Building A Repeatable Swing Like Tiger Woods

•When To Leave The Driver In The Bag
Supposedly, Tiger Woods used his driver only once in winning the 2006 British Open. In its place, he used low irons and fairway woods. I’m not sure exactly sure how many times he used his driver, but it wasn’t much, highlighting something I advocate in my golf lessons and golf tips—knowing when to leave the driver in the bag cuts strokes from your score and your golf handicap. Tiger succeeded at the British Open because he played smart golf. That requires strategically positioning the ball...

•Golf Swing Thoughts Help Develop Consistency
Swing thoughts on the practice range are an unquestioned strategy. They simplify a complex situation. They speed the learning process. And they help develop trust in your swing. How about during a match? Do swing thoughts help there? What are the best swing thoughts to have? While instructors differ on which are the best swing thoughts during a match, they all agree on one thing: Thoughts like “Keep your elbow tucked in,” Finish with your belt buckle facing the target,” or “Keep your head...

•Ball Position For Different Clubs
Ball position is a critical component that’s often overlooked by players with high golf handicaps. Ball position decides a shot’s initial direction. While theories on ball position abound, you need to find one that’s right for you. Ball position affects a clubhead’s swing path, as I explain in my golf lessons. If the ball is too far back, the clubhead moves on an in-to-out swing path at impact, sending the ball to the target’s right. If the ball is too far forward, the clubhead moves on an...

•Do You Have A One Plane Or Two Plane Swing
The concept of plane confuses some players. It also confuses some players that come to me for golf lessons. Many are unclear about what it is and what its impact is on your golf swing. Whether you understand the concept of plane or not, swinging off plane is never good. Focusing on two points—spine angle at address and the position of the left arm on the downswing—clears up the confusion about swing plane and explains its effect on your golf swing and your golf handicap. Several reasons...

•Improving The Mental Picture Of Your Swing
Visualization techniques help improve your game. All good players do it, whether consciously or unconsciously. PGA pros, for example, visualize every shot they take. It’s the key to their success. I also encourage it in my individual golf instruction sessions. Below are a couple of visualization techniques that I’ve written about in my golf tips. To improve your scores quickly, try developing a good mental picture of your swing. Too many recreational golfers have a poor mental picture of...

•How To Choose The Right Shaft Flex For Your Golf Clubs
All low handicappers and golfers who are serious about shooting the lowest scores possible consider flex in their clubs. It makes the science of hitting the ball so much easier, which translates to more enjoyment on the course. Now, when I say flex, I am referring to the ability of a golf shaft to bend as forces are applied to it during the golf swing. Just go ahead and “waggle” your club a little and see how much the shaft bends and you will get an idea of what “flex” is. There are five...

•Golfers Crush Your Drives And Keep It In Play
So you want to drive like Tiger and putt like Ben Crenshaw, huh? Don’t we all. Long drives and accuracy are a bit like oil and water in terms of a combination but they don’t have to be. Just imagine if you could hit your drives consistently in the fairway 250 yards + nearly every time…wouldn’t that make the game a lot easier…and fun? Having a good tee ball is critical to your confidence and placing the ball where you can score. We all can get easily frustrated when things go sideways with...

•The Proper Swing Sequence
Some people who listen to my golf lessons think the swing is all about moving the right body parts. But knowing which parts to move isn’t enough. You also need to know what sequence to move them in, when, and how quickly. Building rhythm, timing, and tempo into your swing is a prerequisite to hitting good golf shots time and time again. Helping players develop swing consistency is a priority in my golf instruction. I work diligently with them, to help them learn both the components of a good...

•The Proper Takeaway And Backswing
When it comes to the swing, my golf instruction hinges on a simple idea: The swing is a chain reaction. What occurs at the start of the swing influences what happens at the end. If you execute the takeaway and backswing properly, you’ll hit the ball with accuracy and power. If you don’t, you’ll hit the ball off-line and with little power. A proper takeaway is critical to a good swing. Like the catalyst in a chain reaction, the takeaway starts everything in motion, as I stress in my golf...

•Synchronizing Your Arms And Body
Whatever your golf handicap is, you’ve probably experienced days when everything on the course seemed to fall into place. You’re golfing with a fun-loving foursome. You’re playing a great course on a great day. And you’re driving, chipping, and putting well. In fact, you’re doing everything well. It all seems so easy. And, then, for no apparent reason, you lose it. You can’t do anything right. Your drives miss the fairways. Your approach shots fall way short. And your chip shots run by the...