Unfortunately it is becoming more frequent to see the stunned look on my customer's faces when I tell them the clubs they just purchased are counterfeit. Their response is, "But the website said they were brand new Callaway, Taylor Made, Adams, etc... and I got them for less than half of the retail price." I tell them the only thing that was accurate about the online ad was the selling price. And the bad news is I've yet to see one get their money back after they learn the truth.
The manufacturers of counterfeit clubs go to extremes to make the clubs look like the real thing. But believe me they're anything but similar. First of all the materials are substandard and poorly constructed. Second, quality control is inconsistent on head weights, loft and lie specifications and swing weights. Third, the shafts are poor and often will vary in flex even within the same set of irons. I know this because I've tested and measured the components of a number of these sets.
The other problem is these clubs have no warranty so when the driver develops a crack or the shaft breaks you have no recourse. The club as well as your hard earned money just went in the trash can.
If the offer seems too good to be true then it almost always is. Purchasing your new equipment from an established and reputable golf professional is the best way to insure you're getting the real thing, and in the long run you'll be glad you did.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Friday, November 26, 2010
"Perfection" vs Consistency
As the 2010 PGA Tour season came to a close I took note of the top performers from the past twelve months. The list includes Matt Kuchar, Dustin Johnson, Steve Stricker, Jim Furyk, Phil Mickelson, Lee Westwood and Bubba Watson. These players were the model of consistency with a combined stroke average of 70.08 - nearly 2 under par for every competitive round played.
Interestingly what isn't "model" is their golf swings. That is if you buy into the description of what a "perfect" golf swing should look like. Consider for a minute other professional athletes such as baseball players, basketball players and quarterbacks. They all have unique styles in throwing, swinging and shooting, and yet still achieve an amazing level of consistency and performance. Why should we think golfers should be any different?
Human beings come in all shapes and sizes which requires variations in swing types. An experienced and competent instructor will help improve each student's ball striking by working within those parameters. As their instructor my job is to help them develop a repeating swing resulting in consistent ball flight rather than the unattainable quest for "perfection".
So next time you observe Kuchar's swing plane, Furyk's backswing, Westwood's head movement or Watson's finish you can relax. Then when you go the course you can focus more on the "where" rather than the "how".
Interestingly what isn't "model" is their golf swings. That is if you buy into the description of what a "perfect" golf swing should look like. Consider for a minute other professional athletes such as baseball players, basketball players and quarterbacks. They all have unique styles in throwing, swinging and shooting, and yet still achieve an amazing level of consistency and performance. Why should we think golfers should be any different?
Human beings come in all shapes and sizes which requires variations in swing types. An experienced and competent instructor will help improve each student's ball striking by working within those parameters. As their instructor my job is to help them develop a repeating swing resulting in consistent ball flight rather than the unattainable quest for "perfection".
So next time you observe Kuchar's swing plane, Furyk's backswing, Westwood's head movement or Watson's finish you can relax. Then when you go the course you can focus more on the "where" rather than the "how".
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Full Swing Golf Simulator arriving this week
I am very excited to announce that my new Full Swing Golf Simulator will be installed at Golf Rx this week. These are fantastic machines and I had the opportunity to use one during my last two years at Dick's.
Full Swing are the "Cadillac" of simulators and use state of the art technology allowing students to see ball flight just as though they were on the range or course. They also provide data such as club head speed, ball speed, trajectory, ball curvature and distance.
Obviously seeing ball flight is an important element in teaching as well as club fitting. That was the only drawback to indoor teaching until this technology became available. Now students can enjoy lessons year round in comfortable 72 degree temperatures. They no longer have to endure the biting cold, wind, rain or oppressive heat and humidity.
If you haven't had the opportunity to experience a Full Swing Golf Simulator I invite you to come in for a demonstration.
Full Swing are the "Cadillac" of simulators and use state of the art technology allowing students to see ball flight just as though they were on the range or course. They also provide data such as club head speed, ball speed, trajectory, ball curvature and distance.
Obviously seeing ball flight is an important element in teaching as well as club fitting. That was the only drawback to indoor teaching until this technology became available. Now students can enjoy lessons year round in comfortable 72 degree temperatures. They no longer have to endure the biting cold, wind, rain or oppressive heat and humidity.
If you haven't had the opportunity to experience a Full Swing Golf Simulator I invite you to come in for a demonstration.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Positions vs. Swinging Motion
Most players of an earlier era were introduced to the game through caddying. By watching and trying to copy the action of better players they developed their own swing. About the only "static" positions early golf professionals would teach were a proper grip and address posture. The lesson itself was demonstrated in one continuous motion emphasizing a steady head and fast moving arms and hands.
Not until new technology came along were instructors and players able to "freeze" the swing at various not before seen stages and positions. Soon players anxious to improve were pouring over books and magazines attempting to emulate the still positions of touring professionals.
Unfortunately these frozen images often did more damage than good. In an attempt to maneuver from position to position their swings became too thought conscious and deliberate. Their pre-occupation with positions and mechanics had sabotaged their natural swinging action. In other words they were mentally and physically getting in the way of their own swing.
You must realize nearly all touring professionals and top notch amateurs began the game in their youth. Through years of practice and play they learned to swing the club through the ball fast developing strong hands, arms and wrists in the process. Only later were they taught to use their body action to support the swinging element of the arms and hands.
Beginners and average players don't possess the strength and skills of players who began in their early youth. This is why after teaching a student the correct grip and address posture I emphasize the swinging of the club head. Only after a player has developed a free swing and sufficient club head speed will I introduce the proper body action and positions necessary to improve their control.
Some modern instructors feel the best method to teach beginners is studying still pictures so they can copy the various positions of tour player's swings. Although this may help a student learn the "ideal" positions it isn't going to do them much good if they can't hit the ball out of their shadow. Body action and positions are important in the golf swing, but they are secondary to the feel that is learned by swinging the club head.
Not until new technology came along were instructors and players able to "freeze" the swing at various not before seen stages and positions. Soon players anxious to improve were pouring over books and magazines attempting to emulate the still positions of touring professionals.
Unfortunately these frozen images often did more damage than good. In an attempt to maneuver from position to position their swings became too thought conscious and deliberate. Their pre-occupation with positions and mechanics had sabotaged their natural swinging action. In other words they were mentally and physically getting in the way of their own swing.
You must realize nearly all touring professionals and top notch amateurs began the game in their youth. Through years of practice and play they learned to swing the club through the ball fast developing strong hands, arms and wrists in the process. Only later were they taught to use their body action to support the swinging element of the arms and hands.
Beginners and average players don't possess the strength and skills of players who began in their early youth. This is why after teaching a student the correct grip and address posture I emphasize the swinging of the club head. Only after a player has developed a free swing and sufficient club head speed will I introduce the proper body action and positions necessary to improve their control.
Some modern instructors feel the best method to teach beginners is studying still pictures so they can copy the various positions of tour player's swings. Although this may help a student learn the "ideal" positions it isn't going to do them much good if they can't hit the ball out of their shadow. Body action and positions are important in the golf swing, but they are secondary to the feel that is learned by swinging the club head.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Chipping - Consider the conditions first
I’ll often ask students what club they use for chipping and they usually reply “A pitching wedge because that’s my favorite club and I’m more confident with it.” I’ll then ask them, “Okay, but is your lie always the same? Is the ball always the same distance from the green? Is it always the same distance from the edge of the green to the pin? Is the speed of the green and the slope always the same?” I explain to them the importance of considering these variables when faced with a chip shot. Only then are they able to decide what club is best suited to help them get the ball close to the hole.
After a missed approach shot players are faced with options when chipping from just off the green. Keep in mind for the average player a low trajectory shot that lands just over the edge of the green and rolls to the hole is highly recommended over attempting an impressive but risky high trajectory shot the lands softly near the flagstick. In other words, “The less airtime and more roll time the better”.
With this in mind choose a club that will produce just enough trajectory to carry the ball a few feet onto the green allowing it to roll to the hole. At address position the ball back in your stance with your hands forward and your weight on your left leg. Note a straight line downward from your sternum would intersect the ground left(or in front) of the ball. Using a pendulum – type stroke with no wrist motion strike the ball with a descending club head. The loft of the club will pop the ball up into the air and onto the green.
Generally the span of clubs used for chipping will be from a pitching wedge through a six iron. The above mentioned variables will help you determine the best club for the task. When practicing create different situations around the putting green so you can develop a sense of feel and observe how the ball reacts using different loft clubs.
Devote half of your practice time to your short game including chipping, putting, pitch shots and bunker shots. Iimproving your short game will take considerable pressure off your middle iron approach shots and is the quickest way to lower your scores.
After a missed approach shot players are faced with options when chipping from just off the green. Keep in mind for the average player a low trajectory shot that lands just over the edge of the green and rolls to the hole is highly recommended over attempting an impressive but risky high trajectory shot the lands softly near the flagstick. In other words, “The less airtime and more roll time the better”.
With this in mind choose a club that will produce just enough trajectory to carry the ball a few feet onto the green allowing it to roll to the hole. At address position the ball back in your stance with your hands forward and your weight on your left leg. Note a straight line downward from your sternum would intersect the ground left(or in front) of the ball. Using a pendulum – type stroke with no wrist motion strike the ball with a descending club head. The loft of the club will pop the ball up into the air and onto the green.
Generally the span of clubs used for chipping will be from a pitching wedge through a six iron. The above mentioned variables will help you determine the best club for the task. When practicing create different situations around the putting green so you can develop a sense of feel and observe how the ball reacts using different loft clubs.
Devote half of your practice time to your short game including chipping, putting, pitch shots and bunker shots. Iimproving your short game will take considerable pressure off your middle iron approach shots and is the quickest way to lower your scores.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Stop Slicing Forever in 15 minutes
The slice is golf’s most major problem with over 80 percent of players suffering from this fault that leads to a loss of distance and direction. And yet it can usually be corrected in less than 15 minutes. Most players don’t understand what causes them to slice the ball. Ask most and they reply, “I’m swinging across the ball” or “I’m swinging outside-in”. This can contribute to a slice but it isn’t the basic cause.
Regardless of what you’ve read or been told by your golfing buddies the basic cause of a slice is a clubface that is open to the swing line at impact. The ball slices because the clubface is open or pointing right of the direction that the club is traveling. This problem stems from a faulty grip so the first thing we must do is find a grip that allows you to square the clubface to your swing line at impact. For most this means positioning the grip handle more in the fingers and rotating your hands to the right or clockwise The last thing most players want to do is change their grip, but please realize this is an essential step in squaring the clubface to the swing path at impact.
Next is to aim the clubface to the target and to square your shoulders to the target line. At first you may feel your shoulders are closed – aimed right of the target. This is extremely important however because squaring your shoulders makes room for your arms to swing up and then down on the inside.
In your takeaway feel that the clubface is closing so that it continues facing the ball during the first few feet. This is imperative because most all chronic slicers, because of their open set up were forced to roll the club face open with their hands and wrists to get the club away on the right path.
Having your shoulders square now allows your arms to swing up on the inside in the backswing. From here the arms can now swing down on the inside so that the right shoulder will trail the arms instead of leading them.
Most slicers also have their head positioned too far to the left at address or even in front to the ball. If this is the case with you make sure your head is positioned behind the ball at address so that you are looking at the back of ball – the part of the ball that you want to hit.
By mastering the proper grip, set up and arm swing your slice will be a thing of the past. You will be delighted with the feeling of solidly struck shots and a straight ball flight. For many of you this may be the first time you have experienced applying the club head solidly into the back of the golf ball.
Regardless of what you’ve read or been told by your golfing buddies the basic cause of a slice is a clubface that is open to the swing line at impact. The ball slices because the clubface is open or pointing right of the direction that the club is traveling. This problem stems from a faulty grip so the first thing we must do is find a grip that allows you to square the clubface to your swing line at impact. For most this means positioning the grip handle more in the fingers and rotating your hands to the right or clockwise The last thing most players want to do is change their grip, but please realize this is an essential step in squaring the clubface to the swing path at impact.
Next is to aim the clubface to the target and to square your shoulders to the target line. At first you may feel your shoulders are closed – aimed right of the target. This is extremely important however because squaring your shoulders makes room for your arms to swing up and then down on the inside.
In your takeaway feel that the clubface is closing so that it continues facing the ball during the first few feet. This is imperative because most all chronic slicers, because of their open set up were forced to roll the club face open with their hands and wrists to get the club away on the right path.
Having your shoulders square now allows your arms to swing up on the inside in the backswing. From here the arms can now swing down on the inside so that the right shoulder will trail the arms instead of leading them.
Most slicers also have their head positioned too far to the left at address or even in front to the ball. If this is the case with you make sure your head is positioned behind the ball at address so that you are looking at the back of ball – the part of the ball that you want to hit.
By mastering the proper grip, set up and arm swing your slice will be a thing of the past. You will be delighted with the feeling of solidly struck shots and a straight ball flight. For many of you this may be the first time you have experienced applying the club head solidly into the back of the golf ball.
Friday, September 24, 2010
Why golf is the greatest game
Golf is truly unique because it offers a challenge found in no other game. The golf course is your opponent presenting you with new situations to challenge you each time you play.
Golf provides solace and relief from the stress and tensions of everyday life. It can provide great satisfaction and recognition from our peers. One of golf’s greatest gifts is the friendships it creates among strangers.
Golf’s environment is fresh air, green grass, trees, lakes and beautiful landscapes. Golf is a great source of exercise that you can play at your own pace. Play nine holes or thirty six holes. You can play for the fun of it or decide to compete in tournaments. Golf is a great family activity providing a lifetime of enjoyment for each generation.
Golf is a great builder of character. It requires discipline, self control and the ability to deal with success and failure. It demands integrity because unlike other sports there are no referees or umpires. You call your own penalties under an honor system. There is no better game for young people. They learn to respect the game’s values of sportsmanship, etiquette and honesty.
Golf gives you the opportunity to watch the best players in the world compete and then have the opportunity to test your skills on the same course. Golf teases us with brief success but refuses to let us ever master it. Golf’s allurement is the never ending desire to learn more and play better.
Whether you are a scratch player or a beginner, male or female, young or old golf is a game that tests your skills, provides serenity and demands poise under pressure.
What makes golf the greatest game of all is not only the enjoyment it provides us over a lifetime, but also what it teaches us about ourselves and others.
Golf provides solace and relief from the stress and tensions of everyday life. It can provide great satisfaction and recognition from our peers. One of golf’s greatest gifts is the friendships it creates among strangers.
Golf’s environment is fresh air, green grass, trees, lakes and beautiful landscapes. Golf is a great source of exercise that you can play at your own pace. Play nine holes or thirty six holes. You can play for the fun of it or decide to compete in tournaments. Golf is a great family activity providing a lifetime of enjoyment for each generation.
Golf is a great builder of character. It requires discipline, self control and the ability to deal with success and failure. It demands integrity because unlike other sports there are no referees or umpires. You call your own penalties under an honor system. There is no better game for young people. They learn to respect the game’s values of sportsmanship, etiquette and honesty.
Golf gives you the opportunity to watch the best players in the world compete and then have the opportunity to test your skills on the same course. Golf teases us with brief success but refuses to let us ever master it. Golf’s allurement is the never ending desire to learn more and play better.
Whether you are a scratch player or a beginner, male or female, young or old golf is a game that tests your skills, provides serenity and demands poise under pressure.
What makes golf the greatest game of all is not only the enjoyment it provides us over a lifetime, but also what it teaches us about ourselves and others.
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