“It’s a beautiful facility,” Leadbetter said of Golf University. “I was really looking forward to coming up.”

“We’re really testing the waters here with this event. I think it has great potential with a ready made clientele and hopefully we can add to that and the great amenities Stratton already has.”

The Festival of Golf was a collaboration between Golf University and the David Leadbetter Golf Academy, featuring a weekend-long series of clinics, demos from the leading golf manufacturers and is capped off tomorrow afternoon with a tournament on the Stratton Golf Course.

“This is a celebration of the game, one that can be enjoyed for a lifetime,” said Robin Rasch, Director of Stratton’s Golf University. “There is a tremendous tradition with this place and some of the sport’s best, from Arnold Palmer, who founded Golf University, to the LPGA Tour, which held an annual event here during the 1990’s.”

“This event is a continuation of that tradition and our ability to provide golf programs for all ages and abilities.”

For more information on Stratton’s Golf University, the David Leadbetter Golf Academy at Stratton, or Stratton Mountain Resort visit  or call 1.800.STRATTON.

Leadbetter Q & A

Q: What do you know of this facility and of this course?

A: It is a beautiful facility. I was really looking forward to coming up here. We’re really testing the waters here with this event. I think it has great potential with a ready made clientele and hopefully we can add to that and the great amenities Stratton has. I heard about the golf course years ago when one of the girls that I taught actually won the LPGA event here. So I heard all about it, how pretty the area was and the things that go on here. We’re really pleased to be here and mingle with some of the members and show them what we do.

Q: Obviously it is tough to play all year round in Vermont, how does one overcome that obstacle?

A: That is a tough thing having such a short season here. Speaking to one of the gentleman here and he actually said he has a simulator in his house, which is great if you can do that, but you know, unfortunately, it is one of those games where you need to play it fairly often to keep up at a reasonable skill level. You can do little things, even in the winter, like keeping yourself fit, even swinging a club a couple of times a week. Maybe swinging a heavier club, or doing some form of yoga, just to keep the body limber and flexible. It makes a huge difference when you come back to the game after the weather turns.

Q: How has the golf industry changed since you started teaching?

A: It is more of an industry now. In the old days, the club professional would do his shop duties, play and teach. There is still a little bit of that around now, but certainly the teaching has become a real specialized art where you’re learning all sorts of new things about anatomy and how the brain works and so on and so forth, trying to increase our own knowledge so we can help the average golfer and their game.

Q: Talk about last weekend’s U.S. Open and perhaps why players were complaining about the course conditions?

A: I think it goes to show you how tough Pebble Beach was. They normally play a regular tour event there and it was a totally different set of circumstances. It’s so difficult, it really is, the course just penalizes you at every turn, not just the fact that there’s more rough and that the fairways are narrower, but around the greens too. The greens are firm, hard and run off into areas where you’ve got to know how to hit little delicate shots. You could see it with the scoring, especially on Sunday, because it wasn’t that good. It was just a real tough test. As a matter of fact, if the pros had to play a golf course the way the USGA set up the U.S. Open every week, their careers would last three or four years because it is so mentally taxing with the concentration level needed on every single shot. There is no letup. That’s what the U.S. Open is all about.

Q: What must an average golfer know before hitting a new course for the first time?

A: For the average golfer, I think all of them can think their way around the course. It may be easier to say, ‘look, I am a 20 handicap, I may want to hit a three-wood off the tee so I don’t get caught in certain bunkers.’ If those players play a par 72 course, like it is a par 90, to think of a par three as a par four, par fours as par fives, par fives as par sixes and make it their goal to shoot those scores on those holes. It makes golf less taxing because you aren’t creating impossible situations. You play within your own expectations and to play within yourself.

Over the course of my life, I have been to major championships, competed with some outstanding players, seen some of the most beautiful courses, but never had the opportunity to be inside the ropes with some of the PGA Tour’s finest players.  This week at Turning Stone gave me an up close and personal behind the scenes look at the PGA Tour. 
 
When I was offered this opportunity, I was very excited about a few things.  First of all, having no media experience I was looking forward to seeing what it was like in the interview room as well in the actual media room.  The interview room at this particular tournament was very small, and even after the leaders came in, no more than 10 to 15 reporters were there at a time which made it very easy to ask questions if you wanted to do so.  In the media room we were surrounded by golf’s most recognizable sports writers, photographers, and of course The Golf Channel.  On top of that, I was also impressed by how much food they had there for us!  What a bonus!
 
My favorite part of the experience was having the ability to stand on the driving range as well as on all of the other practice facilities with the players.  I really wanted to get a close look at how these guys prepare and hit the ball.  On Saturday, I witnessed first hand some of the finest swings in golf today.  On the range I was standing directly behind Adam Scott, Brandt Snedeker, Jonathan Byrd, Will MacKenzie, Matt Kuchar, Steve Elkington, Justin Rose, Aaron Baddeley, and Stuart Appleby.  They all had different approaches to hitting the ball, but they were all a pleasure to watch and were also very friendly.
 
After their rounds, they walked to the scoring table inside the clubhouse and then they would step outside for some quick interviews with The Golf Channel, XM Radio, or with me from Capital Area Golf.  I really wanted to talk with Will MacKenzie.  He offers a unique prospective on chasing a dream.  Will was nothing like a Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, or an Adam Scott who were all where very dominant amateur players that were destined for stardom on the PGA Tour since they were young.  Rather, he offers a different story that I feel resonates deeply with the human spirit.  At the tender age of 14, Will quit playing golf because he was burnt out.  After high school, he moved out west and went though a bunch of jobs, and snowboarded all the time, and even lived in his van for a while.  In his mid 20’s he began to wonder if his life was going to amount to much and even tried to open a Christmas tree shop that inevitably didn’t work out to well. 

Motivated by Payne Stewart’s U.S. Open triumph over Phil Mickelson at Pinehurst, Will decided that he was going to pick up the sticks again and put all of his energy into trying to make it on tour.  I asked him if he could offer some perspective for those who are chasing a dream that is considered outside the box.  He added “Perseverance.  You have to work hard, and you have to believe that you are going to make it.  I was shooting 77’s and 78’s and the people from where I grew up where looking at me like I was never going to make it.  I said I am going to make it; I’m in it for the long run.  If I have to wait for the Champion’s Tour, I am going to make it.  You have to see no other way.” 

Regardless of what your dream is, this story shows that with the right mindset, you can achieve what you set out to.  Very inspiring!  Will is currently on the PGA Tour and doing quite well, after Saturday’s round at Turning Stone, he was 8 under par and 6 shots back from the lead.
 
The event at Turning Stone offered me a tremendous opportunity to observe and imagine what its like on tour from a player’s eye.  I have a new respect for how hard these guys work, and how level headed the majority of the players remain through it all.  There was certain energy around this experience that made it all very special to me.  If you ever get the chance to step inside the ropes on tour, take advantage because it is an experience you will not forget!!!

 Wednesday’s preparation for the Turning Stone Resort Championship proved that being a player on the PGA Tour presents a tremendous physical and mental challenge.  After a long season of continuous travel, the players found themselves braving the elements that consisted of a 45 degree day with rain and wind.  Many of the players were committed to playing in the Pro-Am and most of the others were outside practicing.   
 
 I arrived at Turning Stone around noon, and after a 15 minute lunch with John Craig, we were on our way to Adam Scott’s interview.  After the interview I asked Adam if he brought his surf board with him and he commented that it would come in handy on the fairways here.  He also added that he didn’t come prepared with a lot of warm weather gear.  With four layers on today, I found myself still feeling cold. 
 
 However, the best players in the world know how to handle the weather both on a mental and physical level.  I was talking to Aaron Baddeley and he remarked that staying warm and dry is top on the priority list.  This is something Dr. Bob Rotella also preached to me before I would go to a tournament.  When getting ready for any round of golf it is essential to have the necessary equipment so you can minimize the distraction of the elements.  After you are as physically comfortable as possible, the next step is staying as mentally positive as you can. 
 
 Jack Nicklaus has talked about how he thrived on having the opportunity to compete in what many would often label as “bad weather”.  He stated that before the actual tournament began, he would estimate that about 90 percent of the players in the field played themselves out of the tournament by mere complaining and negative thinking.  So staying positive and embracing the elements is a great way to give yourself a little mental edge when you tee it up. 
 
 As for the night before the tournament, the players all seemed to have very casual routines.  Michael Sim stated that he wasn’t going to spend extra time thinking about the week ahead after he finished practicing.  Aaron Baddley told me that he liked the routine of going to a tour “Bible Study”.  Any way you look at it, the best players in the world know how to keep it simple by not over doing or over analyzing anything.  The best players know how to go to the course, practice what they need to with full focus, and then relax and let it go until tournament time. 
 
 Dr. Bob Rotella once told me a story about how Brad Faxon had won a tournament the same week he decided to play tennis instead of a practice round.  Maybe we will find that this week’s winner was at the casino during today’s practice round. Who Knows?!  Preparation is different for all players, and I hope this article will help you to find your best way to prepare for your next round! 

A consistent pre shot routine is something that the world’s greatest golfers all have in common.  A good pre shot routine that is practiced consistently on the driving range as well as on the course, will provide you the opportunity to find comfort in challenging times on the course.   If done properly it will give you greater access to your best swing that is presently available.  Here are some excellent pointers you can follow to create your best pre shot routine.   

Part 1.  Mind and Body Preparation

1. Take some long and even diaphragmatic breaths.  For every state of mind there is a state of breath.  You may have noticed that when anxiety hits your awareness on the course your breath begins to become shallow, short, and mainly from the chest.  The beautiful thing here is that there is a direct link between your state of mind and your breathing patterns.  So if you are feeling anxiety or frustration, conscious diaphragmatic breathing will slow down the racing mind and bring you back to the present moment.

2. Let go of any excess tension from the body.  When you bring attention to your body on the course, you may be surprised by how tense certain muscles in your body get in different situations. Make it a habit to bring awareness to various muscles through your body.  Without attention, emotions in the mind get stored in the body and prevent the golfer from making a free flowing swing.  Begin by bringing your awareness to the muscles in your face, scan through your neck, shoulders, back, stomach, arms, legs, ext and any excess muscle tension will diffuse with your attention. 

Part 2.  Shot preparation and execution

3. Visualize the shot you are trying to hit.  Jack Nicklaus once described how he liked to visualize his shot.  He said that it was like a movie, he saw everything.  He saw how the ball was going to land, and react upon hitting it the ground.  He even saw the flight and curve of the ball, and then finally he visualized the swing that was going to make those images a reality.  This brings us to the fourth step. 
 
4. Feel the shot during your practice swings.  In the 2005 Masters, Tiger Woods found himself in a very difficult position on the 16th hole.  Click on this…  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1I55z-x6zc 

He was long and left of the hole for his second shot.  As you watch the re-run pay attention to how he prepares for the shot.  He is visualizing exactly where he wants the ball to land; he then takes multiple practice strokes until he finds the perfect feel for how he wants to hit the shot.  Whether the shot is a long one or a short chip, this is a must for preparing for your shot.

5. Commit to the shot.  This has to do with trusting what your body felt and the vision that your mind saw.  At this point no more thought is necessary; in fact it is the only thing that can interfere with finding your best available shot.   So just get up and hit it, and let go of the results.

If you can go through your round with a consistent routine, I promise you that you will play better and feel better once the round is over.  So much energy is lost when you are not focused.  In fact, it’s amazing how you can actually feel more relaxed after a round of golf if you stick to the process, and let go of the results.  As always have fun and I look forward to hearing how this works for you!

First though, if facilities and time are available, here is the sequence that I prefer my players, (and any others) take.  I have them begin by simply swinging a few of their irons – the 5 and 6 irons usually – together to give them some weight and loosen their muscles.  This needs to be done only for a few minutes. 

Next, I have them begin to hit balls.  Here I prefer that they begin with a 7 or 8 iron – which they, like all players – tend to hit well.  The reason for this is two-fold and simple.  One, they tend to hit these clubs better than most and with consistently, giving them solid contact and positive swing thoughts, and two, they will use these clubs many times during the average round, so they are working a part of their game that is important to their overall success. 

From this point I have them work down to the wedges and then up through the rest of their clubs – finishing this phase of warm-up with their driver.  I have always felt it important to de-emphasize the driver and other woods, not because they are unimportant, but rather due to the fact that they use other clubs much more and need to get positive feelings with these.  This accomplished, the driver usually goes just fine.

Next, we work on the short game.  If available, I like my players to chip for a few minutes, again to get a feel for this part of their game and how the local greens react to various shots from close range.  In a perfect world, a practice sand trap is also available, allowing players time to get a feel for this type of hazard.  Finally, I have them finish on the practice green, taking at least 10 minutes to get their putting stroke and a feel for the local greens – which we all know are different at every course. 

As with the driving range, I prefer the players begin hitting putts from close range – two to three feet – to get a positive thoughts more than anything.  There is nothing like “draining” a few short putts to build one’s confidence.  From this distance, I then have them work their way further and further from the cup, practicing both straight and putts with break in the process.  As with all phases of the warm-up, successful strokes and positive swing thoughts are the goal, not one or two “great” shots.  A routine such as these more often than not translates into success on the course itself.

When adequate practice facilities or time are not available, which they frequently aren’t, I have my players complete a reduced version of the above.  They begin by simply loosening their muscles by swing a few clubs together and doing some basic stretching exercises for their shoulders and backs.  The goal here is to begin to get a feel for their full swing, without actually hitting any balls beforehand. 

Next, I have them move immediately to the practice green and putt in the manner described above.  Statistically putting is nearly half the shots your average player will take during the course of a round, so it is vital that they have positive thoughts before beginning their round.  Comfort on the greens, and a little success early on, can lead to a very good score, even though a proper warm-up was not possible. 

Finally, I have my players finish with a few chip and pitch shots.  Here my purpose is two-fold: first, to get a feel for the greens in this part of the game, and second and more importantly, to simply get a feel for the ball on the club prior to hitting their first drive of the day.

Regardless of whether or not a proper warm-up is possible, the key to any successful round of golf is to begin on a positive note.  Over the years, I have found my players achieve success by following either routine outlined above, resulting not only in good scores, but an enjoyment of this great game in the process.  Nothing breeds happiness like success, and following these suggestions can help any golfer realize both.

 If you are experiencing putting issues, it is possible that it is more than just a mental issue.  So it is very important that you see a knowledgeable professional.  After working with some of the game’s best putting teachers, I will tell you that a good teacher has a way of making adjustments in your putting stroke that are very simple and easy to understand. 

 After you have spent time ingraining your stroke it is time to work on the mental side of putting.  As with all parts of golf, there comes a time when thinking becomes a block to a player’s success.  In the movie Bagger Vance, the caddie “Bagger”, was working with the golfer Randolph Junah, on getting him to find his “authentic swing”.  It was later stated in the movie that “Bagger” was trying to show Junah how to “stop thinking without falling asleep.”  Junah’s perfect swing was accessed when it wasn’t interfered with by excessive thinking.  This is the state beyond the thinking mind that the greatest mind game coaches are trying to lead their respective golfers to.

 Stopping the excessive thought processes going on in a golfer’s mind is easier said than done for the golfer who is so tightly wrapped up with the results.  Dr. Bob Rotella took the next easiest route by first drawing some comparisons of other sports with the putting stroke in golf.  He would point out that when a basketball player is shooting a jumper in a basketball game, he or she isn’t focusing on the mechanical aspect rather he or she just lets the shot go.  Or the outfielder in baseball that is trying to throw someone out at home plate…  They are surely not thinking about the mechanics behind throwing the ball, they simply look and throw.  In other words, in these sports, the thinking mind is not interfering with the action that is taking place.  Unfortunately golf is not a reaction sport and most of a golfer’s time on the course is spent with their thoughts.  So when it comes time to putt, it is much easier for thought to come in and interfere with a player’s authentic stroke. 

Here are some ways you can move forward if you are still experiencing trouble putting after getting a lesson. 

1. Create a consistent pre-shot routine.  This should include visualization of the ball’s path to the hole, and practice strokes to “feel” the speed.

2. Turn putting into more of a reaction sport.  Dr. Bob Rotella showed me a drill that helps you once you setup to take your putt.  What you do is take one look at the path of the putt, follow it from the hole all the way back to the ball, and without a second thought or look at the hole, start your putting stroke.   This enables a more fluid, natural, feel stroke to take place rather than a mechanical stroke. 

3. Learn how to MAKE every putt.  Peter Jacobsen was once asked how he could handle the fact that he missed a putt on the last hole that could have cost him the tournament.  His remark was “I didn’t miss it, I made the putt, it just didn’t go in the hole.”  So learn how to be disciplined enough to go up to every putt with full commitment and release thoughts from the past.  Control what you can, give each putt your complete focus and attention, and then let go of the results. 

4. Focus on the process, and let the results take care of themselves.  Brad Faxon does not measure his putting success by how many puts he makes, rather he rates himself on how well he mentally prepared and executed every stroke throughout the round.

5. Let go of the thinking and analyzing of your stroke while on the course. 

What we are trying to create here is a new mindset when we walk onto the putting green.  Having fun doesn’t have to be conditioned to making lots of putts.  Learning how to give up control allows you to gain it.  Have fun out there and as always I look forward to hearing how this works for you!