JohnHayesGolf.com Newsletter Golf Tip – November 2016
For your golf game: In my short game lessons and in my Short Game Boot Camp I will tell the students that in putting, pitching and chipping (less than full swings) you want to let the size of the swing cover the distance for you. So you should visualize all shots rolling along the ground and stopping at your target so that your instincts know what size swing to produce for this distance. Then you swing and be sure you don’t ADD A BURST OF SPEED ON THE FORWARD SWING. If you go back a shorter distance on the backswing and then you ADD SPEED going forward on a pitch shot or a putt then I will ask you, how much speed will you add? You will see that this is a tough question to answer. The amount of speed that you add will not be consistent so your impact and your distance will not be consistent.
Observe yourself and see what you do if you toss a ball underhand to a target. Toss a ball 2 or 3 different distances and you will see that you will just let the size of your arm swing dictate how far the ball is to be sent (if you are not thinking like a golfer!) If you add a burst of speed going forward then your ball tosses will be as inconsistent as your short game golf shots would be.
So I want you to hit some putts and pitches and feel that you just let the size of your swing cover the distance for you and you FEEL YOU DON’T ADD ANY SPEED GOING FORWARD. One of the characteristics of this type of swing is that it is very close to being symmetrical just like a kid swinging on a swing in the park if someone is not pushing the kid forward and adding speed.
A good friend and highly-regarded golf instructor in Stuart, FL, Jerry Tucker, has just published a golf instruction book on the short game entitled, “SYMETRICAL GOLF.” You can go to his website, www.jerrytuckergolf.com, to find out info about the book or you can just go to amazon.com to purchase his book. Jerry has done a lot of research on the short game and is also a very entertaining writer so I think you will find it a plus to your golf education.
Upcoming clinics and events: My next LADIES-ONLY GOLF CLINIC will be held on 2 consecutive Weekends – November 5, 6, 12 & 13 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, DECEMBER 3rd from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 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., December 8th through Sunday, December 11th. There will be 4 hours of golf clinics (Thur. & Fri. from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 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!
** I will be conducting the Adult Golf Clinics every week on Wednesday evenings at 5:30 p.m. and on Friday mornings at 9:30 a.m. There is no sign up just show up and cost is only $20 which includes a large bucket of range balls.
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 & Sports Complex in beautiful Clearwater in the Tampa, FL area.