If the answer to the 'title' question is YES....then now is the time......unless you are still playing during the absolute best time of year in the northern tier of states....
FIRST: The season us officially 'over'...NOT....after Labor Day. The biggest secret for those who don't play during the summer citing slow play as the biggest reason, the Fall of the year is the best time of year to play. The leaves are changing making the vistas beautiful and, figuratively speaking, 'no one is home'....meaning the golf courses, other than golf outings, are vacant. You can zip around a course, generally, in 4 hours or less!
Yep while most golfers have hung up their clubs to watch football, the World Series and other sedentary things, those who love the game are still playing the game and enjoying 'fast' play! O.K. enough! Now about swing improvement.
If you are really serious about turning over a new leaf when it comes to breaking those old swing habits and finally getting your golf swing to the point where you can actually trust and rely on it to deliver the scores you've always known you were capable of.....the Fall and Winter is the time to work on swing improvement.
The proliferation of indoor practice facilities and the increase of teaching professionals teaching at those venues, there is no longer any reason to put your golf swing on the shelf for the winter only to collect dust.
Simply by hitting a basket of range balls, say 2 or 3 times a week and finding a professional who can help you the way you process can and will almost certainly transform your game making your 2011 golf season one of your best.
I did not set out to hit 140,000 balls over a year and a half. As I've said, when I think about it, I get REALLY tired! Nope, I simply set out to hit a basket or two of balls a day, six days a week.....That's me! I am in the profession. You don't need to hit anything near that number to improve your ball striking and hence your game....
The only caveat; you really should find a teaching professional you can trust and work with who can make suggestions that will help you gain a better understanding of and trust in your golf swing.
I honestly believe if you check around you are going to find at least one indoor practice facility within, say, 30-45 minuets of your home or office.....maybe closer!
Look into it, do your research and in my next post I'll be a bit more specific with tips to consider in seeking out a good teaching pro.....for you...
Cheers!
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Another show 'in the can'
Internet/Radio Show is now 'in the can'. A long show for me as the doctors have, once again, changed my medication....telling me ONLY upon inquiry that there is an adjustment period...MAN....this has been a tough day.
Anyway, a lot of interesting Ryder Cup trivia of interest plus I was able to chat about the decisions facing young ladies considering turning professional and joining the LPGA or getting that college degree BEFORE making the leap.....
This post is brief for reasons as outlined in para #1...
However the topic broached this day really gets me going and I plan a more detailed post once this darn adjustment period re my med regimen is FINALLY over!!! Cheers!
Anyway, a lot of interesting Ryder Cup trivia of interest plus I was able to chat about the decisions facing young ladies considering turning professional and joining the LPGA or getting that college degree BEFORE making the leap.....
This post is brief for reasons as outlined in para #1...
However the topic broached this day really gets me going and I plan a more detailed post once this darn adjustment period re my med regimen is FINALLY over!!! Cheers!
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
JOIN THE REST OF THE GOLF WORLD ON MY SHOW
If you want to know what an old broken down, 30year veteran, teaching professional sounds like and get some 'hard to swallow' realistic swing wisdom, listen to the show every Wednesday via the internet at either:
mynegm.com or wnri.com from 12:05-1pm ET. Yep join me on the mynegm LESSON TEE!
mynegm.com or wnri.com from 12:05-1pm ET. Yep join me on the mynegm LESSON TEE!
Monday, September 27, 2010
WHO IS THIS GUY STEVE RIGGS GOLF PRO?
Having been remiss in getting this blog going due to health issues and time constraints, I felt THIS might be a good way to 'get the ball rolling'......by giving readers a thumbnail of just 'who this guy is'.....Here we go!
I have been teaching for over 30 years around the U.S. and Caribbean, consulted on training aids, infomercials and teaching facilities as well as designing golf training aids over the years and co hosting a USGA national golf event. To say my background is varied and colorful would be a very mild understatement.
Originally form central Ohio, I was considered a natural swinger of the golf club from the age of 8 years. Unfortunatly, I had 'other' issues which prevented me from developing into a good competitor. In retrospect, however, my 'issues' turned out to be a blessing in later years as I came to realize my true 'lot in life', namely, teaching and communication of the golf swing to clients of literally all skill levels.
My training? Well, I think the call it the 'school of hard knocks'. There is no better teacher than experience and reality. I have been fortunate enough to have the opportunity to pick the brains of some of the most renown teaching pros, tour players and club manufacturers over the years. This, along with my own rebuilding efforts after being forced out of the golf profession after a fall during a golf tournament left me partially paralyzed. It was simply one of those freak things that happens.
My rebuilding efforts over 18 months which included hitting over 140,000 balls, (I did NOT set out to do that----just thinking about it makes me tired!!!). Yes, I did rebuild my swing but what happened along the way proved to be the greatest gift of all, for me. I actually learned about the golf swing, mine.
I realized that trying to put every player into a particular swing mold is pure folly. We all feel motion differently.
Oh, I did play college golf, briefly, at Indiana University. Actually, during my college days I was on permanent 'recess'.....and THAT was far more important than getting an education or golf.....at the time..
That is a little about this guy who keeps writing these 'generic' sounding articles about the golf swing on the Internet and magazines as well as my weekly Internet/radio show, aptly named, THE mynegm LESSON TEE which can be heard streaming live at either wnri.com or mynegm.com every Wednesday from 12-1pm ET. The show, from a little AM radio station in Woonsocket, RI has a following after just over a year on the air, in 18 states and Canada.
I commit to those who begin to follow this blog straight talk about the golf swing, non glamorous as it may seem at times. It may bore you BUT I will almost guarantee if you will simply give what you read and hear from me a little thought....you might just wake up finding you are having more fun playing the game because you understand YOUR golf swing. And, when that happens I have found your balance improves and hence your ball striking...
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask. Remember, the only question that is a dumb one is the one not asked.
I have been teaching for over 30 years around the U.S. and Caribbean, consulted on training aids, infomercials and teaching facilities as well as designing golf training aids over the years and co hosting a USGA national golf event. To say my background is varied and colorful would be a very mild understatement.
Originally form central Ohio, I was considered a natural swinger of the golf club from the age of 8 years. Unfortunatly, I had 'other' issues which prevented me from developing into a good competitor. In retrospect, however, my 'issues' turned out to be a blessing in later years as I came to realize my true 'lot in life', namely, teaching and communication of the golf swing to clients of literally all skill levels.
My training? Well, I think the call it the 'school of hard knocks'. There is no better teacher than experience and reality. I have been fortunate enough to have the opportunity to pick the brains of some of the most renown teaching pros, tour players and club manufacturers over the years. This, along with my own rebuilding efforts after being forced out of the golf profession after a fall during a golf tournament left me partially paralyzed. It was simply one of those freak things that happens.
My rebuilding efforts over 18 months which included hitting over 140,000 balls, (I did NOT set out to do that----just thinking about it makes me tired!!!). Yes, I did rebuild my swing but what happened along the way proved to be the greatest gift of all, for me. I actually learned about the golf swing, mine.
I realized that trying to put every player into a particular swing mold is pure folly. We all feel motion differently.
Oh, I did play college golf, briefly, at Indiana University. Actually, during my college days I was on permanent 'recess'.....and THAT was far more important than getting an education or golf.....at the time..
That is a little about this guy who keeps writing these 'generic' sounding articles about the golf swing on the Internet and magazines as well as my weekly Internet/radio show, aptly named, THE mynegm LESSON TEE which can be heard streaming live at either wnri.com or mynegm.com every Wednesday from 12-1pm ET. The show, from a little AM radio station in Woonsocket, RI has a following after just over a year on the air, in 18 states and Canada.
I commit to those who begin to follow this blog straight talk about the golf swing, non glamorous as it may seem at times. It may bore you BUT I will almost guarantee if you will simply give what you read and hear from me a little thought....you might just wake up finding you are having more fun playing the game because you understand YOUR golf swing. And, when that happens I have found your balance improves and hence your ball striking...
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask. Remember, the only question that is a dumb one is the one not asked.
It's your swng. Just ask Jim Furyk!
For over 30 years I have watched thousands of swings. Many of the more unconventional worked for students but they were not satisfied as they felt they were not 'doing what they were supposed to'...
This from even low handicap players and even aspiring tour players.
My comment to them has always been to encourage their unique golf swing while tweaking it.
Why? As you saw on Sunday's win by Jim Furyk of both the Players Championship and the FedX Cup, there is NO unorthodox swing.....so long as YOU understand it AND the club is on plane and square at impact.
What IS important is that you understand how balance relates to your swing motion and how your golf swing/balance affects your rhythm, tempo and timing.
Swing the club the way YOU understand it. Should you have balance issues, seek out a professional who can help you with THAT....and your swing...the way YOU understand it.
This from even low handicap players and even aspiring tour players.
My comment to them has always been to encourage their unique golf swing while tweaking it.
Why? As you saw on Sunday's win by Jim Furyk of both the Players Championship and the FedX Cup, there is NO unorthodox swing.....so long as YOU understand it AND the club is on plane and square at impact.
What IS important is that you understand how balance relates to your swing motion and how your golf swing/balance affects your rhythm, tempo and timing.
Swing the club the way YOU understand it. Should you have balance issues, seek out a professional who can help you with THAT....and your swing...the way YOU understand it.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Thursday, September 9, 2010
PRACTICE vs WARMING UP
I spent the majority of my time this year on the practice range and around the putting green at the Deutsche Bank Championship watching the players practice on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday then warming up during the event Friday through Monday.
On Thursday as I walked past the putting green, I saw Charlie Hoffman, this year’s winner, practicing 4-6 foot putts. That is to be expected. What struck me on this day was Charlie being so immersed in his putting practice. I used to see a lot of what Hoffman was doing years ago but not so much anymore at venues.
Charlie had set up tees off the toe and heel of his putter and one each to check the length of his take away and follow through. Watching him on the range then the putting green, I can tell you he spent as much time working on his putting as he did on his full swing that day.
I watched as he worked on the putting green for almost an hour. When I left, he was still at it. While I did not realize I was watching the eventual winner, I did have a sense I was observing one of the top 10 finishers of the event. It was his dedication to the flat stick and his stroke that, as a teacher, I took note of.
As the tournament got underway on Friday, I checked back on Charlie, and he was warming up on the range, like everyone else, under the silent and watchful eye of his coach, Sean Callahan. When players are warming up prior to the start of a tournament, generally the words from coaches to their players are words of encouragement.
After hitting balls and a little chipping, Hoffman went to the putting green where he practiced 4-10 foot putts without any putting aids. He hit a few long putts to get the feel for the speed of the greens. However, it was time to play the game, and he was tending to re-enforce his feel prior to the day’s play.
The point is to know when to work on your swing and when to simply warm up letting the swing take shape as you loosen up and get the feel of your swing before you play a round of golf.
Trying to practice as you warm up generally will turn a round of golf into a round of ‘golf swing’, where you are more focused on your swing and not the game.
On play day, put simply, “what you take to the range you take to the course.” As you warm up, you are looking for the feel you have been working on. No, you cannot make that feel occur. Either your practice has paid off or it hasn’t, and you are not going to fix the problem on play day.
To illustrate, as you go through your warm up routine, you find you simply cannot seem to find that feel you have been practicing. Or, your ball striking and feel is perfect on the range but disappears on the golf course.
I would submit to you, in either case that you are trying to force your swing motion, creating tension, throwing you out of sync, making feel nonexistent.
Trying to swing the club a particular way with no sense of feel, creates tension and your rhythm, tempo and timing go out the window. Remember. Less is more. Lighten up, warm up and go play the game. Feel the freedom of a balanced swing motion, relax and enjoy your round.
Know when to pull out the training aids and when to leave them in your car. Given a little time, you may just wake up and find you are having more fun playing golf because your practice/warm up routines are a bit more in perspective.
On Thursday as I walked past the putting green, I saw Charlie Hoffman, this year’s winner, practicing 4-6 foot putts. That is to be expected. What struck me on this day was Charlie being so immersed in his putting practice. I used to see a lot of what Hoffman was doing years ago but not so much anymore at venues.
Charlie had set up tees off the toe and heel of his putter and one each to check the length of his take away and follow through. Watching him on the range then the putting green, I can tell you he spent as much time working on his putting as he did on his full swing that day.
I watched as he worked on the putting green for almost an hour. When I left, he was still at it. While I did not realize I was watching the eventual winner, I did have a sense I was observing one of the top 10 finishers of the event. It was his dedication to the flat stick and his stroke that, as a teacher, I took note of.
As the tournament got underway on Friday, I checked back on Charlie, and he was warming up on the range, like everyone else, under the silent and watchful eye of his coach, Sean Callahan. When players are warming up prior to the start of a tournament, generally the words from coaches to their players are words of encouragement.
After hitting balls and a little chipping, Hoffman went to the putting green where he practiced 4-10 foot putts without any putting aids. He hit a few long putts to get the feel for the speed of the greens. However, it was time to play the game, and he was tending to re-enforce his feel prior to the day’s play.
The point is to know when to work on your swing and when to simply warm up letting the swing take shape as you loosen up and get the feel of your swing before you play a round of golf.
Trying to practice as you warm up generally will turn a round of golf into a round of ‘golf swing’, where you are more focused on your swing and not the game.
On play day, put simply, “what you take to the range you take to the course.” As you warm up, you are looking for the feel you have been working on. No, you cannot make that feel occur. Either your practice has paid off or it hasn’t, and you are not going to fix the problem on play day.
To illustrate, as you go through your warm up routine, you find you simply cannot seem to find that feel you have been practicing. Or, your ball striking and feel is perfect on the range but disappears on the golf course.
I would submit to you, in either case that you are trying to force your swing motion, creating tension, throwing you out of sync, making feel nonexistent.
Trying to swing the club a particular way with no sense of feel, creates tension and your rhythm, tempo and timing go out the window. Remember. Less is more. Lighten up, warm up and go play the game. Feel the freedom of a balanced swing motion, relax and enjoy your round.
Know when to pull out the training aids and when to leave them in your car. Given a little time, you may just wake up and find you are having more fun playing golf because your practice/warm up routines are a bit more in perspective.
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