I am Wayne Hudler, an ordinary golfer on a life long journey, like so many others, to discover how to play better golf.
It’s not that I don’t enjoy the game now, I do. I love it in fact. I just know that I would enjoy it even more if I played as well as I know I can. Is that true for you too?
I need to hit longer, straighter drives, consistently hit crisp iron shots, make more putts and generally improve my overall golf game. At the risk of stating the obvious, I am not happy with the 15 handicap I now carry. I want to lower my handicap. Most of us want that same thing.
This site serves as the diary of my golf journey. I will talk about where my game has come from and how I’ve made progress. Step by step. Mis-steps included. No holding back or white washing the truth. It may be embarrassing but I will still share the truth about my journey.
It is my hope that this effort serves to help you improve your golf game. Whatever your golf goals, whatever level of golfer you are now or whatever part of the world you live, if you long to be a better golfer, I want to to help you better enjoy this wonderful game of golf.
Wayne
It looks like just about every golfer I am aware of is consistently looking for tips on how to improve their performance. It does not matter our existing amount of results we still need to perform considerably better. It is just (please forgive this intentional pun) “par for the course”. One important thing that quite a few have done with good results would be to employ a golf swing training device.
Just what strides have you employed to develop into a superior ball striker? I’ve lost count myself. I now play in the 80s consistently and I’m yet expecting to make improvements.
The one thing that I’ve improved on substantially is I strike my iron shots so much more effectively now. It took time and practice but I’ve realized the tips to consistent iron play. Thought you might reap some benefits if I shared these with you. Listed here are five tips that will assist you be a better ball striker.
Five Tricks to Improved Ball Striking
1. Proper Set Up – You might have seen before that it’s very unlikely to make a good quality shot from a flawed set up position. Well believe it. Most of the time a good stance will mean the feet are shoulder distance apart, the knees are slightly bent, the front side shoulder is higher than the back shoulder with the ball located in between the inside of the front foot and the mid-point of your stance.
2. Gentle Grip Pressure – Tension is the adversary of a clean, flowing golf swing. Gripping too tightly, a common fault, prevents the ideal release of the club at contact. This deficiency commonly leads to a push/slice ball flight. With a light grip pressure allows the hands to release the club easily and in perfect time with the body and shoulders.
3. Hit Down – The sweet spot of the clubface needs to contact the ball just beneath its equator and continue forward and downward with the leading edge entering the grass just ahead of the ball, or where it once was.
4. Shaft Lean – This is an important concept to realize. A lot of players believe the shaft must be vertical at impact. They’re wrong. The club is designed to have the shaft tilting|require the shaft to be tilting} forward toward the target during impact.
5. Take a Divot – A short, shallow divot is the natural result of the preceding tips.
Merely one percent of amateur golfers strike the ball effectively. Just a slim one percent! Can you imagine that?
Many of us use the golf club improperly; uncocking our wrist well ahead of when we should. Releasing the club too soon brings the clubface into contact with the ball above its center line resulting in the dreaded topped shot. My golf buddies, they are often abusive, use to ask me if I preferred bowling any time I had topped a shot.
For anyone who is struggling with your ball striking, you might like to consider putting a Tour Striker golf swing training product to work in your game. It helps any golfer train themselves to execute these five tips quickly.
This training device will intuitively assist you to fully understand leverage and how to apply the club head to the golf ball in the same manner as the best players worldwide. That’s the most significant benefit of golf swing training devices such as the Tour Striker; you swiftly become an improved ball striker without needing to take a lifetime of golf lessons.
You’ll be able to stop those mis-hits and begin hitting those classic iron shots with help from a golf swing trainer.
Discover just how quickly your game will improve with this incredible golf swing trainer.
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This is the second in a series of post discussing my golf swing faults. Today I will discuss the first flaw on that list. Remember they are in no particular order since sometimes one swing flaw may be more prevalent than the others and then the next round it may be a different swing fault that I struggle with. It rare that I don’t have some sort of flaw in my swing.
The key to having a good round then is to recognize as early as possible which swing fault is troubling you that day and taking the proper steps to correct it. Every round is a process of understanding and reacting to the information gathered from the feel of impact, the divot and the ball flight.
Today’s flaw is takeaway speed or more broadly; swing tempo. I have a tendency to move the club away from the ball too rapidly. When I do that it ruins my golf swing tempo.
A proper takeaway is low and slow. You’ve probably heard that before. In my own experience it has always proven true. So many other issues are created by this hurried tempo throughout the rest of the backswing and downswing that it is nearly impossible to return the club to the back of the ball properly.
The list of potential swing errors that can and often do develop as a result of a fast takeaway are:
- The club comes off plane
- Grip pressure becomes too tight
- Lose balance when you reach the top of the backswing
- Too quick from the top
- Swing sequence becomes out of sync
- Deceleration at impact
Is that a mouthful or what? It is true that the earlier in the swing a flaw occurs the more that goes wrong during the rest of the swing. The only swing faults that happen earlier than the takeway would be those that happen in the set up.
As I bring the club back too quickly I tend to hinge the wrist too early and the weight of the clubhead moves the club off plane when the wrist reach their maximum hinge point. When I feel the loss of clubhead control I then grip the club more tightly in an attempt to maintain control.
When the backswing reaches the top the excessive speed of the shoulders and the club pull me off balance backwards. My brain (yes I actually have one) senses this falling backwards and automatically moves my center of gravity to compensate. This necessary but unplanned movement changes the swing plane again. Maybe it returns to the proper plane but most likely it will not.
Now that I’ve reached the top in a rush it is only natural for me to hurry the downswing too. Even though the move at the top takes a second or so I often rush it before the club has time to set properly at the top. Pulling down from the top too quickly prevents me from creating the proper lag on the down swing, time my weight transfer correctly and make the proper move through the ball at impact. In general all of the sequential movements of the downswing get out of sync.
There is an important point to remember that I haven’t touched on yet. A golf swing is most often either becoming faster or slower. Ideally the golf swing should continue building speed throughout the backswing and downswing. When the takeaway is rushed, like I tend to do, it makes it near impossible for me to continue accelerating from that point on to the finish.
Therefore the tendency is to slow down near impact to keep the hands and arms in sync with the turn of the body and the weight shift. Deceleration at impact is the result.
If all that could go wrong on one of these rapid takeaway swings I produce one of the ugliest swings a duffer could ever wish witness. The ball could literally go anywhere from a high, weak fade from a too steep swing plane combined with an open clubface to a dead pull hook.
I don’t know of a golfer on earth that can play with a swing like that. I am grateful that I have learned enough about my swing to avoid this common swing fault most of the time.
How do I keep myself from getting in a hurry at the start?
I consciously think “low and slow” during the set up. I make it my primary swing thought until I have overcome the urge to rush things for that round. Simple enough. Hope it works for you too.
My swing has been really good lately when I keep this one issue under control. If necessary exaggerate the slow takeaway and aim to accelerate smoothly into the back of the ball.
You’ll be pleasantly surprised too when you see the difference it makes in your swing.
This video by Paul Wilson will give you some great tips on swing tempo.
Posted in Golf Swing Faults by .
Aug 11
31
August 31, 2011 Just 1 Stroke Short
What a great round today.
Played with Jim, Roger and Dooley at our home course (Fort Mill Golf Club).
This is one of those days where things I’ve been working on have all come together. Was able to play a steady round with only 1 birdie (18th). Most of the rest were steady pars or as some would say boring pars. You know the kind: on in regulation and 2 putts.
Had 3 bogeys on the front finishing with a 39. Great so far.
Then I got to thinking about how I was on track to break 80. I knew I couldn’t focus on that or get too excited about how well I was playing. I knew that if I did I would begin to get off track, loose focus and allow tension to create bad swings.
But I did find myself struggling to stay on track on the back.
So here is the break down of the back nine hole by hole.
10th – par 3 Bad tee shot leaving me with a short pitch over the front bunker to a back right pin. Pitch shot ran out too far leaving me about 15 feet downhill. Two putted for bogey.
11th – par 4 Pulled the tee shot too far left but got lucky since it got through the trees leaving me 118 yds (I use the SkyCaddie SGX). The ball was laying above my feet in the rough left of the cart path with a pine tree just ahead about 15 feet or so. The pine tree prevented a normal pitch shot. Chose to hit an 8 iron bump and run type shot. The shot finished middle of the green about 20 feet from the pin. 2 putts for par.
12th – par 5 Another pulled tee shot left me in the woods on the left. Chip out to fairway was the only option. Played for bogey from then on. I reached the green in 4 but with the longest putt of the day. I don’t know it was probably over 50 feet. 2 putts for bogey.
13th – par 4 This is a short par 4 so I always play a 3 hybrid off the tee box. Hit the shot very well leaving me just 80 yds to a front pin. The pitch shot came up say 10 yds short. Chipped just past the hole and made the putt for par.
14th – par 4 Good tee shot here and a pitch shot that was wide of the intended line leaving me another long putt for birdie. This one finished below the hole. 2 putts for par.
15th – par 4 This tee shot saw one my major swing faults, up and out, leaving me right of the cart path with an uphill lie in the rough. It was just a smooth 9 iron shot though but the rough caused me to top the shot and the ball ran up along the ground to just short of the green. A bad chip just barely reached the green. 2 putts for bogey.
16th – par 5 Another up and out tee shot went high right only this time it finished out of bounds. Took the drop and the next shot left me just over 200 yds out. Chance to still make bogey but the shot was pulled left to the lake short and left of the green. Chip up and 2 putts later I made triple. This is one of those “if only” holes. A blow up hole that cost me big time.
17th – par 3 This is a long, uphill tee shot. My tee ball finished left of the green; pin high. A good chip and a putt left me with par.
18th – par 4 This is a hard dog-leg left. Great tee ball; both for line and distance. I was left with just 60 yds to an uphill green with the pin back right. The shot was into the setting sun though and I couldn’t see it at all. The guys said it looked good. They were right it was pin high about 8 inches from the cup. 1 putt birdie.
I finished strong. It was like once the pressure of breaking 80 was gone (after the triple on 16) I could play free again.
So I failed though to break 80 due to faults in my mental game more than my swing. I hope to get more comfortable mentally with the idea of shooting below 80. I have some techniques for that which have helped me a lot up to this point. Just got to get to the next level.
Round Score – 80 Front – 39 Back – 41
Posted in Golf Game Diary by .
Happy Birthday to Me!
Today is my birthday. I know, not a big deal really at my age.
But I did take a half day off and played some golf today with some friends. It is great to have a job with this kind of freedom. I am blessed.
My best friend and golfing buddy just happens to share the same birthday with me. I have known Mike now for some 15 years. We planned this little golf outing for a mutual birthday celebration. Jim and Ed joined us to complete the foursome.
The weather was very nice; sunny and warm with a slight breeze. Absolutely ideal golf weather. It was going to be a great day no matter what.
The round began with a fairway hit and a 5 iron approach shot. Would you know it. My 5 iron broke at the hosel last week and the replacement club had not yet arrived from GigaGolf (I’ll tell you more about them some other time).
So with the wind in my face I chose to choke down on my 4 hybrid. I missed making good contact and the squirted right on me heading across the 9th tee box which is about 20 yards right of the 1st green. But I got lucky, birthday luck lucky, because the ball struck the granite hole map sign for the 9th hole and ricocheted back to the fringe. A chip and a short putt later and I had my first par. Credit the sign with an assist.
Round Score: 84 Front 41 Back 43
I had 2 birdies today as well: Holes 4 & 9. Both are par 5s that I was able to take advantage of with close approach shots.
Here is the 4th green…
And this is the ninth green:
That’s the good so what was the bad?
Had some bad holes. Made triple bogey on the 3rd from the bunker right of the green and again on the 12th. Throw in a double on the 8th and the 17th and you have all the bad. Thinking that I wasted at least 6 shots with those bad holes.
Oh yeah and then there was the missed birdie on the last. A perfect approach shot finished hole high less than 4 ft away. Very makeable for me. Mike even said if it wasn’t for a birdie he would tell me to pick it up. The putt had a little right to left break in it but from 3 ft or so I decided to keep it in the hole, sort of inside right. The putt lipped the hole on low side and stayed out.
Would have loved to have added the third birdie for the day but it just didn’t happen.
Still a good round. Very satisfying.
Posted in Golf Game Diary by .
Aug 11
23
My Golf Swing Faults
Golf swing faults can be the source of the greatest frustration a golfer may ever know. Based on my own personal experience and my observations of the many golf partners I’ve played with I’d have to say that they have been the cause of more thrown clubs, self-abusive tirades filled with profanity and other volcanic like eruptions.
So often are the times I have repeatedly embarrassed myself during the same round hitting terrible shots caused by the same swing flaw I wonder if I should even be attempting to play this game. It makes me look like a complete novice. Why is it that once you make a bad swing that it seems to just repeat itself over and over no matter what adjustments you make to correct it?
I have struggled with a certain set of swing flaws for some time now. When shots go awry on a regular basis I most often find that this specific group of golf swing flaws are at the center of my troubles.
In no particular order they are:
- Takeaway is too fast
- Takeaway is too much to the inside
- Hanging back on the through swing/poor weight transfer
- Grip pressure is to strong
- Standing to close to the ball
- Failure to finish the backswing/Too quick from the top
- Balance – swing with weight too much toward my toes
There you have it. I have shared with you my golf swing faults, the set up or swing problems that are the source of my golfing frustration. It feels good to just get that out there.
The guy in this YouTube video may have the worst swing you’ll ever see. This swing needs a complete overhaul. It not an example of the type of swing faults we’re talking about here but I thought it might help to show a swing that is worse than yours (mine too). It kind of helps to keep things in perspective and keeps the frustration in check. It could be worse you know.
Do you share any of those golf swing flaws with me? They are fairly common so I am guessing that most of you might.
Since we share these golf swing problems I thought I would begin a series of post about them. I will discuss what they are, how they can
happen, the type of errant shot they are most likely to create and the best techniques I’ve found to correct them.
The point being that going through this process will help me to overcome the swing faults by keeping me more conscious of them and it will help others to beat their swing faults too. Researching the faults, their causes, corrections and drills to embed those corrections will surely be more effective in curing them for me than anything else I might could do.
Along the way I welcome your thoughts, input and comments. You could help others too by doing so. That would make this blog all the more valuable to our readers.
Thanks in advance for your input.
Posted in Golf Swing Faults by .
Each golf course has its own unique characteristics. Here in Southwest Florida there are a total of eight different golf courses within five miles of my home. I have played on each one of them on numerous occasions over the past couple of years. During what we locals call the busy season , winter months, the courses are generally extremely busy, this calms down by June and you can play at reduced rates starting June 1st. If you need accommodations on your Florida golf outing contact Chad Newbold, for a luxury timeshare to reside in during your stay.
If you live in Florida for more than a couple years you will find that the heat of summer really does not bother you, especially here near the coast where we enjoy an afternoon sea breeze off the Gulf of Mexico each day. If the heat does present a problem for you there is a lighted gof course that you can play on until 10:00 PM . However I suggest you bring a good set of eyes with you, preferably young eyes ,to follow the flight of the ball, especially if your ball lands in the rough.
Many of my friends are addicted golf fanatics that will play every day come rain or shine. Afternoon thunderstorms are a daily threat in Southwest Florida. Golf courses that feature carts with wide and long roofs will do double duty by keeping the blazing hot sun off you and keep your gear dry during afternoon thunderstorms.
Golf courses with water hazards can be interesting during June when the gators are mating. Most golf courses have the number of the local alligator trapper on speed dial at this time of the year. It is not recommended that you wade into any water hazard to retrieve your golf ball. Alligators are very deceptive by appearing to be slow moving but can accelerate to capture prey at incredible speeds. We have had several alligator attacks over the last few years to you should be wary of them and stay clear of them when possible. In the past we used to have a good supply of rattlesnakes but due to urbanization and increasing numbers of wild hogs they are now seldom seen. Avoid the alligators at all cost, and contact Chad Newbold for a complete Southwest Florida, golfers guide, which will direct you on the hazards to avoid while golfing the this region.
Hogs on a golf course are a disaster waiting to happen. In just one night your favorite course can have thousands of dollars worth of damage. This is especially true if they do their rooting on greens. Golfers are particular regarding the golf course they want to play on and they are particularly concerned about the conditions of the putting surface on the greens. The resultant is that hog control is a very high priority item on all of these courses.
There are many quality golf courses located here in Southwest Florida. In fact you could easily play a different course for each day of the month and not have to travel more than 20 minutes from your home. There are too many courses to name each one individually and more are being built all the time. Southwest Florida has at least one golf course to suit you and your playing style.
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Many senior golf resorts offer golfing every day along with a stay at the golfing resort. One place that has accommodations and golfing is down in Florida by Walt Disney World. The villas and resorts are well manicured and the golf courses are in close proximity to the hotel rooms. There are five golf courses the vicinity such as Ridgewood Lakes Golf Club, Mystic Dunes, Celebration Golf Club, Highlands Reserve Golf Club, and Champions Gate Golf Resort. If you spend a week, you could play on a different golf course every day. These golf courses have been home to some of the best-known senior golf tournaments. If you would like to stay in a luxurious time share on your golf outing, contact Chad Newbold.
The Celebration Golf Club has a half a day senior golf school where you can receive some tips and pointers on your swing and how to obtain the distance you need. The course was designed by Robert Trent Jones, the world famous golf course designer, and it has terrain that contains many water holes . It has hosted the U.S. Senior Open in 2002 and the 2006 and 2007 drive, chip and putt finals. This golf course has been rated highly by many senior golf players in recent years and will allow you to experience one the renowned golf courses designed by Jones and his dad.
The Mystic Dunes Golf Club is considered number two as far the golf courses in Orlando go. This course is operated by the Mystic Dunes Resort and is located in the Orlando wetlands. A round of golf is a relaxing and enjoyable way to enjoy all the resort has to offer. Gary Koch, a player on the professional golf circuit, designed the course. There are several different tee locations that are varied depending on the skill of the golfer. Numerous senior golfers claim the course is the finest in Orlando.
Highlands Reserve Golf Club and Ridgewood Lakes Golf Course are also two of the best courses in the region. These courses consist of some very challenging and interesting holes. They have a par four and a couple of lengthy par five holes. They are both close to accommodations and offer a great day of golf. You will find that the courses are designed to intrigue you as you maneuver around the courses.
Orlando’s most highly rated golf course is the Champion Gate Golf Resort. This resort consists of two separate 18 hole courses designed by Greg Norman. There is the links course and the American styled course. You could play the morning on the links course and the afternoon on the American styled course. You have two different golf courses to choose when you play and stay at the Champion Gate Resort. We also recommend that you contact Mr. Chad Newbold, to find a luxurious timeshare to stay in during your golf vacation.
Florida, with its desirable sunny weather, attracts senior golfs to the region all year round and if golf is your game, you will discover that these courses will offer you a world class golfing experience. Some of the pros vacation in the area to keep up with their game when not traveling the senior golf circuit.
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Some will equate gold to a good walk spoiled while others will equate it to a game to end all games. Golf is certainly a favored past time by people all over the world. Despite the fact that it originated in the UK, golf is popular in most if not all countries. Every age can play gold including kids. Most golfing fans are always on the lookout for techniques to improve their swing. You might even find professionals looking for improvement techniques. In this article we will talk about some of the best methods for improving golf swings.
This may sound odd but a good golf swing will feel like music. Things like tempo, rhythm and balance are incredibly important to ensuring your swing’s success. You can’t have a good piece of music without a solid foundation. Your stance is the foundation that you build your entire golf swing on.
With your feet spread at varying distances, take practice shots to find what feels the best. You will want to try narrow stances as well as wide ones. Feet shoulder width apart is the usually stance, but you will find your core stance after some practice. You want to practice your stance enough that you can stride right into it when you’re on the golf course.
Your left knee should be out toward your target during your backswing. Your sense of stability in both knees as well as some muscle tension should be felt this way. This aides in proper stance and ensures that you are not turning your body during follow through on the stroke. Try imagining a basketball between your knees (or really putting one there) when you swing to practice this. This helps you see how you need to point your left knee and what strength you will need to draw from.
If there’s too much wind, more than desired, then just swing a little bit easier. You can produce negative effects on your ball trajectory by hitting too hard when it’s windy. A good rule of thumb is “swing easy into the breezy” which was coined by Greg Norman, the 1994 British Open Champion. It seems common sensical that when you’re hitting into the wind, well… just hit it harder. It’s all about technique and aerodynamics, and they rule the day – not brute force. Plus, you will have increased control when you swing easier. So don’t let the wind trick you into ruining your game! There are so many different strategies with golf. One of the most important, though, is to really just have fun with it. If you know you did your best, and you keep improving your golf swing, then that’s enough and that’s great. Every golfer wants a perfect golf swing with lots of power – fine, go get it and work on it. Read the article again so you know you’ll remember, and then go out there and work on your swing. Keep your eyes open for more golf swing improvement tips, and keep playing- always!
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The best golf shoes for plantars fascilitis can be found all across most states. For those who are afflicted with this quite awkward condition, the best thing that you can do is to browse the World Wide Web and research for the particular styles you want. Thanks to this modern day and age you can find a plethora of golf shoes that are well designed and quite comfortable offering you not only much needed support when playing golf but also quite a degree of movement. The best golf shoes for plantars are indeed readily available thanks to the progressive acknowledgement that has been given to this condition.
While you may not be too sure of what exactly to buy, the ideal way to recognize the best golf shoes for plantars is to search for what the manufacturer actually recommends so that there is no misunderstanding when it comes to the final choice. With purportedly over two million Americans being afflicted by plantars fascilitis, it comes as no surprise that there are quite a few people who desire to search for the best golf shoes for plantars. With so many people being affected by this issue it hardly comes as a surprise that manufacturers would take that extra effort to design golf shoes designed to combat this problem.
It is also understood why some people may want golf shoes specifically designed for this purpose. Best golf shoes for plantars provide both comfort and security and ensures a good game all throughout. As one would expect, there actually is a bit of a price difference when you compare normal golf shoes and specially designed golf shoes. The main reason being is that various materials and different designs have to be used in order to create the best golf shoes for plantars.
An important point is to consult your physician before choosing best golf shoes for plantars. The grounds being that it has to be the perfect fit since holding the inappropriate pair on could and would exasperate the situation you are in. It should be seen as an investment and not merely an expense. Afterall, it provides all the comfort and a pain free ride for everyone needing best golf shoes for plantars! Check out more other interesting info on the subject of vip pet insurance, banfield pet insurance and cheap pet insurance
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A sport which was initially played only by men, the term ‘golf shoes for women’ would have sounded alien for individuals in the past. But today as we envelope change in all parts of our lives, Golf too has changed into a sport played by both men and women alike. It is much sought after in the Western countries where hundreds of tournaments are held each year with a large number of spectators flocking to watch it.
Golf is quite a relaxing sport. No matter which skill level or age you are in, it is important that you choose golf shoes for women that are of the highest quality. Compared to men, women have narrow feet and therefore golf shoes for women are designed in such a way that wearing them gives long lasting comfort when playing the game. Extra stability is needed when swinging and this requires the perfect pair of golf shoes for women.
Keep in mind that golf shoes for women come under different divisions depending on the feet size and shape. For a newcomer, all these things to watch out for may seem unimportant. But how you play, the way you play is brought about by the choice of golf shoes. Golf shoes for women that are of low quality could increase the chances of you slipping and having a fall. A pair of good golf shoes for women will eliminate this factor.
Owning a pair of the perfect golf shoes for women will determine your performance when you play. Unlike men, women’s’ feet are narrower and require specially designed shoes for this purpose. Some will have cushioned insides, making the player feel very comfortable all throughout the game. When you feel comfortable wearing the golf shoes, the balance and firmness you get out of wearing it will help you fully focus on the game.
People often misjudge Golf as a sport that does not bring any hardships on the player. The truth remains that if you do not have the proper attire, your body will cause you a lot of pain in the long run. Golf shoes for women have to be chosen wisely as it is a crucial part when taking the swing. The right set of golf shoes for women will definitely make your sporting experience a worthwhile one. Discover more other informative blog posts on the subject of pet insurance comparison, pet insurance reviews and compare pet insurance
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