Tightening Up Under Pressure ?

Quoted after finishing second in The Open Championship as a relative unknown

' We all got taught how to control our mind by The Swedish Golf Federation. We have a very good system in Sweden of bringing young talent through. It is really up to yourself to use it, and practice it, but we are taught certain techniques in the classroom, and on the golf course from a young age. I don't get too nervous. A couple of times it was difficult, but I really like these situations, and you need to have the capability to control your nerves. The most common way is through using breathing techniques, It's actually fairly basic '.      

                                                                                                                                                                                          Nicolas Fasth

In anything we do it is more or less impossible to be nervous and to be breathing correctly and thats the way it is on the golf course !

We all know the old scenario, standing on the last tee with out of bounds on the right, haven't hit it right all round then go and do it, or standing on the fairway with a second shot over water to the last green, which is big, with no trouble behind it then we go and hit it short in the water ! In these situations we tend to get tight, from not thinking positively, thinking on the wrong outcome, we get nervous, dont breathe properly then knock it where we did not want to go in the first place.

It is first and foremost important to:

1. Have a small, positive target in the  distance where you want the ball to go to.

2. Picture the ball flying to this target in your 'minds eye'.

3. To have a constant, repetitive pre-shot routine which you commit to prior to

   each shot you hit, without fail, and if distracted, start the process again.

For tee shots, if the trouble is to one side tee your ball up close to the tee marker on the side where the trouble is and have a target in the distance that is to the opposite side.

It is important during the pre-shot routine until you start your backswing to be breathing properly, as this will help you to make less mistakes, the average golfer tends to get very tight and does not breathe properly when under pressure.

it is best to inhale breath through your nose and to exhale through your mouth again as part of your pre-shot routine, certainly if under pressure.

ie inhale 3 times through your nose then exhale 3 times through the mouth and repeat this whole process 3 times during the set up / pre-shot routine process. By the time you have exhaled for the last time you will have started your backswing. This process will keep you relaxed under pressure as you are concentrating on your breathing while being zoned in on your target for better results.

This whole process is similar to shooting a gun, if any of you have done that, as you need to breathe correctly to hit your target etc......

If you live in the Perthshire area of Scotland and need some help with your golf game I work as a golf teaching professional at Pitlochry Golf Range & Academy which is slightly to the north of the city of Perth. I have been trained by the PGA and Trained Brain by Dr Karl Morris & Jamie Edwards, as well as being trained and certified by The Titleist Performance Institute.

Regards,

Graeme Leggat  PGA Advanced Golf Professional

Improve My Game - Swing Characteristics - early-extension

Improve My Game - Swing Characteristics - early-extension


Early extension is indeed a very common swing characteristic. If you need help with your game in the Pitlochry, Perthshire area of Scotland why not come and see me to improve any area of your game. I am  Titleist Performance Institute certified.


Graeme Leggat  PGA Advanced Golf Professional

Example of a Client Swing Assessment

This is an example of a lesson which was performed on a member at Pitlochry Golf Ltd. He was first given an 11 point screening before having his golf swing assessed both Face-on and Down-The-Line using c-Swing computer analysis. See Pictures at the bottom of the page

The Screen

  1. Pelvic Tilt
  2. Pelvic Rotation
  3. Torso Rotation
  4. Overhead Deep Squat
  5. Toe Touch
  6. 90/90
  7. Single Leg Balance
  8. Lat Length
  9. Lower Quarter Rotation
10. Seated Trunk Rotation
11. Bridge with Leg Extension

From the screen it was clear that this person had several limitations and from doing a computer swing analysis these showed up in his golf swing.

Limitations

1. Pelvic tilt movement was very limited    Posture
2. Could not get near to a Toe Touch      Posture
3. Over Head Deep Squat                        Maintaining Posture / Early Hip Extension
4. Unstable Hip Rotation                         Sway

If you look at his golf swing you can see the following:

Face On  ( see pictures below )

1. Knees were too fart apart at address ( red squares )
2. Notice the sway to the right              ( red lines )
3. Notice head movement upwards      ( red line )

Down the Line  ( see pictures below )

1. General Posture could be better
2. Shoulders open / Feet closed
3. Backswing is steep
4. Out to in swing path
5. Early extension of the hips ( away from white line which was against backside )


The golfer was given exercises to do at home to help improve his limitations.
( print out explanations were given to the golfer )

1. Pelvic Tilts in Golf Posture with bar or golf club
2. Pelvic Tilts supine
3. Leg Overs
4. Early Extension practise drill To be done at driving range

The golfer was also given a couple of things to work on in his swing from this initial lesson

1. Press knees slightly in to one another at address i.e ball between knees
2. To flatten out backswing keeping clubhead lower to the ground during take away.


If the golfer does his exercises at home as well working on his swing in combination with taking a regular lesson he will improve his play.

Before the screening and analysis the golfer either hooked or blocked his shots which could be struck fat with the occasional thinned shot.

 Graeme Leggat   PGA Advanced Golf Professional





Swing Improvement Package     for only  £120

1.  Initial 1 hour session - Screening / Computer Swing Analysis
2.  Lesson 2 - 45 minutes session
3.  Lesson 3 - 45 minutes session
4.  Session with a Personal Trainer in Pitlochry
5.  1 hour session - re-Screening / computer Analysis followed by report on findings.

Golf Club Fitting ?

Being fitted for golf clubs is not a new thing by any means and was available on a personal scale for many years long before the Ping golf company became the recognised mass market leader in this field in the 1970's and is still considered so from the quality and precision of it's products compared to other manufacturers. However many amateur golfers think that 'custom fit' equipment is only for the Tour Professional or gifted amateur golfer whilst at the same time thinking it will be far more expensive to buy, which would be a wrong way of thinking in both respects.

Irons   It is common place to have irons fitted for:

1. Length
2. Lie Angle
3. Shaft Type
4. Shaft Flex / Kick Point / Torque
5. Grip Type
6. Grip Size
7. Swing Weight

Most PGA Golf Professionals have the expertise to custom fit their clients for new golf clubs from scratch for most of the well known equipment manufacturers' club ranges as well as the ability to adjust sets if necessary or to assemble a set from component form. However companies such as PING prefer to adjust their own clubs as they are mostly very difficult to adjust as heads are heat treated during the manufacturing process for strength and durability thus ensuring long term product quality. Callaway also produce very good quality custom fit products for all levels of golfer.

When a client is being measured for new clubs a Golf Professional or Club Fitter will measure the client from wrist to floor to give an idea on club length as well as measuring / taking clients hand / glove size in to consideration. It is then best to have a dynamic fitting on the driving range whereby club face and sole are taped up on several clubs and balls are hit off of a club fitting board. During this process the club fitter will work out which club specifications are most likely to suit the clients needs. To a certain extent through club fitting it is possible to make allowances or adjustments to enable the client to hit the golf ball straighter and possibly longer without the client having to change his or her golf technique.

Drivers   Depending on the manufacturer / model there are variations in:

1. Head Size
2. Adjustable Loft angle  +/- 1/2 degree
3. Orientation of Club head to Target i.e. Square / Closed / Open
4. Weight Bias
5. Length
6. Shaft Type / Flexibility / Kick Point / Torque / Weight
7. Grip Type
8. Grip Size
9. Swing Weight

Fairway woods / Hybrids tend to be less adjustable than drivers.

Many current Driver models form most manufacturers employ the 'OPTI-FIT' system whereby it is possible for the client to self adjust the drivers settings to suit, before or after a round.

There is a huge selection of shafts to choose from so it is recommended to take the advice of the club fitter on the choice of shaft.

With advances in technology it is currently possible, though only at limited locations, due to the cost of buying a unit, to have your swing and equipment measured on  Trackman radar technology. Trackman is the most accurate radar/ monitor available and is the leader in this field. Many of the top tour professionals have their own trackman to work on their golf games namely to make their golf swings more efficient.

From a Basic club fitting point of view the:

1. Correct Length of club will give a more centered strike, thus better distance and feel
2. Correct Lie Angle will effect the direction
3. Correct Grip Size can effect how you grip the club as well as your grip pressure.
4. Any adjustments made to the length of a club will effect Lie Angle / Swing Weight / shaft flex

If you are thinking of buying yourself a new set of irons or a driver or even a Putter it is better to be professionally fitted to ensure you get something that will suit you and your golf game !



Graeme Leggat PGA Advanced Golf Professional

 

      

           

Identifying Any Golfer's Limitations

Are you a typical golfer who has had a golf lesson or a series of golf lessons from the same or from different golf instructors ? Who sees a little improvement before going quickly back in to the same old fault pattern(s) again and is told to do more or less the same thing(s) again by the golf instructor on the next lesson(s) ? The problem is you may have a physical limitation which is making it difficult or even impossible to make the movement(s) you are being asked to make by your instructor thus stopping you from improving. It is however possible to improve by doing one of two things which are

1. Working around any limitation. It is possible for the golf instructor to work around any physical limitation to aid improvement.It is however not possible to see a limitation by just looking at your golf swing, which means your instructor will need to test you somehow. This is normally done by implementing a 'Golf Specific Screening'.

2. Limitation Improvement. It is possible to improve some limitations quite easily through employing golf specific excercise which the golf instructor can prescribe. Should you have a more long term problem or injury you would need to work with a qualified physio to aid any possible physical problem.


        IF YOU DON'T TEST IT, IT IS JUST A GUESS !


The best way to identify the golfers limitation(s) is through a Golf Specific Screen

1. Pelvic Tilt
2. Pelvic Rotation
3. Torso Rotation
4. Overhead Deep Squat
5. Toe Touch
6. 90 / 90
7. Single Leg Balance
8. Lat Length
9. Lower Quarter Rotation
10. Seated Trunk Rotation
11. Bridge with Leg Extension

As long as your are fully grown it does not matter what stage you are at in your life it is important to be
screened by your golf instructor to help him / her help you better to improve your golf game !


Example Golf Lesson of a Lesson Client who was Screened

Golf Specific Fitness

The 'Titleist Performance Institute'

Graeme Leggat PGA Advanced Golf Professional





    

Modern Wedges, Bounce and Knowing what to choose ?

               

For many people it is difficult to know exactly what to look for in wedges regarding exactly which loft / bounce combination to have in their golf bags with many people still relying on the PW and SW that comes with the set with a huge gap in between the loft of these two clubs - modern PW has roughly 46 degrees SW 55 depending on the manufacturer. Most golf professionals will have 3 or 4 wedges in the bag depending on their own preference and the type of ground at the course they are playing and they will be inclined to change the loft / bounce combination regularly to accommodate this.The average player will most likely be playing the same golf course on a regular basis as a member so should not need to change wedge options like a tour pro but it is recommended to have 3 wedges with proper loft gaps and bounce to suit the course.As a rule if the ground conditions are normally hard less bounce is considered to be better with soft ground more bounce is better, however it also depend a little on your technique.

'Slider' : 

This style of player has a shallow angle of attack with minimal ground contact which means shallow divots and sand displacement and can slide the club head under the golf ball with an 'open' face.
This style of player is better to choose wedges with medium bounce although it is important to consider the normal ground condition when considering the bounce.

'Digger' :

This style of player has a moderate to steep angle of attack normally with a full divot being taken or more sand displacement and tends to play with a square club face relying on the loft of the club. This style of player is better to choose wedges with more bounce for better playability especially from sand. For firm ground medium bounce is suitable, while for soft conditions more bounce.
Consider a set option that would include a lower lofted medium bounce wedge with a higher lofted wedge with high bounce.

'Shotmaker' :

A skilled shot maker can normally vary their angle of attack and can produce different shots depending on the position at hand. It is better to choose wedges with medium to low bounce to be versatile in manufacturing shots of different type. Consider having at least one wedge with increased bounce to give maximum shot making opportunities. It is also worth mentioning that most manufacturers can also custom grind the soles of wedges to suit the player.

Determining Your set composition in Wedges :

When trying to determine how many wedges you should carry in your golf bag it is worth considering having a club you have confidence in, and are reliable with for bunker shots. Also full wedge shots will produce more spin which means it is worth having more than two wedges in your set, having three wedges is recommended. It is important to have a proper loft / yardage gap in between your wedges just as it is with the rest of your set and it is beneficial to hit fuller shots into greens giving proper trajectory and spin to stop the ball without either too much roll or too much backspin.

Most modern wedges will have the degree of loft as well as the degree of bounce stamped on the club head. When buying wedges it is better to consult a PGA golf professional for advice on what to buy but of course if your short game is generally not as good as you expect it to be it is recommended to have a short game lesson to improve your technique.

Graeme Leggat PGA Advanced Golf Professional

                                                                 Loft 56 Deg : Bounce 11 Deg

Loft 56 Deg : Bounce 14 Deg

                                              


                                     

             
Loft 58 Deg : Bounce 4 Deg