Here is an interview with my good friend and top 50 instructor Todd Sones. Todd is one of the foremost putting instructors in the country. I now have Coutour Putters in my learning center. Call 704-945-3300 to schedule a fitting today.
Jason
As you all know, I have recently changed jobs (or maybe you didn’t know) and am now the Director of Instruction at beautiful Carmel CC in Charlotte, NC. It is an awesome 36 hole private facility with a newly renovated Reece Jones designed South Course that is second to none. I have been overwhelmed with all of the well wishes from friends and family and your prayers are working because things could not have gone better in the first two weeks. Beginning with the outstanding staff from Jeff Nichols (DOI), Patrick Seather (HP) to the shop staff (Brandon, Adam, Chris, Dan, Fallon and Brett)…they have made the transition so easy with all of the help. Most of all, my new team of outstanding Instructors (Eerik Kauppinen and Clint Udell) have been so gracious and helpful in showing me how to get around all the day-to-day processes that are vital to our success. They are so open to change and have a passion for getting better which is why we have all jelled together as if we have been working together a lot longer than 2 weeks. The members at Carmel have received me with open arms and have been so nice as I walk the range everyday and run into them in the golf shop or in the locker room. I am very excited to provide them with new and exciting programs and help take the already excellent instruction to the next level. My staff and I have already made some nice changes that the members are taking advantage of such as 1)upgrading our video analysis software (V1 Branded Academy) which allows us to email the before and after swings with voice over of what we covered in the lesson to the members. We have had a lot of positive feedback on this already which is exciting. I have put together two new ladies programs and one adult short game school which has been well received. I am also bringing AIMPOINT technologies green reading (with the help of John Graham: senior instructor) in November. If there are any spots open after the next two weeks, I will open the two clinics to non-members. If you have any interest in attending, send me a message via twitter, email or Facebook). I just put together the entire schedule for 2012 which is chalked full of new and exciting programs for the members. 
We have an outstanding facility with two hitting bays that allow us to open the doors and hit out into the range protected from the elements. Fitting capabilities with all the major manufacturers. It is only going to get better as we will make some upgrades to the building that will include indoor netting for cold weather and a putting studio with TOMI putting video software along with Coutour Custom fit putters.
Now that I am settled in, look for new upcoming episodes of Guru TV, featuring guest appearances from my staff instructors, Eerik and Clint (@clintudellpga on twitter). I have received many questions about whether I can teach non-members. As the members are my first priority, I can fill in the gaps with non-members. Feel free to contact me on my cell or you can simply call the golf shop (704-945-3300) or the learning center (704-668-9201)
See you on the lesson tee at Carmel CC,
Guru
I was recently asked by a friend of mine and fellow teaching professional of mine about
what I thought of Tigers swing changes. This seems to be a hot topic in teaching circles since the sudden drop off of Tigers performance in the last year or so. Since the personal scandal that he has gone through, he has changed coaches (Haney to Foley) and now caddies (Williams to LaCava). I have set back and listened to everyone’s opinion on the situation and now I want to give you my two cents. As I understand the possibility of criticism from colleagues, peers and plenty of coaches that are way smarter than myself……I can take it! See as everyone focuses on Tigers swing changes which are vitally important and I will comment on, I want to bring another spin on things from a coaching perspective which is…..What does the student or in this case, Tiger….want from a ball flight perspective and from a past history angle. So here goes: I have posted 2 swings. 1 from 2008 and the other from this year to allow you to see the changes that Tiger and Sean have made.
1) The most obvious difference is the hand and arm plane in the takeaway. He is noticeably more inside with his hand and lead arm with the club more upright. In 08 his hands drifted away from his body with more forearm rotation with the shaft flatter at halfway back. As a coach I prefer this move as I spend alot of time fixing rollers and spinners of the shaft and club face.
2) the second change is with his arm plane/shoulder plane at the top and body pivot. Old Tiger had a flatter shoulder plane, higher arm plane and allowed his head to move behind the ball. The new changes are completely opposite. His shoulder plane is steeper, left arm is lower and head stays more steady at the top which from a coaching standpoint all matchup or what I call cancel each other out…..hope that makes sense.
The Good Part
As coaches, it is our job to work towards the goals of the students that we are working with. We all know that Tigers goals is to win majors, this is not what I am talking about. I am talking about connecting with and understanding the students needs. When working with a player I want to find out there tendencies or their big miss and work towards a pattern that avoids this miss. The question is did Foley really look at the swing characteristics and shot patterns that worked for Tiger in the past or is he so blinded by the philosophy that he thinks is superior or pattern of development that is the most efficient that he is not listening to his student. I don’t know the answer. Tiger is a very intelligent man and you would think that he would question every change for explanation why? Maybe Sean Foley is the greatest salesman in the world and has a logical explanation for the changes and has sold arguably the greatest golfer in the world that THIS is the way to go…. and that is great. It seems to me that Tiger is doing exactly what Foley wants in his swing changes but obviously they arent producing the results. Is it too early, I don’t know. Only time will tell. Personally, I think estetically his swing looks great as I love the way the stack and tilt hybrid looks to the eye. This is what Mac O’Grady and the M.O.R.A.D. boys would call very SEXY with the CP release that is low and around (and I totally agree. I would totally date that girl)……….:)
What I Would Do
but the facts are: Tiger has always been too shallow on the downswing which lowering his left arm and moving more weight forward would seem to accentuate which makes no sense to me. He always seemed to play better with a higher left arm (which I know doesn’t fit the pattern) but its true. This kept the club more in front of him and on plane and also taller through the strike. So the question remains.” Has the student been left out of the process?” I hope not because as a big TDub fan, golf needs him to make a comeback and I would love to see it. I hope that team Tiger proves me wrong as if anyone could make it work, its Tiger. Remember, teaching is a moving target and it is our job as coaches and ambassadors of the game to figure out what our students need. If there was one way to move the club, they would all look the same……..And even the average bystander could tell that this isn’t the case. Comments are always welcome.
See you on the lesson tee at Carmel CC,
Guru …..I do teach non-members. To schedule a lesson, simply call the golf shop @704-945-3300 or the learning center directly @704-688-9201. If you have my cell number, you know what to do!
p.s. made it through my first week and loving my new gig. There are great things to come!
follow me on twitter @twitter.com/golfgurutv
See you on the lesson tee,
Jason
See you on the lesson tee,
Jason
I posted a question on twitter last night. “What are a couple of golf books that influenced
your life or career,” The response was overwhelming! I appreciate everyone sharing their personal favorites with me and my followers so as promised I will share them with you all. Reading has always been a big part of my life and has helped me gain knowledge in coaching golf but also has influenced the way I live my life. I am not even including the many hours of lectures on CD that I used to listen to in the car on my way to and from work. Tony Robbins, Jim Rohn, Wayne Dyer, Steven Covington, John Maxwell and the list goes on. As Jim Rohn (my personal favorite, may he RIP) says,” There is a reason that all houses valued over 200,000 dollars have a library in it. Now we can buy books on our ipads and nooks but this is the future of learning. My point is, yes Guru get to the point please! If you read or learn something new in your business or in your life, I want you to do 3 things. 1. STUDY 2. PRACTICE 3. TEACH. Study– Make sure you know it so you can become the expert. Practice – Put it into action as hone our skills. Fail and try again until you get it right. Teach – (most important) Share your knowledge with someone else. You know I have a story: Years ago I found in my possession some VHS tapes (that’s how long ago) of Martin Hall giving lessons. I learned so much from these tapes as I watched them over and over and could probably recite the language that he used (without the accent) and it helped me as a teacher. I met Mr. Hall at a top 100 dinner soon after and thanked him for his knowledge and sharing. He quickly responded with,”Now it is your turn to share it with someone else,” I never forgot that. So As requested: Here is our twitter golf book list from you my friends. Start your library today: Make sure you read on for my selections at the bottom…………
Quantum Golf
Seven Days in Utopia – David Cooke *
The Pursuit Of Excellence
Learn To Win
Practical Golf – Jacobs
Extraordinary Golf – Shoemaker
Golf Is Not a Game of Perfect – Rotella
Every Shot Has A Purpose – Nillson and Marriott
The Inner Game Of Golf – Gallaway
Bud, Sweat and Tees
The Golfing Machine – Kelly **
Dogged Victims of inexorable Fate – Jenkins
The Match
The Golf Swing – Leadbetter
Hogans Five Lessons
Down the Fairway – Jones
Attention and the Focused Mind – Gallagher
Zen Golf and Zen Putting – Parent
Perfectly Balanced Golf – Cook ***
Strokes of Genius – Boswell
Massacre at Wingfoot
The Stack and Tilt Golf Swing – Bennett and Plummer **
Golf My Way – Nicklaus
The Mystery of Golf – Haultain
Winning Is A Choice
The Hershey Hurricane – Tim Ryan
Tommy’s Honour
The Impact Zone – Clampett
*means they are on my list
Here are my additions: Swings Secrets and Lies: Six Timeless Lessons by Hebron, The 30 Second Golf Swing by Tomassi, On Learning Golf by Percy Boomer, Flick on Golf by Jim Flick, Golf the Torrence Way
I hope you enjoyed the list and now start your journey to S, P, T
See you on the lesson tee,
Jason
Here is a great video that I found from the Dave Phillips (TPI Instructor) about the pelvis and early extension. Those of you who have worked with me know that I always draw a line on your rear end to check for early extension (or your hips moving inward toward the ball). This is a difficult problem to fix because most of the time it is physical and not model driven. This is a big problem for amateurs because it limits the space between the club and body in the downswing and causes all sorts of impact problems. If you tend to push, hook or scoop at impact you are most likely trapped because of this issue. Make sure you get tested by a certified T.P.I. professional such as my guy, Mark Kane @www.kanetraining.com to see if you need to work on this all important area of the golf swing to improve your ball striking.
See you on the lesson tee,
Guru
Is golf the same without Eldrick? I don’t think so. Many reporters are saying that golf is healthy and in good hands with all of the great young players that are visible in the game right now and I agree to an extent?? We need Tiger to get back to contending in golf tournaments and put some excitement back into golf. We look to Rory, Matteo, Ryo and Ricky to save golf and it just isn’t going to happen yet. It is just not their time. I love these kids (especially Rory and Ricky) but how many tournaments have they won? 2? and I know one was a US Open and I appreciate that but it takes time build a career and I think they will both win plenty. There is not a day that goes by that one of my students asks me “What is wrong with Tiger?” or what do you think is going on and here is my take on things.
1. We have been spoiled by his past performances (2000-2001) because we wouldn’t have expected any other player to do much better in his last two tournaments after such a layoff from injury. No one is exempt from laying off and getting their game back, not even the best. It takes time and quality reps.
2. Tiger needs to play every week! I am disappointed that he said that he would play Greensboro if he didn’t play well at the PGA to try to play in the playoffs and he didn’t. I think he was disappointed with his performance but he needs some consistency in his schedule…I dont care if he plays the Nationwide tour, he needs to play his way through this slump (yea I said it).
3. I know he is going through swing changes and everyone wants to blame Sean Foley for the wreckage but let’s get serious. No one could single-handedly screw up Tigers swing. He has been to plenty of swing coaches over the years and has managed to come out a winner. The golf club hasn’t changed and his talent will always win out. I am not saying that I agree with the direction that Foley’s going (that is for another blog) but C’mon man. He isn’t giving him putting lessons (I wish I had 30 minutes with him on the putting green…once again another blog)
4. Tiger needs to get back to the beginning when he played some lesser tournaments and just played golf. It is good to see that he is going to play the Frys tournament because that is what he needs. He is in a different place mentally and needs to get his confidence back and the only way to do it is to play through it. He is not good enough to play a limited schedule and pick and choose.
5. He needs to wear a white belt more often (oh yeah I said it JR)…….he plays better when he wears it.
Here is a short piece by Jason Sobel from the Golf Channel on his upcoming tournament:
The latest news about Tiger Woods competing in the Frys.com Open should come as a complete surprise.
No, not the fact that he’s playing a Fall Series event; he’s contended for a while now that he needs more “reps” late in the year. And not the fact that it’s the Frys.com, either; on a challenging golf course in his native California, it makes as much, if not more, sense than returning to the scene of his first career victory in Las Vegas or his second career win at Disney.
Instead, the biggest shock is that Woods announced the move on his personal website on Aug. 29, more than a month before the tournament will be played from Oct. 6-9.
After all, other than a major, WGC event or one of his own tournaments, this is the earliest he’s committed to an event in years.
Other than that, we should’ve have expected this announcement.
After U.S. Presidents Cup team captain Fred Couples first said he would almost certainly add Woods to the roster as a wildcard pick, he then concluded that he wanted Woods to play again prior to the competition. Well, Couples wasn’t coming up with that idea on his own. The guess here is that he knew Woods was planning to compete in a Fall Series event and made his claim knowing his wish was going to come true anyway.
Political reasons aside, this is a smart move. At the root of the Fall Series, its reason for existing is giving those who didn’t perform well in the regular season final chances to earn money, world ranking points and a trip to the winner’s circle. Woods has struggled with all three this year, failing to qualify for the FedEx Cup playoffs in his injury-shortened eight-start season, so getting another chance to tee it up leaves him as just another of those guys trying to salvage his season.
After that, he’ll play in an outing at Pebble Beach that will help raise money for his foundation, will do some corporate appearances in Asia before heading to the Australian Open then the Presidents Cup.
It’s not the usual late-season schedule for a guy with 71 career victories and 14 majors, but then again, this hasn’t been a usual season, either.
Peeps: Agree or Disagree with anything? Leave your comments in the comment section below about anything. I also welcome “Ask the Guru” questions” as well
Have a great golfing day,
Jason
Here is a classic Guru TV episode that continues to be my most popular video. Enjoy
See you on the lesson tee,
Jason
The Golf Guru Show 