Practice with a Purpose

August 20, 2007 by admin

For the past couple of weeks I (Tim) have been on a “golfing tour” of sorts.

First, I played in a Nationwide Event 2 weeks ago, then spent a couple of days teaching at the PGA Championship in Tulsa, then played in a PGA Pro-Am (was there with Jon Daly – some of you might have heard his interview today talking about Cherokee Hills – course he played yesterday for practice – was there with him…) and walked the PGA with Todd for a couple of days (interesting side note – surprising how many recognized Todd from the Golf Channel interviews about Moe… pretty cool…)

Needless to say, in the past couple of weeks, we have been around a lot of pretty good players. Okay, a little better than pretty good – the best players in the world… (I spent about 2 hours today with my son watching Tiger warm up and play a few holes…)

As I watched these players there were some very interesting points that came to my mind I wanted to share with all of you. Especially as we watched them practice for their tournaments (whether at the Nationwide Event or the PGA) … Not necessarily the practice just before they were about to play (warm up type practice – or as you have learned – Practice type A), but rather the practice they put in on Monday/Tuesday before their event (Practice type B).

1. Focus – It was amazing the focus the players put in their practice.

What do I mean by focus – give you an example.. Justin Rose was working on his takeaway – apparently, he (and his coach) felt like he was taking the club too far inside on his backswing. I watched him for about 15 minutes on the range. He would take 10 to 15 practice backswings (just backswings), looking at his backswing, trying to “feel” the correct move, performing it over and over and over again VERY slow – then he would hit a shot. I bet in 15 minutes, he only hit about 10 to 15 golf balls – all the rest of the time was spent “rehearsing/practicing” the correct move in his backswing. His focus on his practice was amazing. I saw this same type of practice in most every player on the practice tee…. when you could tell they were getting tired (100* temperatures will do that to you pretty fast) – they would walk away and take a break or quit for a while… it was very obvious… when they lost their focus, they walked away.

2. Rhythm – As always, the rhythm of good players is a lot of fun to watch.

What do I mean by rhythm? Good players NEVER try to force the ball – the “let it happen”. In other words, I would bet most use 80% or less of their energy when they are hitting shots. They understand a shot hit solid is MUCH better than a shot hit hard. It will be more consistent, controllable, and most importantly – repeatable.

3. Practice Stations – Todd pointed this out to me… at least 9 out of 10 of the professionals on the range had at least an alignment type tool on the ground when they were practicing.

Some as simple as a golf club pointed to the target, some much more elaborate devices. Some had training type clubs (grips, etc..), some swing type jackets, and many other devices… Shingo Katayama had a hoop type device hanging from this neck with two golf gloves hooked onto the hoop – he put this gloves in his armpits (assume he was trying to keep his elbows in during his swing…) Needless to say – many, many different training aids were being used.

4. Time Spent Wisely – Maybe because it was 100* + or maybe because they knew where you score – but without exception – more time was spent on the short game practice area than the driving range.

Time was spent working on putting, chipping, pitching and bunker play. Was interesting watching the practice on the green – most had some type of practice station set up (as simple as two tees in the green – putting between, to using a string for alignment to as elaborate as mirrors and putting arcs, etc.)

So what can you do…

Work on all the above. Set up your practice sessions so you can focus on getting better – focus on very specific areas of your swing/golf game. Don’t get “tied up” working on the “entire game” – the more specific you work, the better you will become. Use training type tools to help you practice, whether they are as simple as a string on the green (ALL my alumni better be using these.. you can see more in our Total Game Overview), to as elaborate at our Training Grip Club – practicing with the “correct tools” will ALWAYS aid in improvement if done right.
This past week (while Scott was on vacation) – I answered the phone for him and answered many emails. I bet I answered 150 to 200 calls/emails relating to the golf swing other golf game issues. A lot of good questions – but I will be completely honest with you here – 95% of them could have been answered if they would have watched our instructional material – our Total Game Overview or our 7 Principles of Golf Improvement. If you haven’t seen our instructional material you are “behind the 8 ball” – yes, we do have a lot of information on our website and now youtube – but it is NOTHING compared to our instructional material in our Total Game Overview or our 7 Principles…

Good Luck, Tim

Remember – Always Practice with a Purpose

Letting Others (GGA Alumni) Help You

August 20, 2007 by admin

I don’t know why – maybe because we asked for opinion’s on our new promo video (see above), but for some reason I received many emails this past week from our alumni telling us about their improvement and “what they have done” to get better….

Like I always say, I am not sure if there is any better “references” than to listen to those just like you.

“How did they do it?”

“What can I “copy” to get better like them” …

Before I list some of these emails, I want to restate: These GGA alumni are just like you… most work (have limited time for golf), most are between mid-40s and 70, most started at mid to high handicaps, all want to get better at this game.

Hopefully, reading these emails will help you think of ways you can improve and get better at this game as these alumni are. (I have bolded some points I think will help EVERYONE.)

Email #1 From: John Olson, MN

“Hi Tim, I finished second in our club championship both in low net and low gross – handicapping if some high handicap gets hot can really be a problem.

On very slick tucked greens – I shot a 79 (45 mph gusts) – 70 for a 149 total (par 144) to finish 2nd. The guy who won low gross is a +1 and beat me by 2 strokes.

Currently, I am playing at a 5 and shrinking. Funny thing is I only play 9 holes a week, but spend my time in my basement practicing tempo and positions – always practicing with a purpose.

What has been interesting for me to observe is how much emphasis needs to be on the PUTTING GAME at a higher level. Listen to this, for the week I was #1 in fairways and GIR – finished 2nd. My putting was only average and the guy who won was fantastic, despite finishing out of the top ten in every other category. Once the ball striking gets to a point and your short game gets better – it is all about putting. Interesting to me is that I think I need to get my putter fit as well. I noticed how many times I miss hit putts and it was scary. I think many overlook how important getting a putter fit is to your game – all my other equipment is, why not a putter as well.

I just wanted you guys to know in the 7 years I now have bought into your method – my handicap has gone down from a 22 to 5 and that is only because I get 1.5 hours a week to play. In my mind, I am a scratch golfer and I carry that confidence with me to the course. There was a point in time I couldn’t keep the ball in the next fairway, now I am upset when I am in the primary cut. For me to get to the next level – I will become a better putter.

Oh by the way (the even better news) – I also qualified for the MN Amateur, but sadly cannot play due to unexpected family stuff.

I get so many compliments on my swing and accuracy now – your approach has taken me to this level. Be sure to tell people how important mirrors and video are – it is the way to quick improvement. Oh, one more thing – tell people to stop listening to people on the range. If you don’t have a plan before you go to the range – don’t go! Your improvement plan must be your own – or it simply won’t work.

This winter I start a complete breakdown of my putting game and change the way I do business on the greens. If I want to excel in even harder tournaments – this needs to happen.

Thanks Todd and Tim for everything

Loyal student since 2000 John Olson

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Email #2 From: G. Benore. MI:

“The new video is FABULOUS! Great marriage of music and the written word. I thought the graphics were way more powerful than the usually spoken word by a narrator.

Btw – my swing is coming around. Finally learning to come down from the inside. Been really concentrating on basics (mostly grip, set up and the first couple feet of backswing.) Much more distance and very straight. I was playing with my buddy and his daughter a couple of weeks ago (she’s a captain in the Coast Guard) and I finally missed a fairway about hole 14. She laughed and told me she was starting to think I made a deal with the devil.

A free information CD is a great idea. As my swing has improved, people have been approaching me on the range and asking why my ball goes so straight. I’ve been carrying around a few business cards in my bag, and I write www.swinglikemoe.com on the back and give it to them, along with a spiel. I also sent a VERY much brainwashed NG’er to your Site, and his initial suspicion was completely overcome by your instruction, honesty, and sincerity. He told me that he thought NG was indeed a fine instruction school, until he saw your Site, which blew him away.

I finished “The art of learning” by Josh Waitzkin. Fabulous book. He speaks at length about building a trigger, finding ways to enter the zone naturally, how to deal with setbacks and mental challenges, etc. He’s the guy who was a world champ at chess when he was just 7 or 8 years old, (the movie “searching for Bobby Fischer” is about him, it’s a true story.) got burned out by competitive chess at 20, wandered into a Tai Chi class, and was a world Champ in the fighting form of Tai Chi in just 3 years!!! He realized that what he is good at it learning to do new things. He says that learning anything is the result of lots of small, repeated steps, and the zone is the zone, no matter the activity. He says the zone for chess, the zone for fighting tough guys, and the zone for writing a book are ALL THE SAME ZONE, AND THAT IT IS THE SAME FEELING FOR EACH! Great, great book, I think all of you guys would like it. It’s been on the best seller lists for a few weeks, I think. http://www.joshwaitzkin.com/

Take care, my friend, and keep up the good work.”

GB D. Gary Benore

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Email #3 From: Bill Mulderig, NY

“Hi Tim and Todd,

This is Bill Mulderig about to be 72 years old. I attended your school in May at Conn. My game was a shambles 102 to 112 all spring.

Yesterday I scored 88 ; last week I beat the ex-club champion in a match to advance. My partners some aged 50 and younger are astounded at how far my drives have advanced.

I am having a ball. THANKS! I watch all your tapes and practice a lot with the club [GGA Training Grip Club]. I am shooting to break 80 this season, all I can say is you guys are truly terrific.

I tell all my freinds to contact you and in fact I recently gave your web site to a local PGA professional who coaches at Spring Valley High school in Rockland County NY.

I suggested he become a teacher of the Moe Norman discipline. I hope he contacts you (Sean K.) Anyway old geezers can learn new tricks!!

Thanks Bill

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Email #4 From: Bill Salmon, OH

“Tim, Check out this month’s Golf Magazine, Feature article how your game can be improved with a 3/4 swing.

No mention of single plane. Two Ph.D.’s, figured this one out….

If this story can be featured in Golf magazine, The Moe/Graves story should also be a candidate to be featured. These genius’ s only have part of the story, it’s a poorly written 1/2 truth.

Bill Salmon

Shot 74 yesterday, a personal best. After 2 1/2 years , it’s finally sinking in, I have my 9 plane swing down to one plane. Thank you, Graves Academy! Swinging at 80% and hitting it square is far more effective than swinging hard! Again the Troubles and Solutions, helped me turn the corner.”

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Again, as I always say – you can definitely learn from those that have “walked in your shoes”…. I love hearing about all our alumnus’ improvement – I receive emails like these EVERY DAY. Keep them coming!!!

Hopefully, you will find information in these I copied above that will help you with your game…

Good Luck, Tim Remember – Always Practice with a Purpose

Trigger Revisited

July 20, 2007 by admin

The past couple of weeks, we have taught a few schools and quite a few students. Seems it is a good time to talk about the “trigger” again. We have been getting questions about how to practice, what to practice, etc… Thought would start with revisiting about the “trigger” (and a few new points…).

Why is it so difficult to take the game to the course and/or make swing changes that stick? Yes, the million dollar questions… thought I’d bring the subject back up again and discuss a little more in this e-tip.

Want everyone to do an experiment for me. Get a video camera – set it behind you (down the line) and make a video of your golf swing — WITHOUT a golf ball. Only swing a couple of times. Now – next twist – do it with your EYES closed (again without a golf ball).

Now – take a golf ball – (even a wiffle ball if you want to do this in you back yard). Set up over the ball – hit it at a target (again – videoing the swing).

Take this video inside and look at on your T.V. What do you see? What are the differences?

Most of you (if not all of you) will be amazed. It will look like Dr. Jeckle and Mr. Hyde… One will be very close to on plane (without golf ball), the other will look like (as many of our students say) – “chaos”.

Now – the million-dollar question again – WHY???

The reason is you have made the golf ball a “Trigger”. Meaning you have taught yourself to react to the ball in a certain way.

If you question this – let me give you a couple other triggers you do every day.

1. Brushing your teeth – Dentists can tell you if you are right handed or left handed by your gums and teeth. For most, those who are right handed will pick up a toothbrush and brush the left side of the mouth first (and with more force) and then work to the right side. Your gums on the left side will be worn down more than the right…. HABIT – Toothbrush and brushing teeth trigger.

2. Riding a Bike – Get on a bike – standing position (still) and start pedaling. You will push the pedal to start with either your right or left leg to start. Right-handers typically with the right leg, left-handers typically with left leg…. Try pushing the other to start – very difficult. In fact, bicycle repair shops can tell you if you are right or left handed/footed by which side of the sprocket and pedal are warn/bent… by which side of the bike gets the most force…. (mine is always right..). Trigger – riding/starting a bike.

Why is this? Are we creatures of habit? Is there hope for us to change if we don’t like our current habits from the triggers? ABSOLUTELY.

Now let’s talk about the change.

First – you can’t change the trigger itself. When you hit a golf ball on the course you will always have that trigger – the ball. But, we can change the habit to the trigger.

If you don’t think you can change – then CREATE NEW HABITS. I am sick to death of those who tell me “I can’t break old habits”. I reply to them – “Great – either can I, so I create NEW habits”.

How do we change the habit – or more importantly, how do we build the new/correct habits?

1. You must perform SLOW REPETITIVE changes to form a habit that sticks. So much so, it will become VERY monotonous and even so much so, it may become part of your routine over the shot (for ex. Mike Weir making sure he doesn’t bring the club back inside on his takeaway, so before each shot he has a routine of a 1/4 backswing checking positions).

2. These SLOW REPETITIVE changes must be worked on 95% of the time until they become habit (when you don’t have to think about them). Think of all the times you have taken a full swing, vs. the number of times you performed a SLOW practice swing or focused on being in the right positions in the swing (maybe took a backswing to the top and stopped checking the top of the swing…) If the full swings out number the slow repetitive 1/4 to 1/2 (no ball) swings, it isn’t enough.

Point: I can guarantee Todd and myself (and Moe and any other professional) have taken thousands of practice swings (1/4 to 1/2 or shorter without ball – checking positions) vs. every full swing. Checking, checking and rechecking the correct positions in the swing when taking a practice swing.

Give you a quick story…

The end of February (2 years ago..) I was put in the ER for severe dehydration (our students at the school wore me out… just kidding…) In the ER I was given an IV to rehydrate me with saline and potassium… To be honest, I was so dehydrated, I really didn’t recognize anyone except Todd and one other. So picture me sitting on a ER bed, IV in my arm, having to use the restroom about every 2 minutes as they are rehydrating me. I had Todd carry my IV bag into the restroom to help me out… (as a nice brother should… you’d hope…).

Anyway, after about an hour, I was using the restroom (again) – looked over at Todd who was supposed to be holding my IV bag helping me and guess what – IV bag was laying on the sink and he was checking his swing in the bathroom mirror…… Yup – brother dying, check swing!! (To be honest, was pretty funny when all was said and done).

Point of story, the swing is checked and habits are formed AWAY from the trigger – which is the ball. Even in times of “crisis” – golfers will and should check their swings…

Now, what do you need to do to fix/build your swing and get away from the “triggered swing” that produces the bad habits.

1. Get a model to copy (yes, no matter what swing you are working on – you need something to model/copy). Obviously we use Moe Norman’s golf swing – we believe the best/most effective/efficient swing in the industry… If you don’t have a good picture/video/etc.. of the model – GET IT!!!! Don’t waste your time without a good working knowledge of what model you are trying to copy. I my opinion – if the instruction you are looking at isn’t telling you what Moe did or in worst case scenario – how to get the club on a single plane – RUN!!! This is EXACTLY why we wrote our instructional videos – to give you a model to copy/emulate, etc…

If you don’t have a video of Moe or one of our videos at least go to the videos we have put on Youtube – at least this is a start: http://www.youtube.com/GravesGolfAcademy

2. Work on drills/positions/new habits – SLOW, SLOW, SLOW – did I mention – SLOW!!! Drills for example (just a few..): Line drill (as seen in Vol #2 of 7 principles – to work on leverage angles). PVC drill (Etips under “Moetion” of the Backswing – www.swinglikemoe.com)

Leverage Bag – (Pretty much in every instructional material we put out..) Positions –

Look in a mirror – check setup, backswing, top of swing (why every student at our schools have their own mirror behind their station).

Make sure the club AND clubface are on plane throughout the backswing and top of swing (check and compare to model).

Check impact (slow motion) (Total Game Overview and Vol #1 and #2 7 Principles..) Check release (slow motion) (same) Chipping Drill – simulates impact and leverage angles through impact – SLOW – did I mention SLOW. There are MANY MANY more…

But point being – form the habit – memorize the positions to becoming a good habit and that will change the trigger. DO NOT think that “pounding” golf balls – one after another after another after another will change the trigger – IT WON’T. Slow, repetitive drills, checking positions and very easy swings will.

I (Tim) Guarantee this will be absolutely the most inclusive and best explanation of drills, etc.. to follow to master Moe’s Single Plane Swing – if not – you are MORE THAN WELCOME to call me personally.

We have had 100s purchase this DVD – go to our forum and talk to them – you will see/read what I am talking about.

Remember – Always Practice with a Purpose (Hopefully after this e-tip – may mean a little more to most..)

Tim

Good Luck

Success

April 20, 2007 by admin

Before I begin, want to send a big Congratulations to Zach Johnson (2007 Master’s Champion). Todd and I played on the mini tour with Zach for 3 years on the NGA Hooter’s tour – Zach is from Cedar Rapids, IA and graduated from Drake University. Remember when he first came out of Drake, he came to the mini tours and we were told how good he was. Todd and I played a lot of golf with Zach – he missed his first 7 cuts on the Hooter’s Tour – we all assumed he was just “another flash in the pan…” Yeah right…. Congrats Zach…

This past week, I was watching a special on HBO about John Wooden, famous UCLA basketball coach. Considered one of the greatest (if not the greatest) coaches of all time. I assume many of you know Coach Wooden’s history (much better than myself), which includes: In 27 years as Bruin coach, his teams registered 620 wins, and only 147 losses while earning far more national honors than any other university. Under Wooden, UCLA won an unprecedented 10 NCAA championships, including seven consecutive (1966-73). Included in the string is one of the most amazing win streaks in all of sports, 38 straight NCAA tournament victories. In addition, there is the all-time NCAA consecutive winning streak record of 88 games over four seasons, which included consecutive 30-0 seasons in 1971-72 and 1972- 73. UCLA also won 149 of 151 games in Pauley Pavilion during his Bruin tenure. John Wooden is the only coach to compile four undefeated seasons of 30-0 and his Bruin teams captured 19 conference championships (the record of which Wooden is most proud).

A couple of points struck me as I watched the special. Why was Wooden so successful? Why were his teams so consistent? What bread the consistency? How can we relate this to what we do in our golf games/teachings…

One of the really cool stories that were told in the special, was told by many of his famous past players (such as Bill Walton, Jeff Bridges, etc..). They described the annual ritual all the players went through at their first yearly practice.

Imagine a room full of the top players in the country. The best of the best of the best college players (and all American high schools, then freshmen at UCLA) sitting in a room ready to begin the journey at UCLA. In walks Coach Wooden.

What is he going to tell them? What is he going to expect?

Coach Wooden looks at the team. He tells them to take their socks and shoes off. He asks them to put their socks back on. He tells them to try again. And again, and again. Finally, after a few tries, he shows them the proper way to put on basketball socks. (As described by Bill Walton). Snug over the toes, rolled over the center of the foot, then the heel, then pulled tight over the calves. The players do this over and over until the master putting their socks on.

Next, they put on their basketball shoes. They lace them up. Wooden tells them to try again, and again and again.

Finally, after a while, he shows them the proper way to put basketball shoes on. You put them on, then lace from the bottom up. One lace at a time. Pulling the bottom lace tight, then the next, then the next, until you reach the top – pull tight and tie. Imagine 15 of the best college basketball players of the time learning how to put socks and shoes on. Coach Wooden goes over this process again and again until all master putting on their socks and shoes correctly.After the last person masters this process, Coach Wooden looks at his players and says, “You have now mastered the first fundamental of great basketball, putting your socks and shoes on correctly. Putting them on correctly will keep you from getting blisters. If you get blisters, you can not play basketball. No matter how great you think you are, with blisters on your feet, you are nothing.”

I saw this and about feel out of my chair!! (In fact, they were showing Bill Walton and others putting on their dress shoes today – they still did it Wooden’s way… every time.)

What a great metaphor to what we do. Without the proper fundamentals of Moe’s Single-Axis Golf Swing – you’ve got nothin’ (As Moe even said, “Without a proper Set-Up, you ain’t got nothin’”).

Couple of questions to ask yourself…

1. How good are your fundamentals? 2. Have you mastered the basic fundamentals of Moe’s Single Axis Swing? (Too many golfers get too tied up with details and forget about the fundamentals..)

Start with these fundamentals: 1. The grip. How good is your grip? Have you mastered the proper grip so as you are working on the rest of your swing, you are not compensating for an improper/poor grip?

To see more about the proper grip see our Online Instruction page and see the ‘Advanced Grip Instruction’ slideshow. If you have questions about your grip and want a check system – you might want to consider the training grip club.. we have sold 1000s of the clubs and it has done a lot of good for many who have used it. A wonderful check system to master the proper grip.

2. Set up. Next to look at is your set up. Is your lead arm above your trail? Is there a straight line from your lead shoulder to your club head? Is there a straight line (from the back view) from your club head through the lower part of your trail forearm?

To see more about proper set up see our Online Instruction page and see the “Posture and Stability / Ideal Setup slideshow.

3. Back Swing. Do you have a proper backswing. Is the club on plane in the backswing? Do you hinge you hands/wrists at the appropriate point?

To see more about proper back swing see our Online Instruction page and see the “Backswing” slideshow.

4. Impact – Are you facing ball at impact? Are your shoulders, knees and feet square to the ball at impact? Are your hips “open/turned” at impact? Are you hands leading the ball at impact?

To see more about the proper impact position, see our Online Instruction page and see the “Practicing with the Leverage Bag” slideshow.

These are core fundamentals of Moe’s Single Axis Swing. I bring these up again, because we see so many golfers (single axis golfers and others) who think they have certain problems in their swing, when it really comes down to improper fundamentals.

Proper fundamentals are a key to a consistent swing and consistent ball striking. Never ASSUME your fundamentals are good, check, check and check often.

A second part of Coach Wooden’s story surrounded his “Pyramid of Success”. This was an model he developed to breed/teach success in his players. It involved such things as Poise, Confidence, Condition, Skill, Self Control… a model in which is players/assistant coaches studied to condition success in themselves and the program.

We at the GGA have created our own “Pyramid of Success” for our students. It is called our “7 Principles of Golf Improvement”.

Todd and I created the 7 principles to help our students find and have ongoing success/improvement in their golf games. Using the 7 principles is a method to work on the ENTIRE game, not just parts. Remember, you are only as good as your worst part of your game.

Review of the GGA 7 Principles of Golf Improvement:

Develop a Sound, Repeatable, Powerful Swing of Ease based on Moe Norman’s Golf Swing. (Single Plane / Straight Line Motion).
Develop an efficient Short Game (50% up and down).
Become a good Putter (Under 30 putts per round).
Build or buy Clubs That Fit your game.
Learn to Play on the course using developed skills. (Course Management).
Learn How to Practice efficiently.
7.Learn How to Think.

Where are your strengths? Where are your weaknesses? You must work on your ENTIRE game, not just parts if you want to see improvement.

This doesn’t mean you have to spend hours and hours every day, you need to speed focused practice on areas of current weaknesses in your game._Doing this, will show improvement – GUARANTEED.

In conclusion – No matter whether you are learning basketball from a master coach like John Wooden, or trying to “shave a few strokes” off your game with the help of the Graves Golf Academy – there are common principles everyone must use to see the consistent improvement that will “last” over time.

Some of these principles include – Mastering the Fundamentals. Without proper fundamentals, you will always be hoping or guessing?

Another is to have a method to get better. Do you make it guess work? TOO MANY GOLFERS ARE HOPING AN WISHING TO GET BETTER WITH NO METHOD TO THEIR “MADNESS”. We suggest using our 7 Principles of Golf Improvement – a method to improving your entire game SIGNIFICANTLY.

We understand “Success” in their golf game is different for everyone. For one, it may be shooting a shot better than yesterday, for another it might be hitting it straight 2 times in a row, for a third, it might be cutting their handicap in half in a couple of months. But, no matter your definition, YOU MUST HAVE A METHOD to get there. We ask you stop guessing, use our principles to golf improvement and start to see the results you are looking for.

Good Luck – Remember – Always Practice with a Purpose

Troubles and Solutions

January 20, 2007 by admin

It’s time to make some progress on your golf swing.

The latest “Troubles and Solutions” DVD is designed to help you further understand your golf swing. The purpose is to have you make comparisons and “check” your golf swing against the ideal model (Moe Norman’s single axis swing).

There are 5 Places to spot Trouble in your golf swing

The Grip is the first place to check. How is your grip?

Remember – a good grip is a key to a good golf swing.

Trouble – if the grip is too strong (rotated too far to the right for right handers or left for left-handers), the club head will be shut at impact. You will make compensations in your impact position/swing, etc.. to make up for this improper grip.

Check the V’s formed between the thumb and forefingers – are they pointed to the correct spots – Remember as discussed in past e-tips (many times) – fingers of lead hand, palm of trail hand, but more importantly – the shaft should line up with the lower part of the trail arm – which leads to:

Address position puts the club on the single plane.

How is your address position?

Check that the shaft of the club lines up with the lower part of your trail arm.

Trouble – when the lead arm is NOT above the trail arm (from down the line view). The lead arm SHOULD be above the trail arm at set up. If not, will many times cause the “over the top” or outside to in downswing.

And from a face on position – a straight line if formed from your lead shoulder to the club head. Check the angle of your shoulder’s at set up.

Trouble – they should not be flat – they should be at an angle (tilt) backward. The lead shoulder should be above the trail shoulder at set up. If the shoulder’s are flat – most of the time, the lead arm will NOT be above the trail arm as described above.

This IS A SINGLE PLANE SET UP.

The club shaft and club face should move on plane.

Are the shaft and club face on plane?

Note – the shaft of the “bisects” the trail bicep muscle in the backswing. Also note, the hips and shoulders ARE turning in the backswing.

Trouble – lack of hip or shoulder movement in backswing will typically cause a “steep” angle in the backswing and then an over the top (outside to in) downswing.

Note – the club face should have the same angle as the back of your lead hand at the top of the swing – also note, the lead hand/wrist is relatively flat at the top of the swing.

Impact should return the club to the address plane.

How is your impact plane?

Notice at impact, feet are down, lead arm is DEFINITELY above the trail arm, shoulders, feet and knees are square (hips are OPEN) – this is “facing ball at impact”. This is proper impact position for a single axis swing.

Trouble – if the shoulders are open, feet are up, lead knee STRAIGHT – you have, or are, come over the top (outside to in) in your downswing.

Work on facing ball at impact position.

You should be stable through impact and into the finish.

How is your stability? Are your feet on the ground?

With a proper single axis “on plane” swing, stability should be produced through and past impact. Notice – feet are still down, KNEES ARE STILL FLEXED – including forwarding knee – the shaft of the club and trail arm form straight line – the hands ARE RELEASED.

Trouble – it is basically impossible to acquire this position if you have poor grip and/or poor set up and/or poor takeaway and/or poor impact position. Working on these positions and parts of the swing allow for proper and stable release and finish.

When you begin looking at your golf swing correctly, you will begin to find out how you can understand your troubles and begin to have the correct solutions to solve the problems.

Wax On / Wax Off

January 20, 2007 by admin

Want to talk in this practice tip about how we learn the golf swing. We have discussed many times before, but it was of interest Todd, myself, Brent, Ken Martin and the Director of Golf at the Cowboy Club (Ft. Worth) (previously the director of instruction at the Byron Nelson Golf Academy) sat down to dinner last night and discussed how our students learn. Those that are effective learners and those that have a little more difficulty mastering what we are teaching them. It was interesting that the conversation seems to always come back to what Todd and I call the “Wax On/Wax Off” theory. We didn’t term this phrase (in fact, I think we may have heard it on the golf channel years ago) – but it is SO TRUE it seems to fit all golfers trying to learn any methodology.

Let me explain.

Do you remember the movie “Karate Kid”. (I know I’m going to mess up the names, so I’ll apologize early).

Ralph Maccio (Daniel LaRusso/the karate kid) is getting beat up at his new school by a bunch of kids that know karate. (At that time he had known nothing about martial arts). The gentleman and resident handyman Mr. M (a master of martial arts) decides to help him learn to defend himself.

One of the first scenes is the karate kid showing up at Mr. Miyagi house and looking at all his awards, prizes, martial arts material, etc.. He is “pumped up”… (Sounds like one of our students coming to our school or getting our instructional material, right….)

After talking to Mr. Miyagi for a while, the karate kid (novice right now..) states is a willingness to learn.

The next scene, you see Mr. Miyagi handing the karate kid a bucket and sponge and tells him to wash all his collection of cars (about 6 sitting outside his house).

As he is washing the cars, there is a VERY SPECIFIC way he is supposed to use the sponge to wash the cars (a circular motion to the right with the right and to the left with the left hand).

The karate kid finishes washing the cars. Now he is ready to LEARN KARATE!!

The next scene you see, Mr. Miyagi is handing him a pale of wax and a wax sponge and cloth. Mr. Miyagi very specifically tells him to put the wax on the cars with the right hand in a right circular motion and to take the wax off with the left hand in a left handed circular motion. He is VERY SPECIFIC with the directions.

The karate kid starts waxing. As he is on the 2nd car, Mr. Miyagi comes out and corrects his waxing – he has lost focus and is just “rubbing” the wax on the car. Mr. Miyagi describes in VERY DETAIL of how to put wax on the car and how to take wax off the car. He calls it WAX ON (right hand)/WAX OFF (left hand). Wax on, wax off, wax on, wax off, repeating over and over as he walks away.

(Hopefully most of you remember the scene as I am butchering the description…)

The next scene, it is now dark and the karate kid is mad. His arms, hands, elbows, shoulders are very obviously sore. In fact, he can hardly lift them. He has washed and waxed cars all day and learned nothing about karate. Mr. Miyagi says good night to him and they part ways…

The next day, the karate kid shows up again to Mr. Miyagi’s house. He is a little bit sarcastic this time and not sure he wants to be there. Mr. Miyagi takes him out to his large wooden deck/path and describes the process of sanding the deck by hand. Circular motion to the right with the right hand, and then circular motion to the left with the left hand. During the day, Mr. Miyagi again comes out many times to check on the sanding and to correct the sanding motion of the karate kid.

The 2nd night is now there. The karate kid is furious. He has spent two days washing, waxing and sanding this “old man’s” (as he says) car and deck and has learned nothing about karate. And he is about to go to school again and get beat up by those who do know something.

Mr. Miyagi comes out to say good night again and the karate kid lets him have it. “What are you doing?” “You’re a nothing, you only have me here doing your dirt work!” “I wasted my time for two days for absolutely nothing!”

Mr. Miyagi walks over to the karate kid (very calm) and has the karate kid show him the motions he has learned the previous two days. The circular to the right with the right hand and circular to the left with the left hand. Karate kid shows him the motions.

Now, Mr. Miyagi stands in front of him and says, you have just learned the fundamental blocks of karate – the core/basics of all martial arts, the key to success.

The final scene (of what we’ll talk about) Mr. Miyagi stands in front of the karate kid and punches at his head numerous times – with each blow, the karate kid using the WAX ON/WAX OFF technique and blocks every punch thrown at him. Mr. Miyagi backs off, bows and says the lessons will continue tomorrow.

To me, this is one of the coolest scenes in a movie – think of what went on and think of what you are trying to do to learn your golf game.

It is ABSOLUTELY a WAX ON/WAX OFF scenario. And all good golf instructors you talk to will tell you “I can explain the swing until I am blue in the face, over and over and over again, but it ultimately comes down to the student repeating the PROPER MOVES over and over and over and over again until it becomes a habit. And once you think it has become a habit – go sand the porch – do it again and again and again and again.

Let’s compare the story I just talked about to what we are trying to accomplish.

1st – Karate kid is getting beat up at school by the “bullies” – maybe your buddies are beating you at golf, maybe not. Maybe you are just frustrated with your golf game – maybe you just want to get better for a personal goal, whatever the reason,you have made a decision to get better at golf.

2nd – Karate kid asks for help from the local handyman… call the GGA your “golf handyman”…

3rd – Karate kid goes to his house and sees all his awards, etc.. – Come to our academy, we’d love to show you all our awards, but more importantly, our Moe “stuff” (videos, pictures, clubs, etc..)

4th – The karate kid is given a task by the “master” teacher. He is not explained why he is doing the task, but he told VERY SPECIFICALLY how to perform the task. When he is doing wrong he is corrected. What are your tasks/drills? We have many. We have listed them often and “preach” them again and again and again. Examples – SPPT drill, leverage bag drill, etc… You can see these on our past e-tips on our website. EVEN BETTER – these drills and motions can be seen on our instructional material – Total Game Overview, 7 Principles of Golf Improvement, Troubles and Solutions. This is a perfect example of how 1

picture is worth a 1,000 words, but one moving picture (seeing in action) is worth 1,000+++ pictures. This is your reference, how you see the WAX ON/WAX OFF.

5th – Mr. Miyagi has him do the task over and over and over again. Until it what – becomes a subconscious habit. You need to focus on particular areas of your swing. You will have weak areas and strong areas. For example – maybe your grip is not very good, but your take away is. You need to FOCUS on a correct grip – maybe get a grip training club, look in a mirror OFTEN, check the grip every time AFTER you hit a shot… there are many ways to check and drill over and over and over again on all areas of the swing.

6th- During the process, many times the karate kid thought Mr. Miyagi (the master teacher) was crazy. “Why is he having me do this?” “I am wasting my time”. Let me give you a hint – there is a method to our madness. We are not here to waste your time. We are here to teach you the fundamentally correct positions of Moe Norman’s Golf Swing – some ways may seem “very unusual” – but guess what – we have seen dramatic positive results with these drills and methods in MANY students and ourselves in the past – and better than that – it is what Moe taught us… trust us, there is a method to our madness.

Would you have ever imagined swinging a piece of PVC to learn the golf swing???? And it works – WAX ON/WAX OFF!!

7th – Finally to the amazement of the karate kid – when put to the test, he has learned some basic fundamentals of karate. He is amazed… Question for you is how much time do you think you need to spend doing a particular drill/movement over and over and over until it becomes a habit for you??

I can tell you from experience, it is more time than you think. Remember Ben Hogan’s theory – working on the same movement every day (one thing) for 21 days starts to create a habit….

Here’s your homework – you’ve got a little time (not due for a few weeks at least – or at least when it gets warm enough to start playing golf again..)

Figure out what you need to work on in your swing. Study our video(s), ask us a lot of questions, call/email anytime, go to our chatroom, come to a school/camp/lesson – do whatever it takes to figure out what you need to work on.
Set a goal or two on what you want to accomplish. Can be very specific or not (depends on what you want to do…) and time period can be short or long – again depends on you… but at least set a goal.
Start working on the “fix” – figure out how to “Wax On”/“Wax Off” properly. It is not hard – JUST DO IT RIGHT. That is what we are here for – ask us, use our instructional material…

Last hint/suggestion – I would rather you do NOTHING – THAN DO IT WRONG. It is not hard, but you need to learn to do it correctly. Make it easy on yourself….

Please let us know what else we can do for you,

Thanks for reading.

Remember – Always Practice with a Purpose

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