Many people do not know how to improve in golf.  But it's not their fault.  So much information...too little time.

After coaching over 100,000 students all across the globe I thought I'd sum it up in a few points so you can understand the really big pieces of where improvement lies.

People often ask me "Jack, you interact with thousands of golfers all over the world who are trying to play their best golf...what is the most common issue you see?"  The short answer is "consistency".  Most golfers do not understand how to develop a consistent swing and gameplan.  Here's some insight into what you can do if  you want more consistency in your game:

*DEVELOP A PRE-SHOT ROUTINE AND FOLLOW IT- this will remind you to go through your mental and physical checklist every time you go to hit a shot.

*DEFINE THE PROPER POSITIONS OF YOUR SWING- once you know where you arms, legs and shoulders should be when you are swinging properly, all you have to do is check them to make sure you are in the proper position before you pull the trigger.

*ENSURE YOU HAVE THE FUNDMENTALS DOWN PAT- without the right grip, setup or swing plane you will never be able to repeat the same swing with any consistency.  Worse yet, you may be consistent already...but with the wrong fundamentals!

Now, of course this assume that you know what a pre-shot routine, positions and the fundamentals are!

Leave comments below.  I'll be sure to answer all of your "how to improve in golf" questions.

Go Low!

Jack

P.S.  Did you know that there are over 60 million golfers and that less than half of us will ever even break 100?!  Only 33% will break 90 and only 5% will break 80 in their lifetime.  That's 3 million people in the entire world!  Are YOU one of them?

When golfers look for a golf swing tip, something is usually lacking from their swing or their game.  Trust me on this one.  I've helped over 100,00 golfers improve their games and I've seen it all.

A golf swing tip can be as simple as "check your alignment" or "get your weight on the front foot".  But these tips can also be complex and to be frank...sometimes confusing.

So let me get right to it...I could give you endless golf swing tips on the technical side of things but here is really the best overall tip I can give any golfer.

My advice to you is simply "know your limitations and play within them."

See, I'm all about scoring because I believe lower scores equals more enjoyment of the game.   There are really two parts to this simple but superbly effective tip.

1.  Identify your strengths and weaknesses.  (e.g. I'm a good driver of the ball or I am a poor putter)---Be honest!

2. When faced with a decision on the course, think of these strengths/weaknesses and play accordingly.

Let's take an example. I hit a decent drive on a par 5 and can now reach it in 2 if I hit a good second shot with my 3 wood.  Instead of just stepping up and taking a whack at it, I ask myself how often I actually hit the green (or anywhere near it) from 260 yards out.  If the answer is <20%, I would strongly consider laying up to a comfortable range because I know my strength is really in my putting.

Simple enough, right?  easier said than done.  One final thought...make your own decisions on the course....don't let your foursome's choices/banter influence you.

Go Low!

Jack

Golf is a truly wonderful game as you already know but if you suffer from back pain it can make even looking at your clubs almost unbearable.

So today, I'd like to end the confusion with a question I recently received from a subscriber...

Question:
"I've spent hundreds of dollars trying to get rid of my back pain over the past few years. I've wasted my money on all kinds of gadgets, doctor visits, bulky equipment and pain pills.

I'm about to throw in the towel. My doctors say I just need a few more visits, so I go a few more times. The pain continues. I buy a machine online which says my pain will go away after using it. The pain continues. Everything I try, the pain continues."

My Response:
Thanks for the question. And thankfully I think I can help!

I, too had back problems for quite some time. There's a book which was written by a great guy I know - Jesse Cannone. He's the owner of the Healthy Back Institute and is the ONLY guy I trust when it comes to getting rid of any pain I'm having.

Best part is - he's actually giving his book away for FREE right now on his website

Here's why I love his book.

Most people try to sell you whatever their latest gadget or widget claims to help. Most doctors try to help, but as you've probably noticed... only give you temporary relief.

In Jesse's book, he explains WHY that is. Now I'm not the back pain expert like he is, so here's the short version.

Pain develops in your body through several sources. Some of those sources include the diet you're eating, your mental health, how much stress you're under, and other lifestyle factors.

But the one thing most people don't understand is how much the muscle imbalances in your body create the pain you're feeling.

This is something you've probably never heard, but Jesse explains it in his book. And hey... if nothing else is working... why not give the book a read? It's pretty short, and very readable. It only took me a few hours to finish it and it absolutely changed my life.

You can grab a copy of his book for FREE here.

Here are a few more reasons I LOVED his book.

#1 - Because his philosophy is based on a balanced approach, if you follow his advice you'll also notice that dropping extra weight becomes much easier, you'll be happier, and even have more energy.

#2 - I don't know about you, but I hate reading boring books that seem to go on forever. I was shocked at how fast and easy I was able to read Jesse's book, because it was written in a very reader-friendly style.

#3 - At the end of the book, Jesse actually gives you his suggestion for which back pain treatment will work best for you, depending on the condition you're suffering from. This section in itself is worth its weight in gold!

So if you have ever suffered from back pain that is holding you back from playing better golf, or are currently dealing with it, I highly recommend you grab a copy of his book now - and you can't beat the price because it's FREE! Seriously.

Anyway, hope you enjoy!

To better golf without back pain,

Jack

P.S. By the way, The 7 Day Back Pain Cure has already helped over 100,000 people reduce or eliminate their back pain. I don't know how long he's going to give it away for free, so you'd better get to his site now before he decides to take it down. Just go here to get yours today.

How To Break 80 Newsletter

May 11th, 2011

"The Web's Most Popular Golf Improvement Newsletter"
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In this issue we'll discuss...

1) Make Solid Contact On Uphill Pitches
2) Conquering Slow Play
3) Question of the Week: Master The Fundamentals First
4) Article: Debunking Three Putting Myths
5) Article: Five Simple Miscellaneous Golf Tips

Jack's Note: Just FYI folks...Larry Jacob's Thin for Life weight loss program is nearly sold out. But he is offering us Break 80 peeps 50% off his normal price. Check it here. It's the same program a lot of Champions Tour players use.

Trouble viewing links? Your browser may be the issue. We recommend using the Firefox browser. Click Here To Download. Some email clients also distort links: try to copy and paste web urls directly in your browser, or turn on images for emails.

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1) Make Solid Contact On Uphill Pitches
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Hitting accurate approach shots into the green saves strokes. In fact, the more accurate your approach shots, the more strokes you save. Save enough strokes and you'll lower your golf handicap. But missing an approach shot can leave you with a tough shot combing back, like an uphill pitch. Pitches like this are tricky. They can easily fool a golfer into making a mistake or cause you to make poor contact.

Below are five keys to hitting an uphill pitch:

* Avoid pressing into the hill
* Align your body with the slope
* Play the ball in the middle
* Change clubs to change lofts
* Swing down the slope

Hitting an uphill pitch shot is all in your set up. If you fail to set up properly for the shot or you press into the hill with your front foot, you'll create a steep swing path and hit the ball fat. Or, you'll skull the ball.

Instead, align your body with the hill's slope. If you match your hips and shoulders to the slope's angle, you'll make solid contact. Of course, matching your hips and shoulders might be difficult on some lies. But the closer you can match you shoulder and hips to the slope's angle, the better your chance of making solid contact.

Also, play the shot with the ball in the middle of your stance, just like you'd do with a standard pitch. Since you've adjusted your body to the slope, there's no need to change ball position. But be careful! The slope will add loft to your club. So either use a less lofted club or play for a higher shot.

Remember, you don't have to help the shot in the air. The club's loft does that. You just need to swing down the slope going back and up the slope through impact. But swinging with the slope will help you make solid contact on an uphill pitch.

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2) Conquering Slow Play
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If you're like many golfers, you enjoy playing at a brisk pace. Playing this way moves the game along, improves concentration, and creates a good rhythm. But sometimes play drags. Instead of hitting as soon as you get to the ball, you have to wait a minute or two to hit. That can be irritating. If you let it get to you, slow -play can throw your round off. But if you use the time between shots wisely, you can conquer slow play.

Below are four things you can do when waiting to hit:

* Decide on the type of shot
* Choose the club you want
* Practice the feel of the first move
* Focus on a key swing thought

First, take time to decide on the type of shot you want to hit as well as the flight path and the target. Do you want to hit a draw? A fade? Where do you want the ball to land? Where do you want it to stop?

Next, assess the shot's variables—wind, lie, distance, and so on. Then choose a club. Stick with your choice unless something happens to change it, like the wind suddenly kicking up.

Finally, rehearse the shot. "Feel" the shot your going to make when it's time to hit. But don't get lost in the shot's mechanics. Instead, focus on a single key, like putting the club in the correct downswing slot or making a good one-piece takeaway. Practice the shot with the key in mind several times. When it's your turn to hit, set up to the ball and hit the shot.

Don't let slow play get to you. Instead, follow the golf tips suggested above and rehearse your shot while waiting. It will pay off with better results.

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3) Question of the Week: Master The Fundamentals First
=====================================================
Q.

Hello, Jack:
 
In your book, which I review regularly, you indicate at the outset that one must get the fundamentals right. You also indicate initially that the swing should not be too long going backwards and forwards. But I assume that, after this, the swing can become a normal length. Can you please explain? I am a high-handicap golfer and only occasionally break 100.
 
Regards
Johann van der Walt

A.

Thanks for the question, Johann. Mastering golf's fundamentals is imperative, if you want to play well. Too often new golfers focus on how far they hit the ball rather than how well they execute fundamentals. This can cause them to overswing and disrupts their rhythm. Even when they've played for a while, they'll still focus on achieving distance rather than executing the basics.

Consistency and accuracy are more important than distance in golf. You achieve consistency and accuracy by executing the fundamentals correctly. That's why we advocate using a shorter swing at first—at least until you've mastered the basics. As you become more adept at hitting a golf ball, your swing will gradually lengthen and you'll hit the ball farther without even thinking about it. If you nail down the swing's basics first, distance will come.

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

Click here to view this newsletter on the web

Here are some of my recent articles:

4) Article: Debunking Three Putting Myths
... Previously, greens were slower, so you had to use more hand action when putting. But today's greens are "slicker" and faster. To putt well on them, you need a more flowing stroke, with less hand action...

5) Article: Five Simple Miscellaneous Golf Tips
... Many golfers favor an arcing path over a straight back and threw path when putting. These players feel the arcing path is better suited to today's faster greens. But there are also many golfers committed to the straight back and threw path. If that's you, try using a center-shafted putter. It could turn your putting game around...

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

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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.