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Mastering the Art of Golf with Coach Erik Schjolberg

Welcome to my blog at EJS Golf Academy, the premier destination for mastering the art of golf. Here at our Scottsdale location, at McCormick Ranch Golf Club, every golfer who steps into my world-class teaching bay discovers a pathway to enhance their game. My name is Coach Erik Schjolberg, and I am committed to transforming your golf skills through a combination of cutting-edge technology and personalized coaching techniques.

At EJS Golf, we understand that every golfer's journey is unique. Whether you are a PGA Tour professional, a college athlete, a developing junior, or a weekend enthusiast, our blog is designed to provide you with insights and strategies to improve your game. Our posts are not just about golf; they are about becoming a better player through deliberate practice and scientific understanding of golf mechanics.

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Keys to Hitting Golf Shots Like a Pro: Tips & Techniques

March 11, 202410 min read

Mastering the Art of Tour-Level Golf Shots: A Comprehensive Guide

Hello, fellow golf enthusiasts! It's Coach Erik from EJS Golf Academy in Scottsdale, AZ. I recently spent time analyzing some crucial aspects of golf swings, particularly focusing on improving the impact phase. In this article, I want to share these insights that are integral to elevating your game.

Improving Golf Swing Impact In my coaching sessions at EJS Golf, one of the common challenges I address is the golfer's struggle with the impact phase. It's vital to achieve harmony between the lower and upper body movements for an effective swing. This synchronization not only enhances the swing's power but also ensures its accuracy.

A fundamental aspect that resonates with my coaching philosophy is the coordination of the clubface with the golfer’s body movements. This coordination is crucial for a clean, effective swing. Grip and pivot are pivotal in supporting impact. At EJS Golf, we focus on refining these fundamentals for a more efficient swing.

Another key area I focus on in my lessons is ensuring golfers harness the correct pivot technique for maximum power. An Incorrect pivot can be our limiting factor in all that we do in our golf swing. The best biomechanists in golf have descfribed the pelvis as the engine of our golf swing. If htis is the case, we better learn how to move powerfully and efficiently! To address this, I introduce drills similar to those we use at EJS Golf, designed to improve pivot and hand positioning. These drills are crucial for creating a more impactful connection with the ball.

Practicing controlled shots is a core part of mastering the swing's impact phase. It involves setting the hands correctly, pivoting effectively, and executing a controlled shot. This disciplined practice is essential for mastering the nuances of the swing. Another technique we reinforce at EJS Golf is using the body to apply pressure to the arms during impact. This leads to a more fluid and robust swing. Much of the focus you will find at EJS Golf is on the chest and making sure we are rotating it back and through. I want to build consistency in my students and there is no better way than learning to use your body in the golf swing.

To enhance pivot support during impact, I explore exercises like the dowel rod exercise. This simple tool can significantly improve swing mechanics. Place the dowel or alignment stick in your belt loops. Notice the difference at impact when the hands are forward of center vs. on the back leg. Use your pivot to help you get in a perfect impact position and then rehearse that position over and over. Using innovative methods to achieve certain results align with our approach at EJS Golf to think outside of the box and stay a step ahead and finally, critically think about everything!

The Essence of Ball Speed and Energy Transfer

To emulate the prowess of tour players, understanding and optimizing ball speed is paramount. Ball speed is the velocity at which the ball leaves the club face after impact, and it's a vital component of distance and accuracy. The key to maximizing ball speed lies in the efficiency of energy transfer from the club head to the ball, often referred to as the smash factor. The smash factor is a ratio of ball speed to club head speed, and reaching the optimal value is crucial for tour-level striking. For instance, with a driver, a smash factor of 1.5 is considered ideal. This means if your club head speed is 100mph, your ball speed should be 150mph. Achieving this optimal smash factor requires two fundamental elements:

Centeredness of Strike

The sweet spot of your golf club is the prime area you aim for with every swing you take. Striking the ball at any other point on the club face reduces the effectiveness of the energy transfer from the club to the ball. To increase the accuracy of your shots, it's a good idea to use impact tape or even just a small dot made with a marker on the golf ball. This will help you to examine and refine where your club is making contact with the ball. By focusing on hitting the sweet spot consistently, you can improve the quality of your strikes and enhance your overall game.

Club Face Alignment

Aligning your club face reasonably to your club path is another critical factor for energy transfer. A misaligned club face can significantly reduce energy transfer, lowering your ball speed and altering your shot's trajectory. Regularly assess your ball flight as feedback to refine your club face and swing path relationship. Or, better yet get on a Trackman launch monitor to see exactly what your club path and face angle are.

The Art of Impact: Angle of Attack

Tour players distinguish themselves with their angle of attack, especially with irons. A descending strike is their signature, which not only ensures cleaner contact with the ball but also imparts additional backspin, essential for control and stopping power on the greens.

Constructing a Swing for Precision Strikes - To replicate tour-level striking, focus on these three core aspects:

1. Honing the Centered Strike

To consistently hit the center of the clubface, it's essential to establish a solid foundation. Begin by focusing on adopting an athletic stance that is both stable and balanced. Make sure that your body weight is spread out evenly across the middle part of your feet. This even distribution is crucial for maintaining a steady base. As you work on your swing, concentrate on keeping this balance from the start of your backswing all the way through to the follow-through. By ensuring that your weight remains centered and your posture stays balanced, you significantly increase your chances of making contact with the ball at the very center of the clubface. This practice of balance is not just a one-time adjustment but a continuous effort that should be integrated into every swing you take. The goal is to make this balanced movement feel natural and effortless, which will, in turn, make center-face strikes more likely and more consistent.

2. Squaring the Club Face

A proper grip is the cornerstone of squaring your club face at impact. Use your ball flight as a guide; a straight trajectory indicates a square club face. Continuously refine your grip and swing mechanics to improve your club face alignment.
Having the right grip is absolutely fundamental to ensuring that your club face is perfectly square at the moment of impact when you're playing golf. It's essential to pay attention to the path your ball takes after you hit it; if it flies straight, this is a good sign that your club face was square. To make sure your shots are consistently accurate, it's important to keep working on perfecting your grip. Alongside this, you should also focus on improving the overall mechanics of your swing. Doing both of these things will help you to align your club face better with each shot you take.

3. Perfecting the Descending Strike - Angle of Attack

To execute a descending strike effectively, it's essential to engage in a dynamic rotation of your body while simultaneously shifting your weight onto your front foot as you make contact with the ball. This movement is crucial for the proper execution of the strike. As you prepare to hit the ball, focus on achieving a position at the moment of impact where your hands are positioned ahead of the club head. This forward hand placement is key as it results in a club face that is less lofted. Additionally, it encourages a strike path that moves in a downward trajectory. By ensuring that your hands lead and the club face is de-lofted, you'll be able to strike the ball with greater precision and control, which is the hallmark of a well-executed descending strike.

Practice Drills for Tour-Level Impact

Impact Bag Drill

For this drill we are going to be using an impact bag. All we want to do here is take a back swing that goes to left arm parallel or P3 for those of you that use the position system. From there we are going to swing down to the impact bag and hit it at approximately 50% of normal swing speed. The key here is to make sure you hold your finish. Focus on the sensation in your lead leg, hip, hand, and arm at impact. Apply pressure into the ground to simulate the impact position. This drill ingrains the feeling of a solid strike. It is essential that we feel the position our body is in after striking the impact bag. This may be the first time for many of you that you feel the great feels of your hands well forward, your weight on the lead foot, your hips cleared out of the way, etc. Let's try to make sure we have a program we can learn from with this drill. Strike and hold your finish three times and then try it once without the bag while actually hitting a golf ball with the same technique and just back to P3. After that, go back to hitting the bag three times and repeat that process 10 times per day.

Progressive Distance Drill

Start with a chip shot, emphasizing a clean strike. Gradually increase the distance with each subsequent ball, maintaining the quality of impact. Repeat each distance until you can consistently achieve a solid strike. This drill works all the way into the full shot. I like to have my students to try to gain 5 to 10 yards with each shot until maxed out. Great drill to do with a 58 degree wedge all the way to a 7 iron. Think about all the times on a golf course that you need to keep a shot low and run it maybe under trees. This is the beginning of the practice with the 7 iron and other clubs that are not as lofted.

Conclusion

Achieving the level of precision in your golf shots that you see on professional tours is not just about swinging the club; it's an intricate combination of perfected technique, consistent practice, and a solid grasp of the physics at play during the moment of impact. To truly elevate your game and reach those impressive heights, it's crucial to focus on several key elements. The first of these is the centeredness of your strike. Hitting the ball at the center of the club face is vital for controlling where it goes and how far it travels.

Alongside this, the alignment of the club face at the moment of impact is paramount. It's essential to ensure that the club face is directed towards your target, as this will greatly influence the ball's trajectory and landing spot. Moreover, the angle of attack—specifically, a descending angle as you strike the ball—can significantly affect the quality of contact and the subsequent flight of the ball.

To truly master the game of golf, you must commit to a journey of ongoing improvement and unwavering dedication. This journey is about embracing the process of honing your skills, understanding that each practice session builds upon the last, and knowing that over time, your efforts will translate into better performance on the fairways and greens.

However, sometimes guidance is needed to navigate this journey effectively. This is where a seasoned coach like Erik Schjolberg of EJS Golf in Scottsdale, AZ, can be invaluable. With his expertise, you can receive personalized instruction that targets your unique needs, helping you to understand the finer points of the game and to develop a practice regimen that will lead to consistent improvement.

If you're looking to get in touch with Coach Erik Schjolberg for guidance on your path to golfing excellence, you can reach out through his website at EJSGolf.com. By connecting with a coach of his caliber, you can gain insights that are tailored to your individual style of play, receive feedback on your technique, and develop a strategic approach to your practice that will help you to achieve your golfing goals. With professional coaching, your journey towards mastery becomes a well-guided expedition, with clear milestones and an experienced mentor to lead the way.

Coach Erik Schjolberg

EJS Golf Academy

Scottsdale Golf Lessons

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Coach Erik Schjolberrg

Are you lost at times on the golf course or the driving range and just don’t know how to correct your slice, hitting it fat, topping the ball, etc.? What if you had a plan, maybe even on a notecard in your golf bag as many of my student do, that is your simple blueprint towards your desired shot? This isn’t a pie in the sky dream. These are the tools I want to give you so that your athletic ability, mobility, strength, etc. are working as one for you! I will liberate you from those thoughts of where your body parts should be during the golf swing. In turn, you will give yourself the chance to self organize and focus on either some external cue I will develop with you or just being in the flow state. In my system you will no longer be subject to golf myths, swing tips of the day, guessing, etc. ​

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What You Can Expect from Our Blog

1. Expert Insights on Swing Mechanics:

With over 25 years of experience as a PGA Professional Golf Instructor, I delve deep into the nuances of golf swing mechanics. My articles break down complex theories into understandable concepts, focusing on ground reaction forces (GRFs), biomechanics, and efficient energy transfer.

2. Advanced Technological Guidance:

Our academy is equipped with state-of-the-art tools like the Trackman 4 Launch Monitor, 3D Pressure Plates, and Hackmotion, among others. On the blog, I share how to leverage these technologies to gain precise feedback on your swing, helping you make informed adjustments and see measurable improvements.

3. Tailored Practice Routines:

My philosophy is built on the belief that improvement should be evident from the first lesson. I advocate a '15 minutes per day' practice model, designed to fit into your busy schedule while ensuring consistent progress. Each blog post aims to offer practice drills and routines that are easy to implement and effective in refining your skills.

4. Real Success Stories:

Read about the experiences of those who have trained at EJS Golf Academy. These testimonials not only inspire but also illustrate the practical application of our teaching methodologies and the real results achieved.

5. Interactive Learning:

We occasionally feature video tutorials and interactive content that allows you to visually grasp techniques and corrections. This blended approach helps reinforce learning and allows you to engage with the content actively.

How Our Blog Helps Golfers Get Better

Every post is crafted with the intent to educate. We cover everything from basic fundamentals to advanced techniques, ensuring there's something valuable for every skill level. By presenting data and evidence-backed strategies, our blog demystifies the 'why' and 'how' behind effective golf training. This analytical approach empowers you to make smarter decisions about your practice and play. We understand that generic advice does not suit everyone. Our blog posts are designed to help you identify your own needs and adapt our techniques accordingly. Whether it’s adjusting your grip, stance, or swing path, you’ll find personalized tips that resonate with your specific challenges. Beyond just reading, our blog serves as a community hub where you can interact with fellow golfers and share your experiences. This supportive environment encourages learning and improvement through collective wisdom.

Join Us on Your Path to Mastery

Whether you’re looking to refine your swing, understand the biomechanics of your body, or simply get more enjoyment out of the game, our blog at EJS Golf Academy is your go-to resource. Bookmark our page, subscribe to updates, and start transforming your game today.

Remember, at EJS Golf, we don’t just teach golf; we craft master golfers. Let’s begin this journey together. Visit us atEJSGolf.com to learn more about our programs and start your training online or at our Scottsdale location. Let’s make every swing count!

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phone: 480.861.9370 email: [email protected]

Apostrophe

I've taken multiple private lessons with Erik and he's been by far the best swing coach I have ever worked with. He has the ability to dissect your swing and make small changes for big improvements. What I love most about his lessons is they go far beyond the 1 or 2 hours you're with him. He follows up with videos of how you can improve at home and on the range. The value he provides is absolutely worth the cost of his sessions. I would recommend any golfer at any level who truly wants to get better to go see Erik.”

- Reanol H.

Apostrophe

Erik is the best! and that is not an exaggeration. There has not been a single lesson where I haven't walked out and felt like a far better golfer than before. What can't be praised enough is the effort and dedication that Eric puts into each of his students, as his approach to fixing and improving my golf swing was specific to me. While teaching, Erik takes the extra time to truly dive into what he is trying to convey rather than just telling you, allowing for a better understanding. Beyond the instruction at the course, Erik sends specific drills to you from an app that allows for slow motion replays, letting you break down everything and work on your game at any time. I genuinely mean it when I say that I would recommend Erik to anyone wanting to improve their golf game, as he is not only a top not instructor but also a top notch person who cares about his students.

- Brennan K.

Apostrophe

Erik is flat out a great coach and mentor! I highly recommend him! Working from the ground up, my swing is healthier and smooth! I wanted a coach that shared the same main principles as the late Tony Manzoni and Erik hits the mark! Found Erik by listening to the Golf Smarter podcast by Fred Greene and connected with EJS Golf through the Perfect Motion app. Erik is motivated and incredibly gifted at his craft!

- Bryan B., Indiana, USA

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