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Screensize: 640 x 480 800 x 600 1024 x 768 1280 x 1024 UserName: Password: Enter Anti SPAM Code: Click here to refresh this page Format Mode: Basic  Help  Prompt  Format: Font Andale Mono Arial Arial Black Book Antiqua Century Gothic Comic Sans MS Courier New Georgia Impact Lucida Console Script MT Bold Stencil Tahoma Times New Roman Trebuchet MS Verdana   Size 1 2 3 4 5 6   Color Black Red Yellow Pink Green Orange Purple Blue Beige Brown Teal Navy Maroon LimeGreen Message Icon:                             Message: * HTML is OFF * Forum Code is ON Smilies [quote][i]Originally posted by TGGS[/i] [br]"Little Moe" Signature School April 2008 Instructional Newsletter Update Issue #76A Hello Everyone, Hope everything is going good for everyone, and hope everybody's golf season is off and running... Seems like the golf year really gets kick started after the Masters. Spreading the word Help us share the word about Moe Norman with the golf world! If you find something in this Etip particularly helpful, share it with your friends. Just click button below. Thank you for your help in spreading the word about Moe Norman's simple and effective swing! The 4th Annual Moe Norman Memorial - It's set! Mark your calendars! The 4th Annual Moe Norman Memorial dates have been set! The GGA is proud to announce that September 27th & 28th, 2008, Moe Norman fans will gather at Eagle Creek Golf Club (GGA's Orlando home) in Orlando, FL for 2 days of golf, fellowship, clinics, contests and fun! Full details (cost, registration, etc) will be forthcoming in our next Etip. Please contact Scott Renfrow @ scottr@swinglikemoe.com with any questions. Again, full details will be available on the website very soon, and we will announce them in the next Etip. Looking forward to seeing you there! GGA 7 Principles Special - EXTENDED! To Celebrate our partnership with PGA.com and our Lesson Learned article (click HERE to view the article), the Graves Golf Academy (GGA) is offering a special promotion for those interested in our 7 Principles teaching philosophy and instructional DVD's. We had such a wonderful response, we have decided to extend this offer through May 31st! Many who read the Lesson Learned article have had questions about our 7 Principles of Golf Improvement Instructional DVD series, and we'd like to share with you what is included in the 6 DVD set: The Seven Principles of Golf Improvement series is a 6 volume set encompassing all aspects of golf improvement, from the ideal grip to managing your mind on the course. At over 7 hours in length, the 7 Principles series leaves no stone unturned in the quest for golf improvement. Many call this series our "Build Your Game Camp in a box". The series teaches the entire Seven Principles philosophy of the Graves Golf Academy: 1. Develop a Sound, Repeatable, Powerful Swing of Ease based on Moe Norman's Golf Swing. (Single Plane / Straight Line Motion). 2. Develop an efficient Short Game (50% up and down). 3. Become a good Putter (Under 30 putts per round). 4. Build or buy Clubs That Fit your game. 5. Learn to Play on the course using developed skills. (Course Management). 6. Learn How to Practice efficiently. 7.Learn How to Think. To see more about the GGA 7 principles of golf improvement and see free view preview videos, please see our 7 Principles DVD series web page. SPECIAL OFFER If you purchase the 7 Principles of Golf Improvement DVD series by the end of May, we will include a Total Game Overview DVD series, a $65 retail value, FREE. If you already own the Total Game Overview DVD, we will include the Mind of Moe Norman DVD, a $50 retail value. This is a ONE TIME offer (we've never before offered free instructional material) to celebrate our PGA.com alliance. Again, this offer will expire at the end of May. We have never offered this special before and not scheduled again in near future. Here's what others are saying about the 7 Principles of Golf Improvement DVD series: I was amazed at how much information is packed in there. - Eric B. I can't help but be amazed at how much "new" stuff I pick up when I review a tape or DVD I have watched "dozens" of times already!! - Bob P. I often have gone back to watch the tapes again and I always seem to pick up the "ONE" thing I need to get me past the speed bump in my journey. There is just so much info here that it is virtually impossible to retain all the info included. - Dan B. I just watched "The Seven Principles of Golf Improvement" and they were outstanding!!! - Greg M. I received these tapes yesterday and watched them last night. They are so specific and easy to understand/relate to. - Larry Z. To purchase the 7 Principles of Golf Improvement DVD series and receive your FREE DVD, visit our website store HERE, or call (866)377-2316. Know Moe - by Todd Graves "The Official start of the Golf Season - Spring renewal for your game" Views of the blossoming Azaleas at the Masters is a clear indication that the golf season is in full bloom. What a beautiful site. Golf course parking lots are filling and driving ranges are crawling with anxious golfers practicing their swings hoping to play a few good rounds this season. I often find myself stopping to watch the flurry of activity and the varieties of golf swings, or the resemblance of what one might call a golf swing. If I watch too long, I usually walk away feeling a bit distressed that most of the people on the range, who care about hitting the ball better, will never know Moe Norman. Why is this distressing? Because I know first hand how it feels to want to become better and how frustrating it can be. For those of you who don't know much of my background, in 1991 after returning from the Asian Tour, I moved to Dallas Texas to develop my golf swing with Hank Haney for three years. Those were a difficult three years. There were times where I thought I would make great progress in my golf swing. These times of great satisfaction were always followed by the defeat of how difficult it was to have a good golf swing. It was during this time as I recall, in the back of my mind I kept hearing a voice that kept repeating; "there must be an easier way, there must be an easier way". I don't know if you believe in providence, fate or synchronicity, but knowing my story would make it hard for you to deny the possibility. It was the moment I decided to look for an easier way when Moe Norman entered my consciousness. I was ready for Moe and when I was, he simplified my golf and my life. Now, I won't bore you with the story of meeting Moe or my time with him, that is not the purpose of my writing here. I am writing this for those who are ready to take their golf game in a new direction this year. If you are frustrated as I was during my time with Hank Haney, I would like you to consider a few of my discoveries that I can only discuss now that I have the experience to reflect on my time with both the best teacher in the world (Hank Haney now teaches Tiger Woods) and the best ball-striker in the world. Here are a few things that I now understand about Moe Norman's golf swing. 1) You have to commit to learning his technique. There is no middle ground. 2) Take nothing he did for granted. 3) Understand that learning anything will take effort. Commitment This is a priority for learning anything. You must be dedicated to the method and the teachers that are helping you learn. There is no partial commitment. In other words, you can't "try" Moe Norman's golf swing. If you do you will never experience the full benefit of it's greatness. Take nothing Moe did for granted This was important for me to understand about Moe and his golf swing. When I practiced his golf swing I would make discoveries. I called these my "a-ha" moments. These were moments of awareness of a new feeling and they always matched what I saw in Moe. My practice became nothing more that my own self-discovery of Moe's feelings. Understand that learning anything takes effort I knew that learning Moe's golf swing would take effort. It took me approximately six months before I could actually play tournaments however, this was still just the beginning of my learning process. Luckily, I loved to hit golf balls and study my golf swing on video. I had learned this from my days with Hank Haney. The more I practiced, the more I understood. I often get asked why no one on the PGA Tour swings like Moe Norman. Could it be the influence of the best teachers or the best players in the game still do not understand that there is an easier way? Do they care? While I would like to see a professional golfer take advantage of Moe's incredible technique, it doesn't really matter to me anymore. What matters to me is what Moe's golf swing did for my golf game. It matters to me what learning Moe's swing can do for those heading to the driving range for the first time this season if they are ready to listen. For those of you who are excited about a new golf year do me one favor. Ask yourself if you understand that there is an easier way. Ask yourself if you Know Moe. "Why? Why? Why? Why?" by Tim Graves, PGA This past week, I played (for the first time) in the South Central PGA Senior/Junior Championship in Ponca City, OK. It is an annual tournament in which a senior member of the PGA (over 55 years) partners with a junior member (myself) and you play 27 holes - 9 best ball, 9 alternate shot, 9 scramble. I partnered with George Glen of Tulsa, OK - George ran one of the largest pro shops and courses in Tulsa for many years and recently retired to teach full time. With his "new" career in teaching taking shape, we had a very nice talk (had a lot time being on the course most of the day) about our teaching methods... what we teach, how we teach, etc.. George was very curious to what and how we teach as he has been in the business for many years and knows our academy well..... (by the way, we won the tournament with a total of 13 under par....). As my conversation went along with George, it became very obvious a common theme was emerging. There is no question, the GGA teaches in what I call the "Why". Not y, but rather, W... H... Y.... our philosophy and model of Moe Norman's swing revolves around Why... Let me explain - hopefully this will help you with your swing and your work toward mastering the swing. As I explain, I will also try and help you with references and if possible "short cuts" Todd and I have created to "speed up the process". I believe a person (any person) will start with good intentions or a very positive attitude toward change if he/she believes it will deliver a better outcome. In other words (in golf), if you think a change will help you hit the ball better and ultimately score better - you will want to make the change. The "kicker" is when the change is hard, or in other words, isn't comfortable when you first start to change. And if you don't hit the ball better right away - most will very quickly doubt the change. As humans (human nature) I believe if you don't understand WHY you are making the change, you will not continue and will revert back to your "old ways". Thinking to yourself, "I am making the change to hit it better" isn't good enough.... you need to define more explicitly WHY you are making the change and WHY that particular change is so important. Let's get into some detail (and "short cuts" if possible). WHY is Moe's single axis swing method simpler than other methods. There are many reason, but I want to focus on one in particular that is what we call Position #3, or the "Golden" position, or "Money" position or whatever you want to call it. In other words, all golfers, yes ALL golfers (conventional, single axis and everything in between) who hit the ball well will get into this position. You can see this position in the following pictures on our online instruction: Picture 1, Picture 2, Picture 3, Picture 4, Picture 5, Picture 6, Picture 7 As you see, this position #3 is defined in the downswing as when the club is parallel to the ground, your trail elbow is in front of you and the club is down the target line or INSIDE that line. It is not and SHOULD not be outside that line - if the club is outside the target line you will come over top of the ball (in other words outside in path (slice), top, cut, etc..) WHY is Moe's Single Axis Swing a simpler method to hit that position. Because we stand further from the ball at set up. Because we stand further from the ball, it gives us more room for our forearm to get into position #3 without having to twist and turn our back too much. Yes, we definitely clear our hips, but we can keep square with our feet, knees and shoulders and "hit" this position a LOT easier and more consistently than all other golfers who stand closer to the ball than we do. WHY do so many cut the ball or come over the top when this position seems "simple" to hit. As Moe said when performing demos, "Most golfers swing at the ball like they are playing hardball (baseball), whereas I swing at the ball like I'm playing softball". What did Moe mean by this? I want you to take a ball (any ball) and throw it at something (overhand) with some speed/velocity. As you do this, watch what your lead shoulder does. You will see it pulls out as you throw the ball. In other words it is pulling to the left (for right handers, opposite for left handers) and the faster you throw it the more it will pull out. You have created this "habit" since you were very young. It is the habit created to create speed on a ball and get from position A to B. Now you are playing golf. And as you are swinging at the ball, you want to create speed toward the ball. The problem is, you body is used to creating speed on a ball by pulling your lead shoulder out which in turn pulls your trail should across your body. This is NOT what you want to happen in your golf swing. In your golf swing, you want your trail shoulder to drop (Moe called this his "vertical drop") toward the ball from the top of your backswing. If your lead shoulder pulls past square prior to impact, you WILL come over the top of the ball - or in other words, you will slice, cut, top the ball as 90%+ of golfers do. With that said, what do we need to do.... and how can we "short cut" the process to changing this habit/behavior. The absolute, no doubt about it, best way to create new positions is WITHOUT a golf club in your hand. Yes, without a golf club in your hand. WHY - You already have habits formed around a golf club, feelings you have created with that club in your hand, you need to change the BEHAVIOR and then put the club in your hand once the new behavior is created. We have seen INCREDIBLE success with 1,000s of students using the following: PVC Drill - see the details HERE I would STRONGLY recommend getting our Troubles and Solutions DVD is you don't already have it. It explains this in GREAT detail (much more than I could ever write or you could see in these pictures) and it also has many other drills that will help you with your golf swing. You can see a lot more on the Troubles and Solutions DVD page of our website. Next - you need to use the GGA Training Grip Club with an extension in it (drill or cut the end of the grip out and put a shaft or some type of extension in the grip). Training Club with Extension - see the picture HERE. WHY is this important. There are two primary reasons: #1 - If you are working on getting to position #3 and don't have a good/proper grip on the club, you are COMPLETELY wasting your time. Never forget, the path of the club is important, but not even close to the face angle at impact. The #1 affect on face angle at impact is having a good grip on the club. If you want a percentage - you can estimate face angle affects the flight of the ball 75%, path/spin affects 25%. If your face angle at impact isn't good - don't even worry about path - it won't matter. The training grip club will GUARANTEE a good grip and will take the face angle/grip issue out of the equation. #2 - The extension will allow you to check Position #1, #2, #3 and #4 (please see Troubles and Solutions for more explanation), and will be the transition from the PVC to your golf club. Read very carefully what I just wrote - a TRANSITION from the new movement/behavior you are learning/feeling to the golf club. And you MUST do in this order. WHY not skip the PVC drill? Reason - because as stated above, you have developed habits around the golf club, or habits as to how to hold/swing/feel the golf club. I have wrote about this before - calling it the "Trigger" as you hit a golf ball. To change those new / better habits, you must completely change even the tools you are working with. You have no behavior to swinging a piece of PVC (or broom handle, or stick, whatever you want to use), so getting into the critical positions won't be a big deal... in fact, it might see easy as you have no preconceived "feel" or thoughts as to how to swing a stick..... then as you start to check and master those positions with the PVC/stick - you will then transition into the training grip club with the extension. Finally after using the extension, take it out and practice just with the training grip club. Hit balls with the training grip club - acquire more/new feeling around hitting balls with the new on plane positions. Lastly, go to your own club and work on the same positions. So, here is what you need to think about. How serious are you about making changes in your golf swing? And if you want to swing like Moe, how and WHY are you making those changes? We believe once you figure out the WHY, no matter how uncomfortable, how "different" it might seem, etc.. you WILL make the changes for the better. We see it everyday, those who have figured out WHY and have become SIGNIFICANTLY better at this game. Doubt me?..... talk to them yourself... just go to www.moenormanforum.com for yourself and talk to them... guarantee they will be more than happy to tell you their journey and help you with your's. Remember - Always Practice with a Purpose. Good Luck!! GGA Event Schedule (and last minute special) We have 2 opening in our Build Your Game Camp (our PREMIER school) the week after next at our Academy in OKC. If you are able to attend last minute, we will be happy to work out details with you and save you a few dollars. Give us a call or email anytime - we'll see what we can do for you.... We are sure many of you are thinking about some kind of instruction as golf season is here. We have been working very hard this year to increase the number of school spots for our students and a way to work with those who can't make the travel to see us. Here is a list of our upcoming schools and the spots we have left in them..... Please don't hesitate to give us a call or email if interested in attending any of these events... all schools/camps have sold out so far this year - these probably will too.... great thing for us, not so great for those who wait until the last minute to sign up. 2008 May 5-9, 2008 - Build Your Game Camp - GGA Academy @ Coffee Creek Golf Course - OKC, OK (2 spaces remaining due to cancellations) May 16-18, 2008 - 3 day School - Dover, DE, Jonathan's Landing (2 spots open) May 20-22, 2008 - 3 day School, East Haddam, CT, Fox Hopyard Golf Club (1 spot open) May 23-24, 2008 - 2 day Alumni School, East Haddam, CT, Fox Hopyard Golf Club (Open) June 20-22, 2008 - 3 day school - GGA Academy @ Coffee Creek Golf Course - OKC, OK (4 spost open) June 23-27, 2008 - 5 day Build Your Game Camp - GGA Academy @ Coffee Creek Golf Course - OKC, OK (Open) July 12-16, 2008 - Build Your Gam Camp - GGA Academy @ Coffee Creek Golf Course - OKC, OK - GGA Academy (Open) July 25-27, 2008 - 3 day school - Chicago, IL - Location TBA (will be in Chicagoland area) (2 spots open) August 22-24, 2008 - 3 day school - GGA Academy @ Coffee Creek Golf Course - OKC, OK - GGA Academy (Open) Sept. 24-26, 2008 - 3 day school - GGA Academy @ Eagle Creek Golf Club - Orlando, FL (Open) Sept. 27 & 28, 2008 - 4th Annual Moe Norman Memorial - GGA Academy @ Eagle Creek Golf Club - Orlando, FL Sept. 29 & 30, 2008 - 2 day Alumni school - GGA Academy @ Eagle Creek Golf Club - Orlando, FL (Open) Oct. 20-24, 2008 - Build Your Game Camp - Barona Creek Golf Club - San Diego, CA - (Open) Oct. 25-27, 2008 - 3 day school - Barona Creek Golf Club - San Diego, CA - (Open) Nov. 7-9, 2008 - 3 day school - GGA Academy @ Eagle Creek Golf Club - Orlando, FL- (Open) Nov. 10-14, 2008 - Build Your Game Camp - GGA Academy @ Eagle Creek Golf Club - Orlando, FL- (Open) Others TBA Please visit our website at www.swinglikemoe.com for updated events and more information. Online Registration available. If you would like more information about the schools agenda, etc.. or would like more information about a particular area, please feel free to call or email anytime: TimKGraves@aol.com or 866-377-2316 within US, 405-823-9693 (outside US). We have brochures we can send and/or email. Moeisms - the wit and wisdom of Moe Norman "My power is always generated at the flag stick." Please feel free to comment on this or email any of your favorite "Moeism's" to us if you'd like to share with others.... GGA Club Specials To save space, we have made a slight change in the Club Special section of the newsletter. Below you will find a link to a page that will list all club specials with better pictures, more information, and full pricing for our Club specials. See all club specials by clicking the link below: GGA Club specials Call the GGA at (866)377-2316 or email timg@swinglikemoe.com for all your club questions, club needs, etc. Let the experts help you! GGA Instruction Materials This is where EVERYONE should start to learn Moe's Single Axis Swing - a MUST HAVE!!!! GGA Total Game Overview Instructional DVD 10 minute Freeview. See our latest and newest release - TROUBLES AND SOLUTIONS - great reviews (visit our chatroom to read them) GGA "FEELING OF GREATNESS" GRIP TRAINING CLUB: $129.95 GGA / TGGS INSTRUCTIONAL TAPES: Please see:http://swinglikemoe.com/shopping/pgm-more_information.php?id=7&=SID "Little Moe's" Swing for Life $24.95 GGA Short Game: $19.95 Course Management/ "How to Practice": $19.95 Get all three on VHS: $64.95 All three on DVD: $64.95 Volume #1 - #6 - 7 Principles of Golf Improvement - $64.95 each Entire Series: $299 Leverage bag: $35.95 ********************************************* * A small shipping charge will be added to all orders. If you are interested in any of the above specials, please call us at 866-377-2316 within US or 405-823-9693 outside US, or email Tim Graves at TIMKGRAVES@AOL.COM or TIMG@SWINGLIKEMOE.COM We wish everyone continued success with their golf games, and hope to see everyone very soon. Tim Graves, PGA, Graves Golf Academy Owner/Instructor Todd Graves, Graves Golf Academy Owner/Instructor Scott Renfrow, GGA Director of Customer Relations Brent Evans, GGA Instructor / School Manager Dave Predzin, PGA(a), USGTF, GGA Master Instructor Mick Benson, GGA Instructor Shannon Kniesler, LPGA, GGA Instructor Ben Stanborough, PGA (European), GGA Instructor Clayton Zwicker, GGA Apprentice Graves Golf Academy www.swinglikemoe.com - GGA Website 866-377-2316 405-823-9693 (Outside US) timg@swinglikemoe.com timkgraves@aol.com www.moenormanforum.com - GGA Chat Forum [/quote]   Check here to include your profile signature.