Practice

gongolfn · Joined: 26 Nov 2008 Posts: 13

Jeff, I'm looking forward to the golf tips and instruction. DTG had a great idea to have golf tips as one of the topics. Fitting, spine aligning, design characteristics of equipment, and all that type of discussion etc, is of course very important. However in my opinion........swing mechanics is equally if not more important to improving. About 14-15 years ago when I started playing golf I joined a little golf club that only had practice areas, putting, chipping, and a range. No golf course. I was a member for about 2 years. For about the first 6 months or so, I hit as many golf balls as stars in the sky, lol. To restate it more accurately I hacked 6 months worth of golf balls. After performing this mess for 6 months, I subconsciously new that didn’t want to go down the hacking path anymore. I took a few lessons and slowed my swing way…..down and hit fewer balls. I started using the pitching, chipping and putting areas that I’d ignored before. This experience at this practice facility is where my game really improved. Incidentally, the practice facility is where I started my interest in club making because they had golf club components and custom fitted. Ever since then I assemble my own clubs and also for friends and family, etc. Thanks for the golf tips area. I know I’m going to enjoy it. Thanks, Oran.

DTG Jeff · DTG Customer Service Joined: 07 Nov 2008 Posts: 259

Im glad your enjoying the Forum and I will be happy to help you out with any questions you might have.
In reference to your comments about practice you couldn't be more correct. As important as getting your clubs fit properly it is just as important to have proper fundamentals. Also like you mentioned the short game is such a important part of the game that is often overlooked. Anytime you go to a driving range you will often see numerous people hitting on the range tee and very few if any on the putting and chipping greens. However you will reduce your scores much much faster by practicing the short game versus the full swing.
Thanks for the post and let me know if there is anything I can help you out with.

Thanks,
Jeff

gongolfn · Joined: 26 Nov 2008 Posts: 13

Jeff, one of the things that I practice is a late release. The early release sneaks in there sometimes especially after a winter layoff. Do you have a good drill to practice a late release? Thanks, Oran.

DTG Jeff · DTG Customer Service Joined: 07 Nov 2008 Posts: 259

Oran,

I assume what your asking about is a drill to keep from casting the golf club from the top or starting the downswing by un-cocking your wrist. This will result in hitting shots that lack in distance and often slice. Most Amateurs do this to some extent and don't "load" the shaft properly resulting in hitting drives far shorter then they are capable of.
One simple tip is to take the golf club to the top of your back swing and stop. Now focus on pulling the butt end of the grip down towards the golf ball. Really feel like you are pulling it and keeping the butt end of the grip pointing at the ball. This will keep the wrist from un-cocking at the start of the golf swing. Then at the bottom of the swing feel the club release almost snapping through the impact area. You should by the sound alone hear the difference of the "woosh" of the the club through the air noticing the drill increase the club head speed almost instantly. On of the best tools to work on this with is a heavy club. Using one will make it almost impossible to lift the club from the top and cast it. It will also build the golf muscles faster and increase distance faster then any other tool I have seen. Here is a picture of one that we sell and I use in the winter months.

.

Keep in mind this will for a short time throw off the tempo and timing of your golf swing so be patient with the errant shots in the beginning while you get you timing back. Stick with it and try and work on the drill during practice swings and not when your actually hitting the ball. Let the muscle memory take over when you are physically striking the golf ball.

I hope this tip helps you out, let me know if you have any question.

Jeff

gongolfn · Joined: 26 Nov 2008 Posts: 13

Jeff, yes, casting is the term that I was meaning. I ordered the heavy wood because woods are the clubs that I tend to cast at times. This will be a great winter practice tool. Also, I appreciate the information on the practice drill. Thanks, Oran.

gongolfn · Joined: 26 Nov 2008 Posts: 13

I received the Heavy Club Swing Trainer a few days ago. I had no idea that a 3.5 lb club could feel so heavy. Even though it weighs only 3.5 lbs it feels like 10 lbs while swinging it. Right off I can see that you can’t get in a hurry with this club and that’s a good thing for tempo. The weight of this club makes you aware of every critical swing move, backswing and forward. Great for the entire swing. I will definitely include the heavy swing trainer as part my practice routine. Thanks for recommending the swing trainer for practicing the late release. Oran.

DTG Jeff · DTG Customer Service Joined: 07 Nov 2008 Posts: 259

Oran,
Also focus on feeling of the hands pulling the club down from the top of your back swing and notice that it's almost impossible to cast the club from the top. I hope this helps out, let me know if you have any other questions.

Thanks,
Jeff

gongolfn · Joined: 26 Nov 2008 Posts: 13

I finally got a chance to play 18 after practicing with the heavy trainer for about a week or so. The first hole is a tight par 4 so I pulled my 3 iron out of my bag and took a few practice swings. For a moment I thought that something must have fallen of my 3 iron, like the head or something because it felt so light. I started looking it over and nothing was wrong with it. Then I realized the swing trainer is so much heavier than my clubs that my 3 iron felt like swinging a tooth pick. Laughing