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How To Break 80 Newsletter

February 13, 2008

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

1) Starting the Downswing
2) Reduce The Triangle on Short Shots
3) Question of the Week - Keeping Focus Throughout Your Round
4) Article - Improving Your Game: Practice or Play?
5) Article - Seven Keys To Highly Effective Chipping

Jack's Note: I’ve got a question for you folks and I bet a lot of you have the same one.  See, the U.S. Open this year is at Torrey Pines in San Diego and I’d like to go but don’t have a ticket yet :(.  But I know there are a ton of ways to get a good ticket but I don’t want to pay an arm and a leg if ya know what I mean.  So, where do you guys get your tickets for these events?  I’m ashamed but I’ve actually never bought one…I usually just get invited by some friends or colleagues in the game but this is a big time event.  Got a suggestion for me?  Please go here and post your idea. I’m sure we can all benefit if you guys come up with some great ones.  Thanks a million!

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1) Starting the Downswing
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What's the difference between hitting a weak shot and a powerful one? It's synchronization. If the key movements in your swing aren't synchronized, they will be out of sequence and you'll hit a weak shot. If they are synchronized, your movements will be in sequence and you'll hit a powerful shot.

Nowhere is synchronization more critical that in your downswing. Two body parts—the right hand and the right knee—must start the downswing simultaneously and at similar pace for you to produce a power-laden swing, whether you are using a driver, a wedge, or a middle iron.

Here are five keys to starting your downswing:

The key to executing a good downswing is synchronizing the movement of your right knee and your right hand. Having completed the backswing, you should move these two body parts by first turning your right hand and right knee slightly toward the ball and then starting them downward in unison and at the same pace.

Unfortunately, some golfers start their downswing with the right knee only. Their hands and arms trail their body as it moves toward the target. To square the clubface and hit a good shot, these golfers must manipulate the club with their hands at the last second or they'll hit the ball to the right of the target.

Other golfers are all arms. They make and out-to-in downswing with very little body movement. This is known as "casting" because it resembles an angler casting with a rod and reel. This becomes a slice or pull, neither of which is what the golfer intended when he began his shot.

If you want to get more power from your swing, start your downswing with your right and knee in synchronizations. Doing so eliminates the need to make last minute adjustments to your swing to square the clubface to the ball. You'll find yourself hitting the ball farther and straighter.

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2) Reduce The Triangle on Short Shots
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You must hit crisp, accurate shots consistently to master the short game. Many players could improve their short games immensely by simply making a minor pre-swing adjustment. This adjustment allows you to get more intimate with the ball at address and provides greater control of the shot.

Here are five keys to hitting crisper short shots:

Once you've taken your normal set-up at address and positioned the ball, visualize a triangle on the ground formed by your clubface and your two feet. The sides of the triangle should be of near equal length and should not exceed 12 inches. Maintaining 12-inch sides moves you closer to the ball and improves control over the shot.

Making the adjustment to a smaller triangle is relatively simple for most players. At first you might feel cramped a little, but that will pass with practice. The feeling should be replaced afterwards with a greater sense of control over the shot.

Sometimes, players may want to decrease the length of the triangle sides by less than 12 inches for more control. Other times, they may want to increase the lengths slightly beyond 12-inches, such as when playing in a strong wind or when their arms are unusually long in relation to their height.  

While you may need to adjust the length of the triangle sides slightly, try to keep it about 12 inches. Remember, the longer the triangle sides, the farther you are away from the ball. The farther you are from the ball, the less control you have over the shot. Mastering the short game is all about control.

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3) Question of the Week - Keeping Focus Throughout Your Round
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Q. Dear Jack, I have been playing golf for 5 years now and have a 16 handicap, with most of my improvement happening this year (thanks to some of your tips). The problem is I always seem to play two totally different 9’s. I play the front 9 well and the back nine poorly, or vice versa. What do I need to do to keep the momentum at the same level?

Regards,
Osborne Karuva

A. Thanks for the question. No one can maintain momentum for an entire round of golf. It’s too long. Even the pros can’t do it. So how do you play well for 18 holes?

Good players learn to “snap back.” That means taking your mind off the task at hand and then returning to it. Successful golfers learn to snap back between holes and shots. It keeps them fresh—and focused—for critical shots.

You can develop this ability with practice. Next time you're on the range, do this. Pick out a target, complete your pre-shot routine, assume your stance, and hit the ball. Now, stop. Think about a TV show, a good movie, or an upcoming event. After a minute, pick out a target, complete your pre-shot routine, assume your stance, and hit the ball. Repeat the sequence several times.

In time you'll learn to snap back like a pro. In addition, always use a pre-shot routine, train your self to play target golf, employ visualization techniques, and learn to use key trigger words, such as "focus" or "let it go." They'll all help you play well for an entire round.

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.

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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/newsletter02132008.html

Here are some of my recent articles:

4) Article - Improving Your Game: Practice or Play?
http://www.howtobreak80.com/articles/improving-your-game-practice-or-play.html

5) Article - Seven Keys To Highly Effective Chipping
http://www.howtobreak80.com/articles/seven-keys-to-highly-effective-chipping.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, send a blank email to break80ezine@aweber.com

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About the Author
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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.