Posted by Charlie King on Thu, Oct 08, 2009 @ 05:42 PM
"Golf's Red Zone Challenge" that I wrote with Rob Akins was made into a television show last year. We have it on YouTube in 6 ten minute segments and I am going to post each segment separately over the next two months.
This first segment was an introduction to the competition and Reynolds Plantation. The format was a team event with 4 members on each team. Each team had a golf instructor from GolfTEC Philadelphia as it's captain and coach. The teams were tested at a course in Philadelphia 12 weeks prior to coming to Reynolds Plantation for the competition and taping of the TV Show.
The team members saw a lot of improvement from their efforts over the 12 weeks leading up to coming to Reynolds. One gentleman improved by 150%. The Red Zone was created to motivate and inspire golfers to work on their short game and this is another example of how it can be effective. Take a look at the video below.
Posted by Charlie King on Thu, Sep 24, 2009 @ 05:31 PM
On Tuesday, September 22 we completed the $10,000 Reynolds Red Zone Challenge. Congratulations to Jim Thorne who won the Challenge and will receive the Grand Prize. Jim will be treated like a Tour Player during his full fit at the TaylorMade Kingdom and will take home a brand new custom fit set of TaylorMade golf clubs. We would also like to congratulate the other 7 finalists.
The 9-hole 100 yds and in tournament on Monday, cut the field down to the final 4. Because of weather our 4 finalists came back on Tuesday afternoon to hit 2 shots each in our 6 short game test categories. The score was very close coming down to a final putt by Jim Thorne that gave him the win. We had some refreshments and awarded the prizes. Everyone played well and seemed to have a great time!
Results
1st Prize: Jim Thorne- Kingdom One Day Experience including a new set of TaylorMade Clubs
2nd Prize: Tom Doss- 1 year of lessons with Charlie King
3rd Prize: Charles McDade- Entry into the 2009 or 2010 Men's Member Guest Tournament
4th Prize: John Floyd- TaylorMade Performance Lab fitting to include Putter and Wedge
5th Prize: Janet Norris (not pictured)- 3-hr Family Lesson with Charlie King for 4 people
6th Prize: Bernie Baum- TaylorMade Putter
7th Prize: Ron Lang- TaylorMade Wedge
8Th Prize: Larry Combs- My TP Golf Balls
I would like to thank everyone that participated in the Red Zone Challenge to help make it such a success. Ben created a group on http://www.ning.com/ in April for everyone in the Member Coaching program. We will add additional photos to the Ning groub website by next week.
We look forward to continuing to see everyone at Member Coaching.
Posted by Charlie King on Sun, Aug 23, 2009 @ 06:51 PM
Don't just leave the putter face down there to fend for itself. I want you to put your right hand in charge. Picture your right hand as the equivalent of your putter face. Get used to the notion that, if your right hand is pointed toward your intended target at impact, the ball will go in.
Another option: Left hand low. Some players prefer to make their left hand the lower hand on the putter, putting that hand in charge of the stroke.
Either way, your putting stroke will have more authority, and your putts will fall with greater frequency.
My book "Golf's Red Zone Challenge" has come out as a second edition with added tips and some updated pictures. The golfer's who follow the program in the book get 70% better on average. Go to http://www.amazon.com/ to order the book or call Emily at the Reynolds Golf Academy 706-467-1660
Posted by Charlie King on Thu, Jun 25, 2009 @ 06:12 PM
The Happy Caddy game (or Unhappy Caddy if your partner doesn't hit his pitches well) was first published in Golf's Red Zone Challenge 4 years ago, which been released as a second edition a month ago (available at www.amazon.com). In this game you have a partner and one ball. You need to find a field or area that allows and you and your partner to hit 20 to 70 yard shots at each other. Your partner is happy when you keep landing the ball at his or her feet each time. The focus that this drill creates is as good as any I've seen for wedges.
The idea for this drill came fifteen years ago as I was taking a lesson from Top 100 teacher, Craig Shankland. He told me that the players of his era were more accurate. Watch the following video to hear the rest of the story.
Posted by Charlie King on Mon, Apr 13, 2009 @ 05:35 PM
Do you find yourself nervous on the short putts? When we get nervous, it creates a tentative, shaky stroke. Here's a drill that can help. And it proves that you don't have to be perfect, which is good news for all of us.
Take two clubs and create a track between your ball and the hole. To hole these short putts, just try to keep the ball between the tracks, because this is a much easier task than trying to putt to a precise spot. If the speed is right, then the size of the hole increases.
Trying to be too precise or perfect leads to tentative strokes. This drill can be invaluable, once you realize you have more room for error, you can putt freely.
THE 3 TRAITS OF A GOOD PUTTER
1. You can square the putter face to the intended line at impact.
2. You've got a great sense of touch and feel.
3. You have developed the experience to read greens.
Posted by Charlie King on Thu, Dec 18, 2008 @ 06:28 PM
Courtesy of Athlon Sports
|
|
Watching the ball until it comes to a rest is a great learning experience, but too few amateurs take the time to do it. Be patient.
Short chips and 4-foot putts tend to be difficult for golfers because of the perceived severity of the consequences of a miss. Golfers tell themselves, I shouldn't miss a 4-footer; I should get my chips and pitches really close. When that doesn't happen, they beat themselves up, adding to the struggles.
I want you to become a patient chipper. You can do this by chipping and counting.
Hit a chip shot, and as the ball travels toward its final destination, I want you to count how many seconds it takes the ball to come to rest. This will bring you to the realization that you can't get an immediate result.
When I see people chop and stab at their chip shots, they're trying for the immediate result - the ball close to the hole, right now.
Chip the best you can, then stand there patiently counting as the ball rolls, rolls, rolls and comes to a stop. Take that time as an opportunity to learn.
Charlie King is the Director of Instruction at Reynolds Plantation in Greensboro, Ga.
Del.icio.us | Digg it |