Erik_K
New
I played in the first tournament (of my company's golf league) and shot a 48 on the front 9 - my lowest score, ever, through 9 holes. On the last par 3 before the turn, I was able to win the closest to the pin contest as well. The back 9 was OK...but at least I broke 50 on the front 9.
Thanks to Brian and Damon I really feel like things are coming together nicely.
***********************
I started playing when I was 10 years old. I didn't play much through high school but when during my summers off from college I did work at the Rick Smith Academy in Naples (helped run junior clinics) and this job re-kindled my interest in the game.
Over the years I received many a lesson - from would-be hackers at the range, Rick Smith's assistant pros (who are excellent players in their own right), lessons at Grand Cypress (Model Golf) in Orlando, FL, local driving range professionals in Naples and in Gainesville, FL where I went to grad school. While I was finishing my masters research in Huntsville, AL I received lessons from another driving range pro and went to a 'satellite' branch Model Golf Academy in Alabama for more work.
On my way back to Florida (this was circa 2002) I stopped over in Marietta, GA to get lessons from Ted Fort and Lynn Blake -- my introduction to The Golfing Machine.
Prior to the LB instruction, I remember reading abour Brian on the Free Golf Info (fgi) forums. Boy, was this guy something else. His posts were insightful, humorous, and a total departure from the typical 'advice' one receives on most internet forums. Brian spouted off numerous terms I never heard off...flat left wrist, sustained line of compression, plane line/angle, etc. It all sounded so...interesting. Brian's posts were received well by many, but the forum gods eventually banned him.
That led to the founding of the best site on golf. Period. I am grateful that Brian 'The Contrarian' was booted off fgi. Who knows what would have happened had Brian not been kicked out?
In 2004 or 2005, Brian and Tom Bartlett came down to Orlando Florida (Orange County National) for a summer school. This was the first time I met Brian. He just had surgery on his leg, but was able to 'tough' out the oppressive Florida heat and teach the 8-12 students that came out for lessons. I also had the pleasure to meet Jim Kobyliski (he was getting lessons, too).
I can say that over the last 20 years of playing and getting lessons, I've seen the greatest improvement through Brian's lessons, posts, videos, and articles. Brian came up to Maryland the last 2 years (both times at Hayfields) and I was able to take lessons from him and one of his newest staff members - Damon Lucas.
It's hard to believe that I met Brian nearly 4 years ago. Where does the time go? But he has made the game fun again. Oh, it's still frustrating at times, don't get me wrong.
Brian is the real deal. Not only is he a world class instructor, but he truly believes in helping people - not just applying a method or a quick fix. He's a serious student of the history of the game and the science behind it. I've watched Brian's methods evolve over the years. He's always been a devoted fan of TGM, but is the furthest thing from a book literalist. He combines the best aspects (the imperatives) of TGM and applies the newest findings from the other physicists, teachers, technology (seems to be Trackman now) and applies these things to his teachings.
Want to discuss optimum ball flight conditions chalk full of technical TGM jargon?
Fine.
Want him to fix you in 5 minutes using simple images ('yellow brick road')?
He can do that too.
I really don't know Brian all that well, but I've read nearly all of his posts, had lessons from him three times, listened to him tell stories over dinner (this guy can really tell a tale...I like the one about John Daly first getting on Tour - the one where he 'pretzeled' the club and nearly killed David Toms). I remember reading about how his house was destroyed by Katrina and the unfortunate falling out with Lynn Blake. It sure seems like I've known him for a long time...
To Brian and Damon - I couldn't have done it without you guys! Had I've continued to get lessons from all of the wrong people, I very likely would have given up the game. I never seemed to get better, understand the science, and actually have fun until I met Brian - specifically since Brian set up this wonderful site.
It was an amazing feeling to finally break 50!! Is breaking 40 up next?
best,
Erik
Thanks to Brian and Damon I really feel like things are coming together nicely.
***********************
I started playing when I was 10 years old. I didn't play much through high school but when during my summers off from college I did work at the Rick Smith Academy in Naples (helped run junior clinics) and this job re-kindled my interest in the game.
Over the years I received many a lesson - from would-be hackers at the range, Rick Smith's assistant pros (who are excellent players in their own right), lessons at Grand Cypress (Model Golf) in Orlando, FL, local driving range professionals in Naples and in Gainesville, FL where I went to grad school. While I was finishing my masters research in Huntsville, AL I received lessons from another driving range pro and went to a 'satellite' branch Model Golf Academy in Alabama for more work.
On my way back to Florida (this was circa 2002) I stopped over in Marietta, GA to get lessons from Ted Fort and Lynn Blake -- my introduction to The Golfing Machine.
Prior to the LB instruction, I remember reading abour Brian on the Free Golf Info (fgi) forums. Boy, was this guy something else. His posts were insightful, humorous, and a total departure from the typical 'advice' one receives on most internet forums. Brian spouted off numerous terms I never heard off...flat left wrist, sustained line of compression, plane line/angle, etc. It all sounded so...interesting. Brian's posts were received well by many, but the forum gods eventually banned him.
That led to the founding of the best site on golf. Period. I am grateful that Brian 'The Contrarian' was booted off fgi. Who knows what would have happened had Brian not been kicked out?
In 2004 or 2005, Brian and Tom Bartlett came down to Orlando Florida (Orange County National) for a summer school. This was the first time I met Brian. He just had surgery on his leg, but was able to 'tough' out the oppressive Florida heat and teach the 8-12 students that came out for lessons. I also had the pleasure to meet Jim Kobyliski (he was getting lessons, too).
I can say that over the last 20 years of playing and getting lessons, I've seen the greatest improvement through Brian's lessons, posts, videos, and articles. Brian came up to Maryland the last 2 years (both times at Hayfields) and I was able to take lessons from him and one of his newest staff members - Damon Lucas.
It's hard to believe that I met Brian nearly 4 years ago. Where does the time go? But he has made the game fun again. Oh, it's still frustrating at times, don't get me wrong.
Brian is the real deal. Not only is he a world class instructor, but he truly believes in helping people - not just applying a method or a quick fix. He's a serious student of the history of the game and the science behind it. I've watched Brian's methods evolve over the years. He's always been a devoted fan of TGM, but is the furthest thing from a book literalist. He combines the best aspects (the imperatives) of TGM and applies the newest findings from the other physicists, teachers, technology (seems to be Trackman now) and applies these things to his teachings.
Want to discuss optimum ball flight conditions chalk full of technical TGM jargon?
Fine.
Want him to fix you in 5 minutes using simple images ('yellow brick road')?
He can do that too.
I really don't know Brian all that well, but I've read nearly all of his posts, had lessons from him three times, listened to him tell stories over dinner (this guy can really tell a tale...I like the one about John Daly first getting on Tour - the one where he 'pretzeled' the club and nearly killed David Toms). I remember reading about how his house was destroyed by Katrina and the unfortunate falling out with Lynn Blake. It sure seems like I've known him for a long time...
To Brian and Damon - I couldn't have done it without you guys! Had I've continued to get lessons from all of the wrong people, I very likely would have given up the game. I never seemed to get better, understand the science, and actually have fun until I met Brian - specifically since Brian set up this wonderful site.
It was an amazing feeling to finally break 50!! Is breaking 40 up next?
best,
Erik
