Focus With The Left Eye

Dear Seth,

The No B.S. Golf Newsletter

Welcome Everyone

If you wish to unsubscribe from this newsletter or change your
email address, there is a link at the bottom of this email.

=================================================

I would like to thank Mr Joe DeLorenzo for taking the
Time to answer these questions for us!

Joe is available for private lessons in the Chicago area.
If you are interested, let me know.

Joe is a very good instructor and does an excellent job, so if you
Are having a problem, send it to me and he will answer your
questions
A Bit of Golf Trivia
Arnold Palmer failed to win all 4 majors. Which one
did he not win? (answer is below)

Joe,
The golf magazines say if you hit a chip or pitch just
right, it will check up for you, and I have watched
pros do this in a local tournament, but on the same
course I tried chipping from the same spot and the
ball refuses to check up, it just keeps on rolling. I
even tried high spin balls but I see no difference. So
what is the secret of making the ball check up?
Kevin

Hi Kevin,
The average golfer cannot do this for several reasons.
Even if you played the same course as the pros, there
is a difference between tournament conditions and
everyday conditions. Tournament conditions are a bit
more plush than the everyday public conditions. High
spin balls can only make a difference if conditions
are right, and only if the grooves on your clubface
are new. Once the grooves get a little worn, you
cannot spin the ball as well, no matter what you do.
The pros can afford to replace their irons a lot more
frequently than the average golfer, and they will not
use a set once the grooves get worn, but the average
golfer cannot afford to replace irons so often. You
can conduct an experiment by comparing chip shots with
a distance ball and a high spin ball. If neither one
of them checks up, then either the green is too firm
or your grooves may be too worn. It may help somewhat
to keep your grooves clean with a stiff wire brush,
but most people may be better off not counting on much
spin, just do the bump and run instead.
Joe

Joe,
What is your take on the controversy of a golf channel
announcer's comment that the only way to beat Tiger is
to lynch him?
Tim

Hi Tim,
In today's world of political correctness, it is too
dangerous to tell a joke anymore, and that is sad.
Kelly Tilghman is a delightful announcer and there is
no way she meant any harm. Tiger even said this was a
non issue, yet some other people insist on making a
big deal out of it. I might be politically incorrect
for saying this, but there is a phrase in The Bible
which says to watch out for people who have a morbid
craving for controversy.
Joe

Joe,
I like reading golf tips from famous golfers and I
understand some of the tips will work and some will
not work. Recently I was reading a book by Ben Hogan
illustrating his setup with both elbows pointing in
toward the body. When I try that I slice more. When I
point my leading elbow at the target, I hit much
straighter. How do you explain that?
Bart

Hello Bart,
Ben was always fighting too much hook, and hooks are
usually caused by rolling the forearms too much at
impact. If the leading elbow is already pointed in, it
is already partially rolled, so at impact the rolling
force is reduced. It stands to reason that if you
point your leading elbow at the target, this will help
your forearms to roll over more forcefully, which
would reduce your slice. Of course there are more
things going on that affect hooks and slices, but this
is only one factor. One more thing, if you fail to
roll the forearms at impact, the leading elbow
pointing at the target will cause a chicken wing
finish, which robs you of power and promotes more
pushes and slices.
Joe

Question for the Evil Twin:
Jody, I am a short person who struggles with putting.
I would like to try a belly putter, but they are too
long to anchor on my belly. What would you recommend?
Answer: Try anchoring it in one of your nostrils.

Answer to the above Trivia Question: Arnold never won
the PGA Championship.

=============================================
Just Because There's Frost and Snow On The Ground Doesn't
Mean That Your Golf Game Can't Get Better RIGHT NOW!

Innovative Video From ThinkAndReachPar.com Gives
Time-Tested, Proven Techniques To Not Only Maintaining Your
Game Over Winter, But (Get This) - IMPROVING IT In Just a
Few Minutes a Day

Finally - get better over the winter - instead of having to
start all over again in the spring!

Order your DVD now!!
http://www.thinkandreachpar.com/bodygolf_offseason.htm
==============================================

Richard's Quick Tip

Focus With The Left Eye To Stay Behind The Ball

A common fault among average golfers is the inability
To keep the left side behind the ball on the downswing.
Often the left side slides ahead of the ball, causing the
head and shoulders to move and resulting in an off-line shot.
Here's how to correct the problem. At address, concentrate
On looking with your left eye at the right side of the ball.
Continue to concentrate on this key throughout the swing.
You'll be surprised how this simple tip will help you keep the
left side behind the ball. Remember: left to right for a true
swing.

============================================
Small deeds done are better than great deeds
planned."
Peter Marshall 1902-1949,
Clergyman

=============================================

Until next time...good golfing!

Richard C Myers

http://www.thinkandreachpar.com/
http://www.golfforleftys.com/
http://www.totalgolfdvd.com/
http://www.ourdreamrv.com/

Telephone 864.675.0038
New South Media, LLC
45 Doverdale Rd.
Greenville SC 29615
United States

This email is protected by copyright, 2008, New South
Media, LLC Reproduction of any portion of this email is
strictly prohibited without the express written consent of
Richard Myers

New South Media LLC

45 Doverdale
Greenville, SC
29615
US

If you no longer wish to receive communication from us:
http://autocontactor.com/app/r.asp?ID=1024875956&ARID=0&D=

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Weighing The Clubhead

Dear Seth,

The No B.S. Golf Newsletter

Welcome Everyone

If you wish to unsubscribe from this newsletter, there is a link
At the bottom of this email.

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Richard@thinkandreach.com is in your address box.

=============================================

Golf Potpourri
by
Mac Stevenson

Work on the Moment-of-Truth Indoors

When it's snowing and blowing is the perfect time to work
on that transition from the top of your backswing to the
downswing. You'll need a short, weighted practice club
that's available in most golf shops, discount stores, or
pro shops. This practice on your timing can be done
indoors while the winter wind is howling; you can focus on
your tempo and it's also good exercise.

The moment-of-truth in the golf swing is the instant you
reach the top of your backswing and begin the downswing.
Warm up slowly and then practice your swing while
concentrating on a slight hesitation at the top before your
start your downswing. It's best to put on a pair of tennis
shoes so you'll have non-slip footing and good balance.

On a full golf shot it's easy to make a smooth transition
from your backswing to the downstroke--right? Wrong. The
most important part--and hardest to accomplish--of the golf
swing is that fleeting moment when you start your
downswing. If you try and hit it hard from the top of your
backswing, all is lost.

When you start your swing--whether it's a full shot, chip,
pitch, or putt--keep the tempo smooth. That doesn't mean
slow. We all differ on our natural swing speed; without
destroying your natural rhythm, try to keep your backswing
smooth and deliberate rather than quick and jerky.

This concept of being smooth is vital on the transition
from backswing to downswing. However, it's much easier
said than done. Almost all of us have a tendency to become
anxious and impatient at the top of our backswing;
consequently, we are too quick at the start of the
downswing. And that destroys timing and distance.

When you're "in the zone"--particularly on full shots--the
smooth backswing and forward transition seems so natural
and easy that you're certain you've got it right once and
for all. The secret is yours. This is when you get your
best distance off the tee, but golfers are never satisfied.
When you're hitting it really solid, the feeling that you
can give it a little extra takes charge. That's when your
timing collapses.

The backswing becomes quicker and you try and hit it from
the top of your swing. That magical feeling of confidence
and timing dissolves like a puff of smoke and your smooth
stroke is gone.

This idea of an easy and deliberate backswing is just as
important on putts and short shots as it is on full shots.
On chips and putts, you should have the thought of letting
the clubhead do the work. In other words, keep the
transition smooth and stroke the shot, rather than stabbing
at it.

The transition from backstroke to forward stroke in putting
is crucial. When you get too quick--and we all do from
time to time--you jerk your stroke on the forward movement
and push or pull the putt.

Even the pros are inconsistent on their putting. No two
days are the same. That's partly because our nerves can
vary a great deal from day to day.

For some reason, you can feel perfectly relaxed on one day
and as jumpy as a one-pawed cat on a tin roof the next. If
you have an important round of golf coming up, lay off the
caffeine. Too much coffee can definitely make you jumpy
and nervous, and it's not good for your golf game. This
occasional nervousness isn't a personal flaw; it's just a
part of our physiological makeup.

A smooth and short backstroke on short putts is vital; if
you take too long a backstroke, you'll decelerate as you
strike the ball and that's a fatal flaw. Take it back
smooth and let the putter head do the work.

Try and keep your entire routine on the golf course
deliberate without being slow. And keep the backswing and
transition to your downswing rhythmic on every shot you
play. No one can do this every time they hit a golf ball,
but it's a great swing thought to go to when you're having
a rough round. And you can get ready for this spring by
practicing the backswing-to-downswing moment-of-truth
indoors.

==================================================

Just Because There's Frost and Snow On The Ground Doesn't
Mean That Your Golf Game Can't Get Better RIGHT NOW!

Innovative Video From ThinkAndReachPar.com Gives
Time-Tested, Proven Techniques To Not Only Maintaining Your
Game Over Winter, But (Get This) - IMPROVING IT In Just a
Few Minutes a Day

Finally - get better over the winter - instead of having to
start all over again in the spring!

Order your DVD now!!
http://www.thinkandreachpar.com/bodygolf_offseason.htm

============================== ====================

Richard's Quick Tip

Weigh the Clubhead Before Starting Swing

Have you ever weighed a golf club? No, I don't mean on a scale.
Have you ever weighted a club in your hands? Good players
Do it all the time. They take their grip, address the ball and
Slowly waggle the club as if they're trying to feel the weight in
The clubhead. This simple almost unconscious act releases the
Tension in their arms and prepares their bodies for a full, unrestricted
swing.

Some people say, "Keep your arms light.' Well, that's not what you're
Trying to do. Your arms weight anywhere from seven to we pounds
Each. You want to make your arms feel heavy-almost like an elephant's
trunk when it's swinging.

Next time you're hitting practice shots, try to sense this heavy, relaxed
feeling in your arms. When you address the ball, make a slow waggle
and weigh the clubhead. Don't start your swing until you can feel the
weight of the club.

==========================================

Quote:
Those who can "take it" are bountifully rewarded
for their persistence. They receive, as their
compensation, whatever goal they are pursuing.

Napoleon Hill
From Think and Grow Rich

===========================================

Until next time, good golfing!

Richard C Myers

http://www.thinkandreachpar.com/
http://www.golfforleftys.com/
http://www.totalgolfdvd.com/
http://www.ourdreamrv.com/

Telephone 864.675.0038
New South Media, LLC
45 Doverdale Rd.
Greenville, SC 29615

This email is protected by copyright, 2008, New South
Media, LLC Reproduction of any portion of this email is
strictly prohibited without the express written consent of
Richard Myers

New South Media LLC

45 Doverdale
Greenville, SC
29615
US

If you no longer wish to receive communication from us:
http://autocontactor.com/app/r.asp?ID=1024875956&ARID=0&D=

To update your contact information:
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Michael Anthony's Mental Golf Tip NL - Issue 231

Michael Anthony's Mental Golf Tip Newsletter Issue 231: Thursday - January 24, 2008 If you want to develop a great mental game and be the master of all your emotions on and off the golf course, make living the Daily Affirmation a major part of your life. I AM ALWAYS TRUTHFUL, POSITIVE, AND HELPING OTHERS Hi Determined Golfer, If you find this newsletter helpful, please tell your friends, associates and golf instructor. Thanks for helping us grow. "Keep Polishing Your Wheel" If you are new to my newsletter, welcome aboard. My mission is to help you lower your score by increasing your awareness of how your mind processes information and providing you with insights on how to improve your mental game. It is important for my new subscribers to get up to speed as quickly as possible. If you truly desire to lower your score, read my book and listen to my CD (part one) before and (part two) after you play as well as read my mental tip newsletters. Once you have done your homework, you will have laid the foundation to have one of the best mental games around. The next step is to continue to work on improving your mental game (polish your wheel) until these insights become an instinctive part of your mental makeup. My advice to my old subscribers is to keep polishing your wheel if you want your scores to continue to fall. Since my mental tips are designed to enhance and reinforce your understanding of "The Mental Keys," keep reading them as well as rereading my book from time to time. Some of my newsletters contain new tips and others repeat past tips to refresh your tape. If you keep polishing your wheel, your scores will continue to fall. I guarantee it! Once in awhile, I send out a Golf Announcement to inform you of other golf products that will help you to polish your wheel. Please take a serious look at them. Play well and keep polishing your wheel, Michael Anthony P.S. Once you read this section "Keep Polishing Your Wheel" several times, you can skip it in future newsletters and go directly to the "Golfers Locker Room Bulletin Board" for inspiring success stories or updates from me. After several repetitions, just seeing the words "Keep Polishing Your Wheel" will automatically remind you to keep working on improving your mental game. GOLFERS LOCKER ROOM BULLETIN BOARD I am pleased to announce that during the coming year you can listen to my mental golf tips weekly at GolfSmarterTips Podcast. Hello Mike, "I really enjoyed the book and CD. I'm familiar with many of the philosophies, but your explanation is simple and easy to understand. I like that you can apply the information and have a step by step guide to improve your performance. "The majority of the material out there has great stories and can make you feel good for a little while, but if you don't take a holistic approach to self improvement your spinning your wheels." Thanks again, Tony Martinez Hidden Oaks Golf Course Tony Martinez School of Golf --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- It makes my day when you email me your success stories or ask for my help after you have read my book and listened to my CD. Don't be shy. It is always good to share positive feedback with your fellow golfers. Your generosity in sharing your experiences with others will help inspire them to keep polishing their wheel and help you sink an extra putt or two :-) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MENTAL TIP by MICHAEL ANTHONY Your Greatest Opponent! You probably have heard many times that your greatest opponent is yourself, not your competition or Old Man Golf. The following is a brief explanation why. Your brain - your internal computer - starts working at a very early age. Approximately three months prior to your birth, your brain starts recording while you are still in the womb. It continues to record everything you do and experience during your lifetime, accumulating a database on YOU. For simplicity's sake, we will refer to your brain's database as your TAPE. Your tape is a conceptual representation of the entire history of all your previous thoughts and actions which comprise your present performance level - your handicap. The concept of your tape is important to comprehend because your brain or computer is programmed to make similar decisions in accordance to what is in it's datebase or tape. Since your brain is programmed to make decisions similar to what you have done in the past, the biggest challenge you will face when trying to change your thoughts and actions to improve your golf is your tape. Your brain will use all of your strengths and weaknesses recorded on your tape to keep you at your present level of performance or within your comfort zone. To improve your golf, you must overcome your brain's programming to repeat what is on your tape. This may seem like a simple explanation of what you are up against, but it is crucial for you to be aware that your tape will control you unless you exercise control over it. Fortunately, you can change your past tendencies because the most current portion of your tape has the biggest impact on your decision making process. But make no mistake, it will be a battle between your desire to change or improve and your brain's programming to have you repeat what is on your tape. Your tape doesn't care if it's positive or negative, it's job is to have you repeat the same things over and over. When you go to sleep, your brain reviews all your thoughts and actions for that day. If you do something different from your normal routine, your brain has to decide to either assimilate this new behavior or reject it, so it can make spontaneous decisions once you awake. This is why the best time to give your tape new instructions is just before going to sleep and immediately upon waking. Otherwise, you will more than likely go right back to the previous responses on your tape and continue shooting the same score. By successfully putting new thoughts and actions on your tape consistently for a period of 30 days, your tape will assimilate these as new habits and they will become part of your normal tape response. Either you control your tape or your tape will control you. Your greatest opponent is always yourself as long as you allow your tape to repeat your previous negative thoughts and actions. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Super Bonus... When you order my book and CD, you will receive my new book Michael Anthony's Mental Golf Tips, which contains 75 of my previous mental tips. If you read a tip a day, you will be amazed at how much it will help you to keep polishing your wheel and shoot lower scores. If you are not working on improving your mental game, you are playing golf with only half of the equipment. If you have not read The Mental Keys to Improve Your Golf, your mental game will benefit greatly by seeing the whole picture instead of just pieces contained in these mental tips. My book gives you the tools to improve your mental game. My CD Polish the Wheel makes it much easier to keep using them. "To develop a great mental game it's critical to realize that your mental state affects the chemistry of your brain which in turn affects your ability to perform. Then, it's just a matter of reprogramming your mind to optimize your chemistry so you can play in the zone." - Michael Anthony Click Now to Lower Your Score "The Mental Keys to Improve Your Golf" Michael Anthony P.O. Box 35 Danville, CA 94526 (925) 855-1388 mike@mentalkeys.com www.mentalkeys.com © Copyright 2008 by Michael Anthony. All rights reserved.

***************************************

'The Mental Keys to Improve Your Golf'

Michael Anthony
P.O. Box 35
Danville, CA 94526

http://www.mentalkeys.com


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Take Your Shoe Off to Set Your Weight Right

Dear Seth,

The No B.S. Golf Newsletter

Welcome Everyone

If you wish to unsubscribe from this newsletter or change your
email address, there is a link at the bottom of this email.

=================================================

I would like to thank Mr Joe DeLorenzo for taking the
Time to answer these questions for us!

Joe is available for private lessons in the Chicago area.
If you are interested, let me know.

Joe is a very good instructor and does an excellent job, so if you
Are having a problem, send it to me and he will answer your
questions
You Make The Call:
After watching his putt stop at the lip of the cup, a
frustrated golfer kicks the shaft of his putter and
bends it a little. Then he taps in. Is this a penalty?
Why or why not?
(answer is below)

Joe,
Maybe you can help me understand shifting weight.
When I try to go to the right side on the backswing
and the left side on the follow-through, I move off
the ball and mis-hit it...An instructor said to keep
the lower body still and turn the upper body, but when
I do that I don't get any distance and feel that I am
not shifting my weight properly....Help!
Paul

Hi Paul,
Weight transfer is no guarantee that you will get more
distance. Too much weight transfer will mess up your
timing and also cause mis hits. Your instructor had
the right idea but only half the story. Weight shift
on the downswing is more important than the backswing.
In your case I would recommend tilting your spine away
from the target before you start the backswing. This
will automatically place more weight on your back leg
without having to guess how much to shift your weight,
because your weight is already in the right place. If
you want more distance, on the downswing you must have
perfect timing of an aggressive lower body weight
shift forward while delaying your wrist snap until the
last possible instant before impact. This may take a
bit of practice, but if you can do it right, it should
work.
Joe

Joe,
I have a tendency to pull my short putts. When I close
my eyes I do not pull them, but I do not want to putt
with my eyes closed. What can I do?
Manny

Hello Manny,
You have already provided a clue. When you don't look,
you don't pull. Your problem seems to be that you
cannot wait to look and see if you made the putt.
Trust your line and execute your stroke, keeping your
blade square to the target. If you look up too soon,
your body motion may move the putter off line where it
may no longer be square to the target, thus causing a
pull. Here is your solution. After the ball is struck,
keep staring at the spot where the ball used to be.
Don't look up until you have completed your follow
thru with the blade still square to the target, even
if you can't wait to see if you made the putt. Don't
worry, the cup is still there, nobody is going to move
the hole while you are not looking.
Joe

Answer to You Make The Call (above) - You cannot use a
club that has been altered or damaged other than
during the normal course of play (a display of temper
isn't considered normal). The Rules call for
disqualification.

Jody, my Evil Twin, what do you think about that rule?
Answer - If nobody is looking, you can cuss up a
storm, uproot the ball washer, tip over your golf
cart, use the flagstick as a javelin, and you can
continue to play, but if you bend your putter, the
purists will hunt you down and descend upon you, and
drag your sorry carcass off the course.

=============================================

Richard's Quick Tip

Take Your Shoe Off to Set Your Weight Right

Keeping too much weight on your left side during the
backswing causes a reverse weight shift. You'll tend to
transfer your weight to the right on the downswing, and
lose distance and direction on your shots.

To hit the ball more aggressively, your weight should move
from right to left on the downswing-in the direction you're
aiming. The easiest way to set up this action is to start
with your weight on the right side.

Sometimes exaggeration is the best teacher. I tell my
pupils who have trouble experiencing the correct sensation
to take off the right show in practice. This elevates the
left side and accentuates the feeling of weight on the
right side.

============================================
"We were not created to be eaten by anxiety, but
to walk erect, free, unafraid in a world where
there is work to do, truth to seek, love to give
and win." Joseph Ford Newton Author
=============================================

Until next time...good golfing!

Richard C Myers

http://www.thinkandreachpar.com/
http://www.golfforleftys.com/
http://www.totalgolfdvd.com/
http://www.ourdreamrv.com/

Telephone 864.675.0038
New South Media, LLC
45 Doverdale Rd.
Greenville SC 29615
United States

This email is protected by copyright, 2008, New South
Media, LLC Reproduction of any portion of this email is
strictly prohibited without the express written consent of
Richard Myers

New South Media LLC

45 Doverdale
Greenville, SC
29615
US

If you no longer wish to receive communication from us:
http://autocontactor.com/app/r.asp?ID=1024875956&ARID=0&D=

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Pratice Putting Indoors

Dear Seth,

The No B.S. Golf Newsletter

Welcome Everyone

If you wish to unsubscribe from this newsletter, there is a link
At the bottom of this email.

To continue receiving this newsletter, make sure
Richard@thinkandreach.com is in your address box.

=============================================

Golf Potpourri
by
Mac Stevenson

Practice Putting Indoors for Fast Start This Spring

It's that time of the year when golf takes a back seat to
Arctic air and a howling north wind. Serious practice is
put on hold, with one notable exception--putting. With all
the instruction available on all shots, it still comes down
to that one most-critical club, the putter. And winter is
a good time to work on your stroke and fundamentals. The
key to excellent putting is practicing until you develop a
repeating stroke that will stand up under pressure.

When talking about putting fundamentals, we leave solid
ground; the styles of many skilled putters vary as much as
the weather. However, there are three rules that most good
putters follow:

Perhaps most important is keeping your head as steady as
possible during the stroke. Everyone has a tendency to
move their head too soon to see where the putt is going.
And when you twist your head, you also get unwanted
movement from the rest of your body.

All golfers should at least begin with the reverse-overlap
grip. If you don't understand this, ask a good putter or
your pro. It isn't complicated and most advanced players
use this grip.

Regardless of your grip or width of stance or any other
idiosyncrasies, concentrate on taking the putter straight
back and straight through on the short-to-ten-foot putts.

Practicing on the rug will help you achieve a smooth and
repeating putting stroke. It won't feel exactly the same
on the golf course because you won't always have a level
stance, but it will help a lot over the long run.

It will also help if you find a straight seam in your rug
where you can practice your stroke without a ball. This
will be a big help in training yourself to take the club
straight back and straight through. On long putts, the
putter will have to come slightly inside the desired line
on the backswing. But on short, quick putts it's straight
back and straight through.

There's an old saying among golfers that a faulty putter
will eat the head off your driver. In golfers' talk, that
means if your putting goes awry, you'll start hitting other
shots badly by trying too hard to make up for the inept
putting. Conversely, if you sink a couple of putts, you
can't wait to get to the next tee and play another hole.

Golf is a crazy game. When you're playing well, each shot
seems easy and the putts drop and you're convinced that you
finally have the secret and you'll play splendid golf from
then on. But when your game turns sour, you decide that
it's all over and you'll never play well again. It can
drive you batty. Whoever said "golf is a humbling game"
knew what they were talking about.

Unfortunately, there's no easy solution to putting woes.
Even talented pros go through putting slumps that knock
them out of tournament after tournament. And it can last
for a long time. Putting is tied so closely to the mental
makeup of your game that it's difficult to snap out of a
bad-putting stretch that causes your scores to skyrocket.
During the winter, there's no pressure when you work on
your putting indoors, and you can regain your confidence.
That's why it's so beneficial to work on your stroke during
the off-season.

During cold weather, you can work on refinements on your
grip and stroke that will help you get off to a fast start
this coming spring.

If you finished the 2007 season putting poorly and you
practice on the living room rug, you'll snap out of your
putting funk this spring. And don't be too proud to invite
friends over who are good putters and ask for their advice.
That's a great way to spend the time-outs and halftimes
during televised basketball games. Have your friend check
your alignment and the path of your stroke; you may have
slipped into a bad habit that you're not aware of. And you
can do the same for him or her. You can also compare notes
on grips and stance; it will be fun and beneficial to your
putting stroke.
==================================================
Just Because There's Frost and Snow On The Ground Doesn't
Mean That Your Golf Game Can't Get Better RIGHT NOW!

Innovative Video From ThinkAndReachPar.com Gives
Time-Tested, Proven Techniques To Not Only Maintaining Your
Game Over Winter, But (Get This) - IMPROVING IT In Just a
Few Minutes a Day

Finally - get better over the winter - instead of having to
start all over again in the spring!

Order your DVD now!!
http://www.thinkandreachpar.com/bodygolf_offseason.htm

============================== ====================

Richard's Quick Tip

This is another excellent article by our good friend Bill Lloyd.

50 years ago this month, January 1958, I began a long and
somewhat illustrious career in golf by taking 15 lessons
for $15 offered by the City of Gardner MA Recreation
Department. A big class which hit plastic balls off of mats
one night a week for 3 months and hit short irons in the
school's back yard for a few more lessons. Over these many
years, I have also gone to a teaching pro for an adjustment
here and there.

I have mostly used lesser known and less expensive clubs
and cheaper balls with great success. This begs the
question, if you had limited funds to put into golf would
you spend it on balls, gloves, and clubs, or would you put
more of your money into lessons? Until you can wean your
self from lessons, you need to take them. Once you
understand the fundamentals and can correct yourself, then
you can slack off on the formal lessons as I did on
occasion just until I needed another set of eyes to coach
me for a singular issue.

Do you have a routine? Have you totally learned a good grip
and set up, in good balance, not too close or too far from
the ball, setting the ball in the right position for the
strike? Do you properly bend from the hips rather than
from the waist? Have you grooved a viable swing? Does the
ball go towards where you are aiming?

How much time do you spend on the practice tee and more
importantly, putting, or in the bunkers and other short
shorts from within 100 yards of the green? How is your
tempo? Are you too fast or too slow with your swing? I
spend most of my practice time putting, chipping, and
pitching from the rough, sand, and with better lies. You
don't need to stand on a mat on the practice tee and hit a
hundred drives or a zillion 3 irons, etc. In fact, unless
you can hit long irons well, you might want to add more
fairway metals or hybrids. I dropped my 2, 3, and 4 irons
years ago and sometimes, even the 5 iron. I might carry 2,
3, or 4 wedges, as well, depending upon the course or
Conditions.

I recently saw VJ Singh give a lesson at the Champions tour
and he addressed the issue of tempo and whether you should
spend more time and money on lessons than on equipment.
Good subjects for thought. He talked about using a count to
develop a swing with good tempo. He said he counts, one-two
on his swing. I count one and two. The problem with
one-two, it's easy to still rush your swing, but one and
two fits better and keeps my swing pretty much constant. He
later said, that when one-two becomes too fast, he will
count 17-2 because it's hard to rush a seventeen. The same
with my one and two. He also made the point that most
amateurs need more lessons than they take and of course, if
you never had lessons, why not?

There are good pro teachers and bad. For example, I saw
some lessons on uneven lies a few years ago by one of
golf's 100 top teachers and he taught the uneven lies
backwards. For example, I teach to put the ball back in
your stance on downhill lies and forward on uphill lies. He
taught the opposite. On sidehill below the feet he taught
to put the ball forward. I teach the opposite and not
strangely, he was consistent in lies above the feet where
he plays the ball back, where I teach forward. He didn't
mention gripping down on the club with the ball above your
feet or bending more on balls below. At least he got it it
right when he said the tendency for the ball would be L-R
on a downhill lie and R-L on an uphill lie. He also didn't
mention that on an uphill lie, you should use less loft and
the reverse on a downhill lie.

Ball position is always important and keeping the lower
body still is equally so, because if you sway on your back
swing, it's hard to strike the ball properly as your whole
body has moved and you have to make strange moves to make
proper contact.

Another mistake is to keep your head still. That makes you
not to move your head and it limits your back swing. Just
before I start my back swing, I cock my head down and to
the rear and keep my left eye on the ball throughout the
swing, then not moving it is fine. because it's already in
striking position. And always keep your body vertical to
The lay of the land whether it's an uphill, downhill, or
Level shot. In other words, go with the slope.
Do you tend to chunk the ball? Move it further back to make
Better contact and if you hit them thin, stay down longer
To finish the swing. Always lead with the front hand and
let the back hand follow. On the back swing, the Y formed
between your shoulders, arms, wrists and hands should stay
as a Y until waist high, returns to Y on the down swing and
stays Y until the waist on the follow through. Then the
wrists may break and turn over to finish. Think of striking
the ball with the back of the front hand and the palm of
the back hand. By keeping the wrists firm you avoid
slapping at the ball. If you let your back hand take over,
the ball can go anywhere. The back hand should not lead
until 3 o'clock on the follow through.

If you do all the right things, you may not need a teacher,
but if all this is strange to you, find a good teacher and
lower that handicap.

Best wishes and Happy New year! Bill Lloyd

==========================================

Quote:

"Take pride in what you do. The kind of pride I'm
talking about is not the arrogant puffed-up kind;
it's just the whole idea of caring - fiercely
caring."
Red Aurbach
Professional Basketball Coach
===========================================

Until next time, good golfing!

Richard C Myers

http://www.thinkandreachpar.com/
http://www.golfforleftys.com/
http://www.totalgolfdvd.com/
http://www.ourdreamrv.com/

Telephone 864.675.0038
New South Media, LLC
45 Doverdale Rd.
Greenville, SC 29615

This email is protected by copyright, 2008, New South
Media, LLC Reproduction of any portion of this email is
strictly prohibited without the express written consent of
Richard Myers

New South Media LLC

45 Doverdale
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29615
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The Hit Through

Dear Seth,

The No B.S. Golf Newsletter

Welcome Everyone

If you wish to unsubscribe from this newsletter or change your
email address, there is a link at the bottom of this email.

=================================================

Richards Quick Tips

The Hit-Through

All golfers who want to improve their game are faced
with a difficult problem: since it is impossible to work on
all the phases of a swing, what are the key phases to
concentrate on?

Speaking for myself, experience
has taught me to remember (whatever else I may be thinking
about in playing a shot) to be sure and hit through the
ball--that is, to make sure that my club continues through
the ball low along the ground on the line to the target.
This is a very important part of the hitting action, this
definite hit-through for two feet or so past the point
where you make contact with the ball. You can take the
club back wrong, or a little wrong, but if you hit through
correctly on line, you will make out fairly well.

I stress this point because many average golfers of my
acquaintance tend to think too much about parts of the golf
swing that are much less essential. I believe that if they
concentrated more on hitting through the ball, most average
golfers would find themselves playing better golf shots
consistently.

=============================================

I would like to thank Mr Joe DeLorenzo for taking the
Time to answer these questions for us!

Joe is available for private lessons in the Chicago area.
If you are interested, let me know.

Joe is a very good instructor and does an excellent job, so if you
Are having a problem, send it to me and he will answer your
questions.

A Bit of Golf Trivia
How many clubs did Francis Ouimet use to win the 1913
US Open?
(answer is below)

Joe,
I was told that I should get a driver with a longer
shaft (same flex) because it will give me more
distance, but whenever I try a longer shaft, my
distance is usually less. How do you explain this?
Linda

Hello Linda,
This is one of those theories that seems to make
sense, but it only works if you can strike the sweet
spot of the clubface every time. A longer shaft also
theoretically makes it harder to hit the sweet spot
because the ball is a little farther away from you.
Any shot that misses the sweet spot will not go as far
as a shot that hits the sweet spot, so if the shorter
shaft allows you to hit the sweet spot more often,
then that would be a better choice.
Joe

Joe,
I am amazed how the pros on TV can sink so many long
putts, no matter how many different courses they play
on with different types of grasses. I know whenever I
travel and play different courses, the different types
of grasses and speeds really mess me up. How do they
adjust? Is it just natural ability or else what is
their secret?
John

Hi John,
The best way to understand is to attend a practice
round before a tournament and watch what the pros do
on the greens. They take the time to stroke putts on
all quadrants of each green while their caddies take
notes. So even if they have never played the course
before, they have a pretty good idea on how each putt
will behave, no matter where the pin placement is. The
general public does not have this luxury, you might
get kicked off the course for slow play if you try
that. Therefore it is much more difficult for the
average golfer to sink putts because they have no help
at all in reading greens, it is just a guessing game.
You can own the greatest expensive putter and have the
best possible putting stroke, but if you do not read
the green correctly, you will not make very many
putts. Even if you do read the green correctly, but
hit the putt at the wrong speed, the amount of break
will be different and you might miss it anyway. If you
have ever played in a scramble event, you will have
noticed a lot more putts being sunk because everyone
on your team gets the benefit of watching the first
putt and therefore having a lot more confidence in the
read. Those of you who do not play in scrambles, the
next time you are on an uncrowded course, whenever you
miss a putt, try it 3 more times and chances are
pretty good that you will sink one of them.
Joe

Question for the Evil Twin:
Jody, a committee is smarter than any individual. So
if the golf rules committee used their collective
wisdom to make the rules, who do you think you are to
criticize them?
Answer: A camel is a horse designed by a committee.

Answer to the above Trivia Question is 7

===================================================
"Whenever you are asked if you can do a job,
tell'em, 'certainly I can!' - and get busy and
find out how to do it."
Theodore Roosevelt
1858-1919, Twenty-Sixth U.S. President

=============================================

Until next time...good golfing!

Richard C Myers

http://www.thinkandreachpar.com/
http://www.golfforleftys.com/
http://www.totalgolfdvd.com/
http://www.ourdreamrv.com/

Telephone 864.675.0038
New South Media, LLC
45 Doverdale Rd.
Greenville SC 29615
United States

This email is protected by copyright, 2008, New South
Media, LLC Reproduction of any portion of this email is
strictly prohibited without the express written consent of
Richard Myers

New South Media LLC

45 Doverdale
Greenville, SC
29615
US

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Tips for Playing Better Golf

Dear Seth,

The No B.S. Golf Newsletter

Welcome Everyone

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=============================================

Golf Potpourri
by
Mac Stevenson

Don't Copy Trick Shots the Pros Hit on TV

For most of us on the Central Plains or the in the Midwest,
the closest we'll get to a golf course for the next few
weeks is through our TVs. But that time need not be
wasted; you can learn a lot from watching the pros on
television. And the same can be said for those fortunate
souls who live in warm climates and are still playing.

Watching PGA professionals hit unconventional shots during
tournaments on TV is one thing: Attempting to hit the same
type shot on your home course is likely Mission Impossible.
Don't try it--stick to what you do best.

Professional golfers are playing a different game than we
are when it comes to highly sophisticated and difficult
shots. These are the best players in the world and most of
them haven't done anything but play golf since they were
ten years old. So don't get the idea that you can go out
on your course and hit the same kind of shots that they do.
It won't work.

One of the relatively new clubs that has gained favor with
the pros is the lob wedge. It's a tricky club. Most
amateurs will be better off if they stick to a pitching
wedge and sand wedge and become thoroughly familiar with
both. Low-handicap players might benefit from learning to
play with a lob wedge on certain courses, but most amateurs
will benefit by sticking to their sand wedge for basic
short shots.

The flop shot that Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods have made
popular is not for the average golfer. It isn't a shot
that very many of the pros use, so why should you rush out
to the course and try it. You're liable to skull it and
injure one of your playing companions. Learn how to hit
the conventional pitch shot with your sand wedge and you'll
be money ahead.

Another shot used frequently by the pros is a chip shot
from the fringe that's hit by blading a sand wedge on
purpose. This shot takes exceptional hand-eye coordination
and hours of practice before it can be mastered. Amateurs
will do themselves a favor if they stick to the standard
chip shot from the fringe.

Another Johnny-come-lately in the repertoire of the pros is
the unorthodox method of using a fairway wood to hit chip
shots. Many amateurs are now attempting this shot during
their weekly outings, and most of them try it without even
practicing the shot. They'll end up wasting shots around
the green. Once again, stick to the basic short shots that
you've practiced and used over time.

Professionals often hook or fade their shots around trees
when they're in trouble. Most amateur golfers will be
better off pitching safely back to the fairway. Hitting a
controlled hook or fade is one of the toughest shots in
golf and more often than not you'll just end up in more
trouble if you attempt it. And don't believe the old adage
that trees are 90 percent air; they're 90 percent tree.

No matter what else you copy, do not imitate the pros pace
of play; they're earning their living and it's a different
game than we play. Keep yourself moving at a brisk pace.
Playing slow like the pros won't help you at all.

If--after all these warnings--you're still determined to
try tricky shots you observe the pros using during
tournaments on TV, be sure and practice them first. You'll
quickly learn that you need a very good lie to hit a flop
shot. And you'll need hours of practice to blade a chip
shot with your sand wedge consistently. Don't try tricky
shots for the first time during a round of golf. If you do
attempt some of these shots, you'll regret it when it's
time to settle the bets on the 19th hole.

Almost all amateur golfers will be better off sticking with
shots they've used over the years. Leave the fancy stuff
to the highly talented guys who earn their living playing
golf.

============================== ====================

Richard's Quick Tip

Tips For Playing Better Golf

Whether you are a beginner or a scratch golf, you no doubt
want to shoot lower scores. The following tips can help you
play better golf, improve your score and get more enjoyment
from your game:
* Improve your mental game. Work at gradually eliminating
your negative emotions. Become positive and remain
completely focused on your target. This will lead to an
improvement in your chemistry and improve your performance.

* Whether it's a full swing, pitch or putt, a good set-up,
is essential.

* Posture is very important while playing golf. Your feet
should be shoulder-width apart, and there should be a good
flex in your knees. Also, keep your back straight and pivot
forward from the hips; your weight should be evenly
distributed across your body.

* Always read your putt from both sides of the hole. If
there are conflicting reads, trust your read from below the
hole. It will improve your reading of the putt.

* Putting routine: Set targets during practice. If you miss
the target, start again from the beginning. This exercise
is great for improving your as well as your concentration.

* Swing: A relaxed approach is the key to the swing. Being
tense and aggravated can spoil your round. Relax and reduce
tension.

* Grip pressure: It's important to grip the club correctly.
Don't grip it too tightly. A light grip at address
encourages a smooth and consistent start to the swing.
Remember to keep an equal amount of pressure in each hand.

* Equipment care: Clean the grip of your clubs regularly
with soap and water and when they start to become worn,
change the grips. A new grip provides more control.

* Use of better clubs will help you play better because of
improved technology. Use a club that has a good degree of
bounce. This comes from the trailing edge being lower than
the leading edge of the club. It's also important to ensure
that your clubs have the correct lies, lofts and shafts.

* Take more than one club: If you are a beginner you are
likely to mis-hit the ball more often than not. Remember to
take an extra club to reach the green.

* Warming up is vital: Warm up before you play. Always
start with a few basic stretches before you begin practice
or play.

* Handle a club for at least five minutes everyday. Pick-up
with correct grip and practice taking your grip over and
over, waggling the club a bit each time. This will
strengthen your hands and wrists and give you confidence
not only in your grip, but also in the club you have in
your hand.

==========================================

Quote:

"When you're happy for no reason, you're
unconditionally happy. It's not that your life
always looks perfect - it's just that however it
looks, you'll still be happy." Marci Shimoff

===========================================

Until next time, good golfing!

Richard C Myers

http://www.thinkandreachpar.com/
http://www.golfforleftys.com/
http://www.totalgolfdvd.com/
http://www.ourdreamrv.com/

Telephone 864.675.0038
New South Media, LLC
45 Doverdale Rd.
Greenville, SC 29615

This email is protected by copyright, 2008, New South
Media, LLC Reproduction of any portion of this email is
strictly prohibited without the express written consent of
Richard Myers

New South Media LLC

45 Doverdale
Greenville, SC
29615
US

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Toeing In The Right Heel

Dear Seth,

The No B.S. Golf Newsletter

Welcome Everyone

If you wish to unsubscribe from this newsletter or change your
email address, there is a link at the bottom of this email.

=================================================

Richards Quick Tips

Toeing In The Right Heel

I have rarely seen a consistently good golfer who did not
have excellent balance. The feet, of course, are the key to
balance or the lack of it. In addressing the ball, many
golfers stand with their feet planted so that both toes
point outward. This position tends to root them too
solidly. It doesn't allow them to transfer their weight
smoothly and easily going back and coming into the ball,
and the player has quite a time of it getting his body into
the position whereby it can properly transmit its power to
the swing via the hands.

The next time you go out to play or practice, try this tip.
Take a slightly narrow stance. Then after you have lined up
the shot, swivel your right heel out so that the toe points
straight ahead or even a fraction in. This pigeon-toed
stance will facilitate the maintenance of balance
throughout the swing and that you will be able to move into
the ball with greater power and so gain extra length.
=================================================
Comments for Mac Stevenson article yesterday.
Good re--cap of the Rules, but you can declare a
ball unplayable from any lie, except in a water
hazard, and if you call it unplayable and it's in
a bunker, if you choose remedies 2) or 3) you
must drop it in the bunker. Thanks for a good
newsletter.
Ken Wyatt

Happy New Year! Hope you had nice holidays.
I think it is great to be promoting understanding
the rules. I personally believe it makes the
game more enjoyable.
I would like to make one small point on your
unplayable lie paragraph. You say one may
declare a ball unplayable from any lie. This is
not quite correct. One may not declare a ball
unplayable from a water hazard.
Thanks for all the great tips.
-- Have A Great Day Bob

Hi Richard,
I agree completely with Mac Stevenson's article
"Start 2008 by Studying the Rules". In addition
to his fine points, the book "Decisions on the
Rules of Golf", published by the USGA, R&A, RCGA,
etc. is an excellent source for learning the
Rules of Golf. Also, the USGA has rules quizzes
on their site with various degrees of difficulty:

http://www.usga.org/playing/rules/rules_quizzes.html

I find the quizzes make learning the rules a bit
more enjoyable.
Best regards,
Jim Coady
Prince Edward Island, Canada
Thank you for your comments.
=============================================

I would like to thank Mr Joe DeLorenzo for taking the
Time to answer these questions for us!

Joe is available for private lessons in the Chicago area.
If you are interested, let me know.

Joe is a very good instructor and does an excellent job, so if you
Are having a problem, send it to me and he will answer your
questions.

A Bit of Golf Trivia:
What did Tiger say was his happiest moment? (answer is
below)

Joe,
I thought it was supposed to be a Fundamental to have
the club pointing at the target at the top of the
backswing, but I see photos of Phil Mickelson, John
Daly, and even the great Bobby Jones pointing the club
way across the line. How do you explain that?
Pete

Hello Pete,
In my opinion, that is a mannerism, not a fundamental.
It sure does look picture perfect when someone can
point the club straight at the target, but that is no
guarantee to result in a good shot. Starting from the
top of the backswing, what happens next is an
inside-out swing path, which the body turn brings to a
square path at the point of contacting the ball (like
the knob on a swinging door). When you think about the
plane for an inside-out swing path, pointing it across
the line at the top only helps to put the club on that
plane, so I do not see anything wrong with that, as
long as your position is consistent and your results
are good. If, however, you have a hook problem, then
you might be pointing it too far across the line, but
most people slice, so this idea may help to cure it.
However, one good thing about pointing the club at the
target at the top of the backswing is this. It
establishes a consistent point of reference which you
can photograph and go back to if you get into a slump.
If you go across the line, this point of reference is
a little harder to view because you cannot be sure how
far over the line is good for you. In the final
analysis, I think it is more important to view the
position of the clubface no matter how far over the
line you go. The clubface should be parallel to the
angle of your leading arm.
Joe

Joe,
I am getting contradicting information about different
ways on how to hit chip shots. None of them seem to
work for me. Is there only one right way to chip?
Charles

Hello Charles,
Different people have had success with different
methods, so you may hear or read some conflicting
advice about which method is best (most methods agree
on proper setup and ball position, so we will skip
that). They all have one thing in common. No method
will work unless you keep your hands ahead of the
clubhead at impact. If you can do that, then the main
issue becomes distance control.

Here are 3 chipping methods for distance control, find
the one that works best for you.

Method 1 - use the same stroke and tempo for all
distances, just change the club to adjust for longer
or shorter shots. This usually works best for those
who have enough confidence in their stroke that they
never hit it fat or thin, they can hit the sweet spot
every time.

Method 2 - use only 2 clubs to chip (one for minimum
loft, one for maximum loft) depending on the amount of
loft and carry needed to clear the taller grass. Use
the same backswing, but vary the tempo or acceleration
depending on the distance desired. This usually works
best for those who have a good sense of touch.

Method 3 - use only 2 clubs to chip depending on the
amount of loft needed. Vary the length of the
backswing for distance control, and keep a consistent
tempo. This usually works best for those who do not
have enough confidence to rely on touch.

Question for the Evil Twin:
Jody, what would you do if your wife dressed up in a
really sexy outfit and told you to tie her up and do
anything you wanted?
Answer: I would tie her up and then go play some
golf.

Answer to the above trivia question - When asked what
his happiest moment was, Tiger said "When I was 11
years old, I got straight A's, had two recesses a day,
had the cutest girlfriend and won 32 tournaments.
Everything has been downhill since."

===================================================

"Security is mostly a superstition. It does not
exist in nature nor do the children of man as a
whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer
in the long run than outright exposure. Life is
either a daring adventure, or nothing." Helen
Keller

=============================================

Until next time...good golfing!

Richard C Myers

http://www.thinkandreachpar.com/
http://www.golfforleftys.com/
http://www.totalgolfdvd.com/
http://www.ourdreamrv.com/

Telephone 864.675.0038
New South Media, LLC
45 Doverdale Rd.
Greenville SC 29615
United States

This email is protected by copyright, 2008, New South
Media, LLC Reproduction of any portion of this email is
strictly prohibited without the express written consent of
Richard Myers

New South Media LLC

45 Doverdale
Greenville, SC
29615
US

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Start 2008 Studying The Rules

Dear Seth,

The No B.S. Golf Newsletter

Welcome Everyone

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At the bottom of this email.

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=============================================

Golf Potpourri

by

Mac Stevenson

Start 2008 by Studying the Rules

One of your first 2008 New Year's resolutions should be to
study the most important rules of golf until you're
thoroughly comfortable with their details.

That sounds so simple. It isn't. Some of the rules are
complicated and difficult to understand. The rules book
published by the USGA is a good place to start, but don't
try and absorb everything in the USGA's booklet; it's tough
going. Check your library and you'll find some
well-illustrated books on the rules of golf. When you find
a rules book that's easy to understand, it would be a good
investment to buy one for ready reference.

The following are simple definitions of the most basic and
frequently used rules that average golfers need to
understand:

* OUT OF BOUNDS--This is the same as a lost ball. You must
go back and hit your next shot from the same place that you
hit the ball that went out of bounds. You add a one-stroke
penalty and also lose the distance. No exceptions.

* LOST BALL--First of all, forget hazards. This
information is for amateur golfers who lose their ball in
the rough or trees and need to know what the options are.
Many players think it's all right to drop a ball where they
think the lost ball is and go ahead and play. This is okay
in a friendly game if you want to save time. But, in
tournaments, you have just one option: You must return to
the place where you hit the shot that resulted in the lost
ball and play another. The penalty is stroke and distance.
If you hit one in the rough off the tee and lose it, you
must go back to the tee and hit your next shot, which will
be your third shot.

* FREE DROP--When you take relief from ground under repair,
cart paths, staked trees, or an immovable object, there's
no penalty. You simply take a stance and place the
clubhead (no closer to the hole) where you will strike the
ball. Put a tee down where the clubhead is and you get one
club length from there to drop your ball. The problem area
has to interfere with your stance or swing; a
line-of-flight dilemma isn't a justification for relief.

* UNPLAYABLE LIE--You can declare any ball from any lie
unplayable and take a drop. It's a one-stroke penalty.
You have three options: (1) You can take the ball back to
the location where you hit the previous shot and hit your
next shot from there. (2) You can drop your ball within
two club lengths from the unplayable lie, no closer to the
hole. (3) You can take your ball back as far as you want
in the line of flight (that means keeping the spot where
the unplayable lie is and the flag on the green in a
straight line back to where you want to drop the ball).
It's important to find your ball because the penalty is
only one stroke for an unplayable lie and two-strokes for a
lost ball. Quite often your only option on an unplayable
lie is to go back and hit from the position of the previous
shot. If two club lengths won't give you relief and taking
it back in line-of-flight just takes you further back in
the trees or out of bounds, you have no other alternative.

* NEAREST POINT OF RELIEF--This is supposed to be a
simplified definition as described in the USGA rules
booklet: "It is the point on the course nearest to where
the ball lies: (i) that is not nearer the hole, and (ii)
where, if the ball were so positioned, no interference by
the condition from which relief is sought would exist for
the stroke the player would have made from the original
position if the condition were not there." Most
professional writers average 13-16 words per sentence; this
definition is a 59-word monstrosity that might as well be
in a foreign language.

* HIT THE WRONG BALL--One of the most common errors made by
average golfers is to hit the wrong ball, usually on the
second shot on par fours or the second or third shot on par
fives. This is a costly mistake. Hitting the wrong ball
is loss of the hole in match play and two strokes in medal
play. In medal play, you have to go back and play your own
ball and add two strokes to your final score on the hole.
It's an easy mistake to make and that's the reason you
should mark your ball with some kind of symbol that's
easily recognizable.

These are just a few of the rules that are often
misunderstood by amateur golfers; there are 34 rules of
golf. You can check your library for good books on the
rules, or you can order the official rules booklet from the
USGA. It's available online (www.usgapubs.com) or you can
call toll free 1-800-336-4446; the cost is $3.50 and that
includes shipping and handling.

If you play golf seriously, it's a necessity to become
well-versed on the rules. And that's not easy. In
fairness to the USGA and all involved, some of the rules
are--by their very nature--complicated, and it takes some
serious study to become skilled in the clear understanding
of the rule book.

============================== ====================

Richard's Quick Tip

The Importance of Relaxed Legs

Being tense ruins more golf shots for more players than any
other thing. When a golfer is all tightened up, he doesn't
have a change to swing correctly at the ball. These
un-relaxed golfers figure that the faster they swing the
more distance they'll get, and you've seen hundreds of them
who go back as fast as they come down. They're the boys who
have inspired that popular hustler's slogan: "Give me a man
with a fast backswing and a fat wallet."

Rhythm and timing are the most important things in a golf
swing. You can't get them--you can't even come close to
getting them--unless you're relaxed; and I mean relaxed not
only in the arms and hands, but throughout the body,
especially through the legs. Walter Hagen used to say that
as long as he could keep his legs relaxed he didn't worry.
The rest would take care of itself. I agree with him one
hundred percent. When your legs and ankles are nice and
supple, only then will your muscles be able to do the work
you want them to do. Only then can you pivot right and get
that sense of rhythm that helps you to go back in one piece
and to start down from the top with everything moving in
close harmony.

==========================================

Quote:

"Take chances, make mistakes. That's how you grow. Pain
nourishes your courage. You have to fail in order to
practice being brave."
Mary Tyler Moore Actress
===========================================

Until next time, good golfing!

Richard C Myers

http://www.thinkandreachpar.com/
http://www.golfforleftys.com/
http://www.totalgolfdvd.com/
http://www.ourdreamrv.com/

Telephone 864.675.0038
New South Media, LLC
45 Doverdale Rd.
Greenville, SC 29615

This email is protected by copyright, 2008, New South
Media, LLC Reproduction of any portion of this email is
strictly prohibited without the express written consent of
Richard Myers

New South Media LLC

45 Doverdale
Greenville, SC
29615
US

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Michael Anthony's Mental Golf Tip NL - issue 300

Michael Anthony's Mental Golf Tip Newsletter Issue 300: Thursday - January 3, 2008 If you want to develop a great mental game and be the master of all your emotions on and off the golf course, make living the Daily Affirmation a major part of your life. I AM ALWAYS TRUTHFUL, POSITIVE, AND HELPING OTHERS Hi Determined Golfer, If you find this newsletter helpful, please tell your friends, associates and golf instructor. Thanks for helping us grow. "Keep Polishing Your Wheel" If you are a new to my newsletter, welcome aboard. My mission is to help you lower your score by increasing your awareness of how your mind processes information and providing you with insights on how to improve your mental game. It is important for my new subscribers to get up to speed as quickly as possible. If you truly desire to lower your score, read my book and listen to my CD (part one) before and (part two) after you play as well as read my mental tip newsletters. Once you have done your homework, you will have laid the foundation to have one of the best mental games around. The next step is to continue to work on improving your mental game (polish your wheel) until these insights become an instinctive part of your mental makeup. My advice to my old subscribers is to keep polishing your wheel if you want your scores to continue to fall. Since my mental tips are designed to enhance and reinforce your understanding of "The Mental Keys," keep reading them as well as rereading my book from time to time. Some of my newsletters contain new tips and others repeat past tips to refresh your tape. If you keep polishing your wheel, your scores will continue to fall. I guarantee it! Once in awhile, I send out a Golf Announcement to inform you of other golf products that will help you to polish your wheel. Please take a serious look at them. Play well and keep polishing your wheel, Michael Anthony P.S. Once you read this section "Keep Polishing Your Wheel" several times, you can skip it in future newsletters and go directly to the "Golfers Locker Room Bulletin Board" for inspiring success stories or updates from me. After several repetitions, just seeing the words "Keep Polishing Your Wheel" will automatically remind you to keep working on improving your mental game. GOLFERS LOCKER ROOM BULLETIN BOARD I am pleased to announce that during the coming year you can listen to my mental golf tips weekly at GolfSmarterTips Podcast. Michael, "You should know how much we all appreciate your Tips when they come!  Actually, I have been meaning to write you to especially thank you for the August Newsletter about being "poised".  It happened to have come the evening before my final match in our Club Championship. "I was the number 6 seed in the Championship Flight and made it to the finals (you got to love match play).  My opponent was a fine golfer and out drives most (including me) by 50+ yards.  On the big day, when I was hitting my second shot into the green first -- on all the par 4's and third on par 5's, I reminded myself to stay poised, take a breath, and focus, really focus on that shot.  I also was remembering my brother's advice as well that you "drive for show and putt (and chip) for doe!!!"  "I even laid up (with confidence) on our very difficult par 3, where there are 10 foot bunkers on either side in front of the green.  I took my breath, and chipped it within 3 inches of the cup!!! "It took 20 holes, but I won the Championship! "Thank you so much, and I'm here to say that I will continue to polish my wheel and stay poised!" -GOLFmama2 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- It makes my day when you email me your success stories or ask for my help after you have read my book and listened to my CD. Don't be shy. It is always good to share positive feedback with your fellow golfers. Your generosity in sharing your experiences with others will help inspire them to keep polishing their wheel and help you sink an extra putt or two :-) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MENTAL TIP by MICHAEL ANTHONY "A NEW BEGINNING" New Year's Day is special because it marks the beginning of a new year. Many individuals make New Year's resolutions to improve their lives. Unfortunately, many of these resolutions go by the wayside in only a couple of days or weeks. Are you keeping your New Year's resolutions or didn't you even bother to make any since you haven't kept the ones you made in the past? If you have or haven't, here is a powerful way to improve your life as well as your golf. Develop the mindset that every day is a new beginning for the rest of your life. Also, realize that each day you are alive is a gift you can either use or abuse. Every night before you go to sleep ask yourself if you used your gift wisely or did you just throw it away. What happens to most of us is that we expect to wake up tomorrow and get another gift. As a result, we don't truly appreciate the limited time that we have here. Our lives are a gift and every day is precious since our days are numbered. However, many of us waste the days given to us and don't come close to reaching our real potential. Instead of making the effort to improve, we make excuses and put off today what we can do tomorrow. Worse yet, we put off this year what we can do next year. Hence, the vicious cycle of broken New Year's resolutions and wasted opportunities to improve never ends. Of course, there are a lot of things we are doing right. But, there are some things that each one of us could do better. So if you truly desire to improve, start living your life one day at a time. Every day do the best you can for that day. If you slip or have a bad day, wipe the slate clean before you go to sleep and make a firm intention to make better use of the gift you get tomorrow. This mindset can be applied to your golf as well. Start playing golf one shot at a time and use the 4-step routine to learn from the feedback. Allow every golf shot to stand on its own. If you make a good shot, congratulate yourself. If not, make the necessary mechanical or mental adjustments, start fresh and don't carry any emotional baggage with you to the next shot. Every day, like every golf shot, offers you the chance for a new beginning as long as you get up on the right side of the grass:)   ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Super Bonus... When you order my book and CD, you will receive my new book Michael Anthony's Mental Golf Tips, which contains 75 of my previous mental tips. If you read a tip a day, you will be amazed at how much it will help you to keep polishing your wheel and shoot lower scores. If you are not working on improving your mental game, you are playing golf with only half of the equipment. If you have not read The Mental Keys to Improve Your Golf, your mental game will benefit greatly by seeing the whole picture instead of just pieces contained in these mental tips. My book gives you the tools to improve your mental game. My CD Polish the Wheel makes it much easier to keep using them. "To develop a great mental game it's critical to realize that your mental state affects the chemistry of your brain which in turn affects your ability to perform. Then, it's just a matter of reprogramming your mind to optimize your chemistry so you can play in the zone." - Michael Anthony Click Now to Lower Your Score   "The Mental Keys to Improve Your Golf" Michael Anthony P.O. Box 35 Danville, CA 94526 (925) 855-1388 mike@mentalkeys.com www.mentalkeys.com © Copyright 2008 by Michael Anthony. All rights reserved.

***************************************

'The Mental Keys to Improve Your Golf'

Michael Anthony
P.O. Box 35
Danville, CA 94526

http://www.mentalkeys.com


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The Crucial Four-Footer

Dear Seth,

The No B.S. Golf Newsletter

Welcome Everyone

If you wish to unsubscribe from this newsletter or change your
email address, there is a link at the bottom of this email.

=================================================

Richards Quick Tips

The Crucial Four-Footer

Like all professional golfers, I have tried to work out a
set of fundamental procedures for keeping my putting
strokes as consistent and as reliable as I can make them.
Staying with these fundamentals has helped me a good deal;
particularly in holing the short ones--those crucial
four-footers that make or break a golf round more than any
other shot in the game.

As for my grip, I've discovered that I have a much better
touch if my right hand rides high on the shaft. Besides
eliminating the tendency to pull the putt, this position
helps me to get a uniform speed on the ball.

As far as address goes, I find it valuable to use a slight
forward press: of the hands before taking the blade back.
Too much of a forward press can be bad because a golfer
then tends to jab the ball down into the grass. A slight
forward press makes it easier for the left hand to go
through the ball after contact, to move a little more out
toward the hole. This, I find, enables you to get the slow
speed on the ball that's so desirable. As for my right
hand, I like to feel that the right palm is: moving
straight along the line of the putt to the hole.

=================================================

I would like to thank Mr Joe DeLorenzo for taking the
Time to answer these questions for us!

Joe is available for private lessons in the Chicago area.
If you are interested, let me know.

Joe is a very good instructor and does an excellent job, so if you
Are having a problem, send it to me and he will answer your
questions.

A Bit of Golf Trivia
Confucius is well known for his words of wisdom and
profound quotes. One of these quotes suggests he was a
poor golfer who had a problem with distance judgment.
Can you guess what it was? (answer is below)

On a known golf course, on one of the greens, a bare
tree stump of height 3.5 ft and 5 ft dia has been
placed at the bottom of the green. Its part of a new
green and since the stump already existed ,it is not
being removed!! Is this 'permissible'? coz God forbid,
you are any way near the stump, its MISSION
IMPOSSIBLE to par the hole!!
Rgds,
Robert

Hi Robert,
Several years ago I saw something like this on a
course named Cascades east of Seattle, so I guess it
is not only permissible, but also desirable for course
owners who want to stimulate conversation, you just
have to use some course management skills to stay away
from such objects. There are many other golf holes
that have bizarre dangers. I recall Tiger and David
Duval on TV playing a hole in CA where there was a
large boulder right in the middle of the fairway 300
yards from the tee. Tiger's shot flew over it and
Duval's shot nestled underneath it. In your case, the
stump does not result in a penalty as does a creek or
missing an island green. I would prefer the stump over
one of those deep pot bunkers you see at the British
Open, which might cost you several strokes to get out.
The stump may only cost you one stroke if you are up
against it, or maybe you can pitch over it if you are
not too close to it. So big deal if you cannot get a
par, so what, you are still out there playing the
world's greatest game, which has many other ways to
'stump' you (groan).
Joe

Joe,
I can hit the ball better than my buddies, but they
usually beat me because they putt better. I don't
understand why I cannot putt as well as my buddies if
they are not as athletic as I am. Help!
Harold

Hello Harold,
Sometimes we overlook the little things. Any one of
the following points might make a difference. For
example, are you more like Golfer A or Golfer B?
Let's assume Golfer A and Golfer B have similar
putting strokes and they can both read a green equally
well, but Golfer A makes more putts and 3-putts less
often than Golfer B. How can this be?

Golfer A uses a putter design that is weighted at the
toe and at the heel, but not in the center. Golfer B
uses a straight blade. Since they both have similar
strokes, they both miss the sweet spot on the putter
by the same amount. Golfer A gets better results due
to a larger sweet spot.

Golfer A has confidence in the read and can
concentrate fully on executing the stroke. Golfer B
changes the read as he/she stands over the ball (why
bother with the original read in that case?). This
can result in a tentative stroke due to worrying about
the read instead of executing the proper pace of the
stroke.

Golfer A aims at a spot on the green on the way to the
hole, a spot that is close enough to hit every time.
Golfer B does not use an intermediate target.

Golfer A improves touch for distance control during
practice by noticing how far the backswing goes for
certain distances, and then steps off those distances.
Golfer B just relies on feel without thinking about
the exact distance. As a result, Golfer A's second
putt is usually 1-2 feet long, while golfer B's second
putt is usually 3-4 feet long.

Golfer A's putter has a fat grip, Golfer B's putter
has a skinny grip. In both cases, any accidental hand
rotation will cause the putter face to rotate off
line. Due to the fatter grip Golfer A's putter face
will rotate less off line than Golfer B's putter.

Golfer A observes the terrain while walking up to the
green from 100 yards on in, and can see which way
water would most likely drain off the green, because
this is the way all putts will break if you are not
sure of other reads. Golfer B only reads putts after
he/she gets on the green.

Both golfers have the Yips, but Golfer A uses a belly
putter, which reduces the effect of the Yips.
Good luck Harold, I hope this helps!
Joe

Question for the Evil Twin:
Jody, what kind of courses are your favorite and least
favorite?
Answer - I like uncrowded courses that are not too
expensive. Unfortunately these can be hard to find.
What I really do not like is when I get talked into
going to an upscale course, and two guys grab your bag
out of your trunk before you can get your shoes out.
Then you park your car and pay your greens fee and if
you are lucky you can find your clubs somewhere on a
motorized cart about a half kilometer from the
practice area. You might be wearing your best golf
outfit, but compared to everyone else you look like a
commoner. Then you finally get to the first tee and
then you get a lecture from a "course host," who has
more stories than Mother Goose, and finishes by
admonishing you that if your cart leaves the cart
path, or if you cannot keep up with the Pace rules,
you will be asked to leave. Having to stay on the cart
path usually means a six-hour round, but they put you
on the time clock anyway. Then another host takes
pictures of your group and tries to sell them to you.
Then you have to decide which of the 5 sets of tees to
play. Then you finally get onto the course and then
the beverage cart girl drives up, and if you order
something and hand her a 5, she gives you that hurt
puppy look if you ask for change. At the turn the
least expensive fast food is a gourmet sandwich for $7
and a $3 drink, and don't forget the tip. When you are
done, whether you like it or not, a couple of kids
grab your bag and start cleaning your clubs, and of
course you will feel guilty if you don't tip them too.
Then a guy drives up in a golf cart and offers to take
your clubs to your car. Where does it end? When you
drive to the exit, there might be a guy who politely
asked if you enjoyed your experience here, are we
supposed to tip him too? These places are for people
who say "Tally Ho the Fox", but not for people like me
who prefer to say "Let's get the little *!@#$>". In
light of all this, I cannot wait to get back to my
wonderfully comfortable scruffy cheap plain vanilla
local muni course.

Answer to the above trivia question - With the
following actual quote, Confucius seems to admit to
being a hacker who had poor distance judgment:
"To go beyond is as wrong as to fall short."

===================================================

"Behold the turtle: He only makes progress when
he sticks his neck out."

James Bryant Conant 1893-1978, Educator and
Diplomat

=============================================

Until next time...good golfing!

Richard C Myers

http://www.thinkandreachpar.com/
http://www.golfforleftys.com/
http://www.totalgolfdvd.com/
http://www.ourdreamrv.com/

Telephone 864.675.0038
New South Media, LLC
45 Doverdale Rd.
Greenville SC 29615
United States

This email is protected by copyright, 2008, New South
Media, LLC Reproduction of any portion of this email is
strictly prohibited without the express written consent of
Richard Myers

New South Media LLC

45 Doverdale
Greenville, SC
29615
US

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