free lesson

Golf Tips Revised

Dan Hernandez, PGA, , , , , , Leave a comment

Pretty sure I’ve done this before but just in case here are some really general tips about playing golf:

  • SETTING UP
    Lower hands are better than higher hands
    Narrower stance is better than too far apart
    Slightly closed to the target line is better than open (square to the path)
    Favoring the right side is better than favoring the left
    Right elbow down and in is better than right arm straight
    Ball more forward for longer clubs (hit on slight upswing)
    Head up is better than head down (it’s OK, you’ll still be able to see the ball)
  • IN SWING
    Let your hands and arms strike the ball from BEHIND your center line
    Allow backswing to finish BEFORE starting towards the ball
    Fire right side into back of ball (Ballard)
    Swinging any club behind you is better than lifting it straight up (radial)
    You can only REALLY keep your head still if it’s BEHIND YOUR CENTER THE WHOLE TIME
  • SHORT GAME
    Chips go low and run out (7-8-9 iron)
    Pitches go high and stop (pw-sw-60-etc.) Using these everywhere around the green is a dumb idea.
    Higher hands work better than lower hands
    Weaker grip works better than stronger grip
    Try PW or 9 iron out of sand – you’ll be surprised
    The closer you get the harder the game gets – be calm around the greens
  • PUTTING
    Open to the line stance means you can see better
    Try slicing your putts onto your line – you’ll be surprised (Vardon)
    Be tall on long putts
    Be short on short putts
    Look all around you for gravity’s effect. Course designer is trying to make you just look at the green! It’s a trick!
    Pushing the ball with the right arm is easier than pulling with the left wrist (just sayin’)
  • MENTAL
    Find high targets off the tee and swing there. Looking at the fairway (ground) will make you swing down.
    Deep, slow breathing actually works (brain needs oxygen)
    Feel club in you fingers for better “shot sense”
    If you suck on the front and not on the back, or vice-versa, divide 18 by 3. Now you have 6 hole increments and no front or back!
    If you’re having a hard time – just think about time. As in  “…in twenty minutes this isn’t going to be happening like this.”
    To relax, make fists as tight as possible for as long as possible – then let go.  You’ll be surprised
  • STAYING FULED
    Eat small bits all day
    Drink small bits all day
    No burgers or dogs at “the turn”

HAVE FUN WITH YOUR FRIENDS!

Golf Tips Revised

Jack & Tiger

Dan Hernandez, PGA, , , , , , , Leave a comment

In case ya’ll didn’t know….

The reason Jack continues to say that Tiger “will figure it out” is because JACK KNOWS that saying “TW CAN’T DO IT” simply means that TW WILL.

I’m no Jack, I’m not famous – nor do I want to be – I’m not on Golf Channel. I’m not known as a coach with any influence. I don’t sell grips or training aids and I don’t do articles for magazines. I don’t share much about my time on TOUR with players who have won out there. That’s because I’ve never hit a shot in a PGA TOUR event.

What I am is a dude that’s been teaching for over thirty years – in the weirdest of ways – and I say to you TW……YOU SIMPLY CAN NOT DO IT ANYMORE…..

  • PLAYERS WIN BECAUSE THEY WANT IT! 
  • PLAYERS WIN BECAUSE THEY LOVE BEING CHAMPIONS!
  • PLAYERS WIN BECAUSE THEY KNOW THAT “BRINGING IT” IS WHAT MATTERS!
  • I JUST DON’T KNOW IF YOU WANT IT ANYMORE…

When players EXTRICATE THEMSELVES from the DARK ABYSS it’s because of who THEY ARE and NOT how well OR HOW POORLY they may have been coached.

YOU NEED TO FIGURE THIS OUT ALL BY YOURSELF…..JUST LIKE A BIG BOY!

I FOR ONE, THE UNKNOW CAT THAT I AM, JUST AREN’T CONVINCED THAT YOU CAN DO THIS ANYMORE…

I FOR ONE, WISH YOU COULD……AND WOULD.

Jack & Tiger

Hands or Big Muscles?

Dan Hernandez, PGA, , , , ,

If you have taken lessons from me you know that I strongly advocate use of the hands, wrists and forearms during the golf swing.  Many have expressed dismay at my instruction because the “don’t use your hands” mantra has a pretty deep hold on today’s golfers and teachers.

For almost all recreational players and even active golf enthusiasts, big muscles should be used for stability,
not for speed or control.  I spend a lot of time trying to get players to settle down on the body motion so their hands can do what they need to do.  Why is this? Because most players are not professional golfers. Professional golfers are an elite group of players who have better strength, mobility, flexibility and a keen sense of where the ground is. They are able to engage and synchronize both the large and small muscle groups. Unless you have the physical awareness and sense of timing of an elite athlete, it’s best to use the parts of your body you know best – which for most people, men and women alike, are forearms, wrists, and hands.

I’m sure at this point everybody’s ready to argue and debate the “hands on” idea! Go ahead and debate and while your doing that make sure you watch “down the line” swings on the Konica Minolta Biz Hub Swing Vision Camera.  You’ll see for yourself what is happening down and through the swings – even from those who swear they are not using their forearms and wrists!

image
Hand, wrist, forearm action. Head down too long

Visit the link below for old debate from 2005.

2005: Big muscles don’t impress good-hands people | Golf News at Golfweek.

Hands or Big Muscles?