There are days when I teach and I feel accomplished but the best days are when I get surprised by my students.  On this particular occasion my surprise came when I opened an email at the end of a long day.  It was a video of one of my homeschool students who was having fun with putting.  I laughed, I smiled and I was thankful that he got it.  Golf is fun!  He was having fun, he was creative and he was playing golf. 

I was then inspired to create a putting contest for the homeschool group.  How great would it be if they all experienced the same kind of joy that Timmy did in his video!  Timmy was not able to attend today when I made the announcement but I did let his family know that his video set everything in motion.  

As for the contest, I challenged each one of my students to create a putting maze.  Their parents can help them build it but the student must make the putt and submit the video for judging by independent evaluators.  The winning video will be announced during our last class next Tuesday.  The prize is a $50 gift card that can be used to treat Mom and Dad to a special dinner. 

These video submissions are amazing examples of living out the First Tee Healthy Habit of Play.  Play is all about teaching junior golfers that a variety of energizing play can help the body stay strong, lean and fit, and be fun in the process. Sleep and other forms of “re-charging” allow one to engage in play on a daily basis.  

Last week, I encouraged you to practice "handing the club back,"  now this week focus on "handing it straight back."  It seems like I am being very picky but in golf the smallest movement can impact the outcome of the ball significantly.  If you practice the drill featured in the video below along with the first take away drill and the tempo drill diligently you will be well on your way toward developing the discipline needed to play good golf.  

In reviewing the videos that I have been receiving, I am noticing that many problems are coming in the take away.  In the video below, I explain how to correct these issues.  Watch the video carefully and spend time "handing the club back" for about 15 minutes.  If you are unable to practice in front of a mirror, take a video or simply observe your shadow.

​Follow up with the Tempo Drill for another 15 minutes.  In time, your full swing will be different.    

Putting can make or break your score on the course, yet somehow we neglect to practice when it is the easiest skill to practice even on a rainy day.  As mentioned before no store bought equipment is needed.  Actually, it is more fun when you use your imagination to set up targets and create games.  I saw a video of two boys in a two story house who engineered a crazy obstacle course based on putting.  It is so important to keep the fun in the practice. 

In the video below, I show you how to use 5 golf balls to create a game that you can play solo or with others.  Have fun!!​

Don't have a putter?  No problem, you can use a broom, putting is a lot like sweeping.  One of those long umbrellas will work too.  Get creative!!

By far the easiest golf skill to practice at home is putting.  I know some of my students have a putting green that they purchased but the reality is you can putt on your carpet or your bare floors.  The key is set up a target which can be an empty cup or  the leg of your kitchen table.  Get creative!!  

As you do be mindful of your wrists. In the video below, I illustrate how to avoid flipping your wrists in the putting stroke.  

Let me know how it works out.  Keep sending your videos.