Ask Golf Trainer Show #3
Fri, Jun 20, 2008
I got 3 really good questions this week and hope I answered them to your liking. I invite all comments (feedback) below. If you have a pressing frustration with your golf swing, please click the Ask Golf Trainer A Question at the top of this page, and I’ll do my best to answer it in an upcoming show.
Questions relating to “on-course” hydration and nutrition, to a golf swing fault and a simple solution and another question on whether to do a golf workout before or after golf. What do the touring pros do?
I’m really having fun with this, but want to make it as good as I can for you.
Oh…before I forget, I told I would post the link to the Golfers Weight Loss ebook. Lots of simple tips and strategies to have maximum energy for 18 holes, and easily lose 20 pounds if that’s your goal.
Until next time!
Hit’em LONG & Straight,
Mike
June 20th, 2008 at 12:28 pm
whats the best way to make sure i am aligned with the target? i know i can’t sset a club down everytime to make sure i’m square. when i think i’m lined up properly, my buddy says i’m usually left of the target. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
June 20th, 2008 at 12:57 pm
Mark,
Instead of waiting several months for me to get caught up answering questions via my video, I’ll try to help in here.
I always get behind the ball, draw a line with my eyes from the flag or my target all the way to the ball, then I address the ball with my feet parallel to that line. Works every time
Give it a try and let me know how it works for you!
Mike
November 21st, 2009 at 11:50 am
Pick a spot about 12″ in front of your ball in line with your target. Place your club so that the head is aligned with this spot then alight your feet square to the club head.
November 27th, 2010 at 2:36 pm
Hi Mark,
First off, everyone will tell you to pick an intermediate target that is a short distance in front of you(Usually they recommend 3-4 feet) that is between your final destination and the ball, and then line up your golf club to the intermediate target. The problem is-it doesnt work. It doesnt work for putting and it doesnt work for a swing either.
If it did work then everyone wo
uld be good at lining up their shots right? Because almost everyone knows that little trick.
You always see the pros using two parallel shafts to help them line up and their are plently of training aids on the marekt that are designed to help you line up.
Why is that if all you have to do is line up to an intermediate target and set your feet, shoulders etc. parallel to it?
The answer is simple-it doesnt work…….or should I say it doesnt work very well.
If you always do what you have always done, then you will get the results you usually get.
Practicing a technique that is flawed isnt going to help you improve much either.
The problem with choosing an intermediate target is-as you stand behind the ball looking down the line at your final destination and choosing an intermediate target, you are using binocular vision, with is how the brain is wired. Then when you move into your adress position, you are looking at the intermediate target using monocular vision and you cant see line up your club on a line that is outside of your eyes.
So here is what you do:
1-Stand behind the ball and pick out your intermediate target
2-Draw a line from your intermediate target back to the ball and through the back of the ball and visualize where that line would exend.
3-Now pick a target behind your ball that is directly on the line you drew in your minds eye from the intermediate target, through the back of your ball and beyond.
4-Now when you address the ball, set your club on the line behind the ball and adjust the leading edge of your club 90 degrees to that line, using your binocular vision.
Easy, simple, effective and you dont have to waste your time being frustrated trying to do something isnt going to work, like wasting money and time on training aids or trying to line your club up to an intermediate target in front of the ball trying to use monocular vision that the brain is confused by.
This will help.
Ken
June 20th, 2008 at 2:38 pm
Hey Mike, thanks for the previous tips i have received from you so far, although i am a 14 year old boy, looking for more driving distance (i hit 200 - 210 and looking for at least 30+ yards more) and possibly accuracy with removing the “over the top” move.
Consequently, do you think i should go into a basic training programme to get stronger and more flexible, and if so, do you have any special exerices for this..
Thank you.
July 1st, 2008 at 5:59 pm
Jourdain,
At your age, you are ripe for the pickin. Yes, you should incorporate “golf-specific” strength exercises, targeting your core area for sure!
Just be careful there are a lot of so-called golf fitness products out there, and they are NOT!
Best of luck,
Mike
May 16th, 2009 at 5:16 am
Mike I am a physiotherapist assistant-student and I Have a couple questions to ask u….I ahve looked every where for in formation on golfing…..I have to do a little project on adolescences in golfing…and I m not having any luck on the internet for infor…I was wondering if u can help me out in some areas..
1.How would this activity need to be modified to be appropriate for some one this age.(11-18 years)
2.Answer should include cognitive , social , emotional and motor development.
3.What are two systems involved in the performance of this activity( skeleton & muacular.
4.What normal changes will have occured to these two body systems that will affect your performance in your chosen activity? Given these changes, how could the activity be modified to allow you to continue to participate in the activity?
Well i hope u can help me out we have to pick a sport we have never done before and like i said i ahve done alot of research and i have not found anything i am looking for..well i hope u can help me ….thank u
take care
Cari Stewart from london, ontario,canada
hope to here fromu soon and please can u email me back and tell me what u think my email is cari78@live.com
June 21st, 2008 at 12:20 am
Hi mike I have a problem every time I put a bit extra effort into my swing my shoulder drops and I drop kick the ball I know its my right leg that causes this problem what solution can you give me thanks
July 1st, 2008 at 6:01 pm
Charles,
If you know the problem…fix it
Seriously though…putting “extra effort” into your swing NEVER works out. NEVER!
It’s all about a relaxed swing that generates more clubhead speed. Less tension equals a BETTER golf swing.
Mike
June 21st, 2008 at 5:08 am
Well I was wondering how not to have Slices when I drive a Bsll?
July 1st, 2008 at 6:03 pm
Matthew,
There are many potential causes of your slice, but the main thing is a glancing blow to the ball that creates “sidespin” making it curve or slice.
Find out if it’s your grip, body motion or just an open clubface at impact.
I recommend getting your swing on video.
Mike
June 22nd, 2008 at 9:17 pm
I have scoliosis and at mid 50’s wonder what stretches and exercises I can do to slow down the process? I love your DVD on stretching and use it but not as much as I probably should. Love this idea of yours.
Oh yes, I just started playing golf 2 yrs ago and your stretches have really assisted in my game.
July 1st, 2008 at 6:05 pm
Rick,
Scoliosis is a condition that is not too bad if you can find stretches and exercises that don’t cause pain or discomfort. Yes…you should be doing my golf stretching dvd at a minimum of 3 times a week to see good results.
Hang in there,
Mike
June 23rd, 2008 at 4:38 am
thanks for a great web site. I have a left shoulder bursa problem . I have had quartizone shot in the shoulder several times but and have no luck the shoulder getting better. I have had a MRI and theres not mechanical issues . I have been to physical therapy and still have the sore shoulder.. what should I do.. quit playing golf for 6 months and give it a rest.. OH im 52 years old
July 1st, 2008 at 7:12 pm
Pete,
Boy…that’s a tough call. If cortizone didn’t work and the MRI shows nothing…hmmmm????
You might have to take matters in your own hands, and go by “trial and error”. Take a week off, then ease into it and see how that works. If not, take 10 days off then ease into it.
You’ll slowly want to strengthen the shoulder joint as well, but that will be slow goin at first.
Mike
June 25th, 2008 at 11:56 am
Mike:
Tiger is one of a kind, and I agree he won’t last with that left leg snap. It’ll tear up his left leg and knee joint. With all his talent and self control, I’m suprised he doesn’t simply throttle down the mafority of his swings and use that leg snap only when necessary out of long rough. His accuracy would improve dramatically and the rest of his body would last a lot longer too. Sufficiently to outlast all the records in the golf books. [This coming from a little old (63yrs.) man who can’t even loose the 50lbs. gained after stopping smoking 5 years ago.] Hope somone can get through to him. He seems to be “the genuine article” as we used to say back in the day. Keep up the good work on this web-site.
Sincerely,
Jim Haubrich
10 handicap
July 1st, 2008 at 7:16 pm
Jim,
I agree with you! Tiger can easily “throttle down” and still hit it a LONG way and keep it in play. I just don’t understand why he goes at it so HARD!
Come on Tiger…we want to enjoy watching you for many, many more years!
Mike
September 2nd, 2008 at 2:00 am
Hi Mike,
In teh last 4 weeks I find myself waking up with my little finger on my right hand closed up or clenched. I am unable to open it without using my other hand. During the day it works normally but with some discomfort.
I changed this season from an interlocking grip to a “normal” right pinkie on top of my left hand grip.
Could this have caused the problem ?
Any suggestions ?
Thanks
Nick
September 18th, 2008 at 2:04 am
Hi guys!
I need help. I have always wanted to play golf, but I am not really sure if i can figure it out. I might have an advantage though, since I have been playing tennis for 7 year. So my question is, will my tennisexperience be in any help for me if i decide to start with golf?
September 28th, 2008 at 12:43 pm
Mike: I had an operation on my right hand for carpal tunnel and wrist arthroscopy surgery along with wrist endoscopy surgery with removal of the wrist bone. I am 68yrs old and play to a 12 presently…Any suggestions that can help me…Thanks Pat Loughran
December 1st, 2008 at 10:21 pm
Hi Mike,
I read a golf article that talked about training your lower body to use the ground for leverage on the downswing. It said that it is a difficult concept to teach. Do you have any thoughts about what drills I could do to perform this move?
December 11th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
Mike, I’m just starting to play again after a 44 year absence from golf. Joined the military during Viet Nam and never played again. I’ve settled and worked for those 44 mostly in Germany, which is going through a golf explosion with new courses. One was completed recently near where I live, and all my tennis buddies are now golfing. So, I’m diving back into it. My question: Should I begin with the overlapping grip that I learned as a caddie, or now at 64, should I relearn the grip and use the 10-finger grip. I’ve heard it is better for older players, and gives then better power and control. Best from Bavaria! Rick
January 4th, 2009 at 12:32 am
Do you think supplements like “muscle milk” as a post workout drink help build muscle work? Or just snake oil? I would like to build more muscle weight.
January 12th, 2009 at 7:03 am
Hi, I have bought your Fitness Book & am finding it very beneficial, including a much smoother swing, because I can handle thetorsion better on the backswing without collapsing on the downswing. My question is “How can I stop starting the downswing with my head - thus losing some distance &accuracy. I have played to 7/8 Handicap for the past 20 years so I am reasonably consistent,but I know I can get better.
April 4th, 2009 at 3:27 am
Hi Mike,
I followed your tips in trying to work-out to be able to make longer drives,
1. Swinging my left arm 10 times, left & right directions, twice w/ 5 lbs. dumbbells w/ the normal golf stance.
2. Doing the arm bend w/ 5 lbs dbells from over head to horizontal position parallel to the ground towards the front of the breast area.
However, the following morning I can’t barely close my fists due to pain. I don’t have arthritis before & I also play tennis before I’ve played golf.
Do you think that playing golf is not for me? Thanks.
Tony
May 18th, 2010 at 6:21 pm
Hi Mike,
I appreciate what you are doing to help us play better golf. I have only been using your stretches and exercises for three weeks but I know I am more flexible. Working out, being fit and strong has never been a guarantee that one will not get injured. Stetching before an athletic endeavor does not guarantee that, in fact some research says it doen’t matter at all. The things you teach can help us to play a better game and perhaps reduce the risk of injury. That’s good enough for me.
Bob
November 21st, 2010 at 9:51 am
Before the 2010 golf season I lost 45 lbs. (245–200) as a result I lost 30 yds. on my drives and two clubs on my irons.
I do not understand why this happened? Help Mike !
Rick
November 21st, 2010 at 9:55 am
Hey Rick!
Congrats on the weight loss, that’s awesome!
My best quess is you had a much bigger mass moving through the ball. You weren’t necessarily stronger, but you still had more mass moving through the ball.
You can make up for this, but increasing your “golf specific” strength. Especially core rotation.
Hope that helps.
Mike
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