I see it everyday.  Golfers hitting their tee shots into the trees on the right side of #10…..and sometimes even the driving range.  The funny thing is that I can usually see it before it actually happens.  The #1 cause of this – ALIGNMENT!  …….. Now I may have a better view (usually from the pro shop) but the 10th tee box is set up so that if you line up square with the tee markers, you will be aimed to the right of the fairway.  This may have been necessary when the big limb’d tree was blocking the left side of the hole, but that tree isn’t there anymore.  This hole has been made into what I would call an ‘easy hole’ – relatively short with a wide fairway and minimal hazards.  A great hole to kick start your back 9.  Something to remember:  Not every tee box is square to the fairway.

My advice?   Take your time when setting up for your tee shot on #10 and DOUBLE check your alignment.  Once you have tee’d up your ball, stand behind it and pick a spot 2 feet or so in front of your ball to use as a reference point.  You can actually aim for the flag on the green.  Forget the direction the tee markers are pointing you in and trust your ‘spot’ you have chosen to hit the ball over.  When golfers naturally set up aimed to the right on this hole (unless they are purposely trying to hit a draw – for righties) – only two things can happen – You will swing across your body (out-to-in) and will either pull the ball or hit a huge slice out to the right.  Sound familiar?  Most of the time it has nothing to do with your actual swing – but instead your mis-alignment.

Next time you are teeing off on #10, remember that you don’t have to let the tee markers decide where you aim.  And if you don’t believe me – watch the people you play with……I bet most of them are aimed right of the ‘rock’ in the fairway.  #10 and #11 are meant to be holes where you can gain a few strokes……..especially important before you make your way to #12!

Food for thought……….

Zen means “action with awareness,” being completely in the present moment.  The qualities that accompany the Zen experience include expansive vision, effortless focus, a feeling of equanimity and timelessness, abundant confidence, and complete freedom from anxiety or doubt.

Often, having negative thoughts or ‘focus’ on the golf course can be detrimental to your game, and ultimately, your score.  After being certified in Golf Psychology in 2011 I began to realize the benefits of positive thinking during practice and competition.  It is normal for the average golfer to have doubts about their game……but we don’t seem to realize how penalizing these doubts can be.  Below I try to explain the relationship between negative thoughts and poor performance and how we can change our performance – not by spending hours on the driving range, but through the power of positive thinking.

Before you begin – this may not be for everyone – but for those of you looking to be more consistent…..and enjoyable to play with – give it a try!

Your Self Focus (Negative)

MY FOCUS-  What I choose to focus on:  Why do I always hit the ball short?

= NEGATIVE FOCUS

MY THOUGHTS-  The thoughts that result from what I choose to focus on:  I Don’t want to hit this short

= NEGATIVE THOUGHTS

MY FEELINGS-  The feelings I experience in my body are an indication of the vibration I am sending off:  Fear

= NEGATIVE VIBRATIONS

MY PERFORMANCE-  The results I get in my game:  I hit it short

= POOR RESULTS

­­­­­­­­­­­——————————————————————————————————————-

To re-gain focus, ask these questions:  What is my intended target?  What result do I want for my next shot?  Am I thinking positively about this next shot?  How can I increase my focus on my intended target?

False Evidence Appears Real

At every moment during your round, you experience either a positive or negative feeling.  In any given moment you can only experience one feeling at a time.  Feelings act as your internal guidance system, because they let you know what you’re subconsciously focusing on at any moment during your round.  If you’re feeling negative, then you are subconsciously focusing on the results you don’t want, and if you’re feeling positive, you’re subconsciously focusing on the results you do want.

As you can see from the Self Focus Loop shown above – negative focus creates negative thoughts and feelings which lead to negative results.  Let’s see what happens if we change our focus to positive…………

                                                      ——————————————————————————————————————-

                                                      Your Self Focus (Positive)

 MY FOCUS-  What I choose to focus on:  I am going to hit this close to the pin

= POSITIVE FOCUS

MY THOUGHTS-  The thoughts that result from what I choose to focus on:  I am going to hit the ball pure

= POSITIVE THOUGHTS

MY FEELINGS-  The feelings I experience in my body are an indication of the vibration I am sending off:  Confidence

= POSITIVE VIBRATIONS

MY PERFORMANCE-  The results I get in my game:  I hit it close to the pin

= POSITIVE RESULTS

Without a doubt, it is beneficial to be optimistic before every shot.  What good does it do to say “oh man, I always chunk my 7 iron” before you hit? Why not instead say “I’m going to hit this within gimme distance!”   Obviously, we are not going to do so every time but putting yourself in a negative frame of mind before a shot is an easy way to guarantee a poor outcome .  Act as though you are going to hit every shot perfect – but be prepared to accept the outcome if you do not.  No one reading this (or writing it) plays on the PGA Tour….so remember – golf is meant to be fun.  Think Happy!

*For best results:  I recommend integrating the power of positive thinking into your pre-shot routine.  If you don’t already have a consistent routine I strongly suggest you develop one.  The best part about a routine is that you develop it yourself.  It can be completely custom made to fit what feels good to you.  Before you hit a shot, tell yourself what you want to do with the ball – this begins your positive focus…..and it all flows from there!  Goodluck

Here’s the future of the handicap system……..

New Equitable Stroke Control

0-9 hdcp         Maximum 2 over par

10-19 hdcp      Maximum score of 7

20-29 hdcp      Maximum score of 8

30-39 hdcp      Maximum score of 9

  40 + hdcp       Maximum score of 10

Feel free to leave a comment with your thoughts on the change!

You may have heard about the rule changes coming into effect for the 2012 season.  I thought I’d post them on hear so you can be on-the-ball when one of these situations arise on the course.  I suggest that you keep a current rule book in your golf bag at all times just in case something comes up.  You’d be surprised how often it gets used (mostly to settle arguments amongst the group).  If you don’t have one of the new rule books – ask in your pro shop to get one!

Addressing the Ball

The Definition is amended so that a player has addressed the ball simply by grounding his club immediately in front of or behind the ball, regardless of whether or not he has taken his stance. Therefore, the Rules generally no longer provide for a player addressing the ball in a hazard. (See also related change to Rule 18-2b)

Rule 1-2. Exerting Influence on Movement of Ball or Altering Physical Conditions

The Rule is amended to establish more clearly that, if a player intentionally takes an action to influence the movement of a ball or to alter physical conditions affecting the playing of a hole in a way that is not permitted by the Rules, Rule 1-2 applies only when the action is not already covered in another Rule. For example, a player improving the lie of his ball is in breach of Rule 13-2 and therefore that Rule would apply, whereas a player intentionally improving the lie of a fellow-competitor’s ball is not a situation covered by Rule 13-2 and, therefore, is governed by Rule 1-2.

Rule 6-3a. Time of Starting

Rule 6-3a is amended to provide that the penalty for starting late, but within five minutes of the starting time, is reduced from disqualification to loss of the first hole in match play or two strokes at the first hole in stroke play. Previously this penalty reduction could be introduced as a condition of competition.

Rule 12-1. Seeing Ball; Searching for Ball

Rule 12-1 is reformatted for clarity. In addition, it is amended to (i) permit a player to search for his ball anywhere on the course when it may be covered by sand and to clarify that there is no penalty if the ball is moved in these circumstances, and (ii) apply a penalty of one stroke under Rule 18-2a if a player moves his ball in a hazard when searching for it when it is believed to be covered by loose impediments.

Rule 13-4. Ball in Hazard; Prohibited Actions

Exception 2 to Rule 13-4 is amended to permit a player to smooth sand or soil in a hazard at any time, including before playing from that hazard, provided it is for the sole purpose of caring for the course and Rule 13-2 is not breached.

 Rule 18-2b. Ball Moving After Address

A new Exception is added that exonerates the player from penalty if his ball moves after it has been addressed when it is known or virtually certain that he did not cause the ball tomove. For example, if it is a gust of wind that moves the ball after it has been addressed, there is no penalty and the ball is played from its new position.

 Rule 19-1. Ball in Motion Deflected or Stopped; By Outside Agency

The note is expanded to prescribe the various outcomes when a ball in motion has been deliberately deflected or stopped by an outside agency.

Rule 20-7c. Playing from Wrong Place; Stroke Play

Note 3 is amended so that if a player is to be penalized for playing from a wrong place, in most cases the penalty will be limited to two strokes, even if another Rule has been breached prior to his making the stroke.

Ok, so we all know that club companies develop a new product line for the new golf season.  And we all remember the buzz that surrounded Taylormade and their release of the R11 last year AKA ‘the white driver‘.  For 2012 Taylormade has continued with (and improved) the R11, and has dropped the ‘Burner’ line.  If you haven’t heard the name of the replacement for the Burner…..you ought to.  Rocketballz.  Yeah, I said it…..Rocketballz.  I know how you feel.  I was questioning the new name and the direction that Taylormade is taking just like everybody else…..Until I hit one of their drivers.  Now, I know you are probably looking to gain extra distance through lessons and improved fitness, but if you are looking for an instant 10-20 yard gain off the tee without any change to your swing or strength – look no further than the new RBZ driver.

RBZ Features:

• Flight Control Technology – Makes tuning the loft and face angle easy
• Lightweight Matrix shaft and lightweight grip promotes faster swing speed for more distance
• Thick-thin crown design creates lower center of gravity to promote higher launch for more distance
• Speed-enhancing head aerodynamics reduces wind-resistance to promote faster head speed = more distance
• Inverted cone club face technology promotes faster ball-speed and distance on off-center hits
• Matte-white crown and black face makes alignment easier and eliminates glare at address

If you have ANY doubts……..ask in the shop to demo this driver – you will not be disappointed!