Todd Graves

Hit More Fairways with Common Sense

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There are practical and common-sense strategies that you can use on the course to help you improve your game and help you shoot lower scores.  One such tip is almost so simple you’ll probably scratch your head and wonder why you didn’t think of it yourself.

When you play the game enough, you eventually learn that driving the golf ball into the fairway is one of the most important aspects of playing well and having fun.  Alternatively, when you miss fairways and lose balls, golf can be a very frustrating and expensive game.  Here is a simple tip that can help you hit your driver straight, find your ball in the fairway and even save a few bucks.

This tip is actually two steps.  The first step is to select the place on the tee box where you have the best angle into the fairway.  The Second step is to use the ball as an alignment aid.

Step 1: Tee box “angle”

 It might seem unfair, but many times golf course designers align tee boxes toward hazards and trouble. Average golfers often fall for this trick by unknowingly going to the middle of the tee-box without understanding that there is possibly a better option. By moving to one side of the tee or the other you can improve the “angle” of your shot – thus increasing the possibility of hitting the fairway.

For example, if you see that the hole is located on the right side of the green and the best place to approach the flag is from the left side of the fairway, teeing the ball on the right side of the tee box creates a better angle to land the ball in the left side of the fairway.

Once you select the proper side of the tee box, the second step is to align yourself correctly.

Todd Graves Tee Angle

 Step 2: Align the Ball

 Alignment to the target is difficult for most amateurs from especially from the tee. I often see amateurs hit really good shots but, since they are often mis-aligned, the ball flies into trouble.

Another tip to help you align accurately and hit more fairways is to use the ball as an alignment aid.  You will find that most golf balls have a logo or marking on them.  For example, the Titleist Pro-V1 has an arrow on the side and the Callaway Triple Track has three lines.  By using the logo or lines on the ball, you can aim the markings toward your intended target in the fairway.  The lines on the ball give you a sight-line and a visual reference toward your target.

Todd Graves Ball Sline

Now, when you select the correct place on the tee box (tee angle) and align the logo on the ball to your intended target, you have increased your chance of hitting the fairway.  Now just get comfortable and swing and you are two-steps closer hitting more fairways and playing great golf.

Todd Graves Tee shot

 

Moe Norman’s Lead Thumb – The Long and Short of It

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The lead hand grip is more than just where you place the club in the hand. How you place the hand is just as important. If the golf swing were a jigsaw puzzle, I would consider the lead hand position my final piece.

When I first learned Moe’s Single Plane swing, was always intrigued by how comfortable he appeared at address.  He was neither relaxed nor was he tense.  it seemed that he was both.  His lead arm was straight and rod-like as it aligned and extended with the club.  His trial arm was straight but more underneath and soft.

The tilt of his body created a perfect alignment of the club to his lead shoulder as he lead arm extended. Much of his lead arm alignment was related to his unhinged or ulnar deviation and lead thumb positioned down the grip.

Here is a picture of the Single Plane address where you can see the extension of his lead arm.


Single Plane Address Todd GravesAnd how the hand is positioned when holding the club.

When the wrist is in the proper position, there should be no stress on the top of the wrist due to the  extended lead thumb position. The thumb is long but not extended too far down the shaft.  There is a gap between the thumb and the knuckle of the index finger where the fingers are tightly wrapped together under the club.When the wrist is in the proper position, there should be no stress on the top of the wrist due to the  extended lead thumb position. The thumb is long but not extended too far down the shaft.  There is a gap between the thumb and the knuckle of the index finger where the fingers are tightly wrapped together under the club.When the wrist is in the proper position, there should be no stress on the top of the wrist due to the  extended lead thumb position. The thumb is long but not extended too far down the shaft.  There is a gap between the thumb and the knuckle of the index finger where the fingers are tightly wrapped together under the club.


The extended thumb and wrist position at address translate into the proper hand action at the top of the backswing where the hinge of the hands leverage and support the club.


Moe Norman Backswing

Another view of the hand position at the top of the backswing shows the pressure in the trail hand as well.

When the hands are positioned correctly they can work together and hinge correctly to the top of the swing.  This allows the club face to move correctly where it moves in rotation with the lead arm.Single Plane Backswing - Todd Graves

Achieving the ideal lead hand position was the final piece of my Single Plane puzzle.  With a little attention to the detail of where you place your lead hand, it might be your final piece too.

You can find out more about the lead hand position and every detail of the Single Plane Golf Swing in my latest DVD product, The Domino Effect – Back to Basics.

The Domino Effect – Back to Basics DVD

 

Moe Norman’s Lead Thumb – The Long and Short of It

by

The lead hand grip is more than just where you place the club in the hand. How you place the hand is just as important. If the golf swing were a jigsaw puzzle, I would consider the lead hand position my final piece.

When I first learned Moe’s Single Plane swing, was always intrigued by how comfortable he appeared at address.  He was neither relaxed nor was he tense.  it seemed that he was both.  His lead arm was straight and rod-like as it aligned and extended with the club.  His trial arm was straight but more underneath and soft.

The tilt of his body created a perfect alignment of the club to his lead shoulder as he lead arm extended. Much of his lead arm alignment was related to his unhinged or ulnar deviation and lead thumb positioned down the grip.

Here is a picture of the Single Plane address where you can see the extension of his lead arm.

Single Plane Address Todd Graves


And how the hand is positioned when holding the club.

When the wrist is in the proper position, there should be no stress on the top of the wrist due to the  extended lead thumb position. The thumb is long but not extended too far down the shaft.  There is a gap between the thumb and the knuckle of the index finger where the fingers are tightly wrapped together under the club.When the wrist is in the proper position, there should be no stress on the top of the wrist due to the  extended lead thumb position. The thumb is long but not extended too far down the shaft.  There is a gap between the thumb and the knuckle of the index finger where the fingers are tightly wrapped together under the club.When the wrist is in the proper position, there should be no stress on the top of the wrist due to the  extended lead thumb position. The thumb is long but not extended too far down the shaft.  There is a gap between the thumb and the knuckle of the index finger where the fingers are tightly wrapped together under the club.

The extended thumb and wrist position at address translate into the proper hand action at the top of the backswing where the hinge of the hands leverage and support the club.

Moe Norman Backswing

Another view of the hand position at the top of the backswing shows the pressure in the trail hand as well.

Single Plane Backswing - Todd Graves

When the hands are positioned correctly they can work together and hinge correctly to the top of the swing.  This allows the club face to move correctly where it moves in rotation with the lead arm.

Achieving the ideal lead hand position was the final piece of my Single Plane puzzle.  With a little attention to the detail of where you place your lead hand, it might be your final piece too.

You can find out more about the lead hand position and every detail of the Single Plane Golf Swing in my latest DVD product, The Domino Effect – Back to Basics.

The Domino Effect – Back to Basics DVD

Successful and Satisfied Students – Graves Golf’s only Mission

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If I had to summarize the success of Graves Golf this recent testimonial says it better than I ever could – and makes every bit of our efforts worthwhile.

Hi Tim,

I am going to send you two emails. The second has to do with my swing trainer. But before I forget to do this, I want to say a couple of things. I attended the one day single plane training in Anaheim with Pat on September 27th. And I just followed up with another one on one session with Pat on Tuesday, Christmas eve. I was the only student at the all day session. At first I was concerned about being the only student, but I just wanted to tell you what a fantastic time I had. This experience was supplemented by my 2nd session just a couple of days ago. I wanted you to know, which I am sure you do, that I think Pat is tremendous. He is smart, patient, funny and absolutely a tremendous representative of your golf philosophy and your company. Time literally flies by when I am with him. He constantly refers to you and to Todd regarding the positions, the process, how to practice, how to score better, etc. You have a great person in Pat working for you. And of course, he has no idea I am writing this to you. On a 2nd note regarding using your system. I picked up golf again exactly 20 months ago when my then 19 year old son stared working at a local golf course. I had played in my early 20s, but stopped for over 30 years when I started my company. I am now 65 and am an absolute fanatic of the game. I tried multiple different web training sites and took lessons from a pro on how to increase my swing speed. All of these were not only not helpful, the swing speed coaching just about ruined my low back. I stumbled across one of Todd’s YouTube videos regarding how a shorter backswing will produce better results. From there, I have completely adopted the system. I now regularly hit the ball further than I have ever done in the past. I make much better contact and much more consistent contact that I have ever been. I see improvement in my swing almost weekly. My scoring still sucks, but I am beginning to focus much more time on my short game, so I know the results will come. I know everyone says to concentrate on your short game, but when you are hitting every drive less than 200 yards, as I perviously was, you have to improve that part of the game as well. I truly love hitting golf balls now. I have so much more confidence that I will make solid contact and the ball will go (for the most part) where I am aiming, that the overall confidence in my game just keeps rising. Thank you and Todd for this. It is a great system, your videos and all of the content on the web site and YouTube are great as well. If you ever need a reference, I’m your man. Cheers,Nelson Greenwood

I am proud of the Graves Golf team is always working to help our students find their fastest path to great golf.  As the earth makes a final rotation for 2019, it makes for a great time for reflection. Speaking of rotation, let’s go full circle to the beginning of the year and review five great moments.

7. The Feeling of Greatness – 28 (more) Interviews 

Moe FOG

Heading into our second year of production, the Feeling of Greatness Documentary is entering into Post-production after the team, lead by Barry Morrow – Academy Award writer for Rain Man and Producer Nathan Edwards, acquired twenty-eight additional interviews of Moe’s family and friends.  You can find out more about the Moe Norman Documentary at www.thefeelingofgreatness.com.

Website: http://www.thefeelingofgreatness.com

6.  The AAI Golf School

With the help of Paul Monahan, Graves Golf’s Performance expert, the Alert Attitude of Indifference School (AAI) has become one of our most popular offerings.  Here is what students are saying about the GGAAI school:

Student: Rich R.

Just a short note of appreciation to Paul, Chandler, and yourself for a wonderful experience at the recent Alert Attitude of Indifference school in Phoenix.

You recall that I questioned the value of the school and was not certain that it was worth the time or money.
The exercises, drills, and practical applications were extremely valuable to apply immediately and build on in the future.

If anyone is doubtful about the value of the training – I suggest they visit with some of the folks who have attended the school.

A former doubting Thomas

Again thanks for a wonderful experience 

Rich R

Student: Jack G.

I am a 69 year old low teen handicap golfer who is “stuck” to get the next 5-6 shots off my handicap. If frustration and confusion are part of your game, the tools acquired at the AAI School instructed by Paul Monahan with assistance and coaching from Tim Graves and Chandler Rusk – May be for you………I now have a toolbox that will provide me the skills to get out of my own way (Stop Overthinking), replace frustration with gratitude and get back to the basic concept of why I took up the game 40 years ago – To Have Fun!!!  Isn’t that why Moe was so successful? Because he “played the game” and had fun!!

You will leave this school with a new appreciation of yourself, your life and your golf game. 

Jack G

To find out more about the next GG AAI School – you can visit the school pages here: http://moenormangolf.com/schools/2-day-alert-attitude-of-indifference-school/

5. Todd Graves YouTube Channel

Moe Norman and the Single Plane swing expand to YouTube this year with the Todd Graves Channel.  The channel gained over 10,000 subscribers in just four months.  The channel is a great creative outlet for teaching people about the uniqueness of the Single Plane instruction.

http://www.youtube.com/c/ToddGravesGolf

4. Excalibur and H3

On a mission to help golfers lower their scores by improving the most important scoring part of the game, Tim Graves developed the Excalibur and H3 putting trainers designed help you implement the Graves Golf fundamentals.

Purchase it here: http://bit.ly/2MxCBVV

3. The Swing Thing

This year Graves Golf Introduced the Swing Thing – a product designed to teach the proper sequence of the golf swing and one of the most difficult parts of swing motion – the release.  It is impossible to swing the “Thing” incorrectly.  The design helps you feel swing plane when you Plane the Chain.

Purchase it here: Right Handed: http://bit.ly/39mfMOO Left Handed http://bit.ly/39kVa9i

2. The Single Plane Life

Why do you play? Is golf important to you? This year we introduced the Single Plane Life. The Single Plane Life is a life where you have fun playing golf again which makes you enjoy your time playing golf.  Great golf, fun on the course and with friends, this is the Single Plane Life.

See Tim’s video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0qCxxD2xJg

1.The Acquisition of Moe Norman

This has been an exciting year for Moe Norman as well.  For the past twelve years, the Moe Norman brand has been in great hands thanks to Graves Golf.  After a brand purchase arrangement with the Moe Norman Estate, Graves Golf has acquired all of the intellectual property rights to Moe Norman. Now the future is in our hands as well.

The Two Lines and Tension Points of the Single Plane Swing

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I spend much of my time stressing the importance of the Single Plane starting position.  It has been my experience that when I am unstable or uncomfortable at address, my ability to strike the ball solid and consistently decreases dramatically.  When I feel perfect at address, I am a great ballstriker.

I believe that many golfers take the address position for granted and focus more attention on the motion of their body during the swing.

The address position is more than just standing beside the golf ball holding the club.  There are important elements that must be present to engage the body ensuring that the first motion into the backswing, what I call the first move, sets the entire golf swing into the proper sequence.

Club to Body Spatial Relationsihip

At address, there are two straight lines formed between the arms and the club.  These two lines form a “club to body” relationship.  The relationship is spatial allowing the arms to easily return the club to impact.  Let’s take a close look at these two lines and the relationship that is formed.

Down-the-Line (Single Plane) – the First Line

Single Plane Address Line from Down the Line

This angle shows the alignment of the club with the trail arm into a straight line.  The club is NOT aligned with the lead arm from this angle.  If I removed the trail arm from the club, the club would align below the lead arm.

Single Plane showing Trail Arm and Lead Arm

This is due to the club being held in the fingers of the lead hand into the heel pad.

Single Plane Lead Hand Fingers
The Single Plane Swing and Lead hand position

Face-on-View – The Second Line

The second line can be seen from the face-on perspective where the club shaft aligns with the lead arm to the lead shoulder.

Single Plane Face on View

This alignment is a function and created by the tilt of the body.  The tilt of the body lifts the shoulder where you can see the extension which is where tension is felt. This is the area where the body feels engaged and ready to move.  The motion of the swing starts at the lead shoulder area because of this tension.

Single Plane Lead Shoulder Position

When the body is engaged, there is tension as various points feeling as though at these places you are in a “ready” state.  As the body prepares to make the first move into the backswing, with the proper tension at these places, the body is stable.  Stability at the correct places allows for the proper movement sequence.

Single Plane Swing Places of Tension

With the tension and stability in the correct areas of the body, there are also places that are relaxed, mostly in the trail side.  Instead of tension, these areas are “soft” and relaxed. See the diagram where the blue shaded areas mark the places in the body were there is very little tension. Single Plane Relaxed areas

With the body engaged and relaxed in the correct places, you are ready to initiate the correct movement into the backswing.  Each aspect of the body’s position promotes proper movement.  The details of these aspects are an important part of biomechanics and swing sequence.  You can find out more about how each detail of the swing affects the swing in its entirety in my latest DVD product, the Domino Effect, Back to Basics where I discuss, in detail, each aspect of the Single Plane Golf Swing.

The Domino Effect – Back to Basics

Graves Golf Domino Effect

 

 

Moe Norman’s Lead Thumb – The Long and Short of It

by

The lead hand grip is more than just where you place the club in the hand. How your place the hand is just as important. If the golf swing were a jigsaw puzzle, I would consider the lead hand position my final piece.

When I first learned Moe’s Single Plane swing, was always intrigued by how comfortable he appeared at address.  He was neither relaxed nor was he tense.  it seemed that he was both.  His lead arm was straight and rod-like as it aligned and extended with the club.  His trial arm was straight but more underneath and soft.

The tilt of his body created a perfect alignment of the club to his lead shoulder as he lead arm extended. Much of his lead arm alignment was related to his unhinged or ulnar deviation and lead thumb positioned down the grip.

 

Here is a picture of the Single Plane address where you can see the extension of his lead arm.

Single Plane Address Position

And how the hand is positioned when holding the club.

When the wrist is in the proper position, there should be no stress on the top of the wrist due to the  extended lead thumb position. The thumb is long but not extended too far down the shaft.  There is a gap between the thumb and the knuckle of the index finger where the fingers are tightly wrapped together under the club.

Single Plane Grip Position

The extended thumb and wrist position at address translate into the proper hand action at the top of the backswing where the hinge of the hands leverage and support the club.

Moe Norman Hand Position at Top of backswing

Another view of the hand position at the top of the backswing shows the pressure in the trail hand as well.Single Plane Top of Backswing

 

Single Plane Top of Backswing

When the hands are positioned correctly they can work together and hinge correctly to the top of the swing.  This allows the club face to move correctly where it moves in rotation with the lead arm.

Single Plane Top of Backswing

Achieving the ideal lead hand position was the final piece of my Single Plane puzzle.  With a little attention to the detail of where you place your lead hand, it might be your final piece too.

You can find out more about the lead hand position and every detail of the Single Plane Golf Swing in my latest DVD product, The Domino Effect – Back to Basics.

The Domino Effect – Back to Basics DVD

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