August 13th, 2008 — Tips and Tricks
Out of all of the mistakes you can make out on the course, a slice is probably the most common. This refers to a ball that goes to the right after you hit it, usually right into a nice stand of trees or a nearby water hazard. A slice is devastating to your game, and fixing it can be a little complicated. Here are some great tips to help you get over your slicing problem and get your score back on track.
One of the first things that many golfers try to eliminate their slice is to angle their body to the left. This is a natural compensation, and logically, you would think that it would work. However, this is a huge mistake and can actually result in slicing worse than before. Your stance may need a little work, but aiming the wrong way is not going to be very helpful.
To correct this, stand in front of your golf ball, without your club. This is an exercise that will help you get aligned properly. We’ll be adding the club in a second, but first, you need to focus on your feet and your hips. Your feet should be facing perfectly forward and should be slightly apart. As a result, your hips should also be facing the same direction.
If you notice that you’re leaning a little bit, or that your hips are not perfectly in line with your feet, bring them into line. Now, put your arms into position for your shot. If your hips move, correct them. Pretend that you are swinging your club back and again, mentally check the position of your hips. Correct them if necessary.
Repeat this until your hips are no longer pulled in the wrong direction. Once you’ve got it down, add the club back into the equation and start again. Get the feel of the right body position down until it comes absolutely naturally. This is a good exercise that you can do at home, in your backyard or even in your living room. The key is finding that “sweet spot” when your posture comes together and everything just feels right.
Now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s look at some common swing issues that can exacerbate a slice. The most common problem occurs when you actually hit the ball. Instead of following through, you may pull up. This force sends the ball careening in the wrong direction.
To fix this, practice your downswing and don’t stop when you get to your golf ball. Keep the club traveling in the exact same direction for a few more inches. You’ll be using that force to literally guide the ball in the proper direction. Work on this until you have your club going perfectly straight in the right direction.
With a little practice and using these tips, you can cure even the nastiest slice and make it a lot easier to get a better score during your next round of golf.
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August 7th, 2008 — Lessons Available, NV, Reno, golf courses, public course, restaurant
Washoe Golf Course is located in: Reno, NV
Phone: 775-828-6640
Website: http://www.washoegolf.org
Course History:
Washoe Golf Course is a public course that is extremely friendly and fun to play. No matter what your skill level is, you’ll feel right at home on this great course. It has much to offer, and the prices are truly remarkable. It has a rich history that dates back to the first World War, and it is one of the oldest courses in this area. It’s nickname is the “Shoe” and it has remained incredibly popular with residents and guests since the day it first opened. If you just want to play a simple round of golf in a great environment, this the perfect course.
What You Need to Know:
You can book your tee time by calling the number listed above. This course offers lessons as well as special Ladies and Mens groups that are very popular. The pro shop is surprisingly well stocked given the overall size of the course, and you’ll find pretty much everything you could ever need right there.
If you don’t have your own clubs, they do offer rentals at very good rates. Overall, this is one of the most economical courses in the area that still provides that great traditional golf experience. Odette’s restaurant, located on site is a legend and with good reason. You won’t find better food anywhere else in this area. We really can’t say enough nice things about this great course.
Playing Hints:
The front nine all play very straightforward. This isn’t the most challenging of courses, but it is a great place to really work on your game. Like most courses, accuracy really helps, but this one is a little more forgiving than others. The third hole is a deceptively easy Par Three, but it will take a few times of getting to know the course to par it.
One of our favorites holes on the course is the 18th, which is a very long par five. You’ll have plenty of chances to make up any slack on your score with this hole and you’ve got a great chance of making a birdie, even if you’re a novice.
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Fees:
Summer Rates
Adult
$20.00 - 9 Holes
$30.00 - 18 Holes
Senior (62 and Older)
$15.00 - 9 Holes
$25.00 - 18 Holes
Junior (under 18)
$10.00 - 9 Holes
$20.00 - 18 Holes
Winter Rates
Adult
$20.00 - 9 Holes
$25.00 - 18 Holes
Senior (62 and Older)
$15.00 - 9 Holes
$18.00 - 18 Holes
Junior (under 18)
$10.00 - 9 Holes
$15.00 - 18 Holes
Twilight Rates
Weekdays Noon, Weekends/Holidays 2 PM - Summer
Adult
$20.00 - 18 Holes
Twilight Senior (62 and older)
$15.00 - 18 Holes
Twilight Junior (under 18)
$10.00 - 18 Holes
Twilight Rates
Weekdays Noon, Weekends/Holidays 2 PM - Winter
Adult
$20.00 - 18 Holes
Twilight Senior (62 and older)
$15.00 - 18 Holes
Twilight Junior (under 18)
$10.00 - 18 Holes
Pull Cart
$3.00 - 9 Holes
$4.00 - 18 Holes
Golf Cart Rental (per player)
$8.00 - 9 Holes
$14.00 - 18 Holes
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August 6th, 2008 — Tips and Tricks
Out of all of the blunders you can make on a golf course, a hook shot can be one of the most frustrating. Often, players find that they consistently hook their shots off the tees, and no matter what they try, they can’t get past it. Soon, they end up mentally defeating themselves before they even get up to the tee, certain that they are going to hook it. And, nine times out of ten, they will.
So, how do you correct a hook shot? There are actually quite a few techniques that you can use that will impact pulling the ball to the left, but first, you’ve got to get mentally prepared. Golf is 99% mental anyway, so we’ll focus on this step first. Once you’ve got your mental hook shot fixed, you can start working on the physical aspects.
Sit in a quiet place at home, where there are no distractions. Mentally go through everything you would as you go out to the first hole on your favorite course. Now, start thinking that you will have the perfect drive, right down the center. Envision teeing up, and addressing the ball. Bring your club back and watch as the ball goes right down the center line.
Repeat this in your head several times. If you have a problem with certain holes, play them in your head over and over until you are mentally hitting the shot the right way each time. This may take a few tries to get right, but visualization can have a huge impact on your game. In fact, many people that try this technique have found that the next time they go out on the course their hook is cured, without having to work on their stance or swing.
If you’re still having some hook issues however, it’s time to move onto the correct stance and how you swing your club. First, let’s look at how you hold the club. Are you gripping it as though you’d like to strangle it? This can be a major problem and will hurt your swing. The correct grip is actually pretty easy to master. When you hold the club, look at the v that is between your thumb and fingers. Do both v’s point a little towards your right shoulder? If not, this is the cause of your problems.
Work on developing the right grip until it feels like second nature to you. Then, move onto the next step. Stand with your feet facing forward, slightly apart. One should not be in front of the other and they should both be completely parallel. If you have one foot slightly back, it will pull your swing. Your entire body should be following that parallel line, from your head, to your shoulders, to your hips. Again, work on your stance until it becomes second nature.
Swing problems are a little harder to fix, but not impossible. You’ll want to make sure that you’re bringing your club back smoothly and back down with force, but not too much force. You should never break that parallel line. Keep trying and practicing and you’ll be able to put all of these together to end your hook problems for good.
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July 30th, 2008 — Tips and Tricks, tools
If you are new to this sport, or ready to take it to the next level, club selection has a lot to do with how well you will end up playing. While there is no substitution for technique and skill, having the right kind of golf clubs can have a big impact on your overall score. Here are some tips to help you decide which golf clubs are right for you.
Beginning Players
The most common mistake beginners make is finding the cheapest clubs they can get, and they may not even be the right fit. While it is understandable that you don’t want to invest heavily in equipment if you are not going to end up enjoying the sport, you may never get the appropriate experience if your equipment is substandard.
In this situation, we recommend renting clubs from the course where you play. In many cases, your course will offer a free club fitting. This will help you learn more about the different types of clubs and the lengths you may need. We highly recommend getting a fitting before purchasing any set of clubs, regardless of their price. This can save you a lot of money over time and you’ll be able to find the right clubs for your specific needs.
Intermediate Players
Once you’ve got a good feel for the sport and you start to enjoy it, many players decide to take it to the next level and spend a little more on clubs. Once again, getting a proper fitting is really the key to club selection, but you can also make some decisions on the types of material for your clubs and their specific uses.
For example, let’s say that you are having issues with your overall accuracy. This may be caused by your golf clubs having too flexible of a shaft. Change this and you may experience better control. For those that need more freedom, a graphite shaft is ideal and is quite easy to find.
Advacned Players
At this point, if you have made it this far in the game, you’re going to want a set of clubs that reflect your skill. We highly recommend that advacned players that play frequently get a set of custom made clubs. This allows you the freedom to have clubs that are made of the right materials, and perfectly sized to fit your body. This option also works well for those that may not yet be up to this skill level, but have the money to buy custom clubs.
Remember, your clubs are an investment. If the sticker price is getting to you, here’s a formula to make it easier. Let’s say your new set of clubs costs $2500. You’ll be using them for five years, playing once a week. This boils down to $9 a game. Compare that with what you would spend for rentals or even on non-necessities, and it’s pretty clear you’re getting a good deal.
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July 18th, 2008 — Book Review
For those of us that enjoy the lighter side of golf, this is a definite must read and chances are you’ll be rolling on the floor in no time at all. Too often, golfing books are so serious that it is difficult to wade through them. The industry seems to be addicted to dry tomes that are either dissecting a swing to infinite pieces or carrying on about historical figures and past events that may not be helpful to today’s golfers. If you love the game and just want to have a little fun, this is the perfect book for you. That’s not to say that the other types of books don’t have their own unique purpose, but this is truly the lighter side of golf.
The entire book reads like one big inside joke and pretty much only golfer’s will understand the humor. If you’ve ever made it out of one bunker only to land in another, this is definitely the book that will appeal to you. In fact, that’s the title of one of the 72 tips contained in the book. The list gets even more humorous as you go and without a doubt, every little problem that golfer’s face today is addressed in a funny manner.
However when you strip all of this humor away, you end up with a book that really teaches you how to improve your game. The author’s approach is a unique one - by showing you what not to do and joking about it, he’s actually teaching you the techniques you need to use to improve your swing, get past hazards and finally get the scores you really want to be getting.
I like this approach and it’s incredibly useful. The tips are not only funny but they really do work in the real world. You don’t get the impression that the author spends his life behind a desk and never really gets out there to enjoy (or not) the game. You really feel akin to him since most of us have gone through the exact same struggles. It’s a matter of feeling like you can really connect with this person and through this, the author opens the door to some really effective teaching techniques.
You’ll get the feeling of being on the 19th hole when you read this book. It’s very relaxed and very laid back and it should not intimidate any reader. The author manages to establish a rapport with the reader almost instantly and that is carried through the entire book. If you haven’t read the first edition of this book yet, we highly recommend that one as well for even more tips and plenty of jokes.
Overall, this is a terrific book and it would make a great gift for any golfer. Whether you’re just starting out or you are a seasoned pro, there is something here for everyone to enjoy and get more than a just a few laughs.
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July 15th, 2008 — Tips and Tricks
The old saying is definitely true. Golf is 99% in your head and as maddening as that is, if you’re not getting the right mindset for your game, you may never be able to achieve your goals. If you’re ready to get that score to where you want it to be, you’ve got to start working out your brain as well as your body. Here are some tips to help you get mentally prepared to play golf.
1. Stop all self defeating thoughts.
Most of us will, from time to time, be a little hard on ourselves mentally. If you’re constantly beating yourself up however, you are just setting yourself up for failure. Anytime you catch yourself with a negative thought related to how you play golf (or anything else for that matter) you’ve got to nip it in the bud. Replace that thought with a self affirmation that is positive. Soon, you’ll find that all areas of your life start to improve, along with your game.
If you go out onto the course with the thought that you’re going to mess up, chances are you will. If you think “Gee I hope I don’t slice this,” you probably will. Practice thinking the right way and affirm yourself before every single shot. It may take a few tries to get it right, but once you stop setting yourself up for failure, you’ll be able to succeed.
2. Play the course in your head.
If you’ve got a favorite course, you probably already know it pretty well. So, take an hour or two a week to sit in a quiet spot and mentally play some golf. You’ll need to be able to remove all distractions so that you can immerse yourself in your thoughts. Start on the first tee and envision playing the perfect round. Keep doing this until you can get through an entire game of golf in your head under par.
You’ll be training your brain to handle the course, even if you’re not on it. The next time you go, your brain will automatically go back to those visualization sessions and chances are, you’ll play better than you ever have.
Sounds pretty fun, but can it really improve your game? Actually, it can. While it won’t help your swing, it will help the way you think about playing golf. You’ll be getting some valuable lessons on clubs, wind speed and how to read different lies. Look for a video game that is as realistic as possible and start to really pay attention to it when you play. Put yourself in your character’s shoes and get into it as if you were really playing. You’ll be learning while you’re having fun and these lessons can be put into use right away the next time you actually do play golf.
Your mind is a powerful tool and when you know how to harness it, you’ll be able to become a pro at golf.
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July 11th, 2008 — Book Review
Manuel de la Torre is a legend in golf and he also happens to be the son of a golfing legend. When you put this together in one book, you have an incredible resource that you will want to turn to again and again. Although the book tends to wander a little bit in places, it is a very enjoyable and quick read. Novices to the game will find it extremely enlightening and pros should be able to walk away with more than a few hints that will help them improve their game.
De la Torre’s father learned golf from a man who lost a leg in World War One and went on to become a champion with a killer drive. It’s from this tradition and foundation that de la Torre went on to become one of the most skilled golfers in present time. His book is a wonderful look at the philosophy and skill that went into perfecting his own game and of course, the most important thing - the swing.
Numerous books are written every year that try to dissect the swing and figure out how everyone can turn into a powerhouse over night. Millions of dollars are spent every year by golfers that are seeking that magic bullet, either in the form of a can’t miss system or a special driver that promises the moon. All of these things add up into one lucrative cash cow but usually leave the recipient with little more than a few tips and no improvement in their swing.
De la Torre’s approach is much different and you’re not left feeling as though you’ve been ripped off after reading it. His tips can be put into immediate use by any player and although they may not work for everyone with the same results, they are certainly tested remedies for fixing common problems. The book is an incredibly enjoyable read and never once did it wander into dry territory.
This is considered a classic in the golfing industry and there is a reason. By far, when it comes to books about the art of the golf swing, there simply is no competition. It’s concise, helpful and very engaging. The reader never feels overwhelmed or intimidated, and most end up feeling as though they can go out and hit the course and actually improve their swing. The author is considered one of the top 100 teachers in the world and it’s easy to see why he earned that distinction after reading this book.
Overall, we highly recommend this book and it deserves a place of high honor in any golfer’s bookcase. It’s a thoroughly entertaining read that is also incredibly useful and packed with real world advice. It is an older title, but the book is a timeless read that is just as helpful now as it was when it was first released. Sometimes, the old ways really are better, and if you don’t work on the fundamentals, no special driver is going to give you the results you want.
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July 10th, 2008 — Tips and Tricks
If you’re having trouble with your game, the first place to look for answers is in your swing. Most players struggle to perfect their swings throughout their entire lives and some may never get to the point of having the “perfect swing.” You don’t need to be perfect, but there are a few things that you can watch out for and correct to see a dramatic improvement in your game.
We highly recommend going to a course that offers a video swing utility, but if you can’t do that, here are some tips to help you diagnose your own swing problems and find the right solutions.
Swinging Too Fast -
This results in a very sloppy swing and you won’t be able to control your aim very well. It’s easy to fall into this trap, especially if you watch a lot of golf. While a swing may appear to be fast on a pro, it’s actually a bit slower than it looks. If you are finding that your aim is absolutely unreliable, you may be simply swinging too fast. Here’s how to break that habit:
Start by imagining that your club is the hands of a clock, with the ground being your starting point. Raise up the club a few degrees and hold it there before moving to the next position. Break down your movements very deliberately. Don’t worry, it’s going to look a little funny at first and it may feel a bit weird, but you’re getting there. Bring up the club slowly and then bring it back down using the same technique.
Now, once you’ve done that a few times, smooth out the stopping points until you have one smooth arc on the way up and the way down. Keep trying it until it feels natural. Remember, slow it down and you’ll have better accuracy. If you feel yourself speeding up your swing, return to your first exercise to break it down again.
Twisting Your Hips -
If your shot pulls a bit, chances are your hips are getting in the way. It is tough to avoid this since it is a pretty natural movement to pull your hips up with your arms. Here’s how to break that habit:
Imagine that you are standing in a turnstile that is very tight, so you cannot move from side to side. Plant both feet and start swinging your arms around first in one direction, then the other. Yes, you’re going to look a bit like a windmill, but this is what you want. You want to train your top half to operate independently from the bottom half. Isolate those muscles in your upper torso on your upswing, and then bring everything together on the down swing. You won’t be pulling your shot, but you’ll have the full power of your hips on that down swing. Keep trying until you feel that magical “click” of everything falling into place.
These are just two easy ways to get your swing back on track and start improving your game.
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July 3rd, 2008 — Book Review
This week I am posting the book review early as Friday is a holiday. Happy July 4th everyone! Enjoy the BBQs!
Andy North has won two US Open titles and went on to become one of the most respected commentators on the game. It was pretty much a given that someday he would write a book and although there was a lot of hype surrounding this volume, it’s sad to say that it was undeserved. There are many mistakes throughout the book that make you wonder whether the editor was asleep or was simply lulled into a stupor by the content. The mistakes are glaring, such as misspelling Callaway, and I wish I could say that they were forgivable. But, when you add in the other problems with the book, it was really hard to get past these most basic errors.
If you’re looking for a book on how to become a better golfer, than this is definitely a title you can miss. However, if you’re a fan of Mr. North, you’ll probably get at least some enjoyment out of reading his anecdotes. The book reads more like a biography that was thrown together from a bunch of little snippets, and at times, a lot of the content reads as though it was simply filler that was brought in to keep the book from falling into the category of a novella.
While it’s nice to hear that the man always traveled with two pairs of pants, it’s not really useful information that you can turn around and put into action, unless of course you hate wrinkles. It’s best to keep the right mindset when reading this book and focus on the fact that it’s really about packaging North and has little to do with the game itself. When you keep this in mind, it’s a lot easier to wade through the book, but I’m not sure it’s a read that shouldn’t be missed.
The author himself admitted in the beginning of the book that he really didn’t know why he was writing it. He considered it to be a “where’s the beef” situation and this turned into a self-fulfilling prophecy. There’s just a lot of air here when you get right down to it and the tone feels forced throughout the majority of the book. While North is an incredibly talented man, he may not want to quit his day job to become an author.
It’s always tough to pan a book, especially when you were really hoping for a good read. I cannot however recommend this book, unless you’re simply looking to find out more about North. Most of us can do without anecdotes of his many surgeries however, and sometimes that air of mystery should never dissipate.
While it would be too harsh to call this book a waste of time, it just isn’t a title that you have to read. If you already have every golfing book under the sun and enjoy collecting titles, than perhaps this would be a good fit. Otherwise, there are far more interesting titles out there that will provide you with much better information.
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June 27th, 2008 — Book Review
This is a book that has been the subject of countless discussions and although it’s lack of availability has hurt its success (it’s available only from the publisher, Storytrend and not in bookstores) it is still an interesting read that is well worth the time it takes to get a copy. Although it is incredibly expensive at $60, this may be a book you want to save up for. Countless books are written every year about the myth of the perfect swing and a lot of them are nothing but meaningless drivel. This book however takes a different angle and gets into the technical aspects of what makes a swing great.
For those that are constantly trying to figure out how to improve their game, this is a definite must read. Instead of focusing on players like Tiger Woods or those who are thought to have the “perfect swing,” the author looked at actual machines to discern the elements that make up this technique. By taking the human element out of it, the author hoped to break down the mechanics of a swing so that every player can duplicate it.
The book is filled with helpful diagrams and illustrations that break apart how a machine swings and what we can learn from it. Unfortunately, we are not machines and although we may have a great swing on the first tee, it’s hard to keep consistent. This book strives to help golfers discover how to get into their own groove and become a bit like a machine when it comes to hitting the ball.
That’s very hard to do for many people, since there is a lot of mental activity going on when you play golf. It’s difficult to focus on those individual components that make up a great swing when you’re focusing on avoiding the bunker, paying your bills and what you’ll be having for dinner that night. However, with time, by employing these methods most players should begin to see a change in their swing. Soon, becoming a machine will seem like second nature and that swing that many thought was unattainable will become ingrained into your being.
This is a book that we highly recommend, simply because it has a completely different approach. This isn’t a hype book that offers no real useful information. It’s definitely on the scholarly side but the author managed to keep it readable by everyone and it’s actually quite fun to go through. If you’re looking for real advice that you can put into action, no matter how new you are to the game or how good you think you may be, this is a book that is well worth the investment.
Overall, while the price and availability hurt the title, golfers should at least consider adding this title to their libraries. There is no silver bullet that will magically transform your swing, but this advice comes pretty close.
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