Virtual Golf Coaching or Internet Golf Coaching

In the old days, ten years ago, it would take me ten minutes to set up my video gear to capture my student's swings so I could then analyse the swing. Now I carry my video system in my pocket. I use my smart phone with the same analyse software. Boy has technology made teaching easier.

The next phase allows the student to have his friend use his smart phone to capture his swing so he can check out his own swing or even better send it to me or his favorite pro to have him have a look and send him back some comments on how to get better. After capturing the swing he clicks a button to send it to his pro if he wishes.

This software is a $4.99 download in their I Phone or Droid phones. You can click the link below for the app and if you wish send me your swing to be analysed. I charge $50 to review your golf swing and send you back what I think you should do to improve.

European Senior Tour Qualifying

Chasing the Dream

After missing out in the Champion's Tour finals in November, 50th shooting par for four rounds I flew over to Portugal to give their tour a shot. Played well again shooting 72-69 in the pre-qualifier to advance to the final and shot 69-74-72-73 to finish 20th. For that I got a pat on the back and a finger pointing me to the airport to fly home.

These days there are loads of really nice golfers at every age. I have to say I enjoy playing in these events, they help you become better as long as you are patient and work hard to keep on improving. I figure by the time I am 80 I will be damn good. Hopefully then they'll have a super- super senior tour by then. And why not? Guys are staying fitter and fitter and who knows we'll be living to over a hundred in the not-too-distant future.

On a side note Portugal is one nice country. Never occurred to me in the past to visit Portugal, pretty quiet country really, just minding it's own business and putting out great soccer teams. Really impressed with its golf on the south coast, the Algarve. One resort after another with a weather and landscape much like Southern California. Beautiful beaches, excellent food, wine and a good value for just about everything. Worth a trip if you haven't been. We played at the Pestana golf courses, six courses in all, and the Pinta and Villa Sol are world class.

Anyway, next stop Newport Beach for a Champion's Tour qualifier in early March. Until then ramp up my exercise program, tweak my equipment and practice up on putting the ball into the hole two shots sooner over 18 holes!

How do I pay for all of these elaborate tournaments (golf vacations)? I run my top 25 rated golf school in Napa called Kris Moe Golf Schools. I also golf lessons in San Francisco at the San Francisco Golf Performance Center with my friend and coach, Terry Rowles.

Chasing the Senior Tour Dream

Turned 50 in September and won the Senior Northern California Open right away!

Had the opportunity of playing the National Club Pro Senior Stroke Play in Virginia in October but finished poorly to miss out on an exemption to next year's  PGA Senior Championship.

I did make through the regional Champion's Tour qualifying in Houston in late October of this year. So I played the finals at TPC Scottsdale in late November. Michael Allen was my caddy (he finished ninth on the Champion's Tour money list year) and what a great experience that was for me. That's Michael's home course and he was amazing as my partner out there. 

I shot par for four rounds but at this level that's not even close to being good enough. So now I'm training up for the European Seniors in Portugal in late January. Feeling good, we'll keep you posted.

First tournament of the year

Played in a Northern California PGA sectional event at a great golf course in Sacramento called Del Paso. Shot a fair round of 71 to finish 12th.

It was a wake up call to out of shape I am coming out of winter. I had played the previous two days in a practice round and another round in a skins game at my local home course Stonetree. Turns out the third day I was feeling it. Middle aged syndrome of sore back and yatta, yatta, yatta....

I'm going to start working with a trainer in San Francisco to start getting the body in better condition so I can handle multiple days of golf like one has to on any tour.

My tendency is too early extend (come out of posture through impact) and either hit it right or over hook the ball. When I'm pooping out this occurs more and more.

On another front I'm trying a new chipping and pitching technique that is very unconventional but I think will become conventional. I'd call it the Phil Rogers technique where you flip your hands through to use more of the bounce in the bottom of the club. In this event I semi- committed to the technique. I hit a couple really nice pitch and sand shots but I also chunked a couple.

Looking at pre-qualifying with the young guns for the Los Angeles Open February 9.

Today I'm off to San Diego for business and hoping to catch some of the San Diego Open at Torrey Pines.

Kris Moe Earns TPI Certification

Over the weekend I attended a TPI (Titleist Performance Institute) seminar in San Francisco and passed their certification test so I can display their logo.

I was blown away with the quality of information Greg Rose and his staff shared. Their education is a "game changer" in the world of golf. Here's why, us well intentioned golf pros have been figuring all these years that our students can move and do things like us. Well there are a lot of golfers out there whose bodies simply can't do what us pros ask of them.

In a nutshell most of us have muscle tightness in some part of our body that literally blocks our swing. This seminar showed us how to do a simple screen of the golfer that takes about 7 minutes. The results tell us immediately the tendencies for this type of body. For instance a very simple example could be a golfer tight hips that would restrict his hip turn and would most likely cause a golfer to sway or slide in their swing.

Now from the quick screen we can suggest some simple stretches, which by the way are all at mytpi.com, or if the golfer is more motivated or don't get the mobility or strength they'd like quick enough they would hire a professional trainer (PT) to coach them through a program.

So now I find it a disservice to students if golf pros don't factor in their body's abilities. You can actually screen yourself or if you like come in and that would be part of my lesson with you. This will make you better understand your history and how to get better.

Have a peek at www.myTPI.com, you'll be glad you did!

January Update

This weekend I'm attending a Titleist Performance Institute seminar in South San Francisco. This program is really amazing and if you haven't been following what they do then by all means check them out at www.mytpi.com

One of the faculty has a campaign this year about "glutes", http://www.facebook.com/pages/Year-of-the-Glute/114706085267958 so these days this is part of my work out.

Lately I'm doing a lot of pulling exercises, like pull ups to strengthen the back muscles, lats and core. I'd be swimming more but boy it takes a lot of grit to get out in this cold (50 degrees).

I'm trying to pull off a trip to San Diego for their qualifying and then LA two weeks after. I'm putting well so I feel I can put up a low number.

Kind of Quiet on the Training Front

I've played twice in the last two months, once in Korea at a buddy's course and last week at Metropolitan in Oakland (pretty good public track). In the latter struck it pure and was pretty excited to be hitting my new Titleist D3 driver.

The K-vest in our studio in downtown has made an amazing difference with my feeling of what creates power. Also working with Terry Rowles, a great coach. He's opened my eyes to some new things in my short game and fullswing that I know are paying off. Terry has been through many TPI (Titleist Performance Institute) seminars.

Got to run to take my son to school....