Thursday, November 17, 2016

Golf BuddyGPS Holiday Promotion

    If you are looking to purchase a rangefinder or GPS unit this Holiday Season Golf Buddy has a great deal right now. They are offering a mail-in-rebate program on their new LR5 Laser Range Finder and their new CT2 GPS Unit.
    Purchase a LR5 Rangefinder for $249.00 and receive a $100.00 PREPAID VISA CARD, or a CT2 GPS unit for $149.00 and receive a $30.00 PREPAID VISA CARD. This offer is good November 11th, 2016 through January 8th, 2017.
    . To learn about the features of each model visit: www.GolfBuddyGlobal.com.  We have both models in stock at Golf Rx. Call Steve at 615 288 4539, or stop by the shop at 11972 Lebanon Rd in Mt. Juliet if you have any questions

Thursday, November 10, 2016

Swinging the arms is a fundamental action of the golf swing

   


 Undoubtedly fundamentals are important in golf. Grip, posture, alignment and ball position are all important prior to starting the swing. But what about the fundamental action that occurs between the start and end of the swing?  
    The fundamental action I am talking about is the free and fast swinging of the arms. It is interesting to me how much instruction today emphasizes the legs, hips, shoulders, etc. with very little mention given to the arms.
   After 30 years of teaching I can say with confidence that 8 out of 10 golfers have inadequate arm, hand and wrists motion in their golf swing. This is partly the result of their being told golf is a “big muscle game”, in which they are taught to use their legs and hips before they’re taught to use their arms and hands to square the clubface.
    Regardless of your “method” the arms must swing freely so you are able to apply the clubhead to the ball at maximum speed. When a player lacks this free swinging action they are forced to apply themselves to the ball - the swinging of the arms is replaced with a heaving of the shoulders.
    If your shots lack distance or you have poor balance you should focus on one thought at the top of your backswing: Use your arms to swing the clubhead down and through the ball.
    It is true a good player's downswing is started from the ground up. But if a player lacks a free arm swing to think of starting the downswing with the legs or hips will lead to an early unwinding of the upper body resulting in a weak glancing blow.
   The best drill I have found to promote the feel of a good arm swing is make swings with your feet together. From this position you quickly learn to swing the club down with your arms, and any overuse of the upper body will lead to a loss of balance. Tee the ball up slightly, and using a 6 iron begin making half swings. Relax your grip pressure so you can feel the weight of the clubhead and swing at about 80 %. You'll be surprised how solid and far you can hit the ball with so little effort. 
    In my opinion too much emphasis in teaching today is based on what the tour players do. I’m not saying what they do is incorrect, but the weekend player lacks the ability, physical gifts and years of training to play golf the way they do. Acclaimed teacher Harvey Penick said it this way, “First you teach a golfer to hook the ball by using his arms and hands correctly. Then you teach him how to take the hook away by using his body and legs properly.”  
   


Thursday, November 3, 2016

Custom Fit or Off the Rack


    On your next visit to the practice tee or golf course take a minute and notice how different the golfers are in terms of height, strength, athletic ability and swing characteristics. Would it make sense that these different players would all be using clubs built to the same specifications? I think not, but unfortunately most players do exactly that.

   Golf clubs sold off the rack are built to one set of specifications because it would be too expensive for the golf companies to make all the different combinations required to fit each individual player. It would also be too costly for the big box golf retail stores to stock sets in all the different custom fitting options.  As a result golf club manufacturing has remained a "one size fits all " business, and golfers are getting the short end of the stick.

   If a sports store sold baseball bats the way they sell golf clubs, no baseball or softball player would ever buy a bat there. Why? Because to play to the best of their ability they make sure their bat is  fitted to their size, strength and athletic ability.

   When custom fitting is performed  by a knowledgeable and experienced professional the golfer will feel and see visible shot improvement. Custom fit clubs cost the same per club as off the rack sets. Another benefit is the player may purchase only the number of irons and woods they desire which saves them money.

    With a population of golfers that are so very different from each other they simply cannot play their best using clubs that are made up to the same specifications. If you would like more information about custom fit equipment call Steve at Golf Rx or stop by the shop.