How do you take your game from the range to the course!
Golf Chats is a website to encourage discussions on various subjects relating to the game of golf. I am Mel Sole, Director of Instruction of the Mel Sole Golf School and SAPGA Master Professional. I invite you to enter into a discussion on this or any article on the golfchats.com website. The input is for the entire subscriber base to learn something new each time! Please post your comments below. Keep it clean and tasteful. We are here to learn from one another!
Why is it that most golfers struggle to take their golf game from the range to the course?
Almost every golfer I have ever spoken to has this dilemma! “I hit it great on the range, but when I go to the course five minutes later, I struggle to have the same results!” Sound familiar? That is because to improve, the latest research has shown that you need to do “Block Practice,” which we are all familiar with, standing on the range and hitting balls in a repeatable fashion.
Block Practice.
The trouble is we don’t play golf like that, so we also need “Random Practice.” Random practice is dropping balls around the green and playing them out one by one. Hit a pitch shot to a green, then take your putter and hole out. Next, drop your ball in the bunker, blast out, take your putter, and hole out. You see the trend here. Random practice is with one ball, playing multiple shot variations, and hole each one out. If you wanted to make it more interesting, do this twenty times and keep a total number of shots. Each time you do your random practice, try and improve on your last score! Using a combination of Block and Random practice will help you not only take your game to the course, but your overall skills will have improved as well! Good luck!
No Handicap – Get it Now for Free from Golf Digest!
Golf Chats is a website to encourage discussions on various subjects relating to the game of golf. I am Mel Sole, Director of Instruction of the Mel Sole Golf School and SAPGA Master Professional. I invite you to enter into a discussion on this or any article on the golfchats.com website. The input is for the entire subscriber base to learn something new each time! Please post your comments below. Keep it clean and tasteful. We are here to learn from one another!
Everyone who golfs should have a handicap. I was surprised to learn that less than 20% of USA golfers have one.
Owning a handicap lets you play in tournaments, which brings a fun new element to your golf experience. It also stimulates your goal setting. Whether you are a 36 handicapper aiming to reach 29, or you’re a 15 trying to get to a single digit, the reward you feel when you reach your goal is fantastic.
Some people tell me they haven’t acquired a handicap because the USGA charges them for it and makes the process seem difficult.
Golf Chats is a website to encourage discussions on various subjects relating to the game of golf. I am Mel Sole, Director of Instruction of the Mel Sole Golf School and SAPGA Master Professional. I invite you to enter into a discussion on this or any article on the golfchats.com website. The input is for the entire subscriber base to learn something new each time! Please post your comments below. Keep it clean and tasteful. We are here to learn from one another!
I will be attending the 62nd PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, Fl, in late January. This is the granddaddy of all golf shows. Anything and everything related to golf is on display at the Orlando Convention Center, where capacity is over 2 million square feet.
I love the story of the PGA Show’s origins.
It is similar to the beginnings of many other ventures that grew to be huge. In 1954, during PGA winter tournaments in Florida, some golf manufacturers’ representatives gathered in the parking lot of one of the tournaments. Equipment was passed around for approval (or not!), and new relationships were forged. The popularity of this new golf goods presentation grew so much that the PGA eventually leased a tent for the Reps. The PGA Merchandise Show moved many times all over Florida until it settled at its current home at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL.
If you have never attended this mega golf exposition, you must go!
Most show attendees are golf industry-related, but even if you are not involved in golf as a business, consider purchasing a badge at www.pgashow.com. The new products debuting each year at the spectacular display booths by the biggest names in the industry will knock you out. The clothing, shoes, gadgets, simulators, indoor & outdoor Demo Days, etc., are incredible. You will also see top PGA & LPGA Tour Players, past & present, being interviewed ‘live’ on the Golf Channel stage.
My 2 biggest focuses are the instructional seminars and workshops, plus the new innovations in teaching aids.
Also, can’t wait to renew acquaintances with old friends from the PGA of South Africa, Canada, etc.
Understanding Perfect Golf Tempo and How to Achieve it!
Golf Chats is a website to encourage discussions on various subjects relating to the game of golf. I am Mel Sole, Director of Instruction of the Mel Sole Golf School and SAPGA Master Professional. I invite you to enter into a discussion on this or any article on the golfchats.com website. The input is for the entire subscriber base to learn something new each time! Please post your comments below. Keep it clean and tasteful. We are here to learn from one another!
Golf tempo is about the relationship between your backswing and downswing. More precisely defined, it’s the time that elapses from the moment you start your backswing to the completion of your swing. With everything there is to think about on the course, it’s easy to lose your tempo.
One of the best training aids to help with tempo is called the orange whip (pictures in the features image). I (and many PGA Tour players) use the orange whip to improve tempo and warm up before a round. They are available here https://orangewhipgolf.com/products/
In this month’s video golf tip, Mel Sole explains why tempo is key to golf improvement and suggests a great use for your smartphone in the quest for better golf tempo.
Golf Chats is a website to encourage discussions on various subjects relating to the game of golf. I am Mel Sole, Director of Instruction of the Mel Sole Golf School and SAPGA Master Professional. I invite you to enter into a discussion on this or any article on the golfchats.com website. The input is for the entire subscriber base to learn something new each time! Please post your comments below. Keep it clean and tasteful. We are here to learn from one another!
Golf is in a great place right now, even in the White House.
I read part of an interview by GQ magazine where the President was asked to name his ‘guiltiest-pleasure TV show.’
Obama made my day when he replied that watching The Big Break was his guiltiest pleasure.
We know that the President loves to golf when he gets the chance, and that reinforces a positive image of our sport. It really ticked me off when some people indicated that golf was not politically correct, following the financial collapse in 2008. Fortunately, most opinions have come around again, as golf continues to reveal itself as the most healthy and highly philanthropic sport, globally.
Thanks, POTUS, for your great ‘guilty pleasure’ pick!
The President’s Cup is going to be a Rout – On Paper, at least!
Golf Chats is a website to encourage discussions on various subjects relating to the game of golf. I am Mel Sole, Director of Instruction of the Mel Sole Golf School and SAPGA Master Professional. I invite you to enter into a discussion on this or any article on the golfchats.com website. The input is for the entire subscriber base to learn something new each time! Please post your comments below. Keep it clean and tasteful. We are here to learn from one another!
The Venue for the 2015 President’s Cup. Jack Nicklaus, GC. Songdo IBD, Incheon City, Korea.
I’m going to start this article by saying that I am South African and will be pulling for the International Team in this week’s President’s Cup.
Nick Price is a friend of mine and a genuinely nice guy. (So is Jay Haas) However, on paper, it does not look good for the Internationals. Of course, many times in the history of human endeavor, “on paper” has meant absolutely squat!
Good Luck to both Captains! (Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images)
Check out my reasoning:
Team USA World Ranking International Team World Ranking
Jordan Spieth 1 Jason Day 2
Bubba Watson 4 Louis Oosthuizen 12
Rickie Fowler 5 Adam Scott 13
Dustin Johnson 8 Hideki Matsuyama 14
Zach Johnson 10 Brandon Grace 22
Matt Kuchar 15 Thongchai Jaidee 32
Jimmy Walker 16 Danny Lee 36
J.B. Holmes 18 Marc Leishman 37
Patrick Reed 19 Anirban Lahiri 39
Phil Mickelson 24 Charl Schwartzel 47
Chris Kirk 27 Steven Bowditch 58
Bill Haas 28 Sang Moon Bae 85
The USA’s World Ranking Points add up to 175. The International Team points add up to 397. The team with the lowest points is obviously the strongest. Bill Haas, the weakest player on the US Team, is stronger than 50% of the International squad. So, as I said earlier, it looks like a runaway for the USA. Chris Kirk is the only player on the US Team without team competition experience. The Internationals have 5 first-timers.
Nick Price successfully changed the format to gain a little advantage and keep the competition more exciting for the fans. We’ll see come Sunday afternoon, whether that was worth the effort!
On Thursday, I wish both teams a fun, friendly, yet competitive competition. Let’s see what “on paper” really means.
4 Big Reasons That You Should Tee It Up In the Fall!
Golf Chats is a website to encourage discussions on various subjects relating to the game of golf. I am Mel Sole, Director of Instruction of the Mel Sole Golf School and SAPGA Master Professional. I invite you to enter into a discussion on this or any article on the golfchats.com website. The input is for the entire subscriber base to learn something new each time! Please post your comments below. Keep it clean and tasteful. We are here to learn from one another!
I believe Fall is the best season for golf, and there are great reasons you should tee it up at that time!
No humidity or high temperatures that mean perspiring uncomfortably. The cooler temps of autumn feel great, and even if a light sweater is needed, we can still swing freely and enjoy the round.
No bugs. The pesky mosquitoes and gnats that we swatted at all summer are gone. Much easier to focus on the game and enjoy it!
Pretty scenery. The changing color of the leaves in many areas is spectacular.
Golf course nestled in the North Carolina mountains in the Fall
The course is in great shape. Not like the spring when the course is still growing in from the winter!
What is your favorite season to golf? Name it and tell me why for a chance to win a FREE LESSON with me in Myrtle Beach, SC.
None of the TOP 5 Players Will Win the PGA Championship!
Golf Chats is a website to encourage discussions on various subjects relating to the game of golf. I am Mel Sole, Director of Instruction of the Mel Sole Golf School and SAPGA Master Professional. I invite you to enter into a discussion on this or any article on the golfchats.com website. The input is for the entire subscriber base to learn something new each time! Please post your comments below. Keep it clean and tasteful. We are here to learn from one another!
I’m going out on a limb to say that a dark horse will win the 4th Major this month.
These are my reasons for eliminating the top names from the 97th PGA Championship:
Jordan Spieth’s putting let him down in the British Open and it will weigh on his mind at Whistling Straits.
(Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
Rory McIlroy will either be a no-show due to his ankle injury or if he plays will be protective of it.
Dustin Johnson… too many misses while in contention at too many Majors.
Jason Day…. come up short too many times in Majors.
(Photo by Ben Jared/PGA TOUR via Getty Images)
5. Bubba Watson is a short hitter off the tee and Whistling Straits is a very long course. GOTCHA! Just seeing if you were paying attention.
(Photo by Tim Bradbury/Getty Images)
Who do you think has a good chance of winning?
Let me know, and if your pick wins, you could score a one day school with me.
3 Best Golf tricks with the latest iPhone – Very Cool!
Golf Chats is a website to encourage discussions on various subjects relating to the game of golf. I am Mel Sole, Director of Instruction of the Mel Sole Golf School and SAPGA Master Professional. I invite you to enter into a discussion on this or any article on the golfchats.com website. The input is for the entire subscriber base to learn something new each time! Please post your comments below. Keep it clean and tasteful. We are here to learn from one another!
It really is incredible what the latest iPhone 6 can do for you. If you are a golfer, you’ll want to utilize these preloaded apps that help you to improve your game. Who knew?
Instruction iPhone Apps.
You can teleconference with your Instructor. As a teacher, I encourage my students to videotape their swings and send them to me for critique when they can’t see me in person. With teleconference phone abilities, we can have a short tune-up ‘live.’
Playing a new course without a yardage book? You can find all your distances, hazards, etc., by choosing your course on the Maps function and going into satellite mode.
Inclinometer
3. Improve your putting by using the Inclinometer. This is amazing to me! Tap on the Compass icon, then swipe to the left to get to this thing. You can lay your phone on the ground to measure the pitch of a green, as long as you’re not in a tournament. The best? Place your phone on your putter-head to check if your stroke is ascending at impact (5 degrees is good).
Learn the Art of the Forward Press to improve your Putting!
Golf Chats is a website to encourage discussions on various subjects relating to the game of golf. I am Mel Sole, Director of Instruction of the Mel Sole Golf School and SAPGA Master Professional. I invite you to enter into a discussion on this or any article on the golfchats.com website. The input is for the entire subscriber base to learn something new each time! Please post your comments below. Keep it clean and tasteful. We are here to learn from one another!
The forward press in putting is a matter of preference, but all golfers should try to see if it helps achieve more consistency on the putting green.
I have seen two of the best putters on the PGA Tour over the last 50 years are Dave Stockton and Jordan Spieth. Both players use a forward press in their putting stroke to set the lead wrist in a “flat” position and then “push” the putter head through with absolutely no breakdown of that lead wrist.
Practice this at home on the carpet first. You won’t be sorry!
The Art of the Forward Press: “Press” your hands forward—toward the target—a couple of inches before starting your takeaway. Watch Mel demonstrate in this video:
