We were all treated to an early holiday gift with a dramatic finish to the Presidents Cup, and a U.S.A. Victory! I hope you all enjoyed the competition as much as I did. Speaking of gifts, it’s the season of Santa Breed! Tune into A New Breed of Golf on Sirius XM PGA Tour Radio, and check out my social channels to get your chance to win some great giveaways. I wish you all a happy, and safe Holiday Season, enjoy!
A Peek into Michael's Office I've started a new little series here giving you a look at some of the interesting items I've been fortunate enough to collect over the years. Join me as I give you a peek into #TheOffice!
Interview with Dan Hicks
Longtime NBC Sports commentator, Dan Hicks joins me to discuss Tiger's historic 82nd PGA Tour win
DH: The highlight reel of Tiger by far dwarfs not just any other golfer...I think dwarfs any other sports figure, period. When you put it all together, it seemingly goes on forever.
Click below to Listen to the Full Interview with Dan!
Michael Breed can be heard every weekday morning on SiriusXM PGA Tour Radio from 8-10 AM EST. XM 92 and Sirius 208. Join in by calling (866) 469-0026.
Send in your questions and "Word of the Day" ideas for the show at ANewBreedofGolf@michaelbreed.com or on Twitter. You will have a chance to be a weekly winner!
Q&A of the Month #FixMySwing
Dear Michael,
I have used the same blade putter for over 20 years. I am having a difficult time parting ways, but my putting has gotten so bad, I know its time to make a change. There are so many options out there, how do I know what style of putter to get?
Tyler
Tyler, thank you for asking! Over time, your eyes change, and it changes the way you aim your putter. For this reason, you have to get properly fit for your putter. Try out a variety of putter styles, and see which putter you aim best during the address position. You want to find the putter you can aim in the address position first then you can see how you do in the stroke. Now that you have some putters you can aim, its time to test the stroke. You now have to find out if you can aim the putter while the putter is in motion. When you are able to start your putts on the intended line, you know you are aiming the putter properly in motion. The putter for you is the putter that allows you to aim where you want at address, and maintain that aim during the stroke.
If you have ever missed a green on the short side, you know how important that high, soft shot from the sand is… I’m sure it’s a rare occasion for you, but at the very least, it’s a cool shot you can show off to your friends! There are two keys to this shot, and you will see them pictured below. First and foremost, you have to open the clubface at address, and continue to open the clubface throughout the motion. This will help you add loft to the club, which is key to hitting it high. It also allows the trailing edge, to enter the sand first. The trailing edge of your wedge will glide through the sand. If the leading edge enters the sand first, it will dig into the sand. Second, you have to accelerate the club head through the shot. The more speed, the more height, and spin you will get on your ball. Height and spin will stop your ball quickly on the green allowing you to get up and down from anywhere!
During the backswing, rotate the clubface open. Notice how the club face points toward the target, and the lead wrist is cupped. Getting the clubface open in the backswing will not only add loft, but also expose the trailing edge.
At the top of the back swing, the toe of the club is pointing down to the ground. This means the club face is wide open at the top of the swing. Again, this adds loft, and exposes the trailing edge. Also notice how full this swing is. Even though it is a very short shot, you still need lots of club head speed to elevate the ball, and get your club head moving through the sand.
Post impact, you see the club head on the left side of the body with the club face pointing back towards the camera. This means the club face has stayed open through the strike, and the trailing edge has entered the sand first. The trailing edge glides through the sand, and produces the splash of sand you see here.
When you accelerate the club head through the shot, and maintain an open club face, the end result is a full finish position, and a high and soft shot out of the sand!
- Greg DuCharme
Michael Breed Golf Academy
Golf Digest's Best Young Teachers in America Greg@michaelbreed.com
Bob's Brilliance: Make more putts.
Approximately forty percent of all golf shots are struck with the putter, but I rarely see players spending forty percent of their practice time working on their putting. If shooting lower scores is your goal, then logic would have it that you should spend more time working on your putting. I have identified three areas to improve your putting that will lower your scores for sure.
Consistent Strike - All great putters strike the ball in exactly the same spot on the putter each and every putt. If you are not able to consistently strike the ball in the same spot it will be very difficult to make putts. The ideal spot to strike a putt is slightly above the equator of the golf ball and in the dead center. Practice making consistent contact and you will be able to develop better feel in which will increase your confidence and allow you to start the golf ball on your intended line every time.
Green Reading - Becoming a great green reader is skill that can be fostered and improved on. Great green readers start reading the green well before they step on the putting green. As you approach the putting surface, become acutely aware of the green complex. Identify where the fall line is and where the high point of the green lies. If you are playing on grainy greens, familiarize yourself with the direction of the grain. Take all these factors into consideration as you determine how much break to play on your putt.
Get a Routine - All great putters have a putting routine and you should too. Having a routine allows you to be more concerned with the process of putting rather than the results of your stroke. Have you ever noticed that you are a much better putter when putting for bogey rather than for birdie? The reason is that you are allowing your mind to take over and affect your performance. When we commit to a routine, we give our mind and body the best chance to maximize our performance. So commit to a routine and make more putts!
Become a better putter by learning to consistently strike the ball the same way every time, by learning to read the greens, and by developing a putting routine and I can guarantee your scores will come crashing down! Let's Do This!
- Bob Bigonette
Lead Instructor, PGA
Michael Breed Golf Academy Bob@michaelbreed.com
Dr. Nick's Mental Golf Advice:
It is HOW YOU PLAY the game! It is not HOW YOU FEEL you will play or have played the game. Remained focused it specifics of your performance...not your emotions.
- Dr. Nick Molinaro
Licensed Psychologist
Counseling and Sport Psychology DrNickGolf.com
@DrNickGolf
Hello Michael,
I wanted to let you know that ever since I heard your story about your father I have opened the car door for my wife. She told me tonight that one of her coworkers saw this with her kids. My wife explained to her your story about your dad remembering to do this. She told her husband and now he is doing it!!!
I love your show. Take care and enjoy your family.
Rob Gibson
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