The End of the Golf Season - A New Plan
By Paul Wilson
We're now coming into November and you know what that means ...
it's time to reflect on your golf performance this past season.
You should be asking yourself if you're content with your
current level of play. If you are, you should be figuring out
what you are going to do to retain this level of play next
season. If you're not content with your game, you should be
asking yourself what you are going to do to change things so
next year will be better.
Because most people want to improve their game, this article
outlines a few things you should do to take your game to a new
level. Let's first understand why you are not playing to the
best of your ability:
What The Average Player Usually Does
Once the warm weather nears, the excitement of the new golf
season is fierce. Those who have said to themselves that "this
is going to be the year" are chomping a the bit to get it done.
The first thought is that buying some new equipment will be the
answer. This may help a little but shooting great scores is not
as simple as just buying new equipment. If it was, you wouldn't
be reading this tip.
Another thing the average player may do at the start of the
season, is to go to their local pro for a lesson or 2.
Unfortunately, after one or 2 lessons they don't see any
immediate improvement so they become discouraged. Once
discouraged, this person starts to think about buying new
equipment again looking for that "miracle cure". This is a never
ending cycle that results in no one making substantial
improvement.
What the Average Player Should Be Doing
What the average player should be doing is working on their game
now, throughout the winter and regularly hereafter. Why now?
Isn't it too cold out? Learning the proper swing fundamentals,
short game technique, mental game and physical conditioning
takes a little work so starting now will get the average player
ready to go at the start of the season. If you start in the
spring, you'll be using prime golf time to make changes. Why not
makes changes to your game now so that you can beat your friends
next season? If you're someone who really wants to improve your
game here are 10 things you can do:
1. Write down your goals with a timeline so you can track your
progress. Goals are very important. If you set your goals well
in advance, it will motivate you to accomplish them.
2. Choose a qualified teacher. Different teachers have different
theories about the golf swing. My theory is based on the Iron
Byron swing machine. I have people copy the 3 elements of the
Iron Byron because it is a machine that was modeled after
golfing legend, Byron Nelson's golf swing. Other teachers have
different theories about the swing. If my method sounds
interesting then visit my other website www.swingmachinegolf.com
to find out more or use the internet, golf channel, library or
bookstore to find a teacher's theory that you can relate to.
3. Once you've found the right teacher you can: 1) take a few
late season lessons to get you started, 2) take some online
lessons (some teachers offer this service where you send them
video of your swing for analysis) or 3) purchase that teachers
books or videos so that you can work on their method through the
winter.
4. Set up a practice station at home with a piece of 4' x 4'
carpet on the floor with a full length mirror (available at Home
Depot under $20). Position the mirror close enough to allow you
to watch yourself swing and check your new positions. On the 4'
x 4' carpet, lay down some lines of masking tape to indicate
your alignment and ball position. People think that you have to
hit balls to get better which is simply not true. Remember, you
are trying to make changes to your swing. If you can regularly
practice your new swing positions towards a mirror, you will
have the new swing positions perfected by the time spring rolls
around.
5. Set up a putting and chipping station in your basement or
garage with a plastic practice hole and a long piece carpet (15'
- 20' )that represents the putting surface. Use a piece of
carpet ( 2' x 4' ) with a thicker pile at the other end to hit
chip shots into the hole. Remember, the short game is vital to
scoring. A little practice throughout the winter will go along
way next season.
6. Design a golf specific workout program that includes
stretches. More flexibility will dramatically increase your
distance. There are plenty of programs available on the
internet.
7. Find a good software program that allows you to track your
stats next season. If you can see the weak areas of your game
you can work on these specific areas. Again, there are plenty of
programs available on the internet.
8. Continue your instruction. The best players in the world have
coaches who they see regularly. When you are first making
changes you may have to take lessons weekly. As your new swing
progresses, you should have a check up every month to keep you
on track. This is important because what you think you are doing
and what you are actually doing are usually two completely
different things.
9. Consult a sports psychologist or at least read some books by
the best sports psychologists in the business. Becoming mentally
tough is very important in allowing you to overcome the many
adversities this game presents.
10. Have your equipment checked by a qualified club fitter or
instructor. Having the proper equipment is vital to your game.
Make sure you have the proper shafts, your lie angles are
correct, your grips are new and they are the clubs you should be
using. A good club fitter will have a launch monitor that will
tell you the exact kind of clubs you should be using.
Hopefully, you understand what it takes to become a better
player. It is not as simple as just buying new clubs or taking
the odd lesson. It takes hard work, determination and a plan.
This may not sound like a lot of fun but it sure is fun adding
up a 75 on your scorecard.
Paul Wilson
Creator - Swing Machine Golf
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