My good friend and mentor Mike LaBauve once told me a story about watching Greg Norman practice at the U.S. Open. The "Shark" was practicing in the chipping area, but he wasn’t hitting any shots. Rather, he was tossing balls underhand to the flag. Why? Well, Norman was trying to toss the ball at the perfect height, so it would land in the right spot to release the proper distance to the flag. After he found the shot he was looking for, he reached into his bag, selected the appropriate club and swung in a way that repli-cated his toss.

Most golfers just grab a club and swing away without any definitive notion of what they really want. The ball-toss drill is maybe the best thing you can do to learn to think, see shots and make decisions like a pro!

Click Here for the full story in Golf Tips Magazine!

Click Here for more information on Jeff Ritter and his JRG/TSGA programs at the Raven Golf Club Phoenix!

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Tags: Golf Tips Magazine, Short Game by Jeff Ritter
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I often long for the days when Slammin’ Sammy Snead and Gene Sarazan played the game, a couple of great sticks with personalities just as bright as their games. Well, fortunately for golf fans, there’s a new kid on the block and he’s brought a unique backstory and stellar game (albeit with a modern flair). His name is Will MacKenzie, or "Willie Mac," as the 2006 Reno-Tahoe victor is sometimes called.

This extreme sportsman (MacKenzie surfs, climbs rocks and snowboards in his downtime) brings a powerful swing, cutting-edge style and go-for-it attitude to the Tour’s increasingly predictable lineup.

But what interests me the most about Will is his swing, in particular a few key elements he shares with two legends of the game, Ben Hogan and Slammin’ Sammy himself. Take a look at the following "pro positions," and you’ll see why Willie Mac is separating himself from the field.

Click Here to read the full story in Golf Tips Magazine!

Click Here for more information on Jeff Ritter and his JRG/TSGA programs at the Raven Golf Club Phoenix!

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Tags: Full Swing, Tour Players by Jeff Ritter
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Unlike "action" sports like basketball, soccer and football, a round of golf includes lots of downtime in between shots. On the one hand, this can be a good thing—there’s more time to converse with your playing partners and take in the scenery; on the other hand, it also can be kind of dangerous, especially for people who tend to overthink when they play.

I like to remind my students that golf is a sport, and if they dwell on shots for too long, they can contract a condition called "overanalysis paralysis," where so many technical thoughts swirl through your head that you can barely swing the club.

Putting, in particular, lends itself to overthinking, for the very reason that you start from a very still position. (I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen people "freeze up" to the point where they can’t even bring the putter back!)

Obviously, this isn’t any good, and one way to "keep things flowing" is to build a solid routine. Part of that routine is what I call the "eight-second countdown."  Click Here for the full story as seen in Golf Tips Magazine!

Jeff Ritter teaches at the Raven Golf Club Phoenix. Click Here to learn more about programs with Jeff and the JRG/TSGA Staff!

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Tags: Golf Tips Magazine, Putting by Jeff Ritter
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PHOENIX, Arizona – Two of the most innovative brands in golf instruction, Jeff Ritter Golf and Martin Chuck’s Tour Striker Golf Academies (JRG/TSGA) have announced the launch of a new instruction program set to open this fall at The Raven Golf Club – Phoenix. The Raven is managed by OB Sports and is recognized as one of the top daily fee golf courses in the United States.

According to OB Sports President and COO Phil Green, selecting the dynamic duo to headline the Raven’s coaching programs was an easy choice. “When you look at what these two guys have done individually creating and marketing innovative coaching programs, it’s exciting to consider what their team effort can do for Raven Golf Club,” said Green. “We expect golfers will come from near and far to benefit from the instruction of Jeff Ritter and Martin Chuck.”

One of Golf Digest’s Best Young Teachers in America, Ritter is one of the world’s most prominent coaches with a presence that reaches all corners of the globe. A consistent presence in the world of golf media, Ritter’s creative approach to the game has appeared endlessly across print, television and radio, including frequent content showcased with Golf Digest magazine.

Martin Chuck is the inventor of Tour Striker Training Products, the highly successful series of golf learning aids endorsed by CBS Commentator Gary McCord. As success of the Tour Striker brand grew, Chuck launched the Tour Striker Academies, which now operate programs throughout the country.

Proponents of a holistic approach to learning, JRG/TSGA “Integrated Coaching” programs will offer cutting edge modalities designed to unlock a player’s true potential while providing fun and creative solutions for enhanced physical, emotional and nutritional performance.

Designed to give golfers the tools and support to achieve any goal, JRG/TSGA programs include: Private Lessons, Group Clinics, Corporate Events, Comprehensive Schools, Advanced Fitting Resources, Junior Golf Development and more. For more information on JRG/TSGA programs visit www.ravenphx.com/instruction.

Click Here to learn more about JRG/TSGA programs at the Raven Golf Club Phoenix!

Download the Jeff Ritter Golf App FREE from iTunes!

Tags: News by Jeff Ritter
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What do the Rolling Stones, Ludacris, Aretha Franklin and Blood Sweat & Tears have to do with playing better golf? Check out my story “Find Your Groove” in this month’s Golf Infuzion Magazine to find out! Subscribe FREE Today! http://www.golfinfuzion.com/Find-Your-Groove.news

Download the Jeff Ritter Golf App FREE from iTunes!

Tags: Golf Infuzion Magazine, Rhythm by Jeff Ritter
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