Moe Norman

The “Pep Talk” (A MUST READ..)

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By: Tim Graves, PGA

This past week I received an email from Chris Anderson (Graves Golf Alumnus / Level 5 Member) about a recent tournament he played in. After the original email, I asked him to expand about his “pep talk”. And received a GREAT email I suggest all read.

Original email from Chris:

Two weeks ago I finished second in my tournament! I shot 42-37 for 79! I teed off on #1 and as you can see, the front nine did not go well. I couldn’t hit a fairway to save my life lol. I gave myself a pep talk at the turn, used some of the techniques we learned at the AAI School, and was five shots better on the back nine! This included two birdies ( one on the 18th hole).

Follow Up email from Chris (About the “Pep Talk”):

Good Afternoon Tim,

Here is a rundown of the pep talk I gave myself at the turn:

As I walked off the 9th green I was pretty steamed and frustrated to say the least. Especially since I had a great warm up. I felt great, was chalk-full of confidence, and was ready to go. I couldn’t wait to get to the first tee and let it fly. On the front nine, I couldn’t hit a fairway to save my life. I had a couple lip outs and I missed a really short putt. I shot six over par (42) for the first nine holes of the tournament.

As we made our way from the 9th green to the 10th tee box we stopped to grab a drink, use the bathroom etc. I jumped out of the cart and walked into the clubhouse so I could get away from everyone and be alone. I was thinking/saying to myself, “What the heck is going on?” I was frustrated and genuinely bewildered at the same time. After a few minutes of feeling sorry for myself and having a pity party (reality wasn’t matching the vision I had in my mind) I collected myself and thought, “Ok, new 9. New life! You’ve been here before, so there’s no need to panic.” There’s lots of birdies out there. Plenty of opportunities. You got all your bad shots out of the way, so now you can turn and burn. Attack the back 9!

As I stepped to the 10th tee box I adopted a new strategy. The course was very narrow and each fairway was treelined, guarded by bunkers, and lots of fescue just was waiting to gobble up your golf ball. I decided to take the driver out of play and do whatever I had to do to get the ball in the fairway off the tee. I even thought about hitting a 6 iron off the tee. I decided to hit my trusty 7 wood off each tee. 200 to 210 yards. Not particularly far but always straight. I did the math in my head and accepted that I would have to hit 7,8, maybe a 9 iron into each green. Perfect. No sweat. My first and foremost priority was to get the ball in the fairway. Plot my way around the course one shot at a time. Time to rock n’ roll! 

It was a chilly day so I employed the tactic we talked about a month or two prior. On my approach shots, I clubbed up and played to the center of the green yardage (unless the pin was way in the back). We’re not playing hero golf, chasing pins, and forcing anything. Nice boring, uneventful golf. We’re certainly not following a bad shot with a stupid shot (LOL Thanks Tim). I told myself before every shot, “This is going to be my best shot of the day!” As I turned things around and started to hit my stride I kept telling myself, “keep going. Just keep going. Don’t give up. Anything can happen out here. (side note, I do not look at the leaderboard during tournaments)

I birdied both par 5’s on the back and shot one over par 37 for a total of 79! Five shots better than my front nine score! I walked into the scoring area to turn my scorecard in and was completely shocked to see I was tied with another guy for the clubhouse lead! There was one guy still out there with a few holes left to play who was playing quite well. We had to wait and see how it would all pan out. I thought to myself, worst case scenario, this gentleman holds on a wins. Best case scenario, I’m in a playoff with a chance to win a golf tournament I thought I was completely out of as I walked off the 9th green. 

As Paul Monahan has stated repeatedly, “You’re never out of the fight and anything can happen.” There is so much truth and wisdom to that.

Well, the gentleman I mentioned previously held on and won the tournament by a single shot. I finished 2nd but I gained priceless knowledge, insight, and I learned something about myself that is worth way more than the trophy I would have won that day. That trophy would have represented a specific moment in time. One particular date. The lessons I learned that day I will be able to take with me for the rest of my life.  

THANK YOU CHRIS!

Would love to hear your comments about Chris’ Pep Talk.

Please email me at timg@gravesgolf.com with comments.

NEW Callaway Spinners

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By: Tim Graves, PGA

“Easy to hit” gets thrown around a lot.

So here’s what actually makes the Mini Spinner easy.

Four things:

1. A SHORTER SHAFT

Shorter than a fairway wood.

Shorter means easier to control, and easier to find the center of the face.

2. A DEEP FACE

The deep face profile inspires confidence at address.

And it delivers more consistent contact, especially from the rough.

3. A REFINED STEP SOLE

Callaway refined it so the club is easy to strike consistently from the fairway and the rough.

4. A LIGHTWEIGHT CARBON SOLE

It boosts spin.

Spin is what makes the ball stop.

That’s the whole point of the club.

Put those together and you get the forgiveness of a fairway wood with the stopping action of a hybrid.

5…. There’s a fifth thing Callaway doesn’t build in.

The fit.

Every Spinner I sell is custom fit to your Single Plane specs.

An easy club at the wrong length or lie is still the wrong club.

THEY’RE RUNNING OUT AGAIN

Last time, the Mini Spinner sold out in a few days.

It took about 30 days to get the restock in.

This batch is going the same way.

You can trade in your old clubs toward it (with bonus value added to trade in)

Most major manufacturers accepted, and you keep them until your new Spinner arrives.

Available in 7W, 9W and 11W.

7 Spinner = 7 Wood = 4 hybrid

9 Spinner = 9 wood = 5 hybrid

11 Spinner = 11 wood = 6 hybrid

Its deep face profile inspires confidence and delivers more consistent contact, especially when hitting from the rough.

Forgiveness of a fairway wood with the stopping action of a hybrid..

Contact timg@gravesgolf.com for more information and details.  

I will help you customize individual club(s) or a set that fits you PERFECT and save you the most $. 

Single Plane Academy Level # 4 Information

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By Tim Graves, PGA

Been getting A LOT of questions the past few days about Single Plane Academy Level # 4 benefits, etc..

Sure it is because of the “rumor” (true rumor) of our new Scoring University “App” we are about to release.

(A VERY Small example of what is included in Scoring University App Above…)

Here are the benefits (what is included) for ALL Level # 4 members.

1.  Access to Single Plane Academy (SPA).

2.  Access to monthly Members Only 10% Show (Instructional Webinar).

3.  Buy 3 / Get 1 Free ERC Soft Golf Balls (Year Round)

4.  Buy 5 / Get 1 Free Fusion Golf Gloves (Year Round)

5.  Membership specials on Custom Golf Clubs.

6.  Additional 50% Bonus (150%) on all Trade in Clubs (toward new custom golf clubs) (Year Round)

7.  Membership special(s) on training aids and training programs. 

8.  Membership specials on all Graves Golf Schools (plus access to early release before public).

9.  Access to ALL SP30 (Single Plane 30) monthly instructional classes (online) at no charge (Released 1st of each month) ($297 value per class).  (Can get in any SP30 class at no cost – start first of each month). 

10.  Access to ALL SG30 (Single Plane SHORT GAME 30) monthly instructional classes (online) at no charge (Released each month) ($297 value per class).  (Can get in any SG30 class at no cost).  These are due to start April 2027.

11.  Access to All Single Plane University (SPU) classes (online) at no charge (6 released per year) ($699 value per class).(8 classes released in 2025 / 2026.  Hybrid / Fairway wood Mastery just finished, Full Swing Position Feel Class releasing in 2 weeks, Fast Forward Winter Training releasing in December (3 month program), SP Short Game University Releasing in April).

12.  Unlimited Video Coaching with a PERSONALIZED Graves Golf Coach / Assigned Coach. (Email, Phone, Zoom, Video sessions between member and coach).

13. Access to Scoring University (Single Plane University By Demand).  Total Game Overview / Analysis with Personal Coach.

14. Access to NEW Scoring University “App”.   (Releasing in about 2 weeks)(Created to track members entire game through assessments, round stats, etc..  Coach will then monitor members entire game to determine strengths / weaknesses and work with member on specific / specialized improvement).

Currently (once a year..) we are able to open up Level # 4 MEMBERSHIPS for a limited time for a SAVINGS / Special on these memberships.  Level # 4 is VERY limited due to the number of students our instructors can manage.  As you see above, there is a lot of one on one time which limits the number of students per instructor.  We have a few openings in Level # 4 and are willing to offer a SPECIAL off the normal pricing (VERY LIMITED…)

If you would like more information about the Level # 4 membership special (very limited) or you have any questions about benefits listed above, please email me at Timg@gravesgolf.com 

I am happy to help with whatever you need (or get you to the person who is the expert..)

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

Tim

Improve Your Golf Game While Watching Football

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By Tim Graves, PGA

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…

Graves Golf 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. 

In December we are starting this program again, our Single Plane University / Winter Training Program.  This is BY FAR our most popular program / training each year.

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 “off season” 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 the excalibur indoor putter training tool
  2. Set up over a putt with a ball on the excalibur

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

Use the Excalibur to check all these proper positions

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 Excalibur and still centered over the Excalibur
  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 Excalibur 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 fall / 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 Fall and Winter 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

Pitching Fundamentals

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By: Tim Graves, PGA

First – Close to 75% of the scoring of golf comes from within 100 yards of the green (your short game).

With up to 40% being on the green (putter) – that leaves close to 30% between chipping / pitching and bunker type play.

A majority of this play is with your wedges.

So, analyzing those numbers – it could be said that between 20 and 30% of your game is scored with the wedge(s) in hand.

So – to begin – let’s talk about what wedges you should have in the bag:

Everyone’s bag should include at least the following wedges:

Pitching wedge (typically matches their set (matches 9, 8, 7 iron in bag in model and shafting). – (Between 40 and 46*)

(Meaning – if you have graphite shafts in your clubs, this club should be the same…)

Gap Wedge: can match set (PW, 9, 8, 7 iron in bag) or can be a OPUS SP Signature wedge. (Between 47 and 52*)

Sand Wedge (Between 54 and 56*)– Forged type head (spin and feel), steel shaft (weight), S or C type grind (multiple purpose play ability)

Recommend:  OPUS SP Signature Wedge (54* or 56*).

This club is built to create MAXIMUM spin and feel around the green.

Lob Wedge (Between 58 and 60*) – Forged type head (spin and feel), steel shaft (weight), C type grind (multiple purpose play ability)

Recommend Callaway OPUS SP Signature Wedge (60*)

To see more about these wedges:  CLICK HERE

Every wedge in your bag MUST be fit to YOU perfect for length, lie angle, shaft flex and weight, and grip size. 

A VERY common mistake made by average to poor golfers is not having these clubs fit perfect.  This will lead to improper and poor chipping, pitching and bunker play.  Not because of poor fundamentals – but because of improper fit.

To see more about a proper fit:  CLICK HERE

Pitching Fundamentals:

The proper fundamentals on how to use these wedges (in a pitch type shot):

Fundamental video #1:  CLICK HERE

Fundamental video #2:  CLICK HERE

For more information or questions about the wedges for your game, a proper fit and fundamentals – contact Tim at timg@gravesgolf.com

Rethinking Practice and Play

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By: Paul Monahan, Graves Golf Mental Game Coach

Two weeks ago – I spent 3 days in Scottsdale with two wonderful and fascinating people in the golf performance space: Lynn Marriott and Pia Nilsson. Lynn and Pia were the long-time coaches to Annika Sörenstam (…only the winningest female player in the history of golf) as well as many other highly successful players on the PGA and LPGA tours.

They have spent their entire careers growing in their own understanding of what creates great performances on the course  â€“ and creating a framework for their

Pia Nilsson (L) and Lynn Marriott (R) teaching at Talking Stick Resort in Scottsdale, AZ

students and clients to “indulge in the experience of play” as Hogan said.  (Incidentally, Lynn worked with Chuck Hogan for many years.)

And while I learned so much about myself and my game that week, among my key takeaways with Lynn, Pia and the Vision54 Team were these:

  1. Our practice sessions can be WAY more productive when we bring purpose to each and every shot.
  2. We can create much better outcomes ON the course when we set aside the need to fulfill swing mechanics objectives and instead focus on what Lynn and Pia refer to as our Human Skills…which we can control.

Practice Slower, Play Faster. This is one of our Alert Attitude of Indifference Big Ten Strategies we teach at our AAI playing schools. It means:

  • That we all benefit by taking a MUCH slower approach to our practice sessions.
  • That instead of raking over and hitting ball after ball after ball, we can be much more productive – and learn a lot more while practicing – when we hit fewer balls – not more.
  • That when every shot has a purpose outside of a technical skill, we can learn to practice hitting shots as an athletic endeavor – not a cognitive one. (Thanks Lynn and Pia for articulating that so well!)

So, what does that look like when I am practicing slower?

  • No more bucket of balls poured-out next to my hitting station. Hit one ball at a time. No more raking over the next ball!
  • Prior to each shot, I am thoughtful about where I want each ball to fly to, it’s trajectory, and perhaps a feeling I am trying to notice.
  • I leave all thinking behind once I step up to the ball…and just “play.” (yes…even in a practice scenario.)

Playing faster on the course is also an important way to rethink your approach to the game. It means:

  • Not lingering over the shot as you are about to hit it.
  • Leaving your THINKING behind when you are executing a shot. (Including thoughts about how to hit position 3, how to keep your primary tilt, how to transition properly…etc.)
  • Creating a deliberate system that gets you to execute a shot in 4-7 seconds instead of 10-20 seconds.

Why is this important? Because executing each shot is an athletic endeavor â€“ not a cognitive one. (Thanks again Lynn and Pia!) The LESS time you spend hovering over the ball, the less chance there is for your (very) active brain to get involved in the process.

As you practice and play over the next few weeks, see if you can do these two things. Practice slower and more purposefully. And when you play, pull the trigger sooner. Stop lingering over the ball. Stop overthinking. Just do.

I think if you can do this, you will have taken an important step toward achieving what Chuck Hogan wanted for all of us to experience when we play. And what Lynn Marriott and Pia Nilsson preach and teach every day. Just play. Just do. Be fearless. Stop getting stuck in your head. Go out and have fun. Loosen your grip on the outcomes. Enjoy the game more.

Stay Healthy!

-Paul

(Reprint from 2020)

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