Category: Uncategorized

Creating Bunker Music: Are you in Tune?

April 22, 2010

How is your bunker play? Are you getting it out or are you wasting shots? Are you getting it close? I have included an archive video from a short game series that I did last fall. I know that the bunker shot can be a very scary shot for the average player. There are so many misconceptions on how to play from a green side trap. Here are a few ideas that you might have about bunker play that are false. I have two views of the Guru (me) hitting a short bunker shot….(Phil Mickelson said that he practices 30 foot bunker shots and has improved his bunker play).

Misconception #1 – You must open your stance. Not true. You can play great shots with a square stance and a square blade as long as you lean the shaft backwards slightly so the club doesn’t dig (Claude Harmon Sr. used to teach this method)

Misconception #2 – You cut across the ball in a bunker swing. Not True. I encourage an early hinge which creates a steeper angle of approach but not an outside to in swing. Remember: The ball flies the direction that the sand is thrown. The sand is thrown the direction that you swing. If you swing too much to the left, the ball will likely pull the left.

Misconception #3 – The ball will fly the direction the clubface is looking. If you open the club face to the right, you can still hit the ball at the target if the club is swing on plane.

Misconception #4 – your spine needs to tilt away from the target at address. Wrong. Tilt your spine towards the target to ensure that the bottom of the swing is close to the ball. Get the buttons on you shirt over the ball.

Study the video and you will be making bunker music and saving strokes before you know it. I will be back soon with some new videos.

See you on the lesson tee,

Guru

To schedule a lesson, call 704-542-7635 or visit our website at danarader.com

GURU TV – The Jeff Passage Project: episode 4a….putting

April 1, 2010

As the ice thaws up north, the Jeff Passage Project gets a big boost as Jeff is able to now put some practice time in. When a player wants to go from 99 to 89……They must do three things. For those of you who follow my blog, you already know this but it is worth mentioning again. 1) You MUST drive it in play….you don’t have to be perfect but you have to eliminate penalty shots during a round….2) No 2 Pitches and chips/you don’t have to hit every pitch or chip close but you absolutely can’t miss the green from 40 yards and in…..3)NO 3 PUTTS! You don’t have to make everything but you can’t three putt. This leads us to our lesson with Jeff. Distance Control is king when it comes to putting. I don’t care if you can’t read a green better than Ray Charles. If your speed is good, I can guarantee you will limit your three putts. Jeff, here are the two-speed drills that I want you to work on.

1. 30 foot drill – studies show that 50% of all your putts during a round of golf is going to be from thirty feet. Place a club a putter length behind the hole. Take ten balls from thirty feet. See how many balls you can make or get to stop in between the front edge of the hole and the club. I need you to get at least 50 percent in the zone.

2. The 19′ drill – Absolutely my favorite drill for speed. Find two holes approximately 20 ft. apart. Place a tee behind each hole about the length of your putter up to the grip. Take 3 balls. The goal is to roll the ball in between the front edge of the hole and the tee (zone). To complete the drill, you must get 10 in a row in the zone. If you miss, start over. Have fun with this and stay with it. Even if you don’t get 10, you will improve your speed. (My record is 15 minutes, just so you know). Good luck improving your putting. Driving will be our next focus. Attitude and the Mental Side is not far behind.  Stay on the basics and I can promise we will break 90.

See you on the lesson tee,

Guru

danarader.com……to schedule a lesson call 704-542-7635

GURU TV – Stop Scooping! A drill that can help

March 27, 2010

Here is a very simple drill that can help improve your impact position on your pitch shots and eliminate your scooping problem. Featured is one of my students named Matt doing the drill. I wish I had video of his first lesson a few years ago so you could see the progress that he has made. He is the student that forced me to improve that way I teach impact and release. So thanks Matt for allowing me to use this video and making me a better teacher. I hop it helps all the scoopers out.

GURU TV – The Guru Project Episode 2

March 15, 2010

Welcome to episode 2 of The Jeff Passage Project. To get you updated on his progress this week, he is putting in the work and doing the drills and is now hitting straighter shots and we now have some pulls to the left, way to go Jeff. Here is his latest video and my response. Noone gets left behind. Best of luck and wish Jeff luck with his practice.

Guru

GURU TV – “So You Want To Be A Tour Player” -Interview with John Eades

March 9, 2010

Stay tuned for the second part where you get to see John hit some shots and talk about his practice routine. If you listen closely to a tour players interviews, you will here some very important buzz words like self belief and attitude. I can tell you that John has matured into a very fine player and I expect him to have a fantastic year. Thanks for sharing your story John, It is a privilege to be your coach.

Guru

The Perfect Golfer and Stocking Stuffers

December 19, 2009

I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and  Happy New Year even though I plan on blogging before the end of the year. I am often asked from students or golfers, “What is your favorite golf swing on tour?” Although I do have my favorites, I tend to look at parts of golf swings and individuals that I  tend to favor. When I give a lesson, I use a variety of swing models to show whatever part of the swing that I am trying to work on with my student…such as the takeaway or an arm position or spine angle.  So I came up with my perfect golf swing comprised by the different parts of the swing that I admire from the top players. Here is my version of the golf swing Christmas List:

1.  I want Adam Scott’s physique and perfect golfing frame

2. Y.E. Yang’s new grip and fundamentals (the one he beat TW with not the 4 knuckle 08 version.)

3.  Steve Strickers’ one piece takeaway

4. Bubba Watson’s large arc at the top of his backswing

5.  Trevor Immelmans’ top of swing position (compact/square club face)

6. Lucas Glovers double downcock lagging motion and his great hands around the green.

7. Zach Johnson’s impact position and body rotation

8. Ernie Els balanced finish and overall tempo

9.  Give me Padraig Harrington’s work ethic

10. Give me Tom Watson’s longevity and

12. Brian Gay’s putting stroke

11. I will take Rocco Mediate’s attitude and we have the perfect golfer.

All together we have a player with incredible length off the tee, a sound iron game, great touch around the greens and the best putter on tour and we can also do some modeling on the side, just kidding. The point is that there is no perfect golf swing out there but there are a lot of different looking swings that work. So here are your keys to improvement for 2010.  We will call it the Guru Plan for improvement:

1. Take a lesson from a reputable teaching professional that is proficient with video. This will give you a clear idea of what you have to work on and put them in order of importance.  Know your errors!1

2.  PAY ATTENTION: WRITE IT DOWN. This is why I do video emails or I take notes for my students after each lesson if they need it. Serious students keep a journal, will you.

3. GET TO WORK ON YOUR BODY AND YOUR SWING; If you can’t make the swing changes because of physical limitations or you are out of shape, work on it.  Changing your golf swing is hard work and takes time. If it was easy, everyone would be scratch. I have worked very hard on my golf swing over the years to get it where it is today and I have no sympathy for those that think it should come easy. You can’t fool golf.

4. Learn to rehearse your perfect swing in a mirror…..IN SLOW MOTION (KEY)..Especially if you are dealing with cold weather, don’t let that keep you from improving your swing. Get in front of a mirror with a weighted club or a regular club and work on your swing errors slowly so you can feel it.  You have to feel it first, then see it.

5.  Have a drill.  When you are able to get outside and work on your game, do some drills that will help you to feel the opposite of the error.
What you find in the golf swing is that you have to” feel like you change the swing a mile in order to change it an inch”, this is why we use video. Either you are making the change or you are not.

6. Work on your short game (including putting) at least 60 percent of the time. Most of you are trying to find the perfect swing and neglect this part.

7. Then use John Woodens 8 keys to consistency: practice, practice, practice, practice, practice, practice, practice, practice.

Stocking stuffers: a range finder, a club fitting and a new set (time to get rid of those Ping Eye 2’s and that bubble shafted driver), a momentus weighted club, a T.P.I. assessment, A dozen Callaway tour (i)s balls, a flip cam,Oh! and a lesson series from the GURU.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

GURU