IS IT TRULY POSSIBLE TO DRAMATICALLY IMPROVE YOUR GOLF SKILLS?

Can your game take a dramatic swing for the better? The answer is definitely, emphatically yes! I've read numerous articles in magazines over the years showing statistics that people never really get better at golf. Well, I've got my own statistics over 25 years and over 100,000 lessons taught. In the April, 2005 edition of Golf Digest, one of my students; Lance Byars, was featured as most improved golfer of the year. On a national level, Lance statistically improved his handicap the most by lowering his index from a 24 to a 3 between 2004 and 2005. Golfers who truly apply themselves - and work on the fundamentals of the golf swing and short game - will improve significantly.

I've personally taught over 20 individuals that came to me shooting a score of over 100 when they started and went on to become golf professionals. In addition, thousands of golfers have gone on to become advanced players who shoot in the 70s. Even more play a very nice game of golf shooting in the 80s and 90s. Regardless of your ability and gender, you can become a better golfer, without a doubt.

The following secrets will guide you to improvement:

• Get the correct information from a qualified teaching professional so you don't waste your time working on the wrong techniques
• Practice! I firmly believe the statistics of people who do not improve is directly relevant to limited practice
• Remember to practice short game pitching, chipping and bunker play!
• Your time commitment is proportional to your success. Make practice fun. Have at least four drills to work on and a definite plan and goal during your practice sessions
• No Negativity! Work on the positive. Don't keep finding things wrong with your swing. When you hit a good shot, remember that feeling
• Picture and feel your swing!

It's also imperative that you don't over-swing, and instead picture a controlled and compact backswing and finish. I am very aware of the feeling of connection when I swing, especially in my right side with my right elbow and tricep tucked snugly against the right side of my chest. I also can achieve this powerfully connected feeling of my right side through a preparatory movement in my set which includes a very slight turning in of my right knee and hip toward the target to initiate a pivoting motion and a transfer of my body weight into my feet as they resist the ground. This preset movement not only encourages a snug fit of my right arm and side at address, but discourages any independent lifting of the club on the takeaway with my hands and arms.

The last thing I want to do is initiate my swing with just my arms and hands. Remember if our arms were as strong as our legs we'd walk on our hands. My arms are not tight, but close and secure to my body at address. It's very close to the feeling I want through impact. That's why many pros say they can feel their shot through their address position. Everything feels compact, together and powerful as I initiate the backswing with a subtle transfer of weight into the resistance of my right leg, allowing my body to rotate and swing my arms, hands and club, loading stored potential energy into my right foot, thigh, hip, side, hands and fingers. My body is now in a loaded position to deliver a powerfully consistent blow to the ball on the through swing.

It is important to note that the culmination of this release of energy and power may feel as though your right hip and side whip the club head through the ball with great velocity and freedom. However, the power is really set up through the preset address, footwork, and pivot. As your right side and hip turns into the ball the club shaft will be thrown back against the index finger of your right hand. That is why it is vitally important to have the correct grip with your feel mainly in the fingers. Imagine a picture of a baseball pitcher in his delivery; that contorted, backward-looking position of the arm, elbow and hand just before the ball is released is the same principle of how the club shaft is thrown backward against your right hand in the golf swing.

This powerful angle of retained energy is the final moment of truth in the golf swing and is directly relevant to whether your shot takes off like a missile or a pop gun. Power is created through a resistance of your feet and legs against the ground. It travels upward into your center of gravity and is released outward through the arms and hands to the club head as a result of this pivoting torso rotation and freewheeling whip action.

Always remember: Everyone can and will improve if they want to. Good luck, and keep swinging!

Rick Bradshaw, PGA. Professional
2004 North Florida Section PGA Teacher of the Year

Personally recommended resources to improve your golf swing