The Golf Geek

…it’s been a while.

I’m sorry I’ve not been around.

While I can offer any number of reasons, one stands out. Just at the time I took my Christmas break from the site, I rotated into one of the busiest posts of my professional career. And this came at a time when I’d been busy I’d been working with some players whilst ensuring I continued to develop my knowledge and coaching skills.

I also wanted to revamp the site, as a few people had mentioned the white writing on green background was difficult to read.

I just didn’t have the time to do what I wanted, and my break grew longer.

I’m delighted to say that’s no longer the case.

I don’t think I’ll ever work in such a busy post again, which means I’ll be able to continue offering you free articles to help you improve at golf. Although the rotten winter has meant I’ve not been able to get out to play, I’ve been as busy as ever developing my skill set and I’m desperate to start sharing what I’ve learned.

As you can see, I’ve been decorating, and I hope the site’s new look is easier on the eye.

As ever, I’d love to hear from you.

If there’s an area you’d like me to focus on, if you’ve got a question you’d like me to answer, or if you’d like to us to work together, please get in touch.

You can either click here to email, or use the contact form. You can even use the comments section below. Let me know what you think of the site’s new look, if you like- all feedback is gratefully received.

Let’s see if we can help you enjoy your golf even more!

In my last article I encouraged you to differentiate between your reaction and your response.

A response is measured, considered, chosen.

Reactions are…less so.

A large amount of our frustration arises from the mistaken belief that we’re doomed to repeat our reactions, over and over.

Event “X” causes reaction “Y”, always and forever…and so we’re doomed to our golfing pasts becoming the future.

But that’s not the case.

Not only do we get to choose our response…we can also learn new reactions.

And it’s not as difficult as you might think. All you need is time, and a commitment to change. Read More…

Would you take a supplement if it made you play worse?

I’m not one for kicking a man when he’s down, and I’ve no desire to cheapen the wonderful spectacle that was the 2012 Ryder Cup. Great sport requires two sides, and the American team played their part.

But I have to wonder about Jim Furyk.

Furyk was agitated and edgy around his putts, frequently backing off to re-read.

Furyk is also a prominent proponent of 5 Hour Energy.

In case you haven’t heard of it, 5 Hour Energy is a “dietary supplement” which, as the name suggests, promises an energy boost.

The irony is 5 Hour Energy is sugar free meaning it contains almost no energy at all.

That’s right – 5 Hour Energy contains no energy. Read More…

It’s a debate which has been around as long as Tiger made it clear his goal was to exceed Jack Nicklaus.

Let’s leave the question of whether he’ll win 5 more Majors to one side for now.

Could his achievement ever be considered to be as great, or even greater?

The received wisdom is no.

The argument goes a something like this: Nicklaus won 18 Majors despite a number of talented challengers, all multiple Major winners, playing at the same time.

At the start of his career, there was Arnold Palmer, golf’s first superstar, and Gary Player. As his career developed, Lee Trevino came onto the scene, as did Tom Watson and Seve Ballesteros. Read More…

We’ve all been there.

You’re putting for the match when a passing car hits its horn. Every shot has found the middle of the fairway…and what seems like the only divot, every time. Or you’re irked by your playing partners’ tendency to treat the rules of golf as a starting point for negotiation. They played too slowly…or, perhaps, they played too quickly.

And you’re angry.

You’re angry at the group in front for taking 13 practice swings before switching to “ball-stare” mode. It takes each of them upwards of 4 minutes to hit every shot. You wouldn’t mind if they could play, but for the last 3 holes all 4 of them have been criss-crossing the fairway, only ever finding it by accident.

If it hadn’t been for that car. If only play had been at your preferred pace. Had your playing partners played by the rules, you’d have played better.

It’s the same story over and over. Read More…