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13 Jul 2017 USGTF Admin

Ireland: Trip Of A Lifetime

By Cole Golden USGTF Level IV Member

I recently had the good fortune to take the golf trip of a lifetime to Ireland (thanks to my lovely bride who surprised me for my birthday).  There were eight of us who made the trip across the pond and spent seven days playing some of the most beautiful courses in the world.  While the trip was planned through a travel agent who specializes in these types of adventures, I want to share some of the tips and tricks I learned along the way.  I highly recommend traveling to Ireland, which I know is on many of your bucket lists.

Pre-Trip Preparations

•       While using a travel agency increases the cost, they handled all logistics:  transportation, lodging, restaurant recommendations, course reservations, and it even booked our caddies.  This added expense is well worth the reduced level of stress that would accompany international travel on your own.  One couple we met were surprised that we were able to get onto Ballybunion.  We found out that this was due to the relationship of the agency with the course.
•       We flew coach to save on some cost; however, we paid extra for additional leg room.  This helped us stretch out and relax.
•       When packing, don’t expect the weather to remain true to the forecast.  Bring clothing for every extreme.  For example, you can tee off in short sleeves and shorts; four holes later you are donning sweaters and full rain gear.  I didn’t really believe it until I was swapping outfits multiple times during one round!

While You’re There

•       I cannot stress enough the importance of having a chauffeur.  Since our group was larger, we rented a small coach and driver, who remained with us for the entire week.  John provided unparalleled service, was our personal tour guide and designated driver.  Having a chauffeur allowed us to relax, take a nap, talk about the round and truly enjoy the beautiful landscape.  There’s no way we would have been prepared for the narrow streets or known the history of the sites we visited.  I would say this service greatly reduced the amount of stress (and resulting fist fights due to backseat drivers). Not having to worry about directions or making sure we had adequate time to get to the course improved the camaraderie.  Some of the best laughs and memories made were on the coach with John.
•       Don’t be in a rush.  The Irish culture allows for a more slow-paced lifestyle.  Getting drinks or eating dinners takes much longer than what we’re used to in America.  Slow down, enjoy your company and get to know the locals.
•       I recommend getting a caddie.  They completely change the experience for the better.  Your caddies know the course like the back of their hand; they provide insight into the best shot as well as course history.  You’re also allowed to soak in the surroundings and enjoy the round because you’re not having to mess with your clubs.  Some places allow for carts (buggies as they’re called) and some don’t.  It’s great having someone else carry your bag when you’re walking upwards of 10+ miles across undulating terrain – much different than what this kid from Kansas is used to!
•       Once we were finished with the round, we would head up to the clubhouse for a pint. Walking around the facilities, learning about the course history and looking at photos of the golfing legends who played the course we just left puts it all into perspective.
•       Take lots of pictures and videos.  One of the guys created a cloud-based photo sharing account for us to upload what we took.  This enables us to relive the experience from different viewpoints and ensured all moments were captured.

This golfing trip of a lifetime took forever to arrive and yet was over before I knew it.  Spending quality time with some of my closest friends and playing some of the best courses with unbelievable history is an experience I will never take for granted.  Figure out a way to make the financials work – it’s more affordable than you might think.  Don’t hesitate to reach out with questions.  You can bet I’m already planning another excursion . . .

7 Jul 2017 USGTF Admin

“Free Info VS. Personalized Instruction”

By Bob De Caro, USGTF Certified Golf Teaching Professional, Wyckoff, New Jersey I’m upset! Recently, while listening to some instructional segments on PGA Tour Radio, I heard the pro thoroughly explain the swing sequence. Yet, why are there so many listeners repeatedly asking the same fundamental questions about swinging over the top, slicing the ball and not being able to deliver the club from the inside? I can’t help but visualize the pro tightening his jaw before answering once again. It’s apparent to me that the listeners do not actually realize that the problem lies in understanding how the swing sequence is executed. I’m upset, not because the pro isn’t doing a good job of explaining the correct swing sequence, but because the player doesn’t seek out what is really required…private instruction. There is so much “free” information available today that it is easy to think it can replace the one-on-one learning experience. It may in some cases, but I don’t believe this is so when explaining the sequence of the golf swing. When dealing with the swing sequence, it is almost impossible to successfully translate audio commentary into the correction required, as it is ultimately driven by a feeling. This can only be achieved through demonstrated drills during private instruction. Perhaps a good starting point is going back to the simple statement that the sequence of the swing is like throwing a ball.  If I were to say, “Picture throwing a ball”, almost everyone could do that. But if I were to say, “Picture making a golf swing and relate that to throwing a ball,” well, that is not easy visualized. The understanding is in the demonstration. Any object thrown or any swing made must abide by the root fundamental that the lower body must go first. A young player seems to never have an issue with performing this sequence. Why? Because it is a natural motion for them. They are always engaged in it. Whether it be throwing a football, kicking a soccer ball or hitting a baseball, it is an innate motion. As we grow older, we play fewer sports and our lower bodies slow down, becoming lazy to respond to our commands. Ultimately, what was once natural becomes unnatural and requires re-learning. In my experience, as a pro, I have learned that this correction can only be achieved through a one-on-one demonstration of how to initiate the sequence. During the transition of the backswing to the downswing, the “feeling” of the lower body going forward before the backswing is completed can be elusive. Therefore, just the simple drill of having the student throw golf balls can be a light-the-bulb moment, leading to a better understanding of how to initiate the sequence. If the student takes the club away correctly and triggers the correct sequence, there is no way that the swing will ever be over-the-top, but will always drop to the inside power position. I’m all for growing the game through the exchange of information, whether it’s radio, internet or television. But with the average handicap still at 16 and higher, it’s obvious that the availability of “free information” cannot replace the one-on-one teacher/student experience. In many cases, the student is left still scratching his head, asking the same old questions, or worse yet, giving up the game. And what a shame that would be. There … I feel better now.