"Perfection" vs Consistency

As the 2010 PGA Tour season came to a close I took note of the top performers from the past twelve months. The list includes Matt Kuchar, Dustin Johnson, Steve Stricker, Jim Furyk, Phil Mickelson, Lee Westwood and Bubba Watson. These players were the model of consistency with a combined stroke average of 70.08 - nearly 2 under par for every competitive round played.

Interestingly what isn't "model" is their golf swings. That is if you buy into the description of what a "perfect" golf swing should look like. Consider for a minute other professional athletes such as baseball players, basketball players and quarterbacks. They all have unique styles in throwing, swinging and shooting, and yet still achieve an amazing level of consistency and performance. Why should we think golfers should be any different?


Human beings come in all shapes and sizes which requires variations in swing types. An experienced and competent instructor will help improve each student's ball striking by working within those parameters. As their instructor my job is to help them develop a repeating swing resulting in consistent ball flight rather than the unattainable quest for "perfection".

So next time you observe Kuchar's swing plane, Furyk's backswing, Westwood's head movement or Watson's finish you can relax. Then when you go the course you can focus more on the "where" rather than the "how".

Full Swing Golf Simulator arriving this week

I am very excited to announce that my new Full Swing Golf Simulator will be installed at Golf Rx this week. These are fantastic machines and I had the opportunity to use one during my last two years at Dick's.

Full Swing are the "Cadillac" of simulators and use state of the art technology allowing students to see ball flight just as though they were on the range or course. They also provide data such as club head speed, ball speed, trajectory, ball curvature and distance.

Obviously seeing ball flight is an important element in teaching as well as club fitting. That was the only drawback to indoor teaching until this technology became available. Now students can enjoy lessons year round in comfortable 72 degree temperatures. They no longer have to endure the biting cold, wind, rain or oppressive heat and humidity.

If you haven't had the opportunity to experience a Full Swing Golf Simulator I invite you to come in for a demonstration.