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TomTuckerGolf.com Golf Tips Newsletter Issue 532 - Wed. November 14th, 2018 Website Newsletters Archive |
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USGTF Class "A" Teaching Professional
WGTF "Top 100" Teacher IGPA Certified Golf Psychology Coach |
Prepare to play your best golf by doing something now! Lesson Comments: What Students Have To Say Sponsors: Plum Creek Driving Range Batavia Country Club Chestnut Hill Country Club Click here: INDOOR GOLF LESSONS for details on how to improve your game over the winter. Plum Creek Driving Range, Batavia, NY, Open All Year Simulator Course Play Specials: BataviaGolf.com Call 585-993-0930 or Email Mark to reserve simulator time! Buy Gift Certificates for Lessons Sample Gift Certificate Golf lessons - Outdoor and Indoor - are available at Plum Creek. Please call me (Tom Tucker) at 716 474 3005, email me at ttucker@rochester.rr.com, or visit my website at http://www.tomtuckergolf.com/lessonrates.html for details. Subscribe - http://www.tomtuckergolf.com/signup.html If you like this newsletter, please do me a favor and forward it to your friends so that they may subscribe, thanks! The Unsubscribe link is at the bottom of this newsletter. Tom's Featured Tip: "Playing Golf Swing" Vs. "Playing Golf" For simplicity, all advice on actual swings or drills is provided from a right handed perspective. I decided on the topic for todays newsletter after I heard a TV commentator say that a player was "playing golf swing", not "playing golf" during a tournament. He didn't explain what he meant, so I'm doing it for him now. These phrases describe the different mind sets that may prevail while you are practicing or playing the game. Playing Golf Swing "Playing golf swing" refers to executing golf swings while having swing technique first and foremost in your mind. Here are some (perhaps not all) of the things you may be concentrating on when you are in the "playing golf swing" mode:
Here's what should be in your brain when you are "playing golf":
You can benefit from both modes when you practice at the range. One is hyper-focused on swing mechanics, and the other is focused on developing shots that you will need to execute when you play golf in order to score well. Use the "play golf swing" mode when you are at the range working on your swing mechanics. I use this mode in conjunction with "block practice" with my students (and myself) at the range when I'm working on something that needs to be corrected. Block practice involves numerous reps of the same movement with the same club to build a neural pathway in the brain for the movement being practiced. After your mechanics (golf swing) feel solid, transition your practice to hitting shots (playing golf). Use the "play golf" mode at the range with random practice to see if you can execute the shots you are working on WITHOUT THINKING ABOUT MECHANICS. In this instance, random practice means using the same club to hit these nine shot patterns:
This is very important - when you are in the "play golf" mode (range or course), always concentrate on what you want the clubhead to do, not on the details of the technique involved. Here are four examples of what I mean:
First of all, let me define the "rehearsal box" as the area next to the ball where you are preparing for your swing, and the "hitting box" as the area where you are set up to hit the ball. When you are in the rehearsal box, I don't see any problem with mentally or physically rehearsing the mechanical details for a swing key or two. You might be thinking of bumping your weight to begin your downswing transition, or taking the club back on a certain path. You may even execute a partial swing or two to feel those movements. I must mention that there is a school of thought that says that you should never think about technical details in the rehearsal box. My personal experience has been that it can be beneficial - as long as you can switch modes when you enter the hitting box. When you step into the hitting box and set up for your shot, those mechanical thoughts should not be re-visited. In the hitting box:
I know it sounds too simple to be true, but it works - as long as you have spent some quality practice time at the range. If you "play golf swing" with internal focus at the range, and "play golf" with external focus at the course, your results will take a giant leap forward. Try it, you'll absolutely like it. Comments: ttucker@rochester.rr.com Love your practice, own your swing, own your health, Tom Golf Lessons I conduct lessons at The Plum Creek Driving Range & Practice Facility there's a link for Plum Creek info here: http://www.tomtuckergolf.com/ Lessons are available for all ages and skill levels, please contact me - Tom Tucker - at (716) 474 3005 or email me at ttucker@rochester.rr.com for more information. Outdoor Lessons Details and Rates: http://www.tomtuckergolf.com/lessonrates.html Indoor Lessons Details and Rates: http://www.tomtuckergolf.com/indoor.html Testimonials: http://www.tomtuckergolf.com/testimonials.html Sponsors Plum Creek Driving Range and Simulator Outdoor range and play indoor golf on any of our 40 Simulator Courses. Call 585-993-0930 or email Mark at plumcreek4@rochester.rr.com to reserve time for simulator play or practice! Batavia Country Club (585) 343-7600 www.bataviacc.com Great rates, the best greens in WNY. Golf Digest Four Star rating for public courses to play in New York State. Tee times online or by phone in season. Pre-pay for a 2019 membership now and your membership will apply to the rest of this year! FISH FRYS ARE BACK AT BCC and other dinner specials with soup and salad bar - starting Friday October 5th, 4pm - 9pm Chestnut Hill Country Club (585)-547-3613 www.chestnuthillgolf.com THE WESTERN NEW YORK LEADER IN GOLF OUTINGS! Only minutes from Buffalo, open to the public. Tee times online or by phone in season. All the best, Tom Tucker Teaching Pro, Plum Creek Driving Range & Practice Facility WGTF ' "Top 100 Golf Teacher" USGTF Class "A" Teaching Professional IGPA Certified Golf Psychology Coach Cell: (716) 474-3005 Email: ttucker@rochester.rr.com http://www.TomTuckerGolf.com "There are no substitutes in the quest for perfection!" ~ Ben Hogan |
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