 Custom Search
|
|---|
ASK LPGA PRO SARA "NO H" BROWN!
(LPGA Tour Pro and Co-Star of The Golf Channel's "Big Break Dominican Republic)
 |
Hi my name is Sara "NO H" Brown... I am a graduate of Michigan State University (GO GREEN) :) I just finished my 3rd year as a professional on the Duramed Futures Tour and just qualified to play on the LPGA Tour in 2011!... I love traveling and playing this game I love so much!!! I was recently a cast member of Big Break Sandals Resorts on the golf channel where I didn't win but placed 3rd and because of that will soon be shown on the up coming BIG BREAK DOMINICAN REPUBLIC... WOOHOO!!! Be sure to send me your questions here... Because I am psyched to answer all of them!!! :) |
|---|
ISUCKATGOLF is thrilled to have Tour Pro Sara Brown here to help you improve your golf game by answering your e-mailed golf questions! Although Sara plays a game most of us are unfamilar with, like any great player she was once at our level! (hard to believe huh?) She's been through the slices and hooks, shanks and pop ups and yipps, and survived them all. Now she can tell you how she did it and share some of her best golf tips and suggestions to improve your game.
MARCH 2011....IMPORTANT UPDATE!!! (well, to us guys anyway!) Sara was just voted "SEXIEST FEMALE GOLFER" in About.com's "Readers Choice Awards". Sara received well over 30,000 votes! Congrats Sara! About.com Poll results
It's not often you can pick the brain of a tour pro for free, and be guaranteed a personal response, so don't waste the opportuniy! We'd like to thank Sara for donating her time to answer your questions and hopefully help you to shave a few strokes off that bloated handicap of yours! Thanks and Welcome Aboard Sara!
 |
Sara Brown Career Highlights:
|
|---|
CLICK TO ASK SARA BROWN YOUR GOLF SWING QUESTIONS!
PAST QUESTONS AND ANSWERS
What was your "Best Tip Ever?"
Did you ever feel like you'd never make it in golf?
Weight more on back foot for driver?
Questions about Big Break and Sara's future plans (and who she liked on the show)
Tips for picking out new clubs
How to get the most from limited practice time
Steep Swing, Huge Divots, HELP!
What got you started on the “no-H” thing?
(Sept '10)
The "no h" thing kind of just happened... I mean it has always been one of my biggest pet peeves to misspell my name and now being on tour there are other Sarah's out there and I just want to let everyone know I'm the SARA without the H :)
ISAG Question!
(Sept '10)
What would you consider to be the best tip you ever received on putting, on driving, and on the mental game?
Corey
The best tip I have ever gotten for putting is to control your grip pressure. It allows you to swing freely and helps with distance control. As for driving ... this is my favorite part :) I say grip it and rip it!!! Ok just kidding although its great to hit it far we also need to be in the fairway... so with that said a great tip for getting of the tee is to visualize where you want it to go and make sure to hit the ball on the up swing being sure to keep your head behind the ball so we can hit it high and far. The mental side of the game is very important as well I always say if you hit a bad shot you have 10 steps to get over it and then use that anger or aggression or whatever you want to call it to better your next shot or hole... I also think it is very important to always have fun and smile... golf is a game we can play for a very long time and we should always keep in mind that it should be fun and enjoyable :)
(Sept '10)
Did you ever “hit a wall” over the years you learned to play? A point where you didn’t think you would ever get any better? How did you overcome it?
I have had times where I thought golf wasn't for me but what I really needed to do was take time off to relax, think and rejuvenate in order find the love and passion again for this great game. I had to figure out why I loved golf so much in the first place in order to make myself better as a player. Life always throws us curve balls and obstacles and its the support I get from family friends and the confidence in myself that also helped me get over my barriers and the things that were holding me back from getting better. When I figured out all of that I was able to clear my head and get back on track with practice and golfing how I knew I should and it has been an unbelievable ride thus far that I don't want to get off of any time soon :)
Weight more on back foot at address or evenly distributed for Driver?
(Sept '10)
Hi Sara,
First I want to say how much I enjoyed watching you on Big Break and I was rooting for you all the way. Hopefully you will win at the Dominican Republic. I look forward to following your golf career.
I have taken up golf again after a 30 year hiatus. Last year I started as a 26 handicap, but I am now a 8.
I have 2 golf coaches, who for the most part agree on what they teach me, but differ
in one aspect. One coach says I must 'stay behind' the ball at impact when hitting drives.
He teaches keeping the weight more on the right side at address when using a driver.
My other coach says I should keep my weight balanced at address
And should be driving my weight forward at impact and not be 'hanging back'. He says this is the only way to 'compress' the ball.
Who is right?
Thanks in advance,
Ian F.
Toronto Canada
Ian,
First off congrats on working hard and getting down to an 8 handicap WOOHOO!!! As for your question I have to say that neither teacher is wrong in what they are telling you to do. It all depends on what you want the trajectory of your shot to be. If you go with the guy telling you to put your weight on your right side and staying behind the ball you will hit the ball high. I like to do this for a shot that is down wind and you want to grip it and rip it!!! If you choose to listen to the coach saying to keep a balanced posture and to NOT hang back then you will hit the ball much lower and will definitely compress the ball which will be good for shots that are hit into the wind. Trajectory is really important when it comes to hitting your driver and I really focus on this when I play. I hope this answered your question and I could be of some help :)
Best of Luck
Sara :)
Big Break and Sara's Golf Plans...and who did she like the best from the show?
Sara,
We've been watching you on Big Break and hope to see more of you on tour
after this is over. Do you plan to play next year on tour? Are you looking
for a sponsor or do you already have one? Who was your "best friend" on Big
Break Dominican and who did you find the most annoying? Can't wait until next
week. This is the best show yet. Luv it.
Hey Kyle and Sandy!
Thank you so much for watching Big Break Dominican Republic... what a fun show it is :) Ok, to answer your questions... YES I am currently a member of the LPGA Futures Tour which is the road to the LPGA (comparable to the NationWide Tour for the PGA). This year I played in the LPGA qualifying school where I made it to final stage which is in December at LPGA International golf course in Daytona Beach Florida... so needless to say I'm quite stoked about that :) As for sponsorship I am always in search of some extra help... I was very blessed to have a sponsor right out of college and have been trying to save that money and use what I have made to further my career... :) Its always a grind out there to make ends meet but I'll keep doing whatever it takes to pursue my dream!!!
I don't think I have one "best friend" on the show. I really enjoyed all the girls of Glossy Posse... I will tell you I text regularly with them all and see Lori the most... I also went to Brenda's wedding which was BEAUTIFUL!!! As for the guys team my favorites were Blake and Football just because they were real on and off the course. Just really great guys. If you watch next weeks show I'm sure you can figure out who my least favorite guy is ;) ha ha ha.
Ok Kyle and Sandy. I hope this answers your question and keep sending them in. I love the fans of Big Break DR!!!
Sara
(Feb. 2011)
Sara,
Loved you on Big Break! Can you give me any tips on playing under pressure?
I get very nervous on the first tee, before tournaments etc. Often times I
can't sleep the night before a tournament and the next day my legs are weak
from lack of sleep. Any advice on how to get to sleep the night before a big
day and how to calm your nerves on the first tee and over a big shot?
Thanks!
Dan
Dan,
Thank you for watching Big Break! Hope you keep an eye out for me on the LPGA in 2011 :) In regards to your question...as to getting sleep the night before a tournament, try visualizing the golf course and every shot that you are going to hit, its a golfers way of counting sheep :) As for nerves on the first tee, even I have some butterflies in my stomach but, the feeling should be nervous as in you are excited to play and know that you have prepared and are confident in your ability to go out there and tear it up! Best of luck to you and your game, keep it in the short grass!
Sara Brown
(March 2011)
Sara,
I've been playing the same clubs for many years. I need to make the leap
into this century! I'm a good player, and my old clubs were the best at the
time. Can you give me any tips on where to begin my search for new clubs?
I'd like to at least narrow it down to a few brands before I go and get
fitted. I'd really prefer to do most of the homework myself, but I don't
know where to begin. Any suggestions?
Thank you,
John W.
John,
Thank for a great question and let me just say I am very glad you are getting fitted properly for you clubs... I think this is very important not just for us pros but for all golfers who want to maximize their potential. With that said I play TaylorMade stuff and love it... Ping is also very popular out here on the LPGA... to be honest most club companies are great if fitted properly so it all depends on feel and sound for you... Go check out your local golf store and hit some TaylorMade and Ping demo clubs if one works better I'd choose those :) Best of luck and happy shopping it is always fun to get some new sticks... this will definitely better your game... :)
Sara
How To Get The Most From Limited Practice Time
(June 2011)
Sara,
Thank you so much for taking my question. I am in my second year playing. I’m 19, a girl, and really love the game! I have a teacher and I practice a few times a week and play every weekend. What would you suggest I concentrate on (without seeing my swing of course.) to get the most from my practice and limited playing time. I really want to get better and play competitively one day. I’ve broken 90 twice and shot 40 for 9 holes once on a pretty tough course. Hope you can give me some advice. Loved you on Big Break!
Lisa
Lisa,
Thank You for watching the Big Break, I'm glad you enjoyed it :) As for your question I am so glad that you are getting instruction and taking the time to go out and practice. You should really focus on your short game... and be sure to PRACTICE WITH PURPOSE... saving strokes from 100 yards and in will not only better your score but is the key to winning tournaments. Making good solid shots in your short game practice will definitely carry over to your longer clubs... So get out there and practice those wedge shots and your putting and you will see yourself getting better in no time :)
Best of Luck to you
Sara Brown
Steep Swing, Huge Divots...HELP!
(Sept 2011)
Hi Sara,
My name is John. Saw you on Big Break. Great stuff!
I'm about a 5 handicap. I know I can do better but my swing is too darn steep and my divots are atrocious. My left shoulder is killing me! (I'm a right handed golfer). I hit the ball straighter than straight but my trajectory is poor. I can hit a 4 iron about 200 yards but only 160-ish in the air. My fairway woods I use as alignment aids on the range and that's it.
I often shoot in the mid 70s but its painful and exhausting. Not only are my divots cringe worthy, the anticipation of my divot causes duress! (is that how you spell "duress"? I don't know)
Please help me to sweep the ball better!...and hit it higher!
any advice is greatly appreciated! thank You!
John
Hey John,
Thanks for the tough one... Here's what I got for ya... If you are taking massively huge divots obviously you are coming in for a crash landing at the ball and well we need you to have a smooth glide... Correct?
Steep is bad so here's a drill to help correct the downward move and cringe worthy divots. Get yourself an alignment stick put it 3ft behind your ball matching the angle of your shaft at set up... Take practice swings going under the stick on your back swing and down swing... If you hit it you are still to steep... (think merry-go-round instead of ferris wheel) Then try to hit a ball off a tee using the same drill (start slow).
Let's get this under control so next time you show up to the driving range the superintendent doesn't hate you for your grand canyon sized divots. For more help check out www.mobilegolflesson.com. Best of luck to you!
Sara "No-H" Brown
ISAG Bonus Chime In: John, Ken from ISAG here. I usually don't chime in when I have the likes of the awesome Sara Brown advising you on this. I'm certainly not in her league by any stretch, but I've personally struggled with this same problem for years until I came up with a very simple cure. It may well not transfer to someone else, but here's what helped me. Basically it involved just pulling my shoulders back a little at address, which sticks your chest out a bit more, and lift your chin a little so you're looking over the bridge of your nose a bit. Or like your mom always said, "Don't slouch!". I had gotten into a habit of slouching at address and rounding my back a bit. I hadn't noticed it crept in, and because I was so naturally coordinated I could still hit a pretty good ball even taking these huge sods! Playing in the rain was especially brutal! But this simple address adjustment had me taking a much shallower divot immediately. So stand a little taller at address and see if it might help you too. Good luck.
ASK SARA BROWN YOUR GOLF SWING QUESTIONS!
