Why I Switched…

Why I Switched…

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From Dave Predzin, PGA, GGA Master Instructor

Like many of you I played “conventional golf” for many years before discovering the single plane swing. I first learned to golf when I was a freshman in high school. I played a lot of golf during the summers until the age of 20. I was an okay player, managing to shoot in the high 70’s/low 80’s. But I became very frustrated with the game and was at least smart enough to know that since I didn’t want to practice it was unlikely that I would get any better. So I basically put the clubs away for about 20 years.

My interest in golf rekindled in 1999 – 2000. I was willing to invest the time (and money) to see how good I could get. Over a one-year period I took lessons from several instructors, watched the Golf Channel non-stop, read every book I could get my hands on and was totally confused by all the conflicting information. I hit balls almost every day in all kinds of ridiculous weather (I literally missed a total of about 10 days) and came to the realization that I was now worse than ever. I had no clue where the ball was going from day to day and worse, had no idea how to solve my problem.

I saw an ad for Natural Golf, ordered the VHS tapes, saw some improvement, attended a one-day school, saw some more improvement and shot my best round ever – a 72 – even par. The concept of setting up to the ball as closely as possible to my impact position made perfect sense to me. For me it simplified the act of swinging the club to propel the ball forward.

I eventually attended one of the first “signature schools” that Tim and Todd did for Natural Golf, struck up a friendship and the rest is history as they say.

Dave Predzin

Meet the Master…Trent White, PGA

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Growing up in a small town in northwest Missouri left me with limited options for entertainment as a kid. Luckily my parent’s house was across the street from the town golf course. The Cameron Veteran’s Memorial Golf Course was far from well-maintained or fancy but at the time I didn’t know any better. It is an 18-hole par 71 course with a back tee yardage of only 5,882 yards. Looking back now, with a course rating of 67.7, it doesn’t hold much challenge for an avid golfer. But as a young junior, it was a perfect layout presenting numerous obstacles and hazards. I played the course for the first time in 3rdgrade and by the time I was in 5th grade, I was experienced enough to start golfing without my parents’ supervision.

The golf course quickly became my second home. I could be found teeing it up almost every day after school unless there was snow on the ground. My passion for the game grew rapidly and I soon found myself playing in local junior competitions. Throughout middle and high school, competitive golf made up most of my weekends. I was playing in multiple junior tours throughout the Midwest region in addition to on my school team. I guess you could say the golf bug bit me pretty hard. I enjoyed the process of becoming a better golfer and was constantly trying to improve.

By the time I was a junior in high school, I already knew I wanted to work in the golf industry. I wanted to stay involved with the sport and help others enjoy golf as much as I did. I moved to Edmond Oklahoma in the summer of 2008 to attend the University of Central Oklahoma, one of only twenty universities with the PGA professional golf management program. Searching for an internship involving teaching golf, I luckily met Tim and Todd for the first time in 2010. Completely unaware of the single plane swing, they generously allowed me to shadow a 3-day school to see if I would be interested in the method. By the end of the last day I was hooked. Words cannot express how impressed I was with the school experience and level of instruction. After learning the biomechanics of the single plane swing, the method simply made sense. Everything about Moe Norman’s golf swing and the way Graves Golf Academy approaches instruction clicked with me. I immediately started working with GGA and since then have graduated from college with a business degree and obtained my PGA membership.

Over the past five years with GGA I’ve gained a vast knowledge of the golf swing and greatly expanded my skills as an instructor. I’ve had the ability to help thousands of people who have a passion for golf just like myself. I’m currently helping instruct all premier GGA schools and single plane experience programs throughout the Midwest, as well as managing the coaching program. I’m excited to see what the future holds as we continue to grow as a company and look forward to working with more single plane golfers.

Simplerior

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Yes. I made up a word to describe the Single Plane Golf Swing. It’s all I could do to find a way to describe the swing to anyone who is coming from a ‘conventional’ golf background. As a matter of fact, we just developed our very own magazine – The Single Plane Golfer to give you, the SP golfer, a place to find instruction and information about the simplerior Single Plane Swing.

If you asked me to describe the swing in my own terms it is more than just an easier swing. The ease of the swing is founded in biomechanics of the body. Therefore, it is both simple (mechanically) and superior (better than the alternative). Yes, the Single Plane swing is Simplerior.

The Single Plane address position and impact position make achieving impact more efficient and easier. A simple swing is one that is easy on the body and can produce the desired result with efficiency and less moving parts. This address position with the elimination of the rotation of the trail hand create a more mechanically sound golf swing movement. This means it is easier to produce and repeat.

The Single Plane Swing is also superior. This means that it is better than the alternative conventional golf swing. When I consider that a majority of golfers are over the age of 50, it is important to find a swing that is easier on the body – especially for the aging body.

Rate Your Wedge Game

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Assume many of your watch the “big boys” (and ladies) play in the weekly PGA, LPGA or Senior PGA tournaments.

As you watch these tournaments, how many times do you think you heard the announcers mention spin….  whether shots into the green, pitch shots to the green, flop shots, etc… it is mentioned again and again and again, as it is critical to be able to put back spin on the golf ball to stop it on greens.

As golf course maintenance improves and the golfer’s expectations of greens increase, greens have become harder and faster over the past years. Think of greens 15 to 20 years ago compared to today’s greens…. it is more important than ever to be able to create spin on the golf ball to be able to score.

So, I decided to write a practice tip that will let you rate your wedge game potential. This rating will show you where you currently stand (potential to create spin/have a great wedge/scoring game) and will also show you where you can improve your wedge game.

There are 9 areas – each is to be rated on a scale of 0 to 3. Keep a running count and finally a total.

Creation of Spin:
 
The 3 major factors that affect spin are:
 
1.  Angle of approach and speed to the golf ball.
2.  Type of wedge (metal) the club(s) is made of.
3.  Type of golf ball you are playing.
 
1.  How much Divot do you take when you hit a pitch or wedge shot?
         0 – No divot,
         1 – Bruise/scrape the grass,
         2 – Take a divot but not every time,
         3 – Take a divot (need to replace grass or fill in with sand) every time.
 
2.  How much Speed to you create?
         0 – Hit pitching wedge (40* to 46* wedge) less than 60 yards
         1 – Hit pitching wedge 60 to 90 yards
         2 – Hit pitching wedge 90 to 120 yards
         3 – Hit pitching wedge more than 120 yards
 
3.  Do you carry a Lob Wedge (58* or lower) and Sand Wedge (54* or lower) in your golf bag?
         0 – No, I don’t carry a Lob or Sand Wedge (or don’t know).
         1 – I carry only a Sand Wedge
         2 – I carry only a Lob Wedge
         3 – I carry both a Sand and Lob Wedge.
 
4.  What type of Wedge (Lob and / or Sand Wedge) to you hit?
         0 – Cast wedge (or don’t know) (Typically matches the other clubs in your bag (9 iron, 8 iron…)
         1 – Forged type wedge (soft metal) with old grooves
         2 – Forged type wedge (soft metal) with new grooves
         3 – Forged type wedge (soft metal) with new grooves with other factors adding to spin (spin milled, rusty, etc..) – Typically wedges made in past 2 to 3 years. 
 
5.  Were your wedges fit to you for length, lie angle, shaft flex, grip size?
         0 – No, or I don’t know
         1 – Some of them are, others are not.
         2 – Partially fit (maybe grip size, not lie angle, etc..)
         3 – All wedges were fit to me for length, lie angle, shaft flex, grip size, shaft weight, etc.. 
 
6.  What type of Golf Ball do you play?
         0 – Play any ball I find…. no one in particular
         1 – Hard Golf Ball (2 piece golf ball) i.e Callaway SuperSoft, Titleist DT, Tailor-made Burner Soft..
         2 – Medium Soft Golf Ball (3 piece golf ball) i.e  Callaway Diablo, Taylormade Project A, Titleist NXT..
         3 – Soft Golf Ball (4+ piece golf ball) – i.e Callaway Chrome Soft & (X), Titleist Pro-V1 & (X)…
 
Next, need to factor in swing fundamentals:
 
7.  Is the toe of the wedge up when the club is parallel to the ground in backswing?
    (Set up like you are going to hit a pitch and stop when the club is parallel to the ground in the
     backswing – the toe of your club should be pointed up.)
         0 – Toe of club is pointed to 9 o’clock everytime or don’t know
         1 – Toe of club is pointed to 12 o’clock some of the time.
         2 – Toe of club is pointed to 12 o’clock (or up) most of the time.
         3 – Toe of club is pointed to 12 o’clock (up) every time.
 
8.  Do you accelerate through the shot (in particular a pitch shot)?
     (Check this position when you finish the shot.)
         0 – Hands finish at waist high or lower.
         1 – Hands finish between waist high and shoulder height
         2 – Hands finish above shoulders some of the time.
         3 – Hands finish above shoulders every time.
 
9.  How consistent are the pitches in relationship to contact on face of club?
       (Look at the mark (grass mark, etc..) on the face of the club after impact.
         0 – Inconsistent, marks all over face – even shank some shots
         1 – Consistently off the heel of the club (toward the heel).
         2 – Some shots off middle of face of club, some off the heel of club.
         3 – All shots off the middle of club face (some hit all slightly toward toe)
 
Before we break down each area and how we can improve – let’s go over our totals and potential:
 
0 to 9 points – Very little to no potential to create spin and have a good short game.
 
10 to 15 points – Some potential, but wouldn’t count on any spin when hitting short game shots.
 
16 to 20 points – Medium potential, can create and play some spin on medium/soft to slow greens.
 
21 to 24 points – High potential, can create and play spin on most all types of greens, still some
areas (above) to work on.
 
25 points + – Very high potential, unless one area (above) is low, no problem creating spin when
                             needed.
 

An interesting comment I often hear is, “I don’t play good enough to care about creating spin on my short game shots.”  Could not be further from the truth.  The more greens you miss, the shorter game shots you will have – and the more you will need to hit good shots that have spin when needed.     Basically all short game shots should have some type of spin – some more than others. A short chip will have spin as it hits the green – allows you to be more aggressive. A pitch or lob/flop shot needs spin to stop quick and even most bunkers (sand trap) shots need spin to get close to the hole.

Let’s give a “short” review of each area above and if you scored low, how you can improve that area. 

1.  How much divot do you take when you hit a pitch or wedge shot?
 
You need to take a divot (can be small), but need a divot most every time you hit a pitch, even with a chip off a “tight” lie (lie with minimal grass).  This divot should start slightly after/past the ball and is indicative of good “angle” toward the ball.  You always want to be hitting down on the shot.  If you cast, “flip” or release early – you will have a lot of problems taking a divot.
 
Fix – Work on your leverage angles through impact.  Work on your hands leading the shot (getting your hands ahead of the club head through impact).
 
Drill – Work on the LEVERAGE BAG – one of the best, if not best, drill you can use to work on your hands leading the shot.  Please review – http://moenormangolf.com/store/products/gga-leverage-bag/
 
2.  How much Speed to you create?
 
Speed is a hard thing to increase (when over 30 to 35 years of age).  But, can work on optimizing speed at impact.  Leverage bag drill above will help.
 
Speed is a factor or your club being on plane (squareness of hit) vs. strength vs. flexibility.  Improving one of these areas will increase speed, improving all will dramatically increase speed.
 
Fix – Work on improving your flexibility:  http://moenormangolf.com/store/products/flexibility-exercises/
 
Fix – Always work on getting / keeping your club on plane (effective speed at impact).
 
3.  Do you carry a Lob Wedge (58* or lower) and Sand Wedge (54* or lower) in your golf bag?
 
Most important club in the bag – your putter.
2nd most important club – your driver.
3rd most important club – your lob wedge.
 
Your lob wedge saves shots, helps you score, if “your friend” – the best tool to scoring in your bag. Saving shots, creating shots, allowing you to “take more risks”, etc…
 
Recommended to carry as many wedges as you can in your bag (within limit) – they are your SCORING clubs.
 
Fix – Get a lob and sand wedge.
 
4.  What type of Wedge (Lob and / or Sand Wedge) to you hit?
 
If you hit a pitching wedge 90 yards or more it is recommended to have STEEL shafted FORGED type sand and lob wedges (even gap wedge for some).
 
You want steel shaft for weight (helps in high grass, sand, 1/4 or 1/2 shots, etc.) and added weight will increase spin.
 
All major companies carry forged type wedges – email or call us if you have questions.
 
Fix – Get a forged NEW sand and lob wedge.
 
5.  Were your wedges fit to you for length, lie angle, shaft flex, grip size?
 
If your wedges are not fit to you, they are potentially doing more harm than good.  A wedge too upright (lie angle – or toe of club off ground) will cause perfect swing/path to pull the ball to the left (for right handers).  A club too flat – will cause ball to go to the right.  A grip that is too big – limited feel in the shot.
 
Fix – Get wedges that fit you.  If you want your fittings, please go to: http://moenormangolf.com/clubs/free-club-fittings/
 
6.  What type of Golf Ball do you play?
 
The softer / more layers the golf ball – the more spin you can create.
 
Also – you need to play the same type of golf ball, at least around the greens.  It is almost impossible to have good “feel” in the short game if you are always using different golf balls.
 
Fix – Experiment with different golf balls – see what you like.  Talk to your local pro (most are trained……) about the new golf balls on market.  Soft/feel golf balls are not always expensive.
 
7.  Is the toe of the wedge up when the club is parallel to the ground in backswing?
 
It is essential you swing the club (club head) properly on plane to get maximum / correct spin on the golf ball.  Check this position often.
 
Drill – Most who have problems with the toe up position have grip issues (grip too strong, etc..)
        Others problems can be backswing issues, etc..
 
Fix – Work with GGA Grip Training Club 
 
8.  Do you accelerate through the shot (in particular a pitch shot)?
 
A majority of golfers who have difficulty pitching decelerate through the shot.  A divot with deceleration will cause fat shots, short shots, club head twisting.  Most, instead of fixing acceleration, work on hitting less divot (not good….).
 
Drill – Work on “mini” golf swing with short back swing and longer through swing.
 
Fix –  Continually work on shortening your back swing in a pitch and chip if you are decelerating.  Shorter the better…..
 
9.  How consistent are the pitches in relationship to contact on face of club?
 
Most often this is a path (swing path) issue.  A pitch is a “mini” golf swing.
 
Drill –  Work on your golf swing – (very small) and work up.  Start small (short shots) and work up.
          Pitch 20 yards or less, check the face for marks.  Don’t get longer unless consistent with
          short shots.
 
Fix –  Start small and work up.  Don’t rush…. the more “deliberate” you are with small shots and then work longer only when short shots make consistent contact, the faster you will get better.
 
Summary –
 
Highest potential in your short game/pitching to create spin and ultimately score better (much better):
You play fitted (to you) forged wedges (sand and lob) and the same (type) soft (multi layered) golf balls. You create a divot every pitch, marks on club face are consistently in middle, toe of club is up when waist high every time in back swing and your hands finish high (on finish).

South Chicago, OKC, and then Westward!

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Just a quick update for you on our remaining 3 and 5 day school schedule for the remainder of the summer.

In late August, we’ll visit a new facility with our Premier 3-day school. The school will be in South Chicago at Harborside International Golf Center on August 22nd-24th, and will feature Todd and Tim Graves as lead instructors. This facility boasts a 55-acre practice facility, and we are excited about adding an additional location in the Chicagoland area.

At the Oklahoma City Headquarters, we will hold one more 3-day Premier school on August 15-17th, and one more 5 day Build Your Game Camp on September 8-12th. These will be our last Premier programs in the central part of the U.S. for 2014.

Starting in September, we are planning schools in San Diego (late September, dates TBD) and then we will be in Las Vegas in October for a 5 day Build Your Game Camp and 3-day Premier school.

As we wrap up our school year in November, we are looking at ending in Palm Springs again this year in mid-November.

To book your school, visit http://moenormangolf.com/schools/school-calendar/. Spaces are limited, and we have been filling up our schools faster than ever!

Moe Said Slow

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One of the best times we have at our schools is having lunch with all our students. Todd, myself, our staff and our students spend about 45 minutes each school day enjoying lunch (and a good break). It always seems the lunch talk turns to Moe and our stories about Moe. This past weekend was no different – and it reminded me of a story I wanted to share with everyone and maybe it will help your practice a little.

A few years after Todd met Moe, we went back down to Orlando for a few weeks (in the winter) to work on our games for the upcoming golf season. Todd had scheduled some time to meet Moe at his home course in Titusville, FL (Royal Oaks) and continue his work on mastering Moe’s swing.

Early one morning – we traveled from Orlando to Titusville to meet Moe. Todd met Moe at the club house and proceeded to go the range with Moe. This day Todd was working on proper impact with the driver, facing ball at impact and the proper release.

Moe showed Todd what he thought he was doing and they proceeded to practice. I remember hitting a few balls next to Moe and Todd, but was more interested in watching what they were doing.

First – as Todd and Moe practiced, Moe would show Todd his positions, but always referred to his positions very “slow” and seemed to exaggerate them when he showed them… Meaning, he would show the positions in slow motion and make a point to go “beyond” where you needed to in the swing.

Todd started to practice, and I remember Moe saying “Slow down. Bump the ball off the tee.  Feel the positions – slow down.”

As most know, it is very difficult to not hit a driver hard… when you put the driver in your hands, most want to swing it hard…. but Moe didn’t want any of that. He wanted Todd to slow down, hit it slow, feel the positions.

I remember about that time, I went to the putting green to hit a few putts/chips as we were going to play a few holes later… but I could still see Todd working with Moe from the green.

For the next hour, all Todd did was very short “bump drills/shots” with the driver in slow motion. Only taking the driver to waist high in the back swing and then “bumping” the golf ball off the tee and going to waist high in the through swing. And doing this in slow motion – VERY SLOW.

After an about an hour I went to Todd and asked if he wanted to go play a few holes… he said he was going to continue to practice…. I went and played a couple of holes, came back and guess what Todd was still doing… yup – the slow motion bump drill working on proper positions. Moe had gone in for a while, went to hit a few putts, and returned to watch Todd and make sure he was still working on proper positions, I just remember him telling Todd – slow down, feel the positions… slow motion type of practice.

Let’s discuss perfect practice a little… what is perfect practice to you?

For most, it is going to the range, hitting a few golf balls and hoping the figure something out.

How many of you practice in slow motion?

How many of you practice in slow motion to feel the positions?

How many of you are confident enough in your knowledge of the golf swing you would know what the perfect positions of the golf swing are?

It’s pretty interesting at our schools. We have our students work on the PVC drill the first day to work on the different positions of the golf swing. For most, it isn’t anything new as they have done the PVC drill many times at home. But to us (instructors), it is interesting as 9 out of 10 students don’t “hit” the different positions correct. In other words, they have been doing the PVC drill at home, but not correct…. what is this doing to their swing?

Perfect practice involves knowing what you are working on. Not guessing.

Perfect practice involves A LOT of slow motion practice to make sure you are doing correct and allows you to “feel” the positions.

Perfect practice involves a “check system” that allows you to make sure you are doing it right.  Maybe in front of a mirror, maybe videoing, maybe having someone else watch…

If you’re really serious about getting better – you will figure out how to practice perfect.  Come find us – we’ll give you many things to work on, but more importantly we’ll show you how to practice. So that every time you practice, you will make sure and make yourself better.

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