GOLF TIP OF THE MONTH

November is a month of transition here at Cypresswood. The winter overseeding is germinating and the grass around the greens is still sticky. Follow the tips below and you can improve your score while the course is going through this transition.

Putting

Position the ball in the center of your stance and make a more descending stroke to the golf ball.

Chipping

Choke down on your club of choice, use a more lofted club than normal, and hit the ball a little harder.

Full Swing

Take more club than usual, swing longer and slower than normal, and grip the club lighter than standard.

If you follow the guidelines above you will find the transition from summer grass to winter grass painless.

October is one of the best months to play golf here at Cypresswood. The weather is cooler and dryer. The ball starts to roll forward instead of stopping where it lands. This month will help you create a flatter launch angle and allow you to maximize your distance through the air and along the ground. Follow the drill instructions carefully and you will soon realize one of your dreams, long and straight golf shots.

1. Position the ball farther forward in your stance than normal.
2. Square you shoulders to the target line.
3. Position your hands opposite your belly button.
4. Swing back extra slow.
5. Swing through with a smooth motion
6. Finish with your hands on top of your left shoulder.

If you practice this drill on the range and incorporate it into your golf swing you will find remarkable distance with improved carry and roll.

September is a strange month for golf here at Cypresswood. It is very important to stay patient and to have a sense of humor about the game we love to play. The end of the summer is very unpredictable with wet and hot conditions the rule. Follow the guidelines listed below and you will enjoy your time on the golf course and just maybe play better because you are happier.

1. Choke down one inch on all shots, including the driver. This will help you gain a little more control over the golf ball and produce more predictable results.
2. Play safe at all times. Wet rough is almost impossible to recover from if you are greedy. Play out to the fairway and then to the green. You’re not as strong as you think you are!
3. Chip with the most lofted club in your bag. The extra loft will help get you out of bad lies and it makes no sense to the run the ball through the wet approaches.
4. Putt with the ball in the front of your stance. Position the ball next to your left big toe. This will allow the ball to stay on top of the grass and not get hung up in the wet turf.

Please practice for fun and enjoyment and remember a bad day of golf is better than a good day of work. Good luck and good golfing!

GOLF TIP OF THE MONTH

Summer golf a Cypresswood is full of surprises. Please read the following reminders and your experience will be much more enjoyable.

1. It is hot! Please drink water before, during, and after you play.
2. It is wet! Take along extra towels, golf gloves, sunscreen.
3. It is dangerous! Beware of lightning it can kill!
4. It is fun! The warmer air allows the ball to fly further that normal.
5. It is not crowded! Play 36 holes a day if you want!

Last month I gave you a tip to groove a repeatable downswing. This month I want to give you a tip to help you release the club through the golf ball. This will result in more consistency and therefore better results. Practice the tip below and I know you will improve.

1. Take your normal address position.
2. Slide your right hand down the shaft until it touches metal.
3. Take numerous practice swings with your hands in this position.
4. Return your hands to their normal grip and hit a few balls from a tee.

After practicing the above drill, it is very important to keep turning your chest through the shot. When you finish your belt buckle and buttons on your shirt will face the target or left of the target.

Last month I gave you a tip to help control your ball flight, specifically to help keep the golf ball down in the heavy March winds. This month I want to give you a specific swing key to help you find and ingrain the proper downswing plane. Follow the procedure outlined below and your swing will become more consistent and reliable.

1. Assume your normal address position.
2. Take your normal backswing, pausing at the top.
3. As you start down point the butt of the club at the Golf ball.
4. Repeat this several times, then swing through to a full finish.

Try this simple tip on the driving range, work on it for a couple of weeks, then let it happen during your golf game and you will be amazed at the results.

The month of March brings Florida and in particular Cypresswood some very unique playing conditions. Specifically, the wind whips around this golf course something fierce and can cause a variety of problems controlling the flight of the golf ball. Here is how to hit a knockdown draw to combat this condition. Follow the procedure outlined below and you will have a new weapon to combat the unpredictable March winds.

1. Position the ball slightly back of center. Resist the urge to position the ball too far back in your stance. If you do, you will smother the ball and not get the desired result.
2. Before taking your grip, slightly close the face of your club, then take your grip while maintaining the closed face.
3. Position the handle of the club slightly in front of the ball.
4. Swing at ¾ speed. Resist the urge to hit the ball hard. Take more club and swing easier. The harder you swing the higher the ball will travel.

If you practice the four tips above you will gain control over the golf ball in some very demanding conditions.

Last month I gave you a distance tip. This month I will give to a tip to help your accuracy and consistency. Please remember to practice this tip on the range or the short game area to reap the maximum benefit.

1. Take your normal address position.
2. Position the golf ball in the middle of your stance.
3. Use a 6 or 7 iron.
4. Swing back to waist high only.
5. Swing through to waist high only.

The key to this drill is to keep your arms straight and stiff throughout the drill. Each month many people ask me who that month’s drill is designed for and I give them the demographic for the particular drill. This month’s drill is for anyone who has ever hit the golf ball off line. You are working on building resistance through impact the most crucial part of the swing.