If you want to play better golf, focus is the key!

Ever notice how targets in golf get progressively smaller the closer you get to the hole? Here is what I mean. On the tee box, your target is the fairway. Most fairways are 20 to 50 yards wide. Approach shots are played into greens which are smaller targets than fairways. Once on or around the green, you try to chip or lag putt the ball to within a few feet of the cup. And then finally, the ball is played into a hole that is 4.25 inches in diameter. That is a drastic change in target size and it happens on all 18 holes.

Here is another interesting observation. A missed shot when playing towards a large target is much easier to swallow than missing a smaller target. It seems like expectations increase as target size decreases. Again, here is what I mean. If your intent is to hit the right side of the fairway and you end up hitting the left side, it’s likely the other three players in your group say, “Nice shot.” You could have missed your target by 30 yards but it’s still considered a good shot because you hit the fairway. What if you were to miss a 10 foot putt by 30 yards? That would quite possibly go down in history as the worst golf shot ever. The same 30 yard miss carries different weight because of the size of the target and your level of expectation.

You can miss a tee shot by 30 yards and still consider it a good shot. But what if you miss a 3 foot by an inch? It’s a bad putt, right? Do you see how the pressure builds as we approach the green and ultimately the hole? This is dangerous because as the targets get smaller, your level of expectation grows. And as expectations grow, so does pressure.

So how does focus help?
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Today’s chipping lesson will quickly describe two different philosophies for shots around the greens. Find the one that works best and you will no doubt play better golf.

Philosophy 1 – Use 1 or 2 clubs with multiple swings and ball positions.
Philosophy 2 – Use the same chipping motion with multiple clubs.

I’ve tried both methods over the years and ended up using the first simply because it worked better for me. Please understand this doesn’t mean it will work better for you. Here are quick explanations for each method.

#1: I hit 95% of all chip shots with my 60 degree lob wedge. For high shots, I’ll open the club face and play the ball in the middle of my stance. For lower, running shots, I’ll square up the face and play the ball off my back toe with my weight forward. These changes allow me to achieve many different trajectories and run out options with the same club. For long shots that must release across most of the green, I’ll grab a pitching wedge and play it back in my stance. It’s rare that I grab another club other than these two. This philosophy is characterized by multiple shots with a select few clubs.

#2: I’ve seen the second method work just as well by a friend of mine who played Division 1 golf here in Colorado. He basically uses a putting motion when chipping and changes clubs based on the desired carry and run out needed for the shot. He’ll use a lob wedge all the way up to a 5 iron. His set up position is very consistent with the ball played in the middle of his stance and his weight slightly forward. He’ll take the club back just below knee height and then follow through. This philosophy is characterized by multiple clubs used with the same chipping motion.

If you’ve struggled with shots around the greens, spend a little time with both methods to see which works best. I’m guessing one or the other will stand out. This is the one you should commit to. It sounds insignificant but committing mentally to your preferred method is critical. It helps with confidence and it also keeps your practice time productive. You won’t waste time experimenting when you already know what to work on.

That wraps up today’s quick chipping lesson. Now get out there, find what works and play better golf this year.

Increased Confidence = Better Chip Shots = More Up and Downs = Better Scores
*Finding your preferred method will no doubt give your confidence a boost.

Thanks for stopping by. Be sure to check back soon.
Mike

Follow me on Twitter: @Mike_Snyder

Here is a free putting lesson from one of the greats.

I love how Crenshaw advises you to find whatever feels comfortable and whatever works best for you. I’m not a big fan of golf instructors who teach there is “one best way” to play this game. If there was only one way, every swing on tour would look the same and that just isn’t the case. Are fundamentals needed? Yes. But those fundamentals can be built into your personal swing.

Try a couple of these ideas next time you practice your putting. And here is the key; do not putt towards a hole at first. It sounds crazy but find a  back corner on the practice green and hit putts without a target. Free your mind of the result and simply work to find the process that feels right. 
  1. Play around with ball position to see how each one feels. Note contact and how quickly the ball starts rolling.
  2. Change hand positions from way forward to directly over the ball.
  3. Try moving your body weight around. Crenshaw’s weight was a little forward, I prefer to be more neutral with equal weight on both feet. See what you like.
  4. Change the width of your stance. Kenny Perry stands real wide, other players are narrow. Which do you prefer?

Take mental notes as you experiment and you will eventually find a putting set up that “works” best. If you ask me, the game shouldn’t even be called golf, it should be called “Whatever Works!!”

Hope that helps. Make sure and check back soon and I always appreciate your referrals if you know another “Golf Nut” who could use a free putting lesson today.

Talk soon,
  Mike

Follow me on Twitter: @Mike_Snyder

This is a great motivational video. Take 6 quick minutes and watch.

Sight is a function of the eyes whereas vision is a function of the heart.

Don’t get discouraged by some of the numbers your eyes “see” on the scorecard after the round. Instead, learn to let vision be your guide. Your game won’t change overnight, but with vision leading the way, arriving at your intended destination is inevitable.

It’s freezing cold where I live today so if you are in a warmer climate, please get out and hit a few for me!

Talk soon,
  Mike

Twitter: @Mike_Snyder

It has nothing to do with golf but a funny video is always good to help brighten your day.

Check back soon or that lady will shoot you in the Toodles!

Talk soon,
  Mike

Twitter: @Mike_Snyder

Yes You Can…but only if you believe.

Henry Ford said, “Whether you think you can or think you can’t, you are absolutely right.”

Do you believe you can break 80? Do you believe you can beat the friend you’ve never beat before? Do you believe you can achieve your full potential on the golf course?

If you want your game to go where it’s never gone before, your swing won’t get it there! What will?

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New Year’s Resolutions and Playing Better Golf

I’m not one to believe in New Year’s Resolutions but I do believe in goals. “What’s the difference,” you may ask? I believe the difference is found in reasons.

The fact is that most New Year’s Resolutions fail within the first 90 days. The million dollar question is WHY?

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Check out this amazing chip shot by Phil Mickelson.

You may never chip the ball like Phil Mickelson but you can still learn from his short game…read on.

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Here is a free putting lesson from one of the greatest of all time.

Hope you enjoyed this free putting lesson.

Check back soon,
  Mike

Twitter: @Mike_Snyder

I know, it’s not golf, but this new video from Danny MacAskill is just awesome!

I started riding bike trials 12 years ago so this thoroughly blows me away! Imagine the level of confidence to pull off these moves. Danny understands the risks involved better than anyone and yet he jumps anyway.

   Some say he’s crazy. He says he’s just doing what he loves.
   Some ask how he doesn’t die. He says riding makes him feel alive.

This guy now gets paid to do what he loves to do. How do you suppose that happened?
    Step 1: He discovered a gift that was in him at birth.
    Step 2: He worked to refine his gift.
    Step 3: He shared his gift with the world.
It’s a simple formula anyone can follow.

An ancient script says, “Your gift shall make room for you and bring you before great people.” The world is not after your education, it’s after your gift. Won’t you find what was given to you at birth and share it with us? The choice is yours. You don’t have to share, but what a tragedy it would be to take your gift with you to the grave. I believe people who experience immense regret later on in life are the ones who discovered their gift but did nothing with it.

If nothing else, I hope this post has prompted you into thought about where your life has been and where it’s currently headed. Danny simply chased a dream and you can too!

Check back soon.
  Mike

Twitter: @Mike_Snyder