cmartingolf
New
I recently had a long talk with a PGA Tour player and former winner on Tour. He lost his card this year. He'll be playing on the Nationwide Tour. I won't mention his name as I'm paraphrasing and those guys are a pretty touchy lot and I'm sure someone out there is webland knows him.
I asked him about his swing and if he's working with anyone. He's been know to see everyone and anyone who has a theory. Sort of like Tom Kite 15 years ago.
Pleasantly, he told me that he isn't going to see anyone. He was working with Plummer and Bennett and had good things to say, but felt it was time he "dug it out of the dirt." He explained that he was so into his swing and why he missed that he basically ignored his short game and his scoring skills left him. Not to mention he didn't have a feel for HIS game.
His new plan. Putt and chip 'till the cows come home. He said that he hit the ball well at Tour School but didn't convert many up and downs. He did shoot one round in the low 60's but it was too little too late.
I applauded his plan and hope he can stick with it, as it is sort of like a junkie quiting junk. It's hard to do. He wants to take ownership of his action and let's face it, that's the best kind of action to have. One that you believe in.
This led to us talking about when we were kids and how we improved. We didn't focus on the minute details of the swing. We focused on scoring and getting the ball in the hole.
This PGA Tour player sponsors a junior program at the club where he hangs his hat. He tells the Dads that ask him what they should do for their kids and he tells them:
Don't let them play the Men's tee until they can break 70 most rounds from the Ladies forward tee. When they can break 70 most rounds, let them move back one tee. Keep that progression until they can do it from the back tee. They may never get there, but if they can, look out, you've got a PLAYER.
What's so good about a 14 year old that can shoot 78 from the Men's tee? Nothing, cause he's learning to shoot 78. It's better if he shoots 68 from the Ladies' tee and makes 6 birdies. His point, learn to go deep when you are young. If you can't go low from a forward tee you shouldn't play a longer tee. It shows you where you need to fix your game.
I'm going to use that with my juniors going forward. Some will balk at the idea, but since I don't charge them in my clinics, I don't really care and it will spotlight their weakness.
I occaisionally hear one of my members say that they find an longer set of tees easier than a forward set. Sure if you shoot 85 or 90. Let's face it, short games suck out there and if you start a hole closer to the green you ought to score much better and it should be easier not harder.
I think I'll play the Ladies' Tee for a while myself
I asked him about his swing and if he's working with anyone. He's been know to see everyone and anyone who has a theory. Sort of like Tom Kite 15 years ago.
Pleasantly, he told me that he isn't going to see anyone. He was working with Plummer and Bennett and had good things to say, but felt it was time he "dug it out of the dirt." He explained that he was so into his swing and why he missed that he basically ignored his short game and his scoring skills left him. Not to mention he didn't have a feel for HIS game.
His new plan. Putt and chip 'till the cows come home. He said that he hit the ball well at Tour School but didn't convert many up and downs. He did shoot one round in the low 60's but it was too little too late.
I applauded his plan and hope he can stick with it, as it is sort of like a junkie quiting junk. It's hard to do. He wants to take ownership of his action and let's face it, that's the best kind of action to have. One that you believe in.
This led to us talking about when we were kids and how we improved. We didn't focus on the minute details of the swing. We focused on scoring and getting the ball in the hole.
This PGA Tour player sponsors a junior program at the club where he hangs his hat. He tells the Dads that ask him what they should do for their kids and he tells them:
Don't let them play the Men's tee until they can break 70 most rounds from the Ladies forward tee. When they can break 70 most rounds, let them move back one tee. Keep that progression until they can do it from the back tee. They may never get there, but if they can, look out, you've got a PLAYER.
What's so good about a 14 year old that can shoot 78 from the Men's tee? Nothing, cause he's learning to shoot 78. It's better if he shoots 68 from the Ladies' tee and makes 6 birdies. His point, learn to go deep when you are young. If you can't go low from a forward tee you shouldn't play a longer tee. It shows you where you need to fix your game.
I'm going to use that with my juniors going forward. Some will balk at the idea, but since I don't charge them in my clinics, I don't really care and it will spotlight their weakness.
I occaisionally hear one of my members say that they find an longer set of tees easier than a forward set. Sure if you shoot 85 or 90. Let's face it, short games suck out there and if you start a hole closer to the green you ought to score much better and it should be easier not harder.
I think I'll play the Ladies' Tee for a while myself
