Another Left Eye Dominant Player?
I forgot to mention something I saw last week at the Sony Open which leads me to believe we need to add another player in the left eye dominant category. During the second round, Paul Azinger was in a green side bunker and set up to hit the shot. He then turned his head cockeyed and hit the shot. No wonder he uses a strong left hand and takes the club back closed.
When you see something that looks out of the ordinary, chances are good something is amiss. It also validates my belief the tour players are on a different level when it comes to athletic ability.
If you don't have tour level athletic ability and you wish to improve, make sure your grip, set-up, posture, and alignment are tour level.
Never forget, set up determines motion.
Thanks,
Mike Hurley

Notes from the Sony Open
It certainly was exciting watching Tadd Fujikura play. This young man has excellent fundamentals and has a promising future. I loved his attitude. He was having fun. Do you have fun when you play?
Watching Paul Goydos play was enlightening. If you have any questions about the athletic ability of all the tour pros look at his set-up. Most players could not make good contact from his starting posture. His shoulders are rounded forward and his head was down. He has great hand/eye coordination. Because of his posture, he is not a long hitter. Of course, he may have health and other issues which do not allow him to have good posture.
On the other side of the coin is Charles Howell III. His posture is perfect and he hits it a long way. He always looks too technical. I would have hit take three clubs to the course and play 9 holes with only the three clubs. I wouldn't let him take a putter or driver among the three clubs. He would do this at least twice a week.
My first set was a driver, three wood, 3-5-7-9 irons and a putter. I really believe the small number of clubs made me use my imagination and invent ways to get the job done.
I would encourage you to do this on regular basis. If you can get only three or four holes in, use just three clubs. Make your time on the course count.
Thanks for reading,
Mike Hurley

Confessions of a Thief

I am a thief. I am not only a thief, but I steal habitually. I can't help it. Fortunately, I don't steal things which would land me in jail. Let me explain.

I enjoy watching infomercials on tv. I seek them out. Sounds like I've gone off the deep end but, I watch the ones pitching exercise equipment or systems. They are showing off the routines being done with the equipment or the "new" style of movement.

While I watch, I get new ideas. I then incorporate them using available items. There is an infomercial for the fluidity bar. Looks like a nice piece of equipment and the movements done on the bar look helpful. You can do the same or similar movements using the back of a chair, the kitchen counter top, or anything similar. I've added five new exercises thanks to watching the fluidity infomercial.

I've gotten several more exercises from the P90X infomercial. The P90X system looks really intense and would get a person in shape. They do several exercises in ways I've never seen.

How many different ways do you exercise? Since the first of the year, I've kept a list of what I do and when I do it. I didn't realize how many different things I do until I wrote them down. Having the list has focused my attention on exercise and I haven't missed a day. It also lets me know if I am overdoing or not doing an exercise.

Make your own list. Keep track. It will help keep you focused and healthy.

Mike Hurley

Long Weekend in North Texas
Happy New Year. We have freezing weather coming with a chance of ice. Yippee! Upon arriving at the course this morning, the weather was warm and I couldn't resist getting on the course. Wound up playing 27 holes before calling it a day. Finished at 1:00 and the front arrived around 1:30.

The other day we were discussing tour players and what if anything we would change in their games. Got me thinking. Who would I change and why?

I've always thought Ernie Els needed a stronger left hand. At the top he has a funny hitch which makes the clubhead look toe down or open. It's a compensation. And as you now know, any compensations are caused by faulty grip, set-up, or both.

Watching the Mercedes Championship last week, I noticed Vijay Singh's posture was not as good as I have seen. His upper back and head were rounded forward. He had a good putting week and won, but it looked like he was fighting his swing. Yesterday he shot over par at the Sony Open first round. Coincidence?

I would love to work with him on his putting. His putting set up is not conducive to making an on plane stroke. Last week he used a belly putter and finished first in putting for the tournament. Can it last?

Looking forward to 2007. I have made some goals for the year. I made a point of making the goals process oriented and not results oriented. For instance, I am going to hit all shots with a purpose. This should lead to fewer errant shots and lower scores.

Until next time,
Mike