Paul Waring hit the shot of his life to complete a career-low 11-under 61 in the second round of the Abu Dhabi Championship on Friday and establish a five-stroke lead heading into the weekend of the European tour's first playoff event.
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Nataliya Guseva of Russia shot a 5-under 67 on Thursday for a share of the second-round lead in the Lotte Championship with A Lim Kim, Ruixin Liu and Yuri Yoshida.
Kevin Streelman, Tom Whitney and Rico Hoey each shot 5-under 67 in windy conditions Thursday to share the first-round lead in the World Wide Technology Championship.
Stewart Cink shot a 7-under 64 on Thursday to take a three-stroke lead after the first round of the Charles Schwab Cup Championship.
Harry Higgs won consecutive tournaments this summer as he earned his way back to the PGA Tour. His four-part process is worth your time.
The post How does ‘process’ lead to winning golf? Harry Higgs explains appeared first on Golf.
GOLF Top 100 Teacher Tim Cooke shares the story of high school golfer Maddox Nielsen, who shot a 59 and shaved 3 strokes off his handicap.
The post How a high schooler shot 59(!) and shaved 3 strokes off his index appeared first on Golf.
Jeff Ma joined GOLF's Subpar podcast and discussed playing blackjack in Las Vegas as an MIT student — and the book and movie it inspired.
The post Troon Golf’s Jeff Ma and the true story of MIT’s blackjack team appeared first on Golf.
Full 2024 World Wide Technology Championship tee times for Friday's second round at El Cardonal, featuring Erik van Rooyen and more.
The post 2024 World Wide Technology Championship Friday tee times: Round 2 groupings appeared first on Golf.
When the beverage cart is nowhere to be found, Zigit, a new technology, enables you to have a drink in hand in approximately 30 seconds.
The post This new technology might change how you get drinks on golf courses appeared first on Golf.
In this edition of Play Smart, we take a look at Arccos' Driver Distance Report to see how far golfers hit their drivers.
The post How far golfers *really* hit their drives, according to data appeared first on Golf.
Rory McIlroy returned from a month away from competitive action and shot a 5-under 67 in the first round of the Abu Dhabi Championship to sit five shots behind Tommy Fleetwood in the first event of the European tour playoffs.
PGA Tour winner Will Zalatoris shares how more amateurs can dial in their distances on approach shots from 100 yards and in.
The post How do pros tackle short wedge shots? Here’s Will Zalatoris’ method appeared first on Golf.
A recent interview with Good Good Golf revealed a few key lessons to the brand's success on YouTube and beyond.
The post 6 key lessons from Good Good Golf’s YouTube success appeared first on Golf.
A consistent backswing is essential for building a repeatable and reliable golf swing. Here’s how to improve your backswing for better ball-striking:
1. Focus on a Smooth Takeaway
- Start Slow and Controlled: Begin the backswing with a smooth, gradual motion rather than rushing it. A slow takeaway helps prevent mishits and maintains balance.
- Keep the Club Head Low: In the initial phase, keep the club head low to the ground for the first few inches. This creates a wider arc, which can help with both power and control.
2. Maintain a Straight Lead Arm
- Keep Your Lead Arm Straight but Not Rigid: A straight (but relaxed) lead arm helps maintain the swing’s radius, providing a consistent path to the ball.
- Check Arm Position at the Top: At the top of the backswing, your lead arm should be straight but comfortable, allowing you to avoid tension that can throw off your tempo.
3. Rotate, Don’t Sway
- Turn Your Shoulders, Don’t Shift Your Hips: Focus on rotating your shoulders around a stable axis, rather than shifting your weight laterally. This helps keep your swing centered and allows for better control.
- Use Core Muscles: Engage your core to help with the rotation, rather than relying solely on your arms and shoulders. This adds stability and can prevent inconsistency in your swing plane.
4. Position Your Hands Correctly
- Keep Hands Close to Your Body: As you bring the club back, keep your hands close to your body. A compact swing minimizes the chance of erratic movement.
- Top of the Swing Check: At the top, your hands should be aligned just above your back shoulder, rather than too high or too low. This promotes a natural, repeatable motion.
5. Use Your Wrists Sparingly
- Limit Excess Wrist Movement: Avoid excessive wrist “hinging” in the backswing; too much wrist action can create an inconsistent path and timing. Instead, hinge gradually and only as needed to support a solid impact position.
- Set Wrists Naturally: Ideally, let your wrists naturally hinge as you bring the club to waist height, rather than forcing them. This gradual hinge supports a controlled downswing.
6. Pause Briefly at the Top
- Avoid Rushing the Transition: At the top of your backswing, take a slight pause to ensure your position feels balanced. This pause is brief and helps prevent a rushed transition to the downswing.
- Feel Your Weight Shift: During this momentary pause, feel your weight over your back foot, ready to shift smoothly into the downswing.
7. Practice with a Mirror or Video
- Check Alignment and Rotation: Practice your backswing in front of a mirror to ensure your shoulders are turning correctly, and that your spine angle remains stable.
- Record Yourself: Video can reveal small inconsistencies in your backswing that you might not notice. Look for signs of a stable lead arm, smooth wrist hinge, and a controlled, centered rotation.
8. Develop a Routine to Build Muscle Memory
- Repeat Your Backswing Regularly: Developing muscle memory requires repetition. Practice your backswing with a slow, controlled swing to reinforce correct movement.
- Add Swing Drills: Try drills like the "pause-at-the-top" drill, where you take a brief pause at the top of your swing, and the "one-piece takeaway" drill to keep everything in sync at the start.
Building a consistent backswing takes time, but with attention to these fundamentals and regular practice, you’ll notice more reliable and solid contact, improved accuracy, and enhanced confidence in your swing.
A handful of proposed changes could be coming to the PGA Tour, but that doesn't mean everyone approves. Here's Padraig Harrington's take.
The post ‘Just terrible’: Padraig Harrington blasts proposed PGA Tour changes appeared first on Golf.
How to watch the 2024 World Wide Technology Championship on Thursday, including full Thursday TV coverage and streaming info for Round 1.
The post 2024 World Wide Technology Championship Thursday TV, streaming: How to watch Round 1 appeared first on Golf.
Former U.S. Women's Open champion A Lim Kim opened with an eagle and piled up birdies on her way to a 6-under 66 on Wednesday to take a one-shot lead after the first round of the Lotte Championship.
Cameron Young withdrew from the World Wide Technology Championship in Los Cabos, Mexico.
Visualizing each shot is a powerful technique that can significantly improve your golf game by enhancing focus, confidence, and accuracy. Here’s how to effectively incorporate visualization into your pre-shot routine:
1. See the Ideal Shot in Your Mind
- Before stepping up to the ball, take a moment to imagine the shot you want to execute. Picture the ball’s path, including the trajectory, distance, and where you want it to land. Whether it’s a draw, fade, or straight shot, having a clear image in your mind will help you stay committed to the swing.
2. Imagine the Feel of the Swing
- Visualization isn’t just about the ball’s flight; also imagine how the swing itself will feel. Mentally rehearse a smooth, balanced swing that delivers the desired shot. This can help create muscle memory and reduce tension in your body.
3. Use All Your Senses
- Make the visualization as vivid as possible by incorporating other senses. Imagine the sound of a solid strike, the feel of the clubhead through impact, and even the wind direction. Engaging all your senses makes the experience more realistic and strengthens your mental focus.
4. Focus on Positive Outcomes
- Visualize the best-case scenario rather than dwelling on potential mistakes. Positive imagery can boost confidence and help you stay calm and collected, even under pressure. If you’re faced with a difficult shot, imagine yourself executing it successfully.
5. Repeat as Necessary
- For each shot, whether it’s a drive, approach, chip, or putt, take a few seconds to visualize the desired outcome. Consistently visualizing each shot builds a routine that keeps you mentally prepared and minimizes distractions.
6. Apply Visualization to Putting
- Visualization is especially helpful for putting. Picture the line, pace, and break of the putt before you stroke it. Imagine the ball rolling toward the hole and dropping in. This practice can improve your distance control and alignment on the green.
By visualizing each shot, you’re programming your body and mind to work together toward a single, focused goal. With regular practice, visualization can become a natural part of your game, leading to more confidence and improved performance on the course.
