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TGGS
Administrator
USA
1918 Posts |
 Posted - 06/09/2004 : 09:11:38
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GRAVES GOLF ACADEMY
TODD GRAVES "Little Moe" SIGNATURE SCHOOL
JUNE E-TIP NEWSLETTER -
ISSUE #30
IT'S SUMMER TIME!!!!
School's out, golf courses are green, hope everyone is getting alot of time on the "links".
We got back from our New Jersey/Connecticut trip last week - what a great time. We taught for a week and saw close to 30 different students. WONDERFUL weather - definitely different than last year. Would like to thank all those that attended our schools and would like to send special thanks to Ron Beck, PGA - Head Professional at Fox Hopyard Golf Course in East Haddam, CT (if you ever get a chance - a must see course... absolutely beautiful... we'll definitely be back next year), and Mick Benson (Certified Instructor) and Ron Jaworski at Valleybrook Golf Course in Blackwood, NJ. Thanks everyone for the great hospitality and you did a "much better job this year with the weather..."
Volume #2 of the 7 Principles of Golf Improvement is out. We've had great reviews and seems to be aiding to alot of single axis golfer's instructional information. If interested in more information about Volume #2 - please see our website at www.swinglikemoe.com
* Keep watching our changing schedule. We are planning upcoming Build Your Game Camps and 1 and 3 day schools in Oklahoma, Ohio, Indiana, Florida, Las Vegas, Kansas and a few other states. Please see our schedule below and visit our website at www.swinglikemoe.com for most updated schedules.
* We've had quite a few new members on our Moe Norman Swing Forum (Chatroom) at http://www.forumco.com/fuzz2moe/default.asp in the past few weeks. We currently have 50 pages of members, which is growing everyday. Remember, it costs nothing as it has been set up for all single axis golfers as a site to visit, chat, get answers to swing questions and a place to just "have fun".
SCOTT'S E-CORNER
Hello again friends! Hope your golf season is going better than mine. We went from a few days of spring STRAIGHT into summer. Hot, humid, just yucky.
All that aside, I wanted to take a few minutes to inform you of some things we are working to improve your experience with GGA.
First, we are working towards moving towards a new system for sending out the bi-monthly e-newsletters. The current system is simply too time consuming, less reliable, and less professional looking than we would like it to be.
Having said that, if you could visit www.swinglikemoe.com/index.php?customernumber=4623291342739&pr=Free_Newsletter&=SID and simply fill out the required information (first & last name, email address), this would help us make your experience a more enjoyable one.
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Also, don't forget the drawing for the FREE Graves Golf Academy 3 day school. We just chose Herb Simmerly as the latest winner of the FREE school drawing, and the next drawing will be held around Sept. 1st.
Please remember, only 1 entry per household. I personally track all entries as they come in, so by entering multiple times, you do NOT increase your chances of winning. If you are unsure if you have entered, email me @ scottr@swinglikemoe.com and I can check for you.
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On another note, Volume 2 of the 7 Principles is out and we are getting great feedback. I was speaking with a student recently who commented he got more out of watching the 1st two volumes of this series than studying 'other' teaching methods in the past 5 years. If you would like to talk about the series, have questions, or are unsure if you are ready for that 'plunge', give me a call or shoot me an email. Helping you improve your game is what my job is all about.
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In our ongoing effort to provide our students and customers with the best support structure in the golf industry, we would like to gauge your interest in starting and participating in GGA local 'chapters'. Chapters would exist for the following benefits of it's members:
* Meet on a regular basis for support, practice and play.
* These meeting may be as simple as an 'email' group, or as elaborate as having a day each month (or more) where they meet in person, practice together, and play together.
* Work together videoing each members swing for review or the 'mail-in video program'
* As groups get established, become an 'official' group, which allows the group to keep and 'official' handicap
* In conjunction with possible GGA visits for instruction, schedule 'Little Moe' ball striking demonstrations to help recruit new members to the chapter.
* Chapter 'events', including but not limited to; chapter 'play days', chapter vs. chapter tourneys, etc.
If you are interested in becoming a charter member of your local chapter, or if you would just like to be a member of a chapter, email me @ scottr@swinglikemoe.com You can also call me @ (817)597-7576.
Keep up the good work, and look for some changes to our "Chat room / forum" coming soon. I won't say anything more than we simply can't have our "lifeline" down for 3 days…..
Talk with you soon! Hit em' straight!
Scott Renfrow
GGA Marketing Director
scottr@swinglikemoe.com
PRACTICE TIP:
BE DIFFERENT!!!!
We have taught alot of schools in the past few years. And for those of you who have attended our schools, you know we talk alot about how to put what you learn into practice. We believe, we can teach you a swing "made of gold", but if you don't know how to practice it to perfect it, it won't do you much good..... I have now changed my title of Practice A vs. Practice B to BEING DIFFERENT!
Yup - for all those who are wondering why I haven't been on my "soap box" lately - Guess what......I'm back on the box............
YOU MUST BE DIFFERENT when it comes to playing this game if you want to get better!!!
First - let's talk about some stats (USGF statistics):
The average male's golf score is 97 and is has gotten worse the past couple of years (more new golfers vs. those who are improving).
The average female score is 107.
The average golfer peaks his game 3 years from the date he/she begins the game (regardless of age).
So - if you are average (not different), you shoot around a 97 (around a 25 to 30 handicap) and have already reached your peak in the game.
Now - let's talk about how to break this trend.....
You must be different in how you go about the game. All you have to do is look around you at the course and don't do what everyone else is doing.
Let's bring up some examples.
1. Where do golfers spend most of their time practicing the game?
The range of course. You should spend at MOST - 50% of your time on the range, the rest MUST be spent practicing where the scoring is - the SHORT game.
2. Where do golfers start their practice?
Yup - the range again. Golfers go into the shop, buy tokens or range balls, walk to the practice area and start "pounding". Guess what... it DOESN'T work. You must warm up before practicing on the range. You can stretch, or better yet, hit some small chips and build to a few short pitches.. this will warm you up and definitely start your swing on a "better path".
3. How many golfers know how to fix their swing - or have a plan to fix their swing?
Can you say almost none........ That is why most don't get better. Develop a plan on how to fix your swing. Study YOUR swing and compare to a model (I know of a couple good ones....) Develop a plan such as: I must first fix my upper hand grip, next I need to work on facing ball at impact, next........ Then execute your plan.
4. Give your plan time.
When we give lessons, it's amazing how many golfers think they should be fixed before the lesson ends. Guess what, when making changes, it is difficult. Changes are different. Things that are different will take time to get comfortable and this time can not be eliminated. If you try and rush the changes, they will not stick.... Be different and take your time, make the changes stick.. don't give up.... being "tenacious" is a good trait when making changes...
5. How many golfers go to a range with a plan?
How many of you would start a business or even a business day without a plan??? Without a plan, guess where you will go... no where. You must have a plan before starting a practice session. A plan can be as small as I'm going to work on my grip today, or maybe, I'm going to work on keeping my back foot down through impact.... STICK TO THE PLAN. When you stop working on the particular point - STOP PRACTING or take a break and reenergize. If you don't have a plan - you will be going in circles - having very little order and will actually hurt your swing at times.
Last week we saw Dan Bassett again in Connecticut. Dan has been an alumni of ours for a couple of years now. He has attended a couple of schools and our Build Your Game Camp this past winter in Orlando. The reason I mention Dan is I asked him to write a couple paragraphs about the way he practices, his plan and how he goes about carrying out his plan. Why? Because Dan is just like most of you.... he works full time, trys to squeeze in golf around work and family, but one big difference from most "average" golfers described above... Dan has gone from a 24+ handicap 2 years ago to a 9 now. And after seeing Dan last week, give him a year or so, and he'll be scratch. I wanted a fellow single axis golfer to describe what he has set up that has been so effective... enjoy.
"On Saturday I play 18 holes in a wing ding in my mens club. I play what ever I have that day- a pull, fade ,slice ,draw, whatever it happens to be. I give myself 3 holes to figure out what it will be.
On sunday I don't do much of anything, maybe hit the bag in the rec room a couple times if I happen to go in it.
On Monday I tape my swing to look for any obvious errors and what ever I was having trouble with in saturdays round. I go over it on my laptop and plan tuesdays practice around the flaws. Sometimes taking it in to fast ,not hinging correctly, over the top, You know all the things you guys have told me in the past. The one thing I make sure I do is really focus on stopping that over the top move I had ingrained in my swing, that little move at the top of my backswing. What I do is set up the camcorder and connect it to the laptop and set up the V1 system. I put a ball on the mat and set up a plane line on the screen. Then I take it back on the plane line slowly making sure I am on it or under it. Then I come down slowly making sure I start the downswing with my hands and not my shoulders. I just do this Over and over slowly and once in a while I'll do a couple fast swings to compare it to how I do in slow motion. I do this for about 2 hours, seems like a long time but I'm checking the swing with the V1 alot so its not like I'm swinging for 2 hours straight. I have a good tape from the 5 day camp where I was making some real good swings that I use as my reference.
Wednesday and Thursday are household chores day so I don't do much again. I may spend 15 or 20 minutes in front of the mirror or maybe swing the Maximus 7 iron or driver a dozen times or so. Although since this last school I have been swinging the maximus in front of the camcorder and laptop 100 times, I then swing a regular 6 iron a couple times and it feels like a feather. It also looks good on video so I am going to keep this one in my routine from now on.
On Friday I go to the course and chip and putt and a little pitching but they don't let you pitch to the green so I don't do to much of that. But mostly I chip my 12 practice balls to a hole, then go putt them all out and see how many I can get up and down. The cup gets full so I count ones that hit the pile as makes. I pick one hole and chip to it with my 8,9,pw,gap,sand and lob one round each(12 balls)then I move to a different hole if I get up and down 8 out of the 12 balls. I might play a little clock or use the 2 ball get up and down game we learned at the camp. By the way My record for the 2 ball up and down game is 17, and the only reason it ended was because I was due on the tee. ( I was doing the game before my sat. round.) I may take out the string a little while but I get bored with that pretty quick so I don't do it much. If I miss some short putts though on sat. I take it out after the round and punish myself for a bout a 1\2 hour with it.
Fridays practice is the longest one, it lasts anywhere from 3 to 4 1/2 hours but the time really flies so it never seems that long. I always get gruff from the old timers on the patio for practicing too much but I know this is the quickest way to scratch and I kinda like getting my balls broke anyway. Before I started natural golf my lowest index was a 24.2 ,after about 3 or 4 years I guess I got down to about a 15 but couldn't keep it there and was at about an 18 when I hooked up with you guys. Now my lowest index is a 9.0 but that was the last revision and this one was 9.4. Still pretty happy with that. One of my goals was to get it to single digits so I'm on the right track. I had never broken 80 at my home course till the end of last year. And once I did it I did it 6 out of the last 10 rounds of the year. One of my scores which was on the card as a combined score from 2 nines was a 73! Even par on the front and 2 over on the back.I have to admit though since I've been going to you guys I do practice more. But thats because I know WHAT to practice. I feel like I'm actually getting better now instead of the way I use to think I was just ingraining bad habits. So you guys have actually made practiceing fun. Incidentally I know its only been a couple days since the 3 day school where Todd said I could play but I still chose to come home and practice instead. After seeing my swing on tape at the school I'm so pumped that all this practice is paying off that I can't wait to get home to practice some more. I just can't believe that over the top Move I had is gone and I'm swinging from inside now. I'm sorry this turned into a novel but I was honored that you even asked what I was doing to get better. Oh yeah I forgot to tell you that I keep all my stats from the round on Saturday to help give me some more clues on where to focus my practice."
Does that sound a little different to most of you???
Definitely seems different than what most average golfers do.... but that is why Dan has achieved the success he has.
I do know it is hard to put that much time into the game... but if done right (practicing with a plan), you will get better - alot better. It may not be as fast as Dan's progress, but the progress will definitely be positive.
We will discuss more about being "DIFFERENT" in upcoming issues. Don't be afraid to be different - if being different is getting better at golf - alot better at golf - I think most of us would like to be VERY DIFFERENT.
Good Luck.
"Moeisms"
"The game should not lead you..... you must lead the game."
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 RECOGNITION CORNER
We are continuing this section in which we are going to recognize achievements of golfers who are either alumni of the GGA or have just used the GGA newsletters or etips for instruction. We would like to recognize anyone for significant achievement in their golf game in the past few months/year/etc..
Daryl H (West Chester, PA): I watched Volume 1 and II over and over again. I've tried my very best to stay balanced and to swing with the correct spine angle. It's finally started to pay off. I've been hitting drives between 255 and 270 yards! As a frame of reference, my previous yardage was 210-230. I never thought that I could hit it so far. Just keep making and sending those DVD's. Thanks!!
John W (High Pointe, NC): Wanted to give some feedback on the leverage angle drill. I have been doing this farily steady 4 to 5 nights each week for the last two weeks. Trying to improve club head speed as you suggested. I just get a good grip and go to the "preset" position, and pound the bag. Tremendous difference in ball striking. I am hitting drives 30 to 40 yards longer. I ripped a couple yesterday over 270, one close to 290. And these are nice and straight. Even my miss hits are starting to get better. I've noticed increased distance with the other clubs as well.
Craig P (Clearwater, FL): Ever since the one-day school in Orlando a couple of months ago just a couple of little tips have made a huge difference. Entered the club championship at my club and got beat in the final round of my flight. Never advanced before. Yesterday, I played in a scramble with some friends, hit every par 3, got closest to pin on one and then they had a "shoot out" of the closest to pin winners, where I won (3'8" from the pin in the shoot out). Won a new driver and nice crystal trophy from the Jet Blue Challenge and in a drawing to win an all expense paid trip to Vegas to play in their Jet Blue Challenge tournament.
Bottom line, the ball is finally going where I am aiming it for the first time in my life and I am enjoying golf more than I ever had.
Mike B (Montgomery, TX): After my three days in April with you and Todd in OKC, I came back and reviewed all that you and Todd had drummed into our heads. I have much to say but just let me say this. I've been home for 9 days and have yet to get on the golf course. I've been practicing every day. Swing mechanics and short game mostly. The Graves methodology has taken hold and VAST improvement is evident in ball striking consistency. That was my first goal. Now ball flight direction and length are falling into place. I tried to keep an open mind at the school and guess what....."THIS STUFF REALLY WORKS". Thanks for the help and I'll be in touch.
For more great stories, visit our new "Glory Stories" section of our chatroom, and don't hesitate to tell your own "Glory Story".
Keep them coming!!! We would like everyone who has made significant advances in their game, won tournaments, shot personal scores, reached personal goals, etc.. to email or call us with these highlights. We would like to tell everyone about them.. "toot your horn", "brag", "tell everyone", here's your opportunity.
TGGS "TIDBITS"
* Brent Reid has officially started working with us. Brent is our new school manager and started with a "bang" flying into Philadelphia and helping with our NJ and CT schools. Then came the 23 hour ride home..... nothing like breaking in the new help.... Brent is great, a very hard worker and a great asset to what we are doing. Hope everyone gets to meet him in the near future.
* We are continuing the video mail in instruction program. It has shown very helpful to those who want a lesson or two and can't see us in person. Just requires taking a video of your swing, mailing to us for review and we'll get back to you with a video analysis of your swing. For more details, please call or email us anytime.
* Remember the section of our forum dedicated to the 7 Principles of Golf Improvement at: http://www.forumco.com/fuzz2moe/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=32&CAT_ID=4&Forum_Title=3%2E+7+Principles+of+Golf+Improvement
Section #1 (DVD / Tape #1)
The Dynamics of Moe Norman's Swing (part #1)
Principle 1: The Development of a Sound Repeatable Powerful Swing of Ease, (Based on the Mechanics of Moe Norman),
Price: $64.95
Section #2 (DVD / Tape #2)
The Dynamics of Moe Norman's Swing (part #2)
Principle 1 (continued): The Development of a Sound Repeatable Powerful Swing OF Ease, (Based on the Mechanics of Moe Norman)
Price: $64.95
Section #3 (DVD / Tape #3)
The Wedge Game, Chipping, Sand Play.
Principle 2: The Development of an Efficient Short Game
Section #4 (DVD / Tape #4)
Putting, Reading Greens, Putting Games / How to practice putting
Principle 3: Becoming a Good Putter
Section #5 (DVD / Tape #5)
Knowing your equipment, does it fit your game?
Principle 4: Building Clubs that Fit Your Game / Determining Golf Ball that Fits Your Game: Know and Understand Your Equipment
Section #6 (DVD / Tape #6)
How to Practice, Course Management, How to Think
Principle 5: Learn to Play on the Course using developed Skills (Course Management)
Principle 6: Learn To Practice Efficiently (Goal Setting / Time Management)
Principle 7: How to Think on the Course and in Practice
UPCOMING TGGS EVENTS:
** We are rescheduling the Indiana and Ohio schools for the end of July. We had some interest in the June dates, but many who wanted to come to the schools showed interest in having later dates. Please see the schedule below for the rescheduled events.
** We are going to have Build Your Game Camps in OKC each month. Watch our schedules and if interested, give us a call or email. As these have very limited number of students, we typically schedule the dates according to the student(s) needs.
*** Visit our website at www.swinglikemoe.com for more information on each school, school agendas, and for most recent updated schedule. Updated every few days.
July 5-9 Oklahoma City, OK Build Your Game Camp Coffee Creek Golf Course - Graves Golf Academy
July 16 Oklahoma City Intermediate School Graves Golf Academy, Coffee Creek Golf Course
July 17 Oklahoma City Advanced School Graves Golf Academy, Coffee Creek Golf Course
July 28 Indiana Advanced School Honeywell Golf Course - Wabash, IN
July 29 Indiana Alumni School Honeywell Golf Course - Wabash, IN
July 30 Ohio Intermediate School Wilkshire Golf Course - Bolivar, OH
July 31 Ohio Advanced School Wilkshire Golf Course - Bolivar, OH
Aug 1 Ohio On Course Instruction Wilkshire Golf Course - Bolivar, OH
Aug 10-13 Oklahoma City Build Your Game Camp Coffee Creek Golf Course - Graves Golf Academy
Sep 20-24 Oklahoma City Build Your Game Camp Coffee Creek Golf Course - Graves Golf Academy
Oct 8-10 Las Vegas, NV 3 Day School Revere At Anthem Golf Course
Others TBA
Prices:
Intermediate and Advanced Schools: $399 for first school day, $349 for each additional day.
TGGS alumni: $349 per day.
Special: Get $50 off your school price for recommending anyone who attends our schools.
1 Day Schools: OKC: $299
3 Day Schools (special rates): $1,099 first student, $799 if bring guest
1/2 Day Schools: $699
Build Your Game Camps - OKC - $1,999
* There will be a small course cost for all those participating in the "On Course" instruction days.
Please visit our website at www.swinglikemoe.com for updated events and more information.
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.
SPECIALS:
We greatly appreciate all those who have contacted us for orders in the past. Again, if you are going to purchase any golf equipment, NG product, anything as small as NG gloves, a grip, up to a full set of clubs, please contact us or another certified instructor (if you would like to help support him/her) first. All certified instructors (us included) work on a commission through NG and other equipment companies. If an order is placed direct to NG (not placed through and by the certified instructor) we receive no credit for it (unless it is placed immediately after attending a school). As most of you know, we try to turn some of this "credit" back to our students in keeping our school prices down, free product and sometimes rebates.
You can now order all our instructional materials on our secure website at www.swinglikemoe.com
*** New Titleist 804os and 704os forged irons: $799 (graphite set of 8), $649 (set of 8 steel)
*** Titleist Vokey Wedges (chrome, nickel or oil can), any loft: $100 each
*** Great Big Bertha drivers - graphite shaft - any loft - $249
*** New Taylor Made 540XD and 580XD drivers - $389
*** Taylor Made Rescue Clubs - $175 (graphite) $150 (steel)
*** New Cobra SZ drivers: $289
*** Titleist/Cobra SSi Irons - built to your single axis swing specs: Graphite: $499 (set of 8), Steel: $449 (set of 8)
*** Call for prices on any club, we are typically able to beat most prices.
*** No taxes or shipping charges on all custom built name brand clubs (outside of Oklahoma).
* 1st Section of the 7 principles series - $64.95
* 2nd Section of the 7 principles series - $64.95
GGA / TGGS INSTRUCTIONAL TAPES:
TGGS Short Game: $24.95
Course Management/ "How to Practice": $19.95
"Little Moe's" Swing for Life $19.95
Get all three: $49.95
All three on DVD: $64.95
Leverage bag: $29.95
* Last Minute Specials:
Right handed:
1. 450 Pipelines, graphite senior flex - 5 - LW, good condition - $300
2. 450 Pipelines, graphite senior flex - 6-LW, fair condition - $250
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At any time you are interested in ordering any product, school, etc. through NG, call us first, we can always offer additional savings, rebates, etc.. as we are NG's Signature School.
* 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 AT TIMKGRAVES@AOL.COM or TIMG@SWINGLIKEMOE.COM
Please feel free to call or email anytime with swing, school, equipment, or any other questions. That is what we are here for.
We wish everyone continued success with their golf games, and hope to see everyone very soon.
Remember - ALWAYS PRACTICE WITH A PURPOSE!!
Tim Graves, Graves Golf Academy Owner/Instructor, Natural Golf Certified Instructor
Todd Graves, Graves Golf Academy Owner/Instructor, Natural Golf Master Instructor
Fuzzy Briggs, GGA Event Coordinator
Scott Renfrow, GGA Marketing Director
Brent Reid, GGA School Manager
Graves Golf Academy
TimKGraves@aol.com - email contact
866-377-2316 - toll free - call anytime
405-823-9693 - outside U.S.
www.forumco.com/fuzz2moe/default.asp (TGGS Golf Instruction Forum)
www.swinglikemoe.com (TGGS home website)
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GGA June Etip Newsletter
