GOLF TIP OF THE MONTH
By: Bob Schade

Last month I explained the importance of stability of the lower body during the golf swing. This month I want to discuss the upper body. The upper body helps achieve distance and maintain accuracy. There are many drills that can be done to help make the upper body behave.

Drill #1 Feet Together Drill

1. Address the golf ball in your normal stance.
2. Move both feet together so that the ball is opposite your left toe.

Swing the club back and through, starting with a short swing. You can lengthen your swing as long as you can maintain balance during the motion.

The Feet Together Drill helps train the upper body. It teaches the upper body to move in a rotary manner, not back and forth like a windshield wiper. The drill also helps you to understand your limits. Swing too fast and you will lose your balance and might fall. Swing too slow and the club will hit the ground before the ball. This is a very important drill!

Drill #2 Closed Shoulder Drill

The shoulders should be closed at impact during a full swing. Most of you have open shoulders at impact and that is why the two biggest misses are a slice or a pull. To counteract this, you must first align your shoulders parallel with the target line at address. Second you must teach your shoulders to wait until they rotate open.

1. Begin this drill from a normal address position. Tee the ball and use a high lofted club like a 7 iron or hybrid.
2. Slide your right foot back so that the toe of your right foot is in line with the heel of your left foot.
3. Pick up your right foot and place just the toe of your right foot on the ground.
4. Position most of your weight into your left hip. This will balance your swing.

This drill is very difficult, but very effective. Start this drill by not hitting a golf ball and begin this drill by swinging at half speed.

The alignment of the shoulders is very important to the golf swing. It completely influences the beginning direction of the golf ball. Any questions please email me at cypresswoodcc@gmail.com. Thanks and good golfing.

GOLF TIP OF THE MONTH
By: Bob Schade

Last month I explained the relationship between the arms and the body during the golf swing. This month I wanted to expand on a part of this theory. This month I want to discuss the importance of stability of the lower body.

The stability of the lower body is the cornerstone of a repeatable golf swing. Just think of the consequences of a building with a weak foundation. A weak, instable foundation will lead to inconsistencies in ball flight and a very bad golf experience.

There are many drills that are available to someone looking to improve the stability in their lower body. Here are a couple of them. Please remember that these drills are told to the right handed golfer. Lefties, just reverse the procedure.

Drill #1 Bowed-Leg Drill

1. Tee the golf ball in the air about a quarter of an inch.
2. Use a 6 or 7 iron.
3. Take your normal stance.
4. Slightly bow your knees outward.

Swing the club slowly at first just trying to make contact. You should be holding the bowed out position throughout the motion. Increase your speed slowly until you reach full speed. This drill will completely stabilize your lower body and increase your consistency.

Drill #2 Right Toe In Drill

1. Tee the golf ball in the air and use a 6 or 7 iron.
2. Take your normal stance.
3. Pick up the toe of your right toe.
4. Point your right toe at the golf ball.
5. Place your right toe on the ground.

Swing the club slowly at first and then just pick up the pace as you get more comfortable. This drill creates stability in your right side. This is very important to the beginning of your swing. Many golfers make the mistake of sliding their right hip at the beginning of the back swing. Most golfers mistakingly think that this is a power source.

Both of these drills will aid in lower body stability and therefore help improve your golf score. Good luck and good golfing!

Lesson Gift Certificates available call or email me at cypresswoodcc@hotmail.com.

GOLF TIP OF THE MONTH
By: Bob Schade

The relationship between the arms and the body during the golf swing is the most important factor in the golf swing. This relationship determines which way the ball flies or if it flies at all. It is a very simple definition that dictates the flight of the golf ball. If your arms move faster than your body turns you will draw or hook the ball. If your body turns faster than your arms swing you will fade or slice the ball.

Now think of how you hit the ball most of the time. Most of you, statistically speaking, slice the ball. That means that your arms are trailing your body as you make contact with the ball. This drill will help you slow your body down. This will make your arms reach the impact zone a moment sooner.

1. Take your normal address position.
2. Lift up your left (front) toe.
3. Rotate your toe to a position pointing behind the ball.
4. Place your toe on the ground.

Start swinging a club very slowly back and through. Slowly increase the speed of your practice swings until you reach full speed. Then place a golf ball on a tee and start by hitting a golf ball at half speed. Slowly increase the pace of your swing until you reach full speed. You should notice that the ball will start curving to the left.

Practice this on the range and you will notice that this drill will slow your body and thus speed up your arms. This will create a motion that puts right to left spin on the golf ball. Wow, a hook! Who could have imagined! Good luck and good golfing!

This month’s tip will focus your game to putting. There are several drills that you can do very easily to improve your chances at making more putts. Practice these drills and you will increase your ability to roll the ball into the hole.

Drill #1 – Find a vacant area of the green and place a tee in the ground. Move twenty feet away and place another tee. Practice putting from one tee to the other. This drill narrows your focus and allows you to concentrate on distance control and accuracy.

Drill #2 – Place a tee in the ground fifteen feet away from a hole. Place another tee one grip length past the hole. Practice putting the ball between the front edge of the hole and the tee beyond the hole. This will lead to more aggressive putting which will guarantee more made putts.

Drill #3 – Align two clubs towards a hole about ten feet away. Position the clubs apart with enough distance to fit your putter. Practice without a ball, swinging between the two clubs, without hitting the two clubs. Then put a ball between the clubs and try the same drill. You will be amazed at how consistent your stroke will become if you spend a little time with this drill.

Good luck and I hope that you will work to improve your game this winter. I have assembled an archive of tips on my blog www.bobschade.blogspot.com and of course my website www.bobschade.com is a great resource to help you play better golf. Again good luck and good golfing!

A great number of my students struggle out of our wet sand. They shouldn’t; it is the easiest shot in the book. If you set up properly to the golf ball, the ball practically extracts itself. Follow the procedure outlined below and you will find wet sand very easy to overcome.

1. Select a Pitching Wedge or 9 iron for this shot.
2. Position the golf ball adjacent to your left heel.
3. Position most of your body’s weight on your left foot.
4. Do not open the club face. An open club face causes the club to bounce. You want the club to dig into the wet sand.
5. Aim approximately ½ inch behind the golf ball.
6. Swing firmly at the spot ½ inch behind the golf ball.
7. Minimize your follow through.


Stay away from the sand and lob wedges. They are designed to bounce through the sand. Wet sand does not allow the club to bounce and if it does you will skull the ball across the green.

If you practice the outlined procedure you will have no problem navigating the wet sand that we encounter in Florida. Good luck and good golfing!

The heat of summer brings the golf course to some rough conditions. We have longer rough and generally wetter conditions throughout the course. The most pressing need for most golfers is the ability to keep the ball in the fairway. If you are unable to keep the ball in the fairway the long, hot summer days become almost unbearable. Here are a few tips to help during the hot, summer months.


1. Position the ball forward in your stance. The forward position in your stance makes you swing plane more upright. If you swing plane is more upright you will hit the ball straighter off of the club face.
2. Start you swing with 55% of your body’s weight on the left foot. When you start your weight a little left the tendency is keep your body more stable. A stable body will lead to better contact.
3. Begin the downswing a bit slower than normal. This slower beginning will help your swing find the slot easier. The more often you find the slot the better the path to the ball will be. A uncomplicated swing path to the golf ball is a key to consistency.

If you work on these tips as you practice you will be a more consistent ball striker. The better ball striker you are the better your chances of hitting the fairway. Good luck and remember to hydrate before, during, and after you round.

GOLF TIP OF THE MONTH
By: Bob Schade

Summer is here and we have had near record heat here in Central Florida. The heat can affect your golf game for the good if you prepare for it. Follow these guidelines to train your body to cope with the oppressive heat.

1. Drink at least 32oz of water before you play or practice. Pre-hydration is one of the misunderstood parts of preparing for long-term exposure to the heat. If you fill your body with water before going out you will give your body something to sweat out. If you are not sweating, you are probably closed to the beginning stages of dehydration. Dehydration is a serious condition that can lead to death. Be careful and pre-hydrate your body with water.
2. Eat something solid about an hour before you play. An empty stomach will turn sour if you spend four hours out in the heat.
3. Drink at least 16oz of water for each nine holes of golf you play. More is better and you cannot put to much water in your system.
4. Wet a big towel and lay it across your neck. This will cool your entire body.
5. Post-hydrate after your round. Drink another 16oz of water or a sports drink. This will aid in cooling your body down quicker and get you in your comfort zone.

If you work on these five tips you will be better suited to handle the heat of the Florida summer.

Quick Tip:

1. Take your normal stance.
2. Move your hands slightly behind the ball.
3. Widen your stance another four inches.
4. Put more weight on your back foot. About 60%.
5. Turn your back to the target.
6. Swing your arms as fast as possible to and through the golf ball.

This quick tip is a distance boost for every level of golfer. Work on this on the range and you will be amazed how much distance you get. Good luck and good golfing. If you have any questions please email me cypresswoodcc@hotmail.com. Thanks!

GOLF TIP OF THE MONTH
By: Bob Schade

I know that I am an effective teacher when I look on the first tee and see many of the golfers doing the drills and exercises that I have put into these articles. Thanks for stroking my ego!

This month’s tip is a simple tip to ease your way through the transition from winter grass to the slower summer grass. Follow these guidelines and you will find the transition period easier to get through.

Putting:

1. Position the ball farther back in your stance.
2. Position your hands slightly in front of the golf ball.
3. Lean a little toward the target.

Chipping:

1. Position the ball adjacent to your right big toe.
2. Keep the grip end of the club in front of the face end of the club.
3. Put most of your body’s weight on your front foot.
4. Use the highest lofted club in your bag.

Fairway play:

1. Use a more lofted club to maximize air time.
2. Use hybrids instead of long irons. 5 wood instead of 3 wood.
3. Position the golf ball forward in your stance.
4. Hit down on the golf ball. No scooping!

Off the tee:

1. Tee the golf ball so that the bottom of the ball is equal to the top of the club head.
2. Position the ball forward of your left big toe.
3. Start your weight more on your right foot.
4. Swing extra slow going back.
These tips should help you through the rough transition time in Florida. Good luck and you can email me with any questions cypresswoodcc@hotmail.com. Thanks!

GOLF TIP OF THE MONTH
By: Bob Schade


Now that everyone understands how to set their wrists, the next step is the shoulders. The turning of the shoulders is a key element in the golf swing. The more you turn your shoulders the more power you can store. The two pictures below will illustrate how to do a drill that will help each and every one of you get more shoulder turn. Follow the instructions below and you will be able to store more power on your backswing.

1. Take your normal address position.
2. Grab the hosel end of the club with your left hand. Palm up.
3. Grab the grip end of the club with your right hand. Palm down.
4. Extend both arms. Point the arms toward the target line.
5. Keeping both hands on the club, take your normal swinging motion.
6. Hold this position at the top of the backswing for five (5) seconds.
7. Repeat this procedure five (5) times.





If you practice this backswing drill for at least a week, you will gain substantial distance. Continue to do this drill as part of your normal practice routine and you solidify your backswing motion. This will lead to a more consistent and repeatable golf swing.

GOLF TIP OF THE MONTH
By: Bob Schade


Last month, I gave you instruction on how to set your wrists during the backswing. I hope that helped you hit the ball better. This month I want to continue on the wrist theme. I want to give you a few pointers on how the wrists unload into the golf ball. When properly done, this can add considerable power to your swing and therefore substantial distance. Follow the tips outlined below and you lock a hidden element of power.

Once your wrists are set at the top of the swing, you begin by letting your arms fall. Your arms will fall to about belly button high and the angle of the shaft to your arms will increase. When your arms reach belly button high, you should then unload your wrists into the back of the ball.

You unload your wrists by using a hammer like motion. If you are confused, take a hammer, set your wrists, and then push the head of the hammer toward the ground. This motion is the key to unloading your wrists and providing an added distance benefit. Check out the two pictures below to get a clear picture of this two-stroke action. Good luck and if you have any questions please feel free to email me at cypresswoodcc@hotmail.com or visit my website at www.bobschade.com.

DRILL OF THE MONTH
By: Bob Schade


One of the biggest problems I see on the lesson tee is the lateral sway. This is where the hips move from side to side instead of turning inside the heels. This causes many of the common swing faults. Here is a drill that will help control the lateral sway.

1. Take your normal address position.
2. Pick up the toe of your right foot.
3. Rotate your right toe to the left pointing at the golf ball.
4. Put your right toe on the ground.

You are now set up to combat the lateral sway. Start off slowly, using only a half speed swing. Increase your speed as you get comfortable and can keep your balance. Practice this drill on the driving range by hitting 5 golf balls using the drill and then 5 golf balls in your normal hitting position. Good luck. Remember to use my site www.bobschade.com for the ultimate resource for your golf instruction.

GOLF TIP OF THE MONTH
By: Bob Schade

This month’s tip will describe how to successfully set your wrists in the backswing. This subject usually comes up in most of my lessons. A great number of my students think that more wrist set will result in more distance. If you can set your wrists properly on the backswing you will get more distance. If you set your wrists incorrectly you will achieve the opposite effect. Study this procedure and you will have the information needed to set your wrists properly.

1. Take your normal address position. Remove your right hand from the golf club.
2. Leaving your left hand in its current position, slowly lift the club head straight up in front of your body.
3. The club head should be about belt high directly over or slightly inside the golf ball.
4. You should now feel a slight pinch in the crease between your left thumb and the inside of your left wrist.
5. That is called the set position.

The set position occurs when the shaft reaches hip high on the backswing. If you set your wrists too early; you will pick up the club and slice the golf ball. If you set your wrists too late; you will release them early costing a huge amount of distance loss.

Wrist set is one of the most misunderstood aspects of golf instruction. Most people hinge their wrists instead of setting them. Proper execution of the wrist set will lead to better shots and therefore a lower score. Isn’t that the point? Good luck!

DRILL OF THE MONTH

By: Bob Schade

Those of you who have taken a lesson from me know that I am not a big believer in teaching aids. I think that your own body can be manipulated under most circumstances to take care of golf’s most devastating problems. Here is a drill that will help you hit more shots with a draw.

1. Take your normal address position with a driver.

2. Tee the ball up.

3. Lift your left toe up in the air.

4. Pivot your left toe to the right, pointing at the ball.

5. Take a complete swing.

This drill stabilizes the left hip. This drill also slows the rotation of your body. Remember that in order to hit the ball with a draw your arms must be swinging faster than your body is turning. Practice this drill and you will be amazed at how quickly your ball shape will change. Remember that you should do 5 of the drill and then 5 normal swings. Good luck and good golfing! I have assembled an archive of tips on my blog www.bobschade.blogspot.com and of course my website www.bobschade.com is a great resource to help you play better golf.

GOLF TIP OF THE MONTH

By: Bob Schade

The shifting of the bodies’ weight is one of the most confusing parts of the golf swing to learn. Most students make the mistake of assuming that the body shifts regardless of the arms. This is not true. The length of the arm swing determines the amount of weight shift on the backswing.

A good example is that of Tiger Woods and John Daly. John Daly’s swing is incredibly long and there is a lot of shifting side to side. On the other hand, Tiger’s swing is much shorter and there isn’t nearly the same amount of weight shift. How does this relate to the common player? The common player would be better served to let the length of the arm swing determine the amount of weight shift. On a putt; no weight shift, on a chip; no weight shift, on a pitch; minimal weight shift, and iron and wood play; the longer the club the more weight shifts onto the right foot. That is the first part of the weight shift equation.

The second part of the weight shift equation is this question: When do I shift my weight forward? Most of my students make the mistake of moving their bodies before you move your arms. This is incorrect and makes no sense. The arms travel during the backswing about 4 to 5 feet, the body moves about 12 to 18 inches. When the backswing is complete and the downswing begins the arms have to be given the time to catch up. My swing thought has always been to start my arms first. That allows my arms to catch up with my body.

Remember one of the most important definitions in golf instruction. If your arms move faster than your body turns, you will hit a draw or hook. If your body moves faster than your arms swing, you will hit a fade or slice. Which one do you want to hit? Which one will give you more distance? The answer in almost every case is the draw or hook. Check out the drill outlined below to help you feel the proper way to shift your weight.

1. Take your normal address position with your driver.

2. Position the majority of your body’s weight on your right foot.

3. Take your normal backswing.

4. On the downswing do not let your weight move forward onto your left foot until you feel the club contact the ball.

5. After striking the golf ball, follow through to your left foot.

6. Hold your finish for 5 seconds.

Now that winter is upon us here at Cypresswood. There are many things that you can do to improve your chances of shooting a good score. Try these tips while practicing and you might lower your handicap.

1. Dress in layers. Put rain or wind pants over your shorts or pants. Put a shirt over your undershirt, a light sweater or sweatshirt over your shirt, and a wind breaker or jacket over your sweater or sweatshirt.

2. Keep your hands warm by putting them under your armpits or under your thighs while seated on the golf cart.

3. Take more club than you think; the ball does not fly as far in colder weather.

4. Keep an extra ball in your pocket and change after each hole. Warm balls are a golfer’s best friend.

5. When in doubt keep the ball low instead of picking a high route around the golf course.

If you work with these five tips you will overcome the cold weather and bring the handicap down. If none of these tips work; a nip of brandy from the lounge works just fine a very happy member told me once. Ha! Ha!

Good luck and I hope that you will work to improve your game this winter. I have assembled an archive of tips on my blog www.bobschade.blogspot.com and of course my website www.bobschade.com is a great resource to help you play better golf. Again good luck and good golfing!