Golfers Are Funny About Their Golf Swings

Golfers Are Funny!

‘I’m going to try to the Stack and Tilt. I’ve tried the 8 Step Swing, The X Factor, Slow and Low, Square to Square, along with every other new swing that has come out.

‘I’ve tried video analysis, I’ve tried Golf Tec, I’ve even tried getting down on my hands and knees to pray.

‘Yet, I still have the same inconsistent golf swing. I’ve spent hundreds – well, thinking about it …. I’ve spent thousands …. well, let’s just put it this way …. my kids inheritance isn’t what it used to be – trying to find something to help me become more consistent.’

We live in a society that thrives on making things simpler. Perfect example: Would you rather use Microsoft Word or go back to loading paper into a typewriter and then having to go through the hassle of starting over after making a simple mistake. (Really, I tried to type mistake wrong to illustrate my point, but Microsoft won’t let me make a mistake even if I wanted to).

Make Life Simple

Yet, the Golfer that’s having a hard time on the golf course seems to be looking for more difficult. We’re actually thinking of changing our company name to Golf Made Difficult, but we feel if we did – there would be too much demand and we wouldn’t be able to keep up with number of Golfers calling and emailing us to help them make complicated swing changes.

So we’ll keep it Golf Made Simple

Why do most people today have their automobiles shift gears automatically as opposed to manually shifting? Why don’t you have a rotary telephone in your house anymore? Do you know anyone that still fiddles with an answering machine that’s hooked up by a cord to your telephone as opposed to voice mail?

Yet, the Golfer isn’t happy until your Instructor sits you down to analyze every movement of your golf swing. The Golfer wants to know everything they’re doing wrong in their swing. ‘You see my right elbow at the top of my swing, is that where it’s supposed to be?’ “Well Mr. Lewis, you’re right, according to our highly advanced technology that can analyze every movement in your golf swing, along with determining if you’re getting enough calcium in your diet – it shows that your right elbow is about 2.394 degrees out of place.”

In every aspect of our life, we’re trying to make things ‘Simpler’. We’re trying to use less thought to accomplish difficult tasks. Yet in Golf – the so-called Swing Guru’s are trying to make things more difficult!

An 8 Step Swing? I have difficulty walking and chewing gum at the same time.

To give you an idea on how embarrassed I am about this ‘complicated is better philosophy’ that has hooked Golfers to the point of me relabeling it as ‘Crack for Golfers’ – somebody sent me this amazing comment they found on the Golf Tec website – ‘By primarily working in an indoor, controlled environment, clients can focus on the swing process as opposed to simply relying on ball flight. By ignoring ball flight in some of (the) lessons, clients can avoid reinforcing bad habits.’

Ignoring your ball flight can avoid reinforcing bad habits? Is that a joke? Are they trying to be funny? Don’t tell me they’re serious. That comment may be the #1 reason that video analysis will really mess up your golf swing!

Do I smell Snake Oil?

Technology has helped us create better golf clubs and golf balls. It’s helped to make the golf club out of better materials (from Persimmon Wood and Hickory Shafts to Titanium and Graphite Shafts), along with allowing us to fit you to the correct equipment to match your golf swing.

All these other complicated swing techniques that are based upon you copying Jim McLean’s 8-Step Swing or the Golf Tec model swing or the Stack and Shank … ahhh, I mean the Stack and Tilt swing - hasn’t helped anybody (I have ever met) swing better. It might make a Golfer feel better that at least they’re doing something to try to improve – but has it helped your swing to improve to the point that your scores have gotten better?

So why have I gotten into the whole gimmick swing, video analysis, you better be careful what you do next to improve your golf swing - rap? Because it’s that time of year that millions of Golfers can’t go outside to play – so they feel the next best thing is to sign-up to take golf lessons at one of those video simulator places that you can get your swing analyzed, or wile away your time with a book that explains 8 different swing moves you need to master or get on a Golf Internet Chat room that’s filled with closeted, anonymous Golf Gurus with nicknames such as Golf Genius that are looked up to like Rock Stars by frustrated, desperate Golfers that will do anything not to be frustrated anymore.

My question is – Do you know anyone that has signed up for a 6 lesson Video Analysis series and taken all 6 lessons? On the other hand – Do you know anyone that has signed up for a 6 lessons series and only taken 4 or 5 lessons? Why is that so commonplace? Well, they bait you in with promises of Glory – and after the 4th week, when you’re so confused that you’re scared to swing the golf club back because you’re thinking about everything you’re doing wrong and how you want to make sure that you do it correct – something deep down inside says to you – ‘this stinks!’

‘This is too complicated, why am I making it so hard on myself?’

The Monkey is constantly swinging from vine to vine looking for answers – unfortunately they believe that the more difficult the vine is – the better it is for their golf swing

The Player just Tick Tocks and smiles

Are you swinging vine to vine as you grit your teeth or are you smiling?

Regards,

Marc Solomon - Your Instructor For Life

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Golf Schools by Golf Made Simple, Inc.

www.GolfMadeSimple.com

Contact info:

IWantToBe@GolfMadeSimple.com

1-888-580-3635 (US & Canada)

001.904.460.8355 (International)

Our 3-Day Program IncludeS:
•    3-days of 4+ hours of Golf Instruction each day
•    9-holes of On-Course Instruction each day
•    Your Class Limited to only 4-Golfers
•    A PLAN to take home for continuous On-Course Improvement
•    Instructor for Life Program
•    The GMS Player Page on the Golf Made Simple Website
•    3-nights Accommodations
•    9-holes of Golf after class each day
•    Lunch in the clubhouse each day
•    And most importantly you'll be hitting the ball really well!

Remember - All Golf instruction Is Not Equal
Click here to see a comparison of 3 popular programs

GMS has locations in:

Florida:  St. Augustine -- Boca Raton -- Tampa -- Amelia Island
California:  Palm Springs/La Quinta -- Lake Tahoe
Arizona:  Phoenix
Europe:  Sotogrande, Spain
Colorado:  Denver
Virginia:  Washington DC area

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"Who's Your Caddie?"

Excerpted from GIW Issue 255 - October 29th, 2007

Come on, tell me - Who's Your Caddie? I can't tell you how many times I've heard a Golfer tell me that they played better when they've had a chance to play 18 holes with a Caddie. Why is this? And how can you incorporate these same strategies and techniques into your game all the time?

Is it because they're cleaning your clubs after each shot, raking your bunkers or even carrying your clubs? That may be a small influence. Or can it be that after a couple of holes of watching you play, they know more about your game and your abilities than you may know about yourself?

Now, can you learn how to develop this talent and apply it to your game?

To continue reading, click here

Golf Schools by Golf Made Simple, Inc.

www.GolfMadeSimple.com

Contact info:

IWantToBe@GolfMadeSimple.com

1-888-580-3635 (US & Canada)

001.904.460.8355 (International)

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The Can't Miss Golf Gift Issue!

The GMS Holiday Gift Issue

Each week we write about improving your golf game.  This week we’re going to change things up to speak about 4 golf products you might want to look at as a gift for yourself or someone else that will make the overall golf experience better.  Each week, I’m approached by companies all over the world to introduce their products to the thousands of Golfers that read Golf Improvement Weekly (now over 24,000) and the over one thousand Golfers that come to see GMS each year.

And while I turn down 99.9% of what I see as not being worth the plastic it’s made of – there are some great, great products out there for Golfers.  So with this being gift buying season … well, at least for guys like me that wait till the last minute – I’m sure most of the smarter people have completed their holiday shopping by now.

Yet, even if you’re finished holiday shopping –I highly recommend that you look at these products.  They are just excellent products that I currently use, viewed or have tested.

The Back Nine –

This might be the most intriguing product of them all.  It’s a movie about golf.  But it’s not just any movie.

It’s about a 40 year old that’s around an 11 handicap that has a family, a job and …. wants to see if he can make it on the PGA

Tour.  And it’s a true story.

Now, this is intriguing because at least once a month we get a phone call from at least one Golfer that is in a similar situation and wants to make the PGA or Senior Tour.  Yet, there’s no way it will happen for these Golfers.  It’s not as easy as getting to a zero handicap to make it on Tour.  For the Golfer that scores between 72 and 82 from 6,600 yards – you’re really not even close.

Playing well with your friends – even scoring 72 on a 6,600 yard course is not the same as playing in a tournament from 7,200 yards.  Plus, just to make it to the PGA Tour – you need to go to Q School where if you do make it through the initial qualifying sites to get to the finals – you then need to play 6 rounds of golf in 6 days and end up in the top 25 by scoring around 15 under par – from 7,200 yards in Tour conditions.

You really have about the same shot of making the PGA Tour as you would have making the Yankees as a starting pitcher.  Saying that - I do sincerely look forward to someone making it and proving me wrong. It would be an exciting story.

However, Jon Fitzgerald wanted to see if he could do it.  And during his journey of balancing family, work and golf – he found out a lot about himself.

When I first received this DVD back in the summer – I wasn’t expecting much.  I thought it would be just like another one of those phone calls we receive from someone in their 40’s that’s an 11 handicap and wants to try to improve so they can play on the PGA Senior Tour in 10 years.  And although the movie is about golf – it turned out to be about much more than that.

Go to their website to see a sample of the movie and possibly purchase it.  When I told Jon that I would be writing about his movie – he offered to give a discount code that he’s extending to all our readers if you want to purchase the movie.

It’s really straight forward how to use it.  Go to their website (http://www.thebacknine.com) and select the single copy of the DVD. There is a box that will offer the option of entering the code - gms4tb9. When you click submit, an 18 percent discount is factored in.

The ClubGlider –

 As far as I’m concerned …. The best golf product I have ever used.  If you have ever taken your golf clubs on a golf vacation – this product is worth its weight in gold!!!

I remember when travel bags for golf clubs didn’t even have wheels that allowed you to roll the bag.  Then when the wheeled bags came out, it was like “aahhh, this so much easier – why didn’t I think of that?”

Yet, when I was sent this product – it changed everything!  Until I used this – I never realized how much a pain in the butt the regular wheeled golf travel bags were.

The ClubGlider looks like a regular wheeled golf travel bag.  However, on the bottom side of the bag there are two retractable legs that have wheels on them.  So all you do is pop these out and it supports the bag.  So now you don’t have to hold the bag up when you wheel it – it’s more like a pull cart.  You could pull it with your pinkie finger.  And it turns on a dime.

Now some people might be saying that it’s not that hard with a regular travel bag – and you’re right, it’s not.  That is until you try the ClubGlider.  Here are a couple examples of why this product is incredible:

One - getting your golf bag into the travel bag.  It seems to me that whenever I used to pack my travel bag that once I put my clubs in – I’d always have to readjust the golf bag and slide it lower before zipping it up.  It would be - hold open the travel bag with one hand, lie the golf bag inside with the other hand, then readjust by picking both bags up at the same time so that the golf bag slides to the bottom.  Then you have to hold both bags in the upright position so you could zipper it up.

With the ClubGlider – just pull the legs out (which supports the bag on a 45 degree angle) and drop your golf bag in.  The way it’s supported, your golf bag just goes to the bottom of the travel bag for you. No holding the travel bag up – the legs do that for you.  It might not seem like much reading this – but the first time you use the ClubGlider – you’ll be amazed at how much easier it is.

Two – The ease of wheeling it around is fantastic.  For example: when you’re going to the ticket counter at the airport you have your golf bag, your luggage, your ID, etc.  And while you’re waiting in line - the line has the repeated process of move forward two steps, wait for two minutes, move forward two steps, wait two minutes.  You then have to decide whether to hold up your bag the whole time or drop it and pick it up each time you move.  Now, your golf clubs probably weigh at least 20 pounds – and even though the bottom of the bag is on the ground – you’re still supporting most of the weight.

With the ClubGlider you don’t do anything – the bag just stays upright for you - when it’s time to step forward all you need to do is put your hand on the handle and pull it (you could pull it with your pinkie finger).

Believe me – when I was first told of this product, I didn’t think much of it.  Then when I tried it – I wanted to invest in the company (I couldn’t, but I’m still very excited about the product).

When I told Mike Baum that I was writing about his product – he wrote me back saying:

Yes, please direct everyone to www.clubglider.com for information and/or to order on the website. On the website they can get FREE NAME PERSONALIZATION embroidered on their ClubGlider. Also, please let your subscribers know that they can use the promo code MIKE at the end of their order when ordering on the website to get $70 off!

Vedalo Sunglasses –

As a self confessed sunglass lover.  I have to say these are the very best sunglasses I have ever owned.  I was introduced to Vedalo Sunglasses at the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando in January 2009 after stopping at 43 other sunglass displays where each person told me how their company’s sunglasses were the best.

The same thing happened at Vedalo.  Although Joseph went into great detail about the technology used to make these sunglasses.  I have to confess I wasn’t really listening … that is until I put them on and saw how clear they were.  Then I became much more interested to hear about them.  They definitely put a lot of research into the lenses and have the patents to prove it.

And once I started looking at their styles – I was hooked.  They started out as a company that specialized in sunglasses for pilots, then they added sunglasses for race car drivers, and now they have sunglasses for golf.  So they have a vast catalog of styles to choose from.  Yet, it all goes back to the lenses.

The lenses are so clear.  There’s no distortion at all.  It’s almost as if you don’t have anything between your eyes and what you’re looking towards (except its not too bright and they stop all glare).

There are few big name sunglass companies that you may have used; I know I have tried all brands.  Yet these are the best.  I could give you all the scientific research and patents Vedalo has – but you can read about that on their website.  Plus, you can go their website and see all they styles – you’re going to be impressed.

When I spoke with Joseph recently to tell him that I was writing about his company in the GIW gift issue, he offered to give a nice discount to anyone that reads GIW.  Joseph wrote:  Have your readers go to www.VedaloHD.com and enter the coupon code - GMS.

This will give them a 25% discount on their entire purchase.

Golf Made Simple, Inc. (GMS) –

Yes, this is our company - www.GolfMadeSimple.com.  And with many people thinking I have a biased opinion – that maybe so - yet GMS is the most successful golf instruction company there is for helping Golfers to play better, more consistent golf.  We help Golfers improve their golf swing, along with understanding what Causes their bad swings.  Then we take you onto the golf course each afternoon for 9 holes to train you take those improvements onto the golf course!

The amount of emails we receive each year from Golfers that have come to GMS and are happy that they came to see us after experiencing disappointing instruction other places increases each year.

If you haven’t been to GMS – click here to see a sampling of how many Golfers improved in 2009

Regards,

Marc Solomon - Your Instructor For Life

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Golf Schools by Golf Made Simple, Inc.

www.GolfMadeSimple.com

Contact info:

IWantToBe@GolfMadeSimple.com

1-888-580-3635 (US & Canada)

001.904.460.8355 (International)

Our 3-Day Program IncludeS:
•    3-days of 4+ hours of Golf Instruction each day
•    9-holes of On-Course Instruction each day
•    Your Class Limited to only 4-Golfers
•    A PLAN to take home for continuous On-Course Improvement
•    Instructor for Life Program
•    The GMS Player Page on the Golf Made Simple Website
•    3-nights Accommodations
•    9-holes of Golf after class each day
•    Lunch in the clubhouse each day
•    And most importantly you'll be hitting the ball really well!

Remember - All Golf instruction Is Not Equal
Click here to see a comparison of 3 popular programs

GMS has locations in:

Florida:  St. Augustine -- Boca Raton -- Tampa -- Amelia Island
California:  Palm Springs/La Quinta -- Lake Tahoe
Arizona:  Phoenix
Europe:  Sotogrande, Spain
Colorado:  Denver
Virginia:  Washington DC area

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"Is Your Golf Game In Season or Off Season"

Excerpted from GIW Issue 222 - December 19th, 2007

The Answer is - not the middle of July. The Question – When should you be practicing to get better so you play your best Golf in July? For many Golfers, the next few months are the time you should be working on your golf game to improve. Unfortunately, many Golfers in the US, Canada and Europe don’t use this time effectively.

If you’re waiting for your season to start – you’re waiting too long. Players have two seasons – Off Season and The Season. Monkeys unfortunately have just one season – The Season.

Now this might not make much sense to a lot of Golfers because The Season is the only way they know how to do it. The frustrated Golfer is trying to improve too much at the same time that they’re trying to play. And because of this – more frustration is produced every year during The Season. Yet, even though this frustration is repeated yearly – the Monkey continues to ....

To continue reading, click here

Golf Schools by Golf Made Simple, Inc.

www.GolfMadeSimple.com

Contact info:

IWantToBe@GolfMadeSimple.com

1-888-580-3635 (US & Canada)

001.904.460.8355 (International)

 ------------------------------------------------------------------

"Top 3 Reasons Your Golf Game Isn't Improving"

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#1 You don’t practice enough

Do you need to practice your golf swing in order to improve?  This is an often asked, yet excellent question.  So to give you an answer, I'd like to use an analogy to make a point about improving your golf swing.  If you decided at 40 years old that you wanted to become a pitcher for a local baseball team, however you hadn’t played baseball for 25 years – would you need to practice throwing pitches before your first game?

If you had to pitch this coming Saturday, the following Saturday and each Saturday after that for the next 10 weeks … how many days would you practice each week before you pitched?

If you practiced 2 times this week for about 1 hour each session – how well do you think you would do in your first game?  Then if you practiced 2 times the following week – do you think that you would do better or worse than your first game?  And if you practiced 2 times the following week … do you agree that you would be getting better each week?

What would happened if you practiced 1 time each week?  Would you improve your pitching as much as if you practiced 2 times a week?  After 3 weeks of practicing twice a week – how much farther a long would you be than if you only practiced 1 time a week?

Now imagine if you didn’t practice at all.  You just decided to pitch each Saturday – would you do as well as you would if you had practiced 1 time during the week?  Would you be anywhere close to being as successful as if you practiced 2 times during the week?

The question isn't whether you should or should not practice to improve your golf swing.  The question should be - how much do you need to practice.

#2 You practice too much

How much is too much? Too much is when you go out to the driving range with 3 or more things to work on in your golf swing.  This often leads to Golfers drifting from golf tip to golf tip – trying new things each swing until they find something that works.

Once they find something that works … they usually stick with it until it stops working.  Yet, once it's not working anymore … it’s on to finding something else that helps you to hit the golf ball better.

That is until that next golf tip stops working and the whole process of “Fiddling” with your golf swing starts over again.

As there’s no doubt that it’s better to practice 1 time a week and play 1 time a week rather than playing 1 time with no practice. The former is also probably better for you than to practice 4 times a week and not play at all.

However, you need to find what your perfect ratio of practice to play is.  Each person is going to have a different ratio of how much to practice and how much to play.  You need to find your ratio.

And although every Golfer will have a ratio that’s perfect for them – we often see many Golfers that practice too much.  And these hard working Golfers hardly ever perform well on the golf course.  Why?

Because if a Golfer practices their swing too much – they often carry that practice onto the golf course where they aren’t in the right frame of mind to play golf.  They become too focused on working on all the things they worked on while on the driving range – and their golf swing, their ball striking and their scores suffer.

Try to find what your ratio of practice to play is.  Yes, you need to practice … however, just as importantly – you need to play without thinking about your practice.

#3 You don’t know what to practice

Perhaps the worst of all is ‘not knowing what to practice’.  Many Golfers hit the practice range – just for the simple fact of … hitting golf balls.  Or because they just read about a new tip and they want to see if it works.

However, when a Golfer goes to the driving range just to hit golf balls without a PLAN – they’re setting themselves up for disaster.  Do you think a 1 handicap or Tiger Woods or Lorena Ochoa goes to the range just to hit golf balls?  Of course not.

They have something specific they’re going to work on.

Do you know any Golfers that say - "I don't practice anymore because whenever I practice ... I get worse."

Not knowing what to practice turns your golf game into a rollercoaster of highs and lows – that ends just like a rollercoaster ends … in the same place it began.  Golfers that go to hit golf balls without knowing what to practice often become inconsistent Golfers.

The Solution

Learn how to practice. Learn how to develop a Practice PLAN. Discover what your ratio of practice to play should be.  If you do these things – you’ll see improvement on the golf course.  If not, you'll continue to do what you’re doing – you’ll continue to see what you’re seeing.

The Monkey either doesn’t practice enough, practices too much or doesn’t know what to practice

The Player knows how to practice, has a Practice PLAN and knows what their practice to play ratio is

Are you a Monkey or a Player?

Go ahead, be a Player!

Regards,

Marc Solomon - Your Instructor For Life

Our 3-Day Program IncludeS:
•    3-days of 4+ hours of Golf Instruction each day
•    9-holes of On-Course Instruction each day
•    Your Class Limited to only 4-Golfers
•    A PLAN to take home for continuous On-Course Improvement
•    Instructor for Life Program
•    The GMS Player Page on the Golf Made Simple Website
•    3-nights Accommodations
•    9-holes of Golf after class each day
•    Lunch in the clubhouse each day
•    And most importantly you'll be hitting the ball really well!

Remember - All Golf instruction Is Not Equal
Click here to see a comparison of 3 popular programs

GMS has locations in:

Florida:  St. Augustine -- Boca Raton -- Tampa -- Amelia Island
California:  Palm Springs/La Quinta -- Lake Tahoe
Arizona:  Phoenix
Europe:  Sotogrande, Spain
Colorado:  Denver
Virginia:  Washington DC area

"How Many Swing Faults Do You Have?"

Are you on the quest to hit the golf ball better than you ever have before?  To some, this is what golf is all about.  And as far as I'm concerned – there’s nothing wrong with having the passion, desire and drive to make golf more enjoyable.  Because frankly, not hitting the golf ball well on the golf course is like being seasick 45 miles out in the ocean with no land in sight.

Although some who are having a difficult time on the course may try to lighten the moment by saying:  "A bad day on the golf course is better than a good day at work" … I often wonder how someone that’s retired, unemployed or on the maintenance crew cutting greens is thinking after they hear a Golfer ponder this infamous quote.

So the question for the Golfer striving for perfection or wanting to become a little more consistent is:  'What do you need to work on in your golf swing to be able to get that next step closer to consistency?  What part of your golf swing needs the most work?'

Is it your grip?  Is it your set-up?  Is it your back swing?  Your weight shift?  Your hip turn?  Your shoulder turn?  Do you need to create lag?  Impact?  Follow-through?

What is it?

And although one of the most popular answers may be “it’s all of the above”.  I’d recommend that you stay away from that answer.  That’s the #1 answer that holds more people back from achieving a better golf swing than anything else … well actually, maybe it's not the #1 reason, it's probably #2.  As I don’t think there could be a worse thing for a Golfer to say than “I think I’m going to try the stack and tilt”.

The answer to becoming more consistent never starts with “I need to work on everything.”  Or “I need to completely change my golf swing.”

The answer to improving starts with working on one thing at a time.  It’s finding the one issue in your golf swing that’s causing you to become inconsistent.  Because we have found that Golfers that feel or have been told that they have multiple swing faults – often, in reality just have one Primary Swing Fault that leads them to create compensations that cause Multiple Swing Faults.

Yet, if diagnosed correctly by a superior Golf Instructor – all those swing faults that you feel you have or have been told you have – would be almost instantly eliminated if the Primary Swing Fault is diagnosed and corrected.

It’s like if the shower on the 2nd floor of your home had a small leak in the tile so that water dripped under the tile and into the floor boards.  The longer that leak is left unfixed – the bigger the hole will get – which would mean that every shower you took … a greater amount of water would leak into the floor.

And eventually, the ceiling of the room (perhaps the living room) directly below the shower would start dripping.  And as that ceiling starts to saturate as more water flowed, that water would start to drip into another room (the kitchen).  If left untreated a little longer, it would drip into another room (the laundry room). Then perhaps into the dining room, etc., etc., etc.

So now you have water leaking into at least four rooms on the 1st floor.  What’s the first thing you need to fix?

Unfortunately, many Golfers and many Instructors (if they go about it the same way that they work on the golf swing), would first fix the ceiling in each room to see if that helps stop the dripping.  While the smart thing would be to first fix the leak in the shower.  Because when that primary problem is fixed … it’s amazing how the other leaks would magically go away.  Yes, you might have to do some ceiling work – yet it’s a lot easier when the primary leak is fixed.

It’s truly the same with your golf swing.

Find the Primary Swing Fault, fix it, and the other swing faults (that are most likely compensations caused by the Primary Swing Fault) will slowly dry-up and disappear.  However, from what we see with many Golfers that come to our program – these Golfers have been trying to fix all the leaks in the ceiling instead of the primary leak causing these other leaks.  And they’ve been repairing and painting year after year after year – and would still be repairing and painting the ceiling if we hadn’t shown them where their primary leak was.

What’s causing you to have a bad back swing?  Or a bad weight shift?  Or a bad hip turn?  Or bad shoulder turn?  Or bad whatever?

That should be the question rather than just trying to fix the bad weight shift with yet another golf tip you read in a magazine or another half hour golf lesson that’s focused on a quick tip such as – “I see your problem, you have water leaking from the ceiling”.  Because regardless of how many times you replace that ceiling – if there’s a hole in the tile – that drip is going to keep coming back.  Just like that ‘over the top move’ that you can't get rid of or that "slice" that's always there or that "chunked wedge next to the green" that comes back a few times each round.

The Monkey works on all their swing faults

The Player knows that if they can find and fix their Primary Swing Fault - that all of the other swing faults will start to go away and consistency will be around the corner

Are you starting to divert your disappointment and frustrations earlier and earlier in the round by using the – “A bad round on the golf course is better than a good day at work” quote?

Go ahead, be a Player!

Regards,

Marc Solomon - Your Instructor For Life

To Learn More About Golf Schools by Golf Made Simple, Inc. - such as locations of programs, dates of programs and any other information - call us: 1-888-580-3635 (US & Canada), 001-904-460-8355 (International).  Or go to the GMS website - www.GolfMadeSimple.com
 

"From A 29 Handicap To A 21 In 6 Months!" Hey Marc! My summer was great!  I did a lot of golfing and dropped my handicap from a 29 handicap to a 21.  Leone R. –  Minnetonka, Minnesota - Sent October 21st, 2009  Attended Phoenix, Arizona location on February 20th to 22nd, 2009 "I Won My Flight At The Pacific Amateur!" Jeff, After completing your course in August 2008, I played the best golf of my life.  In October I won my flight at the Pacific Amateur in Bend, Oregon.   Earlier this year my game continued to be great in Mesquite, Nev. where I finished 3rd in my flight (3 rounds). Then in the championship round I finished tied for 8th overall.   Bob V.- Canyon City, Oregon - Sent October 14th, 2009  Attended Lake Tahoe location on August 18th to 20th, 2008 Each week we feature 2 Success Stories from Golfers that have attended GMS. If your testimonial is published - we'll send you a special gift. Share Your Golf Made Simple Testimonials | Click Here

"Over 22,000 Subscribers & Growing!" Do you know that Golf Improvement Weekly now has over 22,000 subscribers each week?  And that it's now growing by over 1,200 new people each month?  At this rate, we expect to hit one million subscribers in about 69 years. However, as the rate of new people signing on each month is increasing – we should hit 30,000 around the end of April. We’d like to see if you could help us get there sooner.  Each week, we include a Forward Golf Improvement Weekly link.  We have found that most Golfers that read GIW have friends that play golf.  Why not forward GIW to them? If you click the Forward Golf Improvement Weekly Link – it allows you to send to a few friends at once, along with sending them a personal message.  Many Golfers each week forward GIW to their friends and most of those friends sign-up to be subscribers to GIW. Can you think of someone you know that might be working on too many things in their golf swing right now … that probably should be working on finding their Primary Swing Fault – as opposed to fixing everything? Forward GIW To a Friend using the links provided throughout GIW.  Regards, Alexandria - Director  Toll Free - 1-888-580-3635 International - 001.904.460.8355 Email: IWantToBe@GolfMadeSimple.com GMS Bonus Material For Anyone Considering Video Analysis - We have added our report on: "Using Video Analysis To Improve Your Golf Swing" to the Golf Made Simple website for you to download and view.  Just click here to be taken to the download page on the http://www.GolfMadeSimple.com website. It's easy, it's free and it's a pretty extensive report on our findings. Indoor Putting Drill - If you'd like for us to email you a special Indoor Version of an excellent GMS Putting Drill that you could spend hours on - email us at IndoorPuttingDrill@GolfMadeSimple.com and put GIW in the subject line. Tour Putting Square - Use the Tour Putting Square inside your home to improve your scores. Just send us an email at TourPuttingSquare@GolfMadeSimple.com with the subject: Tour Putting Square – and we'll email you how to use this game changing drill. Swing Drills & Core Training - To view a segment that covers 2 swing drills you can practice inside, plus 3 exercises to strengthen your core - email us at: PushUp@GolfMadeSimple.com with the words 'Golf Improvement Weekly' in the subject line to receive a link and password to access the video segment from our DVD - 'How To Improve Your Golf Swing Indoors' By the way, the first Golf Made Simple DVD has been the #1 Selling Golf Swing DVD on Amazon.com. After years and years and offers upon offers from people that wanted to produce a DVD for us; we decided we wanted to do it our own way. We've created a DVD to help you become a Player, as opposed to all the other Monkey stuff that's already out there. Our DVD - How To Improve Your Golf Swing Indoors is improvement ... GMS Style. What's GMS Style? It's a Results Based Approach as opposed to the Theories and Assumptions Based Approach that millions of Golfers struggle with year after year. Are you ready to end the struggle? Click here to purchase on Amazon.com   Or call us at 1 (888) 580 - 3635

"A Better Golf Swing Using Simple Improvements"

There’s nothing like the expectation of standing on the tee feeling confident that you’re going to make a nice, smooth golf swing that produces a great drive down the middle of the fairway.  Being able to watch the golf ball sail through the air as it splits the fairway is worth everything and anything!

That’s what we want every time we step on the tee.  It’s what I want, it’s what Tiger wants, it’s what Annika wants – and I’m sure it is what you want.

And I believe the answer of how you’ll be able to hit that golf shot more consistently - goes back to the following four details:  1. your skill level; 2. the use of a PLAN on the golf course; 3. having a Driver that’s fitted to your golf swing; 4. and quite possibly the most important ... having the ability to forget about the checklist of mechanics in your golf swing while standing over the golf ball and just letting it go naturally.

The million dollar question is – how can we do it more often?

And all it takes is the smallest of improvements in any of those four facets – and you’ll see improvement with your tee shots.

Now saying that – I expect the comments of:  1. “That’s easier said than done”; 2. “What does a PLAN matter if I don’t know where I’m going to hit the golf ball”; 3. “How am I supposed to know what Driver I should have”; 4. “Well, I’m not that good – so I need to think about my swing mechanics during my swing if I want to hit the golf ball”.

All seem to be valid responses at first glance – however, if you let those responses get in the way – you’re pretty much blocking yourself of having any chance to see improvement.

1.  If you needed to improve your skill level, what can you do? The obvious answer is to learn what you need to improve in your golf swing from a successful Instructor that has helped many Golfers (of your skill level) improve.  Then practice those improvements under the watchful eye of that Instructor.  If you want to know why that last sentence is so important – click here to read last week’s Golf Improvement Weekly about The 30 Minute Golf Lesson.

2.  If you don’t have a PLAN for the golf course – develop one by understanding what your ball flight tendencies are. This PLAN should be developed by first knowing that a huge aspect of your PLAN is that it’ll help you to be prepared for your bad shots.  Because the 2nd most important reason for having a PLAN is that it allows you to make sure that bad shots don’t put you in bad places. Once you have developed your PLAN ... put it into action ASAP.

3.  Having a Driver that’s fitted to your golf swing is something that’s alien to most Golfers. As most Golfers just go to a golf store and buy a Driver because of the brand name.  They then select the actual Driver they purchase based on whether the shaft says Ladies, Regular, Firm or Stiff.  Yet, a Regular shaft from one company is usually a different flex than a Regular shaft from another company.  Thus, most Golfers have a Driver that’s completely wrong for their golf swing.

4.  And what may be the most important of all – learning how to give yourself permission to allow yourself to let the swing go. Thinking of your swing mechanics while on the tee is the proverbial “kiss of death”.  To improve in this area – you should adopt the habit of only thinking of swing mechanics on the practice tee and only when you need to work on some corrections.

Now, if you started to make the smallest improvement in just one of those four categories – you’ll see pretty good improvements in your Driver.  If you made a small improvement in two of those categories – you'll see bigger improvements in your tee shots.  And the amount of improvement will become even greater if you made small improvements in all 4 of the above.

However, I have to implore you not to discount the positives of learning how to stand over the golf ball without the need to think about your golf swing. To be able to learn how to only think about your "Pace of Swing" and the target - means to literally get the Monkey out of your head.  And this might be the best thing to happen to any Golfer!

All of the above examples require only the smallest of improvements.  The bigger the improvements you make – the bigger and better your tee shots will become.  On-the-other-hand, one of the biggest flaws I see with the common Golfer is that they feel they need to make major changes in their golf swing in order to see any improvement.

Don’t get stuck in that trap!

I know Golfers that have been stuck in that way of thinking for years – and haven’t improved their tee shots for longer than they can remember.

Do you know anyone like that?

 

Improvement can be easy if you go about it in a simple way. Yet, improvement is difficult if you go about it like most Golfers do.

The Monkey tries to make big changes in their golf swing at one time and often ends up not improving

The Player knows that working on small, simple concepts will lead to big, consistent improvements


What strategy have you employed?

Go ahead, be a Player!

Regards,

Marc Solomon - Your Instructor For Life

"My Drives Have Increased 20 to 35 Yards!"

Dear Jeff:

I hope that all is well for you and your family. I am well. My golf game keeps improving and I am shooting in the low 90's, but will soon be in the 80's.

Through focusing on my smoothness and swing improvements, my drives have increased 20 to 35 yards. My increased driving distance now makes it possible for me to realistically hit greens on par 4's on my second shot.

Thanks for your help.

Murray S. –  Riverhead, New York - Sent October 18th, 2009
 

Attended Tampa, Florida location on April 13th to 15th, 2007

"I Shot The Best Round Of My Life!"

Hi Jeff,

My golf is really good, although the weather in Minnesota was horrible all summer and I didn't get to play as much as I would have liked.  I still shot the best round of my life this summer, an 82 at a very challenging course. The GMS training has really helped me. Especially with my driving and the mental aspects of the game.

I don't know if you heard from my dad, but he's playing the best golf of his life, consistently shooting in the 90's and enjoying the game.

Thanks for checking in and tell my dad to take me to another GMS this winter.

Ben H - Minneapolis, Minnesota - Sent October 16th, 2009 


Attended Lake Tahoe location on August 22nd to 24th, 2008

Share Your Golf Made Simple Testimonials | Click Here

$1USD = $1CAD!

I want to give a little nudge to everybody in Canada (where nearly 33% of Golfers attending GMS travel from).  Have you seen the exchange rate lately?  Although it's not dollar for dollar on the international exchanges - it is at GMS.  However, only for a short period of time. Obviously we don’t know where the exchange rate is going to go from here – however, this might be a good striking point to lock in an excellent exchange rate.  Yes, it might get a little better – yet history has shown that when we get to this level – the chances are pretty good it will go back. For obvious reasons last year (a big discrepancy in exchange rates) - we couldn't do this.  However, with the exchange rates closer this year - we can.  And we feel we need to say “Thank you” for coming to see us using the unfavorable exchange rates of the past. So give us a call by this Sunday, October 25th – and we’ll lock you in for a dollar for dollar exchange rate.  You can schedule your actual dates in a few weeks after you have a chance to look at your schedule, however you need to lock in the rates by this coming Sunday. Yes, you can wait to see if the rates get better than dollar for dollar – however, why risk it for a few extra Loonies? $1USD = $1CAD - If you want it, call GMS by Sunday. Regards, Alexandria - Director Toll Free - 1-888-580-3635 International - 001.904.460.8355 Email: IWantToBe@GolfMadeSimple.com

"The Evolution Of A Golfer"

Excerpted from Classic GIW Issue 215- October 24th, 2007

"Why is it that it seems like some people that begin to play golf pick-it-up right away? Then before you know it, they’re breaking 100, busting through 90 and in less than 2 years – they’re in the 80’s for a short spell before moving into the 70’s in year 3 or 4.

On the other hand – Why is it that some people begin to play golf, make some progress, but then get stuck and don’t improve from that point? They start off like most people learning the game, taking baby steps towards improving and then wham – they hit a wall and stay there for the next 5, 7, 10, 20 years.

Which group are you in?  7 out of every 8 Golfers are …

Continue reading the rest of this Classic GIW - Click Here

Golf Made Simple, Inc.  -- www.GolfMadeSimple.com

1-888-580-3636 (US & Canada)  --  001.904.460.8355 (International)

The 30 Minute Golf Lesson

The end of the golf season is approaching for many Golfers. As most Golfers in North America and Europe start to clean their clubs before putting them away in storage for the winter (you do clean them … don’t you?), the question that must be asked is: Did you have fun playing golf this past summer?

If your answer is yes. Excellent – that’s what it should be – then there’s no reason for you to read any more of this article.

Yet, if it’s no. Then there needs to be a follow-up question – Why didn’t you enjoy golf this summer?

As many Golfers start each season with hopes of playing better than the year before – many end the season not seeing the results they were hoping for.

So the question now becomes – what hindered you from seeing these improved results?

Was it that you didn’t play enough?

Was it that you didn’t practice enough?

Was it that the golf lessons that you thought were going to help – really didn’t help?

If it was the question above (about golf lessons) - Was it that you reverted back into old habits and regardless of what you tried to do – you couldn’t get out of them?

Each year, as spring approaches, many Golfers get excited with the thoughts that they’re going to play a lot of “Good Golf” during the summer. Yet, in many cases, you start playing a few rounds of golf in the spring; however those rounds became so frustrating – you decide that you’re going to take golf lessons before the season really kicks into gear.

Unfortunately, many Golfers fall into the trap of thinking that a Golf Instructor is a Golf Instructor is a Golf Instructor. I mean – “All Golf Instructors are equal. One is just as good as the other. Right?” And this misconception causes many frustrated Golfers that are looking for a little more consistency in their golf swing to go for the easiest, least expensive golf lesson option – the infamous 30 minute golf lesson that costs around $35. And – as a bonus - if you sign-up for 6 lessons – you get a discount … usually 6 lessons for the cost of 5.

What a deal!

This seems to be the most popular way Golfers get their lessons. Unfortunately, many of these Golfers are still just as inconsistent after their 6 lessons. I can’t tell you how many emails and phone calls we get each week from Golfers that have been taking this sort of lesson program for years – yet haven’t gotten any better. And are now on the verge of quitting because they don’t believe that they’ll ever improve.

Think of it this way: If you wanted to learn a language … say you were planning a trip to China and you wanted to learn Mandarin Chinese. So you signed up for 6 – 30 minute language lessons. Do you think that after those brief lessons that you would be able to say much more than “Can you tell me where the bathroom is?” – “Thank you” and/or “I’ll have the duck.”

It’s the same with 30 minute golf lessons. And I say this even though it will upset some fellow PGA Professionals who teach 30 minutes lessons. Yet, I have to be honest – 30 minute lessons don’t work. But, maybe, just maybe this will be the kick in the pants that some Instructors need to start moving towards 1 hour minimums. (If you’re a PGA Member that’s not happy with what I’m writing – please call me, I’d be happy to discuss it with you.)

So because I’ll probably get death threats and so forth directed to me – I better explain why I believe that.

You may be taking instruction from a talented Pro or even with the greatest Instructor in the world, someone that can help you to see and feel what you need to do better, along with helping you to make improvements in your golf swing. Yet, if you’re taking a 30 minute lesson and finally get the concept, the feel and the ability to do what your Instructor is asking you to do fairly quickly – 25 minutes into the lesson: then you have only 5 minutes for your Instructor to watch you do it by yourself.

Now, is 5 minutes enough time for you to make your golf swing consistent, repeatable, automatic and free from old habits slowly creeping back in? Hardly. As soon as that Instructor’s next lesson arrives and you move to another area of the range tee to continue your practice – within 2 or 3 swings you’re most likely going to slowly start reverting back to your old habits (a little more every swing) without even knowing it.

The new habit wasn’t ingrained enough while the Instructor was there to make sure that you’re able to repeat it swing after swing or there to make the little adjustments necessary after every swing that included the smallest speck of your old bad habit that slowly creeps back in a little more every swing and/or there to work with you to train you to be able to diagnose this yourself.

30 minutes is not even close to enough time!

Most Golfers (including Tiger, Annika, Phil, Jack, etc.) need an Instructor watching them for more than 30 minutes to make sure that they’re doing what’s necessary every swing. And those guys know their golf swing a heck of lot better than you and I know ours. Because it’s amazing how many Golfers take a 30 minute lesson, do well during the last few minutes of that lesson, then as soon as they go to practice on their own or go on the golf course – they play worse than before the lesson.

Has that ever happened to you?

Why? Well, the easiest answer is that you start to revert back to your old habits – but it’s even worse than that … you get stuck between your old habits and the new instructions that your Instructor just worked with you on. So if you’re depending on a 30 minute lesson once a week to help – you’re often going backwards.

Again, it’s like learning a foreign language: after 25 minutes of trying to say “Can you tell me where the bathroom is” in Mandarin … your language Instructor will finally say – “that’s it, you got it. Try it again.” Yet, as you practice saying it to yourself on the car ride home – even though you think you’re saying it correctly – you’re probably not saying it exactly as you did in front of your Instructor those last 5 minutes.

And as you keep practicing it – you’re continually getting farther and farther away from saying it correctly because your Instructor won’t be there to correct you until your next 30 minute lesson in 167.5 hours later (6 days and 23.5 hours). And how many times do you think a motivated student will be repeating that sentence the wrong way in those 167.5 hours?

Plenty!

Probably just as many times as you go over the golf swing and the corrections your Instructor worked with you on. So now, when you go out to the range to practice by yourself – you’re probably not swinging like you were in front of your Instructor at that 25 minute mark of your lesson. You’re probably reverting back to old habits – and there's no one there to let you know that you're ingraining even more bad habits into your golf swing?… or even worse – there's no one there that can help you relieve the frustration of getting stuck between the old and new.

How do I know this? Experience

• The Experience I had as a Golfer growing up as I started my quest to become a Pro.

• The Experience I had as a young Golf Professional that started out teaching 30 minute lessons (because that’s what Golf Professionals did and I didn’t know any better). Which I quickly changed to a 1 hour minimum.

• The Experience I had with the number of Golfers that secretly came to see me because they didn’t improve with the Instructor at their home golf course. And listening to the stories of their frustrations over the time and money that they had wasted.

And now - The Experience of the last 10 plus years of speaking to 1,000’s of Golfers (each year) that have called GMS because they became so frustrated taking normal golf lessons and going through the scenario written above.

And as one gentleman (who inspired this article) recently put it: “I have been getting 6 – 30 minute lessons for approximately $200 – every year for the past 8 years, and have not improved one iota. I have calculated that I have spent $1,600 and wasted 8 years of golf. I had a friend that just started playing golf last year, he went to GMS this past spring – and is now beating me. He spent about the same amount of money as I did – yet he improved more in 3 months than I have in 8 years (96 months). Sign me up!”

The Monkey will ...…. well, just reread the article above to find out what the Monkey does

The Player knows that a sustained session with his/her Instructor is critical in order to be able to see Results that stick

Go ahead, Be A Player!

Regards,

Marc Solomon - Your Instructor For Life

"I Went From A 28 Handicap To A 12!"

Jeff,

I just wanted to say hi and let you know that even though I couldn’t attend GMS the last couple of years, you guys are still helping me…what you teach works if we just stick with it.

I attended in 2004; 2005; 2006; 2007; I improved each year and my handicap went from a 28 to a 12 during this time. Golf was finally becoming fun.

Last couple of years I was unable to attend (I got married and she’s not a golfer yet) didn’t stay in touch, began to tinker with grip, set up, swing plane, and even with rhythm – started using a 3 count rhythm instead of tick-tock, gradually started playing like a Monkey again.

At the end of June I was in 14th place in my league out of 52 guys and I was averaging 45.4 strokes per round for 9 holes. I was very frustrated and not having much fun. I started thinking about GMS and checked my notes.

I stopped tinkering and started to focus on making a good PLAN, paying attention to where my club face was aiming, feeling balanced in my set up, making a good swoosh in my Rehearsal Swing, and only thinking about tick-tock when I swing.

I started playing better almost immediately.

In the second of half of my league I averaged 39.4 strokes per 9. I shot my all time best for 9 holes – a 36, I won the second half championship in my league and beat the first half champ for the season championship. Had several rounds of 18 in the high 70’s, I also won more skins than I ever have. Golf is fun again.

Hope to get my wife and another couple to attend GMS in the near future. Thanks again, and may I never again stop tick-tocking.

Mike K. – South Amherst, Ohio- Sent September 28th, 2009

Attended Tampa, Florida location on April 10th to 12th, 2007

"We Have Broke 100 Several Times!"

Kimberly S. and I took the class last spring in Amelia Island and would love to return before the end of this year. What is your schedule for October and November?

We would love to take the class again. We have each actually broke 100 several times!! Now we would love to reach 90!

Thanks,

Kim M - Ridgeland, South Carolina- Sent September 24th, 2009

Attended Amelia Island, Florida Location on April 27th to 29th, 2009

Click on any of the dates listed below to send an email request for more information Upcoming Dates Golf Made Simple Tampa, Florida October 23rd to 25th - Tampa October 27th to 29th - Tampa October 30th to November 1st - Tampa November 6th to 8th - Tampa November 9th to 11th - Tampa To see dates beyond those listed above for our Tampa, Florida location beyond the dates listed above Click Here Palm Springs/La Quinta, California November 6th to 8th - La Quinta November 9th to 11th - La Quinta November 13th to 15th - La Quinta November 16th to 18th - La Quinta November 20th to 22nd - La Quinta To see dates beyond those listed above for our Palm Springs/La Quinta location beyond the dates listed above Click Here Sotogrande, Spain (Europe) December 4th to 6th - Spain December 7th to 9th - Spain December 11th to 13th - Spain December 14th to 16th - Spain December 18th to 20th - Spain To see dates beyond those listed above for our Spain location beyond the dates listed above Click Here Phoenix, Arizona November 6th to 8th - Phoenix November 9th to 11th - Phoenix November 13th to 15th - Phoenix November 16th to 18th - Phoenix November 20th to 22nd - Phoenix To see dates beyond those listed above for our Phoenix location beyond the dates listed Click Here Boca Raton, Florida November 6th to 8th - Boca Raton November 9th to 11th - Boca Raton November 13th to 15th - Boca Raton November 16th to 18th - Boca Raton November 20th to 22nd - Boca Raton To see dates beyond those listed above for our Boca Raton location beyond the dates listed Click Here Click to see dates for other GMS locations: Florida: Amelia Island - St Augustine California: Virgina Colorado Lake Tahoe Washington DC Denver Photos Of Newest GMS Locations SilverRock Resort - GMS La Quinta location La Quinta, California, USA Almenara Golf Resort - GMS Spain (Europe) location Sotogrande, Spain (just west of the Costa del Sol) SilverRock Resort - GMS La Quinta location La Quinta, California, USA

"The Evolution Of A Golfer" Excerpted from Classic GIW Issue 215- October 24th, 2007 "Why is it that it seems like some people that begin to play golf pick-it-up right away? Then before you know it, they’re breaking 100, busting through 90 and in less than 2 years – they’re in the 80’s for a short spell before moving into the 70’s in year 3 or 4. On the other hand – Why is it that some people begin to play golf, make some progress, but then get stuck and don’t improve from that point? They start off like most people learning the game, taking baby steps towards improving and then wham – they hit a wall and stay there for the next 5, 7, 10, 20 years. Which group are you in? 7 out of every 8 Golfers are … Continue reading the rest of this Classic GIW - Click Here By the way, the first Golf Made Simple DVD has been the #1 Selling Golf Swing DVD on Amazon.com. After years and years and offers upon offers from people that wanted to produce a DVD for us; we decided we wanted to do it our own way. We've created a DVD to help you become a Player, as opposed to all the other Monkey stuff that's already out there. Our DVD - How To Improve Your Golf Swing Indoors is improvement ... GMS Style. What's GMS Style? It's a Results Based Approach as opposed to the Theories and Assumptions Based Approach that millions of Golfers struggle with year after year. Are you ready to end the struggle? Click here to purchase on Amazon.com Or call us at 1 (888) 580 - 3635 GMS Bonus Material For Anyone Considering Video Analysis - We have added our report on: "Using Video Analysis To Improve Your Golf Swing" to the Golf Made Simple website for you to download and view. Just click here to be taken to the download page on the http://www.GolfMadeSimple.com website. It's easy, it's free and it's a pretty extensive report on our findings. Indoor Putting Drill - If you'd like for us to email you a special Indoor Version of an excellent GMS Putting Drill that you could spend hours on - email us at IndoorPuttingDrill@GolfMadeSimple.com and put GIW in the subject line. Tour Putting Square - Use the Tour Putting Square inside your home to improve your scores. Just send us an email at TourPuttingSquare@GolfMadeSimple.com with the subject: Tour Putting Square – and we'll email you how to use this game changing drill. Swing Drills & Core Training - To view a segment that covers 2 swing drills you can practice inside, plus 3 exercises to strengthen your core - email us at: PushUp@GolfMadeSimple.com with the words 'Golf Improvement Weekly' in the subject line to receive a link and password to access the video segment from our DVD - 'How To Improve Your Golf Swing Indoors'