Book #1 The Game Before the Game

This book was written by Lynn Marriott & Pia Nilsson ( Annika's longtime coaches). They have several good books out, but this one is great because it gives specific practice ideas for make practice more effective and fun : practicing with a purpose and finding the art in practice.

They break down practice into different themes and they give "perfect 30-min. practice" regiments for each of the following areas: warming up, improving balance, improving tempo, having a good mental attitude, developing a solid routine, putting skills, keys to golf fitness, developing focus, and more. Not all of their recommendations involve on-course activities, some are internal /meditative and many could be easily adapted to indoor use. There are great on-course transfer practice ideas too.

Along the way they stress that you have to continue to find the fun and passion in the sport. I agree this is very important. Too many people (especially those who don't work with an instructor) practice mindlessly - it might be an outlet to relax, but if you're going to spend the time swinging around, I say, accomplish something!

A few of my favorite tips include:

• Be "curious" when you practice... don't expect to know what you might learn... be open minded and discover as you go.
• Make 8 swings alternating between 50 percent and 100 percent of full tempo
• Putt for 5 minutes to a hole with your eyes closed. Estimate where you think the ball ended up before you look.
• Say 5 things to a friend that you think you are good at in golf.
• Hit 6 shots with different grip pressures, starting with 3 fingers on each hand... then all your fingers but lightly as possible, each shot should get tighter and tighter. Evaluate which grip pressure felt the best.

More info on these great ladies and their coaching at www.vision54.com- they even have a nice portable version/coaching cards that are great to bring with you to the course to remember the drills and ideas.

Book #2 "Easier Said than Done"

This book was recently written/published by Dr. Rick Jensen (a nationally recognized sports psychologist and performance consultant) who I saw present at an AMF Golf Management Summit I attended in September. He is so dynamic, funny and I really like his approach to "coaching."

In this book, Dr. Rick reveals the 12 "tour-tested truths" that you need to know and apply to play to your potential on the course. Of course, they are "easier said than done". It is not meant to be a discouraging title, instead motivational and a reality check for those golfers who don't know what it really takes to make changes and truly how to improve (like the Pros). Now of course, most of us are not Pros or looking to become Pros, but anyone can benefit from the suggestions in this book and align them to their goals and playing level.

We are all "victims" of an instant-gratification society. We all want our information, communication, answers immediately (faster internet, electronic and wireless everything, text messaging, sms and rss feeds, twitter, etc.) and so as a result we also expect instant results even in golf. We have to learn to be patient, find a good coach, learn to master a basic skills without skipping steps. Most golfers never truly master a new skill or swing change- they can do it in practice, but not on the course under pressure, they wonder why. Here are the steps to skill mastery which breeds improvement and confidence: Step 1- Understand cause & effect, Step 2- Supervised practice, Step 3- transfer training (course application), Step 4- play (put it to the test).

Dr. Rick signed my copy of the book, and in his note wrote "Its about more than the swing." I agree with him. Good golf does not come from a picture perfect golf swing it comes from (1) good ball control (2) proper decision making and (3) self management. He touches on all of these ideas and more: stat tracking, creating a game plan for practice, setting realistic goals, the importance of fitness, etc.

Its a quick read and well worth it, especially as we get closer to golf season. It will give you some fresh ideas about practice and how to approach your game, selecting a coach and how to spend your time wisely to reach your goals in golf. For more information about Dr. Rick or his book, please visit www.drrickjensen.com

My Winter Reading Project

I'm on a mission... read 12 + golf books in the next 4 months! You're invited to follow my journey and search for fresh inspiration and learning. I'll do my best to post book reviews of new books and some old classics as I finish them. Enjoy!!

Season Recap!

I'm back.. it's been such a busy year (I know, that is not excuse for not blogging)!

I am winding down from my first full season at Stonewall Golf Club. I enjoyed meeting so many new wonderful students, building my business in a new community and planting seeds for the years to come on the junior golf front. I have an updated website with photo gallery and new scheduler. I have posted many more video tips as well as a result of my aspirations to be picked for the Golf Channel's Next Instructor Search that I participated in this Fall (I have not been notified of my selection...yet.. still waiting... any day now....! )

I look forward to next year and I've already selected a few new coaching tools to incorporate in my training that I think will really help the learning process : a mental golf profile and a stat tracking program. More info to come soon!

I am really proud of the accomplishments of some of my competitive students this year:

• Lisa Combs had a great summer highlighted by competing in Europe (for the USA) on the IJGT Jr. Euro Cup Team. She finished top 25 in the state for Girls Golf and won the Women's Club Championship at her home course, Faquier Springs CC.Now in her senior year in HS and entertaining offers from various D1 and D3 schools around the country. Very exciting.
  
• Former Student , Amanda Steinhagen made it into Sports Illustrated for being the first woman in VA in over 30 years to hold the VA Women's and VA Girls title simultaneously. She is now in her freshman year at Longwood University on a full scholarship.
• I had the pleasure of starting to work with Joe Megless this season. He is a local, accomplished amateur player who has aspirations of turning pro. He just joined the FUZION Minor League Golf Tour to gain more top level experience at this time. Keep an eye out for him, he has a lot of potential!