The best golf swing problems solver

I got your attention with that subject line didn’t I?

Listen, I get it. You swing beautifully on the practice range and then when you get to the course, it all goes away like it’s another person out there. I know the feelng and I’ve been there.

Because if you can swing the club, like you know how, for excellent shots… and you’re not doing it on the course, then it only makes sense that you have to make an adjustment with your swing right?

Wrong!

You see, this is the trap us golfers get ourselves in. And that is, coming up with the wrong solution to the problem.  We do this because there is mass hypnosis in the golf world. The pros iron out their swing problems by hitting a zillion balls a week and so that’s what we should do too right?

Well, that works, but do you have the time to do that?

As a former manager at Fedex Express, I’m all about being as efficient as I can be at everything I do. I don’t just blindly accept what somebody says is the answer. I take that in, test it out, check it with others, and always keep looking for a better way…that’s called continuous improvement and I know you do that in many areas of your life, especially at your work or vocation.

I’ve found one of those ways to quickly deal with the REAL cause of swing problems.
You might have even heard about this in the past but just shrugged it off as another “tip” like all the rest.  You want to really give this one a go and I promise you, it will pay off big.

Before I give you the hot tip, let me set you up just a bit more for success in using it.

When you miss a shot and say that your swing needs a tweak, most of the time, the real cause is due to one or more of the following:
1. Lack of focus
2. Failure to line up properly
3. A fear, tension, or anxiety that interferes with your coordination

If you are at ease, or deep in the zone about your game, and have already hit a good shot with each of your clubs, then your body
will respond just like it does on the range with those beautiful shots.

The hot tip that will solve so many problems, including your swing problems is to…are you ready?

Play 2-pars on the practice green or on your carpet in your house against another player.

This means to go to the practice green at the course or practice facility and you play 18 holes. You start off the green and pick a spot to chip from and a hole to play to. Make sure there is something at stake as this is the real kicker in benefit to you. Play skins or play medal and count each stroke but make sure there is a problem for you if you lose.

I do this with my son before a round. If I win, he has to wash my car for me. If he wins, he gets a ride to the skate park.  Injecting that kind of pressure into your practice is EVERYTHING!

I watch golfers at the practice green putting with 3 balls from the same spot to the cup. What are you teaching yourself? That you don’t have to read a green and that you have a second chance after missing the first one. Ridiculous because you never get a second chance while playing….why do golfers do this?  Mass hypnosis plus laziness.

We all know that more strokes are lost around the greens. This tip is the 80/20 of all time I tell ya’.
Oh yes, how does it improve your swing you might be asking about now.  Well what happens is that when you walk up to the tee or the approach shot knowing you can get up and down in 2, it totally takes the pressure OFF of your swing. It makes your swing 10 times more relaxed, fluid, and rhythmic.

I did this recently with my son as we stayed at the Running Y in Klamath Oregon and played that course. My drives were pretty good both rounds but for some reason (and you know this can happen to any part of your game at any time), my 100 yd approach shots were off. This is usually the best part of my game.  I can’t tell you how many times my 2-par practice saved me on the course and I ended up with a 79 from the blues.

By the way, I REALLY had a 78 but on the first hole, I had a 4-incher for a par and I nonchalantly tried to poke it in with the end of my putter. Of course my son made me count it!! Good lesson for me…

If you ever have time to practice anything…practice going up and down on a real green with something at stake. It is the most powerful thing you can do to fix your swing.

Greens and fairways,
Craig