Did anyone watch Craig Parry win the Australian Open golf yesterday? I did and thought the golf and coverage were excellent. I honestly thought that Craig Parry had retired but when he popped up on Friday with a course record 64, I knew that “Popeye” was back and going to give the tournament a real shake.
I played yesterday morning, and after the game we all put forward our thoughts on who was going to win. Robert Allenby was the favourite, with Nick O’Hern receiving plenty of support. My money was with Parry who I think is the perfect golfer – a golfer that knows how to handle the pressure and knows how to win.
When others faltered, if only slightly, Parry was able to get the job done by avoiding serious mistakes and making some crucial putts at the right time. By the time he reached the 18th he had one hand on the Stonehaven Cup. His safe par was good enough to get the job done.
His par on 17 summed up his day. Playing into the strengthening wind, the hole does not suit his left to right shot shape. His drive finished in a fairway bunker, he then played a conservative recovery with a wedge. I believe many would have tried a more agressive shot – but not Parry, he would take his chances with a wedge and putter. And this is exactly what he did.
Special mention must be made of Won Joon Lee, Brandt Snedeker and Nick O’hern. Lee shot an incredible score of 66. He had a makable put on the last for 65 which would have made things more interesting. He looks like being a super star of the future.
Snedeker finished one behind and could be considered unlucky. He called a penalty on himself at 14, although this didn’t seem to halt his charge in the slightest. I hope more of these US players can come to our shore. They seem to offer plenty to the Australian public. They are great players that have personality, flair and obviously play the game in the right spirit. Jason Gore proved this last week too.
And then there’s poor O’hern. Just when it seemed he had the tournament for the taking he bogeyed 16 and 17. He was playing well at the time but those little stumbles proved to be the difference. He played an awesome shot into the last but the putt that may have gotten him into the playoff slid by. I hope O’hern doesn’t change his approach. I believe he has to keep doing what he is doing. He’s obviously a terrific player that quite possibly needs a little luck at the right time.
The day belonged to Parry. His large frame, unique swing and years of experience outshone his younger and fitter opponents. It showed everyone that golf swing is only part of the equation and that even the modern fitness craze that has swept golf is not everything. Parry should serve as a role model for all normal golfers. Being small and overweight should not be a disadvantage. Skill, courage and the ability to play your own game is more important.
While others would have spent last night ruing missed chances, Parry would have been enjoying himself (like a normal Aussie bloke) with an inner pride that can only come when one knows how to shine in the arena of battle. Well done Craig Parry, you are a real golfing Champion!
I’ve been guilty of taking golf too seriously at times. I get a bit self absorbed in what’s going on and think my golf score can be life and death. Usually when I’m in this state of mind I don’t play so well and leave the course feeling tired and bothered.
Last week I had a game after work…it was a great night and there weren’t many people around. I decided to play a game that I call cross country.
Cross country is lots of fun…instead of playing the golf course in the normal way, choose for example to play from the first tee to the third green. The fun part is working out the ideal route. You may have to go over trees, over bunkers and across the wrong fairway. Because there is no set par for these made up holes you are less likely to worry about score. Instead, you are hitting the ball and using your imagination to find the best way to play each hole.
When I first started playing golf, my friends and I would play from one part of the golf course to the other. We had dams to go around, large trees and other people to avoid. The best part was that we would each choose a different way to play the designated hole. We would start off and then meet each other on the green, maybe 700 metres away. We would count up the shots, declare a winner for the hole and then choose another cross country hole.
Be careful and avoid other golfers that may be using the golf course in the ‘right way’. And try and choose a time that is quiet.
If this seems a bit extreme you can play golf with one club, say a five iron. This requires you hit all your shots with the five iron. Putting, chipping and bunker shots. Again, par is thrown out the window while you try and manufacture different shots to get the job done. This one club golf forces you to come up with extreme shots forcing you to learn and develop your scores. Try it, I’m sure you’ll get something positive out of it.
If you feel you are playing golf too seriously (playing with your head), take a different approach and see if you can incorporate a more fun and playful attitude to to your golf game.
Good golfing,
Cameron Strachan
G’day golfer,
After plenty of prototypes, dealing with manufacturers and final testing the Power Stool is now ready. The design of the Power Stool teaches golfers (it literally forces) to limit their body rotation and swing more with their arms.
This is what science says is the ideal way to play golf. This method ensures you maximise club head speed using the least amount of effort. It really is the secret of producing power. If you’ve ever wondered how some golf pros can hit the ball so far but do so making it look easy, then this is it.
If you’d like to learn more check this out, www.golfscience.com.au/powerstool
While I’m talking about my products I should also mention my new teaching studio. This opened up this week in Melbourne. It’s a great facility! Plenty of room and in a perfect location in Hawthorn. If you’d like to learn one on one (the best way) then let me know and we can arrange something soon.
I’ve had my first couple of lessons this week and people seem to enjoy my unique, but fun approach to teaching. If you’ve never experienced a natural and instinctive game then give me a call.
On a side note did anyone see Andrew Gaze in the All Star basketball game? I know it’s not golf, but three point shooting can resemble the approach golfers should take. Although retired for a few years, Gaze has not lost it. I think he scored 18 out of 20 in a three point throwing contest … an amazing effort. If you watch him he is so automatic…takes the ball, looks and shoot. I bet there’s no thought of technique or any other hindrance… it’s perfectly natural. I recommend you take a look if you can find it. I’m positive if he thought about it more, took more time he would not be anywhere near as good.
Tomorrow I’ll talk about ways to make golf fun if you’ve been taking it a little too seriously.
Good golfing,
Cameron Strachan
www.golfscience.com.au/powerstool
G’day,
I watched the first Twenty20 cricket match played in Australia this summer the other night. The Aussies were taking on the Kiwis in Perth. I was fascinated not so much by the cricket, although it was entertaining, but by the mindset of the Australian players. I believe the format and style this game is played in can provide golfers with a useful tool for learning.
Here’s what I found interesting;
Andrew Symonds was ‘miked up’ when he was batting. He was asked questions by the commentators in between balls. At first he gave standard answers to the commentary team, answers that I believe he thought were correct. Later on in his innings his real mindset became apparent.
When asked about where he was going to hit the ball he started to give a normal reply, “I’m going to hit it through cover” (I can’t remember exactly what he said but you get the point). He then when onto say that he was going to “just hit it”. I’m paraphrasing again, but he said he would see what gets delivered and deal with it then. This I believe is closer to his actual mindset.
I don’t think that a batter can really predict where the bowler will bowl to…it’s just not possible. It is also not possible to consciously think about HOW to hit the ball. The player MUST act subconsciously and in Symonds’ case, “just hit it”.
It’s interesting to note that Andrew Symonds went onto top score and be man of the match. Many might find this difficult to believe with the distraction of an ear piece and the questions from the commentary box. I think this is exactly the distraction a batsman would need to perform to his absolute best. His mind would not be thinking technique, it would be clear and allow his natural instinct to take over. This is the ideal mindset for all sportsmen, including golfers.
When the New Zealanders were batting Adam Gilchrist was miked up also. Being a wicket keeper he has to be concentrating on every ball. At times the commentators were talking to him as the bowler was running in. Like Symonds, this had no negative influence on his performance. If anything he performed above his potential, taking one amazing catch on an a fast and bouncing wicket.
It seemed to me that all the Australians had a fun and carefree attitude. I’m assuming they like the format has they get the chance to express themselves more. It seems some of the strict rules of cricket are thrown out the window and the players can ‘let loose’ with all of their skills.
This carefree attitude is ideal for sport. In an age where professionalism is taken too far, it was refreshing to see a change. It was fantastic to see the best in the world let their guard down and play for the fun of it. Everyone was rewarded by the result. The Australians won the match easily, the crowd would have enjoyed the spectacle (this includes dancers and fire twirlers) and the home viewers would have watched in droves.
It is no wonder that Twenty20 cricket appears to be the game of the future.
Maybe they could adopt some principles for the boring five day test matches? I suppose Test cricket is too serious for that!
Good playing,
Cameron Strachan
I have just opened my new golf teaching studio. It’s located in Hawthorn in Melbourne’s inner east. If you’d like a lesson on reaching your full potential and discovering your natural and powerful golf game then give me a tingle…it would be great to hear from you.
I gave a lesson yesterday to Mark. He had an interesting story that I’d like to share with you.
Mark has recently competed in the Club Championships at his golf club. He found himself in the last group going into the last round…only a few strokes from the lead.
To ensure he gave himself the best chance of winning he practiced each morning in the week leading up to the big day. On some days he visited the course on the way home from work. He was determined to do well.
On the morning of the last round he arrived at the course for some more practice. He spent some time on his swing, chipping and finished off with putting. By the time he got to the first tee he was ready….at least he thought he was.
Standing on the tee he started shaking. He was so nervous he didn’t know what to do. The result? He self destructed. He hit his first shot out of bounds and made an eight. The second hole, a par 3, he took 7. He didn’t get much better making another 7 followed by a string of 6′s. Those opening holes ruined his chance of winning or even performing well. He ended up scoring 108, his worst score in many years.
This might sound controversial, but his hard work earlier in the week was the problem. His usual routine is to rush to the first tee and then play. He did this on the first three rounds and found himself in contention for the title. Why would he change?
Working on your game and trying hard is intuitive…it makes sense. Especially when you have an important round coming up.
I believe that the best way to improve your golf can be counter intuitive. Mark should have resisted the urge to practice hard and work on his game. It would have been far better to play with ‘what he had’ and stick to his usual routine.
Golfers will be rewarded with improvement and fun if they approach golf counter intuitively. The following are some ideas that at first don’t make sense, but when you understand the learning process, open up a world of possibilities and new discoveries.
- Leave swing alone
- Try less- stop trying harder
- Focus on nothing. Forget about target, or your swing. Be neutral
- Near enough is good enough – don’t waste time perfecting your golf swing
- Practice less not more
- Play with your heart not your head
- Aim for long term results not instant gratification
- The long game is only a part of golf- the short game is more important, so spend more time on that
- Use golf clubs that work for you. Don’t buy expensive clubs for the sake of it
- Have more fun. Forget about your score
If you’d like to learn more about this please contact me. I know it might seem radical but I strongly believe this is the way to make significant improvement to your game.If you’ve been playing for any length of time and have worked hard and diligently on your game but have not seen the results that you think you’re capable of then it could be time for a change. If you keep doing the same thing over and over and expect to get a different result you could be wasting your time.
At the very least, attempt to play more instinctively for your next three rounds…have fun and don’t worry about your score.
Let me know how you get on.
Good golfing,
Cameron
I have written about the importance of the short game before…but I thought it would be a good idea to cover some important points again.
In the last few weeks I have received a number of calls and emails asking to describe the key points of putting, chipping, and bunker play and the best way to improve this part of the game.
OK…here’s what I think you should do if you are struggling with or would like to improve further.
Chipping
Develop a basic stroke. Choose one club, preferably a sand iron or pitching wedge (The extra loft these clubs offer give you some versatility).
The stroke needs to be simple. You are simply moving the club back and through with rhythm. The idea is to brush the grass gently. There’s no need to take a huge divot…you want to make a simple stroke…think back and through. For most people the ball will be positioned back in your stance with your hands and club shaft leaning forward.
You want to get good at this stroke. Forget about hitting spinning shots or high lob shots. Get good at this basic stroke. You can vary distance by swinging a little harder or softer. Alternatively, if you’re in doubt use your putter from off the green. If your goal is to shoot the lowest possible score then don’t be afraid to use your putter.
Practice this stroke away from the course (your backyard). You want to get so good at your basic little stroke that you should be able to do it with your eyes closed and from a variety of different lies. When you can hit 10 perfect little chips in a row…all with good contact, you are well on your way.
Putting
Putting is important. If you want to improve I suggest you read my free putting book (but please be quick because it won’t be free forever). You can get a copy here, www.perfect-putting.com
Bunker Play
It seems that many golfers have the wrong concept with playing bunkers. There are two crucial elements that need to be adhered too.
- Open club face. Assuming you’re playing from a green side trap, you must have an open club face. This ensures the club doesn’t dig into the sand.
- Shallow angle of attack. You don’t need to take that much sand. Many golfers believe they must remove ‘heaven and earth’ to eradicate themselves from a bunker. The shallow angle of attack ensures you take a slither of sand, hitting the ball high and soft.
Your goal from the bunker must be to get it out first time. The above technique requires some practice…something that many golfers don’t like doing.
If all this seems like hard work try and play away from the bunkers at all costs. A conservative approach will save many strokes from your score.
Also, please keep your eye out for my bunker trainer. It forces you to have an open club face and a shallow angle of attack. Early testing has given remarkable results and it should be available soon.
Conclusion
Improving your short game requires some understanding. You have to believe that it is as important, if not more so, as hitting long drives and accurate approaches. Spend time watching better players and learn how they get the ball close from just off the green. Then compare what you do from the same spot.
I wrote about a fellow member who beat me in a little putting contest before we played. He was surprised that a 14 handicapper could beat a scratch marker. When we took our little competition further by adding chipping, he didn’t get onto the green after two attempts and was well behind. He as gone onto say this was the best lesson he’s ever had!
Forget about hitting special shots too soon. If you work on a basic chipping stroke, a bunker technique for getting out first time and can make the vast majority of putts (90+%) from a metre or so, your game will improve. I guarantee it!
See how you go. And don’t forget to spend some time practicing. Maybe 10-20 minutes per week.
Good golfing,
Cameron Strachan
Dear golfer,
I took a trip away over the weekend to play with a regular client. John is from Thurgoona, near Albury on NSW and Victorian border.
I hadn’t played at Thurgoona before and was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the golf course. It is long, measuring over 6,300 metres. Although there seems to be plenty of room off the tee, it is quite deceptive. The rough and trees creep in at the right places; with the large greens providing ample challenge.
If you’re ever in the area it’s worth a look- make sure you play from the back tees 
John has been a client and friend for some time. He has reduced his handicap from 14 down to eight in the last few years. He is doing well and has lots of talent – playing rugby, cricket and league at a high level. He can give the ball a real rip…hitting a long and high ball.
It didn’t take me long to see that John had taken some of my golf instruction too far. The automatic process is crucial for playing to your full level. It allows you to take your game from a non pressure environment, like the practice fairway, and perform well out on the golf course.
John had taken some of my teachings a little too far. This is easy to do and is one reason why a regular catch up with a coach or mentor is important. John was playing too quickly. Upon reaching his ball he would have a quick look at the target and then rush into the ball and hit it. He was giving his system no chance to ‘get centered’, relax and prepare for the upcoming shot.
Playing quickly is often regarded as the ‘secret’ to playing automatically. This is not the case. Aaron Baddeley’s ‘look and shoot’ putting method works not because he plays quickly, but because he performs the skill automatically. I will say that playing automatically and instinctively usually results in a faster pace of play…but it is not the key ingredient. So be careful!
After our game (I never teach out on the golf course – not the right environment) I spoke to John about refining his routine slightly. These are the key points;
- Think, analyse and rehearse behind the ball. This is where you work out what you want to do.
- Get centered. Relax and recharge before the shot.
- Play golf. You hit the ball automatically. No technical thoughts.
Sidebar: The full process is outlined in my books GolfInstruction2.0 and Play Golf Your Way click either link for more info.
To the untrained eye John’s new routine would not appear different. The change is subtle but significant. By playing too quickly he was placing undue stress on his system. He was out of control…a little like a racing car with no brake. He now has a method of regaining control and playing more consistently for the duration of the round.
Golfers can pick up on a few points of any golf instruction and then exaggerate those principles. So be careful. It can be difficult learning from the written word. One reason that learning in person can be more beneficial. Always try and have a lesson with your coach, swing guru or mentor on a regular basis. Sometimes you can be doing little things that can be hurting your game without even knowing.
In my next blog I’m going to be doing a piece on the short game and how you can learn to tidy up your game. This will be a must read for any golfer wanting to drop a few shots from their handicap.
Until then good golfing,
Cameron Strachan
www.golfscience.com.au
P.S. In case you were wondering I managed to shoot 69 off the stick at Thurgoona. I was very pleased. My conservative strategy was used for most of the day. I hit my three iron from the tee more than my driver and ensured I followed the automatic process fully. Success!
G’day there,
I hope your golf is going well…if you get a chance let me know
how you’re progressing with Golf Instruction 2.0.
The best thing about what I do is waking up in the morning and
checking my email and reading success stories from regular golfers
from all over Australia (and NZ). It gives me a buzz and motivates me to
produce better products and information that can help you improve
further.
Speaking of improvement I mentioned on my Blog
(www.cameronsgolfblog.com) that I would keep you up to date on my
progress. I was planning to on taking a more conservative approach
from the tee and getting the ball into play a little more. The
background of the story is that I missed qualifying for the
Australian Open by playing too aggressively from the tee and lost
two balls.
Anyway, here’s my update. I think that there’s a good lesson for all.
I made a serious mistake in my little plan. Playing safely from the
tee is a good idea, especially if you’re feeling nervous or playing
an unfamiliar course. My mistake is that I also changed my swing. I
didn’t mean to do it but it just happened. I got away from the
automatic process that I’m so passionate about. My swing went soft,
tight and controlled. So I ended up in the trees, rough, sand and
OOB more often. Not a good thing!
The solution was to let go and trust my swing and follow the
process outlined in Golf Instruction 2.0. If you haven’t read it
please view it here, www.golfscience.com.au/golfinstruction2.0
Anyway, I have managed to get my game back on track. If I do take
an iron from the tee I have to ensure I allow my ‘natural’ swing to
shine through. This shift allowed me to experience one of my
greatest days in golf…check my Blog under “The Magic of Golf”.
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PRODUCT UPDATE
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I have a just opened my new teaching studio in Melbourne. If you’d
like to drop in and learn all about Golf Instruction 2.0 then let
me know. I’m only taking a few clients each day…so please get in
early! Contact details below.
I have been approached to do some seminars for golf clubs/groups. I
plan on recording these events and offering them to my clients as a
‘webinar’. The first video should be available in a week or so.
The Bunker Buster is going through final testing. This could be the
world’s first indoor bunker training aide. You won’t believe how
effective it is. It teaches golfers the two crucial fundamentals of
bunker play. Most golfers get this wrong and continually struggle
with sand shots…more soon.
And finally, the Power Stool is nearly ready…we’ve just had a
minor design change to make it even better. The Power Stool forces
you to synchronise your upper and lower body with the arms. This gives you more power
and accuracy. This could be the single best device for learning the
downswing move, The Big Toe theory and apply power correctly. If
you’d like to learn more please drop me a line. I have 100 Power
Stools in production…so let me know if you want to reserve
one…you’ll have it by Christmas!
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Before I go I would like to congratulate a few friends that have
had some outstanding performances recently;
Aaron Baddeley for winning the Australian Masters
Kurt Barnes for nearly winning the above. He faded slightly on the
back nine but would have learned plenty from the experience.
David Lutterus for qualifying this week on the PGA Tour. An amazing
effort in unbelievable pressure. Look forward to seeing him do his
thing next year!
I wish everyone a safe and merry Christmas and hope to hear from
you soon.
Good golfing,
Cameron Strachan
www.golfscience.com.au
www.cameronsgolfblog.com
Phone: 0403372261
