Comments on: Ask Golf Trainer Show #3

By: Ken

Ken — Sat, 27 Nov 2010 21:36:26 +0000

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

By: Mike

Mike — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 16:55:13 +0000

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

P.S. Check us out on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/performbettergolf

By: Rick Tilves

Rick Tilves — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 16:51:33 +0000

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

By: Bob Erdmann

Bob Erdmann — Wed, 19 May 2010 01:21:25 +0000

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

By: George

George — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 18:50:03 +0000

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.

By: Cari

Cari — Sat, 16 May 2009 12:16:08 +0000

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

By: Tony

Tony — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 10:27:23 +0000

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

By: Ken Weights

Ken Weights — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 14:03:53 +0000

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.

By: Brendon

Brendon — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 07:32:22 +0000

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.

By: Rick

Rick — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 21:59:30 +0000

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