Darren Steels PGA Professional - Top 5 Putting Drills

 

Top 5 Putting Drills

String It Out Lag Putting Drill

1. Cut multiple pieces of string, each about three feet long.

2. Lay the string out on a putting green, evenly spaced, each string about three feet apart, across your chosen putting line.

3. Start about 10 feet behind the first string. Now putt a ball and try to roll it just over the first string. Putt a second ball and try to roll it just over the second string, and so on. When you reach the last string, start working your way back to the first string.

4. Once you become good at stopping balls in-between the string, start varying the distances - put to the first string, then the fifth, then the third, then the last, and so on, varying your distances.

This drill takes your mind off the line (and also off a target) and allows you to focus on speed and feel.

 

Fringe Benefits Drill

1. Get five balls and drop them 10 feet from the edge of the green.

2. Putt toward the fringe (don't worry about putting at a hole, just focus on speed and feel). Try to get each ball to roll about one foot onto the fringe without leaving any short and without running any beyond the fringe into the rough.

3. Back up to 20 feet and repeat, and repeat again at 30 and 40 feet.

 

5-Ball Mix-Up Drill

This distance putting drill is similar to the string drill above, except that in this one we are putting at a hole.

1. Drop balls at 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 feet from a cup.

2. Start from 10 feet and putt to the hole. Make sure that if you don't sink the putt, you leave the ball no more than three feet from the hole.

3. Now go back to 50 feet and do the same. Then continue from each distance, but don't go in order - mix up the distances, from 10 to 50 to 30 to 40 to 20 to 40 to 10 to 30 and so on, in random order.

The goal is to leave yourself no more than three feet on your misses. Great distance control equals great lag putting, which means no 3-putts.

 

Close Your Eyes to Improve Feel

 

1. Place three balls each at distances of 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 feet from your target (putt toward a hole, a tee in the ground, the fringe, a dropped headcover, anything).

2. At each station, putt the first ball as you normally would. But for the second and third balls at each station, set up with your eyes open, but then close your eyes just before making the stroke.

This drill will help hone your feel on the greens.

 

2-Putt Distance Drill

When golfers talk about lag putting, we mean that while we hope to make every putt we also want to make sure that if we miss we are left with a short, easy putt. Good lag putting means never 3-putting. This drill forces you to control your speed in order to guarantee a 2-putt.

 

1. Set up 30 feet from the hole.

2. Putt five balls at a time. Then walk to the cup and knock the balls in.

3. Make 50 consecutive 2-putts. If you 3-putt, start over.

This drill not only teaches lag putting, it also gets you into pressure situations. Imagine making 48 2-putts in a row. Putts 49 and 50 are really going to test your nerves.

If you have too much trouble making 50 2-putts in a row from 30 feet, then start from a shorter distance. Try 20 feet, and move out to 30 once 2-putting from 20 is comfortable.

Darren Steels PGA Professional - How to hit longer tee shots

Every golfer wants to get a few extra yards out of your drives. Many say that the short game is so much more important than the drive but the drive is what sets up the hole. If your drive is too short or off line your short game will not give you a chance to save par. Here are 5 golf tips on hitting longer drivers

Golf Driving Tip #1 Fire your hips to start your downswing

One of the best power sources you can have for a longer drive is your hip rotation. Many amateurs have heard this but they push there hips towards the target instead of turning them. At the top of your backswing you should focus on starting to unwind and turn your hips. Turn your hips first and keeping your shoulder turn minimal at start of downswing will create some resistance and increase clubhead speed and distance.

 

Golf Driving Tip #2 On the backswing, when your shoulder turn stops your arms should stop

To create distance on your drives you need to have the proper coil to unleash a powerful drive. Your maximum coil will be had if you stop turning your arms once your shoulders stop turning. Many players turn the shoulders and then keep turning the arms. This takes away all of the coil they had built up and the power and the distance of the drive is gone. Use this tip to see immediate results in your golf game.

 

Golf Driving Tip #3 Keep your left arm straight and hand away from your head at top of backswing

When you are at the top of your backswing your hands should be as far as you can away from your head. This will ensure that your left arm is straight. If you bend your left arm you will lose any power you had stored up on the backswing as it will allow you to keep moving your club past parallel. This golf driving tip will not only add distance but help you keep the ball in the fairway.

 

Golf Driving Tip #4 Turn on a sold left side

As you turn through the ball your weight should shift to your left leg. Straighten your left leg and keep it firm to hold a solid base. This will allow the club to come through at a greater speed which will add some distance to your drives.

 

Golf Driving Tip #5 Release your hands right before impact

This is an important tip that many amateurs struggle with. If you release your hands early the power and speed in your swing is gone before it reaches the ball and you will lose distance on your drives. Try to hold back on releasing your hands by keeping your right elbow close to your right hip. This will also cause you to approach the ball from the inside which will create a draw and add some yardage to your drives.

Follow these 5 tips your next time out on the course and your driving distance should increase.

Darren Steels PGA Professional - The Lob Shot

Concept: The whole idea of the "flop" shot is to control the distance the ball rolls after it lands by creating a very high shot. In other words, you are controlling distance by using trajectory rather than using back spin. Just so you know...many tour players feel trajectory is more reliable than spin to control distance so they opt for the flop versus the spinning shot when possible.

1

 

Use your highest lofted club (60 degree wedge is ideal). Pre-shot preparations: The ball position for this shot is forward in your stance. You'll need to experiment but play it as far forward as you can. Open the clubface and open your stance. Light grip pressure is best.

 

2

 

Execution: The length of your swing will be in proportion to the distance you need to hit the shot, but in general, this stroke needs to feel long and smooth (as opposed to sudden or quick). The swing doesn't need to be extremely upright.

 

The pace of your swing should be constant. Feel as though your through-swing is moving at the same pace or tempo as your back-swing.

 

Keep the clubface open throughout the swing. Make sure the clubface is pointing toward the sky after impact. Monitor the back of your left hand (if you are right-handed) and make sure it points to the sky after impact.

 

Swing left (if you are a right-hander). Do not try to swing at the target. Your stance is open so your body-lines are all aiming well left of the target. Swing in relation to your body lines, not toward the target.

Be Careful

 

• When you open your stance it is easy to inadvertently move the ball position back in your stance. Don't let this happen. Make sure that AFTER you have opened your stance, your ball position is nearly off your left foot.

Darren Steels Golf Professional - The bump and run shot

The bump and run shot

Definition: The "bump and run" - also called a "chip and run" - is an approach shot to the green typically played from close to the green's edge. The golfer has the option to pitch the ball or chip the ball from such a location. A pitch shot, however, is struck with a high-lofted club such as a pitching wedge, producing a high trajectory and a ball that typically hits the green and quickly stops.

A bump and run, on the other hand, is played with a lower-lofted club relative to a wedge (an 8-, 7- or 6-iron, for example), and with very little airtime for the ball. With a bump and run shot, the ball is typically played from the middle or back of the stance, producing a very shallow trajectory, with the ball mostly scooting along the ground and running up to the flag.

 

The bump and run is played more along the ground; the pitch shot is played in the air.

 

Why would a golfer prefer a bump and run to a pitch? The front of the green might be open, with a hard fairway and hard green, making an approach that lands on the green tough to stop. Or the wind might be howling, with the bump and run making it possible to keep the ball from getting up into - and blown around by - that wind. A bump in run, in other words, is often a more controllable shot than a pitch shot.

 

Step 1 Bring your feet close together for a narrow stance and position the ball in the middle. Keep most of your weight on your left foot--you should feel like you are leaning toward the target.

Step 2 Slide your grip down on the club so you can stand closer to the ball. Press your hands forward to take some loft off the club. This will help promote a downward strike and a lower shot.

Step 3 Make a short backswing with no wrist action. The shorter the backswing, the better. Think of this as the same length as your  putting stroke.

Step 4 Keep your wrists firm through impact. Strike down and through the ball. The ball will come out low and run to the hole. This shot should fly a short distance and roll the rest of the way.

Step 5 Abbreviate your follow-through. Backswing and follow-through should match each other in length.

Darren Steels PGA Professional - Golf in Turkey

Golf in Belek, Turkey

 

In the mid 1990s, the stretch of Mediterranean coastline to the east of Antalya became the subject of concerted development, which has resulted in over 30 top class hotels and a number of outstanding golf resorts. Benefiting from a fantastic climate, the focus is on Belek, a resort town which is within 35 minutes of Antalya and its international airport, and has outstanding beaches.

Belek has become incredibly popular in a short period of time, with the number of golf holiday makers rising exponentially thanks to the high quality, ultra all-inclusive resort like Gloria, Cornelia and Sirene. The facilities are superb, and the service is outstanding, while the incredible value that is achievable on 5* luxury golf holidays makes Belek even more attractive.

Golf courses

Sultan Course

The Sultan Course is a ferocious test, where the challenging holes wind through the landscape's impressive pine forests. From the championship tees, the course measures 7,011 yards, and will ensure a formidable examination even for the low handicappers. Spectacular views and challenging hazards are the hallmarks of the Sultan Course, which is one of Belek's finest.

Pasha Course

 

The Pasha Course is the second at the Antalya club, and is a more appropriate proposition for the average golfing visitor. While it benefits from the same brilliant views as the Sultan, its full length of 6,267 yards makes it manageable for everyone. The advantage of the long hitters is nullified around the Pasha, whose defence is its tricky dog-legs, sloping greens and strategically positioned bunkers.

 

More of a ‘thinking man's' course than its neighbour, the Pasha is the perfect foil for the lengthy Sultan layout, which is why the Antalya Golf Club has something for everyone.

Darren Steels PGA Professional - Mel's 5th Lesson

 

Hi All,

           Well we are well and truly into the summer now and with the good weather we are having and the long days there's no excuse to not get out on the course to practice. That's what I've been doing, remembering all the advice from Darren and trying to produce it on the course.

 I had a bit of a disaster with my driver last week. I was lifting my clubs out of the car and heard a crack, on investigation I found the shaft had broke. So it looks like I'll be purchasing a new one. I spoke to Darren about it and he said he would help me get fitted for a new driver. So for my   penultimate lesson with Darren this week he has had me on the latest piece of equipment which the club have purchased. The' Foresight golf performance simulator' is a machine that measures how you strike the ball. It accurately collates data when you hit the golf ball measuring the speed, loft , distance ,side and back spin of the ball and by altering the different shafts and heads  of the club  it can pick the right one to suit your swing.  I have been having a bit of trouble getting off the tee with my driver so perhaps it's a blessing in disguise that I broke it.  I started off very poorly not getting much distance at all so Darren told me to put more weight on my back leg and instead of hitting down  on the ball  he said get the feeling of hitting up. After a couple of tries I got the idea and finished up hitting the ball further and straighter. The club I was using was the latest Titleist 913 10.5 degree which has the technology to enable you to alter the head to give 1.5 degrees more loft (12.0) or 0.75 degree less loft. As I tend to slice the ball setting the club with more loft takes out the side spin thus giving you more chance of hitting the ball straighter. I really like the club but I'm going to try other makes before I make up my mind. Still I took the driver on the course on Saturday in a Stableford competition and guess what I got 21 points on the front nine. Unfortunately I didn't score on two holes on the back nine but shot a score of 36 points playing to my handicap. Seems like all the hard work is at last paying off.

Cheers

Mel     

Darren Steels PGA Professional - Hitting a lower tee shot into the wind

 

Well we are definitely in the windy portion of the season! So one shot that is a must to

have in the bag; is being able to hit the ball lower from off the tee.

A couple of points worth noting at this stage are:

a) Playing a low shot from off the tee is not the same as from off the fairway  And,

b) Fighting the wind by swinging harder usually creates a higher ballooning ball flight. So definitely

not a great idea!

So here’s how we create a Tiger like ‘stinger’ ball flight off the tee.

Shorten the Club, Lower the Tee and Swing it Smooth!

Here are three main keys to hitting the ball lower off the tee:

No. 1 Hold further down the grip: By doing this it will give you more control and stiffen the playability of the golf shaft which in turn helps to decrease the spin rate and height of the ball flight.

No. 2 Tee it down lower: By teeing it lower the club will contact higher on the ball thus creating less back spin. Again helping to produce the desired lower ball flight.

No. 3 Swing smooth: As noted earlier; hitting in to the wind it is easy to fight the conditions and try and hit it harder. But unfortunately by doing this you will increase the back spin, thus producing a higher ball flight. So the expression I like to use here is to “swing with ease into the breeze”.

So create a good stable base, take it easy and keep it smooth.

Hope this helps and of course remember; “never fight mother nature”

Good luck and great golfing

Darren Steels PGA Professional - New Launch Monitor & Custom Fit Service

 

New Launch Monitor & Custom Fitting Service Foresight GC2a Launch Monitor

We have just invested in the latest state of the art Launch Monitor to be used for custom fitting and tuition. The new piece of equipment is portable so can be used on the driving range and is set up in minutes. The information received from the monitor will help to match the correct shaft flex and kick point along with the correct loft to maximise your driving potential. Iron and ball fittings are also available. A typical driver fitting would consist of someone hitting a series of shots with their current driver and by using the recorded information we would pick appropriate alternate shafts and lofts to increase control and distance. By using this information and hitting balls outside not only would the figures show any improvement you would see the difference in your ball flight. Fittings are booked through the Golf Shop and cost £25 for a 45 minute session (£10 of the cost will be refunded against any hardware purchase made). For further information or bookings contact the Golf Shop on 01332 836016

Darren Steels PGA Professional - Lesson Number 4 Mel Oates

Hi All,

               Well my game is definitely improving   after my fourth lesson with Darren. I entered a medal competition on Wednesday on the Moorland course at Breadsall Priory and shot a net 72. Looks like the lessons are starting to pay off. I feel as I'm definitely striking the ball better and with more control.

On the last lesson we talked about the psychology of the game, as you most likely know sixty percent of the game is all in the head. An interesting point Darren made was imagine you're on a golf course and standing on the tee looking down at the hole. On the right is a big lake, and on the left side its all out of bounds. What are the two thoughts you think about first?

 1, I don't want to hit the ball into the lake and

2,    I don't want to hit the ball out of bounds.

Wrong... what you should be concerned about is none of the above. Your thoughts should be, what I'm going to do, not what I don't want to do. It sounds obvious doesn't it but how many of us high handicappers think about the negatives when we should be thinking about the positives. So what Darren said was focus on a spot on the fairway, Try to imagine the shape and flight the ball will take, keep that thought and only that thought in your head, because once you have that thought in your head you're more likely to hit the ball towards that spot and not into the lake or out of bounds. Well I tried it out and guess what it seems to work. When playing your local course is there a hole which you always dread because you never seem to score well on it? Most of us have that problem because we are thinking too negative. We're thinking about how badly we played the hole last time  when the way to over come the problem is to think positively about the hole, try to remember the time when you actually  played that hole well and the feeling you had when you did. Don't let bad shots get you down, put them out of your head straight a way and have positive swing thoughts for the next shot. Yes it sounds easy and I know lots of readers might think it's all a waste of time but I'm giving it a go because if it helps my game it's got to be good.

Cheers for now

Mel       

Darren Steels PGA Professional - Golf Club Custom Fitting

How does custom fitting benefit club golfers?

Everyone has an individual golf swing and each person's build, strength and ability is different. So

taking that into account, should we all buy Clubs off the rack or be fitted for our individual swing

motions? The major golf companies mass produce golf clubs to an average specification; having us

believe one set of clubs fits all. Some do offer fitting by way of a static measurement, but that is just

the starting block. I believe all golfers would benefit from being properly custom fitted. Twelve

handicap golfers and above would certainly benefit the most from a custom fit. The clubs not fitting

the individual causes a big percentage of miss hits, missed fairways and missed greens. If you are

custom fitted, the golf clubs you end up with will fit your individual swing motion, ability and strength.

You will see more distance, accuracy, trajectory, consistency and feel from your golf clubs. 

'My swing isn't consistent so how can clubs be made to fit me and my swing'

Even the best players in the world have swing inconsistencies the difference is that they are able to

replicate a similar swing more often than higher handicap golfers. However it seems, even the top

professionals do not play with off the shelf clubs that you and I can buy. They are custom made to

their exact specification. Their club shafts compliment their swing tempo and speed and the swingweight

of each club is matched for consistency. They are hugely talented but still demand custom

fitted clubs that compliment their swing motions.

So if the professional’s need fitted clubs to compliment there grooved swings, we as amateurs

certainly do. Look at it this way, it’s like driving someone else’s car, the first thing you do is move

mirrors, change the seat position, make yourself comfortable. It doesn’t make you a better driver, but

it will make driving experience easier. Custom fitting your clubs to match your swing will have the

same effect.

 Is it better to be fitted outside or inside?
You've got to get fit in real conditions. That means being outside, hitting off real grass, viewing the entire ball flight down-range. Even if there's some wind, that's a regular part of the game, so it's beneficial to see how different setups result in certain trajectories for a player against that element. And though indoor spaces are set up with enough room to swing, a lot of people can't help but feel claustrophobic with four walls and a ceiling. If this affects their comfort level, it will affect their swing, and the fitting session won't be as productive.

Darren Steels PGA Professional - Top 10 Putting Tips

Top 10 Putting Tips

Tip No. 1
Putting is around half of your golfing score, but how often do you practice your stroke, or alignment, change your grip, or even have a putting lesson? Yes, that’s right - a lesson! Never thought of it? In that case, "Take a lesson" is probably the best tip I could give you, so follow this step by step, complete breakdown on how to.

Tip No. 2
One of the most important factors in golf is the ball position. Don’t forget it is the back of the ball that you are stroking with the putter, and not the centre. I always teach that the back of the ball is in the middle of your stance, or slightly forward of this, if you are using a square-to-square stroke.

Tip No. 3
Gripping the putter can be done in so many ways, but it is important not to have a dominant hand, as you are looking for a relaxed combination of shoulders, arm and hands for a smooth stroke.

Tip No. 4
To grip your putter at the right length:
 - Address a golf ball in your normal putting position;
 - Now have a friend plumb bob the line from your eyes to the ball;
 - With a relaxed grip move yourself backward or forward until you have a perfect vertical position from eye line to ball;
 - Re-grip, whenever your hands are holding the putter grip;
 - Mark the position and use it in future putts. Your eyes will now consistently be over the ball.

Tip No. 5
Your feet should feel comfortably apart, never too narrow, and your weight should be biased towards your toes - not as most people tend to address the ball with the weight on their heels.

Tip No. 6
The easiest way to stop your lower body moving during your putting stroke is to make yourself knock-kneed. This will automatically put your weight onto the inside of the sole of your shoes. Now, if you make a stroke you will see that the lower body, legs and knees stay still. Try putting a toilet roll between your knees and practice your stroke. Positive stroke isn’t it? And no lower movement!

Tip No. 7
You never, ever hit at the ball! You stroke through it. Try putting as normal, probably with a half distance back the same distance through. Did the ball jump and move off line? - and when it slowed, did it take the break quickly? If the ball is hit with a sharp hammer type stroke, the first few inches of the ball’s movement will be airborne.

Tip No. 8
Try putting with a quarter distance back stroke and a longer three-quarter distance follow through. This will lead to greater acceleration. Now you will find that the ball gets to roll much quicker than before - it stays straighter longer and fights against taking the break (if there is one).

Tip No. 9
If you really want to perfect your through stroke, try putting in a normal position, but with your eyes closed. Think you will miss the ball? I very much doubt it, but what you will find is that if you watch the ball roll after the stroke has finished, you will see the ball rolls perfectly straight - why? You stroked through it and not at it, because your eyes were closed you never knew when to hit and only created a putting stroke.

Tip No. 10
If you watch your playing partners or pros on TV, see what happens. First the back stroke, then the through the ball stroke and then their finish. Yes - what about the finish? Normally the club head recoils. Try having a practice putting stroke where the finish is held still. This will give you a different feel - more positive - I’m in control!!

Darren Steels PGA Professional - Golf Academy Questionaire

Golf Academy Questionaire Results - Mel Oates

To start the 6 month training plan a questionaire was completed by Mel to highlight areas for improvement. Information was collected about strengths and weaknesses with particular shots along with an equipment review. Answers were also collected regarding fitness and psycology.

The idea of the questionaire was to show that to make improvements in golf it is not only a case of hitting a lot of golf balls on the driving range. To improve targetting practice in particular areas and also looking at all aspects of the game from recording stats to fitness will help to achieve those goals.

We have started working on a fitness plan with the help of Simon to improve core strength and flexability (each session is 45 mins and we are looking to do this 2-3 times a week).

Lesson 2 is planned for 24th April and we will be using video footage to address and explain any swing issues along with explaining how we are going to use stats for more productive practice.

Congratulations on reaching the semi finals of the winter league Mel and good luck with your match.

Darren Steels
Head Golf Professional

Breadsall Priory Golf Club

The Marriott Breadsall Priory, Priory Golf Course stands in more than 300 acres of parkland, offering exciting golf in beautiful surroundings. With breathtaking views, demanding holes and open, undulating fairways and small, well protected greens, the golf course stands among some of the best in the region.

At Marriott we aim to offer great course, excellent facilities and superb hosts.  We aim to make your golfing experience a memorable one all the way from your arrival to the moment you leave.

Golf courses

It features two high-quality golf courses, The Priory and The Moorland, each with its own challenges. The mature Championship Priory Golf Course, created in 1977, winds through the undulating parkland which surrounds the hotel and requires a degree of accuracy as you play down the tree-lined fairways.

Priory Course

The Championship Priory course is the premier layout at the resort, and since its inception in 1977, has emerged as one of the best in the local area. The Priory skirts the stunning hotel, and requires accurate play to negotiate the tree-lined fairways. Though not particularly long, the Priory is demanding, and attracts visitors back again and again with its charm and spectacular views.

Moorland Course

Breadsall Priory's second course is the Moorland, which differs in style to the Priory, offering golfers a great variety. Set amidst the lush Derbyshire countryside, the Moorland is more open, but is also fortunate to offer views to equal its neighbour.
Breadsall Priory is one of the few resorts in the East Midlands to have two 18-hole courses, making it a great choice for a golf break.

Golf Services:

PGA Golf Academy with resident professional Darren Steels
Golf Shop
Bar and restaurant
Golf Buggies

Hotel Information

The magnificent stately residence that is now home to Marriott's Breadsall Priory hotel dates back to 1260, and the historic setting is one of the most spectacular destinations for a golf break in the Midlands.
The façade of the Grade II listed construction is in stark contrast to the contemporary facilities that await inside. The 112 guest rooms are designed and furnished to complement the traditional style of the house, but also feature all the modern amenities that are expected from a top quality hotel.

For special or romantic occasions, there are 12 rooms in the original Priory which retain the original architectural character, as well as the honeymoon suite. Breadsall Priory's magnificent setting, and the tremendous golf and leisure facilities make it an educated choice for a golfing getaway.

The Spa Experience at Breadsall Priory offers treatments including body wraps and scrubs, facials, manicures, pedicures, massages and waxing. Meanwhile, the leisure club and fitness centre has a range of cardiovascular training equipment and free weights, in addition to a swimming pool, sauna, steam room and spa pool.

The AA award-winning Priory Restaurant has an outstanding reputation for its cuisine and wine list.
The newly refurbished Tempo restaurant and bar provides the ideal place for relaxed fine dining.
Thrill seekers can make the journey to Alton Towers for some white-knuckle action.