Golf Mentor

Challenge yourself

admin — Mon, 07 May 2012 18:14:20 +0000

I think everyone must find a way to challenge themselves to help them get to the next level. There is no way you can improve at something if you do not push yourself in some way.
   Here is a way to see if you can handle the pressure and also see where you are at.
    Step 1:
    -Head to a driving range (yes it’s a place you need to go to improve your game)
    -Warm up correctly, starting with some half shots and then ease into all the clubs starting with the shorter clubs and work up
   Step 2:
     -Decide on what club you want to work on, or what shot you want to work on
     -Hit a few and see where you are at
   Step 3:
     -Challenge yourself
     -How many 5 irons can you hit in a row at a target?
        -If you can’t hit two in a row, you better keep working on it
        -As the weeks go on your number should rise, the pressure will be less and less.
        -The next time you have a 5 iron to hit on the course in a pressure situation, there will not be any pressure because you
          have already overcome any of this by challenging yourself on the range.
        -PUTTING , do not forget about this either
            -start with two foot putts, try and get to 20 putts, then three foot putts and keep going.
               -You will be amazed how easy short putts are when you practice this way.

Tip of the Day: “Walk a little”
-More people take a power cart than walk these days. There is nothing wrong with that but I believe if you ride the entire game
you will hurt your game a little. Why you ask, well I feel people rush to their next shot without relaxing and preparing for the shot at hand. Think back to your last game. Was there a shot you hit poorly, jumped in the cart, quickly drove to your ball and followed it up with another poor shot. If you simply let your partner drive to his ball and you had walked to your ball you could have relaxed a little bit. Then thought a little more and sure enough a better outcome would have occurred. The reverse can happen too, you hit a great shot, you are all excited, rush to your ball (without thinking of the shot at hand, and follow your great drive with a poor shot. I am not saying play slow golf, but I also and not saying play speed golf.
-So even if you ride most times, walk a few times throughout the round. Its good to keep yourself in shape and its good for the game.

Specialized Sessions Start May 27th. Get involved.
   -Putting May 27th
   -Chipping and Sand shots June 2nd
   -Iron play June 9th
   -Drivers on June 16th

These sessions are designed to get you to understand a little more specifically in the areas discussed. We will work on drills, routines and why to hit certain shots. Email me at glen@golfmentor.ca and register now.

good golfing ahead,
Glen

Game for a lifetime

admin — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 16:22:21 +0000

I think I can speak for all golfers that once you get the golf bug you are hooked to play golf for your entire life. There are not many sports that you can do that. I think we also all can agree there isn’t many things that give you such satisfaction as to the feeling of the ball hitting the club just perfect. Whether its hitting a long straight drive or hitting an approach shot to a foot away from the hole, you just don’t get that excitement in many other activities you do.
Try telling someone that has never golfed before the ups and downs of playing a round of golf, they will not understand if they haven’t played. I think the ups out weigh the downs or you wouldn’t be golfing. In fact you probably wouldn’t be reading this blog or practicing on the range if you didn’t enjoy the feeling of your great shots.
You are probably saying to yourself, where is Glen going with this, seems like one of his long winded stories. I am telling you this because you being a golfer should find a friend or someone that has never golfed before and take them to the range and try it. Sure they will struggle a little but that is where you can explain to them they get a few lessons, we all know it will help. By getting a new person to try golf you are giving someone a chance to enjoy the game you have for so many years. It is not fair, we as golfers get to enjoy the game so much and the non golfers do not. Many non golfers are so unsure or intimidated to try it, this is why they need a friend to explain it is not so intimidating.

Get Ready Golf is a program that Adam and I offer at the Meadows and have had something similar to this for years. Our goal is to grow the game and get everyone having fun playing golf. Check out the website at www.getgolfready.ca to explain more. Our first program start May 27th. So if you have any friends let them know about it.

Future Linksis our junior program that is nationally recognized as the top junior program available. We have already had our first session of the year and the juniors are loving it. Knowing many of the juniors will get to enjoy golf for 80 years is such a great feeling. We have also been in many schools this year to get the children interested in this great sport and if we haven’t been in your child’s school let us know. Our team loves to get to as many schools as we can.

Patriot Day is a new program involving the military that we be announcing more details in the following weeks to come, I wasn’t suppose to announce it but couldn’t hold off.

Specialized golf instruction is for all of you that have golfed. Certainly can’t leave the already golfers out that want to enjoy this game at the next level. This instruction begins on May 27th at the Meadows. We have four classes on consecutive Saturdays. The specific tops that are focused for the entire class putting, chipping & sand shots, iron play and driving.

STAT OF THE WEEK: Did you know PGA players sink ten foot putting 36% of the time. What is your % ? There is no reason that you can’t have the same % as PGA players. One aspect of your game that can be the same as the best players in the world is putting. So therefore you should be hitting one ten foot putt out of three. Short to mid range putts is what you should be practicing on. So if you are not, then get to it.

More information on any of our programs or any questions about your golf swing email me at glen@golfmentor.ca or Adam at adam@golfmentor.ca. Adam and I would also like to thank you for so much feed back on this blog and our website.

Lets get more people out there enjoying this game for a lifetime.

Do you have a routine?

admin — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 18:50:23 +0000

I think we can all agree that we all have many routines we stick to daily. Most of these routines we do not even think while we are doing them, they are just done automatically. Well that is why you MUST have a routine on all your golf shots.
   Let’s think about this. When you get into your car, you sit down, you put the key in the ignition, turn key, foot on gas, put into proper gear. This is about the same time it takes to hit a golf ball. Did you think during the time you started the car, probably not. Do you think during your golf swing, most do. What do you do correctly everytime? The one you do not think about.
So why not apply a routine to your golf swing so you can shut off your thinking.
    What should be in a routine you ask? Great question. For starters, avoid the long drawn out routine that gets you the nickname of “Human Rain Delay.” The routine must have purpose and flow that gets you ready to hit your shot. A possible routine could be;
               - take one practice swing that is going to be exactly like your�
                  swing that you want for the shot
               -Decide on a target, picture how the shot should look
               -take your proper aligment (the same everytime)
               -hit your shot.
Avoid standing over the ball too long, avoid having a different or multiple swing thoughts while over the ball.

How often are you standing on the 18th hole not having your best game, not caring (actually not thinking) and hit a great drive off the tee? Or the reverse having a great game, start over thinking (that you were not doing the first 17 holes) and then hit a poor drive.

Give yourself a chance to hit the ball, overthinking, no confidence and trying to hard does not give you your best chance to hit a good golf shot.

Having the same routine everytime takes the guess work out and allows you to just swing the club.

Not sure what routine should work, email me at glen@golfmentor.ca and let me help you.

2012 Spring Golf Programs:

Adam and my programs are almost all full but there is still some availability in the junior programs. Another suggestion is learn golf as a group. If you have 2,3 or 4 other friends that want to have even more fun learning golf email me at glen@golfmentor.ca or Adam at adam@golfmentor.ca. Have an even bigger group you then get to be entertained by both Adam and myself.

Get out on the golf course everyone, courses are in great shape.

Watch for the 1 - 2 Follow through at the Masters

admin — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 02:32:24 +0000

My prediction is the player you see have the best “1 - 2 follow through” on the most shoots during the week will WIN THE MASTERS. Bold prediction you say, I say no, it is actually a very safe prediction.
I know many of you are saying, “The best putter and best shot game player usually win the tourney.” I say you are absolutely correct.
So how does 1 - 2 follow through apply on your short game. Well this simple thought process applies to every golf shot you make. Watch the guys
this week with their putting strokes. They will take the putter back (ONE), come back and hit the ball (TWO), and follow through towards the hole. If there is uncertainty on the line or the pace of the putt you will not have the 1 - 2 follow through stroke. This occurs on chipping as well and of course the full shots. Watch the players on Sunday, if you watched Rory last year on the final day. There was no 1 -2 follow through going on, that is why he almost hit a few houses.
Everyone talks about having good tempo, but many do not know how to achieve it to have it. Well its simple ONE (take the club to the top) TWO (hit the ball) and FOLLOW THROUGH (finish in balance).

Great week to watch some golf and then head to the course yourself and apply this simple process.

The masters starts on Wednesday at 2:00pm with the par 3 contest. Very entertaining, I say take the week off from work and enjoy the golf. Clearly by watching some great golf will help your golf game.

good golfing,
Glen

You didn’t lift your head

admin — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 16:49:01 +0000

Have you ever heard a fellow golfer say to you, “You lifted your head.” My guess is most of you have, I can say most times they are wrong. Most golfers think they know how to fix someone else’s golf swing, even if they do not know why they can’t hit the ball themselves. Why is this?
Today, I will explain the possible causes of topping the ball. Topping the ball is when you hit the ball on the top of it doesn’t get off the ground. Some call the ball flight a “Worm Burner. So the next time you top the ball again you can tell your friend that “You didn’t lift your head” and explain what you did incorrectly. But after this blog you may never top the ball again so you won’t have to worry and the worms will be safe.
   Two main causes of topping the ball
   1. Trying to scoup the ball up to get it in the air
        -So many new golfers dream to get the ball up in the air, so in turn
          they try and flick their wrists to scoop the ball up
        -The other method in trying to scoop the ball is the fall away from the
         ball and finish with all you weight on your right foot.�
            We call this the “Jordan”, named after Michael Jordan’s wade away
             shot in basketball.
     2.Reacting to the ball
          -Being that the ball is very scary, many golfers tense up when they
           are about to hit the ball. Just before they are about to hit the ball
           they pull up at the ball or the dreaded “Chicken Wing” at impact�
          with their left arm.

So how to correct the “Jordan” or “The chicken wing,” it is simple try this
drill. Place two golf balls about a foot apart, then imagine there is a golf ball in between the two balls. I now want you to try and clip the ground right between the balls. You should see a divot or a mark in the ground between the balls. If you are not touching the ground or hitting well behind the spot you want to work on this until you can clip the ground every time. There is no point in trying to hit a ball until you can complete this drill every time. You will soon realize that there is a slight descending angle towards the ball, not an upwards motion at impact.

Thanks to everyone that came out to see Adam and I speak at the Golf Expo on Saturday, we sure enjoyed talking about our 1 - 2 follow through golf swing. If you missed it, not to worry our spring clincs at starting April 9th at the Meadows.

For more details on all of our clinics and coaching packages email me at glen@golfmentor.ca or Adam at adam@golfmentor.ca . Another way is check out out programs on line at www.themeadowsgc.com .

2012 Golf Season has officially begun, make it the best year ever

Practice with Pressure

admin — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 20:40:11 +0000

I thought I only had one profession but clearly I now have two. I predicted an early start to the golf season and we have one of the earliest ever starts to the golf season, I guess I can call myself a weatherman too.
   Clearly there is no pressure being a weatherman, but there can be pressure felt on the golf course. Do you practice pressure on the driving range? I will say most do not, so how can you expect desired results if you do not practice pressure.
   How to practice pressure you ask? Well let me tell you.
     -Get your bucket of balls, head to the range, grab the driver and swing as hard as you can for the first dozen balls. WRONG !!
           I am completely joking on the driver but why do so many people do this? Clearly this will not help your golf swing.
     -No let’s get down to work.
              -Ease into your practice session.
                   -Proper stretching is a great idea before you even hit your first golf ball.
                   -Take a bunch of no ball swings, even begin with some half swings
                   -Grab a 9 or a wedge and hit a few half shots, simply to stretch out a little more. 30 - 40 yards distance is plenty
                   -Now that you are warmed up, you are ready to practice CORRECTLY
              -Decide what you want to work on and stick with it. Just because you hit three or four perfect shots in a row does not mean
                you have it figured out. Spend the time and really master it. Make sure you are now picking a target and hitting the ball at�
                the target, remember flag sticks on the green are targets on the course.
              -NOW THE TEST, take ten golf balls. Decide a number of good shots at the target you consider is good.
                    -100’s shooter choose five, 90’s shooter choose six etc.
              -The pressure starts now. Go through your routine as if you were on the course, target, alignment etc. Start hitting your shots.
                  -Be honest with yourself, a good shot that goes towards the target counts one, off target, nothing. What is going to happen
                   is as you keep hitting your shot you will get to 4 out of 8, now the pressure kicks in knowing you need to get to 6. You are
                   sitting at 5 of 9, needing that shot at the target. You will feel the pressure, just like you will feel it on the course.
                        -Did you succeed? If so, great, next week up that number to 7. Failed, keep practicing what you thought you had
                         mastered. Do not do the ten ball challenge more than twice in a session. Save it for the end after you feel you have
                         worked on the proper aspect of your swing you wanted to.
Practicing with pressure is the only way you will be able to improve your golf swing when under pressure on the course. This being said even though you might feel some pressure, keep golf fun.

Not sure you know what to work on, well this is the time of year to get Adam or myself to help you out. We have our “Spring Tune Up Sessions” starting in April and run right through until June. Looking for an individual player development plan we have that too. Simply email Adam at Adam@golfmentor.ca or me, Glen at Glen@golfmentor.ca and we can get you started.

The Meadows has the top Junior program in Manitoba and recognized nationally as one of the top ones in Canada so if you have a junior looking to start golf or is already into golf come and see us there. Check out the website www.themeadowsgc.com for all of our programs beginning in mid April right thourgh until the end of August.

Good golfing in MARCH,
Glen

Write your game plan down !!!

admin — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 21:02:34 +0000

I had such a good response on everyone asking about having a plan to improve their golf game, I had to write this article. I am excited that so many of you want to do this. I think this is a must if you truly want to improve your game for 2012.
Simply saying you want to improve is no plan. You need a game plan.
Figuring out a way to get to your goal is the only way you will achieve your goal.
Now lets begin developing a plan.

STEP 1: Write everything down
-Get a pen, see you have already accomplished something today
-By having something on paper you can follow it along and see where you stand. Keeping track in your head will not work.

STEP 2: Strengths and Weaknesses
        -Giving yourself a good analysis of your game is important. Be honest
with yourself.
        -Start with putting and work out
                (remember how important short game is)
        -examples: good lag putter, poor hitting out of sand, confident from
100 yards, erratic with 4 and 5 irons etc

    Step 3: Goals
            -Have two set of goals, short term and long term
            -Your short term goals set you up for your long term goals
            -A couple of short term goals could be spend one hour a week of only
working on short putts (between two feet and six feet).
            -Have many short term goals and even have some really easy ones to
achieve, it will only build confidence as you achieve your goals.
            -Now onto the long term goals. These goals can be six months away or even six years away. Have some attainable ones and your final one write one down that you think is almost unattainable. Do not strive to be average, strive to be excellent. Push yourself to go a little farther.
       Step 4: Always have fun playing or practicing golf.
           -This step should be the first step

Always have a method to achieve your goals. Do not just say you want to achieve something without knowing how to. Not sure on how to do this email me at glen@golfmentor.ca or Adam at adam@golfmentor.ca . We are always here to help you.

With this little bit of snow happening these past days our golf season might be slightly delayed. Not to worry get your game plan in place and be ready sooner rather than later.

good golfing ahead,
Glen

Playing More Golf = Playing good golf

admin — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 19:13:10 +0000

I posted today’s topic to see if I could trick you into thinking by simply playing more golf you will play good golf. If your plan this year to to play good golf by simply playing more golf you will be in for a big surprise.
Sure playing three or four times a year and now playing ten or twelve this year you will see some improvement. If you actually want to improve your game, more golf does not get you to the next level. PROPER PRACTICE does. Finding more time on the range or even at home hitting a few putts from time to time will. Sure playing golf is more fun than practicing but isn’t playing good golf even more fun. Spending 30 minutes on the range and working or your swing “properly” is far more productive than playing another round of golf after you have played two bad days in a row. I know many players that love to play golf but also get frustrated why they are not improving. Why are they not improving is simply because they are doing the same thing over and over again on the golf course. Isn’t this the definition of insanity, doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.
So in 2012, make the require changes and get to the next level and play better golf. Start now, by getting a plan to make it happen. Do not be the golfer that practices everyday for the first month before the courses open and then just play the rest of the year with no practice sessions. This golf season plan for at least one practice session a week. Its easy, you only need about 30 minutes.
I also find golfers get in a rut when they play too much golf. You get a week of holidays and play everyday, I say split the week up and simply hit some balls on the middle day. You will enjoy the last half of your week so much more and I will guaranteethe last round will be just as enjoyable as the first of the week. Make every round of golf an event rather than an activity that you just go through the motions of hitting a ball.

NEED HELP: Adam and I have all of our upcoming lesson schedules, clinics, and junior classes in place for the upcoming year. Check for more details at www.themeadowsgc.com or www.golfmentor.ca . Not sure what program works for you email me at glen@golfmentor.ca .

How times have changed? If you have read my blog from a couple weeks ago about putting you would remember I talked about Tiger winning tournaments because of his putting and Phil losing tournaments because of his putting. Well if you watched the Pebble Beach tourney this past weekend it couldn’t be more opposite right now. With Tiger’s improved swing he would have been tough to beat “If he could make some putts”, so until he gets his putting back on track he will not be winning any tournaments anytime soon. When he does win this year, watch it will be all about his putting.

Good golfing ahead

Why is Luke Donald the #1 Player?

admin — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 03:31:07 +0000

My last blog I said we might have an early start to the season, well maybe I jumped the gun a little because it then snowed the next few days. Not to worry because after you read this blog you will be fine with a slightly extended winter. It gives you more time to work on what you really should be already working on.
Currently Luke Donald is ranked as the number one player in the world. For the ones that really follow golf closely on tv already know this, but for the casual golfer you may not. He is not a house hold name like Tiger Woods or Phil Mickelson, but as of right now he is the best player in the world. Luke must be a long hitter, actually no, he is ranked 147th and averages 284 yards per drive. He must be a really accurate driver off the tee, he is better but still only ranked 57th. Why is he the best, obviously he has the lowest scoring average because you need that but to win tournaments. Any guesses, it is quite easy. He is the best putter on the tour. There is a stat that is called Strokes gained-putting. I will let you read up on that, can’t tell you everything.
   Stat of the year, “Luke Donald made 2,213 out of 2258 putts with in five feet.” Yes only 45 misses all year. If you do the math, its 98%.
   What is your % on those. Maybe from time to time you can hit the ball farther than 284 yards which is better than Luke, do you think he cares? Should you?
Now what should you be working on right now? While you are working on your five foot putts and less, also work on your thought process. Think about what you are thinking, probably nothing or simply trying to put the ball into the hole. Is this the same thought when you are on the course, NOT !! It is so much fun playing with amateurs that think they can putt, put a little pressure on them on the course and watch them crumble. Don’t be one of those guys this year. Keep your practising simple and your thoughts simple while putting everywhere. Same thoughts, same routine.
    Proper technique is a different story and there is where Adam at adam@golfmentor.ca or myself glen@golfmentor.ca can help you.
   One last thought on this topic. Tiger Woods was the number one player forever, Phil Mickelson was not. What is the difference between the two? Is Tiger’s swing that much better than Phil. I do not think so, I think everyone has their opinion and their is no clear correct answer. Who made more crucial putts? Well that is real easy. Think back of how many times you watch Tiger always make his crucial putts, and not even the really long ones. How often did Phil miss the crucial five foot ones or less? Why is Tiger fallen down so far, sure he is working on his swing, but how many putts is he missing now as compared to before. Knowing you can make those five foot putts gives you a whole lot more confidence everywhere else.
   Think about this and decide why hitting long drive after long drive does nothing to lower your score, but putting does.

Junior Golf Mentor Programis in the full swing for Adam and I. We have already begun getting involved with schools for the 2012 year. That being said we are always looking for more schools to attend and teach them golf and grow the game. If you want us to come to your child’s school let us know. We will bring all the club, balls and hula hoops (yes hula hoops). We make sure everyone has fun learning golf.

For more information on all of our programs email me at glen@golfmentor.ca or Adam at adam@golfmentor.ca.

Countdown to golf season begins. Need a spring tune up or ideas of getting a player developement program started for 2012, give us an email anytime.

Good golfing,
Glen

Work on your golf game NOW!!

admin — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 17:26:27 +0000

I will probably get myself in trouble for saying this but it sure has the potential of having an early spring this year. There is a chance that we have an extra long golf season coming? If so, you want to be ready.

I know I get excited about the potential of every upcoming golf season and I always make it a point to be ready for it. Will You?

“Winter is the time to improve your game and summer is when to enjoy your winter’s work.” I stand by my quote. Trying to improve your game in the summer works but not nearly as well as it does starting now. We all know it takes time to make changes on a golf swing, well in the summer while you are making changes you are probably struggling a little on the course thinking a little to much.
A suggestion is sit down and decide what parts of your game you struggled with in 2011, all of them is not an answer. I think if you golfed all year long there must have been some good and of course some bad. Next, right down some goals you have, that are achievable. How are you going to get them completed. For starters, take your clubs out of your trunk or your basement and clean them up a little. Get them ready for the season NOW. Decide what kind of program you require to help yourself get to the level you want to be at in 2012. Not sure of a program, ask us. We are always here to help. One suggestion is if you are thinking about some lessons or a player development package we offer, head to a facility and hit a few balls. I find for golfers after hitting some balls after a layoff it reminds them of the good and bad stuff, sometimes easier to make a list of what you need to work on. Even if you are not quite a go-getter yet for golf, get out your putter and hit some putts at home. Every little bit helps.
I think we all can agree playing better golf makes golf so much more fun in the summer.

Upcoming Group winter programs :
(starting at the end of February):
-Junior classes with ages ranging from 5-17
-Older junior classes from 18-99
These classes will be designed for all levels golfers, starting with juniors or adults that have never touch a club right up to golfers that want to improve their game over the winter.

WHAT’S NEW WITH THE GOLF MENTOR TEAM:
2012 will be the biggest to date for us.
-We will be launching a new and improved website in the upcoming months. -We have set up a Junior Golf Mentor program that will get over 2000 juniors involved in the game this upcoming season. We have been working on this project for almost 2 years now and everything as now fallen into place. More details to follow but you will be able to read all about them in the upcoming articles in Golf Canada and National Golf Course Owners Magazine in the near future.

Adam and I are very excited in the direction we are going.

For more details on lessons, questions or getting involved in our Junior Golf Mentorship program email me(Glen) at glen@golfmentor.ca or Adam at adam@golfmentor.ca .

Let’s together have the best golf season ever