Category Archives: Mike Gorton

Why is this the Worst Golf Tip?

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Hey, Doc here again with another free golf lesson for you…

“Keep your head down.”

We’ve all heard this classic piece of bad advice from a well meaning friend or misguided pro. The problem is, this advice is so general and non-specific that its meaning is completely dependent on your unique interpretation. This makes it totally worthless, and more apt to screw your swing up than fix any problem it was intended to.

In the video above 3 time RE/MAX long drive champ Mike Gorton explains why he thinks “keep your head down” is such bad advice, and what you should be doing with your head instead.

As you saw in the video, its normal to move your head in the golf swing, after all it’s an athletic movement and you are not a machine. Any attempt to keep your head in one spot will result in all sorts of mishits.

Instead try focusing on keeping your swing below your head. You don’t want your head getting in the way of your torso and shoulder rotation in the golf swing, as if its some immovable object. No, you want your swing to be natural and comfortable. Lifting your head a bit to keep it out of the way of your shoulder rotation allows a natural swing and improves your mobility.

As explained in the video, you want to feel like your swing is happening below your head. Focus on that feeling instead of keeping your head still. This will result in better swing mechanics and fewer mishits.

For more tips on longer and straighter drives from 3 Time RE/MAX long drive champ Mike Gorton click here.

For better golf,
Doc O’Leary
Head Golf Nut, OHP

How To Shape Your Golf Shots and Save Par

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Learning how to shape your golf shots (hit a draw or fade when you want to) is crucial if you want to take your golf game to the next level.

Shaping shots takes you from ‘decent amateur golfer’ to ‘guy who makes his buddies jealous with his incredible par saving shots.’

Being able to shape your golf shots will enable you to recover from a sliced tee shot with a beautiful fade out of the rough, and on to the fairway or green. Mastering these shots will enable you to miss-hit the occasional tee shot and still beat your buddies on that hole.

In this short video Golf Professional Mike Gorton will show you the secrets to shaping your shots without changing how you swing.

As you can see from this video once you know the tricks shaping your shots is really pretty simple.

The key is understanding the two key variables that affect where the golf ball goes. The first variable is the way the club approaches the ball (inside out, outside in, or square). The diagram to the right shows these angles in case you are having trouble visualizing this (note: the diagram on the right is for a right handed golfer, it would be opposite for lefties).

The second variable is the position of the club head (open, closed, or square).

In order to shape your shots you simply need to change your stance. Changing your stance (opening up or closing up your stance) will cause you to chance your swing path without even having to think about it.

Hitting a Fade:

As Mike explains in the video all you need to do is open your stance while still aiming at your target.

By opening your stance you force yourself to make an outside in swing which puts right hand spin on the ball resulting in a fade.

Hitting a Draw:

To hit a draw you need to close your stance while still aiming at the target. This will force you to have an inside out swing path.

This swing path will put left hand spin on the ball causing your golf shot to draw to the left.

Practice these shots on the range to get a feel for how much you need to open and close your stance to get the amount of movement you are looking for.

These shots are actually a lot of fun to practice so grab a bucket of balls and hit the range.

For more tips from 3 time Long Drive World Champ Mike Gorton check out his Bombing it Long Package.

For Better Golf,
Doc O’Leary
Head Golf Nut, OHP Golf

Understanding Release…

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Here’s another valuable video tip for you from Re-Max
Long Drive Hall of Famer Mike Gorton, check it out and
read the tip below too, it’s about how to stop”yanking”
your golf club from the top…

A BIG problem for most high handicappers and goes
something like this:

You’re on the tee box staring down a 550 yard par 5. You need a
good long drive here. So you take a couple easy practice swings
with your driver… line up your shot… take the club back…
then — somewhere in the back of your mind — a little voice
whispers to unload with everything you have.

And that’s where the problem lies -You need to understand Release
and how to maintain that stored power and deliver it to the golf ball.

You should NOT be thinking about “unloading” anything at the
top of your swing. This leads to one of the biggest
power-robbers ever conceived by man or beast — the dreaded
“yank” from the top. It activates your left shoulder, arms and
hands (ALL of which should remain loose and tension free) and
promotes a poor pivot (because your brain thinks your power is
coming from the “yank” — which is doesn’t. It comes from the
PIVOT). You ultimately waste all your before you even get to the ball
and end up slapping at it…weak shot -not good.

The classic “yank” also results in your arms and hands coming
“over-the-top”, pulling the club off-plane, and eratic shots
that spray the course like buck shot.

Okay… so here’s the big tip of the day.

You must think “slower” and allow your pivot to take over your
swing. Let the club accelerate near the ball instead of
“blowing your wad” at the top. Think to yourself “I’m just
gonna hit a nice easy shot about 180 yards”. Do that and “whap”
— suddenly your shots are longer, straighter, and a heck of a
lot more consistent.

Don’t worry about how long you need to hit it, or “hitting it
hard”, or getting the club to the ball quickly, or anything
like that. This is what prompts your brain into activating the
“yank”.Don’t think Hit –Think Wait! – and since the driver is
a longer club it’s going to take that much longer get back to the
ball…It should almost feel like slo-motion…it should’t feel
quick at all.

Instead be patient and concentrate on keeping your left
shoulder, your arms and wrists loose and limber. No tension.

Do this and you’ll instantly have a slower, smoother,
effortless looking power swing (your buddies will swear
you’re just coasting).

If it feels fast, it’s not. If it feels slow and easy, it’s
fast. How’s that for irony.

If you want to learn more about adding massive power to your
drives by “keeping it slow and easy” Click On This Link

Thanks – for better golf!

Doc