Nike out of the golf club business

    Nike, the world's most recognized sports company announced today they will be no longer be making golf clubs or golf bags.  They will focus on apparel and footwear. Their golf clubs sales have declined the past few years despite having good representation on the PGA Tour.
     Notable Nike players include Tiger Woods, Rory McElroy, Paul Casey, Tony Finau, Brooks Koepka and Michelle Wie. I would expect these players to finish out the year with their current equipment then explore options with other manufacturers.
    Nike has very deep pockets, but they didn't get where they are by making poor business decisions. With a declining market share ( approx. 3 %) in a very competitive business the management decided they could no longer continue losing money.
     As a publicly traded company Nike was not able to inform employees before a public announcement was made. I'm sure it came as a shock for employees and associates. I left Dick's in 2010 to open Golf Rx. I had no idea that within 2 years Dick's would fire  nearly 600 PGA Professionals with no notice at all. So is the way in the world of business.

You can become a better putter

    It is a fact that putting makes up about 40% of your score in a round of golf. Therefore one of the fastest ways to lower your scores is to improve your putting. In my opinion anyone can become a good putter if they are willing to put in the necessary practice time.

There are two steps to putting:
    1. See the line
    2. Roll the ball along that line at the right speed.

    What the putter head must do at impact is to be swinging in the right direction with the face square at the right speed. Whether a person's putting technique is hands, arms or shoulders is of no account as long as he or she can accomplish the aforementioned task.
    The majority of tour players today use a shoulder or pendulum type stroke because of the extremely fast greens they putt on each week. This doesn't mean a different method may not work better for you.
    If you are struggling with your putting take a putting lesson from a PGA Instructor. It will be money well spent and the fastest way to lower your scores.

We have great gifts for Fathers Day

     Fathers Day is right around the corner and we have great gift ideas for Dad. Whether he needs help with his game, been hinting for a new set of clubs, or just needs new grips on his old clubs we have the answer at Golf Rx.
    Golf Rx Gift Cards are available for any amount and can be used for lessons, equipment or club repair services. Stop by or call us and make this a great Father's Day for your husband or dad. For more information visit our website at www.golfrx.biz.

The fastest way to lower your scores

     Statistics show that 65% of strokes during a round of golf occur from inside 100 yards of the green. With that said it makes sense the quickest way to improve your scores is to improve your short game. This includes putting, chipping, bunker play and pitch shots.    
     The best players in the world average hitting around 11 to 14 greens in regulation per round, and yet they generally average par or better scores. This shows how good their short games are.
     Try restructuring your practice time to put more emphasis on this part of your game. If you have an hour to practice spend 15 minutes on your full swing and 45 minutes on your short game. It may not be as much fun as hitting full shots, but stay the course and you'll soon see your scores improve.

Lighter shafts don't necessarily mean more distance

      I often have customers requesting a lighter shaft be installed in their clubs thinking it will give them more distance. The thought is the lighter the club the faster the clubhead speed, therefore more distance. In theory this sounds logical, but it's not always the case.
      Each player's swing is different including their tempo. Tempo is the pace of a player's transition from backswing to forward swing. (i.e. Fred Couples has a slow tempo - Nick Price has a fast tempo)
The majority of amateurs that I fit have a faster rather than slower tempo. When these players change to a lighter shaft it often affects their timing and release point which can cause and toe and heel shots. An extra 3 to 5 MPH due to a lighter shaft is of no benefit if the player is not able to hit the ball consistently in the center of the clubface. In most cases this will lead to a loss of distance.
     The best way to determine the right shaft is to schedule a fitting where the fitter will have you try a number of shafts that vary in flex and weight. By using impact tape on the face he will be able to determine which shaft results in the most consistent center face contact, as well as launch angle and ball speed.
     There is also a subjective factor when it comes to fitting shafts. I will often give a player a club with shafts that vary in weight. After a few minutes they will tell me which shaft feels the best. This too is an important piece of the puzzle in correct shaft fitting.  

Golf Rx welcomes Mizuno

     We are excited to announce the addition of Mizuno clubs to our custom fitted brands at Golf Rx. From some of the best players in the world to avid golfers of every skill set, Mizuno irons and wedges are world renown for their quality and unique feel.
     Mizuno's Performance Fitting System is great for identifying the correct shaft, shaft flex, iron model and set make-up to match your individual swing. An added value if there is no upcharge for custom shafts and grips. Call or come by to schedule your fitting.

Jordan Speith

     You could see the shock and disbelief on Jordan Speith's face after hitting his ball in Raes Creek for the second time. He probably knew at that time he would not win the tournament. However, he gathered himself making birdies on 13 and 15 in a valiant effort to get back in contention.
    What struck me about the 22 year old was how he handled things after losing. Maintaining his composure while meeting with the media and during the ceremony was probably the hardest thing he has ever done. He made no excuses and congratulated the winner, Danny Willett.
    Speith may not have won the tournament, but he showed his true character in the way he handled his loss.  I hope thousands of youngsters were watching last week. If so they learned a lesson in character and sportsmanship. .