What Is A Slice?

What Is A Slice?

What is a slice?  Why does the ball go so far away from where we want it to go?  In this video, Mike discusses why you slice the golf ball and how you can start to straighten out those way word golf shots.

Please leave your comments below.

Mike Fay

Mike Fay

PGA Director of Instruction

With over 30 years of teaching experience, it's easy to see why Mike has become a leader in the world of golf instruction. Everything from cutting edge social networking techniques to having his own podcast, Mike has helped to change the face of teaching golf.  He currently is the Director of Instruction at Walnut Creek Country Club in South Lyon, Michigan.

Email:  [email protected]

Working On Your Golf Takeaway With A Pen | Virtual Coach

Working On Your Golf Takeaway With A Pen | Virtual Coach

In this Virtual Coach session Mike shows how using a pen can help you control an open club face. Please leave your comments below!

Mike Fay

Mike Fay

PGA Director of Instruction

With over 30 years of teaching experience, it's easy to see why Mike has become a leader in the world of golf instruction. Everything from cutting edge social networking techniques to having his own podcast, Mike has helped to change the face of teaching golf.  He currently is the Director of Instruction at Walnut Creek Country Club in South Lyon, Michigan.

Email:  [email protected]

Golf Match Play-Think A Different Way

Golf Match Play-Think A Different Way

 

Playing match play golf has been around for centuries.  With a handicap system to equal the field, just about anyone can beat anyone on any given day. That’s what makes it so much fun to play.  All inclusive.

I have had a formative career playing match play events.  I have won some and lost some heart breakers.  As I look back on it honestly I have learned more about myself and game than any other format of tournament play.  So I wanted to share some of what I have learned with you today.

I guess you could call them rules, mistakes, or things that have worked for me. So lets begin!

Doomed Before You Start

In the days leading into a big match can set a tone for your match without you even knowing it.  Perhaps you know this player ahead of time or maybe you don’t. Regardless of that everyone around you will have expectations about the outcome of your match. Only you have control over you. Don’t let the distractions bother you.

While we are here let’s add a few more things that can cause you to be doomed to the start. Things like lack of sleep, improper nutriution, and lack of preparation time all can have you doomed before the start.

What Happens During The Match

Being reactive instead of proactive will ruin your chances to win matches. A big rule that I stand by is that no matter who you are playing against, play the course and play that course to the best of your ability. If you try to keep up with the 350 yard bombing opponent, most likely you will be hurting only yourself by slashing balls deep into the forest. Be proactive by knowing your own game limitations and maximizing them.

Always go into matches with a “let them beat you” mentality. Dare them right? If they do beat you and produce great golf, hats off to them! Your opponent’s play throughout the day had nothing to do with yours. You just didn’t play well enough to win. and…..that’s ok. We often learn more by losing than by winning. Losing does inspire greatness!

Never get too far ahead of yourself. Each hole is it’s own entity. It doesn’t matter what has happened before in the match, and….guess what? It doesn’t matter what will happen after either. Be concerned with what you are doing on each shot on each hole. Many a player has had a thought they had it in the bag coming down the stretch and found victory fall through their fingers. Which brings me to my final point.

Never underestimate your opponent. Your opponent is here for one reason and one reason only….to beat you. You can’t go through a match hoping that your opponent makes mistakes. It’s draining on you and you aren’t paying attention to what you need to do to play your best and win the match. Be encouraging to your opponents, show respect for the good shots they hit, you will be a better player for doing these things. The world’s best player can be beaten in match play, we have see it done before. Play YOUR game and not to theirs.

 

Mike Fay

Mike Fay

PGA Director of Instruction

With over 30 years of teaching experience, it's easy to see why Mike has become a leader in the world of golf instruction. Everything from cutting edge social networking techniques to having his own podcast, Mike has helped to change the face of teaching golf.  He currently is the Director of Instruction at Walnut Creek Country Club in South Lyon, Michigan.

Email:  [email protected]

Fun In Fitness Training

Fitness

Fun In Your Fitness Training

If you have been following my blog posts on this website, you are probably getting the message that fitness training for golf is important. Well, I will emphasise here again that it is very important, both to your golf and your general wellbeing.

But it is sooooooooo boring!!!! Is a common excuse I hear from people who are starting out with fitness training. Well, I am here to tell you that it doesn’t have to be.

There are so many options when it comes to fitness training and you can check out your local gym, talk to your personal trainer or use some of the ideas below to bring some fun into your fitness training.

Classes: Doing an exercise class is a great way to increase your enjoyment during your fitness training. You are in a group situation around like minded people with a fun and energetic instructor leading the way. The atmosphere keeps you motivated and classes usually include some great music to keep you going. Try lots of different classes and I am sure you will find a few that you like.

Set goals: Goal setting has been discussed on this website and in Mike’s podcast and, if you have a competitive streak like me, are a great way to keep your sessions fun. Striving to beat your personal bests and achieve your goals is a lot of fun and will keep you coming back for more fitness sessions.

Make up some games: Training your cardio vascular system doesn’t need to be hour after hour sitting on an exercise bike or walking on a treadmill. Make up games that you can play with a friend or group of friends and your session will be fun and the time will fly by. When I was coaching in Taiwan the players I was coaching has their own little games they would use to make the training session fun. You can see a couple of videos showing the session by clicking here and here. As you can see, they are simple games but can make the session fun and competitive and help make the training enjoyable.

Mix it up: Doing the same thing over and over is a sure-fire way to make your training sessions seem endless. Make sure you mix it up a little and try different types of training. This will ensure you use different muscle groups and continually challenge yourself and your body. When I was coaching in China my wife and I introduced the students to boxing training for golf. It is a great way to challenge your fitness levels, build your strength and improve your coordination. You can see, in this video, my pregnant wife leading the students through some combination punching drills.

These are just a few ways that you can make your training more enjoyable and I would love to hear your ideas in the comments below.
Until next time,

Brent Davis

Brent Davis

Brent Davis

PGA Professional

Training & Education Coordinator
PGA Centre For Learning Performance
Melborne, Victoria, Australia

Email: [email protected]

 

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