Don't be what you are..... Discover your potential

Heres a little tip for you, if you believe you are an 18 handicapper and accept that then that is what you will be. Without goals, aspirations and the willingness to prepare like a superior player of the game then you are going to struggle to do so.

This winter make your first task to be setting your goals for 2012, a mixture of short, mid and long term goals that if met will propel you to a better level of the game you love so dearly. Make sure these goals are challenging but also just as equally realistic and surround yourself with people (swing, mind coaches and playing partners) who will help you to make those steps forwards.

Start preparing now and hit the 2012 playing season running.

Happy golfing

Dan Gale
PGA Professional
TPI Certified Instructor

Golf tips - make sure the message was clear with your PGA Professional

As a coach I believe it is one of my most important priorities to insure that the information I give to any one of my students is completely understood by them in order for them to progress. I find it bizarre that people come to lessons having been taught by someone else in the past and are amazed by the most basic of information  being given to them. At times within a couple of minutes a customer is satisified by something which is often most obvious and simple. Now obviously this is great for me however  it is extremely worrying that people are investing time and often a lot of money in a Professional service and getting sod all from it.

Coaches have different styles of delivery which is down to a number of things such as the information they have in their locker and also down to their individual character and demeanor. Likewise people develop in different ways whether it be aurally, visually or through kinesthetic learning and the Professional must identify which is most suitable to each individual client. Personally I like the player to seek their own answers throughout my lessons, I feel that going through the phases of working out the issues that need addressing will assist them in the future if they get into difficulties. The odd hint along the way whether visually, aurally etc will prompt the individual to develop their own understanding and self awareness of their own game.

If you take a lesson with any Professional please make sure you are getting the solutions for your needs. Don't be afraid to ask questions, don't be afraid to challenge our knowledge and make sure you leave with the answers. If you are doing this and are still not getting wehat you really want then ask yourself whether this person is really offering the you the service that your time, money and golf game deserve.

Thanks for reading

Dan Gale
PGA Professional/TPI Certified

Dan is a fully qualified member of the PGA & a certified TPI Instructor

Check out his website at www.dangalegolf.com

Where to buy golf clubs - appreciate the service of the PGA Professional

I just thought I would write a little piece  regarding the retail side of golf today rather than the usual swing or playing the game blog that I have become accustomed to. The main reason for writing this post is that as a Golf Professional I find it bloody embarrassing to tell somebody that they have been ripped off and stung for a few hundred pounds through the purchase of inadequate, unsuitable and fairly often fake golf equipment.

The problem we have in today's market is the Internet. Browsing and shopping online is easy, and often the prices will be cheaper. Obviously from the Pro's side this is potentially extremely damaging to our business. The quantities that the online companies buy in from manufacturers and then the resulting high turnover in stock allows them to sell at ridiculous prices should they wish to do so.

I think it is important however for the consumer to understand what the Internet does not provide and that is service!! The Internet does not have a voice or any care over what you buy, it is literally just a selling mechanism. There is no customer service when you have a fault with the club,  there is no come back when you have spent £400 on fake clubs and there 100% isn't a care in the world as to whether or not the equipment you purchase will actually take your game forwards.

As the market has changed with Internet and high street shops joining in selling to the millions of golfers out there, as a PGA retailer we understand that the days are long gone of 95% of golf club members purchasing there equipment from their home clubs Pro Shop.

The bottom line is that your PGA Professional wants to help your game. He/she knows or will listen and provide to your requirements. You can receive a professional, in depth custom fitting that will provide you with clubs which fit your build and swing. You will also receive excellent service should you encounter any problems with your clubs. Golf clubs to break or have minor defects at times but your PGA Pro is trained up to the eyeballs to deal with any repair problems or in the case of a manufacturing fault will just take the club from you and deal with the problem, therefore no hassle for you.

I think finally the main thing to remember about the PGA Pro is that they will not just be trying to sell what is on the rack that needs to be shifted. They will appreciate your business and any positive feedback you give will hopefully lead to return business and new customers. We are only as good as our last sale, a bad recommendation or sale to a customer, who will always talk to other golfers and Professionals, can quickly damage our reputation. That being the case we will strive to make sure that every sale is the correct one and 100% geared towards improving the golfers game.

We are trained to assist your game and are passionate about it

Support your Professional and let us take your game to the levels you wish to reach.

Thanks for reading

Dan Gale

PGA Professional & TPI Certified

Dan is a fully qualified member of the PGA & Certified TPI Instructor

Check out his website at http://www.dangalegolf.com/

Ryder cup qualification - my prediction for 2012

Last week saw the start of qualifying for next years Ryder Cup matches at Crans Montana in Switzerland. I thought I would take this opportunity to make my prediction for a possible team to face the United States next year. I know there are some fairly obvious candidates in there but also a few outsiders as well but here is my prediction:

Rory Mcilroy
Lee Westwood
Luke Donald
Greame McDowell
Simon Dyson
Sergio Garcia
Matteo Manassero
Pablo Larrazabal
Martin Kaymer
Alvaro Quiros
Alexander Noren
Anders Hansen

I wonder how close I will be. Feel free to leave your own predictions or tell me if I am being a raving looney with my suggestions.

Dan Gale
PGA Professional TPI Certified

Dan is a fully qualified member of the PGA & Certified TPI Instructor 

Check out his website at www.dangalegolf.com

Golf news........it been a while but I am still here

It has been a manic time recently at work which means Blogger and Twitter time have been limited somewhat. My access to the computer has been more to scan what is going on in the world, golfing and outside, rather than having time to add detail to my websites little sidekicks.

It sounds pretty sad when I say it but I do honestly feel very lucky to be in the job that I am. Even though work has been flat out running the shop as well as a full teaching schedule I still enjoy being at work. As golf Professionals it easy to forget how lucky we are travelling into a golf club every day for work and helping people in various ways to enjoy their hobby as much as possible. Yes the hours are long but I would take it any day over a city commute and desk job with micro amounts of job satisfaction.

So whats been going on................ The final major of the year for me was something of an anti climax in all honesty. I lost the appeal to sit down and watch names I had barely heard of battle it out for the USPGA Championship. I really thought this was the year for one of England's big guns to go out there and deliver on the major stage. You can't help but get the feeling that with each major that in particular passes by Lee Westwoods gratefully waiting hands, he is looking more and more likely to miss out on the title his excellent career CV deserves. I truly hope this is not the case, along with Sergio Garcia there are no two players in world golf I would rather see capture a major title.

Congratulations must obviously go to Keegan Bradley for managing to capture the USPGA title from under the nose of Jason Dufner. It was just for me a little low key for the years final major.

In my own golfing world my time has been mostly taken up quite simply by working flat out. This is the time of year where the golf professionals other half sees you either bloody early in the morning or later in the evening as they are nodding off to Eastenders. Luckily I have got myself a little beaut of a missus, she will appreciate me writing that :).
The running of The Professional Shop is at its most difficult with Assistants playing their compulsory events, part timers having their own playing schedules chucked in with a bit of paternity leave for one of my assistants. The rota becomes almost redundant as a result as all the teaching and various events within the facility needing to be covered to a high level of service and professionalism means earlier starts and later finishes. It's all good fun though and the positive feedback you receive reward for the time you put into the facility.
My personal goals as a coach also have to be observed regularly. I hate walking away from a lesson feeling I may possibly have been able to give more to the client and thankfully as yet I feel that has extremely rarely happened. It is important in the busy times to retain your quality and a clear fresh head to allow optimum performance as a coach to your well paying customers. Training wise I have taken a step back however the plan over the coming weeks is to lay out an action plan for the winter 2011-12 and get my head in some books to learn. I feel I am gradually learning my own preferences and philosophies and must carry on my learning to get to where I want to be. No standing still around here that's for sure, that can be for those who are happy to be left behind.

Thanks for reading, I hope you all enjoy the rest of the golfing season.

Dan Gale
PGA Professional, TPI Certified

Dan is a fully qualified member of the PGA & Certified TPI Instructor

Check out his website at www.dangalegolf.com

Prevent golf injuries with a TPI screen

The golf swing is a an athletic movement which causes great torque and therefore strains and tension on the body. This is the case with golf professionals as well as amateur players, in fact with amateur players although the power of the swing may be less the actual stress caused will often be more. This is because the average amateur golfers body is not set up to accept this kind of tension and is often the reason for amateur golfers getting back problems as well as other injuries. Tour players spend many hours a week in the gym as well as with medical experts to get their bodies finely tuned ready for peak golfing performance.

As well as the possibility of injury a players physical capabilities can also be the reason for the feeling of 'banging your head against a brick wall' as a result of golf lessons. Being given a load of drills to carry out that you are not physically capable of carrying out. This leads to frustration and again the possibility of injury due to over training/practicing with poor technique.

A great way to prevent this risk is to take out a TPI screen with a certified TPI Instructor. The screen will allow us to identify any physical limitations that may be restricting you performing the correct swing technique and leading to problems outlined above. It is a very simple process which takes no longer than 20 minutes but will save hours of frustration or time on the treatment table through poor movement. The way the screen works for us as coaches is that it outlines any restrictions that we may encounter and therefore allow us to work on these areas through mobility, stability or co-ordination exercises and progress towards a sound swing movement. If there are any medical problems then you will be referred to a medical professional (chiropractor, osteopath) or if exercise needs to be taken beyond our capabilities then a fitness professional (personal trainer) will be the answer.

Some see TPI as an excuse, just a way of giving the golfer or even the coach an excuse for average club golfers not performing as they and we wish to see them. I sit in a different boat, I see it as a way to ensure my students can progress and find it hard to see how coaching a sound technique can be achieved when effectively going in blind to every players capabilities.

Locate your nearest TPI Instructor to give you the best chance of aiding your golfing development.

Good luck

Dan Gale
PGA Professional TPI Certified

Dan is fully qualified member of the PGA & Certified TPI Instructor
Check out his website at

The world of golf is changing. Welcome the new era

So all the major championship holders in golf are under the age of 30. Shwartzel, Mcilroy, Oosterhuizen & Kaymer hold golf's four biggest prizes and there are a number of other twenty somethings in hot persuit of golfs top prizes. Internationally golf is on a real high right now with a real changing of the guard and fresh influx of young, athletic and hungry players making the step up. The Sergio Garcias of this world are no longer young. Luke Donald, Paul Casey and Justin Rose are no longer the new kids on the block. These guys have turned up and won emphatically and early.

Martin Kaymer: USPGA Champion

Age: 26

Rory Mcilroy: US Open Champion

Age: 22



Charl Schwartzel: Masters Champion
Age 26



 Louis Ooserhuizen: British Open Champion

 Age 2

Golf may be missing Tiger Woods through his current set of injuries however these guys are making golf enjoyable to watch and when Tiger is back then lets just see if he is up to the challenge. People have started to question whether the Tiger aura that he used to hold still exists, seemingly having won an event before he even pegged it up. Ernie Els was one who back in the Tiger domination period openly admitted to having a defeated mentality when going head to head with him. The new guys hvaent had this though. Tiger has been good but not brilliant, and over the last year he has at timesbeing average at best. That old aura that he held may well be deminished

The other things to recognise is that there is a new approach to the game. All of these guys swing it great and are physically ready for what the golf swing requires and also have the stamina required. They are golfing machines, mainly built like stick insects but hitting the ball long. You wont see many random swings anymore, gone are the days of the swings of Ray Floyd, Lee Trevino and Paul Azinger. Modern teaching has lead to tours filled with technically strong golf swings that will hold up under pressure. It is definately a new dawn for golf.

Enjoy the golf ahead, its sure to be good with these guys all on the up. Lets see which one is on top at The Open at Royal St Georges in a couple of weeks time.

Dan Gale
PGA Professional & TPI Certified

Dan is a fully qualified member of the PGA & Certified TPI Instructor

Check out his website at http://www.dangalegolf.com/

McIlroy and Murray: A tale of two 'middle class sports' - my view

Whilst scrolling through various news and debate yesterday I came across an article on BBC news about the dominance of UK golf versus the continuous decline of UK Tennis.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-13838432 

I thought I would take my opportunity to give my opinion as a golf professional on this topic through the form of my blog. I work at a privately owned municiple facility. We offer various forms of membership as well as being open to the public (without restriction) and offer a residential golf academy which is used by people from all around the world. Apart from the residential school we are constantly trying to encourage new golfers and juniors to play the game.

Rory McIlroy's exploits at the US Open last week have certainly got people talking over the last few days, even my mum and girlfriend who are avid non - golfers enjoyed watching the fresh faced 22 year old putting on his masterclass. His performance again has got people talking about golf in similar ways that people have spoken about Tiger Woods before him, the appeal for golf becomes even stronger. This just adds to my thoughts on why golf is experiencing such a strong period in the UK.

I feel it is important to understand the respective games requirement and how they are played in order to compare the two. Tennis has a few issues that will not arise in golf therefore effecting participation numbers. Firstly you need an opponent, this can make playing tough. Also the advandage that golf has is the handicapping system, this means that when you do play you can play against anyone, regardless of ability. This makes the game a lot more appealing to beginners and improver players. It also gives every player the opportunity to have a continuous monitor of their own progress. Add to this that golf is age freindly, you can play into your very later years, and that the weather is less of an obstruction golf seems to be a more attractive, fulfilling and sociable game to play.

Also if you are going to bring the so - called class factor into this argument then take a look around your average golf club car park. Yes you have your Wentworths and snooty golf clubs however I think if you cast an eye over the average golf club car park you will see a high number of white vans. Many clubs user base comes from a wide working class area social group. This is where their children who participate in junior clinics come from as a result. These people have money remember, and work bloody hard for it but if you feel you are getting value for it then people will invest. Like the McIlroy family did in order to aid their sons development this where the accessibility and structure of the sport becomes so important, firstly you need to get people playing the game, secondly you need solid structure in place to aid their long term development.

Accessibility to play the game is very important as is the access to the tuition required to improve. A public golf facility such as where I am located offers free club rental, free lesson promotions, no restriction on times or days to play, cheap junior lessons & beginner groups coaching. These initiatives are run all year with the backing of the club and some additional help from English Golf Union schemes and county partnerships such as the Sussex Golf Partnership.

I think in golf we have got the stepping stones in place for a youngster to make their way through to the professional ranks. Funding is available from club level through to national and international level. There is a clear path of development and even in the winter funding enables those talented youngsters within county and national set - ups to travel away for coaching in the winter. An example of this is seen with the Sussex County Golf Union who send there juniors on winter training and matches to La Manga, Malta and Turkey.

You could also bring the Tiger effect into the mix however tennis aren't exactly struggling with Nadal & Federer at the head of the game. They all make their respective games  fashionable and appealing to the masses watching on TV. Maybe part of the lull in tennis is just down to the fact that there are no UK players competing on television regularly whereas golf has UK players competing for top players on a weekly basis. Andy Murray isn't quite the role model that many would like to see for tennis. Mostly seen as the moody, non smiling Scot who hasn't won a Grand Slam event yet.

I feel that there are many reasons that golf is experiencing such a boom right now compared to tennis. It is now a game which has lost a lot of it's elitest tag and moved on to become a game played by all. Golf clubs can be picked up cheap in bargain sport shops in town centres for juniors and adults and you even see tees, ball and gloves being sold in shops such as Lidl and Aldi, commonly seen as lower market shopping outlets. Add to this that there are an increasing number of professionals wanting to fill their diaries with new golfers and the fact that even the old private clubs are opening their doors to others (due to the average member age going through the roof). Golf is simply now a much more affordable hobbie for everybody to play. 

In the UK we do play every sport going, we are not like others who set their targets on two or three key sports so this can effect how many top quality athletes come through in each respective area. However the ones where the coaching and funding structures are strong then we do flourish. Football is going through a tough time at present with the poor performance of the respective national teams, however again if you look below it appears the structures are not right. Money is not getting filtered to the right areas and coaching is suffering as a result.
I feel if tennis took a similar approach to golf and sorted out the funding etc then they to could move forward and start to see players appear in the top 100 or even top 20 in the world again.
Until then however I will just sit back and watch our golfers deliver!!

Feel free to leave your opinion on this matter.

Dan Gale

PGA Professional, TPI Certified

Dan is a fully qualified member of the PGA & Certified TPI Instructor

Check out his website at http://www.dangalegolf.com/

Rory Mcilroy wins US Open 2011 at Congressional. Start of a major haul?

Rory Mcilroy won the US Open at Congressional last night finishing off his flawless US Open week with two under par 69 and a winning margin of eight shots. Rory Mcilroy's US Open victory will feel particularly special and important to him having been in contention in the last four major championships and in particular having thrown away a four shot lead heading into the final round of the US Masters back in April. The manner of the victory is also extremely impressive, you are not meant to destroy a field of the worlds top golfers in an event that is meant to be the hardest to win, yet Rory Mcilroy managed it, with ease.

Unlike at Augusta in April there was no sign of nerves, no shaky putting, no flip hooks with the driver. Rory Mcilroy just get knocking the flags out as he had done all week. There is no better example of this than on the par three 10th where he fired at the stick with a flushed six iron finishing just 6 inches from the hole. 

Only in 2000 at Pebble Beach where Tiger Woods won by a fifteen margin, has somebody dominated a US Open field in such a way. It is hard to match them and say who's performance was better for many reasons, however in my opinion from just watching on TV Mcilroy was every bit as impressive. There is no doubting his swing and overall game, the doubt was could Rory beat Rory. The demons from Aprils final round collapse. Well he proved he is major material last night and answered any doubters that were out there.

I think one difference to bare in mind when you compare the achievement of both Tiger and Rory is that when Tiger did it there was no shock. Being head and shoulders ahead of the rest of the worlds players at the time it was impressive yet not a total surprise, he contended and won most events anyway. With Mcilroy he has stepped up and done it at a time where everyone is fairly even. The world rankings seem to change weekly and it is a lot more competitive than it was when Tiger was head and shoulders above the rest. 

Another thing to mention is the twelve records that Rory Mcilroy has set over the past four days. Nobody is meant to do that to a US Open course, Jason Day finished second on -7, if you had given him or anyone that on Thursday they would have snatched your arm off and surely have been odds on to be holding a trophy by Sunday. Having had nobody in US Open history lower than 12 under Rory just kept on adding records as he got deeper and deeper under par.

So, the now the questions will be how far will Rory go from here in the majors. The commentators mentioned last night that maybe he is the man to break Jack Nicklaus' major championship record. This will be seen over time. That would be tough, as i said the fields are a lot more even now. When Tiger came about he was so far superior in swing, athleticism, mental approach and his aura that against all the mid thirty and forty somethings in the gme he was miles and miles ahead. Today that is not the case, Tiger raised the bar and people have caught up. That took a while but what he did with his body and approach to the game is now normal, shown in the fact that Rory now completes the sweep of twenty somethings holding all four major championships.

Exciting times for Rory Mcilroy now. We can all look forward to July and Royal St Georges to see the next major golf championship unravel.

Thanks for reading

Dan Gale
PGA Professional/TPI Certified

Dan is fully qualified member of the PGA & certified TPI Instructor

Check out his website at www.dangalegolf.com

Rory Mcilroy blows feild away in US Open

How good is Rory Mcilroy's performance at the 2011 US Open at Congressional. The guy swings it so good and although already a star of the game, is undoubtedly going to collect a number of major championships. This US Open weekend could be huge for Rory Mcilroy mentally following his final round collapse at the US Masters earlier in the year. I am sure he will have learnt from that and will approach the weekend still in a positive mind set.

 

Technically superb, Rory Mcilroy's swing is great to watch and if he can maintain his rhythm and not let the adrenalin get the better of him he may well stretch his lead over the weekend. The fast release and flow through the ball is great to watch and the athleticism and balance of the whole movement shows that swing wise he 'has it'.

One bad shot that you may want to look out for is when he can turn the ball over left from too straight a starting line. This causes his natural draw to to become increased to a problem hook , mainly due to getting too quick through the release of his hands through the swing. This was seen on 18 yesterday leading to his first and only dropped shots of the tournament.

The biggest challenge to Rory will be Y.E Yang, one of very few who has taken down the Tiger in a final round showdown from a trailing position.

Enjoy the rest of the US Open coverage.

Dan Gale

PGA Professional

Dan is a fully qualified member of the PGA & Certified TPI Instructor

Check out his website at www.dangalegolf.com

Golf Professional - making the most of todays technology

Another day ahead out on the driving range, short game areas and golf course with clients looking to take their games forward is here and it has just got me thinking about how much technology has advanced over the last few decades. Golf lessons of the past were carried out solely with the coach using the naked eye to observe ball flight and swing to diagnose any faults a player may have. The coaches word was having to be taken as correct by the player and this was just how things were done. However today all that has changed. In a golfing world which includes technology such as Trackman, Flightscope and SAM Lab it leads to a much more in depth, detailed and precise analysis of a players game.

Despite this advance in technology I personally find it very important to my own development and for my players benefit to not become over reliant on this kind of technology. I use it more as a confirmation of what has been said through my observations with the naked eye. For me some time away from the camera ensures I stay sharp, that I am still seeing the things I need to see. For the player it allows me to work more on the feel of the swing and understanding appropriate ball flight and strike conditions.

However there is no doubt that the majority of pupils learn best through visual feedback. It is easy to just stand there and be like 'oh well sir, you are just coming over the top to hit that pull, just do this instead.... blah blah blah'. However the fact is that many golfers will never grasp exactly what you mean or understand the extent that they need to change. This is where video etc will help, 5 minutes viewing here and there to assist in the diagnosis and to view the size of the change is enough to help pupils move forwards with their swings. 

So today I will be heading up the range and on the course armed with my Casio EX-FH25 and iPad 2 to assist me in developing my players' games. Filming swings, drills  that can then be sent to them straight away for further viewing at home just to help cement it into the memory.

Looking forward to getting out there again.

Dan Gale
PGA Professional/TPI Certified

Dan is a fully qualified member of the PGA & a certified TPI Instructor

Check out his website at www.dangalegolf.com 

The golf professional - enjoying the new role

Following a few years carrying out residential golfschools at the James Andrews School of Golf I am now fully in the swing of my new role at the same complex. Having taken over the running of the professional shop and running of club affairs i am surprisingly enjoying the role a lot more than I imagined I might. The decision to change roles was career based, allowing me to build my reputation as a coach and assist in running a facility would benefit me in the future. However the variety of tasks and also the implementing of new ideas and procedures has made the role very rewarding. Add to that the fact that the club is very busy at present, both on the membership and green fee side, it makes for some fun and challenging days.

The goal now is to increase my client base as much as possible and achieve the goals I have set out for myself to climb the coaching ladder. Qualifications to go for and CPD points to gain is the start to developing my all round coaching knowledge so that i can assist my clients in the best possible way.

Hopefully the role continues as it has begun.

Dan Gale

PGA Professional/TPI Certified

Dan is a fully qualified member of the PGA & a certified TPI Instructor

Check out his website at http://www.dangalegolf.com/

Golf lessons - learn in a sociable atmosphere

Golf is a sport that many people want to play however sometimes the stigma that surrounds the game can still see it seen as rather elitist and getting players to drive through the entrance can be hardest challenge. However most golf clubs are looking for new players, the next generation of golfer. As well as wanting to change the old image of what golf is all about. Golf is now a fashionable and sociable sport played by people from  all backgrounds and that is the way it should be.

If you are looking to take up the game why not try some group coaching sessions at your club.Group coaching has many benefits, notably that it is sociable. Taking a group of half a dozen or so beginners allows a sociable atmosphere to be built as a result of a fun and light hearted intro to the game. The same aspects will be covered as in one to one sessions however this will be slightly less intensive and a lot cheaper. Group coaching knocks the price of tuition down which allows more time to be spent learning the game.

As you learn together week after week you will also find you will be in contact with some similar standard playing partners. Starting golf can be good but getting into a group of people to allow you to play regularly can be hard yet group coaching will put you in contact with ideal companions.

Finally as a coach it is always fun to teach a group. It allows us to chill out a little and provide an entertaining experience to encourage further play. At the end of the day you wanted to play and we want the players, it always works. 

Below is an example of some upcoming group sessions we have coming up at my club, Sedlescombe Golf Club:

BEGINNER GROUPS

Wednesday 1st June 6pm - 7pm

Thursday 16th June 7:30pm - 8:30pm

INTERMEDIATE GROUPS

Wednesday 1st June 7:30pm - 8:30pm

Thursday 16th June 6pm - 7 pm

All lessons run for 6 weeks at a cost of £59 which includes a free 7 iron

Enjoy the game

Dan Gale
PGA Professional/TPI Certified

Dan is a fully qualified member of the PGA & a certified TPI Instructor

Check out his website at www.dangalegolf.com

Seve Ballesteros - the greatest european golfer

'THE MAGICIAN'

RIP Seve

Improve your golf - proper practice

Here are a few pointers for effective golf practice. Good practice will lead to faster results on the golf course and prevent the frustrations that come from aimless practice and a lack of positive feedback. Take a read and watch the results:

The average 28 handicapper will play 70% of shots from inside 80 yards. make sure your practice ratio's represent this. More short game and less of the range junky

Don't rush, 50 balls on the range with plenty of practice swings and drills should last 40 minutes. Remember quality not quantity   

Test yourself. People struggle to take good practice to the course. create pressure & do skills tests like par 18 to make your practice more realistic to what happens on the course

Practice alone will not lower your scores so play golf. You need to get out and play and learn to score. Make sure you play as often as possible

Listen to those in the know. Golfers tend to enjoy helping everyone mostly passing on information they have been taught. This is often not suited to you. Seek advice from a PGA Professional

It is easy to forget the simplest of swing thoughts so head to the practice areas and lessons with a notebook in order to remember and log key points and thoughts
 
Understand your swing by using video & mirrors to understand the movements of your swing and the areas you need to work on. Mirrors on the range aren't for checking your hair

Take these points to your next session at your club and watch for the positive results. Effective practice will lower those scores a lot quicker.

Enjoy

Dan Gale
PGA Professional/TPI Certified

Dan is a fully qualified member of the PGA & Certified TPI Instructor

Check out his website at www.dangalegolf.com

Learn to play golf - both sides of the game

I think it is very important that people starting to play the game of golf understand that there are almost two completely separate areas of golf to learn before you can really start to notice huge improvements in scoring on the golf course. I'm not talking about full swing & putting, chipping & pitching etc but the technical aspects of the game and also simply learning to play the game. It is the reason that as a beginner it can take a while to take what you learn on the range onto the golf course.

Learn the technical aspects

This is the full swing, pitching, chipping, bunkers and putting. The only way to do this is with your PGA Professional so that you can learn the correct technique from a professional, this will stop you from developing bad habits and also give you the tools to be able to go away and practice with drills and games so you can continue to progress and measure your progress. It is important that if you make the decision to carry out lessons then make sure you practice what you are taught. Turning up once a week for a lesson with nothing done in between will severely slow down your progress, trust me there is nothing better than hearing your pupils have been practicing hard between lessons.

Learn to play golf

This is basically what happens when you have a scorecard in your hand on the golf course. Getting out on the golf course and away from the controlled and sometimes flattering area of the driving range can at first be daunting. However you have got to get used to it and learn to look forward to it. The range is a safe haven where bad shots don't matter you just have another go, bays align you easily and mats disguise bad strikes. It is natural to tense up a little but by getting out there you will begin to get used to the situation and control yourself better.

The other side of this is learning that it doesn't have to be perfect. At the end of a day it is a number that goes on the scorecard not a competition of how pretty it was. You need to learn to get the ball in the hole in as few shots as possible.

When to do what........

Traditionally once the technique is learnt then the player will venture onto the golf course, and if you are at a private club that may have to be the case unless you can get out with your pro. However if you are at a course that gives you access to a course, ideally a little par 3, then get out there. The worst thing is when people have worked their backsides off to get out on the course and then come in after their first round give you the common comment 'wow, that was so different to the range'. Get out there, avoid that shock element and go and play some golf. You need to learn what you are working towards and what you actually need to achieve.

These are my feelings on beginner golf. I always want my players playing rather than just being range junkies. I would recommend you adopt that as well. Yes you need to practice, everyone does including the top players in the world, but get out there and play loads too. That is the reason you take up the game at the end of the day.

Good luck

Dan Gale
PGA Professional

Dan is a fully qualified member of the PGA & a certified TPI Instructor

Check out his website at www.dangalegolf.com

Golf Professional - Your duties as a coach, The player/coach relationship

I witnessed first hand last week a situation that i as a golf professional i found astounding, and quite concerning. A good friend of mine who holds a full card on the European Challenge Tour explained to me his recent lesson with the coach he has been working with for some time. His stock shot has always been a fade yet has struggled recently and has often been visiting the left side of the course with a pull or pull/draw. The concerning thing was that having spent 2 hours with the coach the day before, he was now standing on a range with no idea what he was trying to achieve. No mechanical or visual understanding of the move he was meant to be making or an understanding on how the swing should feel. As the conversation went on I also found out that during the intense session my friend had only managed to hit a handful of fades (a so called stock shot for him) in the whole time his coach was present. Oh and by the way he was flying to Kenya the following day for the next Challenge Tour event.

As a golf professional you have duties that must be fulfilled to satisfy the needs and requirements of each of your clients. Whether it be a complete beginner or an elite golfer, the golf professional must make sure that they are satisfying these needs as well as leaving a clear understanding regarding what has been worked on, how it has been done and what is the desired result. It is basic stuff. It's a bit like going to the dentist. Would you feel happy visiting the dentist with toothache yet leaving with toothache and still having no clue as to why that was the case? I am sure you wouldn't. Similar to visiting your golf professional with a slice, yet having no solution or understanding as to the long term benefits of any work you may have just carried out together.

Going back to my friend i think one thing is very important here and that is that the guy is heading out to a tournament a few days after a lesson with no idea how his swing is working. That is criminal surely? Where is the player/coach relationship that allows the 'team' to work together to develop improvements and build the belief that a strong performance can be achieved in a top level event. He even admitted that during the whole time that the lesson was taking place that he only managed to hit a couple of shots with the desired strike and shape. This shot is his stock shot, surely not too hard to come back to. I think a glaring miss of fixing ball flight was performed with too much emphasis on technical change. This guy needs a  shot to take on the golf course, sort the ball flight out straight away!!

I think it is improtant for all golf coaches to be clear and concise as to what they want their players to work on with good and simple reasoning why these changes are necessary. This will leave the player with the belief they are making positive steps and able to take these changes to the range and also into game time.

Since hearing this, and also seeing the state of the player post session i have made doubly sure that this will never be the case with my sessions. I hope that will remain the case.

Dan Gale

PGA Professional/TPI Certified

Dan is a fully qualified memebr of the PGA & a certified TPI Instructor

Check out his website at www.dangalegolf.com

US Masters 2011 - Can we look past Big Phil Mickleson??

The 2011 US Masters begins on Thursday at the Augusta National Golf Club in Atlanta Georgia. The US Masters is often seen as the tournament that really announces the start the playing season as all of the top player in the world gather for the years first major championship.
All of the talk around my own club this week has been who will win this years US Masters Championship, who will be the winner of the famous green jacket come Sundays closing round. Will it be a European, an Englishman, a rookie or a seasoned vet with great knowledge of the Augusta track. Or will it be one of the household names we have come accustomed to seeing star around the immaculate course of Augusta. Below are my tips for the 2011 US Masters tournament. It was hard to narrow down so i have divided them into categories. See what you think and how they compare to your own predictions............

The big names/past champions: Phil Mickleson
Where do we start with Phil.... Having won for the last week 1st time since last years US Masters victory Phil is in top form. Although his putter has been cold on a few occasions in the past 12 months his all round short game is unbelievable and second to none. This is an essential requirement for any potential US Masters Champion which is shown through the fact he is already a 3 time winner of the tournament in '04, '06, '10 as well as 13 top ten finishes in 18 starts at Augusta. Phil's other quality is that he is not afraid to bomb it out there which means he is one of few players who can cope with the added length around Augusta.

The Rookie: Ricky Fowler
Yet to win but on tour but why not make his first victory a major one? Fowler hits it long and has the aggression and imagination to get it around Augusta. Ricky's introduction to the worldwide tour has been exciting throughout and similar to that of the Tiger effect back in 1997. The American fans see him as their next huge star so look out for him, one win away from exploding onto the world stage.

The European: Lee Westwood
The world number 2 and a runner - up in the 2010 Masters it is only a matter of time before Lee picks up that elusive first major championship to sit alongside his countless worldwide titles. There were encouraging signs in last weeks Shell Houston Open that Lee is returning to his best form. Let's hope he can hit top gear this week.

Big outsider: Nick Watney
A long hitter with a very solid technique that should stand up under pressure. Watney is already a winner this year having captured the WGC Cadillac Championship where he pipped Dustin Johnson by a couple of shots in the final round. Watney is coached by Butch Harmon and and finished 7th last year at Augusta. Many see him as a future major winner so why not in 2011.

I am interested to see how my picks fare this week. I know a couple are fairly obvious however you do need a certain kind of game to get the ball around Augusta in a good number, often it takes players a few visits to the US Masters before they really start to understand how to play it correctly and in a successful manner.

Let me know your bets by commenting below. One thing is guaranteed and that is we are all set for 4 days on compulsive viewing of one of the ultimate sporting events.

Thankyou for reading, sit back and enjoy the golf.

Dan Gale
PGA Professional/TPI Certified

Dan is a fully qualified member of the PGA & certified TPI Instructor

Check out his website at www.dangalegolf.com 

Matteo Manassero - golfs future world number 1?

Matteo Manassero is my tip as golf's one to watch for 2011. This kid is unbelievably talented and has already started his professional golf playing career in style with a win in the 2010 Castello Masters in Valencia which set him on route to being named the Sir Henry Cotton Rookie Of The Year. Matteo is also the youngest player to have ever made the cut at The masters Tournament.

Let's have a look at Matteo's credentials.........

The swing

Matteo Manassero is a perfect example of the modern day golf swing. Matteo's swing is full of power and stability which allows him to create huge amounts of power in a controlled manner, a dangerously efficient combination for his competitors.

Matteo creates a huge coil on the backswing which results in his hips being the driving force of his downswing. His kinematic sequence is spot on creating maximum power at the point of impact. Things to look for in his swing is the stability of his lower half on the backswing as his shoulders fully rotate, and then downswing transition. If you pause the video below at the 9 second point you will see the extent of his hip clearance at impact. An extremely powerful position.

  

The rest of the follow through sees the shoulders and arms catching up with the early clearance of the hips into a fully extended and balanced follow through position. Matteo has got a very sound, stable yet powerful technique which looks as though it will be able to stand up under pressure.

Showing the goods on the biggest stage......

A former amateur world number 1, 16 year old (and youngest ever) winner of the of the British Amateur Championship, youngest player to make the Masters cut ever, winner on tour in first season as a pro aged 17...... This kid has stacks of talent and performs when it matters. He is a winner and will continue to climb the rankings this year from his current position of 55th. Matteo will definately improve on his finish of 34th in the 2010 Race to Dubai rankings with a full season on tour also.

Right so there it is, a bit of swing analysis and some impressive stats that show the potential of this powerful swinging Italian. Check him out in 2011 and look for some big performances.

Thanks for reading

Daniel Gale

PGA Professional/TPI Certified

Dan is a fully qualified member of the PGA and a certified TPI Instructor

Check out his website at www.dangalegolf.com

Moving on - new position in the golfing world

It has been an extremely busy start to 2011. Poor weather in November and December has lead to many people wanting to get out onto the golf course and to the range for practice and tuition. It has also been a busy time for me personally. 2011 will see my role changing within the golfing world and i thought i would publish a quick post to explain the changes that have taken place.

For the past 3 years I have been coaching full time for The James Andrews School of Golf. This role was great in many ways. The Golfschool would supply the coaches with clients on residential schools and they were taught over 2, 3 or 5 days respectively.
Spending this much time with a group meant that we could work hard at improving many aspects of a players game and really go into detail over what their current swing characteristics and habits were. The other benefit was that whilst you were with the clients you knew that they were carrying out proper, effective practice not just smacking balls aimlessly.
Obviously when you spend that much time with people then the hardest thing was often to not say too much. Not to over describe or confuse the pupil. Less was more, however we did have plenty of time to work on various thoughts and feelings than you would in your standard 30 - 60 minute golf lesson. Often at the end of the clients residential visit you would see some huge changes in performance and a very much enhanced understanding of their own swing and ball flight characteristics.
The only downside i can state however was then sending that person back to their own club. Busting a gut for 5 days but then maybe to never see them again was a little frustrating but equally accepted as part of the role we were carrying out. 

So for the new role. At the same facility I am set to take over the more traditional Club Professional position. Managing the Professional Shop and looking after my own client base. The times of the residential golfschool's and also the fact it was always packed out meant that my own client base took a bit of a hit, often having to pass lessons onto other professionals within the facility. I am looking to rebuild these links and push my own client base as far as i can whilst introducing as many new golfers as possible to the game with a vast beginners coaching set up.
The team of assistants i have working for me is extremely strong and as a team we will be looking at pushing the golf club forwards as much as possible in 2011 and beyond.
The position will just as importantly allow me to pursue my goals as a teaching professional. Having a more control over working hours etc will allow me to get back into participating in CPD courses and gaining further qualifications, as well as allowing me to try and push myself further up the professional ladder through county coaching etc etc.

I am very pleased with the role change. My time with The Golfschool was extremely useful and the people i met from all parts of the world undoubtedly improved me personally as well as professionally. It has allowed me to mix with extremely successful and worldly people and also allowed me to witnessed what seems every possible swing imaginable, so to all those i have taught in this time i am very greatful.

Anyway its onwards and upwards from here. More blogging to follow and time to work on my website as well.

Thanks for reading and happy golfing.

Dan Gale
PGA Professional/TPI Certified

Dan is a fully qualified member of the PGA and a Certified TPI Instructor

Check out his website at http://www.dangalegolf.com/

Golf tips - prevent back ache with the correct equipment

Make sure that you are using the correct equipment when playing golf. Using golf equipment that does not fit your body will lead to biomechanical changes in your swing. These changes are likely to be putting unnecessary strains on your body that can lead to injury.

We often hear of golfers suffering with back problems and many of these can stem from poorly fitted equipment. Only 3 days ago i started a beginner school. One of my male group members was 5 feet 4 inches tall, yet using a set of clubs which were secondhand, an inch longer than standard. Now there is no problem with secondhand gear. But do make sure that you seek the guidance of your PGA Professional during the purchasing of the clubs. Clubs can be lengthened and shortened and also made flatter or to play more upright. Seeking advice from a qualified professional will also make sure that you acquire a set with the correct flex and weight of shaft.

Getting custom fit means your clubs suit your body, not vice versa

In some quarters golf is still seen as a bit of a rich mans sport. That to play golf it is going to cost you thousands to get up and running. This is not the case. Honest PGA Professionals respect and want to look after their golfers. They cannot afford for their reputation to be tarnished in what is a very competitive industry. Seeking advice from a PGA Professional will ensure that you receive the correct advice when purchasing your golf equipment, and it does not have to be expensive. The cheaper end of the market will also make clubs to measure on placement of the order, normally free of charge, and if they cannot then your professional will be able to carry out adjustments themselves.

Make sure you have clubs that fit your body for a healthier body as well as better golf.

Daniel Gale PGA Professional

Dan is a fully qualified member of the PGA & certified TPI Instructor

Check out his website at www.dangalegolf.com

The golf coach: Model, impact & ball flights

The golf swing and how it is taught is a constant cause for debate across the golfing globe. Whether between contrasting views by coaches leading to debate or the avid golfer keen to learn as much as possible about swing mechanics, the way the golf swing and golf in general is taught is a constant hot topic.

Just today whilst browsing through the world of Twitter i came across a debate regarding the Stack & Tilt method. This method has been around for some time now however its credibility against the 'orthadox' technique is still questioned. Debate still rages about how close certain players supposedly using this technique are actually getting to swinging in the way it is described.

One swing coach, a very well known name through his work with Sky TV, even described it as still being a fad. That it hadn't yet stood the test of time to be classed as a respected swing technique.

Stack & Tilt is one of the various models of the golf swing used by Golf Instructors

A fad, is any form of behavior that develops among a large population and is collectively followed with enthusiasm for some period, generally as a result of the behavior's being perceived as novel in some way. A  fad is said to "catch on" when the number of people adopting it begins to increase rapidly. The behavior will normally fade quickly once the perception of novelty is gone.

Now the number of takers to the S&T method, and the number of coaches who strongly believe in this method, suggests that it will be around for some time. The belief in it and the defence of its status as reputable technique by its users suggests that it will be around for some time. A little added strength comes from the fact that Tiger Woods new coach, a certain Sean Foley, is a S&T believer.

Now all this talk of models got me thinking. What is my model? Do i have a model i teach or believe in for everyone? I am still not sure. Unless i fall into a so far unnamed bracket of coaches, the ball flight or impact coach.

When i am teaching my main aim is to improve my clients ball flight. If they have a slice then i want them to hit it straight. If the they are too steep and look like they are chopping wood, hitting it heavy then i want to shallow them out and create solid contact.

These factors result in me improving peoples positions at impact. The impact factors which affect ball flight. Clubface aim, swing path, Angle of attack etc. If i can improve these then i will improve my players shots.If there is an obvious floor in the swing technique that is affecting the pre mentioned impact factors then i will change it. If they are too steep i will get them back on plane. If the clubface is open throughout then i will endeavour to fix why this is happening and create a neutral face through the swing for square impact. For me that isn't a model. I may use a move from S&T that works for a particular fault. However that is just a fix for that individual.

I partly feel thus far that i haven't found a method that suits due to what is put in front of me. The club golfer is going to be my customer 80% of the time. They are all different shapes and sizes and have individual limitations and abilities physically and mentally. So for me i fail to see how they can all fit into one bucket. One model of swinging the club. Maybe that would differ slightly if i was working with tuned athletes with full ranges of motion across the board.

My other question mark comes fro the number of varieties of swing about on the professional tours. Take Jim Furyk, Ricky Fowler, Sergio Garcia for example and you will see a wide range of techniques. Ok they fall into various categories, one plane and two plane etc, however there are always variations of how these models are displayed and carried out.

Okay there are some great athletes out there on the pro tours. And there are some great swings. Woods, Kaymer, Mcilroy, Donald, Manassero. The list will go on and on. However they still remain varieties of various methods.

How would a model coach teach Jim Furyk's unorthadox technique

In conclusion i do want to state that i do not believe that all method coaches are one dimensional.  Or that they all have a set of blinkers on and remain in tunnel vision 100% of the time to get everyone to swing the same way. This was more a explaining where i see the models currently and where i am sitting in my Professional development and finding my own pathways.

For me currently, I see no one model. No single way that stands out. I create a swing that suits the player. Not the player having to adjust to suit the swing. Earlier posts regarding kinematic sequencing and different swings being the same still lead me feeling i don't quite sit in a particular model. Unless as mentioned impact and ball flight coaching is now its own model.

Thankyou for reading. Please comment if you have any views regarding my post. These are my views and feelings on a personal level at the current stage of my coaching development. Any views are greatly received.

Regards

Daniel Gale PGA Professional

Dan is a fully qualified member of the PGA & certified TPI Instructor

Check out his website at www.dangalegolf.com

Golf tips: hit the ball further , watch out Dustin Johnson

Hitting longer golf shots is a something we all want to do. There is nothing like hitting a solidly struck, long tee shot out on the golf course. All the guys out on tour hit the ball long. Even the shorter hitters are pumping it out to 275 yard averages. Today my interest is in one of the most powerful and explosive players on tour.

Dustin Johnson hits the ball looooooooooooong. He bombs it, and also manages to keep the ball in play as his wins and major contentions showed in 2010. Dustin averaged over 307 yards off the tee in 2010 which helped him claim two tour titles and claim 7 top ten finishes.

So the question is, why does he hit it so far? and what do i need from my swing to get the ball out there?

Well lets take a look........

Coil up for power & maximise your speed............

The backswing comes down to two key components, coil and extension. These to factors allow us to maximise tension in the body that wants to be released, thus supplying power and also maximising the momentum in the clubhead. 

The picture right shows Dustin Johnson's takeaway. Notice the width of his take away. By this I mean the extension of the left arm away from the body. This means the swing arc is already being maximised therefore Dustin's golf club is going to travel a great distance around his body and build up lots of momentum, this creates speed.
At this point also notice the amount of shoulder turn. By half way back Dustin has already created around 60 - 70 degrees of shoulder turn. This is the coil I mentioned which created tension. His body is rotating creating a tight, spring like effect which will want to be released from the top of the backswing.



At the top of the backswing you can really see the extent of the rotation that Dustin has achieved. Notice how his shoulders have turned beyond 90 degrees from his set - up position. This is impressive, however the fact his hips have only rotated not even half of this distance is even more impressive. The facet he has created this separation means he is now coiled like a spring ready to be released back towards the ball. This will create power in the downswing.
Notice also the extension of the left arm at this stage!!


Work it from the hips..................


The downswing sees the release of all the accumulators built up on the backswing. You will notice in the picture on the right how Dustin's hips are driving well ahead of his shoulders. His belt buckle is almost pointing at the target however his shoulders are more square on over the ball.
This shows how the legs and hips should drive the downswing. Driving from the lower half transfers energy to the upper body, which then transfers the energy to the arms and finally the club. By the time the clubhead is ready to reach impact it is like a loaded whip ready to crack at the ball.

Extend out into the follow through...........

Carry on through the ball. Hit through it and hit it hard. Notice how Dustin has both arms extended after impact in front of his body. This is through maximum momentum and speed through the ball. Quitting on shots and not being committed to the strike will not allow you to create this position.
See it and hit that is what you want.
Again notice how open Dustin is with his hips. Again they are clearing a long way ahead of his shoulders.


Now it's your go...........

Ok so we aren't all going to be able to get into the same positions as Dustin Johnson. However we can practice the same sequence of movements that leads to a more powerful swing. You may want to start off without a club and just practice with a hands across the shoulders to practice the backswing coil and downswing sequence.

Good luck, and lets hope you find a few extra yards as well. Watch out Dustin!!

Daniel Gale PGA Professional

Dan is a fully qualified member of the PGA & TPI certified Instructor.

Check out his website at www.dangalegolf.com

Golf tips - Control your mind: The 3 boxes

The unpredictability of golf is great. One minute your on cloud 9 and feel you can't miss a thing, the next you are in despair and feel you couldn't hit a barn door. No two rounds of golf are ever the same and we need to learn to control our behaviour throughout everything that is thrown at us during any game.

The golf course leads to a wide range of emotions being experienced. At times you will feel nervous or under pressure. At other times you may feel frustrated, angry or alternatively happy and ecstatic. The wide range of emotions and thought processes must be controlled. Failure to control these will lead to poor decision making and execution of golf shots. 

One way of controlling your mind, maintaining concentration and controlling emotions is to use the 3 box rule. The three boxes break each shot you play into three distinct phases. This allows you to make wise and thoughtful decisions, play your shots with a clear objective and also allow you to move onto the next shot in the best possible frame of mind.

So here is how it works..........


Pre shot box.........

The pre shot box, or preparation box, is where all your analysis of the shot and decisions are made. It is the box where you set the scene for what you want to achieve. Taking into affect factors such as yardages, wind, undulations, hazards, club selection, shot shape, trajectory. When I say set the scene it is where you will use your thoughts and decisions to use imagery or visualisation to create a clear picture in your head of what you want to achieve for that given shot.

This is also the position where practice swings should be carried out. Visualising and executing the swing that will create the ball flight and outcome you require prior to playing the actual shot is vital in order for good execution of the shot to be successful.

Action box........

The action box is only entered once you have a clear understanding and vision of what you want to achieve from the current situation. This box is just for action and shot execution. If you have any doubts or feel uncomfortable over the ball then this box should be exited. Get out of the action box and get back into the pre shot box.

Never play a shot with doubts in your mind. You must approach every shot with 100% commitment with 100% trust that what you have set out to do with the shot is clear and achievable.

Post shot........


This is maybe the most important box of the three. This box allows you to continue around the course without tension and anger running through your veins and also will help to keep you grounded when things happen that make you too excited.

Lets focus on the negative first. Now everyone hits bad golf shots. Martin Kaymer is on fire at the moment yet he will miss fairways, greens and putts.The same was the case for Tiger Woods when he was on form and also when he returns to form. What we need to do is make sure that one bad shot does not lead to a succession of poor shots. Damage limitation is needed. We will use this box to make sure we do not allow our anger, frustration or tension to reach an uncontrollable level that will effect our performance.

The same is true for overly positive experiences. Being set for your best round on the 18th tee, hitting over a big pond or other hazard and maybe even a hole in one. These are all factors that will excite you during a round. Again this needs an element of control. You need to remain in a controlled zone in order to carry on performing to the level that got you to these positions in the first place.

The post shot box allows you a 10 metre window to try and get yourself back in the present. For example after hitting a shot heavy into a greenside bunker, you have 10 metres to let out anger. No shouting or screaming please! Just time to have a chat to yourself and get rid of the frustrations. After that 10 metres you must refocus on the next shot. The same applies following overly positive results. Adrenaline is a hard thing to control.

So there it is....

A little tip to assist you with on course management. Every shot you play on the golf course deserves this attention whether it be a putt from 4 feet or a driver tee shot on a long Par 5. Control your thought processes and set yourself up to approach every shot with the clearest frame of mind and 100% commitment and confidence.

Give it a try over a few rounds. It is hard at first to try and remember every shot you play, however this will become habit and your normal behaviour which is definitely a good thing.

Good luck, and enjoy your golf.

Daniel Gale PGA Professional

Dan is a fully qualified member of the PGA & a certified TPI Instructor

Check out his website at www.dangalegolf.com

Golf tips - check out the social networks

Every golfer likes free golf tips. You only need to check out the number of views on the 1000's of swing instruction videos on YouTube etc to learn this. As golfers we are constantly looking to improve, looking for that little swing thought or theory that will make us a better player.
My advice to all golfers in this case is to set up a Twitter account. Yes Twitter, used by celebrities to put little bits and pieces about themselves into the hands of the public. Twitter however is home to hundreds of golf professionals.

I initially set up my Twitter account to assist with the launch of my website, www.dangalegolf.com and blog account. It was a great way for me to broadcast any new info for my site to many people at the touch of a button. However since using Twitter i have found it is an absolutely brilliant way of broadening your knowledge of the game. 100's of golf professionals, sports psychologists and fitness experts are sharing there knowledge on the social networking site. The main use seems to be that of either sharing links to useful blog posts or YouTube videos often introducing great information. The other use is to fire questions at other experts. If you don't want to get involved with conversation yourself, you can still watch others carrying out a public chat.

As is often the case with website information you do need to put up with some very average and occasionally poorly advertised information and Tweets. However you will soon see which of the people you are following is offering genuine and helpful advice. Therefore for me it is a no - brainer to set up a Twitter account and get following some experts to broaden your golfing knowledge.

Read and enjoy.

Daniel Gale PGA Professional
TPI Certified Instructor

Dan is a fully qualified member of the PGA and a TPI Certified Instructor

Check out his website at www.dangalegolf.com