By Terry Medina (Graves Golf Alumnus)
What do I get from Graves Golf? I have been a single planer for about eight years, starting at age seventy. Like most members, I started out of frustration that my game was not very good and never getting better. My NCGA index was about 26. I joined and have been through all the machinations of membership. That first three-day school in Phoenix was the eye opener that unlocked my golf future. Of course, the videos, DVDs, booklets, training aids all helped. I am not the fastest learner, but I keep at it. It took me two years to really understand commitment. Graves Golf staff was clearly committed to me. Was I clearly committed to them and myself? I know I had to be if I was going to be in that 10%.
I went all in at age 73. I would “Burn the Boat” before the term was used. I bought every training aid and a tall mirror. I learned B-practice and made a practice schedule. Because I live on a golf course and can play almost year-round, I used to let playing golf get in the way of practice and improvement. I now try to have a club in my hand every day even if it is just to practice chipping on the living room carpet with the chipping board, short game impact club and tall mirror.
Early on I took advantage of fitted clubs from Tim Graves, not to mention the other perks like balls, gloves, etc. The fitted clubs were such an improvement. I am on the yearly replacement program. Trade-In/Trade-Up provided my whole bag (minus wedges) for approximately the cost of a new driver.
I am currently a level four elite member with a great coach, Parker Elrod. There has been so much to take advantage of. With Single Plane 30, Fast Forward and so much more, it’s hard to know what to do next! But it is all in On Demand where all Graves Golf training and information resides. It is my go-to for everything SPS. Frankly I appreciate the “Quick Tips” a lot and try never to miss one. The best thing about level four is live Zoom lessons with Parker, sending in video is a close second, sending in data sheets is a close third. It provides great feedback, and I don’t use it enough.
I started out with the question “what do I get from Graves Golf Academy?” The answer is CONFIDENCE. At every GGA school I have been to, there have been many students who say they want consistency. I believe for me the result of everything GGA has placed in me, the swing technique, promoting physical exercise, mental game plus my level of work has resulted in confidence. Confidence that when I get over a shot, I am going to strike it well. Driver, iron, pitch, chip; and should I not strike it as intended I have confidence in the feel of my swing, that I know what I did and can put that in my grey zone. Yes, my index got down to 14.4 but that is the by-product of confidence in my all-inclusive training with Graves Golf.
For me, there is a bonus. My wife Myrna plays golf and last year converted to GG Single Plane Swing and joined my level four status. Yes, she is elite in my book. We attend schools together, do zoom lessons together and she even went all in on fitted clubs.
My New Years Resolution is to maintain confidence in my game, double my effort on putting practice and work more on physical conditioning, stretching, flexibility and add some band and weight training. I am playing the best golf of my life. Everything I have absorbed from Graves Golf has given me confidence over every shot!
Merry Christmas you guys and Happy New Year! You do make a positive difference.
Sincerely,
Terry
