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?

Focus is the key but the answer needs to be more specific. You must be intentional about what you focus on. Most golfers focus on results. All this does is increases the pressure we’ve already discussed. A much smaller percentage of players have learned to focus on process. Pressure can not be eliminated, but it can be managed, and focusing on process is the most effective way. You’ll hear tour players talk about this all the time in interviews. The most recent I remember is Justin Leonard. He was asked when he’ll win again. His response was to explain that he and his coach are working on the process and winning will simply be a result. Good answer!

Every golfer at every level has some sort of focus on every single shot. What separates better players from the rest is where that focus is placed. It’s much easier said than done, but the goal here is to detach from results. And the reason we need to detach is because we can’t control results. We can only control process. You can’t control your ball finding a hole in the middle of the fairway. You can’t control your ball hitting a bump on the green and being forced off line. All you can do is hit the best shot you possibly can and then watch it go.

If you hit a good putt, then the ball has the BEST chance of going in.
If you make a good swing, then the ball has the BEST chance of going where you want it to.

Focus on the things you CAN control and detach from the things you CAN’T! This will be revolutionary for your game.

Focus on evaluating where the ball sits and how you think it will react when struck. Focus on the conditions around you, like wind, and then make a good club selection. Focus on visualizing the exact shot you want to hit. Focus on relaxing and going through your pre shot routine before every shot. These are the things you CAN control and this is where your focus should be placed. There is nothing more frustrating and stressful than trying to change the things you can not change. And as you very well know, golf doesn’t need any added stress and pressure. This game is tough enough as is.

Homework – head to the course and play a round of golf without a scorecard. Your only goal for the day should be to consciously detach from the results and dedicate the entire round to focusing on the process. If you focus on process well, the result is you will play better golf.

As always, thanks for stopping by and be sure to check back soon.
Mike

Follow me on Twitter: @Mike_Snyder

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

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

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

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

Talk soon,
  Mike

Twitter: @Mike_Snyder

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?

It doesn’t matter how good your swing is, you can never play golf beyond the level your brain believes you can. It’s that simple. I’m not saying neglect the physical part of the game; I’m saying you should also focus on the mental side.

Three tips to help get your mind right.

1. What do you want from your game this year?
    – You can’t hit targets that don’t exist.
    – Make a list of things you’d like to accomplish in 2011.

2. Why do you want this from golf?
    – People don’t pursue goals without good reasons. Find yours and write them down.
    – Compelling reasons become the substance that fuels the journey.

3. What is 1 step you can take immediately?
    – A journey of 1,000 miles begins with a single step.
    – What single step will you take today?

Go to work on your belief system and you’ll be amazed what happens to your game. Picture yourself adding up the score card to your best round ever. Picture yourself calm over 3 foot putts. Imagine playing the entire round alert, in focus and in total control of your emotions. Mental practice for golf, in my opinion, is more important than hitting balls. Obviously you need both, but don’t expect good results if you neglect your mind.

Start today. You can’t find a good reason to procrastinate until tomorrow. Remember, you can shoot good scores or you can make excuses but you can’t do both.

Talk again soon.
  Mike

Twitter: @Mike_Snyder

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?

Because a date on the calendar is not a compelling reason to change your life. Lasting change will only occur when you find a compelling reason to do so. Resolutions are always driven by the calendar where as goals are driven by a desire to change your life…or golf game. Don’t wait for the calendar to tell you when new changes or goals are needed. Put them in place immediately upon discovering the need for change.

So how does this all apply to golf? My question to you is this, “What are your goals on the course this year?”

I certainly can’t tell you what goals to set but here are a couple helpful tips.

 1. Set goals based on process and not results. You can’t always control results but you can control process.
      – Poor Goal: I want to finally break 100 this year.
      – Better Goal: I will use my pre-shot routine on EVERY SHOT regardless of where my round is at.

 2. Set a mental goal to keep your mind sharp on the course.
      – Poor Goal: I will quit throwing clubs this year. (Throwing clubs is not the source of the problem, it’s the result.)
      – Better Goal: I will keep golf in proper perspective and realize it’s just a game. It is possible to have a good time regardless of how you play with the right attitude.

 3. Set practice goals to make the limited time you do have as effective as it can be.
      – Poor Goal: I’ll rapid fire hit as many balls as I can in the time I have available.
      – Better Goal: I will practice just like I am hitting shots on the course. Start from behind the ball, go through your pre-shot routine, see the shot, relax and then make the swing.

And now here is the most important part – write down the reasons you wish to play better golf this year. Are you looking to finally make strides towards your potential in this game? Are you looking to gain more enjoyment when on the course? Maybe you would like your behavior on the course to change in order to become a better role model for a younger player in your life? Whatever your reasons, be sure to write them down next to your goals. And remember, the calendar is not a compelling reason for change but something from deep within is.

A couple final tips on goals to help you make them effective this year.
 - Write them down – you can’t hit a target that doesn’t exist.
 - Read them often to commit your goals to memory.
 - Adjust them whenever necessary.

I’d love to hear some of your goals. Send me a reply and we’ll work through this year together.

Thanks for stopping by and check back soon.
  Mike

Twitter: @Mike_Snyder

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

1. Phil is creative and you can be too.
    It starts by getting creative in practice. You probably don’t have eight hours a day to spend at the course but that doesn’t mean you can’t get creative with the time you do have. Learn to hit low chip shots with a lob wedge. Hit high shots with a 7 iron. Hit chip shots from divots. I promise you the things your brain learns in practice will all come in handy at some point. The more creative you practice, the better you’ll play.

2. Phil is courageous and you should be too.
    I personally love watching Phil play because he’s not afraid to try a shot most golfers would never even consider. Remember the 6 iron he fired between the trees at The Masters this year? Phil doesn’t see failure, he sees success and there is a lot to learn from this philosophy. The more you practice, the more confident you’ll become. Let that confidence transfer to the course. See the shot, feel the shot and then trust your body to pull it off. Will you always hit a great shot? No. Here’s the key – forget poor shots quickly but never forget the great ones.

3. Phil has fun on the golf course and so should you.
    Isn’t that the main reason you play anyway? Golf is fun. Phil is fun to watch because he smiles even when the pressure is on. He may not carry the #1 ranking but you can’t deny his passion for the game. He plays with a great perspective and a great attitude and that’s something we can all learn from. Keep your head in a good spot throughout the round and you’ll be pleasantly surprised when you add up scores at the end.

Now get out there and hit an amazing chip shot of your own!

Check back soon,
  Mike

Twitter: @Mike_Snyder

Hope you enjoyed this free putting lesson.

Check back soon,
  Mike

Twitter: @Mike_Snyder

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