Golf Tips 18 - Golf Lessons are a Worthwhile Investment

Baseball legend Hank Aaron once described the frustration he experienced playing the game of golf. He said, "It took him 17 years to get 3, 000 hits in baseball, but he did it in one afternoon on the golf course. "I'm sure Mr. Aaron was exaggerating his score, but he was on target in identifying golf as a game that can humble even the greatest athletes. I've been fortunate in my career to work with some of the greatest professional athletes in the world from a variety of sports. As good as they were in their particular sport when they took up golf initially they were in for a real dose of reality. Thinking that your good at one sport and transfering those athletic skills as they applied to golf was wishful thinking. However, with the proper understanding of the fundamentals, constant practice, and a commitment to learn, its possible to develop a skill level that will allow you to feel comfortable playing with anyone.

First, learn the game. Notice I didn't say, "Take lessons immediately. "There are many ways to learn golf. Some halfway decent players have never taken lessons. Many start at the driving range hitting balls with their friends or on their own. They read books, watch videos, subscribe to golf publications, internet searches, or watch the pros on television. Use whatever method you like. But be aware that there is a lot of conflicting information out there and it can get pretty confusing to say the least. It can take a lot longer with this trial and error method. Books and videos as good as some can be with information can't give you the one-on-one attention and feedback necessary that you get when you take a lesson from a qualified professional. Learning to feel what is the correct motion in your golf swing is much more important than having pure knowledge of what to do.

Before you decide to take some lessons try to give some thought to the type of golf experience you are looking for, and the level of commitment(money and time)you are willing to make. Let me give you some examples:Group lessons versus Private lessons. If your just starting out and haven't really made a commitment to the game yet you want to learn more, you'll probably want to consider group lessons. Here are some of the advantages, including:

• First, the cost is lower. Sharing time with your instructor with other people in the same boat as you will keep financial investment lower.
• A more relaxed atmosphere. Because your teacher's time is divided among several students, there is a lot less pressure on you to perform. The added benefit is this gives you time to practice on what your learning while the teacher is helping other students.
• Meeting new golfers. Taking group lessons allow you to spend time with people on the same skill level like yourself. A lot of new golfers don't stay with the game because they don't have someone to play with. Unfortunately, many times better golfers don't like to play with beginners.

Group lessons are a great way to test the waters of your interest in the game without making a big commitment. My experience over the years tells me that many people enjoy the camaraderie learning with others in group lessons. As golfers begin to improve they move onto private lessons to get more focused on their own individual needs. Private lessons do cost more, however there are many advantages once you've decided to move forward learning the game. They Include:

• Having individualized attention. Your instructor works one-on-one with you and only you. This scenario alone caters to your needs and helps to eliminate any bad habits you might be creating. There is no substitute for having this type of situation where someone is totally focused on you and your golfing needs.
• Lessons are tailored to your needs and abilities. You can work on a particular skill area that you desire. Many good players I work with take lessons to work on correcting a problem they might be having with a particular shot. A good instructor learns how to deliver information in a way that the person they are working with can best comprehend.
• Private lessons are often videotaped. Watching your swing and having it correctly dissected by a skilled professional can be an extremely valuable experience. Also, you and your instructor create a unique dialouge of trust and respect building your game.

Whatever route you decide to take in your journey to playing good respectable golf just remember to have fun along the way!

By Tom Ward, PGA Tour Instructor

Golf Tips: Club Face Release

Golf Tips 17d - Golf for Beginners Lesson 4: Hip & Shoulder Action

"5 Basic Body Actions"

1. Foot Action
2. Leg & Knee Action
3. Hip & Shoulder Action
4. Arm Action
5. Hand & Wrist Action

After successfully creating the prior motions mentioned in this series (#'s 1 and 2 above) you're now in position to take the club head to the top of your back swing, loading up like a human spring. Your momentum is moving full steam ahead.

However, the key point here that is crucial: Right hip/leg has turned very little, thus assuring that you're building up a rubber band effect whereby the more the Shoulders can turn comfortably against your right hip, the more power you're storing up in your back swing. Everybody's degree of flexibility is different, yet each person can maintain this position - and daily stretch to elongate your muscles to become stronger which in turn will mean more distance. The left shoulder should turn down and under your chin against your right hip/leg.

To summarize: The turning of the shoulders on the back swing sets up the plane of your swing, and with the hips restricted slightly they are preparing you for the downswing.

By Tom Ward, PGA Tour Instructor

Golf Tips: The All Important Left Hip

Golf Tips 17c - Golf for Beginners Lesson 3: Connecting Foot Action to Leg/Knee Action

"5 Basic Body Actions"

1. Foot Action
2. Leg & Knee Action
3. Hip & Shoulder Action
4. Arm Action
5. Hand & Wrist Action

In Lesson #1 I demonstrated the "5 Basic Body Actions" necessary to achieve maximum results in attaining your golfing goals of playing well in a relatively short period of time and which require minimum amounts of maintenance. In Lesson #2 I expanded on the first basic action, 'Foot Action'. This lesson concentrates on connecting the learned foot action to Leg and Knee action.

After you've established your setup as mentioned in the previous lesson, we now connect the leg/knees to act together to support the foot action.

At your address position, your legs are firmly planted and knees are slightly flexed. The beauty of this stage of your swing is that it's what I call a "bonus move" - because as you roll your left foot to start back against a braced right leg, your left leg will naturally have to go with the foot action you have already created, thus giving you a "2 for 1" move.

The movement, when done properly, will show your legs spelling the letter K in the alphabet on your takeaway. Foot action and Leg & Knee action are in sync - almost like your staging a little dance with excellent balance. Remember... the knees must remained flexed throughout the swing!

The movement for the Foot Action/Leg & Knee action is minimal as you will see with some practice; however, it's essential that you understand its overall importance in maintaining a great foundation and sequence that, once learned, will never let you down.

One note I would like to mention here is that you never want your weight to get to the outside of your right leg, or let your right leg straighten up or buckle. Your right leg is the fulcrum, or key, to storing up power in your swing.

By Tom Ward, PGA Tour Instructor

Golf TIps: Ivan learning leg action for Dan Shauger/Mike Austin