Good quality versus Good result...

Take a moment to think about why you play the game of golf.  Family, friends, social environment, competition, course aesthetics, exercise, low handicap/ scores, it’s always been a part of your life… those are some very common and excellent reasons for playing the game.  Did you notice that these answers did not deal with hitting perfectly pure shots?  Many golfers like the moments when their shots and putts are right on, but my reason for this article is to make golfers aware that one does not have to hit a great shot to play great golf!

During a lesson, I often see shots that turn out very well (airborne, target-oriented) but the student comments (without looking at the result while pulling over another golf ball) that it was a terrible shot.  I think as golfers we tend to fall into the habit of sighing disgustedly at a shot that doesn’t feel great yet turns out decently.  Could we have wanted the shot to turn out perfectly, as well as feel good, look...

Welcome to a new series of articles on golf's mental aspects! These articles were first published in This Week at The Landings in Savannah, GA over the past 6 years. With a master's degree in Sports Performance, my goal is to provide food for thought, inspiration for game enhancement and an outlet to organize my thoughts compiling up in my head! I look forward to your thoughts and comments... Happy Golfing!

 

Playing Lessons

 

 

One of the most useful lessons in golf is a lesson on the course. Sometimes instructors will start a series of lessons with a current golfer to ascertain what areas can be improved upon. For instance, if a golfer states s/he is having a tough time hitting out of the rough, perhaps the key problem isn’t immediately how to hit out of the rough but the fact that the drives aren’t accurate enough to stay in the fairway. The instructor might explain the importance of working on driving accuracy as well as on how to hit shots more effectively out of the...

Thanks goes out to Wayne Yamagichi for his kind comments in his latest blog...  http://originalgoochgolfblog.blogspot.com/2012/02/think-like-kid-and-learn-to-really-live.html?spref=fb.  Happy to help grow the game!

Wow, can't believe it's nearly a week since we're back from the PGA Show.  Feel like I need a 1 month sabbatical to catch up on all the cool ideas I want to implement.  Had some SNAG fun today with juniors but also some new golfers using Left on Yellow, Connect, Right on Red for grips... easy!

Had fun making some golf etiquette tips at our club... here is another release as a good reminder about green conditions...  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bx5u6kgbTk0&feature=plcp&context=C38231daUDOEgsToPDskKr8_eK3urg2FNiAS9zqKfN

 

I think 2012 is going to be a good year for golf.... SNAG, US Kids, Golf 2.0, Tee It Forward.  Can't wait!

What an amazing finale to PGA Show Week... a great conglomeration of networking, relationship-building, product, meetings and future ideas to help grow golf.  The last 2 days included a wonderful GBN lunch panel with greats Martin Hall, Mike Malaska, Mike Bender, Todd Anderson... a commercial shoot and a book signing at The Littlest Golfer booth (partner with Stick to Sports), meetings for Tee It Forward and The Golf Channel Swing Fix, booth visits to Eyeline Golf, SNAG Golf, PING, Starting Time Golf, Golf Around the World, FootJoy, Bushnell/Tour Tempo and more.  

Ran into Nancy Dunn Kato on the floor and saw her truly wonderful junior golf book and games.

Tested the PING I-20 irons and LIKE!  Upgrade time?  They've come a long way from Eye 2 but that's a very good line...

Found some great sushi before driving home with a great book on tape.  Very tired but very energized by this year's PGA Merchandise Show!

Pics: 

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.316340245068251.66498.208337432535200&type=1

Long but good day... resting my shin splints!

Lots of pros, buyers, reps, exhibitors, consumers, juniors, celebrities, PGA / LPGA pros and more...



Met up with PGA hubby Ty for lunch and post-show reception with Golf Channel Swing Fix staff...



Saw half of the booths today... among them Callaway, partner The Littlest Golfer Booth (with friend/partner Brendon Elliott from Little Linksters Best Pee Wee Swing Contest winners - guest judge Lexi Thompson!)

  Â Â

Looking forward to seeing PING, training aid companies, US Kids Golf, SNAG and more before...

What a busy and fun day... The hotel I usually stay at allows for a wonderful 10-minute walk over 528 right into the convention center... great exercise before being indoors.  Saw lots of busy activity with exhibitors getting their booths ready...

  

Had some meetings with colleagues and then off to the Golf Business Network Instructors Meeting... very, very good ideas and things to come.  Was able to see some of Dr. Rick Jensen's clever presentation.



 

Off to a video shoot with The Littlest Golfer at MetroWest, together with Little Linksters LLC.  Total fun working with our little student, almost 4 years old.  She ended up hitting one shot nearly 30 yards with the 1-2-Show-My-Shoe Game & Gum Check Game... so cute!



Rounded...

Wrapped up with the last day of SNAG certification taught by owwner Terry Anton.  SNAG is moving up in the spotlight and it's exciting to be a part of the family and program!  Looking very forward to inplementing SNAG for both juniors and new golfers in our area, as well as taking the reponsibility to growing the game personally by seeing what can be done in the community... schools, retirement facilities, churches, team building, etc.  Stay tuned and keep an eye on SNAG on www.snaggolf.com - good things coming around the world and in the night!!

Always enjoy dinner at Bahama Breeze.... catching up on work and prepping for another great day tomorrow with GBN, various meetings, a reception by ClubCorp and EWGA and a special video shoot.  Appreciative of the chance to be in Orlando!

Day 1 of the PGA Show Week:  SNAG Certification!

Photos:Âhttp://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.313801328655476.66041.208337432535200&type=1

If you are a new golfer or a junior golfer, THIS is for YOU!Âwww.snaggolf.com is a really fun way to learn about golf.  I've been using SNAG equipment since the early 2000's but am loving their new product and methodology.  How fun is it to hit colored velcro balls that stick to flagsticky bases or bullseyes that you can put in a tree, on a cart, on a net, etc?  OR, hitting a person in the SNAG suit (pants, top, helmut).  Maybe trying the Snapper, Snag-o-matic, roller brush, hoop clock, Snagazoo with the 5-sided color-coded grip appeals as well. 

This is by far one of the best ways to engage families, new golfers and juniors into the game and I'll definitely be using it a lot more!  More fun things on the horizon...

 

A nice easy drive to Orlando with a book-on-tape... a perfect way to kick off PGA Show week at the Orange County Convention Center in Florida!   The buzz on I-Drive and the throngs of people who just love and live this sport make it a special week.  Years ago, the Show used to be about walking the floor (miles of booths and vendors) and seeing so much new and unfamiliar product for me.  Now, the PGA Show week has become more about networking with colleagues, catching up with friends and exchanging ideas, attending certifications and workshops, developing relationships with known reps and companies, anticipating certain booths to visit and feeding the spark of the early golf season that will quickly grow into a flame. 

I can't wait for SNAG certification, GBN meetings and lunch panels, a video shoot with The Littlest Golfer company, a book signing on Friday, January 27th at The Littlest Golfer booth #4753, USKids...