Swing within yourself... Steve the double amputee

When you go to the golf course every day you sometimes get into a routine.  Then someone inspirational comes out to play and moves you.  Today that happened and his name is Steve.  Steve is a double amputee due to an accident.  To watch him swing was inspirational.  To speak to him was beyond words...

Steve's swing is unconventional.  His lower body has trouble supporting any type of weight transfer.  His golf swing is built around his arms and other levers delivering the club into the ball in a fairly steep angle of attack.  Notice that Steve does not have a significant bend from the hips, nor does he rotate his shoulders.  All things we as instructors might attempt have him accomplish.  Steve swings very much like a "Ferris wheel" swing to maximize his ball striking.

As I talked to Steve I found myself wishing that every student could have his perspective.  Steve said, "I just try to swing within myself and not try to do too much."  A mini tour hopeful before his accident Steve's lowest round post accident is 101 and he self admitted that he, "drove the ball pretty poorly that day." I could have been watching any normal student.  But Steve was is as exceptional as he is unique.

Steve was practicing for the upcoming 63rd National Amputee Championships at Rio Verde Country Club in Arizona.  He had qualified by winning his division last week.  His swing coach, Dennis Willer, PGA, told me, "I am thankful to work with a man like Steve.  I am happy he came to me."  Aren't we all Dennis.  Good luck Steve!

What people are saying part 2

This is from one of my students who was just able to play the accomplished Cypress Point for the first time...

"I hit an 8 iron on 15 that faded a bit into the bunker.  Hit a great out and putted in for par.  Went to the 16th (230 yards over water plus wind) hit 4 wood to 18 feet and 2 putted for par....UNBELIEVABLE!!

Shot an 89 and loved every minute.  Also, just met Craig Stadler in the San Jose Airport.  What a day!"

It certainly sounds like Randy got his golf fix!
Your friend in golf
John D. Grothe, PGA
john.grothe@gmail.com

What people are saying...

This is from one of my students who took a putting lesson from me after what he described as a "pretty good putting" round.  We worked together and found out quickly that he was timing his putting stoke and the good putting would simply leave him...

"The putting lesson you gave me was the best lesson I’ve ever had … Hitting the ball square every time has helped me tremendously!!

I played Member Guest – in 3 rounds I didn’t miss a putt inside 4 feet … IT WORKS!!! (no 3 putts)

Even my friends cant believe the difference …

I need a little help with my driver/3w off tee –It’s the only part of my game keeping me from becoming a really good player.

So, I might be traveling down to see you later this month.

Talk to you soon

George


He definitely got his golf fix.
Your friend in golf.
John Grothe, PGA
john.grothe@gmail.com

Make Putting Fun with these drills

Ok... Ok... Let's be honest.  How long do you spend on your putting?  I clocked myself one time and found that I got bored practicing my putting in 13 minutes FLAT!  And I am a PGA Professional and know I need to spend the MOST time of my practice on putting.  After all the putter accounts for roughly 40-50% of your strokes and is the greatest equalizer and the best scoring club in the bag.  But it is BOOORRRING to stand there and hit put after putt after putt.

Here are 5 drills I have devised to strengthen the two critical skills used in putting.  Distance control and Face Alignment.  There are 5 drills that you can do with a combination of 3 different ways.  Overall that is 15 variations of these drills.  My recommendation is to do the 5 drills first, then the next time do them with one of the variations.  This should take you roughly 45 minutes, keep your mind engaged and strengthen your putting.  Also, I have found that listening to your favorite music extends practice as well. 

1) 30 Foot ladder drill - work on speed by putting each ball slightly shorter and shorter.  Get as many balls as you can.  Reverse the direction and have the speed go slightly further each time. 

2) Clock drill - work on the 3 speeds from 12, 3, 6, and 9 o'clock from just outside the leather.  Putt at a speed of 1, 2, 3.  1 speed is just fast enough to have the ball get to the hole and drop in.  2 speed the golf ball doesn't touch any of the sides.  3 speed is the ball hits the back of the hole, pops up and then drops in.

3) Ladder drill - take any number of balls (but at least 3) and align them on a similar line and putt from various distances - 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 feet etc

4) Confidence drill - Pick a very, very close putt - 1 foot to begin with.  Practice making a certain number in a row (say 25).  Practice repeatedly hitting the ball into the hole.  If you miss start over again.  Don't worry about stroke, alignment or anything technical.  The next time you do this drill move back a couple of inches.

5) Random Practice - from a central location drop 10-15 balls.  Practice hitting putts to various targets around the green.  All the different holes, a leaf, a tee, the edge of the green.  Vary your targets as much as possible.

Now, you can do each of these drills a couple different ways. 

1) Peak Drill - free up your stroke by looking at the target when you putt.

2) No Peak Drill - leave your eyes on where the ball was at address.  Develop your feel and touch by "guessing" at your result in relation to your target. "Short and Left" or "Good line but a bit long"  Say your guess out loud.

3) "Gate" or Tee Drill - place a tee on the toe and one on the heel of the putter.  Allow the putter to pass through the two tees.  The closer they are the harder it becomes.  THIS GREATLY INCREASES CENTERNESS OF CONTACT.

I don't imagine you will be able to do all 5 drills each 3 different ways.  Pick one skill at a time and work on it.  Once you feel you have become better (or you get bored) more to another drill.  The idea is to have your mind engaged for a bit longer while you practice and have better quality practice.

Your friend in golf...
John Grothe, PGA
john.grothe@gmail.com