It has been a pretty quite week in Oak Ridge clubfitting land, because of big family visits for the baptism of grandbaby #2.
However, there are some interesting fitting developments coming up. I have been reading a number of posts lately related to fitting people who are hitting the ball High and Right (talking right handers....). And have had two similar discussions with local people who are having some similar results.
One is a single digit handicapper who is interested in getting more clubhead feel. I provided him some lead tape to put on the bottom of his club to test, and he said that adding 4 grams of lead tape was causing him to hit the ball high and right. Now, this is a player who has pretty good swing mechanics. So it is highly likely that the cause of high/right in this case is in fact due to the higher club swingweight and head weight that could be inhibiting him from closing the clubface - releasing the clubface - at the end of his swing. We are going to work together later this week with the Opti Vibe optimization weights - some weight down the shaft and some at the butt end, and vary the location of the weight down the shaft - to see if we can come up with an optimum club feel for him that can produce some more distance and not produce high/right shots.
Another case is just speculation at this time.....I got a call today from someone who hits his fairway woods well, but has the high/right shot pattern with his driver. I sent a post to the AGCP forum tonight asking for some feedback from others on solutions to high/right, and one of the answers from a fitter whose views I respect was Be Sure He Releases The Club (he said "Please Release Me!". And Ball Position can also be a cause of high/right.
It is also possible, however, that driver characteristics can be helping to promote High/Rightitis. If the driver is too long for this player (a good possibility...) then the player may not be setting up in an athletic position and may in fact not be able to release the club as he should. If the club swingweight/MOI is too high, then as much as he would like to be able to release the club, he might not be able to do so easily.
So no full answers on this yet - hopefully meeting with the second person later this week to get some club measurements as a start and then see if they tell me anything. And it is also clear that good swing mechanics are important - but also that sometimes club characteristics can keep a player from producing swings that provide good results. Bottom line - it is important to look at the combination of a player's swing and his clubs to find the true cause of mishit shots.
Tony
Monday, July 27, 2009
Monday, July 20, 2009
Putter Optimization - It Works!
Most of us, I believe, either buy a putter in a golf store or sometimes work with a clubfitter to get a putter made for us. When we do this, if we are fortunate, we get a putter that is the right length, lie, and putter loft for the way we set up to putt.
But what about the FEEL of the putter that we use? Most clubfitters and teaching professionals expect that the right range of swingweight for putters is something in the range of C8 to D6. Of course, how would you know if your putter is in that range of swingweight. You pretty much have to hope that you "like" the feel of the putter that you buy....or you simply adapt to the feel of that putter.
There is now, in fact, a way to truly optimize the feel of your putter so that you can find the putter feel that best works for you and that optimizes your ability to putt well.
This past weekend I did a successful Putter Optimization with Des Mahoney, the Teaching Pro at the Centenial Teaching and Fitting Center - Des and I partner at the Center.
We use the Tour Lock Pro "Opti Vibe" weights to do this optimization. I have 50 and 100 grams weights that can be inserted down the shaft of the putter, and we used a 12 gram counterweight in the butt end of the putter. I can insert the 50 and 100 gram weights between 3 and 12 inches down the shaft. Varying this weight and the insertion depth of the weight can significantly change the feel of the putter.
We set up a putting station on an outside putting green - 12 feet from the hole, straight putt. Des hit four putts, first with no weight, then with different weights and different weight insertion depths into the shaft. In the outdoor tests, we identified that either the 100 gram or 50 gram weight 3 inches down the shaft provided improved putting feel.
What was really great about doing this with Des is that he is not ABOUT to make a change in his putter configuration unless it provides better results. So if something works with him, you can be pretty darn sure that it is a real improvement.
Later in the day we did some more putting tests inside the Centenial Teaching and Fitting Center. Des identified that using a 50 gram weight 4 inches down the shaft seemed to provide the best putting results for him.
Des played golf on Sunday and wants to consider a slight weight adjustment - perhaps moving the internal weight to 5 inches down the shaft so that he can "feel" the putter head more. But overall he has told me that he loves the way his putter now feels.
So yes....we are still working to find the best way to optimize the feel of his putter. But this in itself shows that Putter Optimization is Real........there is an approach, using the Opti Vibe weight system, to change the feel of a putter for a player and provide real improvement.
If any of you reading this post are interested in doing a Free Putter Optimization session with me let me know and we can schedule it. Within about 30 minutes I believe that we can find a weight configuration that can improve the feel of how you putt - and what if you simply made one or two more putts a round......!
Tony
But what about the FEEL of the putter that we use? Most clubfitters and teaching professionals expect that the right range of swingweight for putters is something in the range of C8 to D6. Of course, how would you know if your putter is in that range of swingweight. You pretty much have to hope that you "like" the feel of the putter that you buy....or you simply adapt to the feel of that putter.
There is now, in fact, a way to truly optimize the feel of your putter so that you can find the putter feel that best works for you and that optimizes your ability to putt well.
This past weekend I did a successful Putter Optimization with Des Mahoney, the Teaching Pro at the Centenial Teaching and Fitting Center - Des and I partner at the Center.
We use the Tour Lock Pro "Opti Vibe" weights to do this optimization. I have 50 and 100 grams weights that can be inserted down the shaft of the putter, and we used a 12 gram counterweight in the butt end of the putter. I can insert the 50 and 100 gram weights between 3 and 12 inches down the shaft. Varying this weight and the insertion depth of the weight can significantly change the feel of the putter.
We set up a putting station on an outside putting green - 12 feet from the hole, straight putt. Des hit four putts, first with no weight, then with different weights and different weight insertion depths into the shaft. In the outdoor tests, we identified that either the 100 gram or 50 gram weight 3 inches down the shaft provided improved putting feel.
What was really great about doing this with Des is that he is not ABOUT to make a change in his putter configuration unless it provides better results. So if something works with him, you can be pretty darn sure that it is a real improvement.
Later in the day we did some more putting tests inside the Centenial Teaching and Fitting Center. Des identified that using a 50 gram weight 4 inches down the shaft seemed to provide the best putting results for him.
Des played golf on Sunday and wants to consider a slight weight adjustment - perhaps moving the internal weight to 5 inches down the shaft so that he can "feel" the putter head more. But overall he has told me that he loves the way his putter now feels.
So yes....we are still working to find the best way to optimize the feel of his putter. But this in itself shows that Putter Optimization is Real........there is an approach, using the Opti Vibe weight system, to change the feel of a putter for a player and provide real improvement.
If any of you reading this post are interested in doing a Free Putter Optimization session with me let me know and we can schedule it. Within about 30 minutes I believe that we can find a weight configuration that can improve the feel of how you putt - and what if you simply made one or two more putts a round......!
Tony
Monday, July 13, 2009
Can We Get Better As We Get Older?
This past Saturday when I was working at the Centennial Teaching and Fitting Center, I was talking with Des Mahoney about some of the recent success I have had since taking three lessons from him. Quite frankly, I have not been so excited about my golf and the potential to play great golf in years. Not only am I striking the ball more solidly, but I have learned things from the lessons with him that are also helping me to improve my short game - the part of my game where I most often lose strokes. If you are looking to improve your golf swing and golf game, I am confident he can help you - www.desmahoneygolf.com.
While I was talking with him, he said something that has stuck with me for the past few days. It was "Golf is one of the few games where we can get better as we get older." Wow - what a fun thing to contemplate!
Having said this, however - I do not think there is a magic bullet (too bad!). If someone truly wants to improve in golf as you get older (or actually at any age), here are what I would suggest are the key pieces to that puzzle....
1. Get great instruction - learn the key elements of a good golf swing. And this does not mean, I think, that you have to swing perfectly.
2. Commit to spending some time each day, if you can, to get the feel of the swing changes you are making. My "higher power" probably realizes I am making some practice swings in the basement before I go to work - for me this helps me to really get the feel of the improvements I am attempting to achieve.
3. Practice in such a way that you learn to make your swing improvements a habit. I can recommend here some of the past articles and posts in Carey Mumford's "Clear Key Golf" web site (I have discussed this site before...think it is www.clearkeygolf.com). Carey's "32 ball drill" is a good one - hit 4 shots working on mechanics, 4 shots where you hit shots as you would on the course, and repeat this sequence 4 times.
4. Play with clubs that fit your swing and how you swing. And this includes a proper putter fitting. Des and I are finding more and more that our teaming together in teaching and fitting is the best way to help golfers achieve the most rapid improvement.
5. And, no surprise - learn the key elements of a good short game - good chipping, pitching, and sand game technique, and a good putting stroke - and practice these to engrain them in your golf game habits.
The great thing about our game is that all of the above things are not impossible to do - and the carrot in doing them is lower scores, more pars and birdies, and more fun playing golf.
MORE PGA DRIVER LENGTH DATA.... There were two data points in the August Golf Digest. Dustin Johnson plays a 45 inch length driver. Bubba Watson, the longest driver on the PGA tour the past few years, plays a 44-1/2 inch driver. Length of most drivers that you can buy in golf stores - 45-1/2 inches to 46 inches.
Tony
While I was talking with him, he said something that has stuck with me for the past few days. It was "Golf is one of the few games where we can get better as we get older." Wow - what a fun thing to contemplate!
Having said this, however - I do not think there is a magic bullet (too bad!). If someone truly wants to improve in golf as you get older (or actually at any age), here are what I would suggest are the key pieces to that puzzle....
1. Get great instruction - learn the key elements of a good golf swing. And this does not mean, I think, that you have to swing perfectly.
2. Commit to spending some time each day, if you can, to get the feel of the swing changes you are making. My "higher power" probably realizes I am making some practice swings in the basement before I go to work - for me this helps me to really get the feel of the improvements I am attempting to achieve.
3. Practice in such a way that you learn to make your swing improvements a habit. I can recommend here some of the past articles and posts in Carey Mumford's "Clear Key Golf" web site (I have discussed this site before...think it is www.clearkeygolf.com). Carey's "32 ball drill" is a good one - hit 4 shots working on mechanics, 4 shots where you hit shots as you would on the course, and repeat this sequence 4 times.
4. Play with clubs that fit your swing and how you swing. And this includes a proper putter fitting. Des and I are finding more and more that our teaming together in teaching and fitting is the best way to help golfers achieve the most rapid improvement.
5. And, no surprise - learn the key elements of a good short game - good chipping, pitching, and sand game technique, and a good putting stroke - and practice these to engrain them in your golf game habits.
The great thing about our game is that all of the above things are not impossible to do - and the carrot in doing them is lower scores, more pars and birdies, and more fun playing golf.
MORE PGA DRIVER LENGTH DATA.... There were two data points in the August Golf Digest. Dustin Johnson plays a 45 inch length driver. Bubba Watson, the longest driver on the PGA tour the past few years, plays a 44-1/2 inch driver. Length of most drivers that you can buy in golf stores - 45-1/2 inches to 46 inches.
Tony
Monday, July 6, 2009
The Rules of Golf Clubs and Balls
A week or so ago I was building a belly putter for a good friend, and I wanted to be sure I knew the rules on how upright putter lies can be. I could not find the USGA rule book that I had that provides this kind of info. and so I ordered another one.
The title of this booklet is "A Guide To The Rules On Clubs and Balls." Probably because I am a golf club geek I just love this little book. It is available from the USGA web site if anyone else wants to get it.
Here are a few of the rules that I think are pretty interesting from this booklet.....(dear USGA, hope there are no issues with me providing some of this info....!!). Here are some of them.....
1. First of all, back to what I was initially checking about - the lie angle of a putter cannot be greater than 80 degrees. This I believe is to prohibit putters that have a straight vertical shaft.
2. For irons and putters - when a club head is in its normal position, the distance from the heel to toe must be greater than the distance from the front to back of the club.
3. A putter is a club with a loft not greater than 10 degrees that is designed for use on a putting green.
4. The overall length of a golf club must be at least 18 inches and - except for putters - must not exceed 48 inches. (guess my grandson needs to wait for me to build him a golf club?)
5. A grip must be straight and plain in form, must extend to the end of the shaft, and must not be molded for any part of the hands. Remember the old "reminder grips" - they are not legal.
6. Putters may have two grips, if they each have a circular cross section, the axis of each coincides with the axis of the shaft, and they are separated by at least 1-1/2 inches. This is an important one for long putters, because these are often built with two grips. There was a case a few years ago where a PGA player was disqualified because his grip violated this rule.
7. The size of a clubhead must not exceed 460 cc, with a tolerance of 10 ccs (there was I believe a few years a driver advertised to be 460 + 10 cc in size...).
8. And finally (for tonight!) a golf ball has to have a diameter not less than 1.680 inches. However, it can be larger than that provided it does not weigh more than 1.620 ounces!
Tony
The title of this booklet is "A Guide To The Rules On Clubs and Balls." Probably because I am a golf club geek I just love this little book. It is available from the USGA web site if anyone else wants to get it.
Here are a few of the rules that I think are pretty interesting from this booklet.....(dear USGA, hope there are no issues with me providing some of this info....!!). Here are some of them.....
1. First of all, back to what I was initially checking about - the lie angle of a putter cannot be greater than 80 degrees. This I believe is to prohibit putters that have a straight vertical shaft.
2. For irons and putters - when a club head is in its normal position, the distance from the heel to toe must be greater than the distance from the front to back of the club.
3. A putter is a club with a loft not greater than 10 degrees that is designed for use on a putting green.
4. The overall length of a golf club must be at least 18 inches and - except for putters - must not exceed 48 inches. (guess my grandson needs to wait for me to build him a golf club?)
5. A grip must be straight and plain in form, must extend to the end of the shaft, and must not be molded for any part of the hands. Remember the old "reminder grips" - they are not legal.
6. Putters may have two grips, if they each have a circular cross section, the axis of each coincides with the axis of the shaft, and they are separated by at least 1-1/2 inches. This is an important one for long putters, because these are often built with two grips. There was a case a few years ago where a PGA player was disqualified because his grip violated this rule.
7. The size of a clubhead must not exceed 460 cc, with a tolerance of 10 ccs (there was I believe a few years a driver advertised to be 460 + 10 cc in size...).
8. And finally (for tonight!) a golf ball has to have a diameter not less than 1.680 inches. However, it can be larger than that provided it does not weigh more than 1.620 ounces!
Tony
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