It is easy to slip out of regular physical activity and the golf routine during the off-season and winter months.  Although it is natural for us to rest more in the cold months, it is also healthy for us to stay active.

Exercise helps to cleanse the body, improve circulation, and increase mind-body coordination.  I recommend having a regular workout program for golf consisting of:  stretching, cardio-vascular exercise, core strength training, and walking.

Do yoga stretching combined with deep breathing through the nose, at least once every day for 20-30 minutes (10 or 12 stretches).  Hold each stretch for 25 – 30 seconds.  Yoga is beneficial for flexibility and creates a connection between the mind, body, and spirit.  Do a cardiovascular workout to increase your heart rate for at least 15 minutes, working up to 45 minutes, four times a week.  Core strengthening exercises should be practiced twice a week.  Include upper body training which can be done with light weights or power bands.  Also, include leg strengthening exercises such as wall squats or sprint drills twice a week.

Take time to walk the golf course during the off-season to keep the walking muscles in shape.  When golf season approaches, it is helpful to walk in golf shoes at least nine holes a day.  When the weather permits, get a carry bag and walk the golf course.  Or, at least walk between shots whenever possible.

These tips should be helpful for staying in shape and in practice during the off-season of golf.  Our body will tell us what it needs if we listen to it.  If the body feels stiff one morning, then spend more time doing yoga.  If your legs feel overly sore from wall-squats, then ease up on the leg-strengthening exercises some.  Every individual person knows their body better than anyone else.  Being in tune with the body and tending to its needs is critical to healthy, happy living and an improved golf game!   Be sure to consult with your local trainer and/or physician for specific exercises designed for your level of fitness.

Though we may not physically play as much golf in the winter, we certainly can still practice with our minds.  Visualizing hitting successful golf shots for 10 – 15 minutes a day will bring about amazing results.  This mental exercise can be practiced during workouts each day, or whenever a spare moment is available.  Listening to tapes with positive subliminal messages about golf can be helpful as well.  Use tapes that have positive affirmations about the golf game; such as,” I am a great golfer,” and,” I play to the best of my ability.”  Hearing positive affirmations, whether consciously or subliminally on a consistent basis will turn your desires into reality.

“Focus on what is wanted on each shot.  For example, aim to a spot in the fairway vs. aiming away from the water.”

- J.L. Lewis, PGA TOUR Professional

The great Severiano Ballesteros passed away recently and the world lost one of the greatest players ever. His love of competition and the game of golf was legendary among golf fans around the world. He was considered the greatest short game player by his peers and his ability to make the best score possible from all situations will be remembered for eternity. I was fortunate to be paired with Seve in one round at the Players Championship. He was enjoyable to play with and put on a short game clinic by having 22 putts along with 6 of the best up and downs I’d ever seen. TPC Sawgrass is one of the toughest courses around the greens on the PGA TOUR and Seve got the ball up and down from everywhere using a variety of different clubs. He told me during the round that the biggest technological advance in golf was the 60 degree sand wedge. He gave me advice on chipping and pitching the ball and encouraged me to spend more time working on my short game. His advice has stuck with me and has made me a better player. Seve had a level of courage and charisma that may never be seen again.

Best Golf Instruction – Green Side Bunker Tip

The most important thing to remember in a green side bunker is ball position. Most golfers need to play the ball farther forward in the stance than they do.  Playing the ball farther forward will force them to be on their left side at address and create a steeper takeaway without having to think about it. This will also make it easier to use the bounce of the club and get the ball up and out of the bunker with ease. The next time you’re in a green side bunker, move the ball one inch forward in the stance and do everything else the same.

For more golf tips or to take an on-the-course golfers guide with you to the golf course, visit JLLewisGolfTips.com!

Best Golf Instruction: Enjoy the Game of Golf

The most important reason to play golf is without question the enjoyment of the game. Golf is such a great getaway from the business world and a perfect way to de-stress after a tough day or week on the job. Working to improve or playing well in competition can best be accomplished if you  are enjoying yourself. If you are frustrated or upset in any way by the game of golf or anything else in your life then it will be more difficult to attain your playing potential. A clear mind and a light mood free from worries is a good set up for a good time and best results.

For some educated golf entertainment, play the Golf Swing Challenge Game!

Best Golf Instruction Series Summary

To become a better golfer it is essential to consistently strike shots that travel exact distances.  There are several variables involved in this process including: golf equipment, golf swing techniques, different playing conditions, adrenaline under pressure, and knowing your capabilities on each day.

Be Fitted with the Proper Golf Equipment

Starting with golf equipment, the most important component is the golf ball.  Having the correct launch and spin will greatly increase your chances of consistent shot making. Go to a local club fitting center to measure launch and spin to determine the best ball for you. Next, be sure to determine the proper length clubs with the correct shaft, golf grip size, loft and lie of the club head, and club head type that matches your ability level. The higher handicap player will need a more forgiving club head than a lower handicap player. All of these components can be determined at the fitting center and perfected by trial and error on the course. If you have the correct golf equipment, only small adjustments are needed to realize your ball striking potential.

Swing Tips – Producing a Consistent Golf Swing

After deciding on golf equipment, make sure that your fundamentals are correct so that you can develop a consistent golf swing that produces the same speed on every shot. Even top level golfers have problems with this and need to make adjustments.  This can be corrected by making adjustments to the basic fundamentals of the golf grip, ball position, stance, or posture, or a change during the golf swing. Long hitters have more of a challenge because their mistakes are amplified due to their high swing speed. A consistent golf swing can be achieved by knowing the pre-swing fundamentals and by finding a good teaching professional to clarify what adjustments and swing keys will help to produce a consistent swing.

Golf Exercise – Learning Distance Control

Knowing Golf Course Conditions

Once you have the correct equipment and proper swing techniques the next step to distance control and good shot making is knowing how different conditions will affect how far the golf ball travels.  For example: at sea level with no wind my 8 iron flies 154 yards when the temperature is above 75 degrees. If the temperature is lower than 75 degrees, the ball flies proportionally shorter.  At sea level, in 40 degree temperature the ball will fly 145 yards with no wind. The only way to really learn this invaluable information is to practice in all conditions and elevations. Distance the ball travels is effected by wind, altitude, temperature, humidity, and the condition of the golf ball. Experience is the best teacher and writing down how far each shot flies in practice and during rounds will expedite this learning process.

Adrenaline

Another important factor in distance control is understanding how adrenaline increases under pressure will increase strength and club head speed. During my career I have been in contention to win on several occasions and I know that nerves and adrenaline increase club head speed and cause the ball to travel farther than normal. I allow for five to ten yards more carry on short to mid iron shots and 10 to 20 yards more carry on long iron and tee shots. Know this tendency, and realize this is a good thing because the farther the ball can fly the shorter the course will play. The more you can experience this state of heightened awareness when in contention the more comfortable and effective you will be. This nervous feeling is the reason for playing in competition and should be welcomed because it means you are playing well and getting closer to reaching your potential.  Performing well when you are pressured is essential for any competitive golfer to be their best.

Physical Condition

Finally, the  factor that is different each day is how you are feeling. Some days the strength level is 100%, and other days it may be 50% depending on what you ate, if you are feeling ill, how you slept the night before, or what is going on mentally that could affect your energy level. On the range prior to the round is the time to determine all of these variables that could affect your ability to swing the club consistently. I know on full strength days there is no doubt that I will make full swings as much as possible, but on days when my energy is less than normal I will take more club and swing easier to produce the needed yardage. Again, experience will teach you all of this important on course knowledge that if used properly will improve scoring ability in all conditions.

For more golf tips, visit JLLewisGolfTips.com.

Golf Exercise – Learning Distance Control

Best Golf Instruction Series 3:

Golf Course Conditions, Adrenaline, and Energy Level

To become a better golfer it is essential to consistently strike shots that travel exact distances.  There are several variables involved in this process including: golf equipment, golf swing techniques, different playing conditions, adrenaline under pressure, and knowing your capabilities on each day.

It’s important to first be fitted with the proper golf equipment, and then to develop a consistent golf swing.  To learn more about these steps for knowing yardages with each golf club, read the first and second articles in this series, Be Fitted with the Proper Golf Equipment, and Swing Tips – Producing a Consistent Golf Swing.

Knowing Golf Course Conditions

Once you have the correct equipment and proper swing techniques the next step to distance control and good shot making is knowing how different conditions will affect how far the golf ball travels.  For example: at sea level with no wind my 8 iron flies 154 yards when the temperature is above 75 degrees. If the temperature is lower than 75 degrees, the ball flies proportionally shorter.  At sea level, in 40 degree temperature the ball will fly 145 yards with no wind. The only way to really learn this invaluable information is to practice in all conditions and elevations. Distance the ball travels is effected by wind, altitude, temperature, humidity, and the condition of the golf ball. Experience is the best teacher and writing down how far each shot flies in practice and during rounds will expedite this learning process.

Adrenaline

Another important factor in distance control is understanding how adrenaline increases under pressure will increase strength and club head speed. During my career I have been in contention to win on several occasions and I know that nerves and adrenaline increase club head speed and cause the ball to travel farther than normal. I allow for five to ten yards more carry on short to mid iron shots and 10 to 20 yards more carry on long iron and tee shots. Know this tendency, and realize this is a good thing because the farther the ball can fly the shorter the course will play. The more you can experience this state of heightened awareness when in contention the more comfortable and effective you will be. This nervous feeling is the reason for playing in competition and should be welcomed because it means you are playing well and getting closer to reaching your potential.  Performing well when you are pressured is essential for any competitive golfer to be their best.

Physical Condition

Finally, the  factor that is different each day is how you are feeling. Some days the strength level is 100%, and other days it may be 50% depending on what you ate, if you are feeling ill, how you slept the night before, or what is going on mentally that could affect your energy level. On the range prior to the round is the time to determine all of these variables that could affect your ability to swing the club consistently. I know on full strength days there is no doubt that I will make full swings as much as possible, but on days when my energy is less than normal I will take more club and swing easier to produce the needed yardage. Again, experience will teach you all of this important on course knowledge that if used properly will improve scoring ability in all conditions.

Swing Tips – Producing a Consistent Golf Swing

Best Golf Instruction Series Part 2

To become a better golfer it is essential to consistently strike shots that travel exact distances.  There are several variables involved in this process including: golf equipment, golf swing techniques, different playing conditions, adrenaline under pressure, and knowing your capabilities on each day.

It’s important to be fitted with the proper golf equipment before being able to produce a consistent swing.  For more information, read the first article in this series, Best Golf Instruction: Know Yardages with Each Club – Be Fitted with the Proper Golf Equipment.

After deciding on golf equipment, make sure that your fundamentals are correct so that you can develop a consistent golf swing that produces the same speed on every shot.  Even top level golfers have problems with this and need to make adjustments.  This can be corrected by making adjustments to the basic fundamentals of the golf grip, ball position, stance, or posture, or a change during the golf swing.  Long hitters have more of a challenge because their mistakes are amplified due to their high swing speed.  A consistent golf swing can be achieved by knowing the pre-swing fundamentals and by finding a good teaching professional to clarify what adjustments and swing keys will help to produce a consistent swing.

For more useful golf tips visit JLLewisGolfTips.com.  To find a good teaching professional in your area, contact your local PGA section.

The next article in the Best Golf Instruction Series: Know Yardages with Each Club, Golf Exercise – Learning Distance Control!

Be Fitted with the Proper Golf Equipment

Best Golf Instruction Series Part 1

To become a better golfer it is essential to consistently strike shots that travel exact distances.  There are several variables involved in this process including: golf equipment, golf swing techniques, different playing conditions, adrenaline under pressure, and knowing your capabilities on each day.

Starting with golf equipment, the most important component is the golf ball.  Having the correct launch and spin will greatly increase your chances of consistent shot making. Go to a local club fitting center to measure launch and spin to determine the best ball for you. Next, be sure to determine the proper length clubs with the correct shaft, golf grip size, loft and lie of the club head, and club head type that matches your ability level. The higher handicap player will need a more forgiving club head than a lower handicap player. All of these components can be determined at the fitting center and perfected by trial and error on the course. If you have the correct golf equipment, only small adjustments are needed to realize your ball striking potential.

Stay tuned for the next article in this series, Best Golf Instruction: Know Yardages with Each Golf Club.  Up next, Swing Tips: Producing a Consistent Golf Swing.

Have questions?  Post them as a comment and we will answer them promptly!

PGA Player J.L. Lewis Teaches Golf Exercises for Pitching and Chipping

PGA TOUR Pro J.L. Lewis gives the best golf instruction video tips. In this video he addresses a common error in pitching and chipping, and offers helpful golf exercises and swing tips; keeping the “triangle” between the arms while swinging, and gripping two clubs at once during practice.

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