Editorial

29 Sep 2017 admin

Let’s Get Rid Of The Tour Championship

By Mike Stevens, USGTF Contributing Writer

The FedEx Cup is golf’s answer to playoffs, which is supposed to keep up interest after the fourth major is completed. In the past, most people did not care much about golf after the PGA Championship. They even called it the silly season. Enter the FedEx playoffs, a good idea since most people look forward to the playoffs in other sports at the end of their seasonal run. The only problem is that when you get to the finals, there is this Tour Championship which may or may not be won by the playoff champion. It’s all a bit strange.

Even the playoff format is a bit weird. You can miss the cut in the first playoff round and still advance. I think you can advance without playing well if no one surpasses your season-long point total during the playoff run. What kind of system is that? It would be like telling the Yankees even though you lost the first series you can go on because you had the most wins of any team during the regular season. Playoffs should be playoffs. You either move on by making the cut or you’re out.

Here is what I would like to see: First, the Tour Champion should be the winner of the Players. That comprises all the best tour golfers who qualify for it. We don’t need another trophy signifying the same. Then, for the playoffs, the top 125 from the season-long point totals begin the first round. If you fail to make the cut down, you’re out and keep it that way until down to the final 30 players, who would go to East Lake. But that negates the pros who played the best over the long haul, you might say. Okay, then let’s take the top ten and give them a bye for the first round. I mean, the best teams get byes in their respective sports. In a true playoff, anyone who makes it should be able to win. Under the current system, that is very difficult. So, this is what I would like to see. I hope it comes to pass.

20 Sep 2017 admin

Friendship VS. Competitors

By Cole Golden WGTF Master Golf Teaching Professional

Recently, after Jordan Spieth’s and Justin Thomas’ major wins, much has been said in regards to their friends being part of the celebration. It just so happens that these “friends” are other players on the Tour and can be found on the 18th green cheering on their buddies to victory. This has been a hot topic within the golf community. Is it good or bad for the game?

Some might say this behavior is abnormal. We never saw Tiger waiting around to congratulate Phil, or vice versa. I don’t think we ever will. The media wanted to play a “villain vs. hero” during that era. We don’t know if there was bad blood between them or not; it’s purely speculation.

With the introduction of social media, we are given a glimpse into the daily lives of today’s professional athletes. There is a friendship between many of the younger PGA Tour players: Spieth, Thomas, Fowler, Berger and Kaufman, to name a few. Their posts on social media often show them hanging out off the tour, even taking vacations together. They have a true bond of friendship; they want each other to succeed and are sincerely happy to celebrate their wins.

To me, this is great for the game. It shows that inside the ropes you can try to beat your friends and strive to win. However, once the game is over, true friendships are made, and it’s okay to celebrate one another’s successes. It helps strengthen the game and teach the younger generation how to carry oneself both on and off the course.

At the end of the day, all players want to win and compete at the highest level. Sometimes your best isn’t good enough. Being able to look across at your opponent and tell them great job while shaking their hand is a crucial part of the game that needs to live on. This gentleman’s game of today is also proving to be a game to be shared amongst friends.

3 Aug 2017 USGTF Admin

Pressure

By Cole Golden, USGTF Master Golf Teaching Professional

I recently had a student who was going to play in one of the largest amateur golf tournaments in the state. He had been working on his game and playing really well. He was excited and ready to show off his golf game. This was the biggest tournament and best field he had ever played against.

The evening after the first round, I received a phone call from him. He told me how nervous he was and he could barely breathe prior to teeing off. His hands were shaking and sweaty. He had a hard time thinking positive thoughts versus thinking only the worst. His first tee ball? You can guess it: he came over it so bad he barely hit the ball 100 yards to the left.

There were people watching; he felt like withdrawing right there. It was the worst drive he had hit in years. He was embarrassed, plain and simple. But heck, we’ve all been there. He finally got his nerves in check and finished with a respectable 75.

During our phone conversation, I explained that everyone experiences the same frustrations and challenges. No matter if you are trying to break 100 for the first time, break par the first time, win your first tournament or, for the pros, win your first major. Pressure is part of the game. You must embrace it and prepare to the best of your ability.

A lot of great athletes have said they want to feel pressure or nerves; it means they are in the hunt or in a situation they want to be in. The more and more you put yourself in pressure situations, the better your body will know how to act upon it or recover.

You can help your students with pressure by putting them in situations where they feel uncomfortable. That could be playing with a group of better players, playing for money, or making up practice games that apply pressure. The more your students feel the heat, the better they will handle stressful situations.  

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.

20 Jun 2017 USGTF Admin

U.S. OPEN

Like most people, I spent part of Father’s Day weekend watching this year’s U.S. Open at Erin Hills. While there is much debate on whether it was a successful U.S. Open for the USGA, I clued in on a different feature of the game. Fox Sports’ utilization of the ProTracer technology on a majority of the shots made it easy to watch the shape and trajectory of the player’s golf shots take form.

Brooks Koepka plays a left-to-right ball flight, a fade. Hole after hole, I was impressed to note that he hardly ever went away from it. Even when the hole might have been better suited for a draw, he continued to play his go-to golf shot. While I admit I didn’t watch every shot, of the ones I did witness, I only saw one “miss” where he double-crossed himself but still managed to make par. This is something to discuss with our students. It is okay to play a go-to shot and not try to hit the perfect shot shape. As better players, we tend to try to play the hole as it was designed, which could ultimately lead to an uncomfortable shot shape. If you understand your shot shape and are able to trust it, you can eliminate half of the golf course. This is something Brooks did extremely well under pressure. Next time during a playing lesson or a discussion about course management, focus on shot shape and how consistency is key to winning rounds. Your students will have another key bit of information to shoot their best scores. Happy Teaching!    

8 May 2017 USGTF Admin

Partner Events

The Zurich Classic was held this past April on the PGA Tour.  The event changed its format from a normal stroke-play, individual event to a two-man team.  Both four-somes and four-ball formats were put into play.  This was a great move by the tournament committee for a number of reasons, the major one being that it increased participation by top-notch golfers, thus boosting viewership and sponsorship.

In the past few years, the overall field had declined for the Zurich.  In my opinion, the top players in the world were skipping the event because it didn’t fit their schedule, or they didn’t enjoy the course.  The “buzz” was not there, a nightmare for any tournament committee and sponsors.  As a result, the committee decided they needed to make a change to highlight this event.  While New Orleans is a fun destination for both players and fans, with great food and live music, what could they do to get more top-tier players to participate?

The decision they made was to change the format to a two-man team event.  Traditionally, the only time individuals would play in a team atmosphere is if they make the Ryder Cup or Presidents Cup team.  It’s been decades since the PGA hosted a team event.  Players were excited, and many of the world’s best decided to make the Zurich Classic part of their 2017 tour schedule.

With the revised format, the event channeled the drama and excitement achieved during the Ryder Cup or Presidents Cup.  As they came off the course each day, the players spoke highly about how much they enjoyed the event and the fans echoed this sentiment.

Not just as golf teaching professionals, but as business owners, let’s apply this model to our own development strategy.  The more fun your students have, from the professional level to the average amateur player, the better.  Golf is meant to be an enjoying, fulfilling and exciting game; sometimes this gets overlooked.  Explore offering more group lessons, join a group of guys during their regularly scheduled Sunday morning tee time, or add more team-style events to your home course.  I guarantee you will enjoy the same success as the Zurich Classic.

14 Apr 2017 Corina Pelloni

Getting Ready

As spring begins to present itself to most of the country, golf season is on a lot of people’s minds, from students to teachers alike. It’s important to shake off the cobwebs that might have developed by getting back to the basics and working on fundamentals. As golf teaching professionals, this advice applies to us as well.

As teachers, we might not play as much as we would like; however, our students look to us as good players and examples of how to master the sport. Our golf game doesn’t have to be of tour quality, but it does need to be good enough to demonstrate certain areas of the swing. Too often, golf teachers don’t work on their games as much as they should, and it is visible to their students.

Now that spring is here, don’t be afraid to spend some time on the range. Work on the basics: alignment, ball position, posture, grip and tempo. If you time it right, your students will arrive to observe your routine, understand the importance and follow along. Another benefit is the quality time spent as a fellow golfer alongside new and prospective students. Once others witness your dedication to the game, they will have more trust in you for their game knowing that you practice what you preach.

As we prepare for a new golf year, think of ways to do business differently. Write down some goals for your golf teaching business, plus some goals for your own golf game. Figure out what is needed to achieve these goals and then make a plan to attack and conquer them. Here’s to a great 2017 season!

15 Mar 2017 Corina Pelloni

Shorter Driver

There is a new trend in the world of professional golf:  shorter drivers.  I’m not referencing the actual driving distance, but rather the length of the actual club.  Ricky Fowler and Jimmy Walker are two players who have reduced the length of their driver.  If the some of the best players in the world are doing this, should your students do this as well?

As golf teaching professionals, one of the most common requests from a student is the desire to hit the ball farther.  From an amateur to members of the PGA Tour, everyone wants the distance.  So why is shortening the length of the driver shaft a good thing?

A few things occur when you shorten the driver shaft.  It’s easier to hit the ball more solidly; with a shorter shaft, the actual strike should improve.  Hitting the golf ball in the middle of the clubface, in the sweet spot, will improve the ball speed, plus give the correct spin rate.  However, striking the ball off the toe or heel of the club decreases the ball speed and adds too much side spin.  Lastly, one additional benefit for some players is that the arc of their swing shortens and they actually increase their clubhead speed.  This isn’t something that happens for everyone, but it will for some players.

If you can help your students strike the ball more solidly, they will gain distance.  Hopefully with a more solid strike, their accuracy might improve, hitting more fairways.  We all know a drive will roll out further in the fairway than in the rough.  Cutting down a driver shaft from a half inch up to two inches will help a majority of your students.  If they complain about losing distance, test the differences on a launch monitor.  Good luck and happy teaching!

22 Feb 2017 Corina Pelloni

Memories From A Lifetime In Golf

Observing my 11-year old son grow up in the game of golf is such a wonderful gift. As I watch him traverse the golf course, it brings back my own childhood memories. My son is lucky; his poppa plays golf and is a golf professional. I did not have such a luxury as a kid. While my son has been playing golf since he could walk, I started relatively late – the ripe old age of 13.

It started when I found a broken club in a trash bin. A little duct tape and voila, my journey began. I grew up in a large athletic family; however, nobody in my family really played golf. Later, I found out that my grand poppa had been a scratch golfer in the 1920s. He had also played college baseball and once played against Ty Cobb. I never knew him as he died years before I was born. My journey was solo. I learned it on my own.

I first learned to swing a club by hacking old golf balls in the neighborhood. I went to the public library and checked out many golf books, one being by the legendary Tony Jacklin (1969 Open and 1970 U.S. Open champion). I did everything he said to do in that book. Later in life, I had the pleasure to meet T.J., and now I call Mr. Jacklin my friend. I recently had the chance to introduce Mr. Jacklin to my son Gabriel. The torch has been passed!

After I read all the golf books in the library, I decided I was ready. My pop dropped me off at the local muni golf course. I played about 45 holes that day! I was so enthralled that I went to the local private country club and cut a deal with the old pro. If I caddied, picked up balls and worked around the shop, I could hit all the range balls I wanted. Paradise! I shined shoes to make money to gamble with the older boys. I began to beat the older boys. Thus, I was off to my 30+ years of golf obsession.

Like many who spent their youth around a golf course, I have a plethora of golf anecdotes, so many that I have decided to start to write them down before I forget. I think my golf stories have to start with one of my best friends, Bo. His full name will not be revealed to protect the innocent. I have known Bo since birth. I started golf before him, but he soon followed my lead. Before we discovered golf, we were formidable tennis players in the public park. No matter what sport he played, Bo had the uncanny ability to play well when he was angry. He was also good at every sport he played. The madder he got, the better he played. This naturally carried over to golf.

Bo was frequently my teammate and caddie. He was also one of my first students and test subjects. I taught him the flop shot. He learned fast and soon possessed a Seve-like short game, which he exploited too frequently. We often amused ourselves by trying to hit flop shots over a 15-foot tall tennis court fence. We constantly tried to break the “world record” of who could get the closest to the fence and still carry the ball over the top without hitting the chain link fence. I will swear to this day that one night, Bo managed to set a high mark. He placed a ball about two inches away from the fence and somehow hit his old Ping Eye 2 sand wedge right over the 15-foot fence without touching a thing. (I later officially tied the record after many attempts.) Phil Mickelson would have been jealous.

Bo had perfected another feat. He could hit a balata ball with his putter over 260 yards. This was done “baseball” style with a flick of the ball in the air and whack, into the greenskeeper’s shed. He frequently did this when he had a bad hole. Of course, he would then make three birdies in a row. To boot, Bo had probably one of the ugliest golf swings I ever saw. But he was a scratch golfer and fierce competitor. Later in life when I turned pro, he would caddie for me on the European Tour. What a team! So many laughs, so much mischief, so much joy (and a little heartbreak) the game of golf has brought me… and taught me.

So, for my first installment of reminiscing, here’s to you, Mr. Jacklin and Bo! A library book inspired an adventure. Two kids from a small Louisiana town traveled the world golfing, laughing, arguing, crying, and chasing a dream. One kid turned out to be an engineer, the other a professional golfer. Both kids are still best friends. Both still dream of green-grassed fairways with the early morning dew still sparkling in the morning sun. Hey Bo, if we get up early tomorrow, we still might have a chance to make it on the Tour! (To be continued…)