New Business Hours

Please note that beginning on July 6th we will be open two days per week - Mondays and Thursdays from 9:00 to 5:00. 

What is torque?

    You often hear the word "torque" in reference to golf shafts and I often have customers asking what it is. Torque is the shaft's resistance to twisting around its axis. Shaft engineers design shafts with different amounts of torque to create a certain feel with that shaft. Lighter, more flexible shafts will have a higher torque allowing the shaft to twist more. Heavier, stiffer shafts are designed with a lower torque so the shaft twists less. 

    Torque ratings are specified by a number scale. For instance a heavier, stiffer shaft may have a torque rating of 2.5 degrees compared to a lighter, softer shaft with a torque rating of 5.0 degrees. The lower the number the less the shaft will twist during the swing. Most of the twisting of a shaft takes place after impact so torque is more about creating a certain "feel" in the shaft than anything else. 

Beware of upselling when shopping for a new driver

Players today should expect to pay between $400 and $550 when shopping for a new custom fit professional grade driver. Unfortunately what often happens is they pay nearly twice this amount because of what's called upselling. The fitter says "Based on the results of your fitting the shaft you need is on our custom tier and will cost an additional $300." You end up paying $700 to $850 for a driver. At most club fitting chain stores the staff is trained to upsell the customer to increase their commissions and profits.
 Is paying an additional $300 for a custom shaft worth it for most players? If you are a PGA Tour Player the difference may be worth it ( they don't pay for their clubs ) but for most amateurs - even scratch players - the difference is small if any.
Most recognized golf club companies will offer 3 to 4 shaft options at no upcharge. These are high quality shafts from reputable companies such as Fujikura, UST Mayima, Aldila and Project X.
The most important thing is to be professionally fit to find the right shaft for your swing characteristics.
If you really want to improve your game take the $300 you saved and purchase some lessons from your local PGA Professional.

Importance of being fitted for your putter

    Think about this statistic: Putting accounts for 40 to 50 percent of your total strokes. With one club being used for nearly half your strokes it certainly makes sense to be fitted for your putter rather that buying a random one off the rack. The three most important factors in a correctly fitted your putter are length, lie and loft. 

   Proper length is based on your height, wrist to floor length and putting posture, i.e. do you crouch over like Jack Nicklaus or stand taller like Tiger Woods. 

   The standard lie angle for putters is 70 degrees. A too upright putter will cause the ball to go left of your of your target - a too flat putter will cause the ball to go right of your target. 

   Putters on average have 3 degrees loft.  Depending upon the amount of negative or positive shaft lean you have at impact your putter may need more or less loft to create a proper roll.

    The iPing Putting App is an excellent tool in determining the right specifications for your putter. I use it in all my putter fittings. Call the shop to schedule an appointment and learn how a custom fit putter can save you strokes on the green.

10 Year Anniversary

    This month marks the 10 year anniversary of Golf Rx. I opened this business to provide instruction, custom fit golf equipment and club repair services to the Nashville Golf Community. In the past 10 years Golf Rx has been featured in PGA Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, Tee Times Magazine and was named to Golf Digest’s 2017 Top 100 Clubfitters List. This attention and very kind referrals have allowed me to reach beyond Nashville into the surrounding areas. 

   When you visit our studio you deal with me personally. You benefit from my years of experience and my standards and ideals. I value each and every one of you who has helped Golf Rx and me, reach this milestone.

Steve Kirkpatrick

PGA Professional – Owner

Golf Rx

Should I choose steel or graphite shafts?

     I often hear customers say they now should be using graphite shafts because they are getting older.  I ask them why they think this and they usually respond " Well, all my friends tell me that I should".  There are a number of factors to consider when choosing graphite or steel shafts. - age can be a factor but it certainly isn't the most important one.
    First, what are the primary differences between graphite and steel shafts? Graphite shafts are usually lighter than steel and have better dampening ( absorbing vibration) characteristics. Because shaft weight is the number one factor that controls the overall weight of the golf club, graphite shafts  have the potential for more speed and possibly more distance. Today, because of improved technology the disparity in weight between graphite and steel has narrowed considerably. Steel shafts weigh between 80 to 130 grams where graphite shafts weigh between 50 and 125 grams.
     There are a number swing characteristics to consider in finding the right shaft for a player. Club head speed, swing tempo, how the player loads and unloads the shaft as well as the physical strength and fitness of the player.
     In some cases a heavier shaft gives a player a more favorable "feel" and more control of the club head. Generally we find this to be the case with players who are physically strong with more aggressive swings.

     The best way to determine the right shaft for you is to be fitted by a qualified professional. During a fitting the player will hit a variety of shafts to determine which one results in the best shot dispersion, consistent launch and more frequent on center hits. Shaft fitting is also subjective meaning the players feedback on how the shaft feels is important to consider. 

     If you have questions please feel free to call Steve at Golf Rx or stop by.  

Bushnell GPS items on clearance

Right now we have the 2019 Bushnell GPS products on clearance. Included are the following products:

Bushnell Tour V4 Laser Rangefinder                       $279
Bushnell ION2 GPS Watch                                      $169
Bushnell Phantom GPS with magnetic mount         $119

Prices apply to in stock items only.      

Save $100 on PIng G410 woods and irons

Effective November 27:
     Ping has dropped the price on their G410 woods and irons. Save $100 on the G410 driver - Price went from $499 to $399. The G410 irons went from (set of 8) $999 to $899. G410 fairways and hybrids are at lower prices as well.
Call Steve at Golf Rx to schedule your fitting and take advantage of this great deal.

3 Keys to shooting lower scores

     This past weekend I watched Tiger Woods tie Sam Snead's record for the most PGA Tour wins by winning the ZOZO Championship in Japan. Tiger won by three strokes and finished at 19 under par.
     Tiger's amazing record as a front runner is because he rarely makes mistakes coming down the stretch. He keeps the tee ball in play, has control of his approach shots and almost never three putts.
    Obviously we don't play at Tiger's level but focusing on these three factors is the key to shooting lower scores.

Eliminating penalty shots
1. Most penalty shots occur from errant tee shots. If you struggle keeping your tee ball in play seek help from a PGA Professional. Correcting a swing flaw combined with a properly fitted driver can do wonders for your tee ball.

Consistency inside 60 yards
2. Developing a better than average wedge game is paramount to improving your scores. PGA Tour Players average hitting 12 to 13 greens in regulation per round yet still shoot under par regularly. This shows how good they are at getting the ball up and down. Good distance control on chips and pitch shots is key to saving par more often.

Eliminating three putts
3. Believe it or not putting is often 40 to 50 percent of your score. Three putting is usually the result of poor distance control on longer putts. Practice getting the ball within a three foot circle from twenty feet and longer. Focus on the speed rather than just the direction.

Dedicate your practice time to improving these three areas of your game and I guarantee you will shoot lower scores.

Holiday Lesson Special

   Give the gift of better golf this year with our Holiday Lesson Special. Now through Dec. 25th purchase three lessons for $270 and get the fourth one free. This is a $90 savings.
    Our indoor teaching studio is the perfect learning environment. We utilize a Full Swing Golf Simulator, ION2 Tracking Camera and video swing analysis. Steve Kirkpatrick, PGA Professional and Owner has 30 years experience teaching players of all skill levels.
    For more information contact Steve at 615 288-4539 or stop by Golf Rx at 11972 Lebanon Rd. in Mt. Juliet.

PIng winning streak

     Ping golf professionals have won the first three events of the season on the PGA Tour. Joaquin Niemann, Sebastian Munoz and Cameron Champ, all playing Ping equipment have won in the last three weeks. As a result they are 1 - 2- 3 on the Fed Ex Cup points list. 

     Also Kirk Triplett, a Ping staff player won on the Champions Tour last week at Pebble Beach. Golf Rx is an authorized fitting center for Ping golf equipment. Call Steve Kirkpatrick, Owner and PGA Professional to schedule your Ping fitting. 

New Bushnell products just arrived

We just received 3 new products from Bushnell Golf to help you improve your scores.

The Tour V4 Laser Rangefinder provides accuracy to 1 yard and measures up to 400 + yards. It utilizes Pinseeker technology and a fast focus system. Price is $299.00

The iON 2 GPS watch is pre-loaded with 36,000 + courses and Bluetooth allows for wireless course updates. You can play 3 rounds before charging. It also has a shot distance calculator and round
odometer. Price is $199.00

The Phantom is an easy-to-use, convenient Golf GPS with a magnetic mount. It is pre-loaded with 36,000+ courses and Bluetooth allows for wireless course updates. You can play 2 rounds before recharging. The BITE Magnetic Mount sticks to any metal surface. It also includes a clip holder to attach to your belt or bag.  Price is $139.00.

Stop by the shop and check out these products from Bushnell.

Why fitting is more important to average players

    The biggest misconception I hear from average players is they are not good enough for custom fit clubs. In fact just the opposite is true. The reason is that properly fitted clubs will reduce the severity and frequency of your bad shots. Low handicap players have sound swings and a much smaller percentage of off center hits. This is not the case with the average player.

    I urge you to seek out a professionally trained club fitter who has a proven track record of knowledge, expertise and experience. A professional club fitter is what a tailor is to a suit. Properly fitted clubs can and will improve your scores.

     I worked for a big box golf retail store for 4 1/2 years before opening Golf Rx. They want to sell you what's on the rack - in most cases their "Certified Fitter" has no professional training. Also keep in mind that bad specifications on todays clubs are getting in the way of you improving. Drivers and fairway clubs are too long, fairway clubs don't have enough loft, nor do long and middle irons.

     Determining the correct shaft for the average player is critical in the fitting process. The total weight and swing weight must be fitted to your size, strength, downswing tempo and swing force or you cannot achieve proper swing consistency. Properly fitted shafts will result in a higher frequency of on center hits. As a result you will get the best set of clubs you have ever played with.

Hybrids are a better choice than long irons

   In my opinion hybrid clubs are the best thing to come along since sliced bread. You will have a lot more fun and hit better shots if you will ditch your 3 and 4 iron and replace them with hybrids. If you are a 15 handicap or higher I would recommend replacing your 5 and 6 iron as well.
   The reason is simple: Hybrids are MUCH easier to hit than long and middle irons. 

• Their low profile gets the ball up in the air - to do this with a traditional long iron requires a lot of club head speed. 
  
• The head has a higher MOI than long irons resulting in more distance on an off-center hit. 
• They are much more effective hitting from the rough because the club head doesn't twist as much as a traditional iron. 

     For years I carried a 2 iron which now are practically obsolete. I continued to carry a 3 and 4 iron for many years. Even though I still carry a 2 handicap I can no longer created enough club head speed to hit a 3 and 4 iron high enough to be effective. Last year I experimented with a 3 and 4 hybrid and was amazed at the results. The ball launches much higher so the ball no longer rolls off the back of green due to the low trajectory of my long irons. The ball carries about 5 yards farther than my irons did and is much easier to hit from tough lies. 

The typical lofts on hybrids are:

2 - 17 degree

3 - 19 degree

4 - 22 degree

5 - 26 degree

6 - 30 degree

     So now the longest iron in my bag is a 5 iron and I have a lot more confidence with the 3 and 4 hybrids than I did with the 3 and 4 irons. They are a lot more fun to hit as well. Make sure to be professionally fit for your new hybrids so they will blend correctly with your existing irons. 

 If you have any questions call us or stop by Golf Rx. 

Why to consider Golf Rx for custom fitting

   
   
     I opened Golf Rx in 2010 to provide my customers professional golf instruction, custom fitted equipment and club repair services. I have been a PGA Professional since 1989 and have 30 years experience in fitting golf equipment.
     I attended my first professional club fitting school in 1988. Since then I have personally custom fit over 5,000 players. I have written articles on custom fitting for numerous publications, trained other PGA Professionals and been featured by PGA Magazine, Golf Digest and The Wall Street Journal.
     In 2013 I was named to the "Worlds Top 100 Club Fitter" list by a panel of industry experts for my superior skill, integrity and passion for club fitting. In addition I have written 3 books and have done two cable TV shows in two different states.
      I have invested in the latest technology at Golf Rx to provide my customers with the best possible information during their club fitting. I take great pride in being recognized by my peers as an expert in custom fitting.  

     You may have noticed a number of new businesses that have entered the custom club fitting business in the past few years. When visiting them I would simply ask you to compare their experience and qualifications to mine before deciding where to purchase your custom fit clubs.  

 To learn more about Golf Rx please visit www.golfrx.biz or stop by our studio at 11972 Lebanon Road in Mt. Juliet, Tn.  We look forward to talking with you.

Steve Kirkpatrick
PGA Profesional / Owner
Golf Rx
 

Proper Wedge Gapping

    One of the most overlooked items in custom fit clubs is proper wedge gapping. In most iron sets the loft increments between irons will be 3 to 5 degrees. The average pitching wedge today is between 45 and 47 degrees in loft. Often times the next wedge in a players set will be a sand wedge which is generally 56 degrees loft. This means they have a 9 to 10 degree loft difference between these two clubs.

    A good rule of thumb is to have no more than a 5 degree difference in loft between your wedges.
If you are not sure of the actual loft of your wedges stop by and let us check them on our Mitchell  Golf loft and lie machine. Often times wedges can be a few degrees stronger or weaker than what is stamped on them. We can also recommend what loft wedges you need to complete the wedge make up in your set.

For solid irons maintain the width in your backswing

    Rather than hitting their irons solid from the turf many players struggle with fat or thin shots. One reason is losing the natural width or radius in your backswing arc caused by your right arm not working correctly.
    The right arm controls the width of the swing - if the angle between the upper and lower arm is less than 90 degrees the hands collapse resulting in the shaft going past parallel. During the change of direction from backswing to forward swing the collapsed right arm will immediately straighten causing the wrists to uncock too early (also known as casting). This results in the club bottoming out too early. If the clubs goes into the turf a fat shot will occur. It the club bounces off the turf the clubhead is moving upward when it contacts the ball resulting in a thin shot.
     Practice swinging in front of a mirror observing the position of your right arm at the top of your backswing. At first your backswing will feel shorter and you'll notice a more effective coiling of your torso. With practice this new "shorter but wider" backswing will result in solid and crisp iron shots.  

The season is here

Winter is finally over and the golf season is here. It's a great time to have your current equipment evaluated to help you play your best golf  - or possibly this is the year to upgrade to new set of irons or woods. Either way it is important to get professionally fitted. A player is only as good as the equipment he or she is playing.
Whether you want to have your current clubs checked or desire new ones we are here to help you.
Call or stop by the shop to discuss your options.

New business hours begin April 1st

Beginning April 1, 2019 Golf Rx will be open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.  As always we appreciate your business and look forward to seeing you soon.

2019 Demos have arrived

We have received our new demos and fitting clubs for 2019.

Ping:  The new G410 drivers, fairways, hybrids and irons are now here. We also have the i500, i210 and G700 irons available.

Taylor Made: The new M5 and M6 drivers, fairways, hybrids and irons are now here. The CGB, P-760 and P-790 irons are also available.

Callaway: The new Epic Flash drivers and fairways are now here. We also have the new Apex, Big Bertha and Rogue irons.

Mizuno: We have the new ST 190 drivers and fairways as well as the new JPX 919 Tour, Forged,   Hot Metal and Hot Metal Pro irons.

Putters:  We have the new Odyssey Stroke Lab putters in stock and well as the Ping Sigma 2 and Taylor Made Spyder models.

To schedule your fitting call Steve at 615 288-4539.

Club Repair Services - We have a full service club repair department offering same day service on re-gripping and next day service on re-shafting. We also perform loft and lie adjustments for irons and frequency matching for shafts.