March 16, 2007 by Jeff Shores, PGA.

One of the predominant problems that most golfers suffer from is poor judgement on the putting green. Poor judgement is simply not understanding the goal for each individual putt. Most high handicap and even some very good intermediate players think the goal is to make every putt they look at. Although the idea of making every putt is a good one, somewhere between that thought and the actual execution of the putt, they forget a very important element. What if I miss!

Most golfers tend to be over aggressive with their putts, taking no time to consider the consequences of where the ball will end up if they miss. Thus, they have 10 foot downhill birdie putts and end up with 15 foot come back putts for par, inevitably three putting for bogey. This process will continue for them with the occasional made putt, which certainly doesn’t help them consider making a change to their approach. The final result is somewhere between 36 and 45 putts per round and a misinterpreted thought that it’s their bad swing that caused such a bad score for the day.

The experienced players hold a very clear picture of not only wanting to make the putt they have, but also the ability to remain prudent in their attempt. Ask yourself the question…”If I miss, where do I want to be?” The answer should most definitely be…within tap-in range.

In order to leave yourself in tap-in range, practice putting multiple balls at the hole without trying to make them. By working on your speed control, without the thought of making putts, you will see an amazing thing happen…you will actually make more putts! Proper speed is absolutely the key to great putting.

Some numbers to look for in assessing your putting improvement are as follows…36 or more putts per round is poor putting. Anywhere between 31-35 putts per round is acceptable good putting for the average golfer. 26-30 putts per round and you have now crossed over into the realm of great putting. If you average 25 or less putts per round, please contact me immediately because I’d like to be your talent agent.

For most players, the fastest way to game improvement and shaving a significant number of strokes off their game is by improving their putting. I recommend at least 50% of your allotted practice time be spent on the putting green. This putting practice should be divided between putts inside and outside the make zone. The make zone is an area around the hole where the player feels they should make the putt 7 out of 10 times. For some players the make zone is 5 feet, for others it is 20 feet. Spend about 1/4 of your putting practice time on lag putting outside your personal make zone. The rest of the practice time should be spent inside the make zone or the “dome.” (See my blog Enter the Dome) The make zone should increase or decrease depending on your skill level and the assessment of your putts per round. With more practice on your lag putting, you should see an increase in make zone distances.

Good luck and thanks for golfing with Jeff

Posted in Game Improvement | Print | 1 Comment »

March 12, 2007 by Jeff Shores, PGA.

Please log onto www.pga.com/improve/features/alessonlearned/PODS_031207.cfm to read my featured article on the PODS Championship. The article is a combination of tournament re-cap and instruction. I hope you enjoy!

Thanks for golfing with Jeff

Posted in Game Improvement, Welcome New Viewers, Tour Talk, Golf Thoughts | Print | 2 Comments »

January 31, 2007 by Jeff Shores, PGA.

As with many other words, throughout history, the word “dome” has come to have multiple meanings.  Some definitions include, a rounded vault, the natural canopy of the sky, or a head(skull).  These definitions have tremendous significance as they relate to golf and those that are serious about playing the game to their highest levels of performance.  There are three specific levels that comprise the all encompassing golf “dome.”  These levels are the physical dome, the intellectual dome, and the spiritual dome. It is only when a player can distinguish between the three domes and understand how each level relates to their game that they will begin to move closer to mastering golf as well as themselves. 

Note:  The following definitions deal with all aspects of golf, however, the examples used will be in reference to putting, which is, in my opinion, the cornerstone of great golf.  Again, these ideas are for all golfers, at any skill level, to move closer to golf mastery.

 The Physical Dome  

Although we think of golf as being very linear, the fact remains that every hole on every putting green is circular in nature and, therefore, has 360 degrees surrounding it.  Let’s start by drawing an imaginary 10 foot circle around the golf hole.  By placing balls randomly around the perimeter of the 10 foot circle and putting them towards the hole you will discover the physical dome, the essence of all conceivable and possible putts around one hole.(Of course, some undulation on the green is required for this statement to be absolute.)  These are, uphill-straight, left to right, and right to left…downhill-straight, left to right, and right to left…side hill-left to right and right to left…and, of course, a level straight putt, which is probably the most rare of putts due to the necessity for proper drainage on most putting greens.  Just as there are only nine ball flights in the air, there are only nine ways the ball can roll on the earth.  Again, the physical dome may be defined as the 360 degree area surrounding each and every hole on every golf course where all putts exist.  Acceptance of the physical dome will, without fail, bring any player to a higher awareness of the limited possibilities around every golf hole and how to properly identify the one to choose for their intended shot.  This awareness will now move a player into the next level of growth…the intellectual dome. 

The Intellectual Dome

I have been asked why I refer to this area as the intellectual dome as opposed to the mental dome and the answer is simple:  This area requires intellect.  Everyone has mental ability, however, not all use their intellect.  This is the distinction between the two.  The intellectual dome is not “thinking” you’re going to make the putt, but rather knowing “how and why” you will make it.  The intellectual dome is the assessment of all factors that go into any given shot and the absence of any distractions.  Again, we will use the example of a 10 foot putt.  The physical dome will answer for the player the question of movement of the ball once it has been struck, it is now, through the intellectual dome that the player explores the possibilities of line and pace of the putt.  The pace of a putt is the more critical of the two factors because it is only after determining pace that a player can see and choose the proper line.  This process, done in reverse, (line before pace) will end in inconsistency and far more multiple putt greens.  The truly great players, that are in command of their intellectual dome, know that it is only through proper pace that any type of consistency will develop and trust in  their stroke will be nurtured.  It is in that trust that we move to the final level…the spiritual dome.      

The Spiritual Dome 

Many people confuse this with some religious significance.  Or, perhaps, for some, it is religious.  I would describe it more as, what is commonly referred to as, the “mental game.”  However, it goes so much deeper than that, as anyone who has reached this level would agree.   The spiritual dome is the unconscious mind “feeling before seeing,” “knowing before understanding,” and “executing instinctively.”  It is positive thinking, good karma, and enlightenment all wrapped up in one.  When a 10 foot putt is made long before the putter touches the ball.  When all the information from the physical dome and intellectual dome have been filtered and programed in the conscious mind and the only thing left are the purest thoughts of success and accomplishment of the task at hand, then, and only then will the great canopy of the spiritual dome be unveiled to see the limitless possibilities of a players potential.  The spiritual dome is an umbrella under which time stands still and all things mental and physical blend together in perfect harmony.  It is what top performers describe as the elusive ”zone,” although, the truly gifted individuals seem to explore its vastness more regularly than most.  The spiritual dome is where good golfers become great, and great golfers become champions!

The Dome is the triumvirate powers of earth, body, and universe joined together to reach the highest levels of performance.  Now it is time for you to enter the dome!

 Thanks for golfing with Jeff   

Posted in Game Improvement, Golf Thoughts | Print | 4 Comments »

January 14, 2007 by Jeff Shores, PGA.

Posted in Game Improvement, Golf Thoughts | Print | 7 Comments »

December 27, 2006 by Jeff Shores, PGA.

Many people start the New Year with goals or resolutions, only to fail within the first few weeks.  This failure is not from lack of effort or desire, but from the inability to dream and visualize themselves already having attained their goal.  Any goal must first start with a dream and then must be followed with the corresponding feelings that match that dream.

Maybe your goal is to play better golf in the New Year.  If so, dream of yourself playing better golf.  What does it feel like to you?  Does it excite you and make you happy?  Feel those feelings on a daily basis.  Dream of yourself playing better golf as if you you are already doing it.  If your goal is to shoot in the 70’s, dream of yourself making a putt on the last hole to shoot 79.  Feel the excitement!  Visualize the people around you who will witness your achievement.  Immerse yourself in those joyful feelings over and over again until they become a mental reality.

I know what many of you are probably thinking…”I’m not going to get any better just thinking about playing better golf.”  The truth is, whether you think you can or can’t get better, your right! 

If your dominant thoughts are getting better at golf and you hold those feelings close to you day in and day out, your body will move in the direction of those thoughts.  You will find yourself doing the things that make your dreams a reality.  You will practice more, you will read more, and you will talk to more people about your dreams of being the player you want to be.

Dreams and goals are not attained overnight.  They happen over time with relentless persistence and unwavering faith.  You must “act, until it is fact!”  Dream your dream, live your dream, and, in time, you will attain your dream. 

Thanks for golfing with Jeff 

Posted in Game Improvement, Golf Thoughts | Print | 1 Comment »

December 3, 2006 by Jeff Shores, PGA.

Many players come to me with the desire to improve their games.  Some of these players seem very frustrated with the game, saying things like, “I practice so much, but I can’t seem to shoot any better than the mid-80’s.”  Their so called “handicap” is an identity to them.  “I’m a 13 handicap”, is what they think and feel about their game.  This handicap becomes, what I like to call, their Mental Thermometer.

The Mental Thermometer works as a gauge for players, on the course, to keep them comfortable.  It is an internal gauge, having nothing to do with the temperature on the outside.  It works on an emotional basis, being turned on and off by the players thoughts and emotions as they play their round of golf.  Most players unknowingly set this gauge at a particular setting, called a handicap, just as they do their thermostats at home.

Let me explain how this works on the golf course.  A player believes himself to a 10 handicap, shooting somewhere around an 82 every time they play.  One day, they play the front nine holes and shoot a 37, one over par.  This player thinks to himself, “Wow, I’m playing great today, I don’t usually play this well.”  The player feels too hot and out of their comfort zone, so the Mental Thermometer will now be turned on to cool them down.  The player will begin to make mistakes on the back nine, eventually shooting a 44 or 45, to bring them right back to where they believe they should be for the day.

The process works the same in reverse.  The same player has a terrible front nine and says to himself, “I’m better than this, I never shoot a 50 for nine holes!”  The Mental Thermometer kicks in again, only this time it is to heat things up.  The player now starts to hit fantastic shots and shoots an amazing 3-under par, 33, on the back nine holes.  Again, they have proven them self correct in their handicap and in their comfort zone.

How to control your Mental Thermometer:

Avoid the handicap “pigeon hole.”  Your current handicap is not who you are.  It can become an evil, self-fulfilling prophecy that will keep you from playing your best golf.  Play each round of golf telling yourself, “I have unlimited potential in my game…I am capable of shooting low scores every time I play.” 

Enjoy the feeling of playing golf with the heat turned up.  The best players in the world thrive on the feeling of having their Mental Thermometer a few degrees hotter than what feels comfortable.  They yearn for the excitement and adrenalin that comes from turning up the heat in their games.  You, too, should learn to love the heat.  Have that “burning desire” to play your best golf.  The more you play with the heat turned up, the more comfortable you will become with that feeling.  In turn, the lower your scores will become.

Thanks for golfing with Jeff

Posted in Game Improvement | Print | 3 Comments »

November 26, 2006 by Jeff Shores, PGA.

Take a moment and visualize a large Jar of jelly beans.  The jar is clear, so you can see all the different colors and possible flavors of the jelly beans inside.  Now imagine that this jar is abundant, meaning, regardless of what jelly bean is pulled out, the jar will instantly replenish itself.  Reach in the jar, take out a jelly bean and eat it.  Do you like it?  Was the color representative of the flavor that you tasted?  Mentally, do this until you have tried all the different jelly beans in the jar.  Some of these jelly beans you will absolutely love, while others you won’t really care for. (I can’t stand licorice!)  Enjoy the ability to pick and choose the color and flavor of the jelly beans you like.

Let’s take that same jar of jelly beans. Only now, the jar is no longer clear.  You are unable to differentiate between the jelly beans. They all look the same.  Again, grab one and eat it.  Did you like it?  How does the inability to choose your favorites feel to you?  The results of your selections are now left to chance.

A round of golf can be very similar to a jar of jelly beans.  The jelly beans, in this case, representing the shots you hit on the golf course.  And, as before, the jar can be either clear or dark.  Visualization is the key to to determining how clear the jar can be.  The better we visualize the desired results, the more clear the jar becomes.  A beginning golfer must experiment with many different shots before they can pick the shots they truly desire, however, visualization is critical at this period to see and feel all results, good or bad.    

Most beginning players, golf with a jar that is very dark, hitting random shots, unable to select the ones they really like.  Simply accepting the results of their selection without thinking for a moment that they have any control over them.  These players will usually say things like “how did I do that?”, when they hit a good shot, or, “why do I always hit that shot?”, when they hit a bad one.  

Intermediate players, see through a clear jar, yet, still do not choose to select the the shots that they would be most satisfied with.  They are surface level players, playing the first shot available to them in the jar that looks acceptable.  These players do hit far more quality shots, but tend to get lazy and occasionally pull shots “out of the jar” they would rather throw back. 

Advanced players, see through a clear jar and pick the shots out of it that they really want.  they “dig deep” through the surface level of mediocre shots, if need be, to find the shots that they love to see and feel. 

Take a good look at your golf game.  Is your jar clear or dark?  Is it abundant with the shots you want to hit, or do you limit the amount of good ones you can “pull out of the jar?”  Do you sift through the shots available to you, or simply grab for the first one you see?  The more you visualize picking out the perfect shot, the more you will “taste” the rewards of positive outcomes.  Visualize your jar, clear and abundant, and you will see and feel a better golf game.

Thanks for golfing with Jeff

Posted in Game Improvement | Print | 3 Comments »