Five #Golf Tips for Practice Without an Instructor

Golf for Beginners knows that there is no substitute for taking instructions from a professional golf instructor but, what happens when you want to hit a few but you're not taking a lesson?

Practicing on a driving range is good - proper practice is essential! No one wants to ingrain bad habits into the golf swing or into your round; they're so difficult to break! Instead, when you are alone with your golf clubs and no pro in sight, practice your lessons and keep these tips in mind:

1. Just because you are practicing on a range doesn't mean you shouldn't first warm up your body - stretching before you begin will help improve the fluidity of your swing and, chances are, you won't pull a ligament or tendon.

2. Get your tempo down before you start swinging - practice tempo either with a training aid or think "1, 2, 3" (like a waltz) to the top of your back swing and then again "1, 2, 3" to the finish. Also, try holding your position at the top for a sec before your downswing -  this will slow you down and improve your rhythm.

3. Practice a comfortable hold on your grip - if you're holding on too tight it can cause a pull hook and callouses on your fingers. If you have problems with your grip pressure, there are grips that you don't play with but can help properly align your hands and fingers.

4. You're not John Daly so don't practice with a "grip it and rip it mentality"- there's no need to take a mighty swing every time. Instead, start your routine with quarter and half swings to improve ball contact. And, since golf is a target sport, pick the smallest specific target you're aiming at before you take your practice swing. Practice your visualization - how you look at a hole and the course.

5. Make sure you spend some time each session on the putting green - practice your putting stroke which is the beginning of your golf swing so you can see and hear the ball fall into the cup.

What practice tips can you share? Share on Twitter @Golf4Beginners and on this golf blog.

photo: en.wikipedia.org, Golf for Beginners

Christmas Golf Poem Scores a Hole-in-One 2020

Golf for Beginners wishes all of our readers a Very, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa and Happy New Year. In the spirit of the season, Stacy Solomon has written this poem, "Does Santa Claus Play Golf?" for your enjoyment.

A man and his sleigh ride quietly in the night,
Hoping toys are delivered before first light.
Why is it so important to finish his work tonight?
Because Santa Claus is catching an early flight.

An untold story is that Kris Kringle plays an outdoor sport,
Dusts off his clubs, heads for a resort.
Off to warm destination leaving family behind,
For a week of rest, rejuvenation and feet reclined.

He packs his sunglasses, aloha shirts and flip flops,

Off go the red hat, red outfit and props.

Santa is now ready to fly in disguise,

He kisses his wife and says his goodbyes.

Next stop, warm weather, three courses to play,

He hopes that his ho-ho-ho won't go away.

The fairways are tight, the greens undulating and small,

So Santa has practiced his best Villegas Spiderman crawl.

First off the tee and with a big swing,
His ball finds the fairway, his drive is amazing!
His GPS, received as gift from his wife,
Gets Santa out of trouble-this is indeed the good life.

Claus plays his first round making par,
He thinks he could be the next Myrtle Beach Big Break Star!
He heads to 19th hole with scorecard signed,
And proudly asks bartender to pour - he finished his grind.

Thinking forward to two more days of play,
Santa is happily sipping away.
Planning his strategy for his next two rounds,
Dreaming of sunshine and background surf sounds.

But what should awaken Santa from his mirth?
His alarm clock is ringing, he's brought back to earth.
Gone is the sun, sand, vacation and play,
It was just a dream, a moment away.

It's back to the drudge and starting work for next year,
Perhaps someone will give Santa a gift of good cheer.
Is it too much to ask for, a vacation, golf travel,
For the merry man who gifts toys for kids to unravel?



photo credit: TheSpiritofSanta.com


Read our golf blog: Ways to Improve your Golf Game During the Off-Season

Best Golf Game Advice for Beginners Will Leave You Laughing!

President of MindRev™ Labs, Bill Beausay, has a lifetime of knowledge about the golf game. In this guest blog, Bill offers sound advice not just for golf beginners, but for anyone who takes themselves too seriously! Bill's bio can be found below. Enjoy...and feel free to share your comments.

My Best Beginners Advice: Laugh a Little! 😄

Earlier this summer I was following a very entertaining foursome. There was an older guy showing his wife and a younger couple how to play golf. They were in carts and playing fast, but they clearly had very little idea what they were doing. 

 

And they were really having fun: thoughtless, carefree, and lost-in-the-moment fun. They were laughing a lot and making fun noises - probably breaking unwritten golf club etiquette. And I really wanted to be with them. 

Unfortunately, I was playing with three grumps; experienced players, really good players who had lost something important along the way. And sad to say, they are the role-model for too many more inexperienced players.  

I’m a sports psychologist, trained to take things seriously and always seek sharper ways to get people’s psychology primed and working at peak.  It’s great to work and I’ve had the profound pleasure of helping people at all levels of the game. 

And, from my perspective, I think the game needs an injection of something bright and fresh and vital; something I saw in those new players. 

Let me explain it like this: 

Golf is like a casino for most beginners. Just like with a slot machine or a card game, you line up a shot, address the ball, swing the club and…..well, you really have no idea what you’re going to get. Sometimes you connect with the golf ball and get that rush of adrenaline that says “YES!” Other times, (most of the time) you get a “thud” or a clump of dirt or wild twist in your ball flight.  

And you feel like crap. 

And you get mad and stomp around and yell at yourself. 

Then comes the irresistible lure of another pull on the slot machine, another chance on the blackjack table….and you’re hooked on golf for life.  And the fun stops.  

As a professional in the "head-game" of golf let me make a suggestion: don’t let this happen to you. 

At my research outfit, MindRev™ Golf, we are running a trial on the technique we call “Neuro-Ecstatics.” What that means is that we believe anyone can control their mental chemistry (and thus your playing and your score) by practicing some very specific external behaviors when you screw up.   

In particular, we are studying making yourself laugh…out loud….like REAL LOUD, on purpose when you mess up. 

We refer to mental routines you do after a shot as a “post-shot-routine”. They are especially important to apply after a bad shot. I know it sounds weird but the feedback we’re getting from our test-players is that this post-shot routine releases something inside. It makes these players relax, clear their mind, and enjoy their game way more. 

In short, it helps them have more fun. Which is why we play in the first place, right?   

So laugh a little, just to do it, and love the game more!  

BIO: 

Bill Beausay is the President and Technical Director at MindRev™ Labs. He is the former Director of Research and Development at the Academy of Sports Psychology, a full-time inner-game trainer and researcher. If you have an interest in having more information on virtual training programs or to join one of MindRev™ Golf’s FREE research trials, visit www.mindrevgolf.com and checkout the “Research Portal” in the catalog of courses. 

If you enjoyed this golf game advice, the editor suggests you read: How to Play Happy Golf (even when it rains on your Myrtle Beach vacation!)

Photo by Jopwell from Pexels

How Do I Break 90?

The golf article presented on Golf for Beginners this week was written by Golf Digest Writer and PGA Teaching Professional, Ernie Boshers (bio below). Feel free to write your comments below and add if you regularly break 90 on the golf course and, if not, what you feel you might be doing to inhibit your progress. Enjoy the article!

How to Enter the Folds of Honor 13th Patriot Golf Day Shootout

It is an honor to support our heroes and to share the following press release about how to enter the 13th annual Patriot Golf Day Shootout.

Held at the magnificent Treetops Resort in Northern Michigan, the Patriot Golf Day Shootout pays tribute to fallen heroes of our magnificent country and raises funds for the Folds of Honor Foundation, a charity that provides scholarships to families of our fallen or wounded heroes.

Patriot Golf Day Shootout

Hosted by Treetops Resort

Friday, September 4^th – Sunday, September 6^th, 2020 – Labor Day Weekend

Treetops Resort is Celebrating the 13^th annual Patriot Day Golf Shootout. The event raises funds for the Folds of Honor Foundation, a charity that provides scholarships to families of the fallen or wounded. In addition to great golf, Treetops will pay tribute to those who have served and are currently serving.

Since 2007, the Folds of Honor has provided educational scholarships to spouses and children of America’s fallen and disabled service members. Returning home from his second tour of duty in Iraq, Lieutenant Colonel Dan Rooney, an F-16 fighter pilot in the Oklahoma Air National Guard, became painfully aware of the reality families face when a loved one in uniform is fallen or disabled. 

Lt. Colonel Rooney decided he had to do something. 

Not only would he pay tribute to American service-members and their families, he would live as a reminder among civilians that it is our duty to honor the sacrifices of those who preserve the freedoms we so easily take for granted. Lieutenant Colonel Rooney committed to spend his life-changing the future of America’s grieving spouses and children. In 2007, he formed the Folds of Honor Foundation; a 501C-3 nonprofit organization dedicated to providing educational scholarships to the families of these heroic Americans.

 

When asked about the storied golf event, General Manager Barry Owens commented how proud he is of this event, “Without the passion shared by our Assistant General Manager, Kevin McKinley this event would not stand as tall it does each year.  Kevin became true friends with Lieutenant Colonel Dan Rooney after the fellow PGA Golf Professional told his story.  Standing true to both Lt. Colonel Rooney’s and Kevin McKinley’s passion to honor the fallen and educate their legacy, this Treetops Resort event is a gift each year – we are proud to host this event each year with the intention of giving back to the many military families who serve our country.” 

Read more about how Patriot Golf Day Benefits American Heroes

In addition, on September 2^nd prior to the event Assistant General Manager Kevin McKinley, and Erik Meisner (retired Army Ranger from the 2^nd Battalion) will play an 81 hole golf marathon to raise funds for the cause.

 

Patriot Golf Day Weekend is full of events including an individual golf event where golfers compete to honor or memorialize someone who has meant a lot to them and their affiliation with the military, as well as a partner event where teams compete for the coveted Brook Bucklin Cup.

 

How to Enter:

 

Active / Retired Military - choose your financial commitment level:

• Raise $500 - for Entry Fee & 1 Lodging Room (for 3 nights for a 2-person team, based on one team sharing a room)
• Raise $750 for Entry Fee & 2 Lodging Rooms (for 3 nights for a 2-person team, based on one team NOT sharing a room)

Public / Non-Military - choose your financial commitment level:

• Raise $1,000 - for Entry Fee & 1 Lodging Room (for 3 nights for a 2-person team, based on one team sharing a room)
• Raise $1,250 for Entry Fee & 2 Lodging Rooms (for 3 nights for a 2-person team, based on one team NOT sharing a room)

This event has many valuable but moving parts, so any and all questions about how you can be a part of it should be directed to Kevin McKinley -kmckinley@treetops.com

 

About Treetops Resort

 

Known for its majestic rolling hills and natural valleys overlooking the Pigeon River Valley Fall is the perfect time to visit Treetops Resort with its spectacular views.  The resort is home to Robert Trent Jones, Sr.’s final design; the Masterpiece, and is the course that is largely acknowledged to be the architect’s crowning glory. The equally magnificent Premier course is the only course in Michigan designed by the famed Tom Fazio. The Signature course is rated a Top 100 Resort Golf Course. The Tradition course bears its name by the ‘traditional’ wooden pins and pennant flags paying homage to golf’s origin. Treetops Resort is home to North America’s #1 Par 3 Course – "Threetops".

READ: Why Businesses Should Sponsor Golf Tournaments and Events

 

Photo, American Flag: Tony Hathcock from FreeImages

How Proper Strength Training Can Improve Your Golf Game

Golf is a dynamic sport that engages muscles throughout the body. From the external obliques to the muscles located in your forearm, golf requires coordination and strength. Although strength is a crucial part of improving your golf game, many people still believe that they can succeed by just practicing - as important as it is to temper the mind, it is also important to consider proper strength training if you are serious about scoring well.

Practicing with a purpose is extremely important - you expand your ability to play well when you incorporate strength training into your weekly regimen.

In this guest post by Brian from Home Gym Strength, Golf for Beginners helps you realize the benefits of strength training in your overall golf game. In addition, Brian will explain some of the best exercises that golfers should incorporate into their routine.

Benefit 1 of Strength Training for Golf: Increased Mobility

A proper golf swing requires a wide range of motion. In order to move your body fluidly, you must have flexibility and mobility. Two important parts of any strength training regimen are stretching and engaging in functional exercises. Stretching allows your body to become more flexible. When you increase flexibility, you will likely be able to increase the power and length of your backswing. In addition to increased power, mobility allows you to change the mechanics of your swing. When you have enhanced mobility, you are not limited to one type of swing.

Benefit 2 of Strength Training for Golf: Improved Coordination

When you engage in strength training, your muscles learn to work cohesively. Through training, muscles are activated and begin to work efficiently. When your muscles are engaged, they are likely going to work together in unison, enhancing strength and coordination.

You never work just one individual muscle, every movement is composed of fibers from many different muscles. In order to maintain coordination, all muscles need to learn how to work together. In golf, it is crucial that you have good hand-eye coordination. As you activate the muscles in your body through your swing, the muscles in your brain direct your body where to point, shoot, and hit the ball. This coordination is potentially the most important aspect of golf. By strength training, your body will fall into a rhythm of coordination.

Benefit 3: A More Powerful Golf Swing

When you have more strength in your arms, legs, and core, you will be able to drive the ball further down the field. Not only must you have balance and coordination, you also must have the power to send the ball flying across the course.

Many people believe that if they can strengthen their forearms then they will thrive in their golf game. If you want more power in your swing, you must strengthen your abdominal and leg muscles. Your legs are used to support your body as you move forward into your swing. The muscles in your core are needed to position your torso correctly so that your ball can reach the green. Powerful swings start with a robust, full-body strengthening regimen.

Best Strength Training Exercises for Golfers

There are many great strength training exercises that golfers can complete to take their game to the next level. The three categories of muscles that are crucial for golfers are:

• Abdominals and Obliques

• Upper Body - Forearm, Shoulders, Upper Back

• Hamstrings and Quadriceps

Many people do not recognize that golf is a sport that requires full-body strength. There are exercises in each muscle group that will help you improve your game today.

Abdominals and Obliques - Core Exercises for Golfers

It is important to find exercises that work the entirety of your core. A strong core will stabilize your body as you swing the golf club. Some of the best core exercises for golfers include:

• Side Plank

• Russian Twist

• Glute Bridges

By engaging in these exercises, you will activate muscles throughout your entire core.

Upper Body Strength

Your upper body plays a huge role in the power of your golf swing. As these muscles strengthen, they help to reduce any tension being held in the lower back. Some of the most effective upper body exercises for golfers include:

• Push-ups

• Bench Presses

• Preacher Curls

When you work your upper body, it is important to engage the muscles in both your shoulders and your back. For golfers, it is important to complete exercises that increase the strength of their forearms.

Hamstrings and Quadriceps - Leg Exercises

Your leg muscles help you to complete a controlled, strong golf swing. By working the muscles in your legs, you are more likely to keep your body in the correct position for the entirety of your swing. The following leg exercises are effective for golfers:

• Single Leg Deadlifts

• Back Squats

• Reverse Lunges

These exercises fire up your hamstrings and quadriceps. By focusing on these muscle groups, you will see improved posture and power in your golf game.

Conclusion

Strength training is one of the most underrated components of an improved golf game. As people gain strength and coordination, they are likely to see more power in their swing. Strength training routines should include exercises that work muscles throughout the core, legs, and upper body. Do not be worried if you do not have a gym to go to during COVID or when you are out of your daily grind - the majority of these exercises can be done in the comfort of your home. By engaging the muscle groups throughout your body, you can take your golf game to the next level.

Bio:

Brian runs Home Gym Strength a site that is all about helping people affordably maintain their health, fitness, and strength during the Global Pandemic!

Image Sources

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