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28 Apr 2023 admin

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT – REESE WOODBURY

He’s only been playing golf for three years, but Reese Woodbury from Stuart, Florida, has legitimate Division I college golf aspirations. Already an accomplished golfer, Reese has won four out of the eight tournaments he’s entered this year on the Hurricane Junior Golf Tour, including the very first one he played. Oh, and by the way, he’s also shot a personal best of 63…already!

After a basketball injury, Reese looked for a sport where he could compete and be successful. He was drawn to the game, in part, because his father Michael had played a lot of golf. Reese cites the “cool atmosphere” of the game that he sees on television as one allure, along with the individual aspect to the game, in contrast with his former sport.

USGTF Master Golf Teaching Professional Jerry Ellstrom serves as Reese’s coach, and said, “I love his focus and confidence in his abilities. He’s willing to stay with it in terms of the different challenges of the game.” Showing the depth of affection between the two, Ellstrom teases him by calling him “Stump,” because Reese likes to try to take his ball over the trees of doglegs and inevitably his ball winds up next to a stump.

Reese said the strength of his game is from tee to green, and although you can’t shoot the scores he does by being a mediocre putter, he said there’s always room for improvement in that area. Reese also commented, “I want to thank my dad for all the time and energy he’s put into allowing me to follow my dreams and hopes, and to allow me to practice at the finest facilities.” Reese’s dream school is Arizona State University, where he cited the program’s history and the allure of the Phoenix area. Keep an eye out for this young man, because it’s certain you’ll hear his name again soon.

“PRO” FILE – USGTF MEMBER JERRY HEINZ

By Jerry Heinz

I was certified through the USGTF in 2008 and started teaching at Cottonwood Golf Club in El Cajon, California, that same year. I worked with San Diego Chargers and San Diego Padre players, and also Hollywood celebrities. I worked with my kids camps, which was fabulous, and helped several charity events with the Wounded Warriors and Susan G. Komen (breast cancer) charities, and more.

My last two years teaching in Lake Havasu City, Arizona, I was at The Refuge Golf Club, an Arnold Palmer design. Unfortunately, the course went bankrupt again and now I work towards qualifying for the PGA Tour Champions. My game feels great, and I’ve had the pleasure of being gifted with Sqairz golf shoes. The founder of Sqairz has been very kind to me. He also said currently John Daly, Nick Faldo, Sepp Straka and myself are the only ones currently wearing the newest pair, with the breast cancer pink ones being my favorite.

I finished fifth in the U.S. Golf Teachers Cup a couple years ago in Las Vegas. It was great meeting all the members. I had a blast a few years ago doing a podcast with John Daly and Bob Menery. John is very generous, as he sent me another lion headcover which, yellow being my favorite color, I added two feet of yellow dreadlocks to it. He also sent me his new CD which I enjoy.

I have four children who are adults now: Tyler, Connor, Katie and Cameron. Connor is pursuing his path with the PGA and working at a private country club, still trying to beat Dad (me) on the course.

My teaching does not always involve cash money. I enjoy helping individuals at any given time, even if it’s just a grip change or setup tip which I always share examples through photos and videos. I moved to Arizona six years ago full-time to help my mother, who suffered from dementia. I acquired my job at The Refuge immediately. They brought me into the team in a very short time. They loved my portfolio, and the rest is history.

EDITORIAL – RULES CHANGE CONTROVERSY…AGAIN?

Starting January 1, 2010, a new grooves regulation was enacted by the USGA and R&A because they thought the then-current grooves spun the ball too much. Club manufacturers found a way to actually make better grooves, which meant the rules change was useless but meant many competitive golfers had to buy new irons. In 2016 came the infamous “anchored putting ban,” which is still a sore spot with many today.

In 2019 the USGA and R&A completely overhauled the rules, the two most drastic changes being hitting the flagstick with a putt was no longer a penalty, and all drops were taken from knee height. After a long adjustment period, golfers accepted the changes. And now comes the latest controversial rules proposal, a Model Local Rule for “elite” golfers where they would play a distance-restricted golf ball. The rules makers deem this necessary because, in their own words, elite golfers hitting the ball too far “undermines the core principle that a broad and balanced set of playing skills should remain the primary determinant of success in golf.” They are also worried about courses supposedly “having” to increase yardage to handle all of this.

People who say, “Why don’t they just make the courses tougher” are not understanding their position. It’s not a matter of score; to them; it’s a matter of angles and what club is being hit into the green. There is also an element who want to return to the days of long irons into par-4s and where going for the green in two on a par-5 was a big deal. But those days are gone.

I recently went to the Korn Ferry Tour in Savannah, Georgia, and they played a course that measured just over 7,000 yards, and I did not see anyone making a mockery of the course. There are also practical problems with implementing a shorter ball: When do promising players switch over? In high school? In college? It would also be tempting for less-honest players to cheat by using the longer ball. It’s also not a given the PGA Tour will adopt the new rule, either, so what would be the incentive for ball manufacturers to even make such a ball? If that happened, the new rule couldn’t even be implemented. In short, while the USGA and R&A will almost certainly put the Model Local Rule into place and will follow it for their championships – as likely will the Masters – if the major tours don’t adopt the rule, we will have a big mess on our hands. And even if they do adopt it, there will still be a mess, albeit a smaller one.

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