Although winter has set in, die hard golfers never stop thinking about their games. In fact, the off-season is often the ideal time for many to set new goals and even start some practice drills ahead of the upcoming golf season. That’s why the headliners for the 24th West Michigan Golf Show are offering some helpful tips ahead of their appearance on February 10-12 at DeVos Place in downtown Grand Rapids. Today’s tips are courtesy of headliner John Novosel Jr., a past presenter for the PGA of Sweden, the PGA of Holland, and the World Golf Fitness Summit.
Representing Tour Tempo, the innovative teaching and technology company that stresses the scientifically proven importance of a consistent swing tempo, Novosel offers three basic tempo tips:
Tip #1: Use the 3:1 ratio on full swings
“In their full swing, Tour-level professionals’ tempos have three parts backswing to one part downswing,” says Novosel. “In other words, if the backswing takes .75 seconds, then the downswing should take .25 seconds. This is the 3:1 time ratio of backswing to downswing.” According to Novosel, most amateurs’ tempos are in the 4:1 category or worse.
Novosel adds: “An ideal way to check your tempo is by taking video of your swing. When viewed later in the editing mode, the video will show how many ‘frames’ it takes you on the backswing and then how many on the follow through. This comparison is your ratio.”
Tip #2: Use the 2:1 ratio for short game shots
“In our research,” says Novosel, “we discovered that short game shots use a 2:1 ratio of backswing to downswing. This includes half wedges, bunker shots, chip shots, and putting. So when golfers are not making full swings, they shouldn’t try to create too much speed by using a 3:1 ratio. These shots are about precision and the 2:1 ratio gives you that precision.”
Tip #3: Practice your tempo
Novosel says most golfers don’t practice tempo and when they do, they don’t work on the correct things. “Set aside time to work on just tempo,” says Novosel. “An easy way to do it correctly is to use (yes, a shameless plug) Tour Tempo. Tour Tempo’s three audio tones tell you when to start your swing, when to change directions at the top and, when you should be at impact. It’s simple and it works.” Novosel adds: “The bonus here is that once you learn the tones, you have a hard time forgetting them.”
Based outside Kansas City, KS, Novosel will traveling to Grand Rapids and provide free clinics on the Fidelity Seminar Stage at the Golf Show. He’ll be joined by Sea Island’s (GA.) Mike Shannon, a renowned putting guru and PGA teaching professional recently ranked by Golf Digest as #40 in its listing of “America’s 50 Best Teachers.”
Held continuously since 1989, the West Michigan Golf Show will attract thousands of Michigan golfers to hundreds of exhibits and will feature clinics, putting contests, junior golf instruction, swing analyzers and a “one stop” golf shopping opportunity with countless “golf show specials.” Sponsors include Treetops Resort, Fidelity Investments, Golf Association of Michigan, Boyne Resorts, Michigan PGA, Swan Lake Resort and Srixon. Several charities will benefit from their involvement with the show including Patriot Golf Day.
Produced by ShowSpan Inc., the West Michigan Golf Show’s hours are 4:00 pm-9:00 pm, Friday; 10:00 am-7:00 pm, Saturday; and 10:00 am-5:00 pm, Sunday. Tickets are $9 for adults, $4 for children ages 6-14, and children 5 and under are free. Tickets will be available at the door as well as online at www.westmichigangolfshow.com
