One of my young students, who will be going to college on scholarship next year, was concerned about more birdies. He’s getting close to being a scratch player. My advice to him follows – but it’s not just for advanced players. It makes sense for EVERY golfer.
BL –
You need to start keeping extensive stats on all your rounds, both practice and tournament. Stats should include fairways and greens hit. When missed, track where the misses are to see if you have trends, like left/right, and sometimes for fairways: are they straight or doglegs left or right. You may find, for example, that you drive well on right to left but poorly on left to right. It could be the shape of the hole, alignment problems, or maybe you need to work on a cut or fade to Your stats might reveal that maybe you miss hit one club way more than others.
This is a clue to get that club checked. If you are missing greens consistently left or right, the lie angle may be off, or the shaft flex does not match the rest of the set. Missing short or long, the loft may be wrong. If you want to take your game to the next level, you need stats. The more you break them down, the more you find your strengths and weaknesses and what needs more work, and for clubs, what needs to be checked or changed.
When I deal with good players, and they say or complain that they have problems, I will ask about their stats. They better have them. I feel that my time and energy to work with them is compromised if they don’t know what is going on with their game.
When I play, practice or tournaments, I run my stats through my head driving home or to the hotel. After every round DJ plays on Tour, the first thing I go to on the computer is his stats. When I talk to him, I know what to compliment, and what to ask about. His answers lead to my recommendations on what he needs to work on.
Not knowing your stats is like not knowing the balance in your checkbook. If you are a serious player, then you need to keep serious stats.
And if you want to dominate the game — no matter who you play with, whether college athletes or just your buddies in your next foursome — make sure you have a swing that works in perfect harmony with your natural body mechanics and the laws of physics and gravity.
We have just released our new Peak Performance “Shot Tracker” software for Inner Circle members! If you aren’t part of my Inner Circle yet, click on the video below to see how you can test drive it, and the new Peak Performance Shot Tracker, for just $1.00. There are over 50 videos that you can download for free (yours to keep) during your trial period. This is getting to be a lot of fun!
The Surge!
Tell me what you're thinking... and what part of the golf swing, or this great game... you'd like to know more about. If you want your pic to show with your comment, go get a 
It is amazing how often keeping statistics will make obvious a problem that was not otherwise apparent. Keeping stats of only chips, pitches and puts is a quick way to lower scores. It becomes obvious where strokes are being lost around the green. After fixing that part of your game, doing the stats on the long game can also show some otherwise unapparent patterns
When I was younger and prided myself on the ability to hit my drives a long way, I would mess up par 5s and long par 4s worse than other holes because I was trying to hit it too hard. This became obvious with some basic stats. When I concentrated more on keeping it in the fairway, I made more birdies and pars on the long holes (and avoided blow ups). My average distance was also more since I was keeping it out of the trees and rough.
I noticed , watching the slo mo video of you swinging all clubs and DJ at full speed, that you both broke or cocked your wrists at the takeaway from the ball. I have been conciously avoiding doing this to insure that I start to turn my torso right at the takeaway. I do not develop much clubhead speed, could this be why?
a week ago i think i asked what about shortening putter shfat ?
about changing a regular gripp for jumbo one allways on putter? are they a solution
or a occasionely trouble? excuse my english I am a french ,thanks if ever you answere me
or not. JML
a tip for left handed golfers.to watch golf vidios or even golf on t v ,place a mirror in front of tv or computer screen and watch vidio in mirror.This makes all right hand swings appear to be left hand swings,thus giving us a clearer mental picture.
am enjoying the results of taking the club back to the catchers mit and up the tree.however i find that if (up the tree) is not my primary thought my swing tends to flatten out(not at 12 oclock)more like 10 oclock(left hander}.Do you think that hitting balls on the range will eventually make the 12 oclock position ingrained or will i always have to fight the flat swing.I am 68 years old and a 8 to 11 h cap.
SURGE:
AMEN! AMEN! AMEN!!
I keep fairly extensive stats — specially on drives since length is a big problem for me — I know tha my right/left misses are nearly equal — and about one each per round. And that I recently set a “personal best” — 28 straight fairways hit in 54 houles.
Alas! the only greens I seem to hit are the par 3’s! Even from the front tees I wind up hitting a wedge 3rd shot — the differrence seems to be whether it is a pitching wedge, sand wedge or lob wedge (depending on the tees chosen) However — hope is in sight — as my weak left ankle slowly heals — my stats show that my drives are getter longer — and maybe a little straighter also. You are “right on” regarding the “Balance Mechanism” in the brain — it will NOT let you FALL — even if the swing “goes all to Hell” !! Thank God!!
My stats also show an average of 7 one putts per round vs 1 or 2 three putts– and 25% to 30% on “sand saves” — Now with a “good left ankle” — and a properlyl fitted driver ( I suspect the shaft may be a little too stiff in my current driver) — My handicaps (both physical and golfing) should fall rapidly!
Thanks For ALL of your help
Amos
In your 1st 10 step videos #2 is about no wrist cock but above Ned Baldwin says he has watched your swing along with DJ’s and you both cock your wrists. I watched the video of you full speed and DJ in slo-mo and you both start with a little 1/4 swing in which you cock your wrists whats the answer Chet
whoever produced this first sesson on set should be sent to the woodshed. Black shoes, black pants, black floor, black lower background. There wasn’t much contrast. I hope the others are in a different setting.
Helpfully yours,
curt
to CHET:
read my lips == “THERE IS NO WRIST COCK”
There is a “rolling of the forearms” — that gives an appearance of a wrist cock — but the wrist MUST remain FLAT.
Hope this helps
Amos
Don,
Used the three quarter swing today and I am
not joking a 135 metre par 3 got a hole in one.
Can tell you now got a few followers not.
Love the 3 quarter swing can not get over how
straight the ball flies.
If you ever come out to New Zealand come and
look me up at Golden Bay Motels that,s how rapt
I am with the video,s.
Thanks again,
Leon
Should be followers now
Don, I live in France I have tried in the past to obtain your dvds; have given my credit card details; have written to you; all to no avail. I am British and have a sterling as well as a euro account but no dollar account.
I notice that others are having difficulty in obtaining your attractive dvd packages. As a dedicated, but senior, long handicap player I would welcome them before i fall off my perch! Can any of your guys help me?
My best wishes for the Christmas season. Christopher
Hey fellow stats-geeks!
Keeping stats is only HALF the story. It’s not enough to know that you hit 43% greens-in-regulation. You need to know if that’s “good” or “not good”? I keep stats on all kinds of stuff but need to find target or goal stats. What percentage of fairways is good for my handicap? Does the typical 10 handicapper three-putt TWICE per round? Better? Worse? Does anyone know where to find this kind of goal oriented information?
Appreciate anyones help.
Thanks
Bill
Hi Surge
I have joined twice but perhaps thru’ my own fault have not had a reply.but the 1$ has debitted against account.
My problem is I hit good drives but my 2nd /3rd shots are toed or thinned. What am I doing wrong..
Oh yes I have not received any videos yet.
Regards
Eric
Amos – what a load of B**llocks* you talk or else you must be blind or something. Both of them break their wrists immediately on starting the back swing.
Please send me the videos.Most of my shots are pussed right. How can I correct.
Hey Don and Everyone, I’ve been critical of the Peak Performance website (not the swing) at times , so I think when I see products I believe to be good , I should write about those also.
I’ve just watched the JR.blueprint video, (and so far only 2 of many on the site) and watching you go thru a players setup and showing him how to correct his mistakes is invaluable to me.If I make the same setup mistake as the student (which I do )it’s like haveing you as a personal instructor. I intend on watching the rest of these blueprint videos for some more personal instruction.
I was a little upset with you selling the driver video to your Inner circle members, but in my opinion you hit a hole in one with the blueprint videos
hi don, read your emails get a lot of good tips, thanks, is there a difference in choking down on a club the same as cutting the shaft off.
Hi Don
Thanks for your DVDs and instructive emails. I have thoroughly enjoyed and learned from your knowledge of the great game.
May I wish you and DJ a Happy Christmas and a goog golfing year.
Best wishes
Gus
Gus, don’t cut it off. I did that and ruined my driver. I also ordered the mangnetic bracelets. One for me and one for my stepdad. When they arrived the instructions said don’t wear it if you have a defibrillator which he does. Just more wasted cash.
Richard, Chet, all you other “they cock” thier wrists guys, watch the bonus video with DJ and done discussing the take away along with a lengthy demo and you’ll see they………..drum roll please………. DON”T COCK THEY”RE WRISTS AND HANDS.
Again, they roll the for arms together as they start back in the first 12 inches of the back swing “into the catchers mit”. This move back with firm, flat wrist rolling over them up verticle to 3/4 is what makes this PPGS work. Yes the hands are set at an angle as club is placed behind the ball. Yes that angle is maintained as the hands (and arms turn back) giving the appearance of a cocking but no they don’t cock the hands, other wise at the top you would see more of a “laying off” and the breaking down of wrists and hands with the club falling over the right shoulder (you don’t see that with this swing). Watch again carefully and the try it yourself and see how staight trhe ball flies with only a 3/4 swing and NO wrist cocking. It’s thing of beauty the first time you really feel it!
Sorry about my butchered spelling above. Hope the thoughts are clear.
How to loosen up in the sand bunker
THANK YOU ANTHONY P. Oh my Heavens, I just watched the Jr Blueprint video in the “inner circle”. It is helping me more than I can say in words. If you haven’t viewed them yet guys and gals, wow get to it. The inner ciccle program just went up hundreds if not thousands of dollors!!!!!!
Watch while Don teaches several different students with more natural clarity than i believe any and all the rest of his videos. Real people, specific instruction. All i can say is thank you “Surge”, the interviews are especially valuable to all serious students! If you haven’t friends out there, GO LOOK NOW!
Surge, I have been using a stat that merges the fairways it and greens hit with the short game. How it works is to show the scoring ability by focusing on the putting result for each hole. A 1 putt on a green hit in regulation earns a -1. A 2 putt on a green hit in regulation earns a 0. If the green is missed and a 1 putt occurs, it also will earn a 0. If the green is missed and a 2 putt ensues a +1 is scored. A couple of addenda; a 2 putt on a par five or par four that results in a birdie is a 0, 3 putts will be a +1 score on greens hit and +2 on greens missed. The total for the round will more accurately show how every part of the game interweaves. For example a 32 putt round can show a -4 with 14 greens hit and a score of 68 and conversely a +4 with 10 greens hit for a score of 76. Total putts do not always tell the tale of a round. Those rounds of +2 or lower will generally show that the short game and putting was clicking no matter what the total score was.
Robert,
Thanks for the update and positive remarks about the new videos
The Surge!
Robert,
Thanks much for your comment about DJ and Me and not cocking our wrists. I like your Drum roll please. Your comment about our forearms roll is correct. The term Dr. Armstrong uses is rotate. either one is good, and everyone should know they are the same.
Thanks again for your excellent explanation as it is spot on.
The Surge!
Don, I noticed from your swing video that at the top of your backswings, you both point your clubs to the right of the target. DJ is more promounced than you. I have been trying to erase(what I thought was a bad habit) from my swing as it seems to cause the block right, the duck hook and the short fade. By laying the club back a shade the ball travels further and more consistantly straight. I have to have my weight on my right foot(right handed) and more to the heel.
Am I doing the right thing or I am focusing on the wrong mistake?
Ronnie,
I have no problem with you saying cutting off your driver didn’t work for you. Remember I also said that if you do you will likely need to add some lead tape to make it heavier to make up for the shorter length. DId you add tape? Likely not.
We had 5 students at our golf school who cut their drivers down and all loved it. And the blogs have numerous comments from those who cut down their drivers with much success.
Just because cutting off your driver didn’t work and magnetic bracelets didn’t work for you is no reason to boldly denounce them as wrong for everyone. Go read the ion and magnetic bracelet article again and note that I said they work for me and many others as many blogs have confirmed. I said maybe they actually work or maybe they are voodoo or hocus pocus. But if wearing them gives one relief, then that is good for them.
Just because cutting down your driver and magnetic bracelets did not work for you is no reason and is blatantly reckless to denounce both as worthless to everyone in light of the success so many have had and confirmed.
The Surge!
Frank,
If chocking down works for you, in that the club feels and works well, then that is OK.
It is not quite the same as cutting the the club down as the extra shaft beyond the top hand changes the weight and can change the shaft load and kick. Once cut down, most heads will need a little lead tape to add weight to the head as a shorter shaft will need a little more weight to get back it’s load and kick.
The Surge!
Jean-Marie,
You ask about shortening the shaft on your putter or jumbo grips can be a solution. I guess you’re asking a solution to putting better? well, they actually can be a solution.
If shortening your putter sets you up in a better posture and arm hanging position then it is good. Another issue is the putter sole being flat on the ground is a must for good solid contact and starting the ball on line. If a putter is toe up it is too upright and needs to be flattened. Cutting it shorter can also help if the length is too long. If the length is correct then the putter lie can be flattened if the metal of the head is bendable. You can check with you Club Pro or Club Fitter for advice on these points.
As regards jumbo grips,that is a matter of feel and function for the player to decide. Testing the grips on a test putter or just putting one on yours is probably the best to try out. If it works stay with it. If not, try different sizes and shapes to see if one is best. This could be a pretty long trial test but if you find something that works well and you make more putts, the time, effort, and expense is well worth it.
I have a few putters with mid size and 2 with the jumbo grips. I just changed one of the 2 with jumbo grips back to a regular size grip and it is presently the one in play in my bag.
So, it can’t hurt to try shorter length and a bigger grip as either or both may be better. If not, after having tried it you no longer will be wondering if the are better as you have tested them.
The Surge!
jean-marie laforge says:
December 12, 2009 at 8:03 pm
a week ago i think i asked what about shortening putter shfat ?
about changing a regular gripp for jumbo one allways on putter? are they a solution
or a occasionely trouble? excuse my english I am a french ,thanks if ever you answere me
or not. JML
Surge those Junior lessons/videos were fantastic!!! I taught young men in the Navy for many
years. In instructor training school they taught that” I hear and I forget. I see and I remember
and I DO and I UNDERSTAND”. This principal was superbly demonstrated when you taught
the kids!! My kudos to you and the crew. P.S. the lessons helped an old fogey(me). LOL
Thanks again.
I say this rather sheepishly. The driver I cut down had removable weights. I bought some heavier ones and increased the weight in the middle. That was a significant change for the good. As far as the bracelet. I was disappointed because I thought I could help my stepdad. I should have investigated this further. I am wearing mine.
Sorry
I have watched Don and DJs swings carefully on the pga site.At address the left arm is in line with the club,at the top of the backswing the club is at right angles to the left arm,the wrist is still in a flat plane,this applies also to almost every pro golfer As far as I can see the only way this can happen is if the wrist is “cocked”during the backswing.Itis not possible to go from in-line to 90degrees simply by turning the forearms over.
Don,
I see that you have a shot tracker, is this something that’s available to buy? It’s winter here in Maine so I can’t track, but I can practice my swing motion.
to Bill Burton:
YES IT IS!!
Simply take a club, assume your adress postion — and just “roll (or rotate) your forward wrist OVER your rear wrist.while maintaining a FLAT wrist. NOW — LOOK at the clubshaft — it will be 90 degrees (or damn near it) to your hands and forearms
GOOD GOLFING to ALL
Amos
to thorn Linehan:
The Shot Tracker is a database type program used to track you stats. You enter some data for the courses you play and also things like fariways hit, greens hit, etc — and it builds a database of results.
Shot Tracker is located in the Inner Circle area under the “Inner Circle” tab. I have not used it yet — so I can not really comment on “how good is it?”
Hope this helps
Amos
My main problem is to follow through with the driver and spoon. It works well with irons but not with those two. Looking for an idea how to train this efficiently, could not find any recommendation in the pdf-file on the PPGS
Surge:
It looks like you &D J both are closer to two o’clock just before the down swing.
I thought anything past twelve was heavy. Or maybe I just don’t understand.
Thanks,
William
Don,I live in New Brunswick Canada and all our golf is shut down from late October to late April because of our climate.I was wondering what I can do to keep sharp after I put everything away until next year.I know I can use inside putting mats to keep sharp on putt strokes but what about the rest of the clubs.Are the extra weighted clubs good for muscle toneing as they are shorter the can be swung indoors where the ceilings are much lower.I do keep in good shape by walking,shoveling and hunting.
I am sure there are others in the world with this same problem and was wondering if you would address it for us.
Thanks——Brian