Blog: Entries are written by SwingRite's President, Kate Whitney. The Weekly Tip for Golf and Life entries are written by Golfing Magazine's Publisher and ING's (International Network of Golf) President, John Glozek. ********************************************************************************* January 17, 2011: This week's tip from John: "If you want something you have never had then you have to do something you've never done." January 10, 2011: This week's tip from John: "Success is a process of elimination...
"Energy creates energy. If you rest you rust." November 17, 2010: I am in the middle of reading "Positive Impact Golf" By Brian Sparks. I'm reading the book not only because Brian is a friend and longtime user of the SwingRite, but also because I'm interested in what other people think about the game of golf. I wanted to share a few paragraphs with you. I chose these specific paragraphs because I think we can all benefit from remembering what Brian says here while we are out on the course: "...When released from erroneous concepts players find that improvement comes rapidly. But the other area that helps golfers to actually improve on the golf course is their attitude to bad shots and how they flourish and enjoy their game more when they opt out of the self-critical and debilitating "WHY" syndrome. After all is said and done, when was the last time you played a round of golf without hitting a bad shot? Indeed, when was the last recorded round of golf played at any level that didn't include a bad shot? When did even Tiger Woods last play a round of golf without hitting a bad shot? Do you stand on the first tee imagining a fault free round? If you do, my friend, you are in for a torrid time. Golf is an inherently inconsistent game. Inconsistency is part of its very makeup and it's very infrastructure. You can't get away from it. In the game of golf there is one certain and CONSISTENT fact. Golf is the most INCONSISTENT game in the world! You can, however, reduce the inconsistencies to an acceptable level by adopting a more reasonable attitude to your bad shots. If there's nothing good to say after a particular shot, say NOTHING and do NOTHING! Just put your club in your bag and walk forward to the next shot keeping yourself in the best possible state of mind to hit the next one. Once you get angry, frustrated and disappointed, you will heap tension on your game and come off the golf course deflated, dejected and exhausted. Remember what tension does? It steals your feel and robs you of your talent." November 16, 2010: I got an email today from a random person, but it was quite entertaining so I wanted to share it. I don't know who the author is, but would love to give credit to them if anyone knows who it is. There were a few different jokes listed so I am going to post one every few days: Here's the first one: Off the seventh tee, Joe sliced his shot deep into a wooded ravine. He took his eight iron and clambered down the embankment in search of his lost ball. After many long minutes of hacking at the underbrush, he spotted something glistening in the leaves. As he drew nearer, he discovered that it was an eight iron in the hands of a skeleton! Joe immediately called out to his friend, "Jack, I've got trouble down here!" "What's the matter?" Jack asked from the edge of the ravine. September 15, 2010: So this is TOTALLY off the topic of golf....but every now and then I come across something that is just too good to not share with people. My dad sent me an email and it had a quote in it...I want to share that quote. Whether you are married or not, I think that everyone can learn a little something for this...I hope you enjoy it like I did! (it's from a female perspective, but you will get the point) "You wanted the hot guy. You wanted the diamond ring. You wanted the adorable baby in the hip but affordable stroller. Now you've got it all -- but you're not "getting any." Somehow, between choosing bridesmaid dresses and recommending breast pumps, your girlfriends neglected to what I like about that quote is that it can be used for different types of relationships...both in marriage and in friendship. It's important that we communicate with each other, respect each other's differences and grow, together. September 11, 2010: Wow..9 years today...May we never forget that terrible day...all those innocent people who died and all those brave souls who rushed in to help, some of whom, never came out again. My prayers go out to those who lost loved ones that day...and to all Americans...because we all lost a little piece of something that day. God Bless America! God Bless our Troops! August 28, 2010: I once read a book called 'The Trump Card' written by Ivanka Trump. In it, she refers to a quote once said by hip-hop mogel Russell Simmons and it really stood out to me because it's exactly how I feel about my business, SwingRite LLC and my product, the Original SwingRite and the SwingRite Home Run Hitter." Here's the quote: "In business, we should always be looking to give something that brings lasting happiness. Something we believe in. You want to be proud of your product, proud of what you're giving your customers. That's what will make your product or service stand out, because people can feel that. Your commitment to excellence, to strength, to purpose, it all shines through. That's where you find your success." August 24,2010: While reading a book called 'The Trump Card' by Ivanka Trump (I love reading business women's books, it's nice to relate to other women) I came across a quote that I really liked and I want to share it with you....remember this on a daily basis and see what new opportunities arise because you zigged.. here it is: "...if your instinct is to zig while everyone else is looking to zag, you're more likely to discover an important new angle. An angle of opportunity." June 14, 2010: There seems to always be an article about lag, why it's important, and how to achieve it. Here is an article that was written in Golf Illustrated Magazine in 2004. The easiest way to achieve lag and to practice it, is to use the SwingRite! Everything that this article talks about can be accomplished by using the SwingRite. How to Add More Distance Golf Illustrated – Swing Tips The “late hit” is one of golf’s most commonly professed swing concepts. It is also one of the least understood. The general perception is that the hinged or cocked wrists at the top of the back swing remain hinged all the way through impact, with the club head never getting past the hands until after the ball is away. If that was the case, the ball would go well right of the target and have very little power behind it. In fact, when the ball is struck, the wrists must be unhinged. The idea is to delay that unhinging as long as possible and avoid an early hit, which is when the release comes too soon and the club is “cast.” In the optimal delayed hit, the wrists unhinge just before the club face meets the ball. This is what is meant by getting your hands into the shot. How do you accomplish this? Strange as it may sound, given that the club is held in the hands, the delayed hit is achieved by the lower body beginning the downswing. The First Move- To the Left To produce a delayed hit, the downswing should begin with a slight lateral movement of the hips to the left. It is not a big slide or turn, only a subtle, but definite shifting of weight into the left side. An interesting thing happens at this time. The wrists actually hinge a little more. There is also a kind of lagging that results from the physical forces generated by the leftward movement of the hips. This only enhances the chances of a delayed hit. However, the most important result of the hip movement to start the downswing is that you are less apt to start the club down with a rotation of your shoulders and cast it or throw it out toward the ball with an early release of your wrist hinge. Casting not only dissipates the energy needed to deliver the most power, but it also creates an outside-to- in slice-inducing swing path. The move to the left is going to go a long way toward eliminating this casting action, but you also need some self-control. You must tell yourself to not hit at the ball, which almost invariably leads to an early release of the wrist hinge. There must be no manipulation of the club with the hands. The unhinging of the wrists must be allowed to happen, and it will by virtue of centrifugal force. After the move onto the left side to start the downswing, the wrists remain fully hinged until the hands are shoulder-high. The angle between the left arm and the shaft is released a little from shoulder height down, with substantially more, actually most, of the release coming below the waist. A checkpoint in this sequence is when the hands reach about waist-high. At this point, the shaft of the club is parallel to the ground and the target line. Again, by virtue of centrifugal force, the complete unhinging will happen just as the ball is struck. That is how maximum power is applied to the ball. At impact, your left arm and the shaft are in line with the ball, and your hands are still slightly in front of the ball. Remember, you don’t consciously delay the unhinging. If you begin the downswing in the proper sequence, starting with the subtle shift of weight onto your left side, gradually increasing centrifugal force will cause the release and produce maximum club head speed when the ball is struck. It’s a matter of storing energy in the back swing and more or less conserving it until that moment just before the club head impacts with the ball. All golfers, including the best players, are apt to release the club too soon in the downswing. Jack Nicklaus addressed this problem in a way I’I've always liked. He said you start the downswing slowly, sort of in slow motion. A slight softening of the left arm helps create this pace. The hands kind of fall from the top of the back swing You don’t pull them down in the old drawstring or window-shade image, which suggests tension and a forcing activity. You just let them fall to the ball like snowflakes, as David Feherty once described Vijay Singh’s downswing. The Swing Path There are other ways to achieve the delayed hit besides the move to the left. I have had a lot of success getting golfers to think of hitting the ball with the club moving on an inside-to-out path. That is not what actually happens, but by making the effort, you keep from casting the club and swinging it from outside to in. A common instruction is to start the back swing with the club going straight back from the ball. However, this requires a re-routing of the club in the downswing to get it moving to the ball from the inside. Any re-routing is an extra movement that breeds inconsistency, and if you can avoid it, you are better off. This swing path is best realized when the club is started back with a rotation of the shoulders, rather than a swinging of the arms. Shoulder rotation (the shoulders feel as thought they are turning level) will swing the club back slightly to the inside and thus on a natural and correct plane. This, in turn, encourages swinging the club back to the ball on the same place. The one-plane golf swing is not only a good way to produce the delayed hit, but it also makes for consistently sold ball striking. The Vertical Hinge: Another important component in creating the delayed hit is how you hinge your wrists. I tech a vertical hinge in which the hands break upward (the thumbs coming back toward you) as the club swings back, rather than a sideways flexing of the wrists. Vertical hinging keeps the club on plane created by your shoulder rotation and produces the most powerful and accurate shots under any circumstances. Fold the Right Elbow, Rotate the Forearms In conjunction with the vertical hinge, the right elbow should be folded fairly early in the back swing—when the hands get about waist-high. The hinging action has a way of inducing the elbow fold, or what some people refer to as a tuck. The elbow comes in close to your right side and is pointing down. At the same time in the back swing, the forearms should turn clockwise. The right-elbow fold will create the proper amount of forearm rotation. This is also known supination and pronation. Ben Hogan made these terms popular, as rotation was a major theme in his swing system. The combination of the vertical hinge of the wrists, the right elbow folding into the right side and pointing down toward the right hip (not getting high or away from the body), and the rotation of the forearms so the left arm swings across your chest will put the club on the ideal swing path or plane, slightly to the inside. From here, it will move to the ball in the downswing on a slightly inside-to-out path and overall produce a very compact and controlled swing with a delayed hit. Setting Up The setup to the ball is standard, but you can do a few things that will indirectly help product the delayed hit. For example, if your feet are a little closer together at address, you should be able to make more of a turn. I recommend this for older players who may have lost some flexibility. Everyone will benefit from being sure the hands are ahead of the ball at address, especially for iron shots. ********************************************************************************* June 9, 2010: I recently just came across an article that was written by Mike Levine for the 2007 Winter issue of Golf Teaching Pro Magazine. Why it was of interest to me is clearly stated in the title of the article: "The Greatest 'LAG'" .....the SwingRite is all about achieving lag, so I am always interested in article about lag. Below is the article that was in the magazine. I hope you find it as interesting as I did! The Greatest "LAG" by Mike Levine LAG: "The maximum delay of the release of stored energy." It's the missing ingredient in most struggling swings, especially in those of better players. When I think of lag, I can't help but remember the beautiful illustrations of Anthony Ravelli in Five Lessons: The Modern Fundamentals of Golf by Ben Hogan. I can picture the angle formed by the club shaft and lead arm at 90 degrees or more, impossibly close to impact! Hogan had that trademark. Those images just before impact seemed impossible to achieve. How could the release of the club be delayed for so long? The Hogan secret?
And, as the song says, "Nobody does it better!" Of the modern players, only Sergio Garcia comes to mind as an owner of this quality in his golf swing. For me, it is a joy to watch an exhibition of the laws of physics in action...the grace and beauty of when form follows function. All athletes of the highest level possess these qualities. Simply put, they make it look easy. When a performer of motions is totally in harmony with the forces of nature, be it dancers, skaters, surfers, gymnasts or even golfers, the observer is treated to visions of grace and beauty. This quality within the golfing world is becoming more rare these days, as the focus becomes that of power and distance. Gone are the days of witnessing the grace of Ben Hogan, Sam Snead, Gardner Dickenson, or Ken Venturi and so many more. I miss viewing the wonderful interaction and reaction of the centrifugal forces and perfection of balance one witnesses within the coiling and uncoiling sequences present in those possessing classic swings. Even watching Freddie Couples brings to mind images of grace without force, power with flow, yet producing enough distance to please most observers' eyes. But, I'm forgetting this modern America:bigger, stronger, louder, faster, and yes, longer is better, right? Computer-designed, engineered for perfection and AutoCAD produced! But is it really? And, at what price? Such thinking is producing homogenized players, as well, with most having the same identical "computer-aided" look. Gone are the days of a variety of golf swing, eye candy for a gallery. We see sameness over and over, because perfect must be better, right? There have been a myriad of imperfect swings that achieved incredible results. Where are you Bobby Jones? If we used the common argument that simpler is better, we would be walking with totally stiff legs locked at the knees and ankles, pivoting only from the hip joints. Try that on for size. It's not only ugly, but counter-productive, as well. The human stride is a complex series of motions, as is the golf swing. These tasks require a correct sequence to work properly. And within these sequences, lag motions are in progress. The shin bone and food follow the lead of the knee and thigh in a forward walking stride. These parts are not rigidly connected, as a computer "model" following the credo that simpler is better would dictate. These leg parts are free to swing following the part that moves toward the objective before it. The control is in the proper working of the sequence, not in limiting the parts' ability to move, or in forcing the parts to move faster than the sequence speed dictates. And, for as long as I can remember, the complexity of a walking stride is pretty much foolproof under pressure. I can't remember falling down when I walked, even when I was nervous. Golf swings fail when we inhibit or try to force more power from the swing rather than following a given sequence which speed can produce. To have our swings propel the ball farther, the entire swing sequence needs to be faster, but it must have sequence and lag! Why do classic cars fetch such huge prices at auctions? Or artful items of yesterday? We are getting tired of mass-produced and computer designs that add to this homogenized and blended society. Let's bring back the beauty of unforced swings, swings that generate adequate power and are as enjoyable for the participant as the viewer. As Bob Toski says, "Feel the force, don't force the feel." May the force be with you!
********************************************************************************* May 26, 2010: I just recently returned from the International Network of Golf conference that was held down in Pinehurst, NC. It was a great time. We met lots of great people in the industry. Some had products and others where freelance writers or magazine publishers. I sat in on a lecture by Chip Eichelberger. He gives a talk called "Get Switched On" and it's all about how to get the most out of your life. He was a great speaker. He made the audience laugh and most importantly, stay awake! I am going to share his teachings below. If you want more info about this program or about Chip, visit him at www.GetSwitchedOn.com. Get Switched On... "Do not major in minor things" Jim Rohn The Stockdale Paradox: I retain absolute faith that I can and will prevail, regardless of the difficulties. I must confront the brutal facts of the current situation and be willing to act on the implications. 1.) Go back into my studio - the power of one decision! Ask my customers/teammates/spouse/children: What can I do to be a better person? Talent is over rated. 2.) You gotta believe - fixed vs. growth mind set. "In the end, it is important to remember that we cannot become what we need to be, by remaining what we are." Max Dupree 3.) Generate momentum - Beware the Law of Familiarity! "The strangest secret in life is you will become what you think about most often." Earl Nightingale Change from scarcity to abundance - the law of sewing and reaping. "The most important shot in golf... is the next one" Ben Hogan. ********************************************************************************* April 9, 2010: When I read the latest Golfing Magazine Newsletter, they wrote some fun facts about golf, I thought I would share them. You can never have too much useless knowledge! You never know when it might come in useful! The World's Longest Golf Course is the International Golf Club in Massachusetts, a long par 77, 8325-yards, from the tiger tees. Dimples on a golf ball reduce drag by creating turbulence as the ball flies through the air. A golf ball must have a diameter of no less than 42.67mm and may not exceed a mass of 45.93g. All golf holes must be exactly 4.25 inches in diameter. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina has the most mini golf courses in the country. ********************************************************************************* June 1, 2009: My dad forwarded me an email he received. I think any golfer would enjoy reading it. Click HERE to view. ********************************************************************************* March 26, 2009: Club head Lag: the secret power source. I came across this article in an issue of Golf Illustrated Magazine. It talks about "lag" and how maintaining it in your swing is the KEY to power. Funny, that's exactly what the SwingRite teaches you and help you practice! "There are numerous power sources in the golf swing that can help generate additional club head speed through the hitting area, but one of the biggest is the ability to create and maintain club head lag....." To read the rest of the article click here. ********************************************************************************* March 25, 2009: I saved a page from the 2007 golfing magazine called "Golfer Girl" because it was a "trivia" page and I always find those types of pages pretty interesting. The information was quite intriguing, so I thought I would share some of the questions with you. For answers to these questions, scroll to the bottom of this page. 1.) When was the first round of golf played in the U.S.? ********************************************************************************* March 13, 2009: A few years back, I went to a golf teaching seminar and I found a lot of what the instructor was talking about to be very informative. The teacher sent us home with her packet of "instructions" so we could refer back to them whenever we needed. I just came across that packet the other day, and as I read through it, I realized that a lot of the information that was directed at teachers, could also be applied to a golfer looking at his own game. The packet started off with a few pages called "My Philosophy" and included a bunch of things that every golf should remember. (remember, the format and wording is a teach talking to her student). The teachers statement is in bold, and my thoughts and reflection about each statement follow it. 1.) I convince them that it is okay to be bad at first. So is everyone else. I like this thought because it's so true! No one is perfect when the first pick up golf. There are going to be bad shots, misses, whiffs, chunkers, etc. Don't give up. Just like everything else in life, golf takes practice and practice takes time. 2.) I convince them they belong. Everyone "belongs" in the game of golf. Golf doesn't discriminate based on age, gender, race, ethnicity, or level. Some people say they are too old to pick up golf. NONSENSE! You are never too old (or too young) to start this wonderful game. 3.) I am honest and predictable. This is important, always be honest with yourself. If you just can't figure out why all your shots are hooking, take a lesson or ask a friend. Most likely you are not a professional and do not have a swing or game like Tiger's. It's okay to ask for help, you'll be glad you did in the long run. 4.) I teach specifics and drills. I don not move forward until steps are mastered. Limiting the number of things they are working on is instrumental to their progress. I definitely believe in practicing "drills". Putting drills, chipping drills, alignment drills, etc. all these things allow you to practice one aspect in a repetitive environment and then apply that learned knowledge when you are out on the course. The more you practice something over and over again and really get comfortable doing it, muscle memory will take over and on the course you can be on "auto-pilot". ********************************************************************************* March 6, 2009: This entry is going to be dedicated to all the women golfers out there. Being a female golfer myself, I know how hard it can be in such a "male-dominated" sport. So whether you are a lady who wants to start golfing, or a lady who has already started, don't give up! There are so many amazing things that can come about by you playing golf. To the men out there, please encourage all the women in your life to pick up the game. Golf is a wonderful sport that people can play their whole lives. A few reasons women give why they don't golf: time, don't like being bad at anything, don't like to feel stupid, no one to call, don't know how to start, friends don't play. Ladies suck it up and give it a try. Make time, accept that you might be bad at something in the beginning but will get better the more you practice, don't feel stupid, play by yourself, call your friends and get them to start too, call a pro in your area and take a lesson! Here are some reasons why women should golf: be social, it's good to have some competition in your life, great business networking, spend time with your family (if they golf), get away from the home (good change of scenery), exercise. Did you know: an average of 1 million women start the game each year? Currently, there are 6,639,000 women playing golf. The LPGA is the longest running women's sports organization in the world. In the 2000's, prize money is now 54 million, where it used to be $200,000 in 1959. The PGA has $240 million in prize money....maybe one day it will equal out....but for now, we have to keep trekking along, keep encouraging each other to start playing and continue to play. Once you get the bug, you are going to love golf! I promise! *********************************************************************************
Answers to March 25, 2009 Trivia Questions: 1.)1888
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