Now is the time to improve your game

      What a strange time of the year. Ice and snow warnings for tomorrow and  Daylight Savings Time starts four days later. Believe it or not Spring is almost here so now is the time to get your game together.
       Most players I work with set a goal each year. They want to finally break 90, cure their slice or improve their short game. Having a goal is a great idea, but you need a plan to help you reach it. Otherwise your goal is just a dream. I have been giving golf lessons for 30 years and correcting swing faults is just part to my job. The other is developing a plan to help players reach their goal.
     Let's say your goal this year is to break 90 for the first time. The first thing I will do is find out what part of your game is preventing you from scoring in the 80's. It may be erratic driving resulting in too many penalty strokes. You may get near the green in two or three shots, but then take five or six strokes to get the ball in the hole.
    Once I know where the weak link is we can develop a plan to you improve those particular areas. This will include a diagnosis of what is causing the mishit, explaining it to you in terms you can understand, then demonstrating the correct motion.
     I often use drills that will help you feel the new and correct motion. Finally I will develop a productive practice regiment to help you improve your skills and consistency. A goal is a great idea, but without a well thought out plan it will remain simply a dream.  

Supply side economics favor the golfer

     In a recent presentation at the PGA Merchandise Show, Jim Koppenhaver of Pellucid Corp. gave his analysis of the golf business. Each year his presentations are sold out because so many in the golf industry value his opinions.

    There is a wealth of data which he bases his findings on, but the message his simple and to the point: There continues to be too many golf courses and not enough golfers to fill them. According to Koppenhaver there were 518 million rounds played in 2000 compared to 451 million rounds played in 2014. That is a 13 percent decrease. The total number of golfers is currently around 23 million compared to nearly 30 million in 2000. That is a 24 percent decrease.

    On the supply side the number of courses has dropped each year since 2006. Since 2011 an average of 137 courses have closed each year. That number may sound considerable, but Koppenhaver says another 700 courses need to close to reach a state of equilibrium on the supply/demand graph.

    This is bad news for the supply side: course owners and operators continue to struggle to capture a piece of the declining playing population. However, this is good news for the demand side: golfers looking for a good deal. Golf rates probably haven't been this low since the 1990's at public and semi-private courses. Many private clubs have waived initiation fees in order to attract new members.

      These low rates should continue for at least the next five years until the gap between the number of courses and players to fill them closes. If you are a golf enthusiast I would say now is the time to take advantage of the low rates and great deals. Or as Old Tom Morrison says. "Go Play!"

Beware of counterfeit clubs

    

  The import of counterfeit golf equipment, generally from China, has become a huge business. U.S. Customs and Border Protection says it has seized over half a million dollars’ worth of illegal clubs so far this year – that does not include the items they did not catch.

      In a press release the U.S. Customs Department said, “Seizures of counterfeit golf clubs has increased by 37 percent from 2012 to 2014.” Many counterfeit clubs look very similar to the real thing but that is only on the surface. They don’t perform at all and generally break or crack because of the inferior materials and craftsmanship.

       People buying clubs online are at a disadvantage. As an authorized retailer I can compare a club with others to help determine whether it’s the real thing. At Golf Rx during the past five years I have had dozens of counterfeit drivers and iron sets brought in. The customers said the clubs were not performing as they thought they should. After carefully inspecting the clubs, or sometimes checking the serial numbers I had to give them the unfortunate news that they had been scammed.      

Here are some steps I recommend to avoid being scammed and losing hundreds of dollars.

1.     Purchase from authorized retailers and dealers. You can visit a brands website for a list of authorized dealers.

2.      Be wary of any internet retailer that offers what is claimed to be a “new” product that is exceptionally lower than the normal retail price for that product. If it is too good to be true it generally is.

3.      Be wary of internet sites that fail to provide reasonable contact information, or that ship product from a faraway location.

4.      Carefully research the money-back policies, and return policies if not satisfied with the product.

5.      Request references. Any legitimate retailer will be happy to oblige.

6.      Counterfeiters often use the trick of displaying a photo of a genuine product on their website, but ship buyers something entirely different. The only way to avoid these traps is to buy from an authorized retailer.

7.      If you purchased what you later determine to be a counterfeit product make sure to report the seller to the appropriate authorities.

     

Back from PGA Teaching Summit

      I just returned this week from the 2015 PGA Teaching and Coaching Summit in Orlando. The Summit was two full days of teaching and coaching from the best instructors in the world. Those presenting included Butch Harmon, Jim McLean, Mike McGetrick, Chuck Cook, Sean Foley, Jim Hardy, David Leadbetter, Martin Hall and many others. These was also sessions from PGA Tour Players Justin Dufner, Greg Norman and Nancy Lopez.
     It was a great learning opportunity with these great teachers sharing their thoughts and teaching philosophies. Although I have been teaching the game of golf for nearly 30 years I always learn from hearing other teachers' presentations.
    As the saying goes, " Those who dare to teach must never cease to learn."

Business hours this week

      Please note we will be open December 22nd, 23rd & 24th from 8:30 AM until 5:00 PM. We will be closed Christmas Day and Friday, December 26th.
      In less than six weeks we will be celebrating the 5 year anniversary of opening Golf Rx. We have tried to build our business on the principles of superior customer service, quality products and instruction tailored to the individual.  At this time we would like to thank all our friends and customers for their business and support.
    Best wishes for a happy holiday season and may 2015 be your best golf year ever.
Sincerely,

Steve Kirkpatrick - Golf Rx
PGA Professional and Owner

Save $50 on lessons for Christmas

     Take advantage of  our Christmas Golf Special and save $50.00 on lessons. From now through December 24th you can purchase two video lessons for $99.00. The regular price is $150.00. Simply come by Golf Rx and pick up your coupon and certificate.
       This is the perfect gift idea for the golfer on your list. In each lesson Steve will include the use of our V1 Digital Video Coaching System and our Full Swing Golf Simulator.
      We also have Gift Certificates available that can be redeemed for instruction, golf equipment or club repair services. For more information contact Steve at Golf Rx. The number is 615 288 4539.

Question regarding shafts

      One of the most common questions I am asked from customers is "I've had these irons for ten years. Do you think I should replace the shafts?"  The fact is shafts do not fatigue over time - they will perform just as well now as they did 10 years ago. As long as the shaft has not been damaged in any way it is fine for continued use.
      The same is true for faces of clubheads. They do not lose strength or integrity over the course of  time. Current driver faces are made of titanium which is an extremely hard, lightweight material. Faces of  fairway metals and hybrids are stainless steel although some are titanium. Faces of iron are either stainless steel or carbon steel. There are irons models available with titanium face inserts.
       Faces of drivers and fairway metals can crack although it is rare. I would recommend having your grips inspected every year or so if you play regularly. New and properly sized grips can make a huge difference is how the club feels to you.
      If you have any questions about your equipment or your game please feel free to send me an email or call me at the shop. I will be happy to answer your questions.