With thousands of dollars riding on every shot, tour players like to track every shot they make. ShotLink (www.shotlink.com) helps Tour players do that. A revolutionary platform for collecting and disseminating statistical data on every shot for every player in real-time, ShotLink provides key information that can benefit all tour players using the system. Tracking stats tells players not only why they’re shooting what they’re shooting, but also what parts of their games need work.

Tracking one’s stats can also help weekend golfers lower their golf handicaps. Unfortunately, weekend players don’t have a ShotLink system to help them. If they want to know critical information about their games, they have to track them themselves. That could be a lot of time and work for weekend players depending on how diligent golfers are. Smart golfers streamline things by tracking only the stats that really matter: total driving, greens in regulation (GIR), up-and-downs, and the number of three-putts per round.

Total Driving

Accuracy is great. But accuracy without distance isn’t. Track not only how many fair-ways you hit but also how far the ball goes. This doesn’t mean you need to belt 300-yard drives every time. Instead, try for “useable accuracy.” Useable accuracy, we tell students in golf lessons, is hitting the fairway with sufficient distance to help the cause. For exam-ple, a player with a golf handicap of 10 hits the fairway about 50 percent of the time with a distance of 225 yards. That’s accuracy with distance.

Also, be more conscious of you’re target—something we emphasize in golf lessons as well. If you’re going to miss, miss on the side with the easiest approach—not out of bounds. That’s what the pros do. They know not only where they want their drives to go and not go. But you don’t have a tour player’s club control, so you must take a different tact. Try playing your natural shot shape away from trouble—even if it means hitting it in the rough. Hitting from the long grass is always better than taking a penalty shot.

Greens In Regulation

Hitting more greens in regulation takes your game to the next level. Pro golfers hit any-where from 60 percent to 70 percent of their greens in regulation (GIR). GIRs can cut scores dramatically. It’s a key stat. A 10-handicapper hits about 39 percent of her greens in regulation. A 20-handicapper hits about 22 percent of them.

To improve GIRS, figure out how far you hit each iron—and not just under perfect conditions. Wind, temperature, elevation, and stress level are just some of the considerations. Once you know how far you hit each iron, pay close attention to how far your target is on the course. Even if you’re off on the distance a little, as we say in golf instruction sessions, your misses will be better. Also, aim for the middle of the green—unless you’re a scratch golfer and the hole fits your shot shape.

Up-And-Downs

Work on mastering the most straightforward short-game shots to dramatically cut your golf handicap. When you feel comfortable hitting these shots, try to give yourself more of these shots. Miss shots in places that facilitate getting up and down —the wide side versus the narrow side. Also, work hard at avoiding the two-chip: When you duff one chip or hit it over the green, then hit a mediocre second chip. Also, work on making the tough ones. The key to a good chip: Take your wrists out of your chipping stroke. Use an arm and shoulder movement with a little body turn, as well tell students in golf instruc-tion sessions.

Three-putt Avoidance

Three-putting tells you how good a putter you are AND of how good your iron play and short game are. If you’re missing greens and chipping poorly, you’ll have a ton of longer approach putts. Since even the pros miss a lot of 8-foot putts, the way to improve your game is to master the 20-, 30-, and 40-foot putts . You must hit these putts to within tap-in range—as I tell students in golf instruction sessions. To do that, work on distance control rather than direction. Also, determine where to leave your lag putt. It’s better to have a five-footer uphill, than a downhill putt with 7 inches of break.

If you’re serious about taking your game to the next level, track the four key stats dis-cussed above—total driving, greens in regulation, up and downs, and the number of three putts per round. These stats will tell you not only why you have the scores you have but where to work on your game to cut strokes from your golf handicap.

The PGA Championship "Glory's Last Shot" is finally upon us.

And who could forget that dramatic finish last year with Kaymer, Johnson and Watson.

Atlanta Athletic Club promises to deliver a real challenge for these guys.  I think this will be the best tourney of the year because the field is so deep with top-ranked world players.

Because of the extreme difficulty of this event, anything can happen and anyone can win….but I’d like to hear from YOU. Who do YOU think will win this week and be crowned the reigning PGA Champion? Just post your answer here in the comments. Answer correctly and we’ll put you into a drawing on Monday Aug. 15th for selection my products. If your name is drawn, you get to pick any three of our award-winning DVD’s or instructional books (we have seventeen to choose from)…on the house. And yes, we pay for the shipping too

There’s only one rule….only those posts submitted by end of day Thursday Aug. 11, 2011 will count. Those who vote after that won’t be counted toward the contest because by then you will have an unfair advantage. You’re more than welcome to post at any time though!

Good luck and I hope you choose wisely and get some instructional products for free!

How To Break 80 Newsletter

August 1st, 2011

"The Web's Most Popular Golf Improvement Newsletter"

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In this issue we'll discuss...

1) Swing Normally From Fairway Bunkers

2) Balance Keys Good Setup

3) Question of the Week: Escaping the Sand

4) Article: How To Control Your Wedges

5) Article: Easy & Simple Putting Tips to Save Strokes

Jack's Note: Should be an exciting week as Tiger will be back in action. I personally hope he can stay healthy and put on a good performance. How's your golf game coming along this season? Would love to hear about it. You can hit reply to this email---always love to hear from you guys.

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1) Swing Normally From Fairway Bunkers

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Even a well-struck drive can end up in a fairway bunker. When that happens, you want to get out of the bunker as cleanly as possible. One of the most common mistakes when hitting from a fairway bunker is trying to hit the ball too hard. That causes you to lunge at the ball instead of staying back. While every fairway bunker is different, the basics of hitting from one are the same—whether the bunker has a high lip or a low lip.

Below are six keys to hitting from a fairway bunker:

Choke down slightly

Take a wider stance

Play the ball back

Quiet your lower body

Keep your feet stable

Take an extra club

Your main goal when hitting from a fairway bunker is getting back on the fairway in good position for the next shot. Follow the golf tips below and you’ll do that every time.

Choke down on the club slightly to start with, which encourages ball-first contact—a must on shots like these. Play the ball back in your address position and take a wider stance than normal, creating stability.

Keep your feet still as you swing. They shouldn’t move at all from where they were at address. By minimizing motion through the swing, you’ll stay level through the shot and make solid contact at impact.

Also, keep your lower body quiet when swinging. You want as little lower body motion as possible. This will keep your swing shallow.

To avoid overswinging, take an extra club. If you usually hit a 7-iron from this distance, use a 6-iron. Then swing nor.mally

The most common error when hitting from a fairway bunker is swinging too hard. Instead, follow the keys explained above and swing about 75 percent and you’ll conquer any fairway bunker you land in.

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2) Balance Keys Good Setup

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Balance is the key to a good setup. In fact, it ’s probably the most important ingredient in your setup. Your balance is greatly affected by the position of your head, the heaviest part of your body. If your head is out of position at address, chances are good your balance will be off—and so will your golf swing. To make the perfect swing, you must position your head correctly.

If you assume the proper setup posture and let your arms hang naturally under your shoulder, they’ll swing a long a straight line. If you tilt your head upwards slightly, the path your arms create shifts to an inside-out swing. If you lower your head, the path your arms take shifts to an outside-in swing.

You think that an outside-in arm path would produce the same type of swing path. But it doesn’t. Instead, it produces the opposite. Your body naturally compensates for the adjustment with your head, so you swing on the opposite swing path to keep your balance. Thus you need to keep your head in the right position to maintain good balance and execute a good swing.

Here’s a drill to teach you how to set up with the perfect posture:

Stand upright and hold your driver so it’s flat against your back. The clubhead should touch the back of your head and the grip should rest against the end of your spine. Keeping a flat back, bend over from the hips. Flex your knees into an athletic position. Don’t slouch or tuck in your rear end. With your head in this position, you’re well on your way to achieving proper balance.

Balance is the key to hitting them long and straight. Your head is the most important part of your setup when it comes to achieving balance. Focus on keeping your head in the right position and achieving the proper posture, and you’ll hit it straight more often than not.

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3) Question of the Week: Escaping the Sand

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Q.

Hi Jack,

I’m a pretty good sand player and have no fear at all when I'm in a bunker. But there’s one course where we play where the sand is very soft. I find it impossible to make a good shot out of there. In fact sometimes I can't even get out. Can you tell me if there’s a different way I should be playing this shot.

Thank you,

Brian Rypien

A.

Great question.  Dave Pelz, the short-game guru, offers a slightly different approach to hitting out of sand. Most golfers use the “dig and push method” to escape the sand. With this method the golfer hits about an inch behind the ball. The leading edge of the club digs down two or three inches and the golfer pushes the sand and ball out and onto the green.

Pelz suggests using “the scoot and spin” method. There are three keys to this method: (1) set up and aim your body and swing line about 20 degrees left of target; (2) set the clubface extremely open, more so than you normally do for a sand shot; and (3) position the ball forward on a line on the inside of the heel of your left foot.

Once set up correctly, you swing parallel to your bodyline. But instead of digging the club into the sand an inch or two, slide the clubface under and past the ball, ending with a full, high finish and 99 percent of your weight on your front foot.

Two things happen when you slide the club under the ball: (1) the club passes under the ball, never actually touching it; and (2) the club continues out and up, leaving the sand before the ball and throwing only a little sand forward. The ball pops out to the left of your bodyline.

Pelz does a good job of explaining the “scoot and spin” sand shot in his book, Dave Pelz’s Short Game Bible. His method, says Peltz, gives you more margin for error and more consistency.

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: How To Control Your Wedges

... Your wedges are the keys to cutting strokes from your golf handicap. A good wedge shot, as we’ve often said in our golf tips newsletter, can turn three shots into two. But you must learn to control your wedges to capitalize on their stroke-saving capabilities...

5) Article: Easy & Simple Putting Tips To Save Strokes

...Before practicing any of these drills, check your grip. It must feel comfortable when putting. Start by gripping the handle in your left palm (right palm, if you’re left-handed), and not in the fingers. The handle should go right under the fleshy part of your thumb. Then, add your right hand, also gripping the handle in your palm...

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.

Your wedges are the keys to cutting strokes from your golf handicap. A good wedge shot, as we’ve often said in our golf tips newsletter, can turn three shots into two. But you must learn to control your wedges to capitalize on their stroke-saving capabilities. The two most important basic elements to work on in practice are distance control and trajectory. Mastering these two elements and you’ll quickly shave strokes off your golf handicap.

But first you must carry the right wedges. In our golf lessons we advise students to carry at least three wedges—pitching, gap, and sand—with equal gaps in loft between them. Some players add a lob wedge to the mix. Others add both a lob and a flop wedge to their bags. We suggest mastering the pitching, gap, and sand wedges before adding the lob and flop wedges. Mastering these clubs will enable you to stick more shots from 100 yards and in.

Distance Control

The key elements students work on in golf instruction sessions depend their individual capabilities.  Generally speaking, we start with distance control—the most important element to master in wedge play.  But first we cover the basics of wedge shots. For a pitch shot, set more weight on your front foot and center the ball. This encourages a downward blow that squeezes the ball against the turf. Allow your wrist to hinge and make your finish a mirror image of your backswing.

Good distance control involves matching solid contact with swing length. Use the clock formula to develop three distances with each wedge. Swing back to 7 o’clock and through to 3 o’clock for a short wedge shot, 9 o’clock to 2 o’clock for a medium wedge shot, and 11 o’clock to 1 o’clock for a long wedge shots. We also teach students in golf lessons to vary swing length with stance width and shaft length. For example, for short shots, narrow your stance and grip down on the club an inch or more to shorten the shaft. Use a 7 o’clock to 3 o’clock swing. That gives you nine different distances with three wedges.

Trajectory Control

Trajectory control increases accuracy by letting you handle different situations, like a high lob over a bunker on the short side or a bump-and-run on a windy day. Trajectory is the second most critical element in wedge play. Here’s how to vary trajectory: For a low shot, take a narrow closed stance, with the ball just behind the center, and aim the face at the target. Finish with the club low. For a medium trajectory, use a square stance with the ball centered and the clubface aimed at the target. Swing through to about belt high.

For a high trajectory, play the ball slightly forward in a slightly wider stance. Positioning the ball forward will cause your shoulders to open slightly, so make sure you keep the clubface aimed at the target. Swing to a longer finish—at least shoulder length high—for best results.

Making Solid Contact

Making solid contact is another must in wedge play.  Keep in mind that the main cause of mis-hits with your wedges is trying to lift the ball. To make solid contact, trust the clubface’s loft and hit down on the ball. Try this drill to master contact:

Use your foot to measure the distance between a headcover on the ground and the ball in your stance. Now place a quarter in front of the ball. Practice hitting wedges where you miss the headcover coming down into the ball and clip the coin after impact.

A good exercise to help master distance control and trajectory is the ball position drill.

Using each wedge, play three pitch shots with the ball positioned forward in your stance, three shots with the ball positioned in the middle of your stance, and three shots with the ball positioned back in your stance.

This drill not only teaches you to control trajectory by hitting high and low shots, it gets you comfortable with moving the ball forward and backward, giving you a more versatile short game.

A proven way to chop strokes off your golf handicap is to master your wedges. To do that you must control the two critical elements—distance control and trajectory control. Use the golf tips above to control these elements. If you can learn to vary them with proficiency, you’ll be well on your way to knocking strokes off your handicap.