Dear Golfers and friends,
With apologies to my South American and Australian friends we Northern Hemisphere golfers are "suffering" winter. I actually have to wear a sweater some mornings. (Sorry Boston.) Of course I couldn't pass up "Deflategate." (American Football Conference [AFC] Championship Game of the 2014–15 NFL playoffs.) But somehow, everything in life (including PSI scandals) relates to your golf game. Check it out.
Enjoy the game again!
-- Steve
34 comments
Well, Tiger shoots 82 in his second round for his highest score ever in the tournament. Seems like he has a long way back. As an instructor, I can see that it may take some time for his new swing changes to click in, and I think they look good, but his short game is something else. Flubbing little chips shots like a rank beginner is beyond explanation. It must be mental from what I can see. What do you all think about Tiger? Will he come back, will he win this year? Be interested to see what you all think.
I had a great time at the PGA show in Orlando for 3 days. Over 40,000 golfers there, 15,000 pros and about 2,000 golf companies, all under one roof. Got to see all the new equipment and meet up with lots of old friends.
I’m so fortunate that so many past presidents of the PGA of America are friends of mine and I met up with about 6 of them and got some great photos of us together. They’re all strong supporters of Mirror Image Golf Swing and love my weekly videos. They think the humor that I interject is a fun thing to let golfers enjoy the game again and is a great approach to take golf into the future.
I attended the Master Professional luncheon and these guys are the best of the best. I’m honored every day to be in this group of fine golf pros and we shared many ideas about teaching the game.
Funny day today here in SW Florida. My lessons cancelled because it was too COLD. Always hard to remember that when it’s July and so hot you can’t stand it. Warmer the next few days though so back at it.
I’ve been filming lots of new tips so I’m excited to have them here for you all to see in just a few days, I know they’ll help your game.
When I worked for the legendary Ken Venturi, he told me a story about Corey Pavin playing in the US Open one year. On the first hole of the tournament, Corey’s tee shot ended up in the trees. Instead of trying a miracle shot to the green that may have ended up in even more trouble, Corey instead punch out and play for a bogey. He made a bogey but didn’t make a triple bogey. He said, “I didn’t want to lose the tournament on the first hole.”
By the way, Corey shot 69 that day!
Jack Nicklaus said that he never hit a shot that he first didn’t ‘see’ in his mind, and that’s truly important for golfers of every level. If you create a positive thought in your brain it’ll transfer down into your swing and you’ll hit the ball better. Good golfers look where they WANT to hit the ball, and poor golfers look where they DON”T want to hit the ball. Amazing what your brain and make your body and swing do.
Thanks Bernie, and here’s wishing you all a great holiday season too. While most of the US is having a cold winter, here in SW Florida it’s been in the 80’s and fantastic for golf.
I hope your game is going well and please blog me any swing questions you may have. As always, I appreciate all your kind words and support.
Steve
Hi and seasons greetings to Steve & family & team & readers of his amazing posts. Wishing all a Very Merry Christmas and an Amazing & Healthy 2015.
Bernie from “downunder”
I just got a great question from one of our members and wanted to share it with everyone.
Hi Steve I am left handed, own your 1st book and the Mirror Image DVD and I study and practice. Often my biggest problem I push my iron shots left of pin about 10 15 yards per 150 yd shot —-help me out –,thanks Ray
Thanks for the question Ray. First, let’s discuss how a push is different from a slice. A push tells us the problem is more with your swing. A sliced shot, one that curves, is more that your clubface is open. A push is a straight shot that just starts and stays off-line.
I’d first check your alignment and ball position. Make sure you’re not aimed off to the left like 95% of lefties do and that your ball is not too far back in your stance. Both of those will cause the push.
When those are solid, then the first thing I’d check is your backswing, or Handshake as you’ve read in my book. Chances are you’re swinging your arms and club too far back to the inside during your take away. Make sure at waist high that your club has gone back parallel to your target line and hasn’t gone around you too much. Going back inside too much makes the club and your ball start off to the left.
Give it a try out on the range and keep us all informed.
Hey again everyone. As you might have seen, we’ve added Gift Certificates for you to give as Christmas presents to the golfer in your family to join the site as an annual. You don’t have to be a full member to purchase one and it’s the best gift you can give your loved one, the gift of a better game all year long. We also have a limited number of the fantastic golf book, Great Golf Collections of The World. It’s the best book ever on the history of golf and would make a wonderful gift. Check both of them out at the top of the page.
Good job Warren. You have been the ‘sand master’ lately and it sure does save you a lot of shots.
Steve,
As you know our golf course was recently remodeled and many large bunkers
were added to protect the greens.
With your sand lessons,I am able to get out of the sand every time and usually
close to the pin.
Not being a low handicap,my buddies are amazed at my sand play.
You make it so easy.
Thanks,Warren.
Have you seen the new videos of Tiger’s new swing? It’s all over the Internet and he plays his first tournament today. From what I’ve seen, his swing looks great, almost like it did back in 1997 when he won his first Masters. He’s gotten more upright in his backswing like he used to be and it looks much better. Everyone that knows me knows I’ve always thought he needed to make this change so finally he’s on the right track. Love him or hate him, he’s still the biggest draw in the game.
Here’s a cute story from one of my long time students that he just sent me after reading the latest tip entitled; “Don’t throw your clubs into the water hazard.” I’m glad to say that he’s a fine player now and doesn’t do this anymore, ha, ha.
The title of your video reminded me of an incident at Eastwood back in the old days when I used to get aggravated about my game.
I was on #6, par 3 over water. Put down a ball, hit a 7 iron, and plopped it into the water. Put a second ball in the water. Then went into Tin Cup mode, and put several more in the water. Then decided that since my 7 iron had such an affinity for the water, I tomahawked the 7 iron into the center of the lake. It did not slip, it was a purposeful throw.
Of course, this was the 7 out of my custom fitted Titleists at about $100 per club. So when I went in to the clubhouse, I said to the pro that the next time one of the ball divers went into the lake, if he came up with a club, it was mine.
He said “6 iron?”. I replied, “No, 7 iron…if I had been using a 6 iron there would have been no reason to throw the club!”
Watching your tip on picking the right club has helped a lot, so thanks.
Tiger just announced that he got a new ‘consultant’ to help him with his swing. Chris Como from the Dallas area. He’s a specialist in bio-mechanics. Tiger did NOT say he was his coach, just someone that he’s consulting with. Maybe he’ll get Tiger back on track for next season, who knows. What do you all think? Can Tiger come back? Is he past his prime?
Hey all. My web master and all around guru Paul told me last night that we now have members from New Zeland, Australia, Scotland, Ireland, England (where I was born if you didn’t know that), South America, Italy, France and even a new one from China among others, so thanks to all of you. I love hearing from all of you, improving your games, and getting you to enjoy the game again.
Hey all,
If you facebook, go over to my facebook page at; Mirror Image Golf Swing and give us a like. We love spreading the word and improving everyone’s golf swing.
Well, the golf season is certainly back here in South Florida, it’s been very busy the last few days and I’m getting lots of calls for lessons from my snowbirds.
For those of you that live here or are planning a visit, give me a call to schedule a lesson so you can start your new season off playing your best.
Hi Esther,
It depends on how much or how long the grass is that you’re ball is sitting in. The longer the grass you’ll want the highest loft hybrid you have, like the 6. If the grass is shorter then go with the 4 so it starts rolling sooner.
Hi Steve.
Of a 4, 5, or 6 hybrid – which do you recommend for putting?
I had a fun lesson yesterday with one of my regular students. His problem is one that plagues most golfers from time to time and I’ll bet you’ve experienced it too. My student was frequently hitting the ball thin, or completely topping it. After watching him hit several of these I asked him what he thought he was doing. I KNEW what answer was coming from him and sure enough, it was the first thing out of his mouth. He said he felt like he was picking his head up. Boy oh boy, have I heard that before in 34 years of teaching. Picking your head up is THE answer most folks give to nearly every bad shot in the game. I can see how one might think that since if your head went up, your club would also go up slightly and you’d top the ball. It’s interesting though that some people that are hitting the ball fat, digging into the ground too much also say that they’re picking their head up. That one has never made sense. Why would your club dig too deep and come down too much into the ground if your head went UP?? That makes no sense if you look at it logically.
What most folks actually do when they think they’re picking their head up is this. During their backswing they straighten their back leg up a little bit. They lose some of the flex in their back leg. This is the right leg for right handers and the left leg for lefties. I’d say 90% of amateurs do this to some degree.
Well, if your leg straightens up an inch during your backswing, your entire body has also gone up an inch. Yes your head may have risen up some but it didn’t go up by itself. It goes up because your body goes up, because your leg went up.
Next time you have some thin shots going on, check that you’re keeping the flex in your leg. At the top of your backswing, your legs should still have that bouncy, springy feeling to them. A straight leg is a dead leg. If your leg stays flexed it will keep your entire body the same height and you’ll return to the ball the same height and hit it solid. Ken Venturi used to tell me to; “Keep your flex, keep your flex”. My students not only hit his next shot perfectly, he did so with the rest of the balls too and was one happy guy.
Hi Esther. The longer the grass and worse the ball is laying, play the ball farther back in your stance. By moving the ball back it steepens how much the club comes down into the ball so you don’t have as much interference from the grass.
Great hearing of your great round, proud of you!
Great web site
You are the. Best
You make it so simple
Your friend Wayne(who was that masked man)
Steve – Want to let you know that today I had my best round of golf ever – 96. Thanks to you my game has improved more than I ever thought it could.
Hi Steve, Thanks for the video about the right club to use in the long stuff. I’d like to know where should the ball be in your stance. Thanks … Esther
Congratulations on the new website Steve, very-very well done my friend!! Fantastic information on making golf games better and with that more fun!! Keep up the great work!!
Like the site. Easy to maneuver. Putting matters. Played in a scramble tournament last week. I couldn’t get off the tee. Thankfully my teammates could. We won at 15 under. Used my putts 8 times and we only had to putt 4 times twice. Our short game won it for us.
Great job Bob. Most of us can’t drive as far as the pros so we have to rely on our short game. Lots more good shots coming your way, I guarantee it!
Steve,
Tried using my head for once. Amazing. In one game, just paying attention to my short game, knocked off 3 strokes.
Bob
So, what does everyone think about the Ryder Cup? Is it going to be team USA, or will Europe win again? It’ll be fun to watch and I wish both sides some great golf.
Great Melanie, we’re glad to have the site up and are so thrilled how it turned out.
Thanks Bill. The site’s videos can certainly remind you of what we worked on during our real lessons. Be sure to check the ‘video vault’ for some fun tips.
Hey Marty, I’m a little ‘challenged on the computer some times too. Our web guys did a great job designing the site to make it very easy to navigate around. Fun and easy are two words I sure like for learning the game.
I like the new format. Even though I’m somewhat of a ditz on a computer I am able to get around the site with ease. Marty
Love the new web site! As an aging sometime golfer I need to refresh Steve’s advise frequently. The quick access to tips and lessons is a great value. Go Steve!
Woohoo you’re live! Glad to be a member.
How do I keep from slicing the ball? I need help.