My new website PocketCaddy.net is now live and features all three of my instructional books. The website allows viewers to click on each book to preview chapters and illustrations. You can order books directly from the website, and they will be shipped directly to you.
My latest book, The Pocketcaddy is a unique quick reference guide discussing the cause and cure for twenty of the most common shot problems. It makes a great gift for the hard to buy golfer on your list. You can also share the website with your friends on Facebook and Linkedin.
As the holiday season nears remember we offer gift certificates at Golf Rx. They can be used for instruction, golf equipment or club repair services.
Tuesday, October 28, 2014
Thursday, October 2, 2014
Swinging of the arms is fundamental
I will agree that the start of the downswing begins from the ground up, but the fundamental action in the golf swing is the swinging of the arms. It is interesting to me how many teachers emphasize the feet, hips, shoulders, etc. with very little mention given to the arms.
In my 25 years of teaching I can say without a doubt the free, fast, flailing action of the arms is an absolute fundamental of playing up to your potential. And yet few students are aware of this. Your arms must swing freely so you are able to apply the clubhead to the ball at maximum speed. When you don't, you are forced to apply yourself to the ball - the swinging of the arms is replaced with a heaving of the shoulders.
If you are suffering from a lack of power or poor balance you should focus on one thought at the top of your backswing: to start down with your arms. Make your arms swing the clubhead down and through the ball.
I mentioned previously that a good player's downswing is started with the legs and hips. But if a player lacks a free arm swing it is a recipe for disaster to think of starting the downswing with the legs or hips. It will lead to an early unwinding - a heaving of the shoulders resulting in a weak glancing blow.
The best drill I have found to promote the feel of a good arm swing is to hit balls with your feet together. From this position it is impossible to make a shot other than with a free swinging of the arms and clubhead. You'll quickly find that any excessive use of the upper body leads to a complete loss of balance. Tee the ball up slightly and use a 6 iron. You'll be surprised how solid and far you'll hit the ball.
There are many "methods" in golf instruction, but the fact is that whatever method he or she used, every good golfer in history has swept the club through the ball fast and freely with their arms.
In my 25 years of teaching I can say without a doubt the free, fast, flailing action of the arms is an absolute fundamental of playing up to your potential. And yet few students are aware of this. Your arms must swing freely so you are able to apply the clubhead to the ball at maximum speed. When you don't, you are forced to apply yourself to the ball - the swinging of the arms is replaced with a heaving of the shoulders.
If you are suffering from a lack of power or poor balance you should focus on one thought at the top of your backswing: to start down with your arms. Make your arms swing the clubhead down and through the ball.
I mentioned previously that a good player's downswing is started with the legs and hips. But if a player lacks a free arm swing it is a recipe for disaster to think of starting the downswing with the legs or hips. It will lead to an early unwinding - a heaving of the shoulders resulting in a weak glancing blow.
The best drill I have found to promote the feel of a good arm swing is to hit balls with your feet together. From this position it is impossible to make a shot other than with a free swinging of the arms and clubhead. You'll quickly find that any excessive use of the upper body leads to a complete loss of balance. Tee the ball up slightly and use a 6 iron. You'll be surprised how solid and far you'll hit the ball.
There are many "methods" in golf instruction, but the fact is that whatever method he or she used, every good golfer in history has swept the club through the ball fast and freely with their arms.
Thursday, September 18, 2014
New website for ordering books is on the way
Some of you may not know I have written three golf instruction books. My first book is titled "The Dimpled Sphere - Lessons to improve all aspects of your game". My second book is titled "Why Bad Swings happen to Good People". My third book is titled "The Pocket Caddy Quick Reference Guide".
Until now my books have been available only at Golf Rx in Mt. Juliet, but that is about to change. My new website PocketCaddy.net will allow you to purchase books online and have them shipped directly to you. The website will have sample pages of each book along with photographs and illustrations. The site is currently under construction and should be operational within a few weeks.
My latest publication, "The Pocket Caddy" is rather unique in that this handy reference manual will guide you through common faults and shot problems right on the course or practice tee. Twenty one different topics are discussed and illustrated with pen and ink drawings. The spiral bound booklet is 7 by 4 inches so that it easily fits in your golf bag.
Keep checking my blogs for updates on the new website.
Until now my books have been available only at Golf Rx in Mt. Juliet, but that is about to change. My new website PocketCaddy.net will allow you to purchase books online and have them shipped directly to you. The website will have sample pages of each book along with photographs and illustrations. The site is currently under construction and should be operational within a few weeks.
My latest publication, "The Pocket Caddy" is rather unique in that this handy reference manual will guide you through common faults and shot problems right on the course or practice tee. Twenty one different topics are discussed and illustrated with pen and ink drawings. The spiral bound booklet is 7 by 4 inches so that it easily fits in your golf bag.
Keep checking my blogs for updates on the new website.
Friday, September 12, 2014
Overswinging - A very common problem
Very rarely do I see a good player swing the club past the horizontal position at the top of the swing. Anything longer results in a loss of power and inconsistent contact with the ball. Basically there are two main causes of overswinging: 1. Losing control of your grip on the club at the top, and 2. losing the width or radius of your backswing arc as a result of the right arm not working correctly.
The sight of a severely bent left arm at the top would appear to be the cause of a typical overswing, but such is not the case. The bent left arm is actually the result of an out-of-position right arm. The right arm controls the width of the swing. If the angle between the upper and lower arm is less the 90 degrees and overswing will result.
Such overswings are often accompanied by a lack of effective coiling in the torso. So the key to shortening your swing is to first establish the width of your backswing arc.
To achieve the width that characterizes a proper backswing the right elbow must work in a way that as it folds it forms a right angle, or "L" shape at the top. Your left are will be comfortably straight, not tense with your right elbow positioned at 90 degrees.
With the help of the these keys you will soon learn to combine a fully coiled upper body (90 degree shoulder turn) with a wider swing arc. The results will be more consistent contact and more powerful shots.
The sight of a severely bent left arm at the top would appear to be the cause of a typical overswing, but such is not the case. The bent left arm is actually the result of an out-of-position right arm. The right arm controls the width of the swing. If the angle between the upper and lower arm is less the 90 degrees and overswing will result.
Such overswings are often accompanied by a lack of effective coiling in the torso. So the key to shortening your swing is to first establish the width of your backswing arc.
To achieve the width that characterizes a proper backswing the right elbow must work in a way that as it folds it forms a right angle, or "L" shape at the top. Your left are will be comfortably straight, not tense with your right elbow positioned at 90 degrees.
With the help of the these keys you will soon learn to combine a fully coiled upper body (90 degree shoulder turn) with a wider swing arc. The results will be more consistent contact and more powerful shots.
Tuesday, September 2, 2014
New Grips from Golf Pride, Winn and Super Stroke now available
There are some great new grips this year from Golf Pride, Winn and Super Stroke. Golf Pride has introduce the Platinum New Decade Multicompound, Super Tack, CP2 and Z-Grip Cord. Winn offers the new DuraTech, Dri-Tac Wrap and Excel. Super Stroke Putter Grips are now available in 4 sizes and in a variety of colors including the stars and stripes Ryder Cup models.
Stop by Golf Rx to see and feel all these new model grips.
Stop by Golf Rx to see and feel all these new model grips.
Friday, July 25, 2014
Simplify your swing thoughts
In these days with unlimited access to golf videos, internet instruction, the Golf Channel and the rest I find many students making the swing more complicated than it really is. If you're struggling and feeling confused with too much theory play your next few rounds based on "two turns combined with the swinging of your arms".
Think of the backswing simply as the first turn. Think of moving your right side out to the way as your arms swing the club back and up. Simplify your downswing as well. Forget all the stuff about head, hips, late hit and all the rest. Simply picture your downswing as the second turn - moving your left side out of the way as your arms swing the club down and through the ball.
If you have a proper grip and set up, and can keep your head reasonably still and your feet firmly on the ground during the backswing, using this approach could do a lot for your game.
Using this method you'll quickly discover the swing really isn't a complicated movement. Besides, how much can you think about in 1 1/2 seconds? That is the amount of time the average golf swing takes from start to finish.
Think of the backswing simply as the first turn. Think of moving your right side out to the way as your arms swing the club back and up. Simplify your downswing as well. Forget all the stuff about head, hips, late hit and all the rest. Simply picture your downswing as the second turn - moving your left side out of the way as your arms swing the club down and through the ball.
If you have a proper grip and set up, and can keep your head reasonably still and your feet firmly on the ground during the backswing, using this approach could do a lot for your game.
Using this method you'll quickly discover the swing really isn't a complicated movement. Besides, how much can you think about in 1 1/2 seconds? That is the amount of time the average golf swing takes from start to finish.
Wednesday, July 23, 2014
New PIng G 30 irons and woods now available
The highly anticipated new Ping G 30 irons and woods have arrived at Golf Rx. Stop by and see the new G 30 models and try them out on the simulator.
We also have our TRUE linkswear golf shoes on sale right now. TRUE linkswear shoes provide comfort, performance and versatility to all golfers. Come by and try on a pair.
If you're struggling with your game right now call and schedule a lesson with Steve. He'll get you back on track making better shots and shooting lower scores.
Golf Rx is your one stop full service golf shop for golf instruction, custom fitted equipment and club repair services. We specialize in quality products, excellent customer service and competitive prices.
We also have our TRUE linkswear golf shoes on sale right now. TRUE linkswear shoes provide comfort, performance and versatility to all golfers. Come by and try on a pair.
If you're struggling with your game right now call and schedule a lesson with Steve. He'll get you back on track making better shots and shooting lower scores.
Golf Rx is your one stop full service golf shop for golf instruction, custom fitted equipment and club repair services. We specialize in quality products, excellent customer service and competitive prices.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
