The Quality Of A Student’s Transition Move
No less than Ben Hogan wrote, in his book Five Lessons: The Modern Fundamentals of Golf, “THE HIPS INITIATE THE DOWNSWING. They are the pivotal element in the chain action. Starting them first and moving them correctly – this one action practically makes the downswing.” Unfortunately, most of our students have transition moves that can be described as less than correct. The transition move seems to come naturally to kids. This is...
Postcards from the Past Postcards from the Past
Harry Vardon was the first global superstar of golf. His record of six British Open victories has not yet been surpassed (Tiger will need three more to equal). He was the first British golfer ever to win the US Open. Like all great sportsmen, Vardon combined seemingly effortless superiority (based on hours of grueling practice) with the mental toughness and fortitude to win major championships. Writing six years after Vardon’s death...
Teaching the LOB SHOT
DEFINITION The “lob” shot, sometimes referred to as the flop shot, is a high-flying pitch shot which, upon landing, has very little if any roll. The lob can be used anywhere when this flight characteristic is required. For example, a player might be just off the green by five or six yards, but a pot bunker stands in his/her way. Running the ball through is not an option due to the severity of the front lip of the bunker, and the pin...
Renovating… Golf Clichés
Reprinted by permission from Golf Today One sure sign that the science of human performance has become more accepted is the emergence of playing clichés. From over-inflated announcers to self-appointed mental gurus to even your playing partners, it seems we cannot talk about playing good golf without using stock clichés. A cliché is an overused word or phrase which has become trite and commonplace. The impact of the concept has become...
Trinidad & Tobago’s Golf Future Looks Bright
When most people think of Trinidad & Tobago in golf terms, they think mainly of Stephen Ames, the successful touring professional from that country. After Team Caribbean’s victory in the World Golf Teachers Cup, and with what several USGTF members are doing with junior golf, it might not be long before Trinidad & Tobago are known for a slew of outstanding golfers. Anthony Benny, Ricky Campbell, and World Golf Teachers Cup...
What’s So Great About Tiger’s Swing Technique… and Why?
There’s no question that teaching professionals are fascinated by the swing of Tiger Woods, arguably the greatest golfer ever. The irony is, rarely, if ever, does a teacher, television analyst, sports-writer, radio announcer, magazine editor, or book-author tell us what his secret swing move is. What’s even more frustrating is how Tiger seems to speak a language all his own when being interviewed about his swing. The purpose of this...
HISTORICALLY SPEAKING My 19th CenturyAdventure in 21st Century Golf
It was a spectacular morning as contestants lined the practice tee in preparation for the United States and World Golf Teachers Cups in Boulder City, Nevada. To steal a line from P.G. Wodehouse, “a day when all of nature cried fore.” As I settled in to work out the aches from a long day’s journey, there were metallic cannons to the left of me. “Tink, tink, tink.” Little white orbs launched into the stratosphere. Harder than steel...
Slice Solutions
According to a conversation I had with the late great USGTF teacher Babe Bellagamba, there are two foolproof ways to cure an over-the-top swing fault and a resulting pull slice shot. In this article, the first in a two part series, I talk about how swinging like legendary golfers Tommy Armour and Seve Ballesteros did during their heydays can put your student’s faulty swing back on track. Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to...
More Questions From Regular Clients
The golfing public often may ask us questions that, on the surface, seem relatively easy to answer, but we might find ourselves looking for the right words to provide an accurate picture. Below are some questions regular clients will likely ask, along with the suggested responses. How do I avoid the dreaded skulled sand shot? Well, we could say “hit the sand first,” but that might be a slight bit condescending! Seriously, this usually...
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