Tom Brady – Million Dollar Arm / Million Dollar Golf Swing

February 4, 2019 by admin

By Tim Graves, PGA

I was thinking about an article I wrote a few years ago – while watching Tom Brady in the Superbowl…. Tom Brady credits Tom House, PHD as his throwing coach (and attributes much of his success to Dr. House). Dr. House has worked with many current and past NFL and MLB quarterbacks and pitchers including Randy Johnson, Tim Tebow, Drew Brees, Nolan Ryan, Carson Palmer… just to name a few.

How many of you saw the movie Million Dollar Arm?

The movie has been out a few years now and is a true story about a baseball agent who goes to India and runs a contest “The Million Dollar Arm” to find couple potential baseball players to bring back to the United States and train to be MLB pitchers. The agent does find a couple of young men to bring back and takes them to Dr. Tom House (at U.S.C.) to train to become pitchers in the MLB. (Not to ruin the movie.. but one actually does become a pitcher in the MLB for a couple of years… Rinku Singh Rajput signed with the Pittsburg Pirates (pitcher) after training with Dr. House and prior NEVER playing baseball.)

A couple of years ago, I had the great fortune to spend 3 days with Dr. House. My son was invited to a pitching camp run by Dr. House and I was able to attend and spend a lot of time “bouncing” questions off of Dr. House and watching how himself and his assistants worked with potential future “big league” pitchers. (Since that camp, my son has trained and spent a lot of time with Dr. House and his assistant Alex Marney).

The reason I am writing this article is because of the numerous similarities between the training Dr. House promotes for his pitchers / quarterbacks and the training we promote for you to improve your golf swing. As Dr. House went through his training, why he trained in a particular manner and the reason he trained in a certain order – it was absolutely amazing the similarities in what he does and what we do (how he trains pitchers / quarterbacks and what we train golfers in the single plane golf swing).

Basically, Dr. House broke down the kinematic sequence of the movement of a pitcher / quarterback, then created VERY SPECIFIC drills to work on the particular areas of the kinematic sequence. Most of these drills DO NOT involve throwing the baseball or football, but rather static drills working on the different positions and movement. We do the same with the golf swing.

First – everything taught/trained is based off of what is called the kinematic sequence (whether it is the movement of the pitcher / quarterback or the golf swing – there is a particular sequence that is similar and in a particular order to be successful). Obviously, we will discuss the sequence in relationship to the golf swing, and we will discuss particular training drills to help you with the different movements/areas of the sequence.

Here is a picture of the kinematic sequence of a golf swing:

AMMkinematicsequencegraphb — Single Plane Sequence

In simple terms, what the sequence shows is the sequence of the downswing of the golf swing starts with the hips, then the thorax/shoulders, then the arms, then the golf club. One starts, then as it starts to slow down the next movement starts, etc… if the sequence is done correctly it will maximize speed and give you the best chance to get the club on plane.

We teach the same kinematic sequence in Moe’s single plane swing – with one addition. The start of the downswing is registered in the lead knee (left knee for right handed golfers, right knee for left handed golfers). In other words, in listing the sequence of the downswing of the single plane swing:

1. Lead knee followed by

2. Hips (Pelvis) followed by

3. Thorax (Shoulders) followed by

4. Arms followed by

5. Club

As Moe said – the golf swing is started with the lead knee. He would often say, “My lead knee starts my down swing”.

So, as the lead knee starts the down swing – let’s talk about a couple drills to help you get the lead knee working correctly. (As the same with Dr. House – you take VERY SMALL steps and very specific drills to work on the different areas of the movement / sequence).

First – you must set up correctly to allow for your lead knee to flex toward your lead toe. The lead toe must be turned out at least 10 degrees (up to 20 degrees). This turning of the lead toe outward will allow the lead knee to flex toward the toe in the downswing.

Second – you must be set up the correct distance from the golf ball. At least 26 inches from the golf ball to toe line with a 6 iron and at least 36 inches from the golf ball to toe line with a driver. Being too close to the golf ball at set up will cause the body to “pull away” from the golf ball to get enough room from the lead shoulder to the golf ball to make contact. Being the correct distance at set up (combined with clubs that fit you) will allow you to start the sequence correctly with the flex of the lead knee toward the lead toe.

Drill # 1 – Leverage Bag Drill

Review the video on the top of the page an

d focus on the hold impact position and the flexed lead knee. Knees are flexed at impact – the lead knee toward the lead toe. The flex of the lead knee starts the downswing (original move of the sequence) and stays flexed through impact.

Drill # 2 – Short Game / Pitching Drill

A pitch is basically a mini golf swing with a slightly open stance. The best part of working on your pitching is you can focus on very specific parts of the swing. Getting your hands down the target line and focusing on your proper lead knee flex through and at impact.

In particular review the pitching training video – In particular, 2:00 into the video. This video in particular focuses and shows you proper knee flex to start the downswing, through impact and finish.

It is strongly recommended to start working on your proper knee flex (the start of the kinematic sequence) with. Start small and work up…

Again, the key is the proper sequence of the golf swing to create maximum speed and gives you the ability to get the club on the proper plane.

Just as Dr. House does with his students, working/training on the specific parts / particular areas of the sequence will allow you to eventually maximize the proper sequence and greatly improve your golf swing.

The Single Plane Swing Positions – Step Drill 3D

February 4, 2019 by admin

After a few months of winter and quite a bit of “behind the scenes” work with the team at Graves Golf, I found myself in Orlando working with the team at K-Motion to discuss the future developments of Single Plane 3D.

As you know by now, we teach the Single Plane swing model of legend Moe Norman. Moe”s swing is based on a number of positions that, when recreated, produce the ideal swing motion. The Single Plane 3d Systems have the Moe Norman model built-into the system. This allows you to simply step into the model and train.

If you aren’t familiar with Single Plane 3D make sure you check out the website at www.singleplane3d.com to learn about Graves Golf’s most advanced form of Single Plane Training. 3D training incorporates biofeedback whereby you are instantaneously given signals if you are correctly positioned. To put it quite simply, biofeedback training is like having a coach with you every time you practice.

We also have the The Feeling of Greatness Golf Schools where we use the K-Motion 3D Biofeedback Technology. You can find out more about the 3D Schools here:

https://singleplane3d.com/the-feeling-of-greatness-golf-schools/

One thing that we teach in the schools is the importance of the body rotations. During the class I show how the body rotates and moves and we do a drill I call the “Rotation / Step Drill”. Here are a few of the key positions of the rotation drill.

The drill starts with the feet together with the body in the proper rotation (away from target), sidebend (tilt) and bends (forward). Once you are in the proper backswing you step into a flexed lead knee separating the lower body from the upper body. After you separate the lead leg braces and you rotate into a proper finish position.

Part 1: Backswing position with feet together.

Part 2: Step into your lead foot position without rotating your torso. The arms will drop into position.

Part 3: Move into position 3 keeping lead knee braced.

Part 4: Hit Position 3 of Step Drill, with lead knee braced.

Finish the Movement: Hit the Final Finish Position:

I recommend rotating and stepping dozens of times per day. You simply can’t do this enough to keep your body in rotational and fit condition.

To find out more about the exclusive instruction, drills and Single Plane 3D training, please feel free to contact us at 866-377-2316 or go to the website www.singleplane3d.com.

Jack Was on to Something

February 3, 2019 by admin

Jack Nicklaus was on to something when he discovered a truth about himself as a very young golfer – and used this fundamental knowledge his entire career.

Jack was known as a powerful golfer. A big, strong, somewhat thick, burly guy who could pummel the ball in ways unlike anyone in the game was doing when he arrived on the tour in the early 1960s.

But his mental discipline was thought to be one of the most important aspects of his game. Hale Irwin said recently: “ He (Jack) had a capacity to stay in the game all the time. He didn’t ever beat himself.”

Ultimately, a combination of superb shot-making skills and a highly-developed mental game on the course allowed him to amass the incredible record he owns in tournament play. ( 18 amateur wins, 18 major wins, Runner-Up in 19 majors, Top 5 in 56 majors, 73 PGA Tour wins, 117 wins total…etc. It’s an unbelievable resume!)

I think one of the keys to his mental game success can be found in a very innocuous quote from Jack himself that I heard him say in a documentary I saw last year: “ I learned when I was a young kid that if I got excited, I couldn’t play.”

Nicklaus learned how to calm himself– to tap into an inner calm and inner peace so that he could stay in the game – neither too excited nor too upset/frustrated. He taught himself to – as Moe Norman might have said it – take an alert attitude of indifference into his play. And this made a tremendous difference in allowing him to play so well in clutch moments.

(The one-iron on 17 at Pebble Beach in the 1972 US Open. The 40-foot putt on 16 at the 1975 Masters. The tee shot to three feet on the 16^that Augusta in 1986. The putt on 17 at Augusta in 1986. Or Jack’s favorite example of clutch play under pressure: the par, par, par finish to win his first Open Championship in 1966 at Scotland’s Muirfield Golf Links.)

In the 1963 Masters it poured rain during the Saturday round…to the point where it was very close to being cancelled. But Jack made a decision that he would not let the weather conditions bother him. He shot one of the best rounds of the day…then went on to win his first of five green jackets. He learned how to re-frame his experiences so that he could operate at a high level no matter what was happening. He would say after he retired that : “Pressure affected me in a positive way.”

Clearly his shot-making abilities were incredible. ( Great skills are a non-negotiable…so keep working on the model!) But his commitment to staying calm was also a HUGE part of his success.

His mental game success formula was so simple. So accessible to everyone. Not that hard. It just takes some awareness, intentionality and commitment in order to see your world in more productive way and to interpreting the events that occur in your environment – more objectively.

You may not be able to bomb it down the fairway like Jack Nicklaus did. (Or today’s equivalent – Brooks Koepka, Justin Thomas, Bubba Watson, Xander Schauffele…etc) But you CAN achieve the same level of calmness and mental skill that Jack realized… with some practice and attention.

By:

Tuning in to your own confidence level in any moment.
Recognizing that your feelings – fear, anxiousness, nervousness – are products of your THINKING.
Anchoring to more objective views of reality. (Ones not overly-laden with judgment.)
Remembering that – as Todd (Graves) likes to say: “Stuff happens. The rest is just story.”

Keep this in mind as you work on your game this winter. The most important opportunity in your game right now might not involve picking up your clubs, but rather, learning to cultivate a productive level of calm and inner-peace that you can take to the course.

-Paul

paul@paulmonahancoaching.com

Paul Monahan, PCC is a Peak-Performance coach, member of the International Coach Federation and a certified COR.E Performance Dynamicsä Specialist. He resides in Cleveland, Ohio with his wife Paula and is the proud dad to three young men.

Callaway Epic Flash RELEASED – NEW – plus Introductory Offers

February 3, 2019 by admin

THE REAL DEAL… INTRODUCTORY OFFER

The NEW Callaway Epic Flash Driver and Fairway Woods have been released and are shipping. They are out and reviews are POURING in!!!

The only driver that was awarded 20 out of 20 stars in the 2019 Golf Digest Hot List. The Epic Flash Driver employs a new Flash Face Technology, created by Artificial Intelligence, to help get more ball speed for more distance.

The Epic Flash Driver and Fairway woods employ a new Flash Face Technology, created by Artificial Intelligence, combined with their Jailbreak technology to help golfers get more ball speed for more distance. With these two technologies combined – these clubs will be the longest and most forgiving clubs in golf.

Epic Flash Driver:

New Flash Face Technology for Faster Ball Speed

Callaway engineers used Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning to create a radically different face design to promote faster ball speed in the center region of the face.

Jailbreak Technology for Faster Ball Speed

Internal Jailbreak bars stiffen and stabilize the crown and sole, placing more impact load on the face to promote faster ball speed.

New T2C Triaxial Carbon Crown Material for Higher MOI

A new lighter triaxial carbon fabric called T2C has a tighter weave; the weight it saves is redistributed within the head to raise MOI for exceptional forgiveness on off-center hits.

Adjustable Perimeter Weighting for Ball Flight Control

Sliding 16-gram weight gives golfers the power to easily promote draws, fades or a straighter flight.

Available in 9.0*, 10.5* and 12* Lofts (Adjustable) (Right and Left handed)

Come with Upgraded Graphite Shafting (fit to individual) at no additional cost through us at the Graves Golf Academy

Come fit to individual perfect for his / her single plane swing for length, shaft flex and weight (upgraded), loft, grip size with the GGA specialized grip (no additional charge).

Epic Flash Fairway Woods:

New Flash Face Technology for Unprecedented Ball Speed

Callaway engineers applied learnings from Artificial Intelligence to create a new fairway wood face design that promotes increased ball speed for longer distance.

Forged Carpenter Steel Face Cup for Fast Speed

Forged 455 Carpenter steel construction combines with Face Cup technology to deliver fast ball speed across the face for distance on center- and off-center hits.

Jailbreak Technology for Fast Ball Speed

Our innovative Jailbreak Technology incorporates two internal bars that stiffen the body, placing more impact load on the face for fast ball speed.

New OptiFit Hosel for Easy Launch and Optimal Flight

Callaway designed an entirely new adjustable hosel system that’s shorter and lighter; the saved weight is used to reposition the CG for easy launch and high, long-carrying flight.

Available in 3+, 3, 5, 7, Heavenwood, 9 and 11 woods (13.5*, 15*, 19*, 20*, 21*, 23* and 25*)

Come with Upgraded Graphite Shafting (fit to individual) at no additional cost through us at the Graves Golf Academy

Come fit to individual perfect for his / her single plane swing for length, shaft flex and weight (upgraded), loft, grip size with the GGA specialized grip (no additional charge).

Introductory Offers for Single Plane Academy Members and Non – Members.

Please contact Tim Graves at timg@moenormangolf.com or timkgraves@aol.com or tgraves@moenormangolf.com for pricing (Introductory Offers), additional questions, fittings, etc..

TimG@moenormangolf.com

Timkgraves@aol.com

FROM CALLAWAY:

The new Epic Flash driver employs a new Callaway technology called Flash Face to help golfers get more ball speed for more distance. That great feeling you get when you make a good swing and crush one off the tee? Flash Face makes the ball go faster and farther.

How? Flash Face’s unique, internal mapping consists of dozens of subtle ripples flowing from heel to toe. Though the size, height and configuration of the ripples appears random, they in fact work together cohesively to elevate COR in the face’s center region. That convention-defying accomplishment results

in a significant ball speed boost for a noticeable distance increase when you make solid contact, helping make your longest drives go even longer.

Flash Face’s sophisticated architecture was created by Artificial Intelligence – the first known instance of using A.I.in the golf equipment industry — and “Machine Learning,” a field of computer science that uses statistical techniques to give computer systems the ability to “learn” with data without being explicitly programmed. A new driver face design typically takes eight to ten iterations. Through Machine Learning our computers cycled through 15,000 face architecture iterations, learning from each one, before arriving at Flash Face.

The distinctive topography on the inner side of the Flash Face is forged from a special titanium and heat treated at 595 Celsius (1100F) for two hours to create a face that combines a low modulus measurement, for flexibility and speed, with excellent strength properties.

The Epic Flash driver also incorporates our revolutionary Jailbreak technology that promotes fast, face-wide speed. The two internal, hourglass-shaped Jailbreak bars connect the crown to the sole, stabilizing and stiffening those two parts at impact, allowing the face to take on greater impact load to generate faster ball speed. Together, Flash Face and Jailbreak make the Epic Flash one of the most innovative and technologically advanced drivers in Callaway history.

“We couldn’t have come up with Flash Face using conventional engineering principles,” said Dr. Alan Hocknell, senior vice president of R&D. “We wouldn’t have gone in this direction without A.I. because it’s non-intuitive compared to previous face technologies, including our own VFT and X-Face. The wave configuration isn’t symmetrical, nor does the pattern seem logical. Yet the ripples work together in a complex manner to maximize ball speed. There’s never been anything like Flash Face before in golf equipment, and the effect on performance is intense.”

Employing A.I. allowed Callaway engineers to speed the evolution of face technology dramatically – “Flash Face isn’t something a human would have arrived at any time soon,” said Hocknell. “Without the help of A.I. and machine learning we couldn’t have come up with this design.”

Epic Flash also incorporates a new triaxial carbon fabric, called T2C, which has a tighter weave that allows us to take weight from the crown and reposition strategically in the head to create high MOI that promotes better distance and accuracy performance on mis-hits.

Callaway Epic Flash – NEW

January 21, 2019 by admin

THE REAL DEAL… INTRODUCTORY OFFER

The NEW Callaway Epic Flash Driver and Fairway Woods have been released and is shipping. It is out and reviews are POURING in!!!

Epic Flash Driver:

New Flash Face Technology for Faster Ball Speed

Callaway engineers used Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning to create a radically different face design to promote faster ball speed in the center region of the face.

Jailbreak Technology for Faster Ball Speed

Internal Jailbreak bars stiffen and stabilize the crown and sole, placing more impact load on the face to promote faster ball speed.

New T2C Triaxial Carbon Crown Material for Higher MOI

A new lighter triaxial carbon fabric called T2C has a tighter weave; the weight it saves is redistributed within the head to raise MOI for exceptional forgiveness on off-center hits.

Adjustable Perimeter Weighting for Ball Flight Control

Sliding 16-gram weight gives golfers the power to easily promote draws, fades or a straighter flight.

Available in 9.0*, 10.5* and 12* Lofts (Adjustable) (Right and Left handed)

Come with Upgraded Graphite Shafting (fit to individual) at no additional cost through us at the Graves Golf Academy

Come fit to individual perfect for his / her single plane swing for length, shaft flex and weight (upgraded), loft, grip size with the GGA specialized grip (no additional charge).

Epic Flash Fairway Woods:

New Flash Face Technology for Unprecedented Ball Speed

Callaway engineers applied learnings from Artificial Intelligence to create a new fairway wood face design that promotes increased ball speed for longer distance.

Forged Carpenter Steel Face Cup for Fast Speed

Forged 455 Carpenter steel construction combines with Face Cup technology to deliver fast ball speed across the face for distance on center- and off-center hits.

Jailbreak Technology for Fast Ball Speed

Our innovative Jailbreak Technology incorporates two internal bars that stiffen the body, placing more impact load on the face for fast ball speed.

New OptiFit Hosel for Easy Launch and Optimal Flight

Callaway designed an entirely new adjustable hosel system that’s shorter and lighter; the saved weight is used to reposition the CG for easy launch and high, long-carrying flight.

Available in 3+, 3, 5, 7, Heavenwood, 9 and 11 woods (13.5*, 15*, 19*, 20*, 21*, 23* and 25*)

Come with Upgraded Graphite Shafting (fit to individual) at no additional cost through us at the Graves Golf Academy

Come fit to individual perfect for his / her single plane swing for length, shaft flex and weight (upgraded), loft, grip size with the GGA specialized grip (no additional charge).

Introductory Offers for Single Plane Academy Members and Non – Members.

Please contact Tim Graves at timg@moenormangolf.com or timkgraves@aol.com or tgraves@moenormangolf.com for pricing (Introductory Offers), additional questions, fittings, etc..

TimG@moenormangolf.com

Timkgraves@aol.com

FROM CALLAWAY:

in a significant ball speed boost for a noticeable distance increase when you make solid contact, helping make your longest drives go even longer.

It’s The Mental Game…

January 21, 2019 by admin

In 1992 a relatively obscure Governor from Arkansas was elected president of the United States, in part because of a laser-like strategy to focus on the one thing: the economy. Bill Clinton’s campaign director James Carville believed that there was ONE factor more than any other that would make the most significant difference in the race if adequately focused on. So he created this phrase to focus his campaign staff on what he thought was a winning issue:

It’s The Economy Stupid.

And the rest was history.

The game we play and love called golf has many elements to it. And while it’s super-fun to focus on developing the skills to hit the ball better – to drive, hit irons, chip, and putt better, there is one thing I notice that – all things being equal – can make a HUGE difference in your game today if you knew how to focus on it.

So, as I co-opt a famous phrase from history, I want you to consider this:

It’s the Mental Game, Stupid.

(Full disclosure: my wife Paula warned me that I risked insulting my readers if I used this phrase. I told her that I thought every Single Plane Swing golfer I know, would understand exactly how true this statement is!)

Developing a productive mindset for playing and experiencing all that your golf round throws at you can make a significant difference in:

Your ability to stay resilient in the face of challenge.
Your capacity to tap into your playful best – no matter the stakes
How you experience and enjoy the game you spend so much time on.
The very scores you post.
…and so much more.

The problem is that it’s hard to learn these skills. For the most part, we are left to figure out the mental game on our own through trial and error. ( And for some, mostly fault!)

Until now.

During our “Alert Attitude of Indifference School” we focus on the mental game through live competitive game situations and discussions. You will experience a new awareness of the shifts that happen to you when playing golf. And you will develop new strategies that help you stay in your most productive mindset.

You will also learn critical leading-edge concepts from the athletic performance arena like:

Awareness, Acceptance, and Resilience
The special four-minute check-in you can do before a round to tune-into your Performance Energy and increase awareness.
The ONE thing is standing in your way.
How to play from a Mastery Orientation (…and why that can improve your game)
Preparing and using a Mastery Game Plan
What it means to bring a sense of play to your Game
The surprising feeling you can cultivate to impact your scores dramatically.
How to create your Unique Success Formula

Why consider investing in your game this way?

When I speak with others casually about the mental game work I do with my clients, I almost always get lots of nodding and approval about the idea that we can ALL benefit by a little more focus in this area.

But if you want to see an example of a person who experienced first-hand what it was like to A) work on himself and his mental game and B) see incredible results in his golf game ( and life)…look no farther than our very own Master Instructor Chandler Rusk.

Chandler and I began working together in 2015 at a time when he was struggling after leaving a very successful college golf career…and was starting his career at Graves Golf Academy. Here are his own words about what he experienced:

Before I began working with Paul, I had a difficult time PLAYING the game and having FUN. At the College and Professional level, it is easy to get caught up in statistics, technique, perfection, etc. The score that I shot on any given day would affect how I felt about everything in life. If I played well, I was happy. If I played bad, I was frustrated. Even if I played decently at times, I still would not be satisfied with it. At times, I felt like giving up the game.

Then I met Paul 3 years ago while I was teaching a 3 Day School in Chicago (Paul was one of the students). After getting to know Paul and what he does, I began working with him. I quickly learned that my thoughts were affecting how I felt and how I felt was changing how I performed. Paul taught me how to be aware of my thoughts and how to shift my thinking if it was unproductive. He also showed me the difference between Result Orientation and Mastery Orientation and to play at your best: Mastery Orientation is needed. Most importantly, I learned that there are only two outcomes that can come from a round of golf: you can WIN, or you can LEARN, you can NEVER lose.

The fantastic part about what Paul does is it’s not just about the mental game of Golf. It is about the mental game of Life.

Chandler stepped up and did the work to make the improvements to his golf game…and to how he approaches everything in his life. (Next time you see Chandler, ask him about the results he has seen on the golf course since he enhanced his mental game…it will blow you away!)

But you don’t have to be a collegiate super-star to see great results from just a little focus on the mental game. Teddi Davis, who attended the 5-Day Alumni Camp in Orlando in April has seen remarkable changes in her golf since beginning her work on the mental game.

In just a short couple months, Teddi’s confidence has grown, and her scores have dropped. She has gained a heightened awareness of her mental and emotional dynamics while on the course and is learning how to tap into her highest potential no matter the stakes. And more than anything, she is having more fun.

Building your skills in this arena works. Period.

Watch for new “Alert Attitude of Indifference” Schools coming early this summer.

Paul Monahan, PCC is a Peak-Performance coach, member of the International Coach Federation and a certified COR.E Performance Dynamics Specialist. He resides in Cleveland, Ohio with his wife Paula and is the proud dad to three young men. He works with elite-level performers and leaders, helping them to expand their awareness so that they perform at their best more consistently.

He can be reached at paul@paulmonahancoaching.com

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