Grab Bag and Random Thoughts

Posted by John

June 12, 2010

I’m almost back as a full-time GolfDashBlog writer as the kitchen project is nearing completion. My wife said I could get an iPad if I re-did the kitchen, so you see my motivation (blogging while I’m watching tournaments for one). I’ve had a lot of things running around in my head that I haven’t been able to write about so I thought I’d do a quick overview with more detail to follow later.

First, I’ve discovered a great training aid; the SwingRite. This thing has been around since the 60′s and consistently gets chosen as the best. It’s simple to use, makes sense and is the best at teaching ‘lag’ and timing of the release. You’ve got to learn this if you want to generate the most power possible. Go to www.swingrite.com. You still have to figure out how to swing a golf club correctly, but this thing well let you know when you don’t. You’ll also learn to generate more power the way the pros do.

My wife is being fitted by one of the best clubfitters in the country, Tom Spargo of Rhode Island. We’ve done the woods and will pick them up today with iron fitting to follow. I thought I knew a lot about clubfitting and what it can and can’t do, but I’ve doubled my knowledge just listening to Tom for two hours. This is really interesting stuff and will save you $$$ buying clubs that won’t really help your game. Here’s a tidbit; a good clubfitter won’t improve your best shots, but he’ll make the rest less bad.

Is this the year of the changing of the guard on the Pro Tour? The Mickelsons, Westwoods, Furyks and maybe Woods of the Tour are still big factors, but it seems every week that a new twenty-something comes charging to the fore. Is this the real deal or just a tease until Eldridge Woods figures out his tee shot. More to follow.

And how about ole Tiger? He’s not the Tiger of old, yet. Is his current journey a natural progression to a return to form or is it time for a Tiger swing change. Or maybe a mind-meld with Sam Snead. Tiger’s swing is a thing of beauty in slow-mo, but it’s almost painful to watch a full-speed. At some point his body is going to shout ‘No Mas’ and the maestro is going to have to change or get out of the game. I know that’s drastic, but Tiger will not play if he doesn’t win.

I can’t wait for The Open. First, Pebble is one of the classic and most storied courses of all time. Second, there’s the convergence of a lot of expectations about the world’s best players; will Tiger get it together, or maybe Phil will finally get his Open trophy, or Lee Westwood his first and well-deserved Major, or will a youngster like Rory McIlroy take it and prove that the geezers’ best days are behind them. It should be quite a ride!

Last, a swing thought. You need to keep a separation between the upper and lower body at impact. This with a wrist lag generates maximum speed. Try this; as you start the downswing with a hip bump, drop your arms down into the slot at the same time and keep your wrists cocked. The key is to feel like your almost looking down at your back foot. This will keep the maximum twist between your hips and shoulders. Now all you have to do is release the wrists and the upper torso together. If you do it correctly you’ll have no problem getting your back shoulder to point at the hole as you hold your finish. Make sure you’re doing it right and generating maximum power by doing this with the SwingRite.