Get Better STAT!

I’m proud to say that, I played golf for Penn State in college.  The best golfer to graduate from the Penn State Women’s golf team is currently on the LPGA Tour, her name is Katie Futcher.   My college coach, Denise St. Pierre,  shared this visual with me, it’s the one that Katie uses. Ever since I have used it to evaluate my game. 

If you did not get a chance, my last two postings were titled “the need for speed” and “hit your mark”.
In this visual, the red box represents the fairway and the circle represents the green.  In conjunction with the accuracy/distance blog,  the red line down the middle of the fairway represents the accuracy line (how accurate are you hitting your tee shot?)  The end of the box bisects the middle of the green. This portion of the box will represent your distance control on the green. Since the diagram is a circle, every green will not look like this,measure your statistics as if the center of the circle is in relation to the hole.  From here, plot each shot you take during the round.

This is an example of 9 holes,  the numbers with astricks  *  represent your approach shots.   At the end of your round you can evaluate which area you tend to miss a shot.  

Megan Padua is a PGA Certified Instructor, LPGA Member, TPI Level 2 Junior Golf Certified, a TPI Level 1 Golf Professional, Coutour Certified Putter Fitting Professional,  and a Staff Teaching Professional with JRG/TSGA programs at the Raven Golf Club Phoenix

Trim Golf

2012 is almost here! What will be your new year’s resolution?

With the Trim Golf attitude, You can shave strokes off your game in 2012.

Dropping strokes on your game is a lot like losing weight.   It’s not always easy but if you can take off a little here and a little there you will eventually notice a difference over time.

My college golf coach, created a goal for us by coming up with a group called “The One Shot Club”  it was our mission to be a part of it.   The concept is, if each player could drop one stroke, as a team we would drop 5 strokes and that could be the difference between winning and losing.   There are many different areas where you can drop this stroke.   However, if you could drop one stroke in each area,  you would maximize your improvement.   What if you improved your putting by one stroke this year?  What if you improved your mental game by one stroke,  your  fitness ability by one stroke, your short game by one stroke, What if you saved one less drive from flying out of bounds?   Instead of trying to drastically improve one area of your game focus on how you can get just one stroke better.  

This year, I want you to take a look at what you want in your game, set a goal and make it happen!  Take out a piece of paper, write it down, and plan all the areas that you can trim one stroke.  We know that you can do it!

Megan Padua is a Coutour Certified Putter Fitting Professional, a PGA Certified Instructor, LPGA Member, TPI Level 2 Junior Certified and a Staff Teaching Professional with JRG/TSGA programs at the Raven Golf Club Phoenix

Mission Impossible!

>>The Brief

You must escape the impossible in one shot, blasting the ball from a downhill bunker lie over a tall lip to an uphill pin. Now quit whining and get on with it!

>> The Weapons

Sand or Lob Wedge and Three Hail Marys!

>> The Execution

• Bunkers require us to be chameleons as golfers. We have to adapt to whatever circumstance they set. When your ball is set on a severe downhill lie, creating a stable foundation for balance is the key. Adopt a wide stance with your shoulders pitched downward with the slope. My secret tip here is to also set your back foot well behind with the back knee flexed nearly down to the turf. This will make it feel much easier to create a free swing without getting in your own way.

• Grip down on the club a few good inches. This shortening of the shaft will provide control, while making it easier to clear the back lip with your takeaway.

• Playing with an open face, trust the loft on the club at all costs. Swing confidently “with the slope” avoiding your natural instinct to try to lift the ball up over the lip. Any upward action here is sure to throw the head into the sand well behind the ball leading to certain disaster!

• A brisk pace, with a committed thump of the club head into the sand will surely make you the envy of your friends….at least for one hole!

>> Expect

To possibly fall face first into the sand. A rip in your trousers and Oh….the ball to roll out more than normal upon landing.

Mission Impossible was a series of stories which ran in GolfPunk Magazine in the United Kingdom. Check out this video compilation of shots captured for the magazine with my British pals right here in Phoenix!

Jeff Ritter is a coach, author and speaker specializing in peak performance and life inspiration! In 2010 he was named by Golf Digest Magazine as one of the “Best Young Teachers in America!” Click Here for more information on private and group coaching with Jeff Ritter, Martin Chuck and the entire JRG/TSGA Staff.

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