Golf instruction

Mental Game Skills Must Be Cultivated

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By Paul Monahan, Graves Golf Mental Game Coach

What are you doing to cultivate productive mental game skills in your golf game?

Coaches don’t really DO anything. If we are doing our job right, we engage with our clients about what they really want…and then help them to gain the insights and passion necessary to take meaningful action toward their goals.

But that action is up to them. The client. It’s not up to us. If the client doesn’t do anything with this information, nothing changes for them.

Last week’s story from Bob about winning his club’s opening  tournament is a great reminder that you must be intentional about applying mental game strategies and concepts.That you must have to have an on-purpose strategy and action plan to cultivate these skills…the same the way you build your short-game or putting skills.

In a phone conversation with him earlier this week, Bob told me that he hadn’t really given a lot of thought to building a mental game strategy. Though, he had spent a considerable amount of time working on Single Plane Swing mechanics the past two years – attending a number of schools, working with GGA coaches through video and other programs, and dedicating numerous hours on the driving range.

But that changed for Bob when he watched the webinar that Tim Graves and I did on the Alert Attitude of Indifference…and it piqued his interest. More than that, it inspired him to act. As a result, he committed to cultivating the key mental game concepts Tim and I talked about…and to making them a part of his playing strategy.

For example, he committed to playing faster. He modified his own pre-shot routine so that he could hit shots inside the “play box” within 5-7 seconds. This would prevent the kind of over-analysis and over-thinking that shows up when we hover over our shots too long. (He believes that he hit a lot more high-quality shots as a result!)

And he decided that, considering the course conditions (very wet) and that they were playing lift, clean and place, he would do whatever it took to be in the fairway. So while other players were bombing it into the rough, Bob played conservatively off the tee and hit lots of shots from the fairway that day. (His discipline to creating a strategy and sticking to it was key.)

He also tuned-in to and monitored is own energy dynamics during his round– and was able to stay positive on the occasions when things didn’t turn out perfect: when he hit it into the rough on the playoff hole, he took notice of the situation, reminded himself that he had the option to stay positive, hit a clean recovery shot into the fairway, and was on the green on the next shot. (His opponent was not able to stay calm and measured when encountering challenges on that hole – and it cost him the tournament.)

It will always be the case that practice and skill development are an important part this game we play. But being intentional about cultivating your mental game skills – how you show up, how you respond to the game as it comes at you –  is also a critical element of lowering your scores.

-Paul

(If you want to really learn how to cultivate productive mental game skills, join us at our two-day Mental Game / Alert Attitude of Indifference School in the near future.)

Winter Training – Get Ahead of Your Buddies

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By: Tim Graves, PGA

It’s the off-season for golf. Your golf buddies are eating turkey and getting fat. I can’t think of a better time to get the edge on them. So get off the couch and let’s get practicing!

Students often ask how to improve their games in the off-season. And most of you who have participated in our instruction know that we strongly promote many types of practice away from the driving range – in your own home, even while you watch football.

We have quite a few options for working on your game in the winter. Here are some ideas:

1) Always work on flexibility strength and fitness. Remember, you are an athlete if you play golf. Train like an athlete. See our Single Plane On Demand App and in particular our “Flexibility and Exercise Video” for more information. Also “Improve your Move” Video is great for indoor training.

2) Practice positions in front of a mirror – all of the positions of the swing. Training on creating new habits / new positions in front of the mirror. Remember, the slower you do it, the faster you will get it. Use the Single Plane Position Trainer to work on positions in front of the mirror. Work with a online coach to make sure you are training correct and working on habits you need to improve.

3) Find (or build) an indoor studio where you can hit balls into net. Use video to look at your swing and compare to Moe and model the Single Plane Swing. Indoor – Net practice is great for making changes in the winter and with a net you will still be focusing on swing positions rather than ball flight. A VERY good thing.

4) Practice your short game inside, in particular your putting stroke (using Excalibur Trainer) and chipping stroke. Remember, short game is just smaller version of full swing. Working on short game will not only help you scoring part of game, but can also help your full swing (aka – “Two Birds”).

5) Work on your mental game over the winter. Green / Red and Grey Zones (Preshot, In-Shot and Post Shot routines). Work on improving your practice regimens, work on improving your mental game on and off the course.

I can’t think of a better time to work on your game: swing, flexibility, short game and mental game over the winter. You are not rushed over the winter, anything you improve will get you ahead of those who are not practicing and you will not be working hard in early spring trying to get back to where you were when season ended last year…

We can help.

STRONGLY recommend looking into our Winter Fast Forward Training Program. Includes full swing, short game, fitness and flexibility and mental game training / work over the winter. A three month program starting in middle of December that will guarantee improvement and getting you ahead of all those “sitting” over the winter.

More information about Winter Fast Forward Training Program: CLICK HERE

Or email me at timg@gravesgolf.com

I will be happy to get you information about our Winter Fast Forward Training Program.

Practice Slower, Play Faster

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By Paul Monahan, Graves Golf Mental Game Coach

Sounds like a directive. Right?

Actually I think of it as a mental game approach. Here’s why:

At almost every Graves Golf school I attend, lots and lots of students are doing their level-best to achieve the Single Plane Swing model. But many, if not most suffer because of two important missteps.

They practice too quickly. And they PLAY the game too slowly.

Interestingly, these are not execution missteps (caused by lack of focus or an inability to understand a strategy)…they are mental game failures.

Let me explain, first with the concept of Practicing Slower.

The Single Plane Swing curriculum that Todd and Tim Graves and their instruction team have refined over the years is based on the very latest in skill development research: that we learn best from slow, deliberate and proper practice movements. (Not beating balls over and over again.)

One simply cannot groove and assimilate new body positions without this kind of work.

Moe Norman famously said to Todd and Tim that he once spent an entire day holding what we call position five. Why? Moe said he wanted to “…make it stronger.”

Just last week I heard Todd tell the story that when one of their Master Instructors was converting from conventional to the Single Plane Swing, he was known to spend hours on the practice range working on one thing: perfecting his move into position one.

Why won’t most students spend their practice time like this? One word: Their EGO.

It’s more satisfying to the EGO to hit ONE great shot every once in a while rather than spend the time needed to master a position or two.

In other words, even though it is a rational-enough concept (practicing slowly during your swing development), it is much harder to do because a part of your brain wants to “show the world” what you are capable of.

The harsh reality in all of this is: Until you SLOW DOWN and develop a deliberate practice regimen that includes far MORE correct body movement and far LESS actual shots with a ball, you will continue to delay the mastery of the Single Plane Swing. (Sorry. That’s just the way it is.)

This requires cultivating the awareness that your EGO will try to sabotage a regimen like this. It requires that you learn to tune into your mental and emotional tendencies…and be disciplined enough to stay on track with the deliberate, deep practice that will yield the changes you are looking for.

Dan Coyle wrote about this in  The Talent Code…and Todd and Tim refer often to the research and insights from Coyle’s work. Skill development comes from deep, deliberate, proper practice.

Now let’s address Playing Faster:

When it comes to playing the game, most players play too slowly. Specifically, they tinker and hover too long over the ball when they are hitting their shots. This causes paralysis by analysis – and yes…this is an actual technical term.

Sian Beilock, in her book Choke chronicles the trouble we get into when we linger over a golf shot too long. Basically, she explains that the part of our brain that is responsible for moving the body in space (procedural memory) switches off in those moments, and then our working memory takes over. This causes over-thinking and less-than-optimal muscle movement. (And yes, often is causes: The Choke)

The antidote? Play faster. Stop lingering. Pull the trigger over your shots sooner. This will prevent over-thinking and will allow you to play golf more as a reactionary sport…and you will be able to execute shots up to your talent level, not BELOW your talent level.

So if you want to get better this year, do yourself a favor and tune up your Mental Game skills: create a discipline to practice slower when off the course, and to play faster when on it.

Have Fun!

Brighten Our Day – “Holy Crap” Email

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By Tim Graves, PGA

From: D A J. <j…..40@msn.com>
Date: Mon, Nov 17, 2025 at 10:18 AM
Subject: Progress
To: Tim Graves <timg@gravesgolf.com>

Level 3 member here.  I was energized about my game after attending the Short Game and Mental Game Schools this past June.  As I worked on my game this summer, my subconscious brain told me to move on to the next part of the swing twice.  It was interesting that I was working on one part of the swing but my brain just yelled at me to move on.    I remember you saying more than once that a person may not be ready to move on for any number  of reasons.  I have had instructors move my hips into the correct position during a few schools that I have been to over the last few years.  The importance of this help finally hit me at the Short Game School this year.  When I began grooving this part of the swing, I began to take appropriate divots without thinking about it.  Ball striking became more consistent throughout the bag all summer and fall.  

Recently, as I was working on my trail hip movement, my brain told me to work on a little more wrist hinge at the top of the backswing.  Again, the brain was saying, “ok time to move on”.  Holy crap.  Ball striking just jumped to a whole new level.  Over the last two years I decided to golf more.   My driving distances moved from 220yds to 230-240.  In my last round this year, using the correct hip turn with a little more wrist leverage angle, I was driving the ball 270 yds the whole round.  My seven iron which was my 145-150 yd club went 165 yds every time.  My 100-105 yd gap wedge went 115 yds multiple times.  

I selected the single plane swing because I have had lead knee ACL reconstruction surgery, am living with a lead knee torn MCL and have had a compression fracture in my lower spine.  I have not had any knee or back issues using the Single Plane Swing.  I have been working on flexibility for range of motion this year as you talk about regularly.  

I was so excited after the last round that I had to write to you.  Graves Golf does a fantastic job of coaching people up.   Some people like me might be a little slow on the uptake, but tremendous progress is possible.  I will be 72 next spring and plan on my best season yet with more to come.

I hope that hearing from one of your students with positive results brightens your day a little. 

Many Thanks,

Dean J.

Improve Your Game Over the Winter … Watching Football

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By Tim Graves, PGA

How many of you watched football this past weekend? How many of you know you can now watch football basically every day of the week? (Yup, I know it… and honestly guilty of watching at least 3 to 4 nights / days a week…) 

Whether you are watching football games, just watching TV, sitting in front of your computer, sitting at your desk or just sitting on your couch…. how many of you know you can dramatically improve your golf game at the same time?? 

Good players know this…

GGA alumnus know this….

Professionals know this…

Before I give you a drill you can do now (indoor), I am going to tell you about a training program we have performed the past few winters with EXTREME success. 

December 15th we are starting this program again, our Single Plane University / Winter Training Program. This program includes the following:

  1. Full Swing, Short Game, Mental Game and Flexibility Drills and Training that can all be done INDOORS.
  2. 12 weeks (+ 4 Bonus Weeks) of Training / Drills / Fundamentals (Dec, Jan, Feb and March)
  3. 4 weeks of long game / full swing, 4 weeks of short game, 4 weeks of mental game and 4 weeks of flexibility.
  4. First week Long Game Training / Drills, 2nd week Short Game Training / Drills, 3rd week Mental Game Training / Drills, 4th week Flexibility Work… this continues each month for 3 month (+ bonus month)
  5. Personal contact… One on one with GGA master instructors helping you with your training / drills, etc.
  6. All training / drills will be recorded. As a week is complete, it will be stored and you can view anytime during the program. Meaning, if you miss a week or two, you can review and catch up anytime.
  7. The ability for you to record your training and send to the coaches for review (ANYTIME). This is optional (up to you) – but included in the training program.
  8. When you finish the program you short game will be greatly improved, your long game and fundamentals will be greatly improved, you will have great mental game work, and your flexibility will be increased / improved resulting in making it much easier to hit the correct positions in the golf swing, less stress on the body and potentially more distance.

Here are some facts that we know about winter golf.

  1. Very few practice much (especially over the fall and winter).
  2. Everyone wants to be better/improve.
  3. Very few know how to improve over the fall/winter.
  4. The best time to improve your game is over the fall / winter as most play less this time of year.
  5. Very few understand that improvement exponentially increases when you are NOT hitting golf balls.
  6. Practice must involve the long game, short game and flexibility (especially for our typical age group).
  7. Very few know how to practice properly.
  8. Improvement is GUARANTEED if you train / practice properly and GREATLY ACCELERATED if you check / monitor and have someone check / monitor for you. 

Indoor Training Example – (Sneak Peak)

  1. Set up a yard stick on the floor
  2. Set up over a putt with a ball on the yardstick

Set up properly – hands leading, eyes over the ball, putter face square, etc.

Now:

  1. Stoke the putt
  2. Hold the finish
  3. Check the finish position

Check:

  1. Face/leading edge should still be square to the yardstick and still centered over the yardstick. 
  2. Butt end of putter should have pointed at the lead hip
  3. There will be no movement in body except the shoulders (arms and hands)

Now… Watch your game on TV (lol…)

Think you get my point…. I typically do this drill inside during commercials…. 

Repeat with a golf ball and without a golf ball.

Repeat 10 to 15 times SLOWLY without a golf ball. Hold finish every time and check

Repeat 10 to 15 times with a golf ball. Hold finish every time and check. Ball should go down the yardstick and off the end…

This is 1 of many drills during the training we will give you in the next 4 months.  As you see this can be done inside (recommended) in front of the TV, in your office, in your “man/woman cave”, in your garage… think you get my point. All can be done inside and we will give you the fundamental, checkpoints, drill(s) and follow up. You can then video a send to us (if you choose – included in program). If you send in video of yourself, we will follow up with recommendations for you and an email with those same recommendations/additional training.

This is the best thing you can do for your golf game for the next 6 months! 

Last question – Again – how much do you want to improve over this winter….? 

Questions about program – please feel free to contact me at (Tim Graves) at timg@gravesgolf.com or timkgraves@aol.com

Again – this is where we put our focus on training for our students over the winter.  We STRONGLY suggest all those who want to have a much better golf game next spring to be part of this program with us. 

We look forwarded to helping you improve your golf game DRAMATICALLY over the next 4 months…. sit back (watching football……) and watch the improvement!!!

Finally: 

  • All those currently in Single Plane Academy Level # 4 or Level # 5 – you are already included (don’t need to do anything additional). Watch you email inbox soon for your first training session.

Questions about program – email timg@gravesgolf.com

Take Excuses Out of Your Bag

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By Tim Graves, PGA

This week is the annual PGA Golf Show in Orlando, FL. The show is held each year and attracts thousands of professionals from across the country (and world) to see the new golf attire, golf course equipment, golf clubs and anything else you can imagine associated with the game of golf. Immediately after the show, most golf club/equipment companies release their new lines of clubs for the upcoming year. They introduce them at the show, and put them “on the market” immediately after.

Myself and my staff always attend the show, and as always, spend the days wearing out our feet while making sure to see as much of the new equipment as possible. After seeing all the new equipment and spending many hours taking to the reps about their equipment, it is always a good time to review with all of you how the Graves Golf Academy fits clubs to your single plane golf swing.

First, let’s talk about fitting – or as I call it “Taking the excuses out of your bag”. It is absolutely imperative all clubs in your bag are fit to YOUR single plane swing. As I discuss the different areas of fitting, I’ll explain why each area is so important.

I’ll will remind now (and later) – everyone can get a free fitting through Graves Golf at: https://gravesgolf.com/free-club-fitting/

(Please give me a day or two to respond with your recommendations as some days we receive upwards of 100+ requests for fittings – and each response is personalized.)

There are 6 areas we look to fit clubs to your single plane swing. Length, lie angle, shaft flex, grip size, loft and set make up.

1.  LENGTH – The proper length of a golf club for your golf swing is critical. Length of the club is determined by comparing your height to your arm length (wrist to floor measurement). Having the proper length for you for each iron, driver, fairway woods, etc. will allow you to stand the proper distance from the ball with the proper spine tilt (bend at waist). Example – You need to stand 26 inches from the ball (golf ball to toe line) with a 45* spine tilt with a 6 iron. That will allow you to get the golf club on the single plane and allow you to get your arms, hands, etc. in proper position. If the club is too short, you will not have enough room to get the arms and hands in proper position and if the club is too long, the arms will typically be too high and spine tilt improper – causing golfers to swing “around” themselves, rather than “under” themselves (proper). Each club must be the proper length for your height vs. arm length. This is absolutely one of the key factors to getting the club on a single plane – your club lengths must be individualized and optimal for you and your single plane swing.

2.  LIE ANGLE – The proper lie angle is as critical, if not more, then length. The lie angle is also determined by your height vs. arm length. When set up in the proper single plane swing position, the leading edge of the club should be FLAT to the ground for you. As the set up position mirrors the impact position, the lie angle should allow the leading edge of the club to be flat to the ground at set up and impact. This will allow the club to “cut” square through the ground at impact. Improper lie angles will cause the heel or toe to dig into the ground with a good swing and the ball will fly dramatically off line. An improper lie angle of only one degree can cause a mid-iron to fly many yards (10 or 20 yards) right or left of the target. The problem is, you will make adjustments in your swing for improper lie angles. Adjustments away from the proper single plane swing fundamentals. The proper lie angle (individualized for your body measurements) is CRITICAL if you want to make rapid and proper improvement in your single plane golf swing.

3.  SHAFT FLEX – The proper shaft flex is critical for proper ball flight. Shaft flex can range from Ladies flex to Extra Stiff flex (with up to 17 flexes (graphite) in between). The more flexible the shaft flex, the higher the ball will fly. The slower a golfer swings their clubs, the more flexibility (flexible) they need in a shaft. We can determine swing speed by average distance you hit particular irons and then determine what flex shaft is needed for proper ball flight. For example, an average 6 iron’s equation is 1.77 yards per mile an hour. Meaning – if you hit a 6 iron 150 yards on average, you swing the club around 85 mph. This equates to a mid-Regular flex shaft. This is only an example, but with and individual’s average 9 iron and/or 6 iron distance (and/or swing speed) we are able to fit shaft flex accordingly. Too many golfers hit shafts that are too stiff for them, causing them to try and “lift” their golf shots for added height the shaft is not giving them. This “lifting” causes many problems in the golf swing (casting, over the top, topping the ball, etc. etc..). All because of improper shafting. Also, improper shaft flex typically leads to improper ball position. Golfers that hit shafts that are too stiff for them tend to put the ball too far forward in their stance (to help get the ball then needed height). This can cause a lot of swing issues like lateral slide in golf swing (and eventually shanking the golf ball), over the top move, topping the golf ball, etc… It is CRITICAL to have proper shaft flex as it allows for proper ball flight which will give you maximum distance for each club and allow you to hit the ball with proper flight from proper ball position fundamentals.

4.  GRIP SIZE – The proper grip size will allow you to maximize the release of the club and give you maximum distance with this release. Grip size is determined by you hand size. The measurement from the crease at the top of your wrist to the end of of middle finger. Proper grip size allows you to grip the club with “minimal” pressure, enough to keep the club from slipping in the hands, by not too tight causing too much tension in the hands, wrists and forearms which will dramatically reduce leverage angles through impact which will hinder distance and consistency.

* Plus – as you see above, we offer a “specialized” grip (the Graves Golf / Moe grip) with markings on it that will allow you to grip the club exactly like Moe (and check your grip) EVERY time you hold your club. The grip is USGA conformed.

* Callaway Golf installs the Graves Golf grips (our grip) on all clubs ordered through Graves Golf customized to an individual’s hand size. And these grips are installed, etc. at NO extra charge to you the customer.

Proper grip size is critical to allow for optimal feel and control of the golf club and thus allows for maximum leverage in the golf swing and optimal release. This will allow you to optimize distance and control in your golf swing.

5.  LOFT – Industry average has a 4* to 5* separation in loft between the irons/clubs in a set. This, and the length of the club, are what give the golf clubs different distances when you hit them. On average (for the average golfer), with proper length and loft, there is around a 10 to 12 yard separation between clubs (ex. you hit 9 iron 110 yards, you will hit 8 iron 120 yards, etc.) This is an average.

Loft becomes a big factor in the fitting process in a couple different areas:

* Driver – it is absolutely necessary to get the proper loft on your driver to give you maximum flight and roll of your driver. The biggest factor determining what loft you need is your swing speed (listed above how calculated, etc..). Too much loft will lead to hitting too high and minimal roll, too little loft will lead to lose in flight distance. Too much or too little loft will cause loss of distance with your driver.

* Fairway woods – it is necessary to hit fairway wood(s) with enough loft that fit your swing speed/game. For most, they should not be hitting 3 woods (around 15* loft) off the ground as it is not enough loft to give them maximum fly. It is recommended you swing the driver at least 90 mph in order for you to hit a 15* fairway wood. Most golfers (average golfer) should hit a 4 or 5 wood (18* or 19*) fairway wood as the longest club off the ground. They will actually hit this club longer than a 15* club as the added loft will give them the optimal fly (and roll).

* Hybrids/Rescue Clubs/Utility Clubs – these clubs are long iron replacements. They have the needed loft and wider sole (than equivalent iron) that will allow golfers to hit the longer clubs (less lofted clubs) in their bag with the needed height and distance to be able to hold greens, etc… Average golfers, hitting their 6 iron 150 to 160 yards should hit a 3, 4 and 5 hybrids (not long irons) to give them the optimal flight and ability to hold greens with the longer clubs. All golfers need to have their club (set make up) set to their game. Some might even consider playing # 6 and 7 hybrids… Hybrids have become more and more popular in recent years.

* Wedges – loft of wedges need to be set to maximize an individual’s short game. There should not be uneven gaps in loft between the different wedges. Meaning – if you carry 3 wedges (Pitching, Sand and Lob)  – maybe a 6* to 8* gap between wedges. If you carry 4 wedges (Pitch, gap, sand, lob) – 4* to 6* separation, etc… Optimal scoring in golf is set up with the short game. The short game is optimized with even gaps between your wedges.

6.  Set Make Up  –  The proper set make up is individualized for each golfer. It is recommended according to individual’s:

* Swing Speed (distance they hit clubs)

* Divot pattern (Divot/No Divot) – Less divot, wider sole club recommended

* Golfer’s physical condition (injuries vs. body problems, etc…  Examples – arthritis, chronic back problems, etc.)

* Need for “feel” in the clubs vs. “forgiveness” in the clubs (or combination)

* General golf ability (new golfers vs. experienced golfers)

* Others (there are other factors we consider when recommending clubs – (for example – young golfers – how much will they grow, etc.)

These are the main areas we focus on when we fit a set of clubs to an individual’s golf game.

Whether looking to fit/replace a single club to an entire set, from a putter to a driver to your irons, wedges, etc.. it is ABSOLUTELY CRITICAL that the club(s) is fit to YOUR individualized swing and single plane specifications.

An UNfit club will hinder your improvement process, an UNfit club will hinder your golf game, an UNfit club will not allow you to reach your potential, an UNfit club can and many times will actually physical hurt you (tendonitis in elbows and wrists are many times causes and exaggerated by club with improper lie angles), and UNfit club is basically worthless to you. I don’t care how much you spent for the golf club(s) – if they are not individually fit to you – they are worthless to your game – and worse than that, can and many times will actually “hurt” you.

Graves Golf has a custom fitting program established with most major manufacturers in the golf industry. And many of the manufacturers install our grips in their custom department (no other instruction group can say that….). We have worked VERY HARD to set this customizing system up for our customers, students, etc. anyone interested in the single plane golf swing.

Also, because of the amount of equipment we sell from each manufacturer, we are many times offered equipment at a reduced rate for our customers. We are always able to match industry pricing and many times able to beat the pricing. We are also many times able to offer clubs at a significantly reduced price.  Please watch our newsletters (bimonthly) for these specials – as they typically don’t last long as many are interested in these special pricing.

Customization done at the manufacturer  is free through Graves Golf, there is no added cost for the Graves Golf grips installed and customized at the manufacturers. Plus, there is no shipping charge (within US) and no tax (outside of OK) through the Graves Golf.

To get a FREE individualized custom fitting please go to: https://gravesgolf.com/free-club-fitting/

(Please give me a day or two to respond with your recommendations as some days we receive upwards of 100+ requests for fittings – and each response is personalized.

If you would like more information about custom fitting, questions about your clubs, about any new or old equipment on the market, etc… etc. please don’t hesitate to email timg@gravesgolf.com or timkgraves@aol.com any time.

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