No Magician Has a Greater Power Than Yours

As you read this golf tip, please keep in mind that it may not apply to your unique needs. Always consult with your local PGA professional (that would be Scott Seifferlein if you are new to how this works:) before attempting to apply any golf tip you have read from a newspaper, magazine, book, internet, your 20 handicap brother-in-law, etc.

When you get your wake-up call at some Disney hotels, you hear something like: "It's 7:00 A.M., have a magical day in the Magic Kingdom."

No need to rely on Disney or anybody else to give you a magical day. You can create them for yourself at will, in your GOLF GAME or your own personal life - although, truth be told, in the imaginary Magic Kingdom or your own, the very best of days only has some magical moments or hours, some mundane ones and usually, some not so good ones.

Several years ago, in professional golf, I had my own magical day. After implementing a new putting system for distance control in July of 2000, I entered the West Michigan Chapter Championship in September that same year. It all came together with 28, 26 and 27 putts over the three rounds of the tournament. Never before had I putted so well for three consecutive rounds.

Also in that same tournament I won the only skin with a chip-in eagle for $900 cash, plus the $3,000 for winning the tournament and the assistants tournament with-in the real tournament.

You just don't get too many like this one in an entire golfing career. However, being in the golf business, if you get away from your club for a tournament you have to work double to catch up and I was just too darned tired to join any post tournament celebrations.

Is any day ever entirely magical?

Well, anyway, I guess my point is: you make your own magic.
Just as performance coach Lee Milteer says "there are no victims, only volunteers", I'd tell you there are no really greener pastures in the distance; certainly not greener than you might make those you own already.

There are no real wizards or magicians endowed with magic greater than yours; certainly not greater than the powers you possess you could strengthen and exploit.

As your golf instructor my service to you is not to give you magical powers but to show you where your hidden talents lie. To get the most out of your golf game. To motivate you to train throughout the winter. To feel good about your victories. To learn from your losses. To beat your competitors without apologies. To make continual improvement 52 weeks out of the year. That is what I am here to provide you, right here, in this Champion Success Strategies e-mail. 52 weeks a year.

If you missed them in this months newsletter here are the winter training strategies:

Lead Hand Control: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bX6g5BUmI5s

Perfect Pitch Tip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epsXXvvwol4

How To Add 15 Yards in 5 Minutes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msl4mMzp-us

Your Partner In Golf Success,

Scott Seifferlein
PGA Golf Guru

Golf Ideal Posture & How To Maintain It

As you read this golf tip, please keep in mind that it may not apply to your unique needs. Always consult with your local PGA professional (that would be Scott Seifferlein if you are new to how this works:) before attempting to apply any golf tip you have read from a newspaper, magazine, book, internet, your 20 handicap brother-in-law, etc.

Golf Pro to golfer- "Time for another practice session"

Golfer to golf pro- "Can't, it's snowing in Kansas"

Golf Pro to golfer- "We are in Michigan. What does snowing in Kansas have to do with you avoiding a practice session?"

Golfer to golf pro- "When a golfer doesn't want to practice one excuse is 'bout as good as another."

As I sat down to write this it was snowing in Kansas. Golf courses all across Michigan were busy on a warm November day. But it is coming. Sooner or later. Now is the time to start thinking about golf fitness and where to practice this winter.


I have included an excerpt from the ebook titled HITTING THE BALL HARDER... STRAIGHTER...LONGER...FOR LIFE. EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT GOLF FITNESS (BUT DIDN'T EVEN THINK TO ASK). Click Here: http://seifpro.wordpress.com/2009/11/16/ideal-posture-how-to-maintain-it/golffitness/

But HURRY! I will only leave it up for 5 days!



One winter location is now open! Another soon to come. The Highlands Golf Club winter practice area is expected to open in December. Champions Gate on 28th St. is now open. Click Here for details: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGY40SZqiig


Your Partner In Golf Success,
Scott Seifferlein
PGA Golf Guru

Golfers ARE Obsessed with Distance - And They Should Be

As you read this golf tip, please keep in mind that it may not apply to your unique needs. Always consult with your local PGA professional (that would be Scott Seifferlein if you are new to how this works:) before attempting to apply any golf tip you have read from a newspaper, magazine, book, internet, your 20 handicap brother-in-law, etc.

I was reading a comment on a blog the other day where some guy said, "I'd much rather have a 150 yard shot straight for the green from the fairway than that 100 yard shot out of the rough." What do you think about this dude's course management style of thinking?
I think most days I'll bet on the guy that has 100 yards from the rough.
That being said you have to be strong enough and you have to know how the club works when cutting through the rough. And you have to know when it is the right play to be aggressive and risk going in the rough. Obviously when O.B. stakes are near by it is safer to play for the fairway.
But let's assume for a moment that you are strong enough to get through the rough, which shouldn't take much on most of the courses you play, and there is not any severe penalty like water or Mr. Havacamp's yard O.B. penalty for missing the fairway. Why do you think you would have more success from the rough at 100 yards than the fairway at 150 yards?

Let's look at some statistics rather than a theory. The statistics provided here include all shots from the distance ranges regardless of whether they were in the fairway or rough. You could however make an educated guess that the shots in the greater yardage range are on longer holes (which generally have wider fairways) so in all likelyhood PGA Tour players are more likely to be in the rough when playing from a shorter yardage. This year on the PGA Tour Robert Allenby hit the green 84.76% of the time from 100 to 125 yards. He hit the green 69.11% of the time from 150 to 175 yards. His average distance from the flag when hitting from 100 to 125 yards was 18'9". His average distance from the flag when hitting from 150 yards to 175 yards 26' 3". His putting average in the 18 foot range was15% and when putting from 26 feet his percentage less than 10%. So you can now clearly see that Robert Allenby is better off from 100 yards than 150 yards. But what does that mean to you?

The average tour player has about 15 yards difference per short iron. So we could assume that if Robert is playing a sand wedge from 100 yards, he probably hits a gap wedge 115, a pitching wedge 130, a 9 iron 145, and an 8 iron 160. So when going from a SW to an 8 iron he definitely has a bigger challenge but maybe not a huge difference. Now let's take your Joe Schmow statistics. The average amateur has about 10 yards difference per short iron. So we could assume that if you are playing a Pitching wedge from 100 yards, you probably hit a 9 iron from 110, 8 from 120, 7 from 130, 6 from 140 and 5 from 150. Now the picture becomes more clear doesn't it? So I ask you again would you rather have a Pitching wedge into the green or a 5 iron into the green?
Time to hit the gym and bulk up your tee shots for next year. I'll see you at the 100 yard marker.
Your Partner In Golf Success,

by Scott Seifferlein PGA Golf Guru

Golf Tips : Your Alignment

As you read this golf tip, please keep in mind that it may not apply to your unique needs. Always consult with your local PGA professional before attempting to apply any golf tip you have read from a newspaper, magazine, book, internet, etc.

Most right-handed golfers aim too far to the right (left handed golfers too far left) This causes the club-head to move outside the correct plane and then across the ball in the downswing to compensate for the poor alignment. The result is a loss of club-head speed. To check your alignment, place a shaft along your toes or the back of your heels. Stand ten feet behind the ball and look to see where the shaft is lined up. It should be aligned to the left (right for left handed players) of and parallel to your target. The shoulders should also follow this line when set-up to the ball.

Written by Scott Seifferlein, PGA Golf Guru

Golf Tips: Stop trying to swing the club to parallel.

Every week we see the greatest golfers in the world all swinging the club shaft in the general vicinity of parallel to the ground at the top of the backswing. Some go slightly past parallel and some slightly short of parallel. In general it is fair to say that most professional golfers swing the club shaft back to a point that is very close to parallel.

Another generalization is that most club professionals can walk down their driving range and watch many of their amateur students swinging the club shaft to a point at or past parallel to the ground at the top of the backswing. Let us as golfers make it a goal to stop trying to swing the club shaft to parallel if we are not flexible enough to do so. As a general rule, (if you are flexible enough) you should max out your upper body turn at around 80 degrees of rotation. Visit www.k-vest.com to find an instructor that can measure this.

The arms and hinge should stop a nearly indiscernible split second after the upper body turn is complete. If you cannot turn far enough to get the club shaft to parallel, do not try to get it their by adding unnecessary wrist hinge or arm bend. Work towards setting your lead wrist (left for right handed golfers) early in the backswing. If you can have it fully hinged by the time your lead arm gets to parallel with the ground in the backswing, your chances of over swinging the backswing with you arms and hands will decrease!The result will be a more repeatable swing that is not so dependent on perfect timing. The percentage of solid shots will increase and the range of mis-directed shots will decrease.

Written by Scott Seifferlein, PGA Golf Guru

Golf Fuerteventura Tips: Learn To Chip With The Water Bottle Trick

If you're an inconsistent ball striker, it probably carries over into your short game, which is frustrating because with such a short swing it should be easy to make solid contact. If you do have trouble with chips, it's more than likely because you try to lift the ball into the air and end up blading it across the green or laying the sod over it. Solid chips are the result of hitting down into the back of the ball, not trying to lift it up. Here's a drill that will produce the kind of chips you dream about—no, not the kettle cooked ones with barbeque flavoring . You'll need to hit the snack aisle for those.



The Drill
Balance a club on the top of a water bottle as shown below (it's easier than it looks), and place your ball 12 inches behind the middle of the grip.

Make your chip stroke without knocking the shaft off the bottle. You'll need to descend into the ball and keep your clubhead low to the ground post-impact. If you try to scoop the ball or allow the club to pass your hands, you'll send the club and the bottle flying. If you practice this only a few times your chipping will improve dramatically.

Sincerely,Dan The Golf Man

Golf Fuerteventura Tips: Using Pool Cues To Improve Your Driving

This story is for you if...
• Your driver impact feels either very dead or like you've just made contact with a bowling ball
• You find contact marks out on the toe and heel sections of your driver's clubface
• You slice

THE PROBLEM
You can't make contact on the center of the clubface with your driver, and that's costing you distance and accuracy.

HOW YOU KNOW IT'S HAPPENING
When you hit it off the heel, it'll feel like you just hit a brick and the ball will shoot dead left. If you hit it off the toe, you'll feel a soft impact, like you whacked an old apple.

HOW TO FIX YOUR HEEL AND TOE HITS
Lay four dowels (or pool cues or even string) on the ground as shown. The spaces between the dowels should be slightly wider than your clubhead. Address an imaginary ball in the middle lane. If you tend to hit it off the toe, take practice swings making sure your clubhead travels through the far lane after impact. If you hit it off the heel (or tend to shank your irons), your downswing path should go through the near lane. After 10 practice swings, tee up a ball and swing away. Now that you're slotted correctly, you'll hit it square and the same distance every time.

P.S. I'm still working on a special deal for all of our blog readers on a really really hot golf product on the market. I tried it and it actually even improved my game. I want to get you guys a bunch of bonus materials and a better price so bear with me. I should have details in a day or so.

Sincerely,Dan The Golf Man

Golf Canary Islands Tips: Help I'm Stuck In The Sand And I Can't Get Out

When you're in a greenside bunker the club should never touch the ball. You want your wedge to toss the sand beneath and behind the ball onto the green. The ball will float out on the whoosh of sand. You must convince yourself that the ball is an afterthought on these shots. To practice this, stand in the flat of a practice bunker and place two tees opposite your left instep. You don't need a ball. Hinge your wrists quickly on the backswing to create an upright path, then swing down and let your sand wedge hit about two inches behind the tees. Make a full follow-through, finishing with your hands at shoulder height. You'll see that the tees have flown up and toward the hole along with the sand you sprayed.

Repeat the drill five times, and see how high and far you can make the tees fly. Then drop a ball down and repeat that swing. With a little practice, escaping bunkers will become an afterthought. The half-buried lieUsing the traditional bunker escape from a fried-egg lie would require you to throw massive amounts of sand at the green. Instead, play the ball off your right instep, toe your wedge in and swing down so the club slams into the sand right behind the ball. This punch shot should dislodge the ball and get it out of the bunker. Expect it to run without any spin, but at least it's out.
P.S. My Friend The Swing Guru wants to thank everyone who took advantage of his Simple Swing Golf System offer from the other day. Since he personally makes sure that EVERYONE using the system improves their game he is limiting the amount of new students who can sign up for the system. He told me 5 more people from the golf tips newsletter can sign up, but I talked him into giving us 10 more slots. I highly suggest you take this opportunity to sign up. Once all of the slots are taken no more will be available at any price, let alone the special offer he gave us. Check out the Simple Swing Golf System today! It has a complete money back guarantee.
Sincerely,Dan The Golf Man

Golf Tip: How to Stop Slices & Hooks

This story is for you if...
• You're making controlled, balanced swings but the ball is curving hard to the left or right.
• You've tried every drill imaginable and still can't hit the ball straight.

The Problem
You follow up a severe slice on one tee with a vicious hook on the next.

Why It's Happening
You're taking the club back off plane, and aren't making the necessary compensations on the way back down.


THE SOLUTION
You can search for downswing compensations to help you hit the ball straight, but why not just fix your backswing? It takes 20 seconds.
Lay your driver across your shoulders with the grip end to your left. Take your stance and make your regular backswing turn. Now, you may have seen this drill before, but hardly anyone does it correctly. Most golfers think that you should make your backswing turn so that the shaft points at the ball (photo, top right). That's way too steep, and one of the reasons why you slice. Swinging the club too flat with the shaft pointing way beyond the ball (photo, bottom right) is equally bad (and a potential source of your hook).
The correct way to perform this drill is to turn your shoulders and maintain your posture so that the shaft points at a spot just a foot on the other side of the ball. That's a perfect on-plane position. Combine a nice, smooth backswing with this exact shoulder turn and you'll be in perfect position at the top.

Sincerely,Dan The Golf Man

Golf Tips:Your swing is too up-and-down

The Problem
Your swing is too up-and-down, which causes either a fat shot or a wild slice.

The Solution
A too-steep backswing creates two problems: 1) The resulting steep downswing will force you to stick the club in the ground before impact (fat), and 2) When you take the club back too high, your forearms tend to rotate down, cupping your left wrist and opening the clubface (slice). To swing the club properly around your body, think about keeping your elbows level at the top.

The Drill
Here's a good way to learn how to keep your swing on plane. Take the club back and find your position at the top. Then, have a friend grab another club from your bag - something long like your driver or 3- wood - and try to balance it between your arms (see photo). If your elbows aren't level, the club won't be straight. Practice this until you can feel the correct position all the time.

By Dan The Golf Man