July 2016 Golf Tip Newsletter

JohnHayesGolf.com Newsletter Golf Tip – July 2016

 

For your golf game:  Here is a good practice drill to help newer players acquire a feel for the swinging motion.  Line up 3 balls in a row about a foot apart.  Stand to where the first ball is around the center of your stance and then the second ball is a foot farther away, also around the center of your stance and the third ball is one more foot away from you and in the center of your stance.  Now imagine that the lawn mower is broken and you have to CUT THE GRASS with a short iron.  So stand several feet away from the first of the 3 golf balls that are in a row and begin to swing the club back and forth and cut the grass.  The grass you are beginning to cut is still several feet away from your row of golf balls.  This does not need to be a full swing but make a swing big enough to really CUT THE GRASS.  And cut the grass in BOTH your forward swing and your back swing.  Now, once you get the continuous motion of cutting the grass going, begin to walk forward toward your row of golf balls.  REMEMBER – STAY A “BACK AND FORTH GRASS-CUTTER!”  DON’T LET THE ROW OF GOLF BALLS SUDDENLY TURN YOU INTO A “BALL-WHACKER!”  So you keep your back and forth motion going and, when you reach the first ball, let your grass-cutting motion send the ball away on your forward swing.  Don’t stop and admire your great shot.  Just keep cutting the grass back and forth and send the second and third ball away on the forward swings also using the back and forth grass-cutting motion.  Don’t let anyone stand back on the target line while you do this in case you accidentally hit one of the balls when you cut grass in the backswing.

This drill can really get you to be more flexible and feel the freedom of a swinging motion.  It also can give you the timing of the swing – you can’t rush forward until you have completed the backswing.  And it can help you to feel how your legs move in timing with the swing.

I have heard that some stores, back before all of the power mowers and yard tools came out, actually made an old fashioned grass-cutting tool with a golf grip and shaft attached to a longer blade so you really could cut some long grass in the yard while helping your golf swing.  Golf teachers such as Bill Mehlhorn and Harvey Penick recommended these in the 1920’s and 30’s.

 

Upcoming clinics and events:  My next LADIES-ONLY GOLF CLINIC will be held on 2 consecutive Weekends – July 9, 10, 16 and 17 from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on all 4 Weekend days.  Cost is only $40 total for all 4 hours!  It is good for beginners or newly dedicated golfers.

My next specialty clinic will be a SHORT GAME BOOT CAMP for 2 hours held on Saturday, July 30th from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.  I will cover pitching/chipping, bunker play, putting, and fun games to practice effectively!  Men or Ladies welcome.  This is NOT for new beginners.  There is a limit of only 3 students so call or email to sign up.  Total cost is only $55.

I will conduct a GET GOLF READY LADIES BOOT CAMP on Thur., August 11th through Sunday, August 14th.  There will be 4 hours of golf clinics (Thur. & Fri. from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and on Sat. from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.) and then we will finish on the golf course on Sun. from 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.  This is perfect for beginners who want to feel comfortable on the golf course in a short time.  Total cost is only $99 and includes everything! 

Please call, text (727) 692-4679 or email, jh@johnhayesgolf.com, to sign up as space is limited for all clinics.  Go to www.johnhayesgolf.com for more details.

As always, please contact me with any questions or comments and I hope to see you soon on the lesson tee at the Chi Chi Golf Range & Family Sports Complex in beautiful Clearwater in the Tampa, FL area.