Putter Fitting

    During a round of golf the putter is used more than any club in your bag. On average 43 %  of a player's shots are struck with the putter. Yet most players buy their putter "off the shelf" based on reviews, or because that is what the pros are putting with. I agree a putter must fit the eye of the person using it. If a player isn't comfortable with the look of a putter behind the ball they will not have confidence in it. However if the putter's length, loft, lie and weight balance are not matched up to a golfer's style of putting there is a little chance the putter will lower their score.

Length - Golfers are so different in height, arm length and putting posture that the putter length  
should be custom fit to ensure a smooth putter stroke.  Arms cramped into the body or stretched out while stroking the putt are not helpful to putting consistency.

Loft - Putters generally have between 2 to 4 degrees of loft. The loft of a putter should be matched to a golfer's hand position at impact to ensure the ball rolls smoothly. If a player uses a forward press to start their stroke or positions the ball back of center in their stance they may need more loft. If a player is a wristy putter or positions the ball ahead of the center of their stance they may need less loft.

Lie - Since putters do have loft if the toe or heel of the putter is off the ground at impact, the face will be pointing either left or right of the target line. The lie angle should be adjusted for each player so the putter sits perfectly in the center of the sole from heel to toe.

Putterhead Styles - There are many different styles of putters and knowing the correct type for your stroke can improve your putting. If you swing the putter on a slight arc, a putter with a "toe hang" balance is built for you. If your stroke is more straight-back and straight-through, you will benefit from a face balanced putter. If you struggle to hit putts solidly, a high MOI putter will help. These are the large, mallet-styled putters. The sweet spot is much bigger and distance control will be easier for you.

At Golf Rx we specialize in putter fitting. Our fitting process ensures your new putter is custom fit to your stature, putting posture and putting style. Get a properly fit putter and you will definitely see dramatic improvements in your putting this year.

Golf Rx included in 2017 Golf Digest Best Clubfitters List

     We are very excited to recently learn Golf Rx was named to the Golf Digest 2017 Top 100 Clubfitters List as a Certified Clubfitting Facility. This list is based on a poll of Golf Digest panelists and industry sources, and is chosen from a list of over 1,200 nominations. Golf Digest deems a certified clubfitting facility as one offering the technical tools and individuals with the expertise to conduct proper fittings.
    When I opened Golf Rx in 2010 the purpose was to offer a truly professional level of expertise, service and products to golfers in Middle Tennessee. As we begin our 8th year of business I would like to thank all of our customers for your business and referrals.

Best values for Christmas Gifts

Here are some of my Best Value Gifts for the golfer on your list.

1. Ping G30 irons and woods. The G30 line was introduced in 2015, but it is still available as a custom order item. You can save over $200.00 on the irons and over $100.00 each on the drivers and fairway woods.

2. Golf Buddy Laser Rangefinders and GPS units. Golf Buddy is offering a Holiday Promotion on their products. Purchase an LR5 Laser Rangefinder for $249.00 and receive a $100,00 Visa Gift Card. Purchase a CT2 GPS Unit for $149.00 and receive a $30.00 Visa Gift Card.

3. Callaway Chrome Soft Golf Balls. This is a Tour Premium ball currently used by Phil Mickelson, Patrick Reed, Tom Watson and many others. A 3 piece urethane cover ball for $39.00 is almost unheard of.

4. Ping G25 woods. This line has been discontinued by Ping, but we still have a limited stock of drivers, fairways and hybrids available at huge savings.

5. Winter Lesson Packages. Our indoor teaching facility allows players to improve there games during the winter months. Our state-of-the-art facility utilizes a Full Swing Golf Simulator, Ion Tracking Camera and V1 Digital Video to provide our students with the best technology available in Middle Tennessee. Steve Kirkpatrick, PGA Professional and owner has 30 years experience in teaching players of all skill levels.

Your One Stop Golf Shop for Christmas

     Do you have a golfer on your list and you're not sure what to get them? A Golf Rx Gift Card is the perfect solution. They can be used for golf lessons, golf clubs, merchandise or club repair services such as re-gripping.
    Stop by and pick up your Golf Rx Gift Card, and make the golfer in your family very happy this year.
   

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

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.”  

   

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.