Vol. 6: A Simple Tip to Regaining Control of Your Ball Flight
Welcome back to this week's edition of Moving Day. I put this newsletter together in a last-minute frenzy last night, fueled by the excitement of sharing some valuable insights with you. As always, my goal is to provide you with tips and perspectives that can elevate your golf game and make your time on the course even more enjoyable. Enjoy and best of luck!
What You’ll Learn Today
✅ The Pro Shop conversation I had this week that can help your game, too.
✅ Gaining control by losing control?
✅ Are you a Second Ball Golfer?
✅ How to actually control your nerves… Or maybe you just have to deal with them.
Untuck-it…
No, no, I'm not referring to the company that magically makes tucked-in shirts look great untucked... or am I? Maybe I just have a soft spot for the name.
This week, during my usual Tuesday afternoon shift at the Pro Shop, I found myself wearing a perpetual smile, engaging in delightful conversations with the ladies from the league. As they finished teeing off, a client and friend whom I hadn't seen all season strolled into the shop. I almost did a double-take – there was something distinctly different about him since our last interaction during a lesson. A newfound sense of ease seemed to radiate from him, though I couldn't quite put my finger on it at first. Then, we started to talk.
As we caught up on the year's events, he shared with me that this had been his most enjoyable year of golf in a long while. He was striking the ball with precision, sinking putts like a pro, and his short game – oh boy, he'd put in some serious work there. To be fair, his improved short game wasn't the result of mere luck; it was the outcome of sweat, dedication, and countless hours on the practice green. But something more fundamental had shifted for him, something beyond technique.
He revealed that he had learned to relax and actually relish the game he was investing his time and money in. He had rediscovered the pure joy of playing golf. Curiously, one of his keys to unlocking this newfound enjoyment was as simple as untucking his shirt. Somehow, that minor act had a profound effect on his mental state, allowing his barriers to crumble and enabling him to approach the game with a relaxed spirit.
It occurred to me that this Pro Shop Conversation contained a reservoir of wisdom, a lesson that resonates universally. When was the last time you ventured to the golf course solely to unwind, unshackled from concerns about your swing's nuances or the judgments of others as you approached the tee?
Perhaps it's worth a try, isn't it?
Weekly Tip: Gaining Control by Curving It BIG!
I've spent countless hours on the lesson tee observing players aiming to hit a perfectly "straight" ball. I've even found myself in that predicament during my own rounds, aligning with a target and fixating on achieving a dead-straight shot. What's even worse is that I often anticipated it to travel in a laser-straight path. Today's tip delves into the world of ball curvature, urging us to break free from the allure of the straight shot trap.
Permission: Get Creative
To me, straight lines aren’t very creative. When I start seeing a lot of straight lines in the air for the golf ball to travel on, I know I’m in trouble. When this happens, I immediately head for the range and I try to recreate shots that curve. And I’m not talking about little curves. I try to hit sweeping hooks and atrocious slices. I want to see the ball curve and curve BIG. I know if I can find big curves, then the little curves are in between them. If I can feel the big curve, I can feel the little one.
Affirmation: You Won’t Create Bad Habits
When I encourage players to work on curving the ball, I often receive the response, "I don't want to develop bad habits." Let me assure you, experimenting with ball curvature won't lead to any detrimental habits.Think of it this way – as a baby, you didn't instantly walk; you crawled and tumbled countless times before standing upright. And even when you finally stood, you stumbled again. The surprising truth? Those "failures" ultimately cultivated greater control.
Now, envision this: deliberately attempting to execute exaggerated ball curves could potentially accelerate your mastery over subtler curves. It's like aiming for bigger challenges to gain command over smaller ones. Who knows, in the process, you might even discover the elusive straight shot every now and then.
Encouragement: You Must Try Before You Can Do
For those of you who are already well-versed in imparting curvature to the ball, consider taking your skills up a notch by exploring various ball heights. Step beyond the standard trajectory and experiment with the low, the high, and everything in between. Challenge yourself to deliver that punch shot screamer, the one that zips at waist height, never ascending beyond eye level. It's an invitation to push your creativity and finesse – go ahead, give it a shot!
And to those of you who are unfamiliar with adding curvature, I encourage you to simply tee up the ball and give it a try. I firmly believe that your instincts are on point, ready to guide you through the process. All it takes is granting yourself the freedom to experiment.
Need some inspiration? I always loved watching Tiger unleash his creativity.
Game of the Week: “Second Ball Golfer”
Ever experienced that moment where your first shot veers off-course, only to be followed by a miraculously precise second shot towards your intended target? If this scenario feels all too familiar, welcome to the world of the "Second Ball Golfer." It's a title you might not actively seek, but it holds valuable insights to enhance your game. The Second Ball Golfer embodies a mindset that's worth exploring – one that could lead you to better performance on the course.
How To Play
For this 9-hole game, ensure you have an ample supply of golf balls at the ready.
With every shot, NOT including putts, you'll be playing two balls.
The location of your next shot will be determined by where the first ball comes to rest.
Which ball had more successful shots throughout the round?
Example scorecard
If your first ball had more successful shots then the second, well done! You’re well on your way or have already found your way to performance on the course and you’ll want to try next weeks game to help you improve. Yes, this is my way of making you read next weeks Newsletter…
However, if your second ball had more good shots than your first ball, then I want to challenge you to think of why that is. Could it possibly be that you’re overthinking on your first shot? Or, maybe you’re applying to much pressureto yourself to being too perfect on the first one? Just something to chew on. Continue to play the game until you have more first ball good shots than second ball good shots before trying next weeks game.
But wait, hold those golf balls! Consider the pace of play and the shared greens. Opting for a Saturday morning "Second Ball Golfer" extravaganza might just transform you into the course's main event. Remember, while you're busy showcasing your double-shot mastery, your fellow golfers might be pondering the meaning of life (or at least their next shot) while waiting for you. Let's keep the course flowing like a well-executed golf swing, shall we?
Questions from my Wife Who Doesn’t Golf
👩 Wife: Do you ever get nervous when you play golf?
🏌️♂️ Me: Absolutely! Nerves have been an ongoing part of my golf journey, evolving alongside the rest of my game. I can vividly recall the early days when I'd feel self-conscious and jittery hitting a shot in front of anyone other than myself. But as time went on, I managed to overcome those initial nerves by exposing myself to more groups and varied playing environments.
High school golf brought its own set of jitters, especially during my first tournament. Yet, those nerves eventually settled as I gained more experience in tournament play. Transitioning to professional golf, I distinctly remember the immense self-imposed pressure and nerves that accompanied my first tee shot as a "pro." It felt as though a glaring spotlight followed me with every swing. Yet, just like before, the more I played in professional tournaments, the more those nerves ebbed away.
However, it's worth mentioning that certain tournaments still trigger those familiar nerves, especially on the first tee. I've come to see this as a positive sign, a natural response to the challenge at hand. I've learned to embrace these feelings and find that after a hole or two, they tend to ease. I believe that as long as I continue pushing myself to elevate my golf performance, nerves will always be present. Each new level of the game comes with its own set of challenges, requiring a process of adaptation and acclimatization.
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