Friday, December 21, 2012

New Software installed on Simulator

Earlier this week we installed the new LS-3 Software on our Full Swing Golf Simulator at Golf Rx. The LS-3 software is an vastly improved program providing better graphics, practice and play options and 60 new golf courses for your enjoyment.
Students and customers will enjoy an enhanced experience during their lessons and practice time. Come by and enjoy the most realistic golf simulator on the market.
Another new update is Golf Rx is now an authorized dealer for KBS golf shafts. Developed by Kim Braley KBS shafts have already won over 54 tour wins, and 110 plus PGA and European players have now installed them in their clubs. 
If you would like to have your current equipment checked for the right fit call or come by for a custom fitting with Steve Kirkpatrick, PGA Professional.
I would like to say thank you to all my friends and customers for your business the past three years. We look forward to helping you and your friends in 2013 for all your golfing needs. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family.

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Long shots start right then hook left. Your driver may not get airborne.



20 Most common shot problems

Lesson 10 of 20

Diagnosis: Long shots start right then hook to the left. Your driver may not get airborne forcing you to use a more lofted club from the tee.

Explanation:   As I mentioned in previous lessons because we stand to the side of ball the swing path of the club is from the inside to along the target path then back to the inside on the follow through. Therefore the club is moving to the right of the target on the downswing and is moving to the left of the target on the follow through. 

             The fact that your ball is starting right of the target indicates you are hitting the ball too early in the swing. The club is still moving right of the target. This is caused by playing the ball to far back or to the right in your stance. This is typical of players who hook the ball. They aim farther right anticipating the ball hooking back to the left.

            Aiming the club right of the target forces the player to align his shoulders and body to the right of the target as well. Aligning the body right forces the player to rotate his hands too far to the right or clockwise on the club resulting in a closed clubface at impact. The ball starts right because the club is moving in that direction at impact, and hooks left because the clubface is closed or aimed left of its path at impact. The player often has trouble getting the ball airborne because the closed clubface decreases the loft of the club


Correction:     To correct this play the ball farther forward or to the left in your stance. This allows you more time to return the club to an on-line path before contacting the ball. It will also help align your shoulders and body more to the left enabling your hands to move more to the left or counterclockwise on the club. Your view of the target line will appear to be more to the left than before. Visualize this new target line and swing the club along it through impact. Your shots will now start out on target rather than to the right and at a higher trajectory.

To schedule an appointment with Steve call Golf Rx at (615) 288-4539

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Solid impact but ball flies right of target. Your left side may feel it is in the way of the forward swing



20 Most common shot problems

Lesson 9 of 20

Diagnosis: You make solid impact but the ball flies right of target. Your left side may feel it is in the way of the forward swing.

Explanation:   Most often a player who currently pushes shots to the right is one who previously hooked shots to the left. They no longer hook because he has corrected his grip resulting in a square rather than closed clubface at impact. His impact with the ball is solid but the ball flies right because the club is moving in that direction at impact.

As I explained in an earlier lesson because we stand to the side of ball the club must be swung along an arc rather than a straight line. In the forward swing the club arcs from the inside to along the target line then arcs back to the inside. An analogy would be a swinging door closing from right to left.

Players who previously hooked the ball will instinctively aim the club and his body to the right of the target. This forces the player to play the ball too far back (to the right) in their stance. This rearward positioning of the ball causes his club to contact the ball too early in the forward swing. The club is still moving to the right on an in-to out arc.

Players who aim to the right also tend to make a backswing that is too steep. Aiming right positions the shoulders to the inside before the swing begins. Rather than turn the right shoulder to the right during the backswing they will lift it upward. The reaction of rocking the right shoulder upward during the backswing is a lifting of the left hip on the forward swing. When the left hip lifts or rocks upward it cannot turn and clear to the left as it should. This blocks the forward swing causing the ball to go right

Correction:     Play the ball farther forward (to the left) in your stance. This allows you more time to return the club to an on-line path before contacting the ball. Your shots will now start out on target rather than to the right. Playing the ball forward also allows you to align correctly – more to the left – at address. This corrected alignment will encourage you to turn rather than tilt your right shoulder during the backswing.
         The turning of the right shoulder to the right during the backswing will allow you to turn and clear the left hip during the forward swing. The clearing of the left hip to left will enable your arms to swing the club freely through impact on the correct path. The result will be straighter shots with little or no curve.  

To schedule an appointment with Steve call Golf Rx at (615) 288-4539

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Golf Rx is now a KZG Authorized Dealer



I am excited to announce that Golf Rx is now an Authorized Dealer for KZG custom golf equipment.  KZG is unquestionably the leader in ProLine, custom golf equipment, and sells its products only through professional clubfitters. 

Their award winning equipment and expert craftsmanship is why touring professional and avid golfers play KZG equipment. KZG offers numerous models to suit the needs and preferences of each player's skill level and budget.

KZG equipment cannot be purchased off the rack or at retail stores. They are only available through Professional Club Fitters. Each set is custom fit to suit the needs of every player's skill, strength, size and design preference.

KZG can offer high quality, better performing equipment comparable to off-the-rack prices because of their business model. They advertise by word or mouth rather that paying tour players or buying a buying a one-hundred-million-dollar ad campaign. 

For more information or to schedule your free fitting call Steve at Golf Rx.
  

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Shots curve from right to left. Often take turf behind the ball or top the shot along the ground to the right.



20 Most common shot problems

Lesson 8 of 20

Diagnosis: Shots curve from right to left. Often you either take turf behind the ball or top the shot along the ground to the right.   

Explanation:  Basically there are three things that need to occur at impact to produce a straight, solid golf shot.  1. The clubhead is moving along the target line. 2. The clubface is square to that on-line path. 3. The clubhead is at the bottom of its downward – upward arc.
For these factors to occur at impact a certain amount to timing is required in the downswing. My definition of timing is the coordination of the leg and hip action with the swinging of the arms. Improper timing occurs when the leg and hip movement doesn’t coordinate with the swinging of the arms - one is either ahead or behind the other.  

If your shots fit the above description you are casting the club with hands and wrists at the start of your downswing. The club is too quick for your leg and hip action. When the hands cast the club into the hitting area before the hips clear the club reaches the bottom of its arc behind the ball and then starts upward. This is why you may hit it fat one time and thin the next. The ball often starts right because the club is moving in that direction at impact due to the hips not clearing. The ball curves left because the hands and arms being too active have closed the clubface to the left of its path at impact. 

I have found the main cause of casting the club is the hands separating to the top of the backswing. The left thumb and right palm separate at the top then reconnect to start the downswing. This reconnection forces the wrists to uncock prematurely.    


Correction:     To cure this problem practice hitting shots with a blade of grass placed between the top of left thumb and right palm. Apply just enough pressure to keep it in place during the swing. This will eliminate your hands separating and the resulting casting of your wrists. This adjustment along with clearing your left hip to the left during the downswing will soon have you hitting straight, solid shots once again. 

To schedule an appointment with Steve call Golf Rx at (615) 288-4539

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Many shots are struck on the toe or outer edge of the clubhead



20 Most common shot problems

Lesson 7 of 20

Diagnosis: Many shots are struck on the toe, or outer edge of the clubhead.  

Explanation:  Ask most weekend players why they are hitting the ball off the toe end of the club and they will invariably answer by saying they are standing too far from the ball. Although this can be a cause it rarely is.
There are basically two very different reasons for striking the ball on the toe end of the clubhead. By observing the direction the ball curves you can determine not only the cause, but also what corrective measure needs to be taken. 

If your toed shots curve to the left your clubface is closed (facing to the left of its path) at impact. In this position the toe end of the club leads the heel into the ball resulting in contact with the toe end of the club.
If your shots curve to the right you will know that your swing is too upright. A too upright swing doesn’t position the club far enough behind you at the top of your swing, thus the club doesn’t move outward enough on the downswing. This results in only the toe portion of the club reaching the target line and the ball.

Correction:     If your toed shots curve to the left your grip needs to be adjusted to correct the early closing of the clubface. Position your hands on the grip with both turned more to the left or counterclockwise.

               If your toed shots curve to right you need to adjust your posture so that you can swing on a less upright plane. Increase your knee flex slightly and decrease the amount that you bend your spine forward. This more upright posture will allows you to turn rather than lift your right shoulder during the backswing. The turning provides the inside element to the arms swing that had been lacking in the backswing. At the top of the backswing the club will now stop over your right shoulder rather than over your head.  The club will now move more outward on the downswing allowing the center of the clubface to reach the target line and the ball.

To schedule an appointment with Steve call Golf Rx at (615) 288-4539