Some of you may not know I have written three golf instruction books. My first book is titled "The Dimpled Sphere - Lessons to improve all aspects of your game". My second book is titled "Why Bad Swings happen to Good People". My third book is titled "The Pocket Caddy Quick Reference Guide".
Until now my books have been available only at Golf Rx in Mt. Juliet, but that is about to change. My new website PocketCaddy.net will allow you to purchase books online and have them shipped directly to you. The website will have sample pages of each book along with photographs and illustrations. The site is currently under construction and should be operational within a few weeks.
My latest publication, "The Pocket Caddy" is rather unique in that this handy reference manual will guide you through common faults and shot problems right on the course or practice tee. Twenty one different topics are discussed and illustrated with pen and ink drawings. The spiral bound booklet is 7 by 4 inches so that it easily fits in your golf bag.
Keep checking my blogs for updates on the new website.
Thursday, September 18, 2014
Friday, September 12, 2014
Overswinging - A very common problem
Very rarely do I see a good player swing the club past the horizontal position at the top of the swing. Anything longer results in a loss of power and inconsistent contact with the ball. Basically there are two main causes of overswinging: 1. Losing control of your grip on the club at the top, and 2. losing the width or radius of your backswing arc as a result of the right arm not working correctly.
The sight of a severely bent left arm at the top would appear to be the cause of a typical overswing, but such is not the case. The bent left arm is actually the result of an out-of-position right arm. The right arm controls the width of the swing. If the angle between the upper and lower arm is less the 90 degrees and overswing will result.
Such overswings are often accompanied by a lack of effective coiling in the torso. So the key to shortening your swing is to first establish the width of your backswing arc.
To achieve the width that characterizes a proper backswing the right elbow must work in a way that as it folds it forms a right angle, or "L" shape at the top. Your left are will be comfortably straight, not tense with your right elbow positioned at 90 degrees.
With the help of the these keys you will soon learn to combine a fully coiled upper body (90 degree shoulder turn) with a wider swing arc. The results will be more consistent contact and more powerful shots.
The sight of a severely bent left arm at the top would appear to be the cause of a typical overswing, but such is not the case. The bent left arm is actually the result of an out-of-position right arm. The right arm controls the width of the swing. If the angle between the upper and lower arm is less the 90 degrees and overswing will result.
Such overswings are often accompanied by a lack of effective coiling in the torso. So the key to shortening your swing is to first establish the width of your backswing arc.
To achieve the width that characterizes a proper backswing the right elbow must work in a way that as it folds it forms a right angle, or "L" shape at the top. Your left are will be comfortably straight, not tense with your right elbow positioned at 90 degrees.
With the help of the these keys you will soon learn to combine a fully coiled upper body (90 degree shoulder turn) with a wider swing arc. The results will be more consistent contact and more powerful shots.
Tuesday, September 2, 2014
New Grips from Golf Pride, Winn and Super Stroke now available
There are some great new grips this year from Golf Pride, Winn and Super Stroke. Golf Pride has introduce the Platinum New Decade Multicompound, Super Tack, CP2 and Z-Grip Cord. Winn offers the new DuraTech, Dri-Tac Wrap and Excel. Super Stroke Putter Grips are now available in 4 sizes and in a variety of colors including the stars and stripes Ryder Cup models.
Stop by Golf Rx to see and feel all these new model grips.
Stop by Golf Rx to see and feel all these new model grips.
Friday, July 25, 2014
Simplify your swing thoughts
In these days with unlimited access to golf videos, internet instruction, the Golf Channel and the rest I find many students making the swing more complicated than it really is. If you're struggling and feeling confused with too much theory play your next few rounds based on "two turns combined with the swinging of your arms".
Think of the backswing simply as the first turn. Think of moving your right side out to the way as your arms swing the club back and up. Simplify your downswing as well. Forget all the stuff about head, hips, late hit and all the rest. Simply picture your downswing as the second turn - moving your left side out of the way as your arms swing the club down and through the ball.
If you have a proper grip and set up, and can keep your head reasonably still and your feet firmly on the ground during the backswing, using this approach could do a lot for your game.
Using this method you'll quickly discover the swing really isn't a complicated movement. Besides, how much can you think about in 1 1/2 seconds? That is the amount of time the average golf swing takes from start to finish.
Think of the backswing simply as the first turn. Think of moving your right side out to the way as your arms swing the club back and up. Simplify your downswing as well. Forget all the stuff about head, hips, late hit and all the rest. Simply picture your downswing as the second turn - moving your left side out of the way as your arms swing the club down and through the ball.
If you have a proper grip and set up, and can keep your head reasonably still and your feet firmly on the ground during the backswing, using this approach could do a lot for your game.
Using this method you'll quickly discover the swing really isn't a complicated movement. Besides, how much can you think about in 1 1/2 seconds? That is the amount of time the average golf swing takes from start to finish.
Wednesday, July 23, 2014
New PIng G 30 irons and woods now available
The highly anticipated new Ping G 30 irons and woods have arrived at Golf Rx. Stop by and see the new G 30 models and try them out on the simulator.
We also have our TRUE linkswear golf shoes on sale right now. TRUE linkswear shoes provide comfort, performance and versatility to all golfers. Come by and try on a pair.
If you're struggling with your game right now call and schedule a lesson with Steve. He'll get you back on track making better shots and shooting lower scores.
Golf Rx is your one stop full service golf shop for golf instruction, custom fitted equipment and club repair services. We specialize in quality products, excellent customer service and competitive prices.
We also have our TRUE linkswear golf shoes on sale right now. TRUE linkswear shoes provide comfort, performance and versatility to all golfers. Come by and try on a pair.
If you're struggling with your game right now call and schedule a lesson with Steve. He'll get you back on track making better shots and shooting lower scores.
Golf Rx is your one stop full service golf shop for golf instruction, custom fitted equipment and club repair services. We specialize in quality products, excellent customer service and competitive prices.
Wednesday, July 2, 2014
Big Bertha Drivers and Fairways on sale
Right now we have a great selection of Callaway Big Bertha drivers and fairways and they're all on sale. Drivers are $329.00 and fairway woods are $229.00. You'll also receive a free Callaway golf glove with each purchase. Call Steve at Golf Rx to schedule your fitting for a new Big Bertha Driver.
Thursday, June 5, 2014
Worthwhile Teaching
One of my favorite quotes is from Harvey Penick, author of The Little Red Book. Harvey was a teaching professional his entire life and worked with the likes of Ben Crenshaw, Tom Kite and hundreds of other professionals and amateurs. I admire his common sense approach to teaching and it's simplicity. He said, " Lessons are not to take the place of practice, but to make practice worthwhile."
In my opinion this is exactly what the purpose of a golf lesson should be. So that afterwards the student understands what he or she is to work on during their practice time. They are now ingraining a correct movement or action rather that further ingraining a poor one.
Simplicity and communication are the two traits of an excellent teacher. I work on only one thing at a time during a lesson with a student. I make sure I have communicated with the student in a manner that they clearly understand not only the movement, but also the purpose of the action.
The student has a more enjoyable experience and improves faster. This is what the art of teaching is all about.
In my opinion this is exactly what the purpose of a golf lesson should be. So that afterwards the student understands what he or she is to work on during their practice time. They are now ingraining a correct movement or action rather that further ingraining a poor one.
Simplicity and communication are the two traits of an excellent teacher. I work on only one thing at a time during a lesson with a student. I make sure I have communicated with the student in a manner that they clearly understand not only the movement, but also the purpose of the action.
The student has a more enjoyable experience and improves faster. This is what the art of teaching is all about.
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