The Golfing Blog

Growing Your Business Through Golf Entertainment

Even though golf has had its ups and downs in this economy it seems to still be one of the business tools preferred for entertaining clients. For several years I have served as the Teaching Professional for VIP Sports Marketing at amazing golf events such as the Masters, U.S. Open, and the Ryder Cup. During those events I have had the opportunity to teach people from all over the world who have brought to the event as a guest.

With the U.S. Open only a few weeks away I sat down with Alex Pramenko the President of VIP Sports Marketing to ask him a simple question.

Scott: Why should you entertain clients or reward your staff at premiere sporting events such as The Masters Golf Tournament, US Open, Ryder Cup Matches?

Alex: Entertaining at these events truly shows the appreciation you have for your client or staff. The Masters is ranked as the toughest ticket to get for any sport and only a small percentage of people each year are lucky enough to attend. These events leave a life-long memory that for most is a once in a lifetime opportunity. When you take a client or potential client to a premiere event they are going to remember you anytime they do business that is associated with what you do. That memory can and will push you over your competitors. The same is true if you run an award incentive for your sales staff. An award to the person that meets your incentive criteria will make everyone work harder to achieve the goal of attending the prestigious event. Above all, the most important reason to do this is a good Return On Investment (ROI). These events have a cost, but you will make up this cost and earn money in the process.

Scott: Thank you for your time Alex.

If you would like to know more about this special way to entertain clients or staff click here and tell them Scott sent you.

Putting: Distance control and what you need to know

There are two main controls in putting that need to be mastered to be an excellent putter, they are controlling your direction and controlling your distance.

According to the rules of golf the diameter of a golf ball is 1.68" and the diameter of the hole is 4.25" and when you ask most golfers they will tell you that these a two constants that never change. It is true that the size of the ball does not change but did you know that depending on your distance control the size of the to which you putt DOES change.

There is now extensive research provided by Aimpoint Golf that shows the effective size of the hole to which you putt has everything to do with what they call "capture speed". "Capture speed" is the pace at which the ball is rolling at the hole. And that "capture speed" determines the "Effective Size" of the hole which is the amount of hole you have that will allow 1/2 of the ball to fall below the top of the hole. You need to have at least 1/2 the ball to fall below the top of the cup for the ball to have a chance of going in.

According to Aimpoint's research a ball which is rolling at the optimal capture speed will come to rest 6-12" past the hole if it does not go in.

Here are some interesting numbers when it comes to capture speed and the size of the hole to which you are putting:

When a putt finishes 6-12" past the effective hole size where 1/2 the ball can fall below the top of the hole goes from 4.25" to 3.9" in diameter,

When a putt finishes 24" past the hole the effective size of the hole shrinks to only 1.9",

And if you roll the ball at a speed where it finishes 48" past the hole the effective size of the hole is only 1".

If you are interested in dropping more putts and seeing scores drop contact Scott by clicking here.

Steady As She Goes For Better Putting

THE PROBLEM
This season during my Putting Schools I have noticed a trend among the students and it is not a good trend. It has become very common for golfers to look to see where their putt is going before their putter makes contact with the golf ball. There is no reason to prematurely look to see where the ball is going because there are only 3 places the ball can finish: on the green, in the hole or off the green.

When a golfer looks for the ball prematurely the tendency is for them to leave their preset posture by rising up which alters the bottom of their putting arch and they will usually compensate with their hands. The result is inconsistent contact which leads to poor distance and directional control.

Unfortunately, once it has become ingrained it can be very difficult to feel yourself make this mistake. An easy way to check is to set up to putt with a small mirror on the ground so you can see yourself in it. Next, putt a ball and hold your finish position. Now while holding your finish position look back into the mirror to see if your head is still in its original position. If it is not it is time to get to work.

THE CURE
Making your head more steady during the stroke is a 3 step process.
Step 1:
Once again set up with a small mirror on the ground, next make practice strokes while staring into the mirror. Continue to practice in this manner until you can match a feeling while seeing in the mirror that your head remains steady throughout the putting stroke.

Step 2:
Now it is time to putt balls. Set up focus on the ball, make your putting stroke but keep your eyes focused on the original spot of the golf ball. Do not let your eyes follow the ball and hold your finish position for 5 seconds. After 5 seconds check the result of your putt.

Step 3:
This time putt the ball and keep your eyes focused on the original spot of the ball until the ball has left your peripheral vision. Once the the ball has left your field of vision rotate your head to follow the ball while holding your finish position.

A steady head leads to more putts made. If you want to become a better putter contact Scott today by clicking here.

Sweep Away Fairway Metal Problems

Are you having problems consistently striking your fairway metals crisp and clean?

Maybe you are using the wrong approach. Unfortunately most amateur golfers who are unsuccessful with fairway metals use one of two approaches, they either try to strike the ball with a descending blow or lift the ball off the ground. It is actually very simple to become a better fairway metal player.

THINK SWEEP! First make several practice swings while focusing on lightly brushing the turf. You should hear a "swoosh" as the club head sweeps across the top of the turf. If you make heavy contact with the ground or do not make contact with the ground, continue practice swings until you can consistently brush the turf.

Once your practice swings become consistent it is time to add the ball. Start by positioning the ball so it is aligned within a few inches of the inside of your target side heel. Make one more practice swing, if it feels right step in and SWEEP the ball away.

If you are interested in playing better golf contact Scott by clicking here today.

Winning Edge Golf adds Online Coaching to its offerings

In an effort to help make game improvement more accessible, Winning Edge Golf has added Online Coaching to the services it offers.

The Online Coaching which is powered by LessonVision and allows Winning Edge Golf Director of Instruction and PGA Golf Professional, Scott Szybowicz to view a student's video then provide an evaluation and recommendations by using tools such as side by side comparisons, voice-over and on-screen graphics.

The new system will be used by Winning Edge in 2 ways:
Golfers may upload videos to the system and request coaching for a nominal fee.
or
The service will be provided free of charge and used for summarizing game
improvement sessions and as a method of reference for golfers who are members
of the Winning Edge Golf Game Improvement Series.

Each golfer will have their own video locker where they can access their videos from any computer 24 hours a day.

For more information about Online Coaching click here.

Focusing on Scoring in Golf

Did you know that approximately 65% of the game of golf is played from within 50 yards of the hole? Did you also know that it is also probably the least understood and least practiced part of the average player's game?

Improving your golf game from within 50 yards of the hole is the fastest way to lower your scores.

In an effort to help players improve their scoring in 2011, Winning Edge Golf is going to be conducting a series of Scott Szybowicz' Scoring Schools starting on Sunday, May 1st. To maximize the learning experience all schools are limited to only 4 golfers.

In Chicago, Illinois
The Putting and Chipping School at Robert Black Golf Course
Sunday, May 1st, 12:00-2:00pm

The Wedge and Bunker School at Robert Black Golf Course
Sunday, May 1st, 2:30-4:30pm

In Deerfield, Illinois
The Putting and Chipping School
Saturday, May 7th, 9:00-11:00am

The Wedge and Bunker School
Saturday, May 7th, 11:30am-1:30pm

Shoot your best scores in 2011. For more information about these schools or to attend a school click here.

Sklz Quickster: The Perfect Name

This week is Masters week and I am down in Augusta teaching people from all over the world for VIP Sports Marketing at their Lodge on Heath which is located directly across from Gate 9 of The National.

Because we do not have access to a range it is important that I am constantly looking for equipment which will allow me to give the guests the best experience. I have a few simple requirements for the equipment I select: it must be of good quality, look good, be very compact and portable, and most of all I must be able to set up and take down the equipment quickly.

It has taken a while but I have finally found what I have been searching for and it is appropriately named the Sklz Quickster Net. First it comes in a bag with a carrying strap which is less than 4 feet long and the entire size of the bag is slightly larger than that of those collapsible lawn chairs people carry around to kids games and camping. Next the frame is made of a lightweight metal tubing that comes in three sections, each piece of the section is attached to the other by bungee cord which makes it impossible to not connect the pieces(which are snap and click) together correctly. As you connect the pieces the bungee cord disappears inside the tubing.

The netting for the Quickster has a little pin that inserts at the top of each pole and a grommet that attaches at the bottom of the frame.

The total elapsed time from the moment I opened the bag until I was ready to give my first lesson was less than 2 minutes!

I have definitely found the piece of equipment that will make my off course teaching much easier.

It's Masters Week

It is Sunny and 65 without a cloud in the sky. The grass is an amazing shade of green and the flowers are blooming everywhere. You can feel the electricity in the air at Augusta National Golf Club because it is Masters week.

As I wander around the course today, there is a different feel to the event than in the past. It may just be my imagination but it seems like there are more people here today on a Tuesday than I have seen in the last 5 years. The players are still out on 16 during the practice round trying to skip the ball across the pond and closest to the hole but the crowds are much more vocal and having more fun. I could actually hear them roar from the clubhouse. It sounds like a Sunday afternoon at Augusta.

My prediction? I have no idea and I am the first to admit that I am terrible at predicting tournament winners.

But if I had to pick a winner. It is just a sense, but I have a feeling this year's Masters could be a fun and wide open affair and the winner will be the fans.

It is Masters week and the golf season has truly arrived!

Drill: Keeping quiet will improve your putting

A key thought to keep in mind when putting is, "The quieter I keep my putting stroke, the better putter I will be". Because of the advancements in golf course grooming the mechanics of the modern putting stroke have evolved from "hitting the ball" to "swinging the putter and allowing the ball to be in the way". This means that I like to see very quiet hands and wrists in my students while they are putting. By having quiet hands and wrists the putter swing has a constant bottom and the putter face is consistently in better position when it makes contact with the ball.

Here is a simple instant feedback drill which will help you create quiet hands and wrists which means a better putting stroke.

What you need:
All you need for this drill is your putter, 4 golf balls and an area in which to putt.

Here's the drill:
Select a target at which to putt. Go through your normal set up routine with one exception before before you begin to putt place a golf ball so that it is between your wrists then apply light pressure to hold the ball in place.

Once you have got the golf ball between your wrists begin putting balls toward your target 3 balls at a time. During the drill, focus on keeping your hands and wrists quiet throughout the putting stroke. If your hands or wrists become overactive during the motion the ball between your wrists will either move or fall out.

By keeping the golf ball between your wrists in place you should quickly see an improvement in your ball contact and performance.

If you would like Scott to help you with your putting performance click here.

A Putting Drill: Knowing Your Distances

Having a fundamentally sound putting stroke allows you to be a good putter but does not guarantee success. There are two equally important components in putting, distance and direction. You cannot succeed without both but knowing your distances can make your golfing life simpler and reduce the likelihood of three-putting.

This putting drill will help you learn your putting distances in a simple and systematic way.

What you need:
For this drill you will need your putter, golf balls, a tape measure (12 foot or longer), (4) ball markers and a putting green. In order for this to be an effective drill it is important that you drill on the same putting green each time you practice.

The set up:
To set up for the drill select a flat spot on the putting green where you can roll a putt up to 12 feet in length. If you can putt to a hole, that's great otherwise simply place a tee in the ground towards which you can putt. It is important to always have a specific target. Now measure off a 3 foot putt and place a ball marker then do the same from 6, 9, and 12 feet away from your target.

The drill:
The drill is very simple, start putting from 3 feet away from your target while focusing on feeling the length of your stroke. Focus your attention what distance is produced by each length swing. Your goal is to find a length swing which will consistently produce a 3 foot putt. Once you are successful from 3 feet away progress to 6, 9, and 12 feet away. Do this drill during every practice session until you can consistently roll the ball the distance you desire.

Taking it on the road:
Once you have honed your distance control on your home putting green it is time to take the show on the road. The next time you play away from your home course give yourself plenty of time to warm up and the first thing you want to do is head for the putting green to learn your distances. Once at the putting green measure out your 3, 6, 9, and 12 foot putts. Start at 3 feet, make your normal 3 foot stroke to get a reference point to see how far the ball rolls. The odds are that your ball will not roll the same distance as on your home green which will require you to slightly shorten or lengthen your putting stroke. By performing this drill you will quickly know how to putt the greens on that day.

By having a putting distance system you can become a more consistent and successful putter, no matter where you play.