Why I chose not to expand Golf Rx

    I opened Golf Rx in February of 2010. The goal was to provide a professional level of service to golfers in three areas: Instruction, Custom Fitting and Club Repair.

     Often customers will ask if I've considered expanding my business by opening other Golf Rx locations. My answer to them is no and my decision is based on a few reasons.

First, I  have been working for nearly forty years. The idea of more locations and working more hours is not what I desire at this point in my career. I recently went to a four day work week and am very comfortable with it.

Second, I am very much a hands-on person when it comes to teaching, custom fitting and club repair. Since I can't be in two or more places at once I would constantly be concerned about the level of service my customers would be receiving.

Third, People want a relationship with someone they can trust and is knowledgeable when it comes to their golf game and their equipment. When a customer calls Golf Rx I answer the phone so they are talking directly to me, the owner and expert. If they stop by the shop, again they meet with me face to face to discuss their needs. This is what people want and this is the way I believe business should be done. I'm not sold on the idea that bigger is always better.

 I am fortunate that our business has grown each year. I believe this is because we have stayed true to our original business model based on professional knowledge, honesty and excellent customer service. I like it this way and have no plans of changing it.

Clearance Items at Golf Rx

We have  some great savings right now on clubs including drivers, fairways, hybrids, wedges, putters and iron sets.

Here is a list:

1. Clearance putters for $99.00 from Ping, Odyssey and Nike

2. Taylor Made M2 drivers for $329.00

3. Callaway Epic drivers for $419.00

4. Callaway XR fairways for $149.00

5. Ping G drivers $299.00, G fairways $199.00 and G hybrids $179.00

6. Ping G 30 drivers $249.00 and G 30 fairways $169.00

7. Ping G 25 fairways $119.00 and hybrids $89.00.

8. Wedges from Callaway, Ping and Mizuno $89.00

9. Demo iron sets from Ping and Mizuno also for sale at great savings.


Limited supplies in stock only.

Golf Buddy GPS Rangefinder

My last few rounds I have been trying out the Golf Buddy CT2 GPS Rangefinder. I currently have a laser rangefinder, but wanted to experience a GPS unit as well. I was pleasantly surprised with this unit.
It is extremely easy to use. You simply turn it on, activate the search satellite and walk to the 1st tee. It recognizes your location and give you the yardage to the front , middle and back of the green. This unit has over 38,000 courses pre-loaded and new ones can be added at any time.
There is no yearly fee and it comes with a charger you can connect to your computer or outlet. These units sell for $149.00 and they are available at Golf Rx.

How to get more distance with your driver

   
   
 What golfer doesn't desire to hit longer and more consistent drives? In this article I will discuss four elements that are important when you are in the market for a new driver.

    The first step to maximizing distance with your new driver is to get fitted rather than selecting a brand or model off the rack. This way the custom specifications of your new driver will be matched to your size, strength, athletic ability and individual swing characteristics. The tour pros spend a great deal of time with the equipment companies trying to get the right combination of launch angle, spin and ball speed to drive the ball longer. Amateurs are losing distance and consistency by not taking advantage of the same opportunity. Here are the factors to consider in finding the right driver.

Driver Length

    Hitting the ball in the center of the clubface is crucial to increasing your distance. All drivers sold off the rack today are between 45.5 and 46 inches in length. This is too long for the average golfer preventing most from reaching their distance potential. Most any player will increase their distance and consistency using a driver no longer than 44 inches. Keep in mind the average driver length on the PGA Tour since 2005 is 44.5 inches.

Driver Loft

    The proper launch angle and spin rate is what you are striving for. The lower your clubhead speed, the higher you need to launch the ball with more spin. The higher your clubhead speed the lower you want to launch the ball with less spin. Players should be analyzed with a launch monitor to determine what loft provides their optimum launch angle and spin rate. 

Shaft

   Weight, overall flex and bend profile are factors to be considered in finding the correct shaft for your driver. The stronger the player the firmer and heavier a shaft profile is needed with a firmer tip which helps lower the launch angle. A weaker player should look at a lighter, more flexible shaft with a softer tip. This helps kick the head upward adding loft for a higher trajectory.

Total Weight and Swing Weight

    A physically stronger golfer with a more aggressive swing should be using a driver with a heavier total weight and swing weight. The opposite is true for a weaker golfer.

    All four elements are important in the fitting process and can make a dramatic difference in your distance and consistency. My advice is to seek out an experienced, professional clubfitter with the right fitting equipment at their facility.  

Steve Kirkpatrick is the owner of Golf Rx in Mt. Juliet, Tn. He has been a PGA Professional since 1987 and was chosen as a Certified Golf Digest Clubfitter in 2017.

PIng lowers prices on G and Gmax line

Ping recently lowered the prices on its line of Ping G and GMax clubs.

 Drivers were  $399 and are now $299
 Fwys were $219 and are now $199
 Hybrids were $199 and are now $179

Irons in steel were $100 each and are now $88 each
Irons in graphite were $113 each and are now $100 each

Take advantage of these prices from the world's finest golf equipment company. A custom fit set of Pings from Golf Rx will help you play your best. To schedule your fitting call Steve at 615 288 4539.

How to practice after your lesson

If you've invested time and money in golf lessons it is obvious you want to improve your game. Your actual lesson is only 45 minutes to an hour so what you do between lessons is crucial to your long term improvement.
First of all you need to be realistic. Any player when making swing changes is going to hit some bad shots. This is not the time to panic and give up on the changes, especially in the early stages. Right now you are working on a technique, so it is a mistake to judge your progress by the immediate results. Your focus right now is on your technique -  the results will come later.
Rather than hitting balls nonstop make lots of practice swings. Sense the feeling of your new technique rather than thinking about it. Work with a mid club like a 7 iron and tee the ball up slightly. I suggest 3 or 4 practice swings focusing on technique then make one swing with a ball. Begin with 1/2 or 3/4 length swings at a smooth pace.
Keep in mind that great swings are not created overnight - they require a lot of work. Persevere with your new technique and you will be rewarded with better shots and more consistency.

March News

I am home sick with the flu this week so between naps and lots of Gatorade I thought I'd send everyone some updates from my home computer.

New lower prices from PIng...

Ping has recently lowered their prices on Ping G product including drivers, fairways and irons.
Drivers are now $299, fairway woods are $199, G irons are $87 each in steel and $99 each in graphite. As always customization is free.

We still have a few select PIng putters on clearance for $99 each. These are new putters and include putter covers.

Our grip sample display area has been enlarged and updated with all the new grip styles for 2017. Brands include Golf Pride, Winn, Lamkin and Super Stroke. We offer same day service on all in-stock grips and next day service on all others.

Our Full Swing Golf Simulator has been upgraded with the latest E6 Software. We have also installed an Ion Tracking Camera providing club path and club face information for our students. This is an invaluable tool for teaching and club fitting.

We have all the new 2017 models of irons and woods from Ping, Mizuno, Callaway and Taylor Made.


Golf Rx is Nashville's Headquarters for PGA Instruction, Custom Fitting and Club Repair. Call Steve at 615 288 4539 or stop by at 11972 Lebanon Rd. in Mt. Juliet.