I’m Giving Free Golf Lessons at Redsfest!
This year at Redsfest, the Southern Ohio PGA is setting up nets and a putting green for free golf lessons from our PGA Professionals. I’ll be teaching on Friday, December 2nd from 4:00- 7:00 P.M. If you’re looking for a short break from baseball, feel free to stop by to get a few tips on your game. See you there!
For more information on Redsfest, click on the link below.
My Thoughts On The Belly Putter Takeover
My Thoughts On The Belly Putter Takeover
There’s a hot trend on the PGA Tour right now. 3 weeks in a row the winner has used either a belly or long-putter. Adam Scott uses a long-putter and Keegan Bradley and Webb Simpson use a belly putter. And now, Phil Mickelson is dabbling into the belly putter craze. All great players who are, in my opinion, using clubs that should be illegal.
More professional golfers are switching to longer-than-standard putters to cure the yips or lessen their nerves on the greens. Nerves are a huge part of the game that every player has to deal with. These nerves affect the full swing, short game, and putting. I’m not sure why the rules allow a player to bypass this on the greens, but not with the other parts of the game.
Every player who has played the game at a high level has experienced some sort of yip or very nervous stroke when it comes to putting, chipping, or driving. For most, this happens on rare occasions and, hopefully, goes away quickly or for the next shot. For the unlucky few, the yips stay awhile and maybe forever. David Duval, Steve Stricker and Ian Baker-Finch have all struggled with their driving. Some other players experience it with chipping (PGA Tour player Chris Couch chips cross-handed). And there’s a large contingent that have struggled on the greens like Tom Watson and Bernard Langer. If you have the chipping or driving yips, you really don’t have an alternative. You have to grind it out and figure out a way to fix it.
With putting, however, you’re allowed to switch methods and use a club that’s much longer and anchors to your body. Why are you allowed to anchor a club to your body? This seems to go against the integrity of the game. If someone struggles with their driver, they aren’t allowed to use one that extends against the body. If someone struggles with chipping, they can’t extend the grip up their forearm so they can’t flip it at impact. So, I’m really not sure why it’s allowed on the greens. It doesn’t make a whole lot of sense and I hope they make a rule that, at a minimum, eliminates a club from being anchored to a golfer’s body. I’d also like to see the length of the putter limited to something around 40″. We might then see a lot more guys putting cross-handed or using the claw grip, but at least nerves will still have an effect on a guy’s stroke.
Just my two cents.
Women’s Fall Golf Class At Sharon Woods
Women’s Fall Golf Class
Would you like to play better golf with your friends, or improve your scores in your ladies league? If so, sign-up for this 5-week women’s golf class designed to improve your overall game. Topics covered include putting, chipping, pitching, iron play, woods, and on-course play. The class size is limited to 10 students so sign-up soon to secure your spot!
FALL SESSION
- Dates: Wednesdays, September 7 – October 5 (5 classes)
- Time: 5:45 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.
- Cost: $99.00 for all 5 classes ($25.00 for one class if space available – 10 student limit)
- The last class, October 5, will be play on the golf course
Here’s the link to sign-up:
http://greatparks.org/rec_sharon/sw_womensgolf.shtm
See you soon!
Strengthen Your Left Hand Grip To Stop Slicing
Strengthen Your Left Hand Grip To Stop Slicing
There are many reasons why a golfer may slice a ball, but there is also one constant when a ball slices (curves left-to-right for a righty). That constant is an open clubface at the point of impact. An open clubface is when it’s pointed to the right or more towards the sky. This open clubface can be caused by many things including an incorrect swing path, a poor setup, or a weak grip, amongst others. Today, I’m going to explain how a weak left hand grip can increase the likelihood of a slice.
In order to have a consistent swing, you should have a grip that matches your swing. Unfortunately, for many golfers their grip doesn’t match their swing or their hands are in a position where they are more likely to change the angle of the clubface at impact. The most common error I see is when a golfer grips the club with a weak left (lead arm) hand. In this position, the hand is placed on the side or even under the grip causing quite a few issues such as a loss of power and the greater potential to slice the ball.
Self-Test
If you’re a slicer, it’s imperative to strengthen your left hand grip. Here’s why and a little test to show you. Stand tall with your arms hanging comfortably and softly down your side. You’ll notice your palms are facing your side. Now, lean over until you’re in your golf posture continuing with your arms hanging softly under your shoulders. Notice how your palms are now angled about 45 degrees facing your body. When you lean over, your arms naturally rotate inward.
Why is that important and what does it have to do with your slice? When you lean over and allow your arms to hang softly, this is your arms natural position. This is where your arms want to be. Try this: grip the club with just your left hand. Rotate your palm towards the ground and notice the clubface rotate towards the sky. The more it points this way, the more the ball will slice. The weaker your left hand grip is at the start, the more prone the clubface will be at impact because your left arm will try to go back to it’s natural position.
It is possible to hit great shots with a weak grip, but usually, this is for golfers that tend to over-rotate their arms on their downswing.
How To Grip The Club
I recommend trying to grip the club up in the air in front of your face so you can see what’s going on. When placing your left hand on the grip, try to angle your palm about 45 degrees towards the ground. If done correctly, you should be able to see 3, maybe 4 knuckles on your left hand. Additionally, the ‘V-shape’ caused by your left thumb and forefinger will be pointed towards your right shoulder. After placing your left hand on the grip, put your right hand on with your palms facing each other.
Not only will this stronger grip help eliminate or reduce the amount of slice, it will also allow your wrists to hinge correctly creating more power in your golf swing. It’s a win-win!
The grip is a very sensitive and difficult topic to fully grasp. For help with your own grip, I recommend seeing your local PGA Professional to help you perfect it.
Good luck and thanks for reading!
Advanced Golf Class at Sharon Woods Golf Course
ADVANCED GOLF CLASS AT SHARON WOODS GOLF COURSE
Would you like to consistently lower your scores? Are you looking for ways to take your game to the next level? If so, this 6-week advanced golf class on Saturday afternoons is perfect for you.
Topics include putting, a variety of short game shots, full-swing evaluation with video analysis in two classes, trouble shots, playing in the wind, and taking your game from the range to the course. Register early so you don’t miss out on this class!
- Dates: Saturdays, July 23 – August 27
- Time: 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- Cost: $99.00, plus a $10 range ball fee payable at the first class
- Class Size: Limited to 12 students
- Instructor: Kyle Voska, PGA
**Deadline to register is July 16th**
Click on the link below to register:
http://www.hamiltoncountyparks.org/rec_sharon/sw_group.shtm
Junior Golf At Sharon Woods Golf Course
JUNIOR GOLF AT SHARON WOODS GOLF COURSE
This summer we’ll be offering a few different junior programs at Sharon Woods Golf Course. Get a junior started in the game with our free clinics, improve their current game with our 2-day junior camp, or allow them to take their game on the course in our Summer Links junior golf league. For more information, contact Melissa Davis, Kyle Voska, or the pro shop at (513) 769-4325. You can also click on the Sharon Woods Golf Course link on this page under my Blogroll for more information.
To sign up for the Free Clinics, the Junior Camp, or Summer Links, click here: http://www.hamiltoncountyparks.org/rec_sharon/sw_jrgolf.shtm
How To Chip Out Of Deep Rough
HOW TO CHIP OUT OF DEEP ROUGH
Spring is here and you know what that means. Rainy days and thick rough on the golf course. Playing golf in the spring is, without a doubt, one of the most difficult times of the year to play. You have to deal with rain, wind, changing temperatures, wet course conditions, and very thick rough. Today, I’m going to give you tips on how to chip better out of the deep rough.
Gauge the Lie
If you’re lucky enough to be able to get your clubface on the ball, you won’t have to change much from your normal chipping motion. Unfortunately, in the spring, rarely does our ball sit cleanly in the rough. Place your club behind the ball and check to see how much rough is between the clubface and the ball. The more rough there is, the more it will slow down the clubface and the more the clubface will tend to twist (close).
Setup
After gauging the lie, you need to set up correctly for the shot at hand. If the pin is further away, you can set up with the face square to the target line; however, much of the time, you’ll need a softer landing shot with less run. For these cases, you’ll want to set up with an open clubface at address. This will increase the bounce of the club which helps it glide through the rough better. It also adds loft so the ball will come out higher and land softer.
Second, you need to grip the club firmer than normal so the club doesn’t twist at impact.
Third, ball position should be in the middle of your stance, not too far back. We need loft for this shot. Playing the ball closer to your back foot will deloft the club and you’ll struggle to be consistent for this shot.
Swing Motion
Now that we’ve set up correctly, we need to know how to swing. The first thing you need to realize is we want to hit this shot with our bigger muscles, not with our wrists and hands. We need our body to help out so the club will glide through the rough easier.
When you swing back, I’d recommend feeling like you’re keeping your wrists quiet with your shoulders doing much of the work. Your wrists may hinge a bit, but don’t try to hinge them.
On your downswing, it’s imperative to turn your core through the ball. I like to think about turning my belt buckle to the target. If I do, the club and the rest of my body are turning together through impact. While turning our core, we also want to maintain the open clubface through impact. Ideally, you’d like to maintain consistent loft throughout the swing for this shot rather than it changing too much.
Finish
At your finish, if done correctly, the clubface will be facing more towards the sky and the end of your grip will be pointing close to your belt buckle. If the clubface is facing upward, you didn’t allow the rough to twist the clubface. If the end of the grip points to your belt buckle, your body and arms were turning through the shot together.
Drill
Take a wedge and choke down to the steel. Then, place the end of your grip to your belt buckle. Make a few mini-swings keeping the end of the grip pressed against your belt buckle. This mini-swing should be no longer than waist-high back to waist-high through so you can stay connected.
Remember, chipping out of the deep rough is very difficult. The goal is to get the ball on the green giving yourself a chance to make a putt. Using your bigger muscles and maintaining an open clubface will increase your chances of being successful with this shot.
Good luck and thanks for reading!
Myth or Truth: You’ll Get Worse Before You Get Better After A Lesson
MYTH OR TRUTH: YOU’LL GET WORSE BEFORE YOU GET BETTER AFTER A LESSON?
Have you ever heard the old saying, “You’ll get worse before you get better”, towards taking golf lessons? If so, has this made you hesitant towards taking lessons? Well, let me dispel this myth by stating you should get better after golf lessons, not worse. I don’t believe you should get worse before you get better. That really doesn’t make in any sense. Why would you pay someone to make you worse?
Taking a golf lesson can be intimidating at first. You’re showcasing your skills, or lack there of some may say, in front of a professional. It can be nerve-racking. Trust me, I’ve been there. However, the professional is there for a reason and that reason is to help you improve your game. Professionals, like myself, have worked really hard to understand the golf swing and, more importantly, the skill of communicating properly so the golfer can feel comfortable with the change.
When I teach a new student, I first try to understand the golfer’s desires while learning about them as best as I can. This builds trust. Once I’ve heard what they’d like to do with their game, I then watch them hit some balls and create a plan on improving their game that day, and for the future.
If you’re taking lessons, whether it’s for 30 minutes or an hour, you should see some improvement during the lesson. Some of your shots should produce, or come really close to producing the type of shot you desire. Now, it may be challenging at first to do this, but you should see some benefits during the lesson. That being said, practicing after a lesson is imperative to make the changes more long-lasting. Sometimes, it can be a challenge taking these changes to the course; however, the more you learn about your tendencies and how to fix them, the more confidence you’ll have towards your game.
The bottom line is you really should be improving during and after a lesson, or it may be time to try someone else. Just like a lot of other things in our lives, if it just doesn’t feel right or you don’t have a good feeling about it, it may be time for a change. And that’s ok. Not every instructor is right for every student. We all have different personalities and swing beliefs that may not be right for everyone.
If you’ve never taken lessons, or are looking for a new swing coach, do a little research before jumping in. Talk to a few instructors on the phone or in person. If you feel comfortable and like talking to them, then you’d probably enjoy learning from them.
To summarize, find a local PGA Professional and trust that they can take your game to the next level or get it back to where you’d like it to be. Lessons are a great way to challenge yourself and learn more about the game. Good luck!
Should You Use Your Wrists For Chip Shots?
Should You Use Your Wrists For Chip Shots?
The short answer is yes and no. For some chips you should use your wrists and others you shouldn’t. When your ball lies around the green, there’s a variety of ways to get the ball on the green and close to the hole. Sometimes, it seems like there are too many options. For many, confusion arises when you don’t know whether you should use your wrists or not. I’d like to clarify this so you can simplify your chipping. For most chip shots, I’d recommend trying to keep your wrists passive and I’ll explain why.
In my opinion, there are three families of shots you can hit around the green: low, medium, and high. Within each family, there are a variety of techniques that can be used. My basic philosophy to the short game is this: putt when you can, chip it like a putt when you can’t putt, and only hit it high when you have to. Thinking this way and using it on the course will simplify your short game and reduce your errors.
I just mentioned there are three types of shots around the green: low, medium, and high. You might only need the high shot 5% of the time so I’m not going to cover it today as it’s risky to hit and it doesn’t come about very often. So, we’re going to cover the low and medium-height chip shots. Simply, for the low chips you will not use your wrists. For the medium chips, very little wrist action is used. Remember, the higher/farther you hit the ball, the bigger the swing will be. Bigger swing equals more room for error. Whenever possible, keep it simple with small swing around the greens.
The Low Chip Shot
The low chip shot, a.k.a. the bump-and-run, is generally used when your ball is within 15 feet of the green. To keep it very simple, I like to think of this shot as a putt with loft. The main difference is with the setup, but the stroke used is very similar. After setting up with the ball back in your stance, weight slightly forward and the shaft leaning forward to the target, the motion used is nearly identical to a putting stroke. That being the case, the wrists are not used for this shot as it’s mostly a rocking of the shoulders.
The Medium (Standard) Chip Shot
When your ball is further off the green, you’ll need more height so your ball will land softer on the green. For these shots, you’ll be taking the club further back to fly the ball a longer distance so you will use a little wrist action.
For this shot, you’ll set up similar to a pitch shot with the ball approximately in the middle of your stance, weight about 50/50, and your hands slightly ahead or even with the ball. On your backswing, your goal is to the get the clubface up to about waist high feeling like your lead arm and club maintain a straight line. Your wrists may hinge a little, but try not to get overly wristy for this shot. On your downswing, the goal is keep the lead arm and club in a straight line finishing lower than waist high (finishing too high usually is the result of a scooping motion).
Wrists Equal Power
It’s important to note the wrists are a source of power, only use them when you have to around the greens. If you hinge your wrists, which is great for lots of shots, you must unhinge them. This unhinging creates power. Creating power around the greens can lead to exploding shots over the green and last-second decelerations. This is why I don’t recommend using your wrists much around the greens.
Summary
To summarize, keep is simple around the greens. Hit it low when you can and only high when you have to. Keeping the wrists relatively quiet allows for a simpler more repeatable motion for chip shots. If you’re looking for someone on Tour to emulate for these shots, watch Steve Stricker. His chipping and pitching motion is very simple, but extremely effective. He’s consistently one of the best in the game with a wedge in his hand.
Good luck and thanks for reading!
Change Tee Heights For Different Tee Shots
CHANGE TEE HEIGHTS FOR DIFFERENT TEE SHOTS
Nowadays, there are a variety of tees to choose from for your game. Some are designed to tee the ball as high as possible, some are for par 3 shots, and others are made to last longer. Choosing the type of tee is a personal preference, but today I’m going to explain how changing the height of your tee for tee shots can affect your shots.
I personally change my tee height for certain shots. I tee it high for draws, medium for fades, and low for accuracy. You may wonder why I don’t choose the same tee height for all shots, but there are valid reasons why I change the height for different shots.
First, it’s important to note that the size of drivers are very large now so most golfers would benefit teeing it pretty high, if in doubt. Second, it’s been proven through data from launch monitors such as Trackman that in order to hit a draw, your club should be swinging in-to-out and on an upward path. This is very difficult to do teeing it low. So, tee hit high to hit more draws.
For fading the ball off the tee, I’d recommend teeing the ball about even with the center of the clubface when the club is lying on the ground. This will encourage a straighter and more level swing path which makes it easier to fade the ball. You can certainly fade the ball teeing it high, but many find it easier from a lower height.
The last type of tee height I use is teeing it low, about an inch off the ground. This is a personal preference, but it’s something a lot of better players use to hit it more accurately. For me, I use this tee height on tighter holes or on days I’m not swinging my best. It allows me to swing more within myself and through the ball better. I may lose a little distance, but I gain confidence knowing I’ll be in the fairway more often. The key for using this tee height is to not hit down on the ball. Use a sweeping motion which keeps the clubhead level through impact.
Practice changing your tee heights when you go to the practice range and on the course. You may find that teeing it high all the time is best for you. Or you may find that teeing it level with the center of the clubface makes it easier for you to hit the ball more solid. What works for some may not work for others, but the key is to find what works best for you. A little trial and error can go a long way towards hitting more fairways in the future.
Good luck and thanks for reading!
Roll Your Putts Better With This Drill
Tee Behind-The-Ball Putting Drill
Here’s a simple drill that will get your ball rolling better on the greens. Place a tee almost all the way into the green with about a 1/4 inch left above the surface. Next, place a ball right up to the tee on the hole-side of the tee. Then, place your putter behind the tee and hit some putts without striking the tee.
This drill will give you instant feedback on whether you typically hit the equator of the ball or not. To get the ball to roll consistently, you need to hit the equator of the ball. If you’re striking the tee, you’re contacting the ball beneath the equator. This will make the ball bounce a lot off the putter face.
Eventually, you will start feeling what you have to do with your stroke to make consistent contact with the equator of the golf ball. This drill should help you strike through your putts, like a tee being driven through the back of the ball, rather than trying to hit up them too much.
One-Day Specialty Clinics at Sharon Woods
One-Day Specialty Clinics at Sharon Woods Golf Course
This year, I thought it’d be fun to try something different by offering some one-day specialty clinics. Last year, we had some success with Hit It Long, a one-day 90-minute clinic. Currently, I’m offering 3 clinics this season with the first one, Slicer’s Corner, on Saturday, April 9th from 10:00 – 11:30 am. This clinic will be a fun way to learn how to fix your slice so you can start the season off playing well. I will also offer a second Slicer’s Corner clinic on June 11th. The other clinic, Drive For Show/Putt For Dough, is a 2-hour clinic that will help you hit your tee shots longer and straighter, and help you make more putts. Click on the links below to register and feel free to contact me if you have any questions. The class sizes will be limited to 10 students. Sign-up early to secure your spot!
SPECIALTY CLINICS
Drive for show/Putt for dough
Looking to hit the ball longer and straighter off the tee? Would you like to average a few less putts per round? If so, then don’t miss out on this unique 2-hour clinic that will focus one hour each to the two most important clubs in the game, the driver and the putter. Sign-up early to secure your spot!
- Date: Saturday, June 4
- Time: 9:30 – 11:30 A.M.
- Cost: $40 (Class size limited to 10 students)
- Register online
The Slicer’s Corner
Have you been slicing the ball for years? Would you like to learn why you slice the ball and how to hit a draw? If so, then sign up for this 90-minute clinic and fix that slice forever.
- Dates: Saturdays, April 9 or June 11
- Time: 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
- Cost: $30.00/class (Class size limited to 10 students)
- Register online
****Call me at Sharon Woods, 769-4325, or email me, kvoska@greatparks.org, if you have any questions.****
About
KYLE VOSKA, PGA PROFESSIONAL
I grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio and graduated from St. Michael’s, St. Xavier, and Miami University. After graduating from Miami with a Finance degree, I moved to Florida to pursue my professional golf dreams. After a few successful years and a couple of difficult years, I stopped playing full-time. After a year of caddying on the LPGA Tour for Young Jo, Kim Williams, and Angela Stanford, I moved back home to Cincinnati. Currently, I live near Sharonville with my lovely wife, Lindsay, our kids, Maclin and Ellie, and our dog, Nora.
Teaching golf for over a year in Florida and having taken and watched many lessons from PGA Certified Master Teaching Professional Carl Rabito, becoming a golf instructor was something I really wanted to do. Fortunately, I was able to find a home at Sharon Woods Golf Course in Cincinnati, my old home from the 90′s, to further this new career path. As I finish my 5th season as a golf professional, I’m excited how my role is taking shape. I assist in managing and supervising a staff of nearly 40 while teaching golf lessons to over a 100 students. Hopefully, someday I’ll have the opportunity to mentor some future golf professionals like myself.
Email: kvoska@hotmail.com
ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
- PGA Member – June, 2009
- 2008 PGA National Assistants Champion
- 43 Professional Tournament Victories
- 2010 Southern Ohio PGA Section Player-of-the-Year
- 2010 Southern Ohio PGA Southwest Chapter Player-of-the-Year
- 2009 Cincinnati Chapter Match Play Champion
- 2009 Southern Ohio PGA Assistant’s Champion
- 2001 and 2010 Southern Ohio PGA Open Champion
- 2000 PGA Buick Open Contestant
- 1998 Miami Athlete-of-the-Year
- 2-Time NCAA Division I All-American
- Mid-American Conference Sportsman and Player-of-the Year (1998)
- 2-Time Cincinnati Met Amateur Champion (1997, 1998)
- Cincinnati Met Amateur Medalist and Runner-Up (1996)
- NCAA low scoring average on Par 3′s (2.91) in 1998
- Low competitive round – 62 (3 times): Four Bridges CC (’01), Oasis CC (’09), and Juniper Hills GC (’02)
- Low non-competitive round – 61: Browns Run CC – White tees
- Won a 54-hole Developmental Players Tour event by 9 shots shooting 19 under par with no bogies (64,64,69)
- 4 career Holes-in-One and 3 career double eagles
MY PGA MENTORS:
Tom Bach – Head Professional at Sharon Woods Golf Course
George Long – Kenwood CC PGA Professional/Head Pro at The Mill Course (17 Years)
Carl Rabito – PGA Certified Master Teaching Professional (Top 100 Instructor)
Mike Bender – 2009 PGA National Teacher-of-the-Year (Top 100)
Craig Shankland – 2001 PGA National Teacher-of-the-Year (Top 100)
Jim Suttie, Ph.D - 2000 PGA National Teacher-of-the-Year (Top 100)
Bill Madonna – Bill Madonna Golf Academy (Top 100)
Andrew Park – The David Leadbetter Golf Academy
Chris Toulson – Jim McLean Golf School at Doral
As you can see, I’ve been very fortunate to have learned from some of the best PGA Professionals in the country. I feel privileged to pass on the wealth of knowledge I’ve gained from spending time with these great gentlemen.
