If anyone asks, my golf swing is perfect. I have worked on it for many years and finally feel that it is the best it can be! Yup, there is no question that right now your are either laughing, shaking your head, or spit up your coffee! If you are an avid golfer like myself, your golf swing is always in a state flux. As competitive golfers, we continually search for that one nugget that will improve our golf swing and lower of golf scores. It really is a never ending journey to perfection!
Continue readingTurning A Blind Eye To Rules Infractions
I have played thousands of rounds of golf. I generally do not focus on what my playing partner is doing unless we are in a competition. If a players wants to bend the rules so they can enjoy their round, who am I to douse their flame of enjoyment. And like all amateur golfers, I have stretched the rules from time to time while playing a friendly. In the big scheme of things, I do not think it is a big deal……unless you are in a competition! Then we play straight up with no exceptions!
Continue readingCreating Lag and Adding Distance in Golf
I am currently focusing on increasing lag in my swing to add extra distance to my golf shots. This particular skill is something that I really need to improve upon because as I get older, a controlled swing with more lag will keep me hitting the ball longer and straighter. However, as I delved into this topic, I found that the term ‘lag’ is deceiving and could easily confuse the new player. I determined that fact because I was a bit confused and so I thought it needed to be cleared up.
After looking around I found this definition of ‘lag’ that I understand and best describes what it means to me:
Effectively, lag is shorthand for the angle between the club, wrists and arms. It’s formed by having the correct order of the arms, wrists and club head as the club come around into impact. Often we can become obsessed with trying to generate all of our power from the turning, spinning and torqueing of the body, but if you don’t have your arms and club in the correct order to hit it’s all completely pointless.
https://golf.com/news/create-lag-golf-swing-tip/
So basically, I am trying to create a 90° angle or box according to Ernie Els in order to create the power generating lag in my golf swing. Interestingly, The Big Easy has a smooth controlled swing that produces tremendous power on contact. Here take a look:
Now that I fully understand what lag means, I need a few drills that I can do to create more lag in my golf swing. On a side note, being a 3 handicap does not mean that my swing is permanently grooved; what it means is that I am consistent, but still have many areas of improvement; Lag is one of mine.
I wanted to find a few drills that I could do at home and in my DIY driving net. Simple, repeatable, and effective are three things I look for in any golf drill and I found this video from the Golf Channel:
The interesting aspect of looking to create lag is that it shifts my focus of my golf swing from increasing shoulder turn (which is an important part of any golf swing) to improving my swing mechanics. This change, along with the others I want to make during the off season, will keep me busy until opening day. The trick moving forward is to develop a training plan that will help accomplish my lofty goals.
Do you ever work on lag in your golf swing?
I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!
How Active Are Your Legs In Your Golf Swing
The golf swing has so many moving components, that it is a challenge to determine which areas are dominant during our golf swing. I can say for sure that I do not use my lets as much as I should when hitting driver and that might be a challenge I can fix in my DIY golf net. This is not an ‘ah-ha’ moment, just one of the many aspects of my golf swing that I know needs attention. I am writing about my shortfall because I came across a video by Michelle Wie on this very topic and I thought that it was worth sharing.
Continue readingDropping The Golf Ball
This article is not about the new rule of how to drop a golf ball. I think that topic has runs its course, for now. I am talking about a failure on my part to properly prepare for the 2020 golf season. I have identified my error and have decided to rectify that omission post haste. I figure that by fixing this oversight I will save a few strokes over the course of 10 rounds. For a 3 handicap player, that partial stroke, on average, each round makes a tremendous difference.
First the background information that will set the stage for my next move. As you are all aware, in February 2018, I successfully passed the Level 1 Rules Course from Golf Canada. I believe it was a good achievement and felt (still do actually) that it helped my golf game. Understanding the rules properly will save you strokes! Well, here is where my great intentions went off the rails and dropped the proverbial golf ball.
The new rules were released in January 2019 and I was not prepared to retake the Level 1 in the Rules Education Program. So, I gave myself a pass, but I did read the new rules from cover to cover. I think with everything going at that time it was a good decision. My intent was to take the course during the 2019-2020 off-season, however I neglected to follow up on my plan and as a result I did not recertify.
Well, I am disappointed in myself for letting a year go by without any follow up! I am happy to announce that this oversight is being rectified. Three days ago, I registered for the free, online Level 1 Golf Rules program through Golf Canada. This course is run by the R&A and is a universal course no matter where you live in the world. What a great opportunity for everyone who has some extra time on their hands due to COVID; I am looking forward to increasing my knowledge and saving strokes in the upcoming 2021 golf season.
After completing this new golf rules course, I plan to explore (actually complete) my Level 2 with Golf Canada. I missed the January intake, but will look to see what March has to offer.
If you are interested in learning more about the rules of golf, check out what the R&A has to offer. It is free and I am sure you will not be disappointed.
I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!
The Grateful Golfer 