Golf stroke mechanics

It’s About the Journey

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By Paul Monahan, Graves Golf Mental Game Coach

A few years ago, I realized that I had visited nearly all 50 states in America….all except Idaho and Montana. It occurred to me that I would be turning 50 years old that year – and I had this idea that if I got a little intentional, I could complete the “50 States x 50 Race” (…I think I made up) by visiting all 50 states before I turned 50. What an incredible accomplishment that would be! Right?

I worked through the logistics: I would fly to Spokane, WA then drive to Coeur d’Alene, ID. While there, I could play some golf, and then make my way over to Montana…only a short distance from Coeur d’Alene. My buddy Jon from high school, – always up for an adventure – would come with me. The trip was on.

So, in May of that year, Jon and I hopped on a flight and we headed out on our adventure. On day one we travelled to Idaho (#49…check!). On day two, we played golf at the Coeur d’Alene Resort (…famous for its moveable island green. Yes…I got the certificate!). And on day three we drove an hour or so East to the Montana border. (#50…check!) The race was over. I won!

Cue the big celebration, right? The elation. The pure joy. The confetti.

Well… what I experienced was a bit different. And frankly it was a bit of a letdown.

There was no there there. I can’t even tell you how ridiculous I felt. I said to myself “ You did what? Travelled all this way just to be able to tell your friends you travelled to 50 states!?”  (… this whole essay is starting to feel like a giant humble brag.)

But the truth is that I had an amazing three days with a life-long buddy who enjoys many of the things I do. Golf, adventure, great conversations about the meaning of life…etc. That was where the joy and happiness was for me. And if I reflect on my journey through the other 48 states, I can think of tons of great memories and experiences as well.

So, by the time I got to the Montana border, the “prize” didn’t matter as much.

The point is this: it’s not about the destination – it’s about the journey. Always has been. Always will be.

When I was younger, I thought that was just another platitude. Pure garbage. A phrase invented by people who were too afraid or too timid to do what it took to get themselves across the finish line.

I don’t believe that anymore. I believe that I am most energized when I am working toward something – engaged purposefully in pursuit of a goal, dream, or defined outcome. On the path. On the journey.

I am immensely satisfied when I arrive at my goals… and even happy or elated sometimes. (Ask me about my experiences walking across the Grand Canyon’s Rim-to-Rim route the next time you see me.) But looking back, it really WAS the journey that mattered most. And looking ahead, I believe it really IS the journey that matters most.

The journey is what points you. It is what energizes you, challenges you, and puts you into the kind of productive struggle that creates growth. (Thank you, Dan Coyle.)

Learning to play golf at a higher level the way you are doing it IS a journey. Remember to enjoy it. Relish it. Know what it is – and what it is not. It IS an amazing adventure of learning and growth. It is NOT your identity. It is NOT an obstacle to be overcome – but an experience to move through that will change you forever.

In Jordan Petersons’ book Beyond Order, he says that “You are not only something that is. You are something that is becoming…”

Humans are teleological… we must have purpose. We must have targets. We must be aimed at a destination…and be traveling in that direction. It is how we are wired. But what truly brings joy, satisfaction and happiness to a life is not necessarily arriving at some pre-ordained goal, but rather what we experience along the journey itself.

The next time you are in struggle, experiencing frustration about your game or about that shot that just went sideways, stop. Take a deep breath and remind yourself:  “It’s the journey.” Then consider the gift inherent in that moment …how that moment will make you stronger, smarter, and more able to complete the journey you are on. Remember that you are becoming… one little step at a time.

Safe travels!

-Paul

Heard It a Thousand Times … The Grip…

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By Tim Graves, PGA

From: jay@log….
Subject: The GRIP!
To: Tim Graves <timg@gravesgolf.com>

I’ve heard it more than a thousand times…

I finally figured out just how the grip ‘feels’.  And now I am able to  confirm that I have the grip correct.

Positioning on the handle…

Correct overlapping of the trail hand little finger…

Lead hand thumb comfortably in the crease of the palm pad of the trail hand…

I was amazed when I finally ‘felt’ the proper fit of my hands on the club handle.  I always fidgeted with my grip before coming to address—and thought it was correct.  But when I accidentally did it right, I ‘felt’ it immediately.

After all the hands-on instruction, I never really got it.  And I just sort of stumbled into it while fidgeting.  The result was immediate transformation and much improved direction, distance and accuracy with all clubs—especially my driver.

Thanks for harping on the importance of the Grip.

Merry Christmas to You and Yours!

Jay C. / Pie Town, NM

*****
Additional Grip Help / Instruction: Go to: https://gravesgolf.com/product-support/

Click on GGA Grips (2 Instruction Videos about proper grip / hold of club)

Smooth Authority

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By Tim Graves, PGA

Mark W. (East Saint Louis, MO)

To: Timg@Gravesgolf.com

Hey Tim;

I just wanted to say thank-you and to share my experience playing yesterday due to some freakishly warm weather in St. Louis.

This month I have been working on my putting, chipping and pitching (into a tarp) in the basement for a few minutes daily and tracking the time spent. It’s amazing how spending 7 to 12 minutes a day per discipline can add up – so far this month I’ve practiced my putting stroke alone for 3 hours plus (23 of 27 days). I have incorporated your teachings on ball position, shaft lean and hands down the line and continue to work to ingrain them.

Your tips during the FF <Fast Forward> presentation – specifically the single trail hand drill that Tiger used, and the short backstroke to promote acceleration – were golden. Yesterday – the first real round in over 6 weeks – I had 30 total putts with no three putts. What’s more – I had several 4-6 footers that due to your acceleration drill went in the hole with smooth authority!

Thank-you for all that you do to share your insights – very grateful for you and the GG team.

Mark

Enjoy your day – “The Best Is Yet To Come”

Fast Forward Information:

http://gravesgolf.com/fast

FWPC … Fundamental / Why / Practice / Check

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By Tim Graves, PGA

The first morning of our schools and camps I (Tim) talk to the students about what they are about to go through. One of the topics is the process of learning and how to get the most out of the school. This process is the same we all need to go through to create new habits – I wanted to discuss a little in this e-tip. Here is what all need to do to create new habits:

1.  Learn the Fundamental

You must first learn the fundamental(s) that you need to work on. Whether a long game, short game, mid game, etc… fundamental such as the grip, set up, etc…  you need to study the fundamental you want to work on. Learning doesn’t mean doing at first, it means understanding what is correct and what is not. You are trying to create a new habit with a good fundamental foundation.

2.  Learn the Why

As you are working on creating a new habit, you need to know the why of the fundamental. More than, because we said so, but rather, why the fundamental is important. As you are making the change(s), you will feel uncomfortable at first. If you don’t know the specifics of why you need to make the change, your brain will “give up” when it becomes uncomfortable. (Very common). If you know why – you will be more likely to get through the uncomfortable stage. This is the conscious thought eventually transforming to the unconscious thought. It takes time, but your conscious thought must know the “whys” at first to continue with the change.

3.  Learn How to Practice to Create the New Habit

You can know what fundamental you need to work on, you can know the whys… but if you don’t know how to practice toward creating the new habit, your improvement will be limited, or at least slowed considerably. Whether performing drills, using training aids, or both, it is absolutely critical you learn how to practice toward creating the new habit.

4.  Check Points

During your practice, you must have check points. The check points are set up so you can make sure you are creating the fundamentals correct. The more check points you have, the better. Check many, check often, don’t forget to check. As many already realize, it is much easier to make yourself worse than better – you can prevent this by having check points and checking often while practicing and working toward the new habits.

Always Remember:

  1. Fundamental (What do I need to work on?)
  2. Whys of the fundamental (Why is that fundamental important?)
  3. How to practice the fundamental
  4. Check points to make sure practicing correct

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

Reminder From Fellow Single Plane Member / Full Swing Practice Tip

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By Tim Graves, PGA

Good morning Gentlemen,

I’ve recently been struggling with making solid contact, over the top move, double cross etc. I was so lost! Video didn’t even work! What was I going to do? Then it hit me, maybe I should review the Graves golf on demand app!

I typed key words into the search bar, reviewed several videos, most with Tim because he has a blunt way of describing different aspects of the swing that really connect with me. Then I came across one with Todd where he was wearing those glasses with the camera! He broke down from position 2 through position 3 from the view of what he sees. He was describing transition and said and I quote “my arms are moving but I’m not moving my arms” I repeat,”my arms are moving but I’m not moving my arms” boom!

That’s exactly what I was missing, rotation moves the arms through the vertical drop! Holy sh*t, I went back to the range, setup the training tools, yard stick etc did Tim’s pump drill, went through position 2 and 3 slowly then setup a ball 6 iron training club, first ball went high and deep!

Wow I wish more members would take the time to review the videos and resources available to them!

I truly appreciate Graves golf, I don’t always find submitting videos that helpful for me but your resources On Demand are always so helpful!

Regards,

Jack Tinney
Level 3 Member

(To See More Information About Graves Golf Single Plane On Demand: CLICK HERE )

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