Ben Hogan 1953 

Here is some great footage of Ben Hogan from 1953. We can learn from watching a true ball striker like Hogan. Watch how well he rotates during the golf swing with some of the best swing tempo you will ever see on display.

 

Ball Flight Laws

What shape are your shots?

This diagram can tell you what you need to work on in your golf swing. For example if you 

come from the outside in you likely hit a pull, pull hook or pull slice. This is common when coming over the top. Fix the path and your golf shots will improve.

For more information contact Mark Grainger at Grainger Golf Instruction (519) 546-8155 or graingergolf@rocketmail.com

 

Many different hazards to showcase this week at the US Open. Can a golf course be set up too tough for some of the worlds best players? What do the golf fans want to view at major championships? Myself I like to view a challenging yet fair golf course which will allow for scoring if good shots are hit. It would seem according to some of the players this may not be the theme of this weeks event. If you hit good shots you should be rewarded. Push back from the players have seen the cutting down of the rough by the USGA. Time will tell if the golf course set up is fair for the fans who pay good money to view good golf not impossible golf. Just a thought. Have a great day.


http://www.golf.com/tour-news/2017/06/13/usga-mows-some-fescue-erin-hills-after-rain-makes-it-unplayable

Here's a link to Club Test:

The most important club in the golf bag

Always get fitted. Putters are fitted for lie, loft & length. All can influence how you roll the golf ball.

http://www.golf.com/equipment/2017/05/17/golf-putter-reviews-2017-39-new-putters-tested-and-rated

How to track what needs improvement in your game:

Simply keep track of a few stats over a few games

Fairways hit

Greens in regulation

Pitches, Chips & Putts

Score

From these stats you can decide what part of your game needs work:

If you don't hit many fairways maybe your driving is causing you to lose shots 

If you miss greens your putting a great deal of pressure on your short game

If you pitch or chip can you hit a spot usually 3 to 4 feet from the hole

Putting accounts for 45% of a golfers score

How many putts 

These stats will unlock some key knowledge to your scoring

I hope this helps you play better golf and perhaps consider taking some instruction from a 

certified teaching professional

Enjoy the greatest game in the world

I've added a new location:

Wedgewood Golf Centre
1535 Plains Rd W, Burlington, ON

Lessons and Clinics
23 years teaching experience
Novice to advanced golfers 

For more information email Mark
graingergolf@rocketmail.com 
Tel: 519 546 8155

Blogging Again:

I'm starting my blog again this month and will be updating on a regular basis
Sharing information to help golfers play better golf
I'm teaching at the following locations for the 2017 golf season

Ariss Valley Golf & Country Club (just north of Guelph and central to KW, Fergus and Cambridge)
www.arissvalley.com 

Wedgewood Golf Centre (Driving Range)
1535 Plains Rd W, Burlington, ON L7T 4H1

For lesson enquiries I can be reached at:

graingergolf@rocketmail.com 

Keeping a Consistent Spine Angle During the Swing

Do you find yourself hitting the golf ball thin or not getting much loft to your golf shots?
Ever hear the saying "you lifted your head"?

It's not actually lifting your head that's causing the problem. Your spine angle is changing during the golf swing. The reason your spine angle is changing is due to your rear end moving towards the golf ball on your downswing which causes you to come up and out of golf shots. Here's a simple fix for the problem. Take a folding chair and have the back of the chair touching your rear end at the address position. Simply keep your rear end touching the chair at all times during the golf swing. On my back swing the right side of my rear end (left side for left handed players) is touching the chair. At impact I want and beyond to the finish my left side of my rear end (right side for left handed players) is touching the chair. I feel during the swing my rear end is pressuring backwards. You will see in the video the chair actually moves backwards. I hit the shot with a great deal of loft. This is an easy drill you can perform anywhere while swinging a club and improve your ball striking. 
For more information about this drill or if you have any questions about lessons please email Mark at graingergolf@rocketmail.com 

Simple instruction for better golf 

    

Hitting Crist Pitch Shots

Have you ever hit a pitch shot that feels as though you miss hit the shot? 

Check the following:

Ball position usually in the middle of your stance
A slight amount of weight at address on your left side ( right side for left handed players)
The club shaft at the address position leans slightly towards your target
Back swing length controls how far the golf ball will travel.
At impact I'm brushing the grass
My body is turning towards my target. I think of my chest rotating which keeps the club moving and you hit crisp pitch shots
Notice in the video the club face points to the sky and I have extended my arms and held my finish
These few points will help you with your short game shots and play better golf
I started teaching on course golf lessons at Ariss Valley Golf & Country Club. Ariss Valley has a wonderful 27 hole layout. Each 9 hole course is very unique which makes learning the game easy in this relaxed environment. On course lessons allow you to experience learning what it feels like to have success on the golf course and less thinking how to get your game from the range to the golf course.  
For more information contact Mark at graingergolf@rocketmail.com
 

 

 

   
 

The Golf Season is Here

With the golf season finally upon us take the time to warm up before you either start practicing or playing. Remember if you haven't been swinging the club during the winter your muscles won't be used to the motion of the golf swing or any short game shots including putting. This can lead to strains or pulls and can keep you from playing the game to the best of your ability or playing at all while an injury heals. If you don't have a warm up program talk to an athletic trainer or a golf instructor. Always consult your doctor before starting any workout activity. Thinking about health and wellness before and after any athletic activity keeps us active and moving. If you would like to improve your game this season consider taking lessons with someone who updates instruction in all areas. Watch for future posts during the season with tips to help you play golf to the best of your ability. For further information email Mark at graingergolf@rocketmail.com 

I'm teaching this summer at the following locations:

Club 6 Driving Range 
4560 Concession 7
Maltby Road and the Hanlon
Guelph

Ariss Valley Golf & Country Club
5700 County Road 86 (Elmira Road)

Jarzies (Indoors with a full launch monitor)
175 Dawson Road
Guelph


   

Short Putts

During a round of golf you will have a number of these 3 to 5 footers to save par. Usually tour players that win tournaments have a very high average for the week making these length of putts. This particular putt was approximately 4 feet in length with a slight break from left to right. Two schools of thought. More speed and less break or more break and less speed. The first putt I hit with more speed and no break. The last two putts I hit aiming left edge of the hole but not giving the hole away.


A Few Points (Keep it Simple):

I set my putter square to the line and my body parallel to that line

Putter back and square to the line through the strike area

I prefer more speed and less break

Decide for yourself more speed and less break or less speed and more break

Keep it simple and you will make more of these putts and lower scores

For more information or to book a lesson with Mark email graingergolf@rocketmail.com
Putting made easy with tour proven instruction

Ball Flight Laws

They're 9 ball flight patterns:

Pull hook
Pull
Pull slice

Draw
Straight
Fade

Push hook
Push
Push slice

These laws apply only when proper alignment is observed.

Ball flight is influenced by the following:

Club head path
Club face angle
Loft at impact
Club head speed



Set up is very important to your golf shots. If your having trouble check alignment first followed by observing one of the ball flight laws. When setting up to the golf ball ensure your feet, knees, hips and shoulders are parallel to the club face and golf ball line. 
For more information about ball flight laws or to book a lesson with Mark simply email me at 
graingergolf@rocketmail.com

Check back often for future tips and clues to unlocking your best golf.

Thank you for reading my blog and please send feedback or comments if you want me to address any topics.  

For Those Who Have Trouble Chipping (The Bump & Run)

A great number of golfers have trouble with the bump and run chip shot from the rough or a tight lie. This will help you not only hit the golf shot with consistency but also give you a higher success rate and you may make a few as well. Considering most of your scoring is around the greens it makes sense to practice these shots with a goal of lower scores or to enjoy the game more.

Here's how and its simple:

This shot was about 30 feet in length

I selected a 9 iron because I wanted the golf ball to roll as quickly as possible

I play the golf shot from the middle of my stance half shoulder width apart

Hands are slightly ahead of centre at the address position

I raise my hands so the toe of the golf club goes down at the address position. You will see some arching with my right hand.

I swing the club just like a putting motion rocking my shoulders and swinging my arms

This is a very easy way to hit the golf shot with a high success rate

Remember if grip pressure stays the same length of back swing determines how far the shot will travel. This shot can be played depending upon length with any club from a fairway metal to your lob wedge.

For more information or to book a lesson contact Mark at graingergolf@rocketmail.com

Keeping the game simple makes scoring easier.

What Can You Learn From Your Golf Shots During A Round Of Golf

Have you ever considered keeping track of a few simple stats? By doing this you can have a good indication where your golf shots are helping your scores and hurting your scores as well. 

Here's How:

Drives in the fairway

Greens in regulation

Chipping pitching and putts

Now an example:

In a round of golf I hit 10 fairways out of 14

I hit 8 greens in regulation. 

I have 45 shots chipping, pitching and putting

These stats tell me I'm driving the golf ball well. Only 8 greens in regulation tell me my iron shots are a little weak. 45 shots around the greens tell me my short game really needs work. 

Summary:

Improve iron shots and shots around the greens. I would therefore spend more time on these during practice.

Beginners should have a goal of getting the ball in play off the tee and maybe a extra or two shots to get to the green until you improve. 

For more information or to book a lesson with Mark email graingergolf@rocketmail.com 

Always have a goal when you play golf as goal's help you improve.

Create Lag and Inside Club Path in Your Swing for Added Distance

Follow this simple drill to add lag to your down swing and improve your club path.

Simply swing the golf club to the top of the back swing.
I slide my right hand (left hand for left handed players) towards the club head.
I shift my weight as I would hitting a golf shot to my left side (right side for left handed players)
With the hand closest to the club head force the angle created on the back swing to maintain which helps you learn to lag the golf club and bring the club back to the ball from the inside.
Look closely at the angle (left arm and golf club) Now that's lag. My left hand reaches my thigh and I still have the angle.  
For further help contact Mark at graingergolf@rocketmail.com

A few simple drills and some work can really help you enjoy the game more.

3 Helpful Drills (Create More Distance Follow Up)

Weight Transfer:

The video shows weight transfer. On the back swing weight shifts to my right side (left side for left handed players) Simply follow the video. This helps you to learn to hit the golf ball with your larger muscle groups like your legs.

Hinge and Un-hinge Drill:

Hinge your wrists on the back swing storing energy and un-hinge just before impact. This helps you create club head speed when combined with weight transfer. It also helps with squaring the club face at impact. Simply follow the easy drill.

Rotation Drill:

Rotation is very important for the golf swing. You turn away and turn back through. This helps with club path and club head speed. Combine this with Weight Transfer, Hinging and you will hit the golf ball further and more consistent. Simply follow this easy drill by turning as best as you can away from the target. I attempt to move my left shoulder (right shoulder for left handed players back to the golf ball. Turn as best as you can.

 

 

All 3 Drills Will Give You This:

For more information or to book a lesson contact Mark at graingergolf@rocketmail.com
Improving golfers for 19 years

3 Things to Create Distance in the Swing

To create some extra distance when striking the golf ball you need the following:

Weight Transfer:

The weight of your body follows the club at all times during the swing

Wrist Hinging:

During the swing you hinge your wrists on the back swing and unhinge just before impact

Rotation:

During the swing you rotate your body back and rotate your body thru.

Combine all these together and you will hit the golf ball much further with accuracy. Stay tuned for video of drills to help you achieve more distance when striking golf shots.

For more information or to book a lesson contact Mark at graingergolf@rocketmail.com

Keep it on the short grass

Turn Your Chest on Pitch Shots

A common mistake golfers make when hitting pitch shots is during the downswing they stop turning their chest. The arms continue moving and a scooping motion occurs which can cause all kinds of problems such as mishits sending the golf ball in the wrong direction over the green or in most cases well short of the intended target. The shot below I hit from very deep rough and kept the club moving by turning my chest with my arms. This keeps the club moving with limited chance the rough will grab the hosel and turn the face closed at impact.



The Shot:

60 degree lob wedge
Ball position just forward of centre
Stance slightly open and half shoulder width apart
Weight slightly towards my left leg, right leg for left handed players at address 
Shaft leans slightly towards target at address. The less lean the higher you will hit the shot
Takeaway is slightly steeper to to create a steeper angle of attack on the down swing
On the down swing more weight shifts to my left side, right side for left handed players
My arms and my chest turn with the club allowing the momentum I've gained during the back swing to keep going. This also keeps the face of the club square at impact. Notice the club face points to the sky during the follow through. The result is a well hit pitch which will land soft. If you want to improve your scoring start by improving your short game.

For more information on hitting this shot or booking a lesson contact Mark at the following,
graingergolf@rocketmail.com

Enjoy the best game we play

Is Loft on Your Putter Hurting Your Results on the Greens?

Most putters used by golfers these days have 4.5 to 5 degrees of loft. This usually means when golfers hit putts the golf ball will get airborne after impact. The quicker you get the golf ball to roll, the more accurate your putts will be. To decrease the loft of a putter at impact hand start position is important at the address position. You will notice in the video my hands start slightly forward at the address position to the hole which also leans the putter shaft towards the hole as well. This decreases the loft of the putter and if the rise angle is greater than the loft at impact you will produce good forward roll. If you aim correctly and produce good forward roll with correct speed you will increase your chances of making the putt.
For more information or to book a putting lesson email Mark at graingergolf@rocketmail.com

Roll Them Pure

Building A Golf Swing

Frank and I have been working on his golf swing for a little over a year.  Great grip and set up provides a good starting point to proceed with the golf swing. We've also worked on the takeaway and extension on the back swing to provide a solid position at the top ready for a powerful move to the impact position. Slight shaft lean towards target at impact help with a solid strike. Good extension carries Frank to a good finish. All round a good golf swing for a little over a year starting from the beginning. This swing with a good short game and putting will allow Frank to shoot some good scores this summer as his game develops. Well done Frank.
For more information on improving your game contact Mark at graingergolf@rocketmail.com
Enjoy the wonderful golfing weather. The wait has been worth it.