LEARNING BASIC FUNDAMENTALS
Stance
The three most important things to think about and remember with your stance while addressing the ball would be ball position, distance from ball and width of stance. With that being said, the narrower the feet, the closer to the ball and the more forward in the stance is what better ball strikers tend to practice. For all types of golf shots, feet should be around shoulder length a part, with the toes angled slightly outward from the body. From here, a common mistake is to have golfers bend your knees, this has players in a sitting stance, causing the ball to hit inconsistently off the heel or hosel. Instead, have the player feel as though the hips are raising as high as possible, leaning their weight onto the shoelaces/balls of their feet, from here the hips should automatically have a slight hinge forward and the knees should have a slight flex . The players arms should fall relaxingly straight down from their shoulder. The ball should be addressed just slightly in the front of the stance to have proper ball/ground/club contact, with a combination of proper swing. This is said for irons and wedges, the longer the club, the slightly more forward the ball should be addressed.
Grip
There are three different types of ways to hold onto the club while swinging. There is the basic, hands together, the overlap grip, and the interlock grip. No matter the style of grip played with, the grip of the club should be neutral between the forearms. The pressure of the hands holding onto the grip should be ranging around a 7/10, a preferred neutral to strong grip. The shoulders should be loose, not the hands. A common mistake is the have players hold on too tight, which causes the club face to close, or too weak, which causes the face to fall open. Address the ball with the club face square behind the ball and and ensure that the grip fall into the fingers, then hold on. What is known as a butterfly grip is when both thumbs face downward and is neutral. It is best if the thumbs are slighting wrapped over each opposite side on the grip, not perfectly facing down towards the ball. To ensure a proper, stronger grip, while holding onto the club, the index and thumb on the lower hand want to stay together. The webbed area between index finger and thumb should pinch together no matter the style of grip used.
The first, most common grip style is to simply have the hands together on the grip, with the right hand below the left. Another style is overlapping which is similar, having the pinky on the right hand, on top of the index finger on the players left hand. And lastly, most commonly used by more elite players is interlocking. Interlocking again is similar to overlapping, by having the players pinky on the right hand, weave between the index and middle fingers on the left hand. It's best explained by making a peace sign in the left hand and making a "Y" in ASL language, having the right hand pinky weave between the peace sign. Each grip variation is very similar but is important to the players swing. With all this information being said, Mike believes that not all grip styles are one size fits all scenarios.
The three most important things to think about and remember with your stance while addressing the ball would be ball position, distance from ball and width of stance. With that being said, the narrower the feet, the closer to the ball and the more forward in the stance is what better ball strikers tend to practice. For all types of golf shots, feet should be around shoulder length a part, with the toes angled slightly outward from the body. From here, a common mistake is to have golfers bend your knees, this has players in a sitting stance, causing the ball to hit inconsistently off the heel or hosel. Instead, have the player feel as though the hips are raising as high as possible, leaning their weight onto the shoelaces/balls of their feet, from here the hips should automatically have a slight hinge forward and the knees should have a slight flex . The players arms should fall relaxingly straight down from their shoulder. The ball should be addressed just slightly in the front of the stance to have proper ball/ground/club contact, with a combination of proper swing. This is said for irons and wedges, the longer the club, the slightly more forward the ball should be addressed.
Grip
There are three different types of ways to hold onto the club while swinging. There is the basic, hands together, the overlap grip, and the interlock grip. No matter the style of grip played with, the grip of the club should be neutral between the forearms. The pressure of the hands holding onto the grip should be ranging around a 7/10, a preferred neutral to strong grip. The shoulders should be loose, not the hands. A common mistake is the have players hold on too tight, which causes the club face to close, or too weak, which causes the face to fall open. Address the ball with the club face square behind the ball and and ensure that the grip fall into the fingers, then hold on. What is known as a butterfly grip is when both thumbs face downward and is neutral. It is best if the thumbs are slighting wrapped over each opposite side on the grip, not perfectly facing down towards the ball. To ensure a proper, stronger grip, while holding onto the club, the index and thumb on the lower hand want to stay together. The webbed area between index finger and thumb should pinch together no matter the style of grip used.
The first, most common grip style is to simply have the hands together on the grip, with the right hand below the left. Another style is overlapping which is similar, having the pinky on the right hand, on top of the index finger on the players left hand. And lastly, most commonly used by more elite players is interlocking. Interlocking again is similar to overlapping, by having the players pinky on the right hand, weave between the index and middle fingers on the left hand. It's best explained by making a peace sign in the left hand and making a "Y" in ASL language, having the right hand pinky weave between the peace sign. Each grip variation is very similar but is important to the players swing. With all this information being said, Mike believes that not all grip styles are one size fits all scenarios.
LEARNING AND USING YOUR TECHNIQUE
Swing
There are many different positions in the golf swing and each position is required to be in the proper spot, at the proper time and has to get in that position the proper way. Luckily, the swing can be broken down in to the backswing, downswing and follow through, to better address the windows for error. Before getting technical, it's important to remember that the body moves the arms in the swing, it's important to keep the body centered, like on a post, and not sway off the axel. It's also important to not underestimate club head speed in todays world of golf. While making contact with the ball, a good swing thought is to make contact with the ground anywhere in front of the ball. To play predictable golf, you must have a predictable swing path.
Weight and Rotation
Key information needed to know before movement of the club is the importance of appropriate amount of lateral motion and rotational motion of the body. Identifying when and how to shift and when to rotate is pivotal when it comes to wanting to become a great ball striker.
Weight should be felt on the players shoelaces, in an athletic position. You do not want to fall backwards or forwards out of the swing. The swing should be in this rhythm: shift, swing, shift, swing. The loading of the weight can't happen late, or the rest of the timing is off for that shot. The first movement should be a slight shift in weight from neutral to the back right foot, then arms can move the club to start the backswing. At the top of the backswing, when the left shoulder hits the players chin, weight should be transferred onto the players front left foot in the followthrough. From there, tap tap tap the back foot to ensure full rotation happened and the weight was properly transferred.
There are two ways the body can move through a swing, rotating and swaying. Swaying is not proper and again can through of the timing and positioning of the swing. Decrease in the right knee flexion during the backswing and increase in the left knee will ensure proper, full rotation of the swing. While following through, it is important to try and get the left hip left and back quickly, this ensure the path is following through down the line and power is properly transferred and utilized.
Backswing
In the players backswing, an inside, steep backswing comes from a weaker upper body. It's important to have the lower body start the back swing with a little bit of rotation before the arms then come up. Width in the swing is created by the shoulders to ensure a twisting motion instead of a sway. With this motion, the lower body doesn't want to stay still, but the back, right leg should straighten up, with the left knee creating more hinge. In a perfect swing, a coach standing down the line of the player would want to see a small gap between the knees at the top of the back swing. At the top of the swing, a triangle should be formed, again where the coach should be able to notice from down the line. The players right elbow should be kept close to the right hip, allowing the shoulders to get a 90 degree turn as soon as possible. Another way to ensure this full rotation, is to have the left shoulder blade pointing to the target. The club shouldn't just be picked up to start the swing, this is caused by the arms starting the swing, the rotation should be started by the lower body. When the players left shoulder makes contact with chin, is when the down swing should begin.
Downswing
The downswing should start when the left shoulder makes contact with the players chin. The players head should drop slightly from where it was, generating power from the legs. This shift should begin with the lower body, feeling a weight shift from both feet, fully onto the left foot. It's important to remember that the swing rotates on an axil, don't sway. A proper downswing should feel open and as though the path is inside out, making the ball want to go right. This is the proper plane though as the angle of the face will be on target. During the downswing, the arms should have the most amount of bend/ flex, generating power.
Follow Through
The follow through begins after contact is made with the ball. A good swing thought to have while making contact, is wanting to hit the ground or ball a few inches in front, following the club to the target. Not only does the club want to follow through to the target, but it's important to have full body rotation, having your belt buckle also pointing to the target. Making contact with the ball on an upward motion allows more height and distance on the shot. With that being said, keeping your back foot down on the ground as long as possible allows for a long, full, powerful swing.
There are many different positions in the golf swing and each position is required to be in the proper spot, at the proper time and has to get in that position the proper way. Luckily, the swing can be broken down in to the backswing, downswing and follow through, to better address the windows for error. Before getting technical, it's important to remember that the body moves the arms in the swing, it's important to keep the body centered, like on a post, and not sway off the axel. It's also important to not underestimate club head speed in todays world of golf. While making contact with the ball, a good swing thought is to make contact with the ground anywhere in front of the ball. To play predictable golf, you must have a predictable swing path.
Weight and Rotation
Key information needed to know before movement of the club is the importance of appropriate amount of lateral motion and rotational motion of the body. Identifying when and how to shift and when to rotate is pivotal when it comes to wanting to become a great ball striker.
Weight should be felt on the players shoelaces, in an athletic position. You do not want to fall backwards or forwards out of the swing. The swing should be in this rhythm: shift, swing, shift, swing. The loading of the weight can't happen late, or the rest of the timing is off for that shot. The first movement should be a slight shift in weight from neutral to the back right foot, then arms can move the club to start the backswing. At the top of the backswing, when the left shoulder hits the players chin, weight should be transferred onto the players front left foot in the followthrough. From there, tap tap tap the back foot to ensure full rotation happened and the weight was properly transferred.
There are two ways the body can move through a swing, rotating and swaying. Swaying is not proper and again can through of the timing and positioning of the swing. Decrease in the right knee flexion during the backswing and increase in the left knee will ensure proper, full rotation of the swing. While following through, it is important to try and get the left hip left and back quickly, this ensure the path is following through down the line and power is properly transferred and utilized.
Backswing
In the players backswing, an inside, steep backswing comes from a weaker upper body. It's important to have the lower body start the back swing with a little bit of rotation before the arms then come up. Width in the swing is created by the shoulders to ensure a twisting motion instead of a sway. With this motion, the lower body doesn't want to stay still, but the back, right leg should straighten up, with the left knee creating more hinge. In a perfect swing, a coach standing down the line of the player would want to see a small gap between the knees at the top of the back swing. At the top of the swing, a triangle should be formed, again where the coach should be able to notice from down the line. The players right elbow should be kept close to the right hip, allowing the shoulders to get a 90 degree turn as soon as possible. Another way to ensure this full rotation, is to have the left shoulder blade pointing to the target. The club shouldn't just be picked up to start the swing, this is caused by the arms starting the swing, the rotation should be started by the lower body. When the players left shoulder makes contact with chin, is when the down swing should begin.
Downswing
The downswing should start when the left shoulder makes contact with the players chin. The players head should drop slightly from where it was, generating power from the legs. This shift should begin with the lower body, feeling a weight shift from both feet, fully onto the left foot. It's important to remember that the swing rotates on an axil, don't sway. A proper downswing should feel open and as though the path is inside out, making the ball want to go right. This is the proper plane though as the angle of the face will be on target. During the downswing, the arms should have the most amount of bend/ flex, generating power.
Follow Through
The follow through begins after contact is made with the ball. A good swing thought to have while making contact, is wanting to hit the ground or ball a few inches in front, following the club to the target. Not only does the club want to follow through to the target, but it's important to have full body rotation, having your belt buckle also pointing to the target. Making contact with the ball on an upward motion allows more height and distance on the shot. With that being said, keeping your back foot down on the ground as long as possible allows for a long, full, powerful swing.
LEARNING TO PLAY, COMPETE AND WIN
Driver
There are important things to realize for specific clubs in the bag, but you are not required 14 different swings for all 14 different clubs, golf is challenging enough. The swing for a driver is a slight variation of the swing used for all full shots. The most common fundamental differences are width of stance and attack angle. The widening of the stance slightly ensures better balance when generating that much power. A wider base also allows for more time for the swings plane to straighten out. The ball is also moved slightly further forward in the stance, on the inside of the front, left knee. To generate power and distance, distance between the head and the driver head should be created and the swing should fall on an inside and up swing pattern on the follow through.
Putting
Putting is the most difficult, but most important part of the game. Even though putting is not physically demanding, it takes the most amount of time and dedication to become a good putter. While addressing the ball, don't be too close are too far from the ball, but have the eyes right overtop, looking straight down. The weight should be felt on the shoelaces and the body should be leaned over as if taking a bow. Palms of the hands need to face each other while grabbing onto the grip. The right hand will push forward creating a slight hinge in the club face, the grip of the club could rest on the left forearm the face is still square and wasn't pushed closed or opened. The elbows should be slightly inward to the body and relaxed. All the movement in the stroke comes from the shoulders and the bodies big muscles, not wrist or hand movement. Becoming too active in the wrists will cause the ball to go all over the place but in the hole. There should be no movement in the head and it should stay down after contact until the sound of the ball falling into the cup is heard. Keeping the head down ensures not cutting of the toes, pushing or deceleration of the stroke.
Time and experience is the best coach for putting. There are technically many different ways to hit a putt well and anyone can be a good putter. But putting in the time to understand the feel and how to properly read greens will be the best bet in seeing a decrease in numbers of putts on the course.
Chipping
Chipping and short game is the most creative area in golf. Great short game players utilize every club in the bag for short shots, therefor have many different ways to hit a shot. A shot for chipping is just a simplified full swing. The stance is seen as a triangle, with this being said a chipping stance is that triangle cut in half. Put in simpler terms, it's just a narrower stance and closer to the ball at address. Majority of the players weight should be felt on the front foot towards the target. It's important not to lean back on the ball and not to have flippy wrists while making contact, as this could cause bad contact or double hitting. It's important not to let the ground have too much influence on the club face at impact.
Bunker Play
While playing out of a green side bunker, it's important not to over think the shot and complicate it. It's important to make sure that contact is made with the sand and is splashed into the air. While making contact, loft must be maintain in the face, this is crucial in getting the ball out. The ball must be played forward in a wider stance than a normal shot. It's important to lower the body's center of gravity and use power on the follow through to get the ball out. Decelerating on the downswing will not get the ball to the target. In fairway bunkers, a quiet lower body is needed, while having the ball slightly forward in the stance. It's important to swing up on the ball to ensure the ball has power created to get out of the sand.
Drills for Improvement
machine gun drill - the machine gun drill is used to get the player to stop over thinking and makes them think about positioning without stopping and readdressing the next shot. Just line up 3+ balls and swing away, a continuous motion between shots. it gives players less time to think and is great to help proper instinct and timing.
Microsoft Paint - using Microsoft Paint on the projector allows for endless amount of drills and games to draw and create yourself. an example we used we TikTacToe where a board would be drawn up up on the screen and the player must call which square they would like to cross off, and they must hit that square on that shot to mark it off, wanting to get 3 in a row. another game is drawing random circles around the screen, different sizes worth different amount of points, having the player with the most points win.
trail arm only - this drill has the player hold on to the club in just the right hand, having the left hand holding onto the right elbow, following the path of the backswing. people tend to underestimate the importance of the trail arms guidance in the swing. this drill helps ensure that many different aspects of the swing are corrected including weight transfer and rotation. To properly do this drill, a narrower stance, lowered grip and only a half swing is necessary.
one foot back - a variation of the trail arm only trail, could also be having your right foot back, keeping the toe on the ground this should help 90% of swing issues by helping with needing to feel pressure change on the front foot on the down swing, also allowing full body rotation of the shoulders in the backswing. this ensures lead leg stability, proper distance away from the ball and encourages the body to be on the lead leg throughout the swing.
impact bag - using an impact bag instead of a golfball ensures maximum power is trying to be produced to make that bag move. Another way to use the bag would be throwing it as hard as possible in to the ground, pushing all body weight up off the ground.
teeter totter - using a board that teeters back and forward due to weight transfer is a great way to ensure players are pressure changing properly throughout the swing. Pressure change should be the swing trigger, the first move of the swing, and happens before the club is taken back in the backswing
pool noodle - a pool noodle attached to an angled stick, propped up along the path of the swing allows the coach to show the player where they are compared to where they want to be. the noodle is a great tool as it can stay in place as the player swings and will not break itself or the players club. it helps force the arms and club to travel under the noodle on the proper path.
hula hoop - connecting a hula hoop to an alignment stick shows the plane and swing path of the club and body. This aid really shows players and coaches that the swing is rotating on an axis and the backswing should follow back on the same path for both the downswing and follow through
pump drill - the pump drill includes adding two extra backswings takeaways from the ball before readdressing and then hitting the ball. the players shoulders and big muscles should be moving the ball, not just arms and hands.
dollar bill - put a dollar bill, or piece of paper under the palms/pads of hands while gripping the club. This will help to have a stronger/better grip, and ensure that the player isn't milking the club.
metronome - using a metronome while putting helps with tempo of the stroke.
putting war game - the putting war game is when players putt back and fourth from one another, standing beside targets or cups. the first player to 10 or the decided goal wins.
box behind lead leg - put a box behind the front leg, and have the player generate enough power with the lower body where the box is knocked over/moved.
blocks under heels - putting blocks under the heels will ensure proper weight distribution on the front of the feet or shoe laces instead of the heels. this drill helps develop balance throughout the swing and keeping pressure pressure where it is needed.
the triangle - have a ball at address, and a ball in front of each toe. visualize the triangle. When chipping, shrink the triangle.
Microsoft Paint - using Microsoft Paint on the projector allows for endless amount of drills and games to draw and create yourself. an example we used we TikTacToe where a board would be drawn up up on the screen and the player must call which square they would like to cross off, and they must hit that square on that shot to mark it off, wanting to get 3 in a row. another game is drawing random circles around the screen, different sizes worth different amount of points, having the player with the most points win.
trail arm only - this drill has the player hold on to the club in just the right hand, having the left hand holding onto the right elbow, following the path of the backswing. people tend to underestimate the importance of the trail arms guidance in the swing. this drill helps ensure that many different aspects of the swing are corrected including weight transfer and rotation. To properly do this drill, a narrower stance, lowered grip and only a half swing is necessary.
one foot back - a variation of the trail arm only trail, could also be having your right foot back, keeping the toe on the ground this should help 90% of swing issues by helping with needing to feel pressure change on the front foot on the down swing, also allowing full body rotation of the shoulders in the backswing. this ensures lead leg stability, proper distance away from the ball and encourages the body to be on the lead leg throughout the swing.
impact bag - using an impact bag instead of a golfball ensures maximum power is trying to be produced to make that bag move. Another way to use the bag would be throwing it as hard as possible in to the ground, pushing all body weight up off the ground.
teeter totter - using a board that teeters back and forward due to weight transfer is a great way to ensure players are pressure changing properly throughout the swing. Pressure change should be the swing trigger, the first move of the swing, and happens before the club is taken back in the backswing
pool noodle - a pool noodle attached to an angled stick, propped up along the path of the swing allows the coach to show the player where they are compared to where they want to be. the noodle is a great tool as it can stay in place as the player swings and will not break itself or the players club. it helps force the arms and club to travel under the noodle on the proper path.
hula hoop - connecting a hula hoop to an alignment stick shows the plane and swing path of the club and body. This aid really shows players and coaches that the swing is rotating on an axis and the backswing should follow back on the same path for both the downswing and follow through
pump drill - the pump drill includes adding two extra backswings takeaways from the ball before readdressing and then hitting the ball. the players shoulders and big muscles should be moving the ball, not just arms and hands.
dollar bill - put a dollar bill, or piece of paper under the palms/pads of hands while gripping the club. This will help to have a stronger/better grip, and ensure that the player isn't milking the club.
metronome - using a metronome while putting helps with tempo of the stroke.
putting war game - the putting war game is when players putt back and fourth from one another, standing beside targets or cups. the first player to 10 or the decided goal wins.
box behind lead leg - put a box behind the front leg, and have the player generate enough power with the lower body where the box is knocked over/moved.
blocks under heels - putting blocks under the heels will ensure proper weight distribution on the front of the feet or shoe laces instead of the heels. this drill helps develop balance throughout the swing and keeping pressure pressure where it is needed.
the triangle - have a ball at address, and a ball in front of each toe. visualize the triangle. When chipping, shrink the triangle.
One Day Practice Session Plan
Mike directs many different golf camps and lessons, mapping out plans to ensure he uses his and his players time wisely. It's important to address all aspects of the game entirely necessary to build a foundation for improvement. After addressing the cause of bad swing habits, drills and training aids are used to unlearn and relearn the proper techniques. Here's a lay out of how to space out a practice session;
1. Basic Fundamental Instruction (60 mins)
a. Set Up
i. tilted forward
ii. leg "flex"
iii. weight forward
b. Grip
i. must hold in the fingers
ii. angled placement in the hand
c. Relationships
i. ball position
ii. shaft angle
d. Work backwards from the golf club for repeated setup
2. Golf Swing (60 mins)
a. What do the arms and hands do?
i. must create angles
ii. what are the contact angles?
iii. without speed and control, golf swings will not be efficient
iv. trail arm only
b. What does the body do?
i. tilted rotation
ii. proper weight shift
iii. body transitions at different times
c. What are the proper swing ideas or core beliefs?
i. the golf swing is always on an arc
ii. the club face is always rotating
iii. shallow almost always is better than steep
iv. a closed club face beats an open club face
d. The most common golf swing myths
i. keep your head down
ii. keep your left arm straight
iii. swing slower
iv. ball position middle of stance
v. bend your knees
vi. the late shift
vii. straight back, straight through
3. Mental Game (30 mins)
a. Pre-shot Routine
b. Think Box
c. Play Box
d. Constant planning/ evaluating
4. Practicing with a Purpose (30mins)
a. plan your practice before arriving
b. different ways to grade practice success/efficiency
i. things you can control
ii. things you cannot control
a. Set Up
i. tilted forward
ii. leg "flex"
iii. weight forward
b. Grip
i. must hold in the fingers
ii. angled placement in the hand
c. Relationships
i. ball position
ii. shaft angle
d. Work backwards from the golf club for repeated setup
2. Golf Swing (60 mins)
a. What do the arms and hands do?
i. must create angles
ii. what are the contact angles?
iii. without speed and control, golf swings will not be efficient
iv. trail arm only
b. What does the body do?
i. tilted rotation
ii. proper weight shift
iii. body transitions at different times
c. What are the proper swing ideas or core beliefs?
i. the golf swing is always on an arc
ii. the club face is always rotating
iii. shallow almost always is better than steep
iv. a closed club face beats an open club face
d. The most common golf swing myths
i. keep your head down
ii. keep your left arm straight
iii. swing slower
iv. ball position middle of stance
v. bend your knees
vi. the late shift
vii. straight back, straight through
3. Mental Game (30 mins)
a. Pre-shot Routine
b. Think Box
c. Play Box
d. Constant planning/ evaluating
4. Practicing with a Purpose (30mins)
a. plan your practice before arriving
b. different ways to grade practice success/efficiency
i. things you can control
ii. things you cannot control