AVOID ENERGY CRASHES
PLAY YOUR BEST
IMPROVE DECISION MAKING
Never Played But Will Play Soon
Average score of 121 to 140
Advanced
Average score of 80 to 90
Intermediate
Average score of 90 to 120
Advanced
Average score of 80 to 90
Junior Golf
Secondary school or under 19
College Golf
Where golf is a team sport
Expert
Average score of even-par to 80
Tour Pro
Average score at 2 over or less
COMPETENCIES
1. Etiquette
a. Slide Deck
b. 7 Most Common Etiquette Mistakes
c. Etiquette Among Expert Players
2. Rules
a. Slide Deck
b. 7 Most Common Rules Mistakes
3. Swing Theories
a. Options For Gripping A Club
b. Effects Of Different Grip Strengths In The Full Swing
c. Options For Swing Fundamentals
d. Reasons The Ball Curves
e. Options For Curving The Ball Intentionally
f. Options For Correcting A Slice
g. Options For Correcting A Hook
h. Swing Plane
i. Options For Your Swing Plane
j. Options For Different Club Positions In The Full Swing:
i. Takeaway
ii. Midway Into Backswing
iii. Top Of Backswing
iv. Transition
v. Halfway Into Downswing
vi. Approach To Ball
vii. Impact
viii. Halfway Through Follow-Through
ix. Finish
k. Fundamentals Of Putting
l. Options For Putting
i. Right Hand Low
ii. Left Hand Low
iii. Claw
iv. Arm Lock
m. Fundamentals Of Pitching And Chipping
n. Options For Pitching And Chipping
i. Standard Shot
ii. Hight Shot
iii. Low Shot
iv. Spinning Shot
o. Options For Generating Power From The Ground Up
p. Options For Varying Swing Lengths And Controlling Distance
q. Options For Hitting The Ball High And Low
r. Options For Hitting From Fairway And Greenside Bunkers
s. Options For Dealing With Difficult Weather Conditions
i. Wind
ii. Rain
iii. Wet Ground
iv. Heat
t. Options For Trouble Shots – Using Your Imagination
4. Options For Pre-Shot Routine
a. Driving
b. Approach Shots
c. Shot Shaping
d. Distance Wedge Play
e. Short Game
f. Putting
5. Options For Generating Consistent Rhythm
a. Practice
b. Play
c. Between Shots
6. Options For At-Home Practice
a. Pre-Shot Routine
b. Pivot
c. Impact Position
d. Putting
7. Options For Scoring
8. Options For Goal Accomplishment:
a. Gaining Playing Status
b. Making The Cut
c. Winning
9. Options For Post-Round Review
10. Options For Green Reading
11. Options Relating To Biomechanics
12. Options Relating To Vision
13. Options Relating To On-Course Strategy
14. Options Relating To Practice Routines
a. Full-Swing Practice
b. Short-Game Practice
c. Putting Practice
d. Away From Tournament Sites
e. At Tournament Sites
f. Slide Deck
15. Options Relating To Nutrition And Hydration
a. What To Eat
b. What And When To Drink
c. Slide Deck
d. Sharpfocusnutrition.com
16. The Mental Aspects Of Golf
a. Neuroscience Concepts
i. Slide Deck
ii. Video
b. Golf Psychology Concepts
c. Reconciliation Of Neuroscience And Golf Psychology
17. Options Relating To Mental Approaches:
a. Mindset And Controlling Emotions
b. Focus And Mental Stability
c. Mental Toughness
d. Creating Peak Performance On The Golf Course
e. Momentum
f. Consistency
g. Optimal Arousal And Moderate Aggressiveness
h. Competitive Drive
18. Options For Competing In Multiple-Day Events
19. Options For Utilizing A Caddy
20. Options For Pre-Round Stretching
21. Options For Fitness
a. Flexibility
b. Strength
c. Cardio
22. Options For Getting The Most From Your Swing Instructor
23. Options For Teamwork With Caddy And Coaches
24. Options For Traveling And Still Playing Your Best
25. Options For Video Analysis
26. Options For Tracking Statistics
27. Options For Using Technology Like Launch Monitors And Range Finders
28. Options For Club Fitting
29. Junior Golf
a. Etiquette For Junior Golfers
b. Options For Developing Your Golf Skills Around Attendance At High School
c. Options For Traveling And Preparing For Competition
i. Options For When And Where To Compete
ii. Options For When To Rest
d. Options For Fitness
e. Options For Performance Coaching
f. Options For Soliciting A Golf Scholarship
i. Dealing With College Coaches
ii. Identifying What College Coaches Are Looking For In You, Your Scores And Your Swing
30 College Golf
a. Options For Establishing A Relationship With Your College Coaches
b. Options For Balancing Academics And College Golf
c. Options For Approaching Qualifying Rounds For Travel Team
d. Options For Goal Accomplishment:
i. Becoming A Playing All-American
ii. Become An Academic All-American
iii. Dealing With Sponsors
31. Professionals
a. Options For Finding A Good Practice Facility And Challenging Course
b. Options For Finding Investors
c. Options For Finding Sponsors
d. Dealing With Investors And Sponsors
e. Options For Picking Places To Compete
f. Understanding The Legal Aspects Of Being A Professional
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Etiquette1. Golfers call penalties on themselves 2. Safety 3. Wear appropriate attire 4. Arrive at least 30 minutes before your tee time 5. Check with the starter 15 minutes before your tee time 6. Turn off your cell phone 7. Check the scorecard for any local rules 8. Place an identifying mark on your ball 9. Don’t ever pick up a ball that’s not yours 10. Count your clubs 11. Offer single players to join your group 12. If playing a match, understand format and stakes 13. Lowest score on the previous hole tees off first 14. Player furthest from the hole goes first 15. Stand still and be quiet while others are hitting 16. Follow cart path rules 17. Don’t place golf bags on tee boxes or greens 18. Don’t ask for advice or give advice 19. Don’t practice on the course 20. Don’t swing your club until others are at a safe distance 21. Never swing at someone 22. Keep your distance when others are swinging 23. Don’t hit the ball until the group ahead is out of range 24. Don’t distract your playing partners 25. Don’t stand in the line of playing partners 26. Don’t walk while a playing partner is hitting 27. Don’t make noise 28. Always take care of the course 29. Fix ball marks 30. Enter bunkers from the low side and rake them 31. Learn the meaning of golf terms: a. “Ace” is a hole-in-one b. “Albatross” is three under c. “Eagle” is two under d. “Birdie” is one under e. “Par” is the scorecard target f. “Bogey” is one over g. “Double Bogey” is two over h. “Triple Bogey” is three over i. “Short Side” is a missed approach with very little green to the hole j. “Mulligan” is a second chance k. “Chunk or Fat” is hitting behind the ball l. “Thin” is hitting up high on the ball m. “Gimme” is a short put that’s voluntarily conceded n. “Flop Shot” is a high, soft shot o. “Shank” is what no one talks about p. “Slice” is when sidespin curves the ball to the right q. “Fade” is a small slice r. “Hook” is when sidespin curves the ball to the left s. “Draw” is a small hook t. “Waggle” is club movement before a shot u. “Loose Impediments” are unattached natural objects v. “Ground Under Repair” is a marked area where a player gets a free drop w. “Scramble” is getting a pitch shot on the green and then in the hole with one putt x. “Scramble” is also a team format where everyone goes to where the best shot lands and hits from there 32. Avoid Slow Play a. Walk at a reasonable speed b. Begin planning your next shot as you approach your ball c. From club selection to hitting, 30 to 45 seconds d. If you’re new to the game, set a stroke limit of 8 e. Write down your scores on the next tee box f. Park your cart or golf bag on the side of the green toward the next hole g. Limit the amount of time spent at the turn h. Limit practice swings to 2 i. If the group behind you is nearby, send the first person to putt out to the next tee box j. It’s extremely rude to not let a group play through that is waiting 33. While on the green a. Don't step on your partners’ putting lines b. Don’t stand directly behind someone or directly in front c. If your ball is on a player's line, volunteer to mark it d. If your ball is not furthest from the cup, mark it and clean it e. Stand still when a player is hitting f. Don't make any noise when your fellow player is preparing to putt g. Be certain your shadow doesn’t cover a partner’s line of putt h. If you don't have a caddie, be aware that you may need to tend the flagstick. i. Generally, the player closest to the hole will manage the flagstick o Make sure you don't stand on anyone's line o Hold the flagstick at arm's length and don’t allow the flag to flutter o Make sure your shadow doesn't fall across the hole or putt line o Ask playing partners if they want you to leave the flagstick in the hole, remove it or attend it o If you lay down the flagstick, place it off the green o After everyone has putted out, immediately walk to the next tee 34. If you suspect a shot is either lost or out-of-bounds o Play a second provisional ball o You have three minutes to find the ball. o If it is not found within that three-minute period, you must play your provisional ball 35. Anytime you hit a shot that you think has a remote chance of hitting someone, yell "Fore" 36. Brief displays of frustration are one thing, but outbursts of temper are quite another 37. At the end of the round, shake hands with your fellow players
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Introduction to Swing Theoriesa. There’s No Single Way to Swing b. The Goal is to Try Out Options With 10 Balls on the Range or Nine Holes on the Course to Fit Your Body Type and Tendencies c. Your Swing May Become Orthodox or Unorthodox d. Learning Swing Theories Will Help You Manage Your Swing Coach e. Your Natural Swing Motion Will Give You a Good Feeling Inside f. Swing Video and Pressure Plate Feedback Help g. You Have a Good Golf Swing in You h. Once You Understand the Angle of the Club, Your Mind Will Automatically Develop a Swing i. Rhythm and Tempo are Too Often Forgotten Parts of the Golf Swing j. Big Muscles are Easier to Use, More Powerful, and More Consistent k. Gravity Plays a Significant Role in the Swing l. Centrifugal Force can Help m. Ground Forces Generate Power n. Tight, Tense Muscles are Slow Wobbly Ones o. If Your Backswing is Smooth, There’s a Good Chance Your Downswing Will be the Same p. Don’t Become Confused by Inconsistency in Golf Instruction q. Four Swing Planes: On-Plane, Over Plane, Under Plane, and Mixture r. Use an On-Plane Swing as a Baseline
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Swing Theoriesa. Use an On-Plane Swing as a Baseline b. Types of Grip c. Takeaway to Match Grip Type d. Halfway Into Backswing e. On-Plane Swing, Flatter Swing, and More Upright Swing f. Top of Backswing g. Transition to Club Delivery Position h. Impact i. Follow-Through j. Low Shot k. High Shot l. Release Patterns
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DrivingTopics covered: 1. Get Fit for a Driver 2. Tee Height Influences Distance 3. Reference Swing Theory Videos 4. Linear Putters are Also Linear Drivers 5. Tee The Ball Strategically 6. Focus on a Small Target 7. Double Check Alignment
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Art of Ball StrikingTopics Covered: 1. Introduction a. Most amateurs curve the ball too much and too often 2. Nine Rules of Face-to-Path a. Straight b. Pull Draw c. Pull Slice d. Pull Straight e. Push Draw f. Push Slice g. Push Straight h. Straight Draw i. Straight Slice 3. Face and Path 4. Ball Spin is Important 5. Creativity is Learned Through Observation 6. Visualize Shot Shapes 7. Four Performance Rules on Shot Shaping 8. You’re Never In-Between Clubs 9. Identify Where You Want to Go
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Touble Shots1. Know the rules 2. Understand the 9 different shots that can be hit 3. Go on the course late in the day alone 4. Learn to play shots on side slopes as well as uphill and downhill lies a. Ball Above Feet b. Ball Below Feet c. Uphill Lie d. Downhill Lie 5. Fairway Bunker Shots
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Introduction to Puttinga. Fundamentals in Setup i. Arms Hang Loosely ii. See the Line in Your Unique Posture iii. Putter and Forearms on Same Plane iv. Be Athletic b. Fundamentals of Stroke i. The Putter Face is King ii. Path of Stroke iii. Tempo c. Three Skills: Start Ball on Line, Control Speed, and Read Greens d. Drills to Improve Putter Path i. Alignment Rod Drill ii. Loop-Correction Drill iii. Pause Drill e. Putting Styles – Short Putter i. Conventional Style ii. Lead-Hand Low iii. Prayer Grip iv. Claw or Saw Grip f. Putting Styles – Longer Putter i. Arm Lock ii. Broomstick g. Putting Styles – Counterbalance h. Green Reading i. Science vs. Feel ii. Linear vs. Non-Linear iii. Start Reading Greens Before Getting There i. Aim Point Express i. Feel Different Slopes with Feet ii. Stand a Foot Behind The Ball iii. Use Dominant Eye with Two Fingers Up iv. When Greens are Fast, The Ball Breaks More
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Short Game & Distance WedgesTopics Covered: Introduction Pitching Tricks of the Trade Chipping Distance Wedges Bunker Play Flop Shot
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Fixing a Slice1. Visualize your optimal swing a. Find an option for eliminating a slice that’s comfortable b. Improve clubface alignment c. Improve path 2. Posture and alignment are key a. Train your swing to be more on plane or under it with a square clubface b. Check the alignment of the clubface at address c. Aim right d. Drop your trail shoulder down a bit and tuck it back a little e. Strengthen your grip f. Move the ball up in your stance g. Eliminate wrist extension at the top of the swing by generating a flat wrist position h. Let the club drop or shallow toward your backside in transition i. Roll the hands over through impact j. Flare your trail foot k. When the club is parallel to the ground and waist high, be certain the face is a little closed l. Let the clubface square up at impact m. Tuck the trail elbow and keep it tucked throughout the swing n. Keep the upper body tilted back toward your trail side as you near impact 3. Drills a. Swing with one arm b. Swing with the club traveling outside going back and inside coming down c. Place a towel under one arm or even both arms to stay connected d. Place a headcover on the ground outside of the ball e. The driver will curve more than irons f. The same options to fix a slice apply to driver and irons 4. Setting your driver to a closed-face position
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Fixing a Hook1. A hook is caused by the club moving from the inside to the outside with a closed clubface. 2. Righthanders swing out to rightfield: a. Improve clubface alignment b. Improve path 3. Frequently visualize the new move: a. Check posture and alignment i. Legs and shoulders aren’t closed ii. Ball position isn’t too far backward iii. Grip iv. Be certain you’re not regripping on the backswing 4. Options: a. Check clubface alignment at address b. Open your stance c. Open the clubface a bit at waist-high on the backswing d. Feel the lead arm pulling the club down e. Rotate the body more aggressively during transition f. Feel more arm extension and less wrist rotation g. Raise your trail shoulder a little higher 5. Drills: a. Place a headcover inside the golf ball b. Swing with one arm c. Swing with the club traveling a bit inside going back and outside coming down d. Drivers will always curve more than irons, but the same options apply to both
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PracticePUTTING 1. Start-Line Drill 2. Short-Range Drill 3. Tornado Drill 4. Drawback Competitive Game SHORT GAME 1. Ladder Drill 2. Scatter Bunker Drill 3. Up-and-Down Game DISTANCE WEDGES 1. Cone Drill 2. Closest to the Pin FULL SWING 1. Single Target, 9 Different Shots 2. Single Target, Multiple Club
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Preparing to Take a LessonGetting the Most from Your Swing Coach Learn Swing Theories Manage Your Coach Effectively Each Coach Teaches Something Different Lessons are a Two-Way Street Look for a Good Fit Develop a Plan for Your Lesson Communicate with Your Swing Coach What to do on Lesson Day Ask Questions Talk About Swing Theories Pay Attention to Mindset Be Diligent in Trying Out Options Ask for Feedback Ask for Drills After Lesson Take Notes and Practice on the Range Practice at Home 5 Stages to Swing Adjustment
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Seniors & Players with Physical Restrictions1. Options to build a swing motion around physical limitations 2. What someone should do who has very little mobility a. Lock in my body and just move my shoulders, arms and wrist slightly. b. You can play good golf even if you have serious mobility issues. c. The legs and body of seniors and players with restrictions often move slower than their arms d. Options i. Start with a little more weight on your lead foot ii. Aim a little to the right for right handers iii. Bend your left arm a little on the backswing iv. Narrow your stance v. Allow the trail leg to straighten just a little on the backswing vi. In the downswing, turn your trail hip aggressively vii. Your knees touch in the follow-through viii. Flare your trail foot ix. Pick the heel of your lead foot off the ground during the backswing x. Release your head after impact xi. Drop back your trail foot and put 75% of your weight on your lead foot 3. Other options that don’t relate to the swing a. Play the proper tees b. Experiment with a longer putter c. Replace longer irons with hybrids d. Stretch every day
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At-Home Practice1. Putting 2. Mirror Work 3. Short Game 4. Full Swing 5. Watch the Pros Compete on TV 6. Become more flexible and improve fitness.