Editorial

4 Sep 2018 admin

Is Distance Really A Problem?

By Mike Stevens

So, the USGA and the R&A have decided to study all aspects concerning the effect of golf ball distance in golf. It includes amateur and professional golfers worldwide, golf course owners and operators, golf equipment manufacturers, golf course architects and golf course superintendents.

It wasn’t that long ago that they concluded that distance was not an issue. I wonder what changed. I have no idea how much they are going to spend on this research, but in the end, I’ll bet it comes down to something simple. In fact, I can save them a lot of time and effort. The only issues concerning distance is the added cost of maintenance due to lengthening and toughening up golf courses, plus the hour or so longer it takes to play them. Think about it. Fifty years ago, I paid an average of $20 to play the local municipal courses I grew up around. Today in Florida, I pay an average of about $30. Yet, maintenance costs have significantly increased over those same years,

Other than maintenance costs, distance has been extremely lucrative for the other aspects of the game. The professional tours are doing very well. People love the long ball. Average players all want more. As the Geico commercials say, there’s a lot to be said about more. Manufacturers get top dollar for clubs and balls that go farther. Is pulling back really what people are going to want? Doubtful! Here is my bottom line: Roll back the playing surface to a reasonable length and make them easier to maintain. Distance just changes strategy. Instead of laying up, the new norm will be going for it. So what if I can drive a par-four? It is always about who shoots the lowest score. Does it really matter how it is done? The quest for distance has been a staple of golf since its origin. Why stop now?

17 Aug 2018 admin

Spine Angle at Impact – The Forgotten Fundamental to Good Shots

By Thomas T Wartelle, WGTF Master Golf Teaching Professional One issue I often see in golfers is the loss of spine angle at impact. This problem is often experienced by high handicappers and tour players alike. The flaw can effect several factors of impact dynamics. One such factor could be the the quality of strike (centeredness of contact) resulting in inconsistent contact. We hear people say that they “picked up their head,” but in reality they changed their spine angle from address to the impact position.

When loss of spine angle at impact occurs with better players, often there is a compensation to save the shot. This could be saving the impact with excess hand action or another compensation such as curving the spine. The good player can get away with this fault for some shots, but the fault will eventually lead to stray shots. The most common result in better players is a swing path that is excessively inside to out. This leads to shots that are often well right or left of the target, pending how the clubface matches up with the path at impact.

You will hear better players and instructors calling this fault as being “stuck” on the backswing. I have seen this fault occur in some famous tour professionals. The result is a shot (by a right-handed player) that goes well right. If the hand action is excessive, there is a hard hook shot left. Remember from some of my past instructional articles my saying: “The clubface sends it; the swing path bends it”?

Which leads to the bigger challenge, how do we fix this flaw? A good place to start is actually the golfer’s physical capabilities. When a golfer has a tight lower back or hamstring, or hip issues, this leads to compensations, frequently resulting in loss of the spine angle at impact. It can also just be a poor habit or a sensation of getting more power by thrusting the torso towards the ball. The better sensation is a feeling of squatting into the lead leg on the downswing. The torso should have a slight shift toward the target and then rotate with a feeling that the lead hip and glute are pulling or rotating away from the ball. This is very similar to a squat movement into the lead glute. As the impact position is approached, the spine angle is maintained with a feeling of the lead hip rotating and pushing back into a “wall.” The lead leg will somewhat straighten naturally at impact as the lead hip begins to rise higher than the trailing hip. In this position, the golfer is maximizing the “ground forces” and creating maximum torque and energy (think Rory McIlroy or Justin Thomas).

Losing the spine angle at impact can be a challenging fault to overcome. As this occurs during the dynamic swinging action, drills to cure this fault can be difficult to describe in words. It is best to demonstrate or feel the proper sensation of proper spine angle at impact. For more drills and information, please visit the USGTF Facebook page or my YouTube Channel, where I demonstrate several exercises to help fix this problem.

31 Jul 2018 admin

Positive Body Language: Five Tips To Attract And Retain New Clients

By Ben Bryant WGCA contributing writer

The first week of school is an important week for all high school coaches.  For me, it’s not only the first opportunity to meet the students I’ll teach all year, but it’s also the beginning of the golf season, with new players and parents showing up at the golf course.  How first meetings go are vital to laying a foundation for a positive relationship between you (the teacher) and your players.  Using positive body language can be a vital component in that foundation.

Columbia University did a recent study where participants were placed in a variety of situations where positive body language techniques were used, but the participants discussed negative and depressing topics.  They also created scenarios where participants used negative body language techniques but discussed uplifting topics. Overwhelmingly, students gave favorable impressions of their colleagues based on their positive body language rather than the discussion that took place. The study suggests that people are more often influenced by how they feel about you than by what you’re saying.

Positive body language can have a tremendous impact as a golf coach. Here are some tips to help you develop positive body language:

Always look like you’re listening to your client

The key to active listening of your clients is to engage with what your client is saying.  Body language is a major component of listening.  Leaning forward, nodding, tilting your head, and keeping your feet pointed in the direction of the person speaking are excellent non-verbal ways to show you’re engaged and paying attention.   Don’t look at the ground when your client is talking.  Active listening also involves repeating back or paraphrasing what your client has said.  This is an excellent way to demonstrate that you are genuinely paying attention.

Shake hands before every lesson

Touch is the most powerful non-verbal clue.  Physical touch – even a fraction of a second – can create a powerful human bond.  It’s in instinctual capability that all humans are born with.  It’s for these reasons that a proper handshake is so important.  A firm, friendly handshake that conveys a sense of friendship and warmth helps make a person feel closer to us.  It is also makes a person far more likely to remember your name and you theirs.

Cultivate a genuine, friendly smile

Smiling not only influences how we feel in a situation, it signals that we are approachable.   Additionally, most people have a keen sense of when a person is faking smile.  It’s important to convey a sense of happiness when meeting or greeting someone.

Uncross your arms and legs On the flip side, using defensive postures can immediately make someone feel off-put.  Defensive body language can impact how your client responds to you.  Crossing your arms and legs sends a subtle message to whomever you are speaking with that you’re upset or not enjoying the interaction.  Be mindful of it.

Put away the device

Cellphones are easily becoming one of the biggest problems in human interaction. Certainly as a  teacher, it’s a daily struggle to keep my students focused on me and not their devices.  They may help keep us in contact with each other, but when face to face, there is no greater barrier to a positive interaction than one person (or both!) checking their cellphones.  As the coach, you need to set an example by putting it away and keeping it away.

30 Jul 2018 admin

How To Get More Distance In The Golf Swing

By Arlen Bento Jr.

If you play golf and love the game, at some point you will notice a loss in distance. Usually, this is due to age, just getting older, losing flexibility and strength.

Over years, many golfers just don’t realize how much distance they have been losing, because over time, they have been making adjustments to their equipment, changing shafts, finding better club technologies and switching golf balls designs. Ultimately, the loss of distance reaches a point where the golfer gets discouraged and starts to seek answers.

For over 20 years I have been helping people with their golf games, and the number one reason people come to see me is that they want more distance. Here is a plan that can help any player that is looking for more distance:

Get your swing analyzed with computer video and fix your flaws. Sometimes, players just have bad technique and are giving away distance. A lot of recreational players that don’t have good golf fundamentals will notice a larger drop in their distance as they get older, because they have learned to use non-fundamental power sources to create speed. Look at older players like Tom Watson, who still generates lots of club speed even at age 68 and is still competitive on the PGA Tour. Watson obviously has a good golf swing, but he swings with tempo, uses his legs and hips as well as his arms to create speed. Most recreational players never learned to use their hips and legs properly in the golf swing, and this flaw becomes very noticeable with age.

TIP: Learn to use your hips and legs properly in your golf swing to create more speed and distance.

Get your club speed, ball speed and launch data analyzed on a launch monitor to make sure your clubs are correct for your speed. One of the best things you can do as a golfer is to get your club speed, ball speed and launch data analyzed at least once a year if you play golf on a regular basis. Ultimately, it all comes down to physics, and if you don’t have the correct equipment, you are at a huge disadvantage as it relates to distance. Based on how fast you swing, the ball speed you create and how you launch the ball, you need equipment that matches your abilities to get more distance.

TIP: Check your club speed, ball speed and launch data at least once a year if you play golf on a regular basis.

Start a golf-specific fitness and stretching program to help your body swing faster. Your body is an incredible thing. You will be surprised how just a little effort in working on your body will have amazing results in your golf swing and the ability to generate more distance. Many people don’t understand that your legs have a critical role in the golf swing, much like jumping. When you jump, you use the big muscles of your legs, your core and parts of your body that need to be strong and flexible. I have a great little drill that I offer to clients that anyone can do. Just sit in a sturdy chair, cross your arms across your chest. Using your core and your legs, just stand up, sit back down and repeat 8-10 times. Try to sit down slowly to keep your legs engaged. This exercise really helps use your legs and core, which will help your golf swing.

TIP: Start a golf fitness and stretching program. If you have medical conditions, please speak with your doctor first before starting any fitness program.

If you are one of the millions of golfers that are struggling with losing distance, make sure to get your swing analyzed, have your equipment checked and start a simple golf fitness program. You will be on your way to more distance in no time.

Arlen Bento Jr. is an award-winning golf coach, “Top 100” world-recognized golf instructor and club fitting expert living in Jensen Beach, Florida. He operates his own indoor golf academy in Stuart and is the co-host of Golf Talk Radio on WSTU 1450 AM. You can listen to his radio show on Wednesday evenings from 6-7 pm, or watch online at www.golftalkflorida.com. Arlen can be reached for instruction at (772) 485 8030, by email at arlenbentojr@gmail.com, or on his website www.arlenbentojrgolflessons.com.

26 Jul 2018 admin

Preparing For Your Tee Time

Thomas T Wartelle USGTF contributing writer

We all have been in the situation of preparing for an important round of golf. Many times, I have seen good golfers poorly prepare for the opening tee shot of the day. Getting off to a good start can set the tone for the whole day. Below are some tips to help a golfer get the day started off on a positive note and a successful round of golf:

Before You Tee Off

How to Prepare Before the Round: Try to make the time before your tee-off stress free. Feel as if you do everything in slow motion without rushing or stress before an important round of golf.

The great player Cary Middlecoff was known for a long, slow swing. His play was deliberate and he rarely cracked under pressure. He had a set routine like all great players and would never rush or vary his routine before a round. His routine included driving extra slow to the golf course and listening to relaxing music.

Have a Set Warm Up Routine: Fitness research has shown that proper warm-up technique does not start with stretching.

The correct technique is to warm up slowly before stretching. This could include a slow jog, but more realistically for the golfer, simply striking a few short shots with an easy swing. The best way is to make short 20- to 30-yard pitch shots, then slowly working into ¾ pitch shots. After a few minutes, begin stretching out the muscles, focusing on the major muscle groups for golf.

Remember, never “bounce” when stretching, but hold the position for a few seconds and return to the relaxed position.

Prepare for Your Opening Tee Shot: After going through your warm-up routine, mentally prepare for your opening tee shot.

The last shot on the practice range when warming up should be the same shot as your opening tee shot. For example, if you plan on hitting a driver on the first hole, hit a good solid drive for your last practice shot. This way, there is a positive image in your mind.

Practice Short Putts Before You Tee Off: Before you tee off, practice putts of one yard or less. Be prepared to hole out over 15 short putts during the round! Holing shorts putts can make or break your day.

The Tee Box

Choose the Correct side of the Tee Box: Don’t just plop the tee and ball anywhere between the markers. Remember that you have the right to tee the ball up anywhere between the markers and up to two club lengths behind the markers.

The smart player uses this to his advantage. If a right-hander tends to fade the ball, he hits from the right side of the tee box; if he tends to hook the ball, he hits from the left side of the tee box. This can also help if there is trouble on one side of the fairway. Always tee the ball on the side of the tee box that has the trouble and shoot away from the danger.

Tee the Ball High for a Hook and Low for a Fade: A ball teed high will tend to promote a sweeping swing, making it easier to draw the ball. Teeing the ball low will promote a steeper swing, promoting a fade.

Use a Tee on Par Threes: When playing a par-3, too often I see a player simply drop the ball between the markers. Use a tee to your advantage by creating a perfect lie.

A ball teed low just slightly above the ground level will mimic a perfect lie in the fairway. This will increase the chances of a solid strike.

For Your Target, Have Tunnel Vision: As you prepare to hit a shot, choose a target and try to hit the ball only at that target.

Many players immediately look for all the danger and spend more thought on what can go wrong rather than positive images. A good player has “tunnel vision” and simply aims at a single small target. The subconscious mind does not understand negative words; therefore, when you tell yourself, “Don’t go O.B.,” you are just telling your subconscious mind to “go O.B.,” therefore reinforcing negative images!

Plan Your Strategy for Each Hole: Use the correct club to tee off. It is not necessary to hit driver on every hole. If you watch the pros, they hit driver as little as 3-4 times a round. A good strategy is to figure out what distance off the tee will give you a comfortable approach shot to the green. For example, a 345-yard par-4 may require as little as only 200 yards off the tee to leave a “comfortable” wedge shot. Often this strategy applies to par-5s, as well.

11 Jul 2018 admin

A Parent’s Perspective On Golf Summer Camp

Ben Bryant USGTF contributing writer

It’s that time of the year again when the school year has finished up and parents need to find something for their kids to do during the long summer days. As a golf coach, my first instinct is to brainstorm all the things necessary to organize a successful summer camp; all the nuts and bolts and logistics that go into keeping 30 grade school-age children entertained. Instead, I’d like to put on a different hat for a minute: that of the parent of an energetic six-year-old boy. From this perspective, what would be the important things to look for in a successful golf camp?

Building Friendships One of the groomsmen in my wedding was a friend I made at a summer camp when I was eight years old. You never know when you might meet a lifelong friend, and a good summer camp can provide the opportunity to do so. Golf is, by its nature, a solitary sport. As a parent, I would want to ensure that there is plenty of socialization time built into the daily schedule.

Safety and Etiquette Although he’s six years sold, I still have not taken my son to a course for a full round of golf. He’s very energetic and would likely spend most of his time wanting to run on the greens, playing in the sand traps and making lots of noise. Most of this is basic six-year-old stuff, but on the golf course it’s generally frowned upon and can even be dangerous if he’s interfering with other golfers. I’ve wanted to avoid the headache and frustration of teaching him the etiquette of the sport. They will likely be much easier for him to learn in a camp setting surrounded by kids his own age who behave the same way.

Enrichment Beyond Golf Of course, learning the basics of golf would be my number one priority for a summer camp. But if I’m going to pay good money for my kid to be in a camp, I’m going to want there to be more than just golf. What other activities does the camp offer? Do they get to go swimming or to the movies one day? Would there be any type of academic enrichment to help offset the summer regression? A camp that can provide such activities would stand out from the competition.

It Had Better Be Fun The last thing I want is for my son to associate golf with being bored in the sun. Last summer, he attended a variety of summer camps, including gymnastics and skateboarding. I asked him for his thoughts on what makes a good summer camp, and which were his favorites. It turns out he liked gymnastics camp the best, and when I asked why, he said, “The coaches were really awesome!” As it turns out, the things he wants most in a golf camp are caring coaches who help him have a good time.

3 Jul 2018 admin

Marketing Yourself In The Summer

By Ben Bryant USGTF contributing writer

For those of us in the golf business, the summer season can be a challenge. In Florida, the summer months are so unbearably hot that many people can’t imagine being outside at all, much less playing a round of golf for four hours. As a golf teacher, how do I make the most of one of the slower times of the year? Even if you live up north where the summer might be the only time to play and practice, these tips could still make a difference in growing your clientele:

Capitalize on the major tournaments

If you check out Google search trends for “golf” on a yearly basis, you can see how interest in the sport spikes right around the beginning of April, which just happens to coincide with the Masters tournament. The dates of last year’s U.S. Open, British Open and PGA Championship also reveal similar spikes in attraction. As a golf teacher, it would be most prudent to time any advertising or special discounts with the weekends of these tournaments as further incentive to get those new potential clients out on the course or the range for a lesson or two.

Organize children’s summer camps

We’ve all heard in recent years about how golf participation is down from the highs of the early 2000s. And it’s true, except for one demographic: youth participation is at an all-time high. As the summer approaches, working parents will be looking for ways to occupy Little Johnny or Little Sally for the two months school is not in session. Offering half-day or full-day summer camp programs give you an opportunity to make inroads with that ever-growing golf demographic.

Give demos to schools and local businesses

Speaking of schools, offering free demonstrations toward the end of the school year can be a great way to make sure your planned summer camp program is full of participants. Check your local school district calendar to find out when high-stakes testing is completed, and schools may be more willing to allow you on campus to distribute materials or ask for sign-ups. Offering to provide breakfast for a school faculty or local businesses workers can also be a great way to make connections, which will result in more clients.

Tap into the tourism of your area

Changes in the weather mean changes in who travels to your area. To use Florida as an example once again, the summer months tend to see an overall slowing of tourism, but also a change in the types of tourists. Elderly tourists, for example, tend to head back up north. But there’s a corresponding increase in Europeans due to the reduced hotel and resort rates during the summer months. Any advertising specials you offer on golf lessons should take these changes into account.

The summer might be a slow time of year for golf, but the rules of a good business still apply. Continue marketing yourself and working to get new clients, and the summer won’t have to be the doldrums of the years.

2 Jul 2018 admin

Does Golf Need A Shot Clock?

By Mike Stevens, USGTF contributing writer

I love watching the European Tour. They are not afraid to try different things. A few weeks ago, I turned on the Austrian Open on Golf Channel one morning and as I watched a player get ready to hit a shot, a clock was ticking down on the television screen. Oh yeah, I remembered this was the tournament where a shot clock was introduced.

Each player had 40 seconds to play a shot or incur a penalty of one shot. Players were also allowed to call a timeout twice per round, giving them twice the allotted time to put the ball in play. It was fantastic, and the action was nonstop. No incessant watching a player spend several minutes preparing to hit a shot he practices about every day of his life. Two fellows taking five and a half hours to play 18 holes is ridiculous regardless of how much money is at stake.

Slow play on the professional tours is a common complaint. Maybe some drastic measures need to be taken. A look at the results of this experiment might surprise some. Round times were down significantly. Threesomes were playing in under four hours. Guess what else? Average scores were better. The winner was 16 under par. Not shocking to me. I know that when I just get up and hit the ball without much thought, I almost always hit it better. The more time, the more negative thoughts have a way of creeping in and the more anxiety. I’d like to see this tried on all tours. Maybe not for the majors, but at a routine stop, it just might make for a more interesting event.

15 Jun 2018 admin

Music…Good Or Bad For Golf?

By Cole Golden, WGTF Master Golf Teaching Professional

At this year’s Zurich Championship, the two-man teams started their match by walking out to the first tee accompanied by the music of their choice.  Some players went for old-school rock music, while others selected today’s Top 40 hits.  Most reactions were extremely positive.  Players liked it; fans liked it.  Is this a trend that will continue?

About four years ago, I remember hearing music for the first time on the golf course.   A member added speakers to his personal golf cart.  At first I was not a fan at all.  It bothered me for some reason; maybe it was his choice of music!  Now on a Saturday at our club, almost every group has music playing, either through small speakers or installed on a personal golf cart.

This is a trend, I think, that is here to stay.  Many tour players warm up with earbuds in while listening to music.  Other amateurs want to relax and enjoy their round, adding music to the ambiance.  More often than not, new golf carts almost always include built-in speakers and USB jacks.

As with anything, music on the course can be abused.  I hope players don’t add extremely loud speakers that can be heard from one end of the course to the other.  It is also important that music lovers are respectful of other athletes who do not like distractions during their round.  As golf morphs to appeal to younger generations, music will be part of the experience.

12 Jun 2018 admin

Be Prepared, No Matter The Forecast!

By, Cole Golden, WGTF Master Golf Teaching Professional

Last weekend, I attended the USGTF Southwest Region Championship hosted at Ridgeview Ranch Golf Club in Plano, Texas. The two-day event was held over the weekend. I left Kansas on Thursday afternoon, and prior to packing I looked at the forecast, which called for temperatures in the low 90s and ZERO chance of rain!

Saturday’s forecast was spot-on, hot and windy. While at dinner that evening, afternoon showers were added to the weather report; no big deal for our event, since we were teeing off in the morning. Sunday morning, I woke up to the sound of rain outside my hotel window. A few afternoon showers had turned into rain all day.

As you can guess, I didn’t come prepared. When I packed my car in Kansas, I removed my umbrella, extra towels, weather-proof pullover and bucket hat out of my golf bag. Why? I really don’t know. I assumed that the weather wouldn’t change that much in a few days! So when tournament director Bruce Sims said it was time to play, in the rain, I went into panic mode.

Fortunately for me, a few of my fellow playing competitors had some items I could borrow. I procured rain pants, a jacket and a few towels. Teeing off without being prepared for the weather was a horrible feeling. I was nervous about keeping my grips dry; I was a mess. It rained for the next few hours until the storms turned into a pretty nice afternoon.

On the drive back home, I laughed at myself. If this had happened to one of my students, they would have gotten a lecture! I would have told them that they need to be prepared for any type of inclement weather and that it’s better to have too much than not enough. It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been playing the game. Sometimes we are reminded of the basics, like being prepared, the hard way!