do it fast.
A round of 18 holes of golf should never take over three and a
half to four hours. And let's not hear the tired rejoinder that
you shouldn't play if you're in a hurry. Nuts to that. Almost
every golfer likes to play at a comfortable but brisk pace. No
one enjoys five-hour rounds of golf. Nothing ruins a day like
coming up to a tee during the middle of a round and finding two
foursomes waiting to tee off.
Ideally, every golf course would have a marshal who is a retired
NFL linebacker. This is especially true for municipal courses
where anyone can play; public courses need a marshal to make sure
a slow group of clowns doesn't ruin the day for everyone behind
them.
Marshals should have the authority to tell slow players to skip
two holes or get off the course. It would enhance the income for
all public courses if prospective players knew that slow play
wasn't allowed.
Players who hold up everyone playing behind them are rude and
inconsiderate and devoid of common sense. They are golf's
greatest enemies.
I'm wondering if the drills and such that Mark shows on his
videos apply as well to either type of swing, or if it really
doesn't make any difference? Would you suggest any specifics to
work on differently depending on your swing type?
Chuck Davis
Hey Chuck...
I didn't see the article. I don't get those magazines anymore. I
was sick of seeing ads for stuff and vacations that I could never
afford in three lifetimes.
Anyway...the drills I teach and swing the I show you would
classify as a "two plane" swing.
The single plane swing is what the now defunct "Natural Golf"
teaches. This type of swing is actually not that easy to do and
in my opinion (as a fitness instructor) is dangerous to the spine
because of the wide stance which limits your ability to turn
through the ball in one unified motion.
The two-plane swing is simply where your arms are in a more
natural position (hanging) and then you grip and swing from
there. If you have my DVDs and use the techniques, you'll know
that my method is quite simple. (As thousands all over the world
can attest).
If you don't have any of my DVDs, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING
FOR????????
Just kidding...
But I firmly believe that THAT stuff should be the furthest thing
from your mind -- ESPECIALLY if you are just learning the game
and swing. Leave all of the technical crap-ola for the people
that like to get twisted up with meaningless details.
Why do I say that? Because my 7-year-old and 10-year-old sons
(who know not one single thing about the golf swing) can hit the
ball nice and straight because they just copy what they see in
dear old Dad...
In any case, I hope that I've answered your question Chuck.
Stay in touch
Sensei Mark
it is mainly due to Mark's short game tape. I've watched it so many
times it is just about worn out, but I always get something new out of it.
I really believe if I can get inside of 20 yards of the hole I will
be down in two. My past three rounds prove it.
Today I was playing with our young assistant pro who is a very
fine player. He has very nice soft hands throughout the game and
really hits it a mile. If he shoots par for the day he is disappointed.
After today's round he asked me about how I could get up and down
the way I do. I suggested he look at Mark's tape. The main thing is
to visualize the lowest numbered club possible for the shot and to
learn how to put with his irons just as well as his putter. We'll have
him regularly in the mid-60's in no time.
Gerry
This 15 year old girl, knows that her time is coming. She missed the cut for the John Deere Classic, but she knows her time may be sooner than most expected.
She made the cut in the LPGA Tour on her fourth try, and her fourth try is coming up for the PGA. She missed the cut by two strokes, but she showed she can hold her own.
Michelle has a great short game, especially for a 15 year old. She thinks her game is alot more consistent and feels like she is alittle more in control.
Clair Peterson, director at the John Deere Calssic said "If it wasn't today, someday." And I am sure she is right.
Richard Myers
Hold a basketball between your knees help to make solid, stable
leg action. A powerful golf swing needs a solid base. Ideally,
your center of gravity should remain stable during the swing.
Excessive movement in the legs will cause your head to rise and
dip, your center of gravity to leap about all over the place and
your balance to be lost.
Just make a few swings with a ball between your knees. You will
notice your knees are forced to remain still. They simply cannot
link inwards or outwards - sign of an unstable swing. And again,
you will discover this drill has plenty of desirable side
effects. Your hip will improve as you will find it hard to sway
backwards and forwards. You will have to swing slowly too, so
your tempo will benefit
Richard
Distance poor on long putts? Imagine the hole in the middle of a basket six feet across. Then putt to get the ball into the basket.
Quitting. Take shorter backswing, accelerate putter through.
Closing balde at impact. Stand a little closer to the ball. Firm up the left hand and lead with back of hand through the ball.
Hope this helps.
Richard
07/04/05
Thanks for these thoughts for this particular weekend. I certainly
appreciate the reminder of our collective ideals.
Peace,
g
Richard,
Thank you for your insights on this great nation and the annual celebration
of our beginnings. Have a joyous and safe Red, White, and Blue Fourth of
July weekend!
Yours in golf,
Jack Sheldahl
AMEN!!!
Thanks so much for taking the time to send such a moving and beautiful message to your subscribers. It is a great reminder to the many citizens who give no thought at all to how unbelieveably fortunate we are to have had founding fathers like Washington, Franklin, Adams, Jefferson, Hamilton, Madison and others. They put their lives on the line to get our country started. They were motivated not by a lust for power or financial gain, but by the single-minded and completely altruistic goal of establishing the best possible form of government. And they did it brilliantly -- defeating the greatest army in the world with a ragtag bunch of farmers and eventually creating an inspired constitution that has stood the test of time with amazing success. That first shot at Concord, as Emerson so famously said, was truly "heard round the world."
Can you imagine how these challenges would have been handled by our present politicians?
Keep up the good work -- and a Happy Fourth of July to you and yoursl
Tom Kearney
Appreciate the Fourth of July Tribute. We all need to take part in the operation of our Country. Not only now, but we should always be letting our Representatives know what we expect of them.
Thanks Richard. A Happy and safe 4th.
Vladimir
World War II Vet.
My daughter took her Military Oath this Monday at West Point.
> She is walking the Walk.
> God Bless America!
> Regards,
> Ed Ashton
Richard, Good thoughts. I wish more of our people would put on their
thinking hats and realize where we came from, where we've been, and really
consider where we're going. May the real meaning of July 4th be ever
present in the minds of our citizens. Maybe some of us " older citizenry"
can live our lives in such a manner that it will be passed on to our
youngsters. God Bless !! Keep swinging and check six !! GH
I immensely enjoyed all of your emails with tips and instructions for the
wonderful game of golf. My reason for writing is to say: I was deeply moved
by your article on the independence of our beloved country the USA that is
still the greatest country in the world. Coming from a third world country
Guyana and having lived here for the last twenty five years my family and I
greatly appreciate our freedom and liberty to serve God, Country and fellow
man. Thanks again for the tribute and happy 4th. I look forward to buying
your Golf videos. Since I am a novice and occasionally played with my two
sons I would like to learn the game well even though I was in the fifties,
Could you help? God bless.
Joe
Thank you for your personal message --- it made me think more about how lucky I was to be an American and to think less about how to lower my handica. I am gratelful to be free enough to play golf as an available sport -- to heck with the stats!!!!
Greetings from Arizona. What a wonderful piece of writing. You made my
day. Have a great 4th of July.
MOST EXCELLENT! Wishing you a great 4th, too!
Played golf today and drinking and eating on the 4th, ---------at home.
Thanks for thinking of me.
I return to Iraq on 20 Jul. We are doing terrific things there that you don't read about. I know, that's most important and that's the reason I am going back,.
I am from Romania, GOOD BLES USA and ROMANIA
god bye
this is an awesome e-mail! very inspiring because it is true. we should send it to short-sighted "thinkers" like Brian Williams at CBS or NBC or wherever he works. (i haven't watched "the news" for 25 years).
thanks a lot and God Bless,
Darrin Arvin
Richard,
Very well presented. I share your thoughts and feelings.
Have a great celebration of our Country's Birthday!
John K. Rafferty
07/03/05
I sent out an Happy 4th of July email to everyone on the list last Friday and recevied many very nice and heart warming replies from subscribers all over the world.
Just one of them from tom barnes in Australia pissed me off and I asked him to remove himself from the list, which he did.
Just wanted to p0ost his email so everyone could see it.
Have a great 4th of July, wherever you are!!
Richard,
Kindly remember that some of your subscribers do not live in the USA, do not
enjoy the same "holidays", and may be, do not have an interest in anything
you tell us except for golf matters.
Tom.
Richard
07/01/05
Hi Richard,
I have a question for you, since buying your DVD set I have reduced my handicap by 5 strokes in less than 6 months however I am having a problem with my fairway Metals (woods), I hit my driver 230+ metres down the middle with a nice draw, I hit my 5 iron either straight or with a nice draw 165 metres but here is the problem. Every time I try and use a fairway metal in competition on a hole which is out of reach of the 5 iron or higher I top the fairway metal and the ball scuds along the ground. On the driving range I can hit the fairway metals without a problem even hitting the 3W 200 metres on target. I have tried and tried fixing the problem but cannot work out where I am going wrong. It has gotten to the point where I know in advance that I am going to waste a shot by trying a fairway metal and so I run scared of hitting them. The odd thing is my fairway metals used to be my preferred club. Where am I going wrong?
Feel free to use this in your newsletter email.
Best regards Tom Boyd
Global Aviation
MS 1102 Sunshine Coast Airport
Queensland 4564
Australia
Tom,
This is a common thing with those that have just learned to hit the ball well. What is going on is (in my humble opinion) is that although you are very comfortable with your fairway woods at the range, you get much too excited on the golf course.
What I mean is this. At the range, I'm sure that you're hitting the ball a ton. It flies straight and true and they are quite manificent to look at. And let me tell you...it feels GOOD!
Yes I know...Real Good
Anyway...when at the golf course, you forget the fact that when you're at the range there is no pressure to perfom. No pressure to impress those watching. No pressure to wow anyone. So as a result, your swing is smooth and free.
In addition, because you've recieved my better-than-anyone (haha) instruction, you do what I tell you in the lessons. And because of this...you kill the ball quite regularly.
But when you add all of the pressure on yourself (he's the only one that can do it too) you get all caught up in WATCHING THE BALL FLY instead of swinging free and smooth.
Because of that, you're most likely picking up your focus in anticipation of looking at a sweet shot. Instead, what happens is an embarassing (humilating) duffed shot.
You need to do this...
Go into the videos and watch the "No-Peeks Swings"
This is when you are not allowed to watch the ball fly after you hit it. Now...you can do this on the range but when at the golf course, you can modify it slightly so that you can find it after you hit it. (that's always nice, right?)
On the course, wait a beat before letting yoru eyes follow the ball. leave your focus on the divot...THEN pick up your eyes.
Try that and see how it works and please, let us know how it works out for you.
Mark Anthony Montaquila
http://www.thinkandreachpar.com/
http://www.superbabysitting.com/
http://www.golfforleftys.com/
864.675.0038
posted by Richard Myers at 1:58 PM
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