No More Slumps!
All of us, regardless of our skill level, have at times, swung the golf club very well. And, I imagine all you fortunate readers who’ve completed Andy’s course — The New Four Magic Moves To Winning Golf– swing the golf club exceptionally well at times. But what makes this game so frustrating is not the good days — it’s the bad ones. Especially if they happen very soon after a great day. What gives?
Why can we swing the golf club perfectly one day, hitting it long and straight, yet barely find the clubface on other days? Most assume they’re not talented enough. Or they don’t work hard enough. Or better yet, that PGA Tour pros have some secret for consistency they’re not sharing with the world.
For some, yes — you may lack the requisite athletic ability to hit the golf ball long and straight. But even so, in all my years of teaching, with thousands of students, I’ve only met one I considered hopeless. And to this day, I still can’t figure out why I couldn’t help him. But that’s another story. My point simply is: if you’ve hit it well in stretches before — you can and should be able to do it consistently.
Let me share a couple of my favorite tips on how to maintain a great golf swing — or get one back that seems to be on vacation.
First, to maintain a great golf swing — you must maintain your body. It’s amazing how may people can’t figure out the reason for a slump, yet in the last year — they’ve put on 20-30lbs around their belly. So now the feels they used to feel are gone. Maybe their 90 degree shoulder turn has become 75. Or their distance from the ball changes. Or their posture changes slightly. Or their transition at the top of the swing gets quicker because it’s shorter. Either way, it doesn’t feel the same. And with that loss of feel comes a search for new mechanics. And looking for answers — which rarely works. Look at the players who are consistent throughout the years and you’ll see very little change in their bodies. Hale Irwin and Bernhard Langer are both great examples of this. In fact, I read a few months ago that Bernhard can still fit into the same size pants he wore in high school. That’s nuts — but speaks volumes to why he is so consistent.
So, my first tip to staying consistent: Maintain your fitness level. This may require more effort as you age — but you’ll see the benefits in your handicap.
Second, to maintain a great golf swing — you must maintain your set-up. After years of teaching some of the best players in the world, this next piece of advice is the absolute best tip I could ever give you.
**You don’t lose your golf swing overnight. It’s impossible. But you can lose your set-up overnight, which in turn will impact your golf swing — especially how it feels. So, as a golfer, you’ll try to recreate a feel you have when playing well (such as back to the target at the top of your swing), but will fall short — because it’s impossible to feel the same thing from a different set-up. So, you spend the day manufacturing feels. Anything to get you back to your best days. But hear this — if you find your set-up, your swing will find you. You won’t have to look for it.
So, how do you keep your set-up? I’ll give you an easy tip — one I share with all the touring pros and scratch amateurs I teach — and that’s go buy a cheap hitting mat. I don’t want you to hit a lot of balls off the mat — only a few occasionally. But you’ll use it to maintain good form. Here’s how. Next time you’re hitting it well — I mean really well — go hit some balls on the mat. Then, have a friend trace your feet and ball position. Use a 7-iron or so. Also, have your friend draw your target line — as well as your body line. But only draw your body line — using your feet as the reference — once you’re hit a couple well on the mat. Why? Well, you may hit your best shots slightly open or closed. And this is valuable information to have. Lee Trevino – one of the best ball strikers ever — aimed way left. While Sam Snead, another of the all-time greats — aimed way right. You see, if anyone ever tried to get their stances to fit a model of perfectly square — they never would have been so consistent. But — they found their set-up all the time, which is why they were so good. Does that make sense?
Then, once you have your feet, ball, target line and body lines traced — put the mat away. Keep it in the trunk of your car or in the garage. Then, next time you are struggling — go stand on it and hit some balls. Your swing will find you in no time. Or better yet, stand on it for a few minutes a week and you’ll never have to worry about losing you swing.
Good luck!
September 1st, 2008 at 2:28 pm
Andy,
Thank you for this e-mail. This is the subject which lately has bothered me the most - consistency. My first four rounds I played in July, I played in the mid to high 80’s, the best that I had played all year. Since then I have played in the 90’s, and have no consistency from hole to hole! Your e-mail and the DVD you sent me WILL help me with consistency in the game I love!
PS: I am now 80 years old and don’t hit the ball far (160-170 yard drives). But I expect to get better, and hit my drives straiter down the middle!!
Pete
September 3rd, 2008 at 11:05 am
Andy, I have been playing for 2 years off and on and find it is the back swing which is the biggest problem especially not playing regularly. I can play a good round and 1 week later mis hit often how frustrating this is. Makes me want to go back to Tennis. Cheers Shirley. Thanks anyway for tips.
September 3rd, 2008 at 2:26 pm
Andy,
Great first tip there about how to stay consistent by staying physically active. Fitness level really has an impact on your handicap. I also find your setup tip very interesting. Thanks Andy.
-Bob
September 4th, 2008 at 12:49 am
Andy thanks for sending the e-mail. Great advice!!! When things go wrong a trip back to the basics always seems in order! But to have a blue print of what one looks like when when one is in the “zone” is invaluable! All the best! Mark
September 4th, 2008 at 10:25 pm
Hi Andy
I agree to your tip fully.I do this all the time.It really works.
Thanks
Hassanali
September 6th, 2008 at 10:14 am
thanks for the reminded. i have been in a slump right and left off the tee,but i think you might have just fixed it. thanks
September 24th, 2008 at 3:44 pm
Dear Andy,
You must be psychic! You have described a problem that plagues me from time to time. I bought and studied your book and it was an amazing sight when I drove the ball straight down the fairway and long! Now I am struggling with my swing and I have re-read your book and have tried everything over and over again to no avail. It seems that I can not hit the ball. It is really ugly, which means that I am on the verge of donating my clubs to someone worthier than me. However, before I do this and divorce the game I love, I will try your tip and let you know how I do. I truly hope it sets me up for success.
September 29th, 2008 at 4:49 am
Hi Andy
Feet in open stance with shoulders parallel to target line works for my chipping.
I have been experimenting on my back lawn. The swing feels more relaxed and easy; in a word natural. Both feet and shoulders parallel results in predominately pulled shots and the swing feels strained and tense. This is something I have been struggling with since I started playing less than two years ago. I have been using the perfectly square model of stance and it ain’t been working. Looking forward to trying it for pitching and fairway shots when I have more room. Thanks for the tip
October 12th, 2008 at 12:50 pm
Thank you for your advice. I will try everything that you suggested. Thanks again,
Carol
October 12th, 2008 at 5:06 pm
Hi Andy, 10/12/2008
It’s about time I wrote a few lines as to how I’m doing after getting
Your FOUR MAGIC MOVES OF GOLF last Dec..Without question,i’ve never
enjoyed the game more….Last year I diden’t win a match in our men’s
club…..This year I won 7 , yes,I said 7…I diden’t make the finals in the
many We play,but what a great summer I’ve had….At age 76 I now walk
down the fairway with spring in My step knowing that I will be hitting more
good shots then bad,and that’s a tribute to You Mr. Andy Brown.
Thanks A Millon,
Jerry
October 13th, 2008 at 12:41 am
Hi Andy
Yes I did receive your Email and I have subscribed to the New Four New Magic Moves.
Has made a significant improvement in my game, still working on it!
Thanks
Kind regards
John Till
October 13th, 2008 at 5:07 am
Hi Andy,
Thanks for the tip, and others. I am also in that category, I can go out and hit them long and straight one day and the next time I play perhaps one out of 8. Needless to say my score is very inconsistent and I dread having to play in a competition when this happens. Shall be giving the mat thingy a whirl.
Cheers,
Dee
October 13th, 2008 at 6:43 pm
I’ve received the email you were questioning about and have I had purchased the 4 magic moves to winning golf in the past.
It has helped my swing and accurcy tremendously. Thanks Andy