Moe Norman

It’s About the Journey

January 18, 2026 by Tim Graves PGA

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…

January 4, 2026 by Tim Graves PGA

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

January 4, 2026 by Tim Graves PGA

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

Mental Game Skills Must Be Cultivated

December 14, 2025 by Tim Graves PGA

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

December 14, 2025 by Tim Graves PGA

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.

“Mind Boggling” – Holy Crap / Brighten Your Day Email Part 2

December 14, 2025 by Tim Graves PGA

By Tim Graves, PGA

From: D A JENSON <jenson*****>
Date: Mon, Dec 8, 2025 at 8:40 AM
Subject: Follow-up
To: Tim Graves <timg@gravesgolf.com>

Hey Tim,

This is Dean Jenson again. I just got the email with your video about my email. I was chuckling when you described what I was likely doing in my swing. You nailed everything, of course.

Just to fill in some blanks, I had the body damage mentioned from my sports activities earlier in my life. Boys will be boys.

I spent one winter looking at different golf swings and settled on the single plane because of the reduced strain on the back and lead knee.

My ACL damage was significant. If I slipped a little shoveling snow, I would be down on the ground instantly. I had to be very conscious of foot placement. I got the ACL replacement when pro athletes started returning to their sport after having the procedure done. The problem for golf was 15 years of conscious and subconscious knee protection. Correct lead knee movement and trail hip motion took years to override the self-protection mechanisms.

I am not going to get into my shoulder and arm issues. However, after talking with other students at your schools that I have been to, I feel relatively unscathed. I suspect overcoming self-protection mechanisms might be slowing down other students’ learning processes as well. I first had to slowly hit each position and hold it and tell myself that it was a safe position for me to be in. I had to repeat those slow movements a lot before I could speed up my swing. Your comments about the 25, 50, 75 then full swing are great practice methods for the swing. But they were also very helpful for tip toing in to find out my body parts could perform the movements safely.

I decided last Thanksgiving that bike riding indoors and outdoors would be my main source of exercise for life. Watching pro bike races got me interested in training. Training harder got me into the pro rider’s health habits. That got me and my wife into better nutrition, which was already good thanks to my wife. I started getting into joint mobility and stretching after seeing and listening to you and Chris. My wife made stretching a little competitive as she would ask me if I could do some of her Yoga poses. I couldn’t, and my hips would actually cramp up just from sitting on the floor and spreading my legs out. That was freaky. I have been working on hip flexibility regularly for the last year and will continue whole body mobility as long as I breathe. I am conscious of and work towards keeping full shoulder range of motion. The golf swing itself helps with that. The golf exercises from Chris, of course, are tremendous. I may not get stronger, but flexibility will help maintain my golf swing’s range of motion. It appears to me that range of motion is most important for the proper swing positions to take place and create the effortless power you talk about regularly.

In the last month I have begun to feel effortless power. I actually feel I need to slow the swing down. I was always trying to swing hard to make up for a less than perfect swing. Maybe it is not slowing things down but just using less tight muscled-up force. I have reached a connectedness in the swing where I can feel I am hitting the ball hard; it sounds different as well. The ease of the swing now makes me feel I could easily do 36 holes a day if I wanted to. It is just mind boggling seeing the changes in the last 2 months.

This is getting a little long again, sorry. Apparently, I don’t do short emails.

Thanks Again,

Dean Jenson

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