GGA "Know Moe" Contest - Win a GGA Build Your Game Camp, GGA Merchandise and more. - LAST CALL
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Last Call for
the "Know Moe" Forward Contest continues until the first of
April. The middle of January, we (the GGA) sent everyone an
email that anyone interested could forward to "golfing buddies" that might be
interested in knowing more about Moe. The email contained the ESPN
piece about Moe and other GGA information. Every time you forward the
email, you are entered in our contest. In other words, forward 10 times,
you are entered 10 times. We have had great response.
See the ESPN Piece on our Moe Norman tribute page. The contest continues and
the winners (Build Your Game Camp ($2,700 value) and other GGA merchandise
up to $500)) will not be decided until the end of March. Meaning, you
still have plenty of time to forward the "Know Moe" email to those golfing
buddies and get entered (or additional entries) into our contest. Remember
- the more you forward, the more times you are entered. Also realize, it
only takes one forward to be entered.
If you are interested, and
need another copy (email) of the "Know Moe" Email - please email Scott at scottr@swinglikemoe.com and he will
get you one ASAP.
Thanks for you help in getting EVERYONE to "Know Moe" and good
luck!!!! |
GGA Last Minute School Special
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Due to the fact we have sold
out all GGA 3 day schools at our Orlando Academy this spring, we have scheduled
an additional 3 day school to be taught by GGA Master Professional Dave Predzin
and other GGA staff. These dates are this week - March 6 - 8th and
will have limited enrollment (we have a couple of spots still open).
The pricing for this 3 day school will be $999 for the 3 day school (a $200+
saving off the regular GGA 3 day school rate).
If you are
interested in this special school, have additional questions, or just want to
talk about your game, please feel free to call or email us
anytime.
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The "In"box - news and notes from Scott Renfrow, Director of Customer Relations, GGA
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At the time of this writing, I'm glad to announce that our dates for the 4th Annual Moe Norman Memorial have been set for September 27 & 28, 2008 at Eagle Creek Golf Club in Orlando, FL. I am still working to finalize all contracts, but you can mark your calendars, as we will gather for the 4th year to honor the legacy of Moe Norman during a weekend of golf, friendship and fun. Watch for full details to become available in the next couple months.
"Graves Golf Academy instructors now available in your hometown"
Pretty catchy headline, isn't it? Yes folks, it's true. If there's one comment I hear more than any other, it's that GGA doesn't have local instruction available. Through the wonder of technology, we have now found a solution to this problem, which will revolutionize your ability to receive one on one, personalized instruction from the Graves Golf Academy.
Watch for a special edition of the Etip Newsletter on our about March 10th will full details!
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Winter Stretching #6
by Dave Predzin, PGA(a), USGTF, GGA Master Instructor
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Loosening Up Before Your
Round
We have covered a variety of stretches to date that will
help you increase your range of motion, thus making it easier for you to swing
the club correctly. In this article
I will cover some ideas for loosening up prior to play.
- Many of you will feel much less self-conscious
stretching in the privacy of your own home or office than we will at the golf
course. Pick out a few of the
stretches we've covered (or any of your personal favorites) and stretch for at
least 10 minutes before driving to the course.
- Take advantage of stop lights. Here are a few simple stretches you
can do in your car (without attracting unwanted attention to yourself).
- Roll your shoulders in small circles
forward and backward while waiting for the light to change.
- Sit up straight and gently pull your shoulders
back and hold for several seconds.
- Gently turn your head to each side and hold
for several seconds (but try to keep your eye on the traffic light so no one
honks at you)
- Hang your arms over the steering wheel and
gently pull your shoulders back as your reach forward with your
hands
- Loosen up your wrists, flexing back and
forth. Use your other hand to
gently increase the stretch and hold for several seconds (definitely do not
do this one while the car is in motion).
- Once you're at the course (or in the
parking lot) grab one of your clubs and choke down to the middle of the
shaft. Get into your setup
position and slowly move through the PVC Drill for several repetitions. Pause at each position for the first
few repetitions and then move through the drill without stopping but at a slow
to moderate speed. Remember that
this drill stops at impact.
Taking the time to loosen up prior to playing is just one more way to
stack the odds in your favor for a good round.
All of the stretches
we have covered to date are geared towards helping setup to the ball correctly
and swing the club like Moe.
Dave |
The Key to better Golf - The "Moe" Zone
by Todd Graves, "Little Moe"
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Eight years ago I was presenting Moe Norman's golf swing at the Tulsa Golf Expo in Tulsa Oklahoma. The show was held in February, early enough in the year for snowbound golfers to get a quick start before the beginning of the golf season.
Thousands usually attended the three-day show but this day was different, five inches of snow had fallen the morning of the first day. It was the worst snowstorm of the short Oklahoma winter. In the midst of this winter storm and months from the Masters, the last thing on people's minds was golf; or so I thought.
I was scheduled to go on stage at 2:00pm to do what I normally do; talk about my passion; my relationship with the world's greatest ball striker Moe Norman and his fabulous golf swing technique; a technique that many at the time considered unconventional. As it usually worked out, the presentation usually came directly after the PGA section "Teacher of the Year" discussing the traditional teaching methods.
Frequently ending in a debate, I was about to tell the audience that what they just heard from their previous presenter was not what was done by the best ball striker that has ever lived, a mysterious Canadian who few, if any had ever heard of. If the audience wasn't already asleep, they were about to be confused.
It was 1:45; 15 minutes before my scheduled time as I was standing outside the presentation room observing an enormous crowd enter the convention hall. It was mind boggling that so many people took the trouble to weather the roads and conditions. I remember thinking, "Why, on this cold miserable golf day, is everyone here?"
Some were there to buy a new driver, see the latest in golf grass technology or find a new golf hat looking for bargains however, ultimately, what I realized is that the fundamental reason every soul attended the show this day, was for one main reason; to play a better game of golf and they wanted me, or someone, to tell them how to do it.
As I approached the stage, I thought to myself, " I can't just tell them about Moe's swing again, not this time. I must give them what they want. I must help them play better golf. For gods sake, they came here on the worst day of the year".
It might seem insignificant now but it was that moment that I gained clarity in my purpose. It started with my promise to Moe to be his voice and share his golf swing with the world but it was that moment, on that cold winter day in Tulsa that clarified this mission. I decided to present Moe Norman's golf swing differently; with the goal of helping people understand how his amazingly simple golf swing could help them enjoy golf and play better. The mission became to help people understand that simple is better.
Today I call it "Knowing Moe", what I didn't know at the time was that this would be the beginning of the Graves Golf Academy.
Knowing Moe
One year after the Tulsa Golf Show in 2000, my brother Tim Graves and I founded the Graves Golf Academy (GGA) with the mission to help people play better golf (To Know Moe). We knew that the mission would be more than just teaching golf.
At first, Tim and I were a bit reserved about the message of Moe Norman and his unusual but scientifically ideal golf swing. How could we talk about an unconventional method of golf and reach 25 million golfers that are convinced and confused by what they see on television every day? Why would they listen to us? Could we change the way the PGA of America teaches the game? How could we build a great Moe Norman golf experience?
The answer was "results". We knew we could help people get results. We also knew we would have to begin, one person at a time.
Seven years and eight thousand "one persons" later, we are reaching the golf world. More importantly, more people Know Moe and are better golfers because of it. We are achieving our mission. People are receiving our message and we are no longer bashful about it. Our message is simple.
If you don't Know Moe, you should.
Furthermore, if you think you Know Moe and you still swing conventionally, you don't.
The clarity of that moment at the Tulsa Golf Show and the following seven years of teaching people all over the world the simple mechanics of the worlds greatest ball-striker has been and incredible experience.
The best part of the experience is observing the progress of our students or as Tim Graves states, "Light bulbs coming on. We watch our students come to our schools frustrated and they go from frustration to revelation and gain a deeper understanding of what to do and more importantly, they do it and get better at playing golf".
It is these moments, watching our students improve, that makes the Graves Golf Experience the best experience in golf, but don't let me tell you. Taking the words from Moe Norman, we want to not just tell you, we want to show you. (Actually we will let our students show you). See for yourself. Here are a few examples of students from our golf schools in 2007.
Understanding Moe Norman's Single Plane
Before you truly understand the significance of the accomplishments in the two swing sequences, it is important to recognize the goal; to Swing Like Moe. This is the reason to come to our golf school. We know that if you Swing Like Moe, you will improve. I have chosen to highlight five frames of Moe's golf swing and compare them to a few of our students from last year. Lets look at a sequence of Moe Norman's Golf Swing to see the model.
Moe Swing sequence
The Moe Zone
The five frames you see show a red "zone" that I call the Moe Zone. This zone is the movement of the golf club on or under the plane line. This shows proper club shaft movement. As you can see, Moe stays under the yellow line and in the Moe Zone for his entire swing motion into impact. This shows the on plane and proper movement of the golf club into the golf ball. The Moe Zone is the goal of each of our students when they arrive at our golf schools.
GGA Students
Joe Before (Over the Moe Zone)
 Joe After (In the Moe Zone) 
I believe that the best testimonials for our golf schools are the results that you see in these sequences.
Looking at the five frames, you see the before and after golf swings of both Joe and Suzanne show that when they began the golf school they were outside of the "Moe Zone" and during the golf school, instruction was able to get them inside the "Moe Zone" improving their ball striking dramatically.
Much of this progress is due to the highly trained instructors and the use of video analysis software. We believe that feedback is the most important part of progress. It is how we measure whether you are achieving the model or not.
Utilizing video is a critical learning tool to get feedback. In doing so, we are able to capture "before" and "after" golf swing progress. You can see for yourself the incredible progress in both Suzanne and Joe's golf swings and using Moe as a model for club movement, you can see the major improvement.
As I have said before, if you don't Know Moe - you should because the Single Plane golf swing of Moe Norman will give you results. We at the Graves Golf Academy look forward to helping you achieve a better game.
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The PERFECT Drill
Feel Moe Norman's Golf Swing Exactly
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The information in the article below is taken from our instructional DVD, Troubles and Solutions. This video features a full complement of the most common problems we see in our students, along with the solutions and drills to perform to cure those problems. GGA HIGHLY recommends this video to get the "rust" off your game for the upcoming golf season. You can see a 9 minute "freeview" of the Troubles and Solutions HERE, and to get your own copy, click HERE.
Again, after starting the year teaching about 100 students in the first
month, we see again the great improvement in our students (even after just a
couple of days in our schools) when they perform the "perfect drill". In
other words, there is no question, this is the drill that helps our students the
most get towards the "Moe Zone". Here is a reprint of a practice tip from
a few months ago:
It works on the set up, backswing, angles at top of swing, downswing (on
plane) and impact position. Mastering this drill and mastering the positions
will help EVERYONE dramatically in the swing - no matter what level they are
at.
1. Start with the PVC Drill. You can see specifics HERE.
2. Master the 4 positions on the
PVC Drill.
To see in more detail - strongly suggest you get the Troubles and Solutions DVD - it is a FANTASTIC instructional DVD that reviews many areas
of the swing including this PVC drill - (to see in motion is worth 1,000,000
pictures). You can see more about the DVD HERE.
NEXT
- After you work on PVC drill:
1. Put a leverage bag where the lead golf
ball (on the ground) is set.
2. Set a yard stick on the ground between
the two golf balls (will be at angle to your target line - closed angle to
target line).
3. Set up with the "FEELING OF GREATNESS" TRAINING CLUB.
4. Take the club back to Position 1 (identical to Position #1 of the
PVC drill)
5. Take the club back to Position 2 (top of
backswing)
6. Take club to position #3 (Parallel to ground on downswing -
SHOULD BE PARALLEL TO YARD STICK ON THE GROUND). This is a critical position to check
as this will allow your club to be on plane - most golfers are outside this line
at this position.
7. Go to impact and hit the bag (hands should lead the
bag - be ahead of the bag before you make impact).
Critical positions to
check
Make sure your hands are on the club correct (grip is correct). The "Feeling of Greatness"
Training Club will do this for you.
Next - downswing - make sure the club
is parallel to the yardstick on the ground (between the two golf balls) which is
slightly angled inside when the club is parallel to the ground. (The butt end of
the club will be pointing slightly to "right field" if center field is your
target at this point of the downswing.)
Make sure your hands are AHEAD
of the bag before the club head hits the bag.
In our past few schools we
have our students do this drill with the PVC pipe and the Training Grip Club
over and over - you'd be AMAZED at the fairly rapid improvement..
Couple
of additional points - if you don't have a good grip, DON'T do the drill. It
will only lead to pulling, topping, snap hooks, etc.. at impact. You cannot
adequately face ball at impact with power if you do not have a good grip. That
is why we strongly suggest the drill with the "Feeling of Greatness" Training Club.
Do the
drill slow, very slow to start. Over and over and over again - eventually
speeding up until it becomes fluid / rhythmic hitting the 4 positions perfectly.
So - if you want the "doctor" (okay - your golf doctor) to give you a
prescription to better golf - here it is. But as a seasoned GGA Alumnus said, "don't cheat yourself
- do it again and again and again... and do it RIGHT."
Guarantee you'll see
dramatic improvement.
Good Luck
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Moeisms - the wit and wisdom of Moe Norman
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| How Moe got his nickname "Pipeline Moe" [The Feeling of Greatness,
The Moe Norman Story]
(Ken) Venturi is credited for coming up with the nickname "Pipeline Moe",
but he says the story has been embellished. "In those days, the sprinkler
line went down the middle of the fairways and I said he was the only guy who
could knock down the sprinkler line. The story got twisted and they
changed it to pipeline."
Please feel free to comment on this or email any of your favorite
"Moeism's" to us if you'd like to share with others....
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GGA Event Schedule - 2008
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** Visit our website at http://www.swinglikemoe.com/ for more information on each school, school agendas, and for most recent updated schedule. Updated regularly.
2008
***Mar. 6-8, 2008 - 3 day school - GGA Academy @ Eagle Creek Golf Club - Orlando, FL - (OPEN) (See SPECIAL OFFER ABOVE)
Mar. 9-13, 2008 - Alumni Build Your Game Camp - GGA Academy @ Eagle Creek Golf Club - Orlando, FL (SOLD OUT)
Mar. 14-16, 2008 - 3 day school - GGA Academy @ Eagle Creek Golf Club - Orlando, FL (SOLD OUT)
Mar. 27-29, 2008 - 3 day COUPLES School - GGA Academy @ Eagle Creek Golf Club - Orlando, FL - featuring Shannon Kneisler, LPGA (SOLD OUT)
Apr. 11-13, 2008 - 3 day school - GGA Academy @ Eagle Creek Golf Club - Orlando, FL (SOLD OUT)
Apr. 14-18, 2008 - Build Your Game Camp - GGA Academy @ Eagle Creek Golf Club - Orlando, FL (2 spots remaining)
Apr. 25-27, 2008 - 3 day school - GGA Academy @ Coffee Creek Golf Course - OKC, OK (1 spot remaining)
May 5-9, 2008 - Build Your Game Camp - GGA Academy @ Coffee Creek Golf Course - OKC, OK (SOLD OUT)
May 16-18, 2008 - 3 day School - Dover, DE, Jonathan's Landing (3 spots open)
May 20-22, 2008 - 3 day School, East Haddam, CT, Fox Hopyard Golf Club (4 spots open)
May 23-24, 2008 - 2 day Alumni School, East Haddam, CT, Fox Hopyard Golf Club (Open)
June 20-22, 2008 - 3 day school - GGA Academy @ Coffee Creek Golf Course - OKC, OK (Open)
June 23-27, 2008 - 5 day Build Your Game Camp - GGA Academy @ Coffee Creek Golf Course - OKC, OK (Open)
July 12-16, 2008 - Build
Your Gam Camp - GGA Academy @ Coffee Creek Golf
Course - OKC, OK - GGA Academy
(Open)
July 25-27,
2008 - 3 day school - Chicago, IL - Location TBA (will be in Chicagoland
area)
August 22-24,
2008 - 3 day school - GGA Academy @ Coffee Creek Golf Course - OKC, OK -
GGA Academy (Open)
Sept. 24-26, 2008 - 3 day
school - GGA Academy @ Eagle Creek Golf
Club - Orlando, FL - (Open)
Sept. 27 & 28, 2008
- 4th Annual Moe Norman Memorial
Tournament - Eagle Creek Golf Club,
Orlando, FL
Sept. 29 & 30, 2008- 2
day Alumni school - GGA Academy @ Eagle Creek Golf
Club - Orlando, FL - (Open)
Oct. 20-24, 2008 - Build
Your Game Camp - Barona Creek Golf Club - San Diego, CA - (Open)
Oct. 25-27, 2008 - 3 day
school - Barona Creek Golf Club - San Diego, CA - (Open)
Nov. 7-9, 2008 - 3 day
school - GGA Academy @ Eagle Creek Golf
Club - Orlando, FL- (Open)
Nov. 10-14, 2008 - Build
Your Game Camp - GGA Academy @ Eagle Creek Golf
Club - Orlando, FL-
(Open)
** Dave Predzin, GGA Master Instructor will be lead
instructor for these dates.
Others TBA
Please visit our website at www.swinglikemoe.com for updated events and more information.
Online Registration available.
If you would like more information about the schools agenda, etc..
or would like more information about a particular area, please feel
free to call or email anytime: TimKGraves@aol.com or 866-377-2316
within US, 405-823-9693 (outside US). We have brochures we can send
and/or email.
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GGA Club Specials
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To save space, we have made a slight change in the Club Special section of the newsletter. Below you will find a link to a page that will list all club specials with better pictures, more information, and full pricing for our Club specials.
NEW RELEASE! - Adams Insight XTD a3 Driver - Incredible distance, square technology, recommended by Long Drivers Association of America! Best Price for Square Face Technology in the Industry: $299
See all club specials by click below:
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Call the GGA at (866)377-2316 or email timg@swinglikemoe.com for all your club questions, club needs, etc. Let the experts help you!
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GGA Instruction Materials
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This is where EVERYONE should start to learn Moe's
Single Axis Swing - a MUST HAVE!!!!
GGA Total Game Overview Instructional DVD 10 minute Freeview.
See our latest and newest release - TROUBLES AND SOLUTIONS - great reviews (visit our chatroom to read them)
GGA "FEELING OF GREATNESS" GRIP TRAINING CLUB: $129.95
GGA / TGGS INSTRUCTIONAL TAPES:
Please see:http://swinglikemoe.com/shopping/pgm-more_information.php?id=7&=SID
"Little Moe's" Swing for Life $24.95
GGA Short Game: $19.95
Course Management/ "How to Practice": $19.95
Get all three on VHS: $64.95
All three on DVD: $64.95
Volume #1 - #6 - 7 Principles of Golf Improvement - $64.95 each
Entire Series: $299
Leverage bag: $35.95
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* A small shipping charge will be added to all orders.
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