In this issue we’ll discuss…

1) Senior Golfer: Turning Back The Clock
2) Good Balance Equals Good Ball Striking
3) Question of the Week - Hitting it Fat
4) Article - Practice Routines Lower Golf Handicaps
5) Article - Regrouping Salvages Scores And Golf Handicaps

1) Senior Golfer: Turning Back The Clock
Senior golfers can’t stop aging, but they can turn back the clock. Well, sort of. As golfers grow older, they lose flexibility and strength, shortening their swings and reducing clubhead speed. As a result, they lose power and distance. That takes the fun out of the game for many. But modifying their swings helps seniors compensate for a loss of flexibility and strength, and puts the fun back in the game.

Below are five keys to modifying a senior swing:

1. Put your feet closer together
2. Pull your back foot and hip back
3. Position the ball back in your stance
4. Raise your front heel a little
5. Allow your arms to bend at the top

Senior golfers need to work on two things to compensate for a loss of power and distance. They need to learn to (1) complete their backswings and (2) accelerate on an inside path to the ball. If you’re a senior gofer, do the following:

First, pull your feet a little closer together at address. Then, pull your right foot and hip back a little until you are in a closed position relative to your target line. (Left-handers need to pull their left hip and foot back.) These changes enable you to turn your right side out of the way of your backswing.

With the ball positioned back in your modified stance, make a swing. Don’t be afraid to raise your left heel slightly off the ground or allow your left arm to bend slightly at the top of the swing. In fact, we encourage it.

This more relaxed position allows you to move your arms freely through the ball and snap the clubhead through impact, striking the ball solidly and driving it forward. The modified stance and swing produces a draw, which means the ball will run when it hits the ground. That in turn increases the shot’s distance.

Senior golfers can stop aging, but they can compensate for a loss of flexibility and strength. In addition learning to hit a draw, seniors should do exercises designed to increase their flexibility. Working on these things faithfully will put the fun back in the game.

2) Good Balance Equals Good Ball Striking
We all want to be good ballstrikers. They hit longer, straighter shots consistently. But being a good ballstriker requires good balance. That means keeping your lower bodystill while you swing, which stabilizes and supports the rotation of your trunk and the swinging of your arms. Bad shots occur when your lower moves.

Below are five keys in a drill that improves balance:

1. Address a ball as you normally would
2. Turn your knees in at address
3. Maintain the gap between your knees
4. Close your knees quickly
5. Fire the lower body toward the target

This drill encourages you to appreciate the role of the lower body in striking a golf ball—in terms of both incorporating balance in the swing and injecting a little “oomph” into the ball at impact.

Address the ball as you normally would, but turn both knees inward slightly. Sense the gap between them. As you make your swing, maintain that gap until just before impact, closing it as quickly as you can as you fire your front hip, knee, and foot through towards the swing. The resistance you feel in your lower body improves your sense of balance.

Another way of improving balance is hitting full shots from a fairway bunker—but without digging your feet into the sand. Digging your feet in stabilizes you. If you don’t dig your feet in the only way to stay in balance and hit good shots is to quiet your leg action. If you have to lift your front foot a little, do so.

Both drills improve balance and ballstriking. Both come from David Ledbetter, one of the game’s most respected golf teachers. Try both when you have a chance. The results may surprise you.

3) Question of the Week - Hitting it Fat
Q. Good afternoon, Jack. I’ve got a question about the pitch or chip shot that bounces twice and then spins to a stop. How do you play the shot? I can’t seem to get the ball to stop, when I try this shot, the ball continues to run out.

Thanks for your answer,
Kevin Cavan

A. Thanks for the question, Kevin. Getting the ball to sit on the green will save you a ton of strokes. To get a ball to sit, you need to put backspin on the ball, the action of which is a lot like putting backspin on a cue ball.

To put backspin on a cue ball, you hit downward on the ball’s bottom half with significant force, striking it at a steep angle. Increasing the velocity of the cue stick as it moves toward impact also helps.

To put backspin on a golf ball, you do the same thing. But here, you want to “pinch’ the ball between the club and the fairway. To do this, you to hit downward on the ball with a fair amount of force, and you must make clean contact on the lower portion of the ball.

Combining these factors—angle of attack, significant force, clean contact—in a single swing puts backspin on the ball. That keeps the ball from rolling off the green.

Adding backspin works best when you have a clean club—with some grip left on the clubface—and a new ball. You also have to have the right conditions. Ideally, you want to be on the fairway with a good lie and dry grass. The green should be in good shape to hold the ball when it hits. A softer green is the best.

If you’ve got a golf question you’d like answered, send an email to us at questions@howtobreak80.com and we’ll review it. I can’t guarantee that we’ll use it but if we do, we’ll make sure to include your name and where you’re from

If you want to truly discover the secrets of shooting like the Pros and creating a more reliable and consistent swing, check out: http://www.HowToBreak80.com

Also, for past issues of this newsletter and some of my most recent articles, visit our blog at www.HowToBreak80.com/blog

To view this newsletter online, please visit:
http://www.howtobreak80.com/newsletter11192008.html

Here are some of my recent articles:

4) Article - Practice Routines Lower Golf Handicaps
http://www.howtobreak80.com/articles/practice-routines-lower-golf-handicaps.html

5) Article - Regrouping Salvages Scores And Golf Handicaps
http://www.howtobreak80.com/articles/regroup-salvages-scores-and-golf-handicaps.html

Until next time,

Go Low!

Jack

P.S. Feel free to share this newsletter with family and friends. If you would like to subscribe to this newsletter, go to http://www.howtobreak80.com/newsletter.htm

About the Author
Jack Moorehouse is the author of the best-selling book “How To Break 80 and Shoot Like the Pros!”. He is NOT a golf pro, rather a working man that has helped thousands of golfers from all seven continents lower their handicaps quickly. His free weekly newsletter goes out to thousands of golfers worldwide and provides the latest golf tips, strategies, techniques and instruction on how to improve your golf game.

Practice is the best way of lowering your golf handicap. Even the world’s best golfers know that. That’s why they spend hours and hours working on their games. With professionals, making a living is a driving force for practicing. All stand to make millions from tournaments and promotions, so it’s in their best interests to perfect their games. With gofers, pride is more of a motivating force.

But no matter what motivates you, practice is boring. Even the pressure of making a living doesn’t make it interesting. Still, if you want to lower your golf handicap, you have to practice. You have to hit ball after ball after ball until you’ve mastered whatever it is you’re working on. It’s one challenge all golfers face—regardless of what their golf handicap is or how many golf lessons they’ve taken.

One way of reducing practice boredom is by turning it into a game we can play with someone else. Turning practice into a game not only ingrains key fundamentals, it also makes the effort interesting and fun. Anytime we do something interesting and fun, we find ourselves doing it again and again. Repetition sharpens our capabilities. Below are descriptions of two tried-and true games that improve your short game.

Pitching For Dollars
This one-on-one, closest-to-the-pin contest improves your accuracy and increases your aggressiveness. Here’s how to play it:

1. Get a bucket of balls and a friend
2. Pick a grassy spot about 20 yards off the green
3. Divide the balls between the two of you
4. Taking turns, pitch the balls to the hole one at a time
5. Keep track of whose ball stops closer to the hole after each shot
6. The person closest to the hole gets a point
7. Keep the game going until you pitch all the balls
8. The player with most points wins

Some golfers play this game for money, putting a dollar on each win. They then total the score at the end and the loser pays. But you don’t have to play for money. You can substitute a drink, a hot dog, or whatever you want for the prize. Use anything that keeps you competitive and drives you to win.

Horse
This game improves your ability to sink putts under pressure. It’s reminiscent of a game for basketball players, also called Horse. You can shorten “Horse” to “Pig” if you’re short on time.

1. You and an opponent take one ball each and go to a practice green
2. One player picks a spot on the green and attempts to sink a putt from there
3. If player one sinks the putt, player two must do the same
4. If player two misses the putt, she gets a letter, “H
5. If player two sinks it, player one tries another shot.
6. If player one misses, player two chooses a putt.
7. The players keep playing until someone gets all five letters.

At first, you may be tempted to try wild, long downhill putts or difficult sidehill putts with big breaks. These putts are great, if you sink them. But making your opponent sink straight five-footers also gets the job done. Plus, it increases your consistency on these shots. As I’ve said in my golf tips and golf lessons, sinking five footers consistently reduces your golf handicap.

Pitching For Dollars and Horse are just two of the dozens of golf games that make practice fun and interesting. Scan the newest golf magazines and read the latest golf books for others. If you want to cut that golf handicap to single digits, turning practice into a game is a great way to do it.

Jack Moorehouse is the author of the best-selling book “How To Break 80 And Shoot Like The Pros.” He is NOT a golf pro, rather a working man that has helped thousands of golfers from all seven continents lower their handicap immediately. He has a free weekly newsletter with the latest golf tips, golf lessons and golf instruction.

In this issue we’ll discuss…

1) Tackling A Tight Driving Hole
2) Finding The Slot Cuts Strokes
3) Question of the Week - Can’t Start Backswing
4) Article - Playing Games Lowers Golf Handicap
5) Article - Winter Drills To Cut Your Golf Handicap

1) Tackling A Tight Driving Hole
Tight driving holes are a challenge. The idea of hitting to a fairway closely lined with trees creates panic in some golfers, resulting in a wayward shot that leaves them buried in a clump of trees or in deep trouble. Hit enough of these shots and you’ll boost your golf handicap to new heights.

If tight driving holes intimidate you, don’t sweat it. Perfecting a simple mental trick gets you in the middle of the fairway. Below are the keys to this trick:

* Visualize a goalpost
* Establish the limits
* Play your shot shape
* Compensate for the curve
* Adjust your swing

Visualize a goalpost the next time you’re on a tight driving hole—the kind of goalpost they use in American football with two uprights. If you hit a fade and you’re right handed, position the goalpost on the left. If you hit a draw and you’re right-handed, position the goalpost on the right. (Left-handers do the opposite.)

The goalpost’s uprights are the drive’s limits. Establish them off the tee. If you hit a fade, your limit on the left is the row of trees on the left. Your limit on the right is the middle of the fairway. If you hit a draw, shift the goalpost to the right.

Now visualize yourself hitting the ball between the uprights. Play the shape of your shot and make adjustments as needed. If you slice the ball, establish more generous limits. If there’s a crosswind, adjust the uprights or limits. Also, keep in mind that the ball will kick and roll the way it’s curving.

Don’t let tight driving holes freak you out. Master this simple mental trick and you’ll hit the middle of the fairway every time, leaving you in great shape.

2) Finding The Slot Cuts Strokes
Like most golfers you have good days and bad days. One possible reason for playing well on your good days is you’re finding the “slot” on your shots—a critical position at the top of the backswing that encourages solid ballstriking. Mastering the slot generates longer, straighter shots. But you must find it consistently to reap its rewards.

Here are five keys to finding the slot:

1. Assume good posture
2. Maintain straight hands
3. Keep the shaft parallel
4. Remain on plane
5. Keep the clubface square

Good posture is critical to finding the slot. Slumping over or standing too upright at address throws off your backswing as well as your timing and rhythm. With poor posture, you must compensate to find the slot, which can produce wayward shots.

It’s also critical to avoid rolling your hands during the backswing. If you do, the clubface rolls, hurting your chances of achieving a square clubface position at the top of the swing and at impact. Work on keeping your hand straight during your backswing.

In addition, keep the shaft parallel to the target line. That keeps the swing on a plane described by the left arm (right arm for left-handers) as it swings to the top. If the club drifts inside or outside this plane, you’ll hit a slice or pull.

At the top of the swing, the left arm remains on plane. If you were to draw an imaginary line from your left wrist through your left arm, the line should almost intersect the ball. If your left arm is too flat, it’s impossible to swing your arms down freely.

Finally, monitor your clubface position at the top of the swing. It reveals if your clubface is square in the slot or not. If it is, your clubface will be square at impact. The clubface’s toe should be pointing almost straight down. If it’s not, you must compensate.

Finding the slot generates a good swing. Work on finding it consistently. The more times you do, the longer and straighter you’ll hit the ball—and the fewer strokes you’ll need to reach the green.

3) Question of the Week - Can’t Start Backswing
Q. Hi Jack, I have two problems that keep my golf game from improving. My first problem concerns tension that comes when I’m ready to swing. I can’t initiate my backswing without shuffling my feet and rocking back and forth before I get comfortable. I have no problem with the practice swing or on the driving range. Second, which hand should actually be hitting the ball impact….left or right?

Thanks,
Tommy

A. Thanks for the question, Tommy. It’s only natural to feel a little tense or nervous when hitting the ball. A lot of golfers shuffle their feet or rock back and forth to get comfortable before swinging. But once you’re comfortable, stop all motion before initiating your backswing, then take a deep breath and exhale. That will help relax you. Also, make a conscious effort to relax your hands. If your hands are relaxed, your arms and body will be relaxed.

As for which hand hits the ball, if you’re right-handed, your left hand is your lead hand. It should make contact with the ball first. Your right hand guides the club in the right direction. If you’re left-handed, the opposite occurs. Your right hand leads, followed by your left hand, which provides direction. If you alter this sequence, you’ll hit a bad shot. So work on using your hands correctly during your swing and you’ll hit straighter shots with more power.
If you’ve got a golf question you’d like answered, send an email to us at questions@howtobreak80.com and we’ll review it. I can’t guarantee that we’ll use it but if we do, we’ll make sure to include your name and where you’re from

If you want to truly discover the secrets of shooting like the Pros and creating a more reliable and consistent swing, check out: http://www.HowToBreak80.com

Also, for past issues of this newsletter and some of my most recent articles, visit our blog at www.HowToBreak80.com/blog

To view this newsletter online, please visit:
http://www.howtobreak80.com/newsletter11122008.html

Here are some of my recent articles:

4) Article - Playing Games Lowers Golf Handicap
http://www.howtobreak80.com/articles/playing-games-lowers-golf-handicap.html

5) Article - Winter Drills To Cut Your Golf Handicap
http://www.howtobreak80.com/articles/winter-drills-to-cut-your-golf-handicap.html

Until next time,

Go Low!

Jack

P.S. Feel free to share this newsletter with family and friends. If you would like to subscribe to this newsletter, go to http://www.howtobreak80.com/newsletter.htm

About the Author
Jack Moorehouse is the author of the best-selling book “How To Break 80 and Shoot Like the Pros!”. He is NOT a golf pro, rather a working man that has helped thousands of golfers from all seven continents lower their handicaps quickly. His free weekly newsletter goes out to thousands of golfers worldwide and provides the latest golf tips, strategies, techniques and instruction on how to improve your golf game.

Watch any PGA pro and you’ll see that he or she does the same things on every shot. They follow the same pre-shot routine, they use the same tempo, and they follow through the same way on every shot. Everything’s the same—or the same as humanly possible. Thanks to hours of practice, they’ve repeated these actions so many times they’ve ingrained them. In other words, they’ve become habits. Usually, they don’t even think about them. They just do them.

If you’re serious about chopping strokes off your golf handicap, you’ll do the same. Watching professional players like Tiger Woods, Sergio Garcia, and Phil Mickelson, I pinpointed seven habits all good players exhibit. They’re simple, straightforward golf tips—things you’ve probably encountered before. But ingraining them dramatically cuts your golf handicap—without taking a single golf lesson or digesting tips from your favorite golf magazine.

You’ve probably seen these golf tips discussed in books or heard them mentioned in your golf instruction sessions. But never thought of them as “habits.”

The seven golf tips are

1. Play in the subconscious
2. Be aware of the clubface
3. Swing along the target line
4. Maintain consistent speed
5. Depend on the Lead Hand
6. Let the ball get in the way
7. Roll the ball on the ground.

Turning Your Mind Off
The keys to cutting strokes from your golf handicap include knowing when to turn your mind off. Learning to play in the subconscious means allowing your instincts, touch, and feel to take over. Make it a habit. Playing in the subconscious prevents too many swing thoughts from entering your mind and eliminates negative thoughts from clouding your thinking. Visualize the shot, prepare yourself, and take your mind out of play. Concentrate on the target and let your body do the rest.

In addition, to playing in the subconscious, be aware of the clubface and the target line. When aimed properly, the clubface sends the ball directly at the target at impact along the target line. Therefore, you need to be aware of the clubface’s angle, controlled by your grip, and the direction of the target line. Light grip pressure allows you to feel the weight of the clubface. Take the club back along the target line. Then follow through on the same target line to completion.

Maintain Consistent Swing Speed
Maintaining consistent swing speed is another highly effective habit that helps cut strokes from your golf handicap. Deceleration kills a shot—whether you’re driving the ball or chipping it. Choose the right club and take a full swing. In addition, let your lead hand “captain” the shot. In other words, swing the club with your lead hand and guide the club along the target line with your other hand.

To hit solid shots, develop the habit of swinging “through” the shot, not at the ball. Execute every shot—drive, pitch, chip, and so on—like this. In fact, hit every shot this way, whether your taking a practice swing or an on-course shot, to ingrain the action once and for all.

Finally, developing the habit of rolling the ball on short shots whenever you can. Rolling the ball provides more control than flying it high in the air—and improved control is what you want. A ball rolling on the ground has a much better chance of going in the hole than flying in the air and hitting the green. On chips shots, the ball should spend 20 percent of the time in the air and 80 percent on the ground.

Conclusion:
Watch any professional golfer and you’ll see he or she has “habits.” These habits consist of actions they’ve taken so many times they’ve ingrained them—and they’re all highly effective. Developing highly effective golf habits is the secret to achieving a low golf handicap. Discussed in golf lessons and golf tips, these habits are simple, straightforward suggestions you’ve probably never thought much about. Now that you know how critical they are, work on them.

Jack Moorehouse is the author of the best-selling book “How To Break 80 And Shoot Like The Pros.” He is NOT a golf pro, rather a working man that has helped thousands of golfers from all seven continents lower their handicap immediately. He has a free weekly newsletter with the latest golf tips, golf lessons and golf instruction.