I received an email this week with a question about the backswing. Jeff wanted to know how quick the proper golf backswing should be. So my answer to him is your free weekly golf tip.
The truth is there is no correct speed for a backswing. PGA tour players have fast backswings like Tiger Woods while others have smoother backswings like Ernie Els.
I will tell you this though.... you can get in trouble if your backswing is too fast, but you will rarely find trouble if your backswing is slow. In fact one of the first things you should do when your golf swing begins to go awry is slow down your backswing.
Keep it smooth and have a great golfing weekend!
Coach
"The Shot Maker"
Friday, April 30, 2010
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Golf Shopping Trip Results
Well, things did not go exactly as planned due to the rain. Here is what I did.... I went to a store and hit 4 different drivers with different lofts and shaft flexes. The golf shots were evaluated on a launch monitor inside the store. I went with what the machine said and bought the driver.
I took it out on the range today and the driver was in no way close to the results on the launch monitor. It was a disaster that ranged from duck hooks to banana slices. Disappointed?... yes. Surprised?... No. Need a golf swing session with the golf pro... probably not. If all of the misses were the same, then a golf tip or two from the pro might be needed. The launch monitors merely give you a snapshot of what the gof club head is doing at impact. It is not uncommon to have this result. The truth is not known until you get outside and can see what the ball is doing.
The main issue with the golf club I bought is that the shaft has a low kick point and a soft tip. For me, this means lack of control of the clubface. The shaft does not fit my golf swing. The clubhead is likely fine, I just need to try it with a different shaft. Oh well, I have the receipt and I will return it and try another. Will let you know the results. Until then... Keep firing at the pins!!
Coach
"The Shot Maker"
I took it out on the range today and the driver was in no way close to the results on the launch monitor. It was a disaster that ranged from duck hooks to banana slices. Disappointed?... yes. Surprised?... No. Need a golf swing session with the golf pro... probably not. If all of the misses were the same, then a golf tip or two from the pro might be needed. The launch monitors merely give you a snapshot of what the gof club head is doing at impact. It is not uncommon to have this result. The truth is not known until you get outside and can see what the ball is doing.
The main issue with the golf club I bought is that the shaft has a low kick point and a soft tip. For me, this means lack of control of the clubface. The shaft does not fit my golf swing. The clubhead is likely fine, I just need to try it with a different shaft. Oh well, I have the receipt and I will return it and try another. Will let you know the results. Until then... Keep firing at the pins!!
Coach
"The Shot Maker"
Monday, April 26, 2010
Well, Crap.....
No golf this weekend. The weather was shitty the entire weekend and The Shot Wife wanted the garage cleaned out for next week's garage sale. So, other than watching the Cubs beat up on the Brewers like Craig Stadler on a bologna sandwich, I did very little. This week should bring lots of golf as my brother is on vacation and might actually get away from his house for 18 holes.
If ESPN airs it again, watch the 30 for 30 film "Winning Time: Reggie Miller vs The New York Knicks." It is a great trip back to a time when it was fun to watch the NBA. It's fun to go back and re-live the rivalry with the Knicks and with courtside jester Spike Lee. Lee was especially insightful and funny. Saying that he had never been to a lynching; but it couldn't have been that much different than him walking in to Market Square Arena. Of course, the two guys pictured with Pacers pennants on their heads, pointy side up, did resemble members of a certain secret society that got its start here in the heartland.
Back to golf. I want to thank the Coach for the free golf tips that he's posted thus far. Golf swings are all different but the easy drills that we can do always help, it's not like we are going to beat balls for hours on end. We've got jobs, families, and beer to drink.
Next time on A Shot of Golf.....Meet The MisHit Mafia. I know that you will be giddy with excitement to meet this band of MisHit MisFits.
The Shot Taker
If ESPN airs it again, watch the 30 for 30 film "Winning Time: Reggie Miller vs The New York Knicks." It is a great trip back to a time when it was fun to watch the NBA. It's fun to go back and re-live the rivalry with the Knicks and with courtside jester Spike Lee. Lee was especially insightful and funny. Saying that he had never been to a lynching; but it couldn't have been that much different than him walking in to Market Square Arena. Of course, the two guys pictured with Pacers pennants on their heads, pointy side up, did resemble members of a certain secret society that got its start here in the heartland.
Back to golf. I want to thank the Coach for the free golf tips that he's posted thus far. Golf swings are all different but the easy drills that we can do always help, it's not like we are going to beat balls for hours on end. We've got jobs, families, and beer to drink.
Next time on A Shot of Golf.....Meet The MisHit Mafia. I know that you will be giddy with excitement to meet this band of MisHit MisFits.
The Shot Taker
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Searching For A Driver
This afternoon, the Coach is going shopping for a driver. No, not the kind of driver to drive me around, but the kind I can drive around the golf course. Maybe if every follower of the blog would send me a $1, I could afford to hire a driver someday... Email me if you want to take me up on my offer!!
Seriously, I am going to search for a new driver today. I have been doing some research on clubheads, shafts and their myriad of weights, flex points, tips etc. and am ready to go shopping. This trip will not end until I have actually hit the driver I am going to buy. There are so many factors in getting right. Todays free golf tip- Never buy a driver before you have hit it!
Will update you on the results on Monday.
Enjoy some golf this weekend!
Coach
Seriously, I am going to search for a new driver today. I have been doing some research on clubheads, shafts and their myriad of weights, flex points, tips etc. and am ready to go shopping. This trip will not end until I have actually hit the driver I am going to buy. There are so many factors in getting right. Todays free golf tip- Never buy a driver before you have hit it!
Will update you on the results on Monday.
Enjoy some golf this weekend!
Coach
Friday, April 23, 2010
What's In The Shot Takers Bag
Before we get to my magnificent revelations on my weapons, let's talk about a couple of things.
First, if you watched the end of the Hilton Head PGA event last week you will know what I'm talking about. When trying to make a ruling on the playoff hole, the bumbling rules official handled it something like this over his walkie talkie:
Rules Guy: He hit a stick.
Other Rules Guy on radio: What?
RG: He HIT A STICK.
ORG: A stick. On his follow through?
RG: No, on his back...
ORG: Because if it was on his follow through it's ok.
RG: NO. ON HIS BACKSWING.
ORG: What?
RG: HE HIT A STICK ON HIS BACKWING..
ORG: When did he hit it?
You get the idea. Now my question. There were only two guys playing golf on the whole freaking course. Could not ALL of the officials get off of their fat asses and come out to where the action is?
Played 9 holes last night. MUCH BETTER! After talking with the Coach, I have been thinking about hip bumping as much as when I first discovered Shakira videos. Except these hips ain't lying. I did the little drill that I was instructed to do all week and then took it to the course. My arms were in a much better position and I hit the majority of my irons straight. Thanks, Coach!! I'm a big believer in trying to avoid pissing off the Golf Gods, so I'm not going to get too carried away, but it is much better.
Now, I know you are on the edge of your seat to find out what I'm going to use to take my game to the next level. But first I must thank my #1 sponsor and club representative...EBAY. Thanks for all the help; I couldn't reach this level of mediocrity without you.
Driver: Nike SQ Sumo 460. 10.5 degree
3 Wood: Nike SQ Dymo2 15 degree
Hybrid: Nike SQ Sumo2 20 degree (love this club!)
4-PW: Bridgestone J33 Forged
Wedges: Cleveland Tour Action 900, 52,56,60
Putter: Odyssey Tri Hot #2
Ball: Bridgestone E5
Bag: Ping Hoofer
Cart: Clicgear 2.0
Apparel: Whatever Fits
Hopefully the rain will come and go this weekend so I can get out on the course and give you a full report on my progress.
Good luck to TST's fave Josh Teater on making the cut this weekend in the bayou.
Til next time.....BUMP THOSE HIPS
The Shot Taker
First, if you watched the end of the Hilton Head PGA event last week you will know what I'm talking about. When trying to make a ruling on the playoff hole, the bumbling rules official handled it something like this over his walkie talkie:
Rules Guy: He hit a stick.
Other Rules Guy on radio: What?
RG: He HIT A STICK.
ORG: A stick. On his follow through?
RG: No, on his back...
ORG: Because if it was on his follow through it's ok.
RG: NO. ON HIS BACKSWING.
ORG: What?
RG: HE HIT A STICK ON HIS BACKWING..
ORG: When did he hit it?
You get the idea. Now my question. There were only two guys playing golf on the whole freaking course. Could not ALL of the officials get off of their fat asses and come out to where the action is?
Played 9 holes last night. MUCH BETTER! After talking with the Coach, I have been thinking about hip bumping as much as when I first discovered Shakira videos. Except these hips ain't lying. I did the little drill that I was instructed to do all week and then took it to the course. My arms were in a much better position and I hit the majority of my irons straight. Thanks, Coach!! I'm a big believer in trying to avoid pissing off the Golf Gods, so I'm not going to get too carried away, but it is much better.
Now, I know you are on the edge of your seat to find out what I'm going to use to take my game to the next level. But first I must thank my #1 sponsor and club representative...EBAY. Thanks for all the help; I couldn't reach this level of mediocrity without you.
Driver: Nike SQ Sumo 460. 10.5 degree
3 Wood: Nike SQ Dymo2 15 degree
Hybrid: Nike SQ Sumo2 20 degree (love this club!)
4-PW: Bridgestone J33 Forged
Wedges: Cleveland Tour Action 900, 52,56,60
Putter: Odyssey Tri Hot #2
Ball: Bridgestone E5
Bag: Ping Hoofer
Cart: Clicgear 2.0
Apparel: Whatever Fits
Hopefully the rain will come and go this weekend so I can get out on the course and give you a full report on my progress.
Good luck to TST's fave Josh Teater on making the cut this weekend in the bayou.
Til next time.....BUMP THOSE HIPS
The Shot Taker
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Free Golf Tip of The Week
Problem - What should my legs be doing during the golf swing?
Solution - Answer… M-O-V-I-N-G! The amount of golfers that don't use their feet and legs during the golf swing is amazing. Watching a lot of golfers hit a ball you'd think they had concrete shoes on!
If you want to hit the golf ball as far as you can then you must learn to use your feet and legs well. To give you a free golf tip on how your feet can effect the distance you hit a golf ball, I want you to do the following golf drills.
Set up to the ball on the range or in your back yard using your normal setup. Next I want you to put the club down and pick up the ball, then resume your golf posture. Got it?
Ok.... now without moving your legs take the golf ball up to the top of your swing with your right hand only and then throw it underhand (like your golf swing) without moving you legs. How far did the ball go??
Alright.... now let's do this again and use your legs to assist you...... See any difference?
The way you used your legs and feet on the second swing is exactly the way they should work in the golf swing. This single golf tip will improve your ball striking consistency immediately
If you have any golf topics you would like me to address, shoot me an email to ashotofgolf@gmail.com
Coach
"The Shot Maker"
Solution - Answer… M-O-V-I-N-G! The amount of golfers that don't use their feet and legs during the golf swing is amazing. Watching a lot of golfers hit a ball you'd think they had concrete shoes on!
If you want to hit the golf ball as far as you can then you must learn to use your feet and legs well. To give you a free golf tip on how your feet can effect the distance you hit a golf ball, I want you to do the following golf drills.
Set up to the ball on the range or in your back yard using your normal setup. Next I want you to put the club down and pick up the ball, then resume your golf posture. Got it?
Ok.... now without moving your legs take the golf ball up to the top of your swing with your right hand only and then throw it underhand (like your golf swing) without moving you legs. How far did the ball go??
Alright.... now let's do this again and use your legs to assist you...... See any difference?
The way you used your legs and feet on the second swing is exactly the way they should work in the golf swing. This single golf tip will improve your ball striking consistency immediately
If you have any golf topics you would like me to address, shoot me an email to ashotofgolf@gmail.com
Coach
"The Shot Maker"
Monday, April 19, 2010
Aim Right! Asshole.....
Well it was 27 holes of frustration and 9 holes of joy this weekend. Played 18 holes at my club on Saturday afternoon. To say that I sucked is like saying that Pam Anderson is "kinda hot" or that Ryan Sechrest is "sort of gay." It's a total and utter understatement. Now, I'm not going to make excuses, but it was the first time that I walked my fat butt around the entire track since early in the Clinton administration. (with the aid of my new Clicgear push cart.....review coming soon.) Anyway, when I did manage to put a ball in the fairway, and have a wedge into the green, I pulled the damn ball farther left than a Kennedy supporter. Same went for my round on Sunday morning at Country Oaks.
But, on the back 9, magically I got it through my thick skull ( you know what they say about guys with thick skulls!) to quit trying to fix it today and just aim right. Whah f'n la........shot a 2 over 38 on the back. Now it's time for me and the Coach to get busy fixing it!!
Next time on A Shot Of Golf....."What's In The Bag."
As Sechrest would say
"Shot Taker............OUT!
But, on the back 9, magically I got it through my thick skull ( you know what they say about guys with thick skulls!) to quit trying to fix it today and just aim right. Whah f'n la........shot a 2 over 38 on the back. Now it's time for me and the Coach to get busy fixing it!!
Next time on A Shot Of Golf....."What's In The Bag."
As Sechrest would say
"Shot Taker............OUT!
On Course Golf Lesson with The Shot Taker
Hey everyone, or really just a few, since this Blog is in it's infancy. I am the coach that was referred to in the first blog. I am also best friends with "The Shot Taker". I started coaching golf in 1987, took a layoff in 1993 for a few years while my kids were in High School, then resumed again in 1999. I coach High School kids and give swing advice to young kids and adults, though I am not a PGA teaching professional. My teams have done very well, winning at the Sectional level, Regional level and advancing to the State Tournament. I was also fortunate enough to coach an individual State Champion. Coaching has been a blessing in my life!
I have learned a wealth of knowledge over the years regarding the golf swing. The High School golf season is only a few weeks long and follows nasty winter weather, so when I work with kids, I have to make changes in their swings that occur quickly, because we need the results quickly! It is this type of information I will be adding that will help you improve your game, without requiring you to spend a fortune on golf instruction that will require more time practicing than putting into actual application on the course. Face it, no one really likes to spend hours beating balls on the range. We want to do get on the course and play. Many of my golf swing tips will allow you to practice from your home and see results within a few short days without injuring your back and blistering your hands.
Now, here is what I saw while playing yesterday with The Shot Taker (TST). On the front 9, I could not help but think of how aptly he had named himself for this blog due to the number of shots he took! His back 9 got better, however he had a recurring problem with the majority of his iron shots, pulling the ball left of his target. Now playing on the course you have to figure a way on how to get it around and score. TST did this by aiming right of his target. Did it fix his problem... NO. Did it allow him to play from some fairways... YES. Now is when he can work at home in his back yard or in his house on his golf swing. He cannot keep "aiming right", the problem will only get worse.
Here is what was causing him to "pull" his golf shots and the resulting tip I gave him to work on.
TST was not rotating his left hip, causing his club to come over the top and making him hit it left of target. The free golf instruction tip I gave him was to simply practice "bumping" his left hip toward the target. I asked him to stand in his house by the bar, (I figured it would not be hard to get him to this location), assume his address position with no club, swing to the top and then begin his downswing by "bumping" his counter top with his left hip. This golf move will allow his club to properly drop in the slot and will take away the pulled shot issue.
If you guys have any questions or topics you would like me to address, let me know and I will give you some free golf tips.
Coach
"The Shot Maker"
I have learned a wealth of knowledge over the years regarding the golf swing. The High School golf season is only a few weeks long and follows nasty winter weather, so when I work with kids, I have to make changes in their swings that occur quickly, because we need the results quickly! It is this type of information I will be adding that will help you improve your game, without requiring you to spend a fortune on golf instruction that will require more time practicing than putting into actual application on the course. Face it, no one really likes to spend hours beating balls on the range. We want to do get on the course and play. Many of my golf swing tips will allow you to practice from your home and see results within a few short days without injuring your back and blistering your hands.
Now, here is what I saw while playing yesterday with The Shot Taker (TST). On the front 9, I could not help but think of how aptly he had named himself for this blog due to the number of shots he took! His back 9 got better, however he had a recurring problem with the majority of his iron shots, pulling the ball left of his target. Now playing on the course you have to figure a way on how to get it around and score. TST did this by aiming right of his target. Did it fix his problem... NO. Did it allow him to play from some fairways... YES. Now is when he can work at home in his back yard or in his house on his golf swing. He cannot keep "aiming right", the problem will only get worse.
Here is what was causing him to "pull" his golf shots and the resulting tip I gave him to work on.
TST was not rotating his left hip, causing his club to come over the top and making him hit it left of target. The free golf instruction tip I gave him was to simply practice "bumping" his left hip toward the target. I asked him to stand in his house by the bar, (I figured it would not be hard to get him to this location), assume his address position with no club, swing to the top and then begin his downswing by "bumping" his counter top with his left hip. This golf move will allow his club to properly drop in the slot and will take away the pulled shot issue.
If you guys have any questions or topics you would like me to address, let me know and I will give you some free golf tips.
Coach
"The Shot Maker"
Saturday, April 17, 2010
The Very First One
Everything has a beginning. I mean, Daly smoked his first cigarette, Johnny Miller made his first infuriating comment, and Tiger bedded down his first skank. I guess we all have to start somewhere. Thus the first installment of A Shot Of Golf is upon us. Why? Because I hope to create a bond with golfers everywhere that go through the same struggles that I do....... and love every damn minute of it. Is there anything out there, other than a woman, that can bring so much frustration with a bit of ecstacy thrown in? From long straight drives to missed three footers, this is the place we can talk about it. I plan to have interviews with everyone from small town coaches to PGA professionals and find out about their love for our game.
I am really looking forward to tomorrow. It's my first round of the year with my regular group. Half of the "MisHit Mafia" will be in attendance. You'll get to know these guys well as I will play with them often and we go on a golf trip every February. I often wonder if I love golf or I love golfing WITH these guys. I guess finding that answer will be part of our journey together.
Another major part of the blog will be updates from the Coach. He's the guy I'm turning to in my quest to qualify and make the cut at my City Tournament. He is really helping my game and hopefully will be able to help yours too. So until next time......Swing Hard
I am really looking forward to tomorrow. It's my first round of the year with my regular group. Half of the "MisHit Mafia" will be in attendance. You'll get to know these guys well as I will play with them often and we go on a golf trip every February. I often wonder if I love golf or I love golfing WITH these guys. I guess finding that answer will be part of our journey together.
Another major part of the blog will be updates from the Coach. He's the guy I'm turning to in my quest to qualify and make the cut at my City Tournament. He is really helping my game and hopefully will be able to help yours too. So until next time......Swing Hard
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