The Lipstike Drill

February 8th, 2010 | Tuition

Do you consistently strike the ball from the same part of the putter face? And is that the centre or ‘sweet spot’ of your putter? Actually, do you know where you strike the ball on the putter face? Does matter? Asian Golf Monthly putting guru Paul Hurrion says ‘yes!’

Inconsistency in the strike area may seem a small hiccup, but it can afflict any golfer, even Major Champions. It can either defeat your aim of being a better putter – or be overcome quickly if you use my simple answer. Firstly – yes! It matters. Every time you miss the ‘sweet spot’, the impact twists the putter slightly. This means miss-hits producing misdirected putts and poor strikes leading to short putts. To be a good putter, you have to create a good repeating stroke that enables consistency of strike. Striking the ball out of the ‘sweet spot’ every time not only gives you the best roll, but also the best feel. Importantly, the consistency builds your confidence … plus there is a hidden bonus.

And now my simple answer: The Lipstick Drill. I guarantee it can help you to improve distance control, direction and confidence overnight. And the hidden bonus? Focusing on striking the ball in the centre of the putter will help prevent your eyes following the ball too soon and add another stability factor to your putting style.


The Lipstick Drill

The purpose of this drill is to check if you are striking the ball on the centre of the clubface. Smear lipstick on the face of the putter. Then hit a putt. The mark in the lipstick will show you where the ball is being struck. Is the strike where you thought it was? Is it in the centre? Repeat the drill 10 times and look for the ‘consistency’ of the pattern that you have created. More three-putts are caused by pace control than poor alignment, so in order to control the pace of the golf ball, it is vital that the ball must come consistently out of the sweet spot of the putter face. Importantly, this drill does not interfere with the putter face or deaden the feel of the hands. If your putts are inconsistent in terms of strike (heel and toe), try switching to a putter with a higher Moment of Inertia (MOI). This will help give you greater stability or forgiveness with off-centre hits and cut misdirection and distance control errors.

Working with GEL Golf, I have designed the Paul Hurrion Signature Range of putters to help golfers enjoy the key benefits Tour players look for on the greens. The groove and multi-layer aluminium insert technology enables weight to be positioned around the perimeter of the putter head, creating a high MOI for the precise reason that not even Tour players strike the ball out of the centre every time. Based on the bio-mechanical principles I have studied, I know that consistent strike and putters with a high MOI help you to create stability and consistency at the point of impact in the area of the game that matters most – your putting.

Asian Golf Monthly - Lipstick Drill - March 2010 - p62 : Please find below the tenth in a series of 12 instructional articles for Asian Golf Monthly : ‘Lipstick Drill’ - Asian Golf Monthly - March 2010 : http://paulhurrion.com/tution/

ProStance - Orlando 2010 PGA Merchandise Show

February 3rd, 2010 | ProStance

ProStance, the revolutionary training aid, has just returned to the UK after exhibiting at the 2010 PGA Merchandise Show, Orlando, Florida, USA. The inflatable balance aid, the must-have tool for any golfer wanting to improve their game, was on show for the second time at the Orange County Convention Center.

With over 250 Tour professionals already trusting this unique product, including three-time major winner Padraig Harrington, Oliver Wilson, Rory McIlory, Paul McGinley, Henrick Stenson, Bradley Dredge, Philip Archer, Richard Finch, Anna Nordqvist, Becky Brewerton, Beatriz Recari… (the list goes on and on). The simple balance aid is steadily confirming it’s position as one of the most-advanced, game improvement tools on the market today.

 Beatriz Recari shows off the ProStance tour bag she will carry on the LPGA Tour
this season, with caddie Andreas Thorp

With results at the elite end of the game that include improving driving distance, more consistancy, greater accuracy and the potential to reduce putts by up to three strokes, ProStance ensures weight is concentrated through the centre of gravity of the golfer’s body. The result: improved balance leading to powerful more consistent ball striking and smoother more consistent putting strokes

The PGA 2010 show was very successful for ProStance with plans to expand its distribution and sales both on-line and in the USA and more countries worldwide, including Japan, Korea, Ireland & South America. The biomechanical research and teaching ethos behind ProStance is set to branch out into teaching academies and high-tech laboratories, starting with Academies in the USA & Europe later this year.

For more information, please visit www.pro-stance.com

Team ProStance - 2010 PGA Merchandise Show - Orlando, Florida USA

Don’t Strangle the Putter

January 19th, 2010 | Tuition

In my latest article for Asian Golf Monthly, here is a drill I use for enable players to discover the correct grip pressure required when putting.

The main focus when playing on fast greens is to ensure you do all you can to take the ‘hit’ out of the stroke. The key to putting on fast greens is pace control. Pace control is the result of energy transfer from the body into the club. It is important to remember to ‘swing through the ball’. The key is to let the ball get in the way of the putter. Don’t hit at it!

The only connection you have with the putter is via the grip … and how much grip pressure you exert onto the handle can significantly alter the energy transferred from the body into the club head. Constant ‘grip pressure’ for me is the key ingredient into consistent distance control with your putting stroke. The image here was taken at Quintic indoor putting laboratory, which serves as an excellent practice facility for pace control.

Avoid muscular ‘Gridlock’

If you can see the whites of the knuckles when you take your grip, you’re already in trouble. Too much pressure in the hands reduces the feel in the forearms and shoulders; you end up with a muscular ‘gridlock’. Here’s a simple, yet very effective, drill I use to ensure you always have the correct grip pressure during your stroke.

Hold the club out in front of you horizontally using you normal grip (pictured); Slowly relax the grip pressure in both hands until the toe of the club starts to drop slightly (no more than one centimetre), as I am doing in the picture; At the moment the putter-head begins to fall, you have found your ideal grip pressure;

Once you have that sensation, take your putting posture. My guess is that your grip pressure is now lighter on the club than it is when you are getting ready to make a putt. It should be. This lighter, more sensitive pressure will ensure that both hands work together as one unit during the stroke;

In the majority of cases (for right-handers), the right hand is the dominant hand with the putting stroke. That can lead to trouble and inconsistency. For a balanced and repeating stroke, they must work together.


Conclusion

To establish the correct grip pressure, hold your putter out at arm’s length and simply relax your hands until the putter-head begins to fall. At that moment you have found your ideal grip pressure. A light, sensitive grip will allow your hands to work together in balance. Squeeze the life out of your grip and you effectively squeeze the feel and rhythm out of your stroke.

 

Asian Golf Monthly - Don’t Strangle the Putter - Feburary 10 : Please find below the ninth in a series of 12 instructional articles for Asian Golf Monthly : ‘Don’t Strangle the Putter’ - Asian Golf Monthly - February 2010 : http://paulhurrion.com/tution/

Tech in Bio-Mech

December 2nd, 2009 | GEL Golf, Padraig Harrington, Quintic Ball Roll, Quintic Video Software, Rory McIlory

Padraig Harrington and Rory McIlroy may be the stars but Dr. Paul Hurrion has helped both from behind the scenes. By Roger Valberg

Malaysian Golf Digest : November 2009

f you have never heard of Dr. Paul Hurrion, it is no surprise. He is rarely in Asia and even then his work is strictly in the background of the many professionals he helps at his Quintic Labs. If the old maxim of ‘drive for show and putt for dough’ has any truth in it, then this is the man you’d want in your corner. But calling him merely a putting guru is like saying Bill Gates is merely a rich man. There is so much more going on in that head that has shored up Padraig Harrington’s putting so much so that he won three majors and helped Rory McIlroy take his maiden win this year.

It takes a certain kind of human being to not only be able to be an authority on putting, a dark art if there ever was one, but to also establish a company that rolls out putters based on his research. Dr. Hurrion has also ventured into the realms of training aides to help the average golfer. To top it all off, he also advises and assists other athletes in sports other than golf. The base of his work centres around bio-mechanics.

“Sports biomechanics uses the scientific methods of mechanics to study the effects of various forces on the sports performer. Therefore, in short it tells you why something has happened. It is part of the overall picture of sports performance,” explained Dr. Hurrion.

“Biomechanics focuses on the forces that act on the human neuro-musculoskeletal system, velocities, accelerations, torque, momentum, and inertia. It also considers aspects of the behavior of sports implements, footwear and surfaces where these affect athletic performance or injury prevention,” he added.

The subject though is wide and it can be divided up into two sections: Performance Improvement & Injury Prevention. His Quintic Labs work on research for questions that an athlete may ask. “What is the best run-up for a high jumper? How should the knee angle be modified for the delivery stride of a fast bowler in cricket? What is the velocity of the swimmer after the tumble turn?

To download the full article, please click : Malaysian-Golf-Digest-November-2009

ProStance - 9mins Video Infomercial…

November 26th, 2009 | Full Swing Biomechanics, ProStance, Putting Biomechanics, Tuition

95% of golfers don’t know where their weight is truly positioned…

ProStance has been proved to improve the balance and consistency of even the world’s top golfers, creating a more consistent golf swing thereby delivering more power and accuracy to your game. Good balance is essential to powerful and consistent golf shots, putts, chips, and full swings… It is simple to use, yet the results are instant unquestionable. ProStance - ‘the base for every successfull golf swing’ has created a infomercial video to explain the features and benefits of the product. Please click on the video below to view the video. For more information, please visit www.pro-stance.com

Get the Flash Player to see this player.

www.pro-stance.com

GEL Putting Alignment Mirror - 9 Video Drills…

November 24th, 2009 | GEL Golf, Tuition

GEL Putting Alignment Mirror - 9 Video Drills Introduction

Get the Flash Player to see this player.

I have been in the world of putting biomechanics and research for over 10 years working scientifically to biomechanically analyse the putting stroke. I work with many PGA Tour Professional golfers and I am constantly using additional input to scientifically reassess principles and push the boundaries in the field of ‘Putting Biomechanics’. The GEL Putting Alignment Mirror is one result - a simple, yet extremely effective training tool, enabling golfers at all levels to improve their putting stroke.

The nine drills on the following page : http://paulhurrion.com/video/ will help you to use the GEL Putting Alignment Mirror to its best to help you ensure perfect alignment, promote consistency and ultimately enable you to make more putts…

The graphics and tools provided by the GEL Putting Alignment Mirror enable you to perfect consistent alignment of the putter face, shoulders, and eye position during each putt. The GEL Putting Alignment Mirror can be used on all manners of putts, breaking, straight and of varying length. Use this product indoors or on the practice putting green where tees can be used in specially designated positions. To purchase the GEL Putting Alignment Mirror please visit : http://www.gelgolf.co.uk or http://www.gelgolf.com

http://paulhurrion.com/video/

Westwood crowned king in Dubai

November 23rd, 2009 | Lee Westwood, PGA European Tour Golfers, Padraig Harrington, Rory McIlory

Congratulations to Lee Westwood after a nerveless final round 64 secured a six shot victory and with it ‘The Race to Dubai’ title for 2009. The putter was certainly working over the weekend… The hard work is certainley starting to pay off!

Westwood, who led by two overnight, produced the finest round of his career to take the €830,675 first prize at the Earth course that also secured his status as European Number One for the second time in his career. With his second victory on The European Tour this season, the win moves Westwood up to World Number Four in the Official World Golf Rankings, matching his highest career position. To cap it all, his closing 64 was also a new course record on the Greg Norman-designed venue.

Congratulations also to Ross McGowan with his second place finish opens up a whole new scheduale for him next year. Ross has also worked hard on his putting and with the ‘palms together grip’. Ross carded a final round 68, including five straight birdies from the 12th, to hold on to second place on 17 under par after a sustained charge from Rory McIlroy, who fired five birdies on his back nine before bogeying the par five 18th to sign for a 67 and with it third place place on 15 under par as well as second in The Race to Dubai.

“I have no complaints. I gave it my best shot and it’s been a great season, but Lee is just in a different class,” said McIlroy, who gains a place in the top ten of the Official World Golf Rankings despite finishing runner up in The Race to Dubai.  “Most times coming here leading and then finishing third would be good enough [to win The Race to Dubai], but even if I’d played well I’m not sure I could have got to 23 under!

Further down the leaderboard on tied 4th was Padraig Harrington, so all in all, it was a very exciting weekend watching the top 4 putt there way around the Earth Course. What do they say, Drive for Show, Putt for Dough…

Congratulations once again Lee, you certainley rolled a few in!

Lee Westwood
DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - NOVEMBER 09: Lee Westwood of England lines up his putt on the par five 18th hole during the first round of the Dubai World Championship on the Earth Course, Jumeriah Golf Estates on November 19, 2009 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)

TPI Level 1 - Setanta College - The Sports College

November 18th, 2009 | Full Swing Biomechanics, TPI, Tuition

Setanta College – The Sports College : Specialists in Strength & Conditioning and Golf Studies Courses

Setanta College will be hosting (in association with Harrington Golf) a Titleist Performance Institute Certified Level 1 Fitness Instructor Seminar on 23rd & 24th Jan 2010 in CityWest Hotel, Dublin, Ireland. Tutors on the weekend will include personnel from TPI (USA), Harrington Golf and Setanta College.

Applications are being taken on-line This seminar will be limited to 120 places only and applicants are accepted on a first come - first served basis. For more details check the TPI section of this site. Also visit www.myTPI.com

The weekend course will serve individuals from Golf (the Teaching Pro and Fitness Instructors and Coaches), Medical/Physiotherapy/Physical Therapy, Biomechanics as well as the Leisure Fitness Industry and Strength & Conditioning Coaches who work with or wish to work with golfers at all levels of the game.

An added feature is the On-line Pre-Level 1 reading course which has an additonal cost to the main seminar. While this pre-reading is not essential for participation in the seminar, the course will give you preparatory and background understanding so that you will be well equipped for the seminar. In addition the On-line Pre-level 1 reading course continues after the seminar to help prepare you for the TPI Level 1 Golf Fitness Instructor examination

For delivery of TPI Level 1 Course and Pre-Course Reading Programme : Logon to: www.setantacollege.com

Quintic Ball Roll v1.8 is launched!

October 23rd, 2009 | Quintic Ball Roll

Quintic Ball Roll v1.8 “The Launch Mointor for Putting” is now available to purchase… The latest version of Quintic Ball Roll software contains a number of new feature along with increased tracking capabilities and accuracy. The software tracks the ball for the first 12″ of the putt length. It then instantly and clearly shows the ball speed, sidespin (cut or hook), angular rotation (degrees & RPM), vertical bounce, launch angle and point at which true roll occurs. Crucially – and this is the most significant advance on Quintic’s already pioneering analysis tools – all of the above are reflected graphically, numerically and in a summary sheet in a way that was formerly only available for full swing analysis software for irons and woods.

The edit function enables you to ensure you always have a 100% reading, the feature enables you to go back over a putt and tell the software where a dot is manually, this is if it didn’t track it properly in LIVE mode… The additional ability to create a summary of the putting session is a significant upgrade enabling the user to compare and analyze up to 20 putts. The average, range and standard devaition of the putts is automatically updated after each putt and can be save into a session folder. It is then possible to compare session results, for example, compare two different styles of putter, before or after a lesson, increase or decrease the loft of the putter… The software measures the performances of the golf ball, which at the end of the day, if what matters.

“I sold more putters in the first month I used the Quintic Ball Roll software than I did the entire previous year. It is so fast and easy to use, and gives you the results needed instantly, it completely verifies which putter is right for each customer. Thank you for putting life back into my putter sales”

Eric Simonson
Pro-Vision Golf

“I cannot thank you enough for all your help over the last few weeks; I am very excited to add Quintic’s Ball Roll Software to my Putting Academy at The Club at Cordillera! The data provided by your system adds much more credibility to the skid and roll videos that I show each client currently. This information coupled with the SAM Puttlab offers each student- the true “Facts NOT Opinions” about their stroke. It is really nice to actually be able to quantify what is happening as we alter a putter’s lie, loft, and length over time.

Quintic is on the verge of something great with this simple analysis tool- every serious teacher should have this software on their computer!”

Tom F. Stickney II
The Club at Cordillera

 

To download the 21 day demo version please goto http://www.quinticballroll.com 
Click on the Demo Version Download and follow the instructions on the screen.


www.quinticballroll.com

 

McIlroy can learn from Garcia’s putting woes

October 13th, 2009 | PGA European Tour Golfers, Rory McIlory

By Karl McGinty
Tuesday, 13 October 2009

If Rory McIlroy ever gets bored with the daily putting drills prescribed by Dr Paul Hurrion, he need only watch the video of Sergio Garcia beating his own brains out at the Madrid Masters. It was horrible to see Garcia, one of the most majestic ball-strikers in golf, so badly humiliated on the greens at Centro Nacional de Golf.

Stripped of all confidence, he looked muddled, confused and, at times, utterly clueless about what was happening to him. Admittedly, the putting surfaces in Madrid became spiked-up and bobbly in late afternoon. Yet, no matter how accusingly Garcia looked at the line of each missed putt, the real problem lay elsewhere.

The figures for Sunday’s final round tell a tale of maddening incompetence by a player ranked at No 9 in the world. Garcia sublimely hit 17 greens in regulation that afternoon — then two-putted every single one of them. Astonishingly, of the 71 strokes which sent Garcia tumbling into a tie for 17th place in a tournament which he had led at half way, 36 of them were putts!

The likes of Tiger Woods and Padraig Harrington were born with an assassin’s touch around the green.

Garcia wasn’t so-blessed.

Neither was McIlroy — but Dr Hurrion, the English bio-mechanics expert who also works with Harrington, believes that through sound method and hard work a good putter can be made. If anything, McIlroy’s more exciting from tee to green than the mercurial Spaniard. He currently leads the Race to Dubai and the European Tour in stroke average (69.86), despite languishing in 109th place in the putting charts (17 behind Garcia) with 30 putts per round.

So for the past 14 months, McIlroy’s devoted one hour per day — not easy for a young lad with so much excitement in his life — to repetitive putting routines which Dr Hurrion expects will provide the 20-year-old with the feel for a good putt which should stand to him for the rest of his career.

Inevitably, it’s been mind-numbingly tedious but, at this stage of McIlroy’s career, method is the one sure way he has of avoiding the madness of Sergio Garcia.

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/golf/mcilroy-can-learn-from-garciarsquos-putting-woes-14529017.html



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