Single Plane

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

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.

Mastery Orientation

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By Paul Monahan, Graves Golf Mental Game Coach

GGA Mental Game Coach

Your brain is amazing.

It regulates your body process, allows you to analyze and interpret external stimuli and is the source of the very consciousness that allows you to read this sentence.

And it is also an incredible survival tool.

The brain has a very powerful (but primitive) threat response system designed to keep you alive. Great when you need to run from a tiger (as you may have needed to 50,000 years ago), but not so great when you want to perform at your best in a competitive situation (like the Spring member-guest against your buddies.)

Your brain’s threat response system is always monitoring your external environment to determine if your safety is in jeopardy, much like aa software program running silently in the background. You probably aren’t even aware of it.

The challenge with this system is that it is not smart enough to know the difference between a saber-toothed tiger running toward you (which could ACTUALLY harm you) and a slippery downhill 10-footer on the eighteenth hole to tie your match.

In both cases, your brain goes into threat response because it has assessed that you might lose something very important to you. It signals to your body that you are in danger.

The problem? On the golf course, this response has physical and mental implications. Sweaty palms impact your ability to hold the putter properly. Nervous, shaking hands affect your ability to move the putter as you would like to. And clouded judgment can impact the kind of decision-making that keeps you in your process.

So what to do?

I believe that we can be successful more consistently in nearly any performance context when we do certain things to prevent the brain’s threat response from activating.

I coach my clients on the distinction between operating from a Mastery Orientation versus operating from an Outcome Orientation. And I teach them how to adopt a Mastery Orientation whenever stepping into any kind of performance arena.

The primary difference between the two operating orientations is this: people who operate a Mastery Orientation are concerned with elevating their competence. People who operate from an Outcome Orientation are concerned with proving their competence.

Because of this, a golfer with a Mastery Orientation has a distinct performance advantage. They are more likely to stay connected to all their skills and abilities. And they can execute at a high level and do things like:

  • tune into their surroundings in productive ways
  • stick to their game plan and make clear decisions
  • stay in the present moment and execute their process
  • feel the putter move freely
  • be playful and PLAY the game

This is because they are not wrapped up in results. To them, outcomes are important, but only insomuch as they (the outcomes) reflect where they (the golfer) are on their own path to mastery.

They know deep down that the WORST that can happen is that they will learn something: about their game, their capacity for resilience, their ability to compete in certain conditions…etc. And because they hold this knowledge, their brain’s primitive threat response is not activated as easily.

When they hit wayward shots, they see those shots in the context of their overall goals in golf – and not as defining moments in that particular competition, nor even how they define their own self-worth.

In a way, golfers who operate from a Mastery Orientation have written a story for themselves about what their experiences on the golf course mean to them. And they access that story each time they play.

For them, golf is not (entirely) about winning or losing, but rather about growing in their mastery of the game. Each shot – no matter the stakes – is an opportunity to learn and improve, not a challenge.

The result? They play better. They score better. And typically enjoy themselves more.

On the other hand, the golfer who operates from an Outcome Orientation is typically in for a much more emotionally-charged ride on the course. Why? Because their ego is heavily involved in how they see each shot. (Remember, they are trying to PROVE their competence, not grow it.)

When they stand at the first tee, they experience anxiety because they are trying to show the world the fruits of all their hard work on the range. (We call this pressure.)

And when they have to face that slippery downhill 10-footer, the dominant thoughts are not about what they could gain, but rather about what they might lose. They experience what my colleague and NHL hockey prospect coach Walter Aguilar calls horizontal thinking: they “move horizontally” in their thinking to the future, imagining how awful it would be to miss the putt and to lose their credibility with their friends and/or competitors.

As a result, they begin to lose access to their high-level cognitive functioning, as well as the physical skills and abilities they possessed prior to starting the round. And of course, this can start a kind of performance death spiral that is very difficult to pull out of.

The good news is that you have options. You can choose the mental and emotional stance from which to operate when you play. You can choose the orientation you want to adopt when playing golf.

xI hope you choose a Mastery Orientation.

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 )

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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