Golf Academy

Repetition: “A training exercise that is repeated, or in music, the repeating of a passage or note”. I have an interesting side career as a PGA Teaching Professional; I’m also the drummer for Tim Mahoney, a major local recording artist who has competed on the TV show The Voice.

It’s a lot of twisting, bending, carrying your golf bag, activities you have not done all winter. Before heading out on the golf course let’s take this month to get your body ready for the upcoming golf season.

While my friend Chris Foley just discussed getting fit for the driver so you can hit it farther, the “short of it” topic this month is about getting fit for a club that can reduce your score. I highly recommend you get fitted for this all-important scoring club.

With the advancement and availability of launch monitor technology, and the convenience of adjustable driver heads and shafts, there is no reason a golfer should not be fit when buying a new driver. Driver fitting is all about finding a driver with the loft and shaft that allows you to optimize distance.

If you ask Jack Nicklaus or Gary Player, the number one thing that is hurting today’s game is…the ball. Yes, that little white orb that turns otherwise normal adults into flailing masses of arms and legs all to set it in motion is the problem.

There are a few misconceptions about indoor practice and playing golf in a simulator:
1. You can’t practice short game because it is on mats.

The golf season may be over but that does not mean you should stop your fitness routine. This month we are talking about cardiovascular exercise.

If you are thinking about starting up a workout routine as a beginner, there are some common tips I would like to share with you to help you know what to expect in your workout and pointers to guide you to success.

With the passing of Arnold Palmer, I wanted to share a story that my friend Brad Brewer told with me regarding how Mr. Palmer practiced.

For the final 2016 “That’s Golf” scenario we’ve come across a somewhat scary shot that with a little practice can become fairly easy. That would be a downhill, next to the green shot.

Who could ever forget the iconic scene in “A Christmas Story” when Ralphie’s little brother Randy was dressed up in so many layers by his mother, the kid could hardly move. Personally, I get flashbacks to my youth in suburban Chicago in the early 1970’s.

If you are lucky enough to attend the Ryder Cup at the end of this month, something that you will likely see if you observe players on the practice range or putting green is that they have a “practice station” set up or using different tools to make their practice more efficient.

You just pulled your second shot on the par five and its heading towards a group of trees.

Recently I had one of the most interesting conversations with a student I’ve had in many, many years. I’d even say it was one of the most confounding conversations in my career.

Most golfers decide at one point or another they need a little bit of help with their golf game. If that is you would you turn to a personal trainer?

One of my mentors, Hank Haney, always says if you want to get better at something, look at what the best do, and emulate that.