Tag: charlotte golf lessons

Distance from the ball….Is it important? You bet it is! Here’s Why

May 11, 2011

Distance from the ball can mean many things when it comes to golf. For instance, After I hit my driver…I am still standing too close to the ball. (wink,wink). Chi Chi Rodriguez used to joke that in order to hit your driver farther…..you must hit your ball and then turn and run backwards, haha. All kidding aside, there are a few things that I have been thinking about lately when it comes to driver setup that I want to share with you all. Feel free to jump in at any time and call me crazy but I tend to learn things from observing, testing, tweeking and then bouncing ideas off of people that are smarter than me…..you guys! Are you struggling with your driver. Maybe you are not getting the ball flight that you want although you feel you are creating the pattern that your coach is prescribing. You have the perfect driver for your swing. You have all the components in your swing that you are looking for. So what is missing? Have you checked your contact point on the clubface and most importantly have you checked your DISTANCE FROM THE BALL- I know that sounds basic but hear me out.
I attended a trackman seminar a couple of years ago and they were talking about gear effect. For those of you who don’t understand gear effect here is an excerpt from about.com that explains it nicely: “Gear effect” is the term used to describe the action of the clubhead, during impact with the ball, that causes a shot hit off the toe to curve in a draw or hooking motion, and a shot hit off the heel to curve in a fade or slicing motion.
These actions of sidespin and shot curvature happen because the clubhead rotates around its vertical center-of-gravity axis whenever the ball is hit off the toe or heel.

When the head rotates in response to a toe-hit, the ball slides, then rolls, sideways across the face from the toe toward the center of the face. This causes the ball to leave the face with a hooking or draw sidespin. Conversely, when the head rotates the other direction in response a shot hit off the heel, the ball slides, then rolls, sideways across the face from the heel toward the center of the face, which causes the ball to leave the face with a slicing or fade sidespin.

The reason all woodheads are designed with a horizontal curvature across the face (called “bulge”) is because of the gear effect. If shots hit off the toe generate a hook or draw curvature, the face needs to be radiused (curved) horizontally so the toe shot will leave the face angled to the fade side of the target. Thus the bulge radius causes the ball to start off more to the right (for a right-handed golfer; or to the left one a toe shot by a left-handed golfer), after which the hook spin generated by the gear effect takes over to bring the shot back toward the center of the fairway.

For shots off the heel, the bulge radius across the face of the wood causes the ball to take off to the left (for a right-handed golfer; or to the right from a heel shot for a left-hander), after which the fade spin generated by the gear effect takes over to bring the shot back toward the center of the fairway.
The presenter was telling a story about a player who was swinging 4 degrees from the outside with a 6 degree shut club face and was hitting a PULL FADE! Doesnt make sense, right. Until you check the contact point. The player was hitting the ball extremely on the heel of the driver which made the ball curve to the right. (Gear Effect). I don’t give a driver lesson now without a piece of face tape so I can see where the ball is contacting the face. After studying some of the best drivers of the golf ball, I have noticed a couple of observations.

1. Many PGA Tour pros address their driver closer to the TOE of the club. A few notables include: Zach Johnson, Dustin Johnson, Kenny Perry, Trevor Immelman, Jason Sutton (hacking teaching pro, sorry) and many others. Now I know there are many that don’t but bear with me.

2. Set-up distance from the ball (hands to body distance) is larger. The hands tend to hang out from the body and under the eye-line. Where iron set-ups, the hands tend to hang below the shoulder sockets. Here is my theory on this……..

Guru’s Theory (inconclusive): since the physics of the driver swing is flatter by nature, the arms will tend to swing out and away from the body as they get back out in front of the body which throws the club a little farther away from the player than it started. I know in most golf swings, the hands rise up through impact as well. This leads us back to our distance from the ball.

The Punch Line: If the golfer is standing too close to the ball and assuming that they are swinging on a shallow plane/path (in to out)……They will hit the ball in the heel. Even if you are swinging out to the right, the ball will still fade which drives alot of golfers crazy. This is why it is important to check your contact point as well as your swing mechanics and adjust your distance from the ball accordingly. I gave a lesson to a guy the other day that had a very nice pattern, could hit his irons with a beautiful draw but struggled with his driver. I merely moved him 2 inches farther away from the ball and his fade turned into a draw……coincidence ( I don’t know). Just some food for thoughtbut these are the things that keep me up at night. I am just looking for the truth and I appreciate you for reading.

If you feel this was helpful please use one of the share buttons at the bottom. Check out our website at @www.danarader.com and follow me on twitter @twitter.com/golfgurutv

Latest Golf Illustrated Column: How Do YOU start your downswing? A sneak preview

May 4, 2011

Here is my latest column for Golf Illustrated that will come out in the Summer issue in June. I will also have a feature article titled “Hands and Arms University” so go get it when it comes out. I think that it is important that we understand the golf swing but as coaches we must create a feel for the student that is often very different than what is actually happening to make a long-lasting pattern change. For those who follow my writing and my videos, you know how important that I feel exaggerated rehearsal swings are to creating the proper feel for the student. For you students…..being able to rehearse your swing changes in slow motion is so valuable to your long-term change. Enjoy the article.

How Do you Start Your Downswing, It Depends On Your Pattern

One of the most difficult moves in the golf swing is “the transition” or what is best described as when the club changes direction from the backswing to the forward swing. What moves first? What should you feel? These are the questions that I am asked by my students on a daily basis. The problem is that every golfers swing patterns are different so we have to figure out what you need for your particular swing plane error. Most coaches would agree that the downswing plane needs to be near or parallel to the original shaft plane established by the club your are using. So that being the ultimate goal, you have to know where your club shaft is on the way down as it approaches the ball. If you are hitting it poorly, you will fall into one of two camps. You are above the plane too much (too steep) or you are underneath the plane too much (too shallow). Most of you will fall into the first camp but I will address both to be fair to those who might fall into the too shallow category. So let’s look at each area and talk about how to start your downswing to get you back on plane.

ABOVE PLANE (TOO STEEP)
If you are swinging the club too much from the outside or above the plane line on the downswing, you are starting the downswing with too much upper body rotation. The average golfer will often say, “I got quick.” This means that the upper body started before the lower body and throws the club outside and across the ball. I call these types of players “SPINNERS”. Typical ball flight for this pattern will be pulls and slices.

THE FIX (WHAT YOU SHOULD FEEL)
To start your downswing, you should feel a small shift to the lead foot with your hips. It is very difficult for most players to separate there lower body and their upper body so if you try to rotate your hips too soon, your shoulders will be pulled out towards the ball and cause you to come over the top. The key feel here is to keep the hips and shoulders closed to the target as you shift your weight. This will give you time to pull or drop your hands and club down to the inside and into the slot. There will be plenty of time to rotate your body through the shot as your now have the opportunity to hit the inside of the golf ball. Just think SHIFT – DROP AND SWING OUT. No Spinning!

BELOW PLANE (TOO SHALLOW)
If you are dropping the club below the plane line in the downswing, your body is rotating too slowly and your spine is tilting away from the target too much. This pattern can cause you to hit the ball thin, fat and create pushes and hooks. You are the opposite of the spinners and are staying closed to the target too long which allow your hands and club to drop too much to the inside.

THE FIX (WHAT YOU SHOULD FEEL)
To start your downswing, you should feel as if you are rotating your upper body faster and more level to the ground. Good players often call this feel,” covering the ball with your back shoulder”. This will keep your spine angle more vertical and not allow the club to drop too much from the inside. When done properly it will feel as if you are swing more to the left (for a right handed player). A great image is to try to get your hands to swing close to your lead leg and exit low in the follow through.

The first thing to figure out is which camp that you fall in. Are you too steep or too shallow? You need to see your coach and get your swing analyzed so you know which feel to implement. Once you find your pattern, the key to making changes is to exaggerate the opposite feel. The more you try to overdo it the closer you will be to an on plane golf swing. I hope this helps and remember,” The only place to get off of the plane, is at the airport.” Good luck with your golf.

To work with the Guru or get more information about the Dana Rader Golf School….check out our website @danarader.com or call 704-542-7635

See you on the lesson tee,
Jason

J.E.T.S. (junior elite training system): A different way to teach junior golfers

April 27, 2011

In an attempt to revamp our junior golf program this season, I took the reins on our elite junior program. I was already coaching several very good junior players so I came up with a system that I thought would bring them together and help take their games to another level. I was already doing many of these things with my kids so I just gathered all of the information and created this program to enhance some teamwork amongst the kids. My program includes 2 hours of private lessons per/month which allows me spend one on one time to work on mechanics and then bringing them together for two group coaching sessions twice a month where I can create a supervised practice atmosphere (similar to a football practice) and I have partnered with the best TPI trainer in Charlotte, Mark Kane to get the kids working on agility, mobility and power. My vision is to bring these kids together to promote some teamwork and also a competitive atmosphere that will drive the kids to become better. It is amazing how much more they tend to focus when their peers are watching and participating. I am also instilling in them the work that is required to become proficient players that might have the ability to play at the collegiate level. I give them homework every session that will include:

  • journaling about their practice sessions, lessons and results  of their required drills
  • entering scores in their shotbyshot.com accounts to track results and give us direction on the area of the game that we need to work on in our private sessions
  • the word of the day. So far we have discussed Accountability and Trust

I also created a Facebook group page to allow me to communicate and they can send me results of tournaments, questions that they may have and I can post pictures, articles and videos that I think would be helpful for the group.

Our first month was a huge success as Mark Kane worked the kids out last night and did an amazing job connecting and motivating the kids to push themselves through the “Cyclone” stations. Check out the video and meet our new stars or the future.

If you need more information about this program or have questions, feel free to email me at jasonsuttn@aol.com or check out the Dana Rader Golf School website @http://www.danarader.com or call 704-542-7635 to schedule a lesson

Please share if you feel this information is helpful and thanks for checking out my blog.

follow me on twitter @twitter.com/golfgurutv

See you on the lesson tee,

Jason

2011 Golf Inc. Conference: Social Media pt. 2 A featuring Jason Sutton, Justin Smith and Ricky Lee Potts

April 24, 2011

Here is the 2nd part of the social media presentation that I did at Innisbrook for the Golf Inc. Conference. I am joined by Justin Smith (GM @ Olde Homestead GC) and Ricky Lee Potts (content specialist for IMAVEX) www.rickyleepotts.com. This guy is a master blogger and you should check out his site. Follow them both on twitter. I will post the last 7 minutes of this presentation tomorrow. How is your social media campaign working? What are you doing? Fee free to share your story or link up your blog. I am always anxious to learn something new. Feel free to share this but clicking on one of the social media buttons at the bottom. Leave a comment below and check back later for the end of the presentation.

Check out our website at www.danarader.com or call to schedule a lesson with the Guru @704-542-7635

see you on the lesson tee,

Jason

Who Is Charl Schwartzel? Masters Champion

April 15, 2011

One year ago, I posted a Masters blog with my picks to win. As I got back from Augusta last year, one players caught my eye……..Charl. So I am just one year late with my pick, sorry. As the tournament unfolded last Sunday, twitter was blowing up with predictions and observations. Someone tweeted me and asked who I thought would make a move and I said (If Rory stumbles….which I didn’t think he would) Keep an eye on Charl Schwartzel. Who is this guy you might ask? He has won 6 times on the European tour and has contended in a few PGA tournaments but is a relatively unknown. Just like King Louis (his best friend) from the same country. So what can we learn from Mr. Schwartzel game. One after having lunch with a few past champions like Gary Player and Jack Nicklaus (we know that he is very smart)…..he prepared differently by finding the fastest putts and working backwards. (veteran move). The Masters Champion is usually at the top of the putting stats which he was. He was also was the second player to play the final four holes at 4 under par (since Nicklaus in 86′)

His swing is a picture of efficiency. There is no wasted motion for sure. His posture is one of the straightest on tour (it helps that he is only 140 pounds) but he maintains his spine angle throughout beautifully. I like the fact that he pivots around a fixed center with not a lot of plane shift from backswing to downswing. Which with superior club face control allows him to control his golf ball. With an expert short game that included a nifty bump and run hole out on the 1st which got him going. This is a definite swing for you to copy and I don’t think you have heard the last of Mr. Schwartzel. What do you like about his game? Special thanks to my friend John Dochety for this wonderful shot of his swing. Leave your comments below or share with a friend.

See you on the lesson tee 704-542-7635 ,

Jason

My Day With a Short Game Master

April 14, 2011

Every year as I compose my goals for my life and career,  I also update a list that I started about 15 years ago called my life list. A bucket list of sorts that included things that I wanted to do in my career. Several of them involve working with other top coaches. If you want to be at the top of your profession or field like I want to someday be, you must get around people who you admire or that have accomplished similar things that you aspire to do. Tony Robbins calls this modeling. I call this building relationships that will make you better with like-minded people. Today I am glad to say that I  can mark one of those items off of my list as I got to spend the day coaching with one of the best short game coaches in the world. Mr. Todd Sones (@toddsones). I have been fortunate in the last few years to build a relationship with Mr. Sones as he has kind of taken me under his wing and mentored me in many areas of the teaching business and life. So when he emailed my boss and asked if he could come to our golf school and partner with me and do a scoring game school I was very excited. An opportunity like this does not come along very often for me to work alongside a top 50 teacher and observe how he works with average players. I assembled 8 of my students to experience working with myself and Mr. Sones for a great day of learning about putting and the short game. We started off with a presentation about Todd’s philosophy and what the students should expect for the day which I recorded for your viewing pleasure (pending). I wish I would have had someone video the whole thing because I couldn’t process everything that I was witnessing as I was trying to teach and also follow behind my mentor as we went through each student.

We started with putting for the majority of the morning which included a set of stations for the students to work (drills and practice) as I filtered each student to Todd to assess and also fit for a coutour putter which is Mr. Sones putter company where he can build high quality putters that fit the student properly. Getting students into proper posture and then fitting them is the only way to go. Out of 8 students, only 2 of them had putters that were even close to what would allow them to putt to their potential and one had been fit by me. Needless to say, once we put putters into their hands and they could see the results immediately…..they all bought new putters. The great thing about Todd is that he has that ability to help the students and also educate other teachers as well. Myself along with some other staff members and one PGA pro who drove in from Virginia, were privy to observe and pick the brain of one of the best as he did his work. I had seen Todd present his philosophy many times and had many conversations with him about teaching putting but until you see a guy work one on one with a student, you just don’t get the full effect. To see how he could make simple adjustments to their setup, explain it to the student and have them understand it and implement it quickly was great to see. After 3 hours of putting instruction, the students were all able to tell us what we had worked on and how they will practice their changes which I feel is the true sign that the student really gets it.

We ended the last couple of hours by working on shots from the edge of the green and back to about 40 yards which is so crucial in the scoring zone. Mr. Sones believes, as do I, that the terms “pitch” and “chip” are terms that don’t fully describe short game shots. These terms are often misused and confuse the average golfer. So the cool thing about what he teaches is the different language that he uses for each shot. We taught the students these shots:

1. bump and run – short shot played with a putting grip and stance (pw, 8iron)

2. bump and spin – same shot only played with a sand wedge to spin it

3. hinge and hold – played from the rough using an early hinge action to create a steeper angle of approach

4. low toss shot  – 25 yards off the green

5. high toss shot – same shot with a higher trajectory

He uses a different way of getting into setup which start by setting the club for the shot at hand and then “standing to the handle” which positions the butt of the club in the middle of your body. This sets the proper ball position without even mentioning it which is one less thing for the student to think about.

Mr. Sones says” A good short game can be summed up in one word, “descend!” and a poor short game can be described as “ASCEND.”

There were plenty more nuggets that I picked up as we talked in between and after the session that I will have to share later or you will just have to hit me up on twitter or come and take a short game lesson. Better yet, come out and get fit for a Coutour putter that will help me teach you better.

Because today I am a better coach than I was yesterday and that is what it is all about…..Am I Right? I can’t believe that I get paid to do this. Thanks for reading my blog and share this with someone who needs help with their short game. You can find me at the Dana Rader Golf School on the both sides of the building….not just the range.  or on twitter @twitter.com/golfgurutv

This year, make your lesson plan include at least 50 percent short game and putting and you will thank me later.

*****Special thanks  to my friend Todd Sones for a great day and sharing his knowledge with me and my students.

See you on the lesson tee,

Jason

GURU TV – PUTTING BASICS: The key to winning “The Masters”

April 9, 2011

Great putting wins major championships. It couldn’t be more important to the players trying to win at Augusta National this week. Very tricky undulating greens require expert speed control and green reading to boot. Here are some keys to being a great putter and a video that explains the basics of the setup and stroke.

List of keys in order of importance

1. club face control – great putters have very little face rotation in their stroke. Grip in the palm helps with this.

2. posture – straight legs with shoulders tilted over the ball with the back of the neck parallel to the ground to allow hands to hang under the shoulder line.

3. connection – upper arms connected to the shoulders with elbows in for a shoulder controlled stroke is essential to path control

4. eyes over or just inside the ball – allow you to see the line and aim the putter face

The winner of this years Masters will be the best putter and will have to hole some key putts coming down the stretch. Enjoy the tournament and get out and work on your putting stroke.

See you on the lesson tee,

Jason

This Is A Football (I mean golf ball): Back To Basics

April 5, 2011

This Is A Golf Ball
This Is A Golf Ball

For many of you, the week of the Masters constitutes the start of your golfing season. Even if the weather isn’t great where you live, after you watch the tournament it makes you want to go play. As this is the 25 years after the greatest Masters Tournament, the 1986 Masters, it brings me back to a philosophy that many legendary coaches bring into the start of any season. Revisiting the basics. Every year, Jack Nicklaus would go to his coach, the legendary Jack Grout and say,”Let’s start over and review the basics.” Grip, Posture, Ball Location and alignment. The great UCLA basketball coach, John Wooden would start every season by showing his players how to properly put on their socks as to not create blisters early in the season and jeopardize valuable practice time. Coach Halas, the Green Bay Packers coach started every training camp by introducing his players to,”Guys, this is a football.” No one is too good for a spring brush up. My mini-tour players and advanced tournament players always start the season by asking me to check their grip and posture because they understand that without these things being in place, the rest of the swing is working on a faulty foundation. So this is a call to action for all of you golfers out there getting ready to start your season. Before you start to practice and in grain some bad habits, go to your coach and ask them to begin with the basics and work from there. You will be glad that you did. Here is a video that I did last year that will give you a head start to checking your grip and posture. Two of the most important basics that will help you put the ground floor on the house of your 2011 golf swing.

To schedule your lesson with the Guru and get your season started off right call 704-542-7635.

See you on the lesson tee,

Coach Guru

Guru TV – How To Change Your Swing On the Golf Course

April 3, 2011

One of the most frequent questions that I get as an instructor is,”Guru, How do I get my swing back on track when things go wrong on the golf course.” If I could market that answer I would be a rich man. After studying the best players in the world and watching how they manage their swings while playing, this is the best answer that I could come up with. As you watch the Masters Tournament this week, look out for these Strange looking rehearsal swings and check back with me next week. Leave your Masters pick or any comments below.

Please share this vidoe post with someone if you feel it was helpful

Follow me on twitter @twitter.com/golfgurutv

See you on the lesson tee,

Jason