A simple solution to this problem is dispensed every week of the year to golfers at the Phil Ritson – Mel Sole Golf School. It’s called the Clear Key. When we are playing on the course, and not in practice mode, we want to clear all conscious thoughts of the mechanics of the swing from our minds so we can swing freely. After setting up to the shot and taking a practice swing, our students repeat a simple phrase that is unrelated to golf and this clears the mind of all swing thoughts. Some examples of this phrase or mantra are “have a happy day” and “hamburger, lettuce & tomato.” It doesn’t matter what your personal Clear Key is, as long as you focus on it only and swing the club while you’re saying it. The number of words one says should fit the physical rhythm of the individual golf swing.

It has been proven that using a Clear Key phrase removes the anxiety and tension that is almost every golfer’s bugaboo, and unlocks the very best swing that you are capable of. As long as you are truly into your release or Clear Key, you won’t be able to think about the last time you drove the ball out of bounds from this spot, and you won’t be thinking of future moves you’ll make in your swing.

One of my Instructors likened Kevin Na’s difficulty at The Players to the debilitating stuttering problem of George VI in The King’s Speech. When George VI played music with headphones on, he spoke clearly and without stuttering. This proves that if the conscious mind is occupied with something other than the task at hand, the body will produce the desired result quite easily. We can erase the mental clutter of how to execute something when we use our mantra to block all conscious thoughts. The true value of the Clear Key is that it forces your mind to train itself on the present moment only, so that your golf swing can operate on automatic.

Try it folks. This will be a huge help to those who hit it well on the practice tee (no pressure there!) and then head to the course where they sometimes play poorly. Just hit the Clear Key and let it go!

For more about Clear Keys, see my related golf tip, Swinging Smooth With a Clear Key.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Related golf tips:

• Golf Pitching Fundamentals, Part 1: Hitting Off Tight Lies – April 2012
• How to Stop “Scooping” Your Pitch Shots – Aug 2000
• 7-8-9 Method Helps Golfers Achieve Consistent Distances on Pitch Shots – One of my articles on About.com.

Also see: Golf instruction video Wedge Magic, Pitching, Chipping & Putting

Click here to view the embedded video.

Related golf tips:

• Chipping or Pitching To a Green Above Shoulder Level – Oct 2008
• How to Stop “Scooping” Your Pitch Shots – Aug 2000
• 7-8-9 Method Helps Golfers Achieve Consistent Distances on Pitch Shots – One of my articles on About.com.

Also see: Golf instruction video Wedge Magic, Pitching, Chipping & Putting

The Mizuno Pro Am has been played every year for the last 25 years. The tournament features a golf pro playing with three amateurs. The best two scores count on each hole. It’s played in a Stableford format. The first three rounds are played on Pebble Beach, Spyglass Hill and Spanish Bay. All competitors stay at the Inn at Spanish Bay. After three rounds there is a cut, and the top 10 teams play Pebble Beach again. The rest play Spyglass a second time.

They hold a wonderful welcome reception on the first night and a terrific dinner and awards presentation on the last night. There is a drawing for a set of Mizuno irons each day, and each participant receives a generous gift package on arrival and daily turn down gifts in the room each day. All-in-all a memorable experience not to be missed!

Needless to say my team and I had a great time.

I would like to take three teams next year, so I will be looking for nine participants. The Mizuno Pro-Am is held the week immediately following the AT&T National Pro Am, so the courses are in tremendous shape. The cost per person is $5995 double occupancy. If you’re interested you need to put your name down early as you’ll be registered on a first come first served basis. Deposits won’t be required until early November. For more details, download the 2012 Mizuno Pro-Am info sheet.

Here are a few pictures from this year’s tournament to entice you to consider playing in the Mizuno Pro-Am next year!

Any child 16 years or younger can enroll in a free 1 to 3-day golf school, followed by free on-course play in the afternoons — year round — when accompanied by an adult. If more than one child participates, the second (or 3rd) Junior’s lessons are half-price and his/her green fees are charged at regular cost.

Plus, when your family stays on-site with our “Best Ever Golf School Package” your kids stay at no extra charge. Enjoy spacious, fully-equipped golf villas that overlook the fairways of beautiful Pawleys Plantation; or, relax at the oceanfront suites at Litchfield Beach & Golf Resort, less than 10 minutes from the golf school.

Pawleys Island is a 30 minute drive south of Myrtle Beach. Myrtle Beach, SC is served by low cost, non-stop air service from over 25 cities. It is also renown for its number of exciting non-golf activities that are perfect for the whole family.

Make your 2012 family vacation the best yet! Golf lessons will make it fun, which is my number one priority when teaching kids how to golf. We start Juniors off by simply helping them to get the ball in the hole, and encourage them with lots of praise. This produces quick results and keeps them interested. As they progress, we give Juniors the chance to play some Par 3 courses. We also teach the basic rules of golf and golf etiquette, always keeping it fun. With more accomplished Juniors, we provide instruction on the mental side of golf in addition to physical drills.

This year, come to Myrtle Beach and share in our commitment to provide a great opportunity for kids and adults to learn golf together at a great price! For more information please call 1-800-624-4653 or contact us online.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Related golf tips:

• Essential Tips For Putting On Fast Greens
• Easy Off-Season Golf Drill for Weight Transfer
• Learn to Practice Your Putting at Home

Why play with clubs that don’t suit your swing? Trying to improve your swing with incorrect clubs is like trying to race at LeMans with a bicycle. You’ll get around, but you won’t win!

Mel Sole is a certified Mizuno Clubfitter. In addition to the Mizuno Performance Fitting System, Mel also uses the Zelocity Launch Monitor. These computerized measurement devices have raised clubfitting to a fine art:

• The Mizuno Performance Fitting System matches the ideal iron shaft, weight and length for each individual player with a simple interchangable fitting system.
• The Zelocity Launch Monitor assists with clubfitting for woods, measuring club head speed, ball spin rate, launch angle and a whole lot more!

Compare various clubs and/or balls for optimum performance and receive a print-out of your custom specs. There’s no obligation, you just get a record of your specs for future purchases.

Benefits of a Proper Clubfitting

Even after golf school is over, you can continue to improve on the course simply by playing with clubs that fit your “swing DNA.” Several of my custom-fit students have dropped as many as five strokes per round, gained distance, and now hit the ball straighter than ever.

If you wish to have a clubfitting but do not want to take the 3 day golf school, the charge is $80. This fee is waived if you buy the clubs from us.

90% of U.S. golfers are playing with wrong equipment. If that sounds like you, contact Mel to arrange for your clubfitting in Myrtle Beach.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Related golf tips:

• The Three Fundamental Golf Stretches for Maximum Swing Power – Feb 2010
• Stretching For Your Best Game – Jan 2007
• End the Confusion About Body Movement Through the Impact Zone! – March 2005

In this month’s video golf tip, Mel reports from México, where he’s teaching at the beautiful Club de Golf Malinalco. According to Mel, this course features the best greens he’s ever putted on. The greens are very fast, and require a good read and solid technique. Mel shares his essential tips for putting on fast greens like the ones at Malinalco and Augusta National.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Related golf tips:

• How To Read Greens
• 6 Weeks to a Killer Putting Stroke
• An Indoor Drill For Better Putting

In this month’s video golf tip (the last of 2011!), join Mel Sole to learn about his thoughts on the wrist cock during the back swing and grip pressure, as well as what to look for in a golf instructor.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Related golf tips:

• An Easy Way to Improve Your Backswing – March 2010
• Preventing the “FAT” Shot  – November 2002
• The Backswing – The Start to a Good Swing! – February 1998