Jump to content
IGNORED

Questions for Mark Sweeney Interview

iacas

By iacas,
in Instruction and Playing Tips

 Share
Note: This thread is 4745 days old. We appreciate that you found this thread instead of starting a new one, but if you plan to post here please make sure it's still relevant. If not, please start a new topic. Thank you!

Recommended Posts

  • Administrator
iacas Hall of Fame Member

iacas

  • Administrator

Mark Sweeney is the man behind .

We're going to be conducting an interview with him soon and I'd like to open the floor to questions. Give 'em to me.

Ask anything, though if I had some advice to steer you, it would be to realize that he's not going to "teach you AimPoint" in an interview - that's why classes and instructors exist - and that you should ask more questions about him personally, how AimPoint came to be, what's changed over the years, how the green line on TV works, or things like that.

Erik J. Barzeski — ⛳ I knock a ball. It goes in a gopher hole. 🏌🏼‍♂️
Director of Instruction Golf Evolution • Owner, The Sand Trap .com • Author, Lowest Score Wins
Golf Digest "Best Young Teachers in America" 2016-17 & "Best in State" 2017-20 • WNY Section PGA Teacher of the Year 2019 :edel: :true_linkswear:

Check Out: New Topics | TST Blog | Golf Terms | Instructional Content | Analyzr | LSW | Instructional Droplets

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Awards, Achievements, and Accolades
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

mchepp Great Member

mchepp

1. When is his book coming out? 2. In lieu of a book (as I have been waiting patiently), can one purchase a video of a clinic? 3. When one doesn't have the time to chart greens on a course before we play it, how should we use the aimpoint charts? Meaning how should I pick the slope if I am putting on a green I have never played before. I can usually decide the zero line from the anchor points, but the slope is more difficult. 4. Much has been made of the great parts of aimpoint, but are there any success stories where players have take strokes off their handicaps? So more detail on measurable improvements. 5. What is in the future for Aimpoint? How to improve it from here? I may think of more later and post them later.

Michael

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Awards, Achievements, and Accolades
1
1
1

mchepp Great Member

mchepp

1. What do you say to the critics that think that using Aimpoint (carrying the charts during the round of golf) should be against the rules of golf? (not trying to be a jerk, just trying to ask some tough questions) 2. What percentage of PGA Tour players are using Aimpoint today? I cannot believe more people don't have questions. Come on people, Aimpoint is one of the coolest things introduced to putting in a number of years. Science based putting.

Michael

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Awards, Achievements, and Accolades
1
1
1

  • Administrator
iacas Hall of Fame Member

iacas

  • Author
  • Administrator

Originally Posted by mchepp

I cannot believe more people don't have questions. Come on people, Aimpoint is one of the coolest things introduced to putting in a number of years. Science based putting.


Ditto that. C'mon guys... let's have 'em.

Erik J. Barzeski — ⛳ I knock a ball. It goes in a gopher hole. 🏌🏼‍♂️
Director of Instruction Golf Evolution • Owner, The Sand Trap .com • Author, Lowest Score Wins
Golf Digest "Best Young Teachers in America" 2016-17 & "Best in State" 2017-20 • WNY Section PGA Teacher of the Year 2019 :edel: :true_linkswear:

Check Out: New Topics | TST Blog | Golf Terms | Instructional Content | Analyzr | LSW | Instructional Droplets

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Awards, Achievements, and Accolades
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

saevel25 Incredible Member

saevel25

1) do you think aimpoint charts takes the spirit of the game in the wrong direction. Using technology to assist in green reading, taking it away from the players capabilities

Matt Dougherty, P.E.
 fasdfa dfdsaf 

What's in My Bag
Driver; :pxg: 0311 Gen 5,  3-Wood: :titleist: 917h3 ,  Hybrid:  :titleist: 915 2-Hybrid,  Irons: Sub 70 TAIII Fordged
Wedges: :edel: (52, 56, 60),  Putter: :edel:,  Ball: :snell: MTB,  Shoe: :true_linkswear:,  Rangfinder: :leupold:
Bag: :ping:

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Awards, Achievements, and Accolades
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

EverythingGolf Dedicated Member

EverythingGolf

Aimpoint, is it just for TV viewers to see the putts? How do they get the shape of the greens so they can read the putts? Is there a device that players can use to read the putts when playing?

5 Simple Keys® Associate

"Golf is not a game of great shots. It's a game of the most accurate misses.

The people who win make the smallest mistakes." - Gene Littler

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Awards, Achievements, and Accolades
1
1

uttexas Great Member

uttexas

other than slope and speed of the green, are there other major environmental factors that influence a ball's curve?

ex:  wind, dampness of green, temperature of green, grass type, grain direction, etc.

HiBore XLS Tour 9.5*
Adams Fast10 15* 3W
A2OS 3H-7iron 60* LW
8iron Precept Tour Premium cb
9iron and 45* PW 50* GW 56* SW m565 and 455 VfoilPutter Anser Belly Putter Ball in order of preference TPblack e5 V2  AD333

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...
Shindig Incredible Member

Shindig

Did the interview get published?

I ask because I spent some time tonight reading about AimPoint and am interested.  I've also noticed that some clinics (both on fundamentals, both same instructor, about a month apart) are going to be in my area (well, a little over an hour drive away), so I'd like to look into more about the method and then maybe go to one of them.   I also want to make sure I do my homework first so that I get the most out of it.

Of course, if the interview hasn't happened yet, I might yet have some questions.

-- Michael | My swing! 

"You think you're Jim Furyk. That's why your phone is never charged." - message from my mother

Driver:  Titleist 915D2.  4-wood:  Titleist 917F2.  Titleist TS2 19 degree hybrid.  Another hybrid in here too.  Irons 5-U, Ping G400.  Wedges negotiable (currently 54 degree Cleveland, 58 degree Titleist) Edel putter. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Awards, Achievements, and Accolades
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

  • Administrator
iacas Hall of Fame Member

iacas

  • Author
  • Administrator

Originally Posted by Shindig

Did the interview get published?

I ask because I spent some time tonight reading about AimPoint and am interested.  I've also noticed that some clinics (both on fundamentals, both same instructor, about a month apart) are going to be in my area (well, a little over an hour drive away), so I'd like to look into more about the method and then maybe go to one of them.   I also want to make sure I do my homework first so that I get the most out of it.

Of course, if the interview hasn't happened yet, I might yet have some questions.


Still putting it together. Yeah, ask questions... I'm putting it together today, in fact.

Erik J. Barzeski — ⛳ I knock a ball. It goes in a gopher hole. 🏌🏼‍♂️
Director of Instruction Golf Evolution • Owner, The Sand Trap .com • Author, Lowest Score Wins
Golf Digest "Best Young Teachers in America" 2016-17 & "Best in State" 2017-20 • WNY Section PGA Teacher of the Year 2019 :edel: :true_linkswear:

Check Out: New Topics | TST Blog | Golf Terms | Instructional Content | Analyzr | LSW | Instructional Droplets

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Awards, Achievements, and Accolades
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

Shindig Incredible Member

Shindig



Originally Posted by iacas

Still putting it together. Yeah, ask questions... I'm putting it together today, in fact.


For the TV one, do they re-map them every day (for each hole location), or is there something they store for each green that they can adjust to the new hole locations?

For the clinics, how long does it generally take to integrate the knowledge?  There's one near me in two weeks, but my club championship starts in 3, so I'm slightly worried that a week after the seminar, I'll be playing two (hopefully three) consecutive rounds of golf.  Of course, if it integrates quickly, I'm not all that worried.  And I'd rather be a good putter long term, even if that means I don't play in the championship.

I'm also trying to understand some of the terms in articles I've read.  I think I understand the concept of a zero-line - it's the line (well, piecewise series of smaller lines) along which any putt is straight.  This means that the ball and the hole are on this line?   I'm going to go and try to find the zero lines on a practice green tomorrow, just as warm-up, and to see if I can grasp the concept early.  This seems to be one of those amazing things that sounds simple but can fundamentally change something I do in a good way.

With my pitching and chipping, I used to fancy myself a feel player.  Then you (Erik) got me to do the 1/4 and 1/2 measurements, and now I have a mathematical input to my feel, and my pitching and chipping improved significantly (this was the time when I jumped from 25 down to 18 in a few months).   My reading seems to be that AimPoint is something similar for putting:  it's a mathematical input for my putter feel.  Instead of telling me how far back to pull the putter (although speed is obviously important), it also gives me some starting points for my feel, by allowing me to figure out the correct line during practice, and use that to feed the feel I'll have during a round.  Am I even close to what I think this is going to give me?

Also, and this is not really one for the interview, so much as one I wish I could ask:  why aren't the clinic costs listed on the website?

In any case, I'm thinking I may have to head out to one that's being held in about two weeks.

-- Michael | My swing! 

"You think you're Jim Furyk. That's why your phone is never charged." - message from my mother

Driver:  Titleist 915D2.  4-wood:  Titleist 917F2.  Titleist TS2 19 degree hybrid.  Another hybrid in here too.  Irons 5-U, Ping G400.  Wedges negotiable (currently 54 degree Cleveland, 58 degree Titleist) Edel putter. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Awards, Achievements, and Accolades
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

  • Administrator
iacas Hall of Fame Member

iacas

  • Author
  • Administrator

Shindig, good questions and I'll put as many as I can in the article/interview. I wanted to answer a few now though, especially since you mentioned the clinic coming up.

Originally Posted by Shindig

For the TV one, do they re-map them every day (for each hole location), or is there something they store for each green that they can adjust to the new hole locations?

The greens are mapped once. The cameras know where the hole is, where the ball is, and where the camera is in 3D space, so the software is able to figure out the break from any point on the green to any other point on the green. Obviously, normally that's from the ball to the hole.

Mark told me that one time they got the hole location only about a foot off from where it was supposed to be and there was a really subtle crown near the hole. A foot left and the ball should break left. He saw one putt and the ball rolled right at the hole, so he knew instantly that the hole wasn't in the right place, so he disallowed use of the AimPoint line on that hole during the telecast. I imagine if he could have known exactly how far away it was (he guessed a foot but it could have been 10 inches or 20 inches and it would make a difference), he could have made the change and kept using it, but losing one hole isn't bad.

http://www.greenscan3d.com/ - He does most (maybe all) of the "green scans." They're accurate to something like a millimeter and he'll scan a green and all of the area around the green from one to three or four spots and get SUPER-accurate maps. One map is all you need.

Generally being off by a foot or a few inches on the hole location doesn't matter because generally there's not a crown RIGHT on the hole that can so drastically affect things. That's why sometimes a putt riding the edge of the putting line will go in and other times a putt on the edge misses by half an inch. It's shockingly accurate even if the hole isn't exactly where they think it is... lots of margin for error because the slopes where pins are cut are generally about the same in a fairly wide area.


Originally Posted by Shindig

For the clinics, how long does it generally take to integrate the knowledge?  There's one near me in two weeks, but my club championship starts in 3, so I'm slightly worried that a week after the seminar, I'll be playing two (hopefully three) consecutive rounds of golf.  Of course, if it integrates quickly, I'm not all that worried.  And I'd rather be a good putter long term, even if that means I don't play in the championship.

Good question. Again since it's coming up I think you should take the class. Then depending on how much you're able to practice leading up to the tournament, you can either choose to take the chart out or not.

You will be able to immediately begin applying several of the principles. You'll understand how anchors work. You'll be able to read everything inside of 10 feet super accurately and inside of 20-25 feet really well... you won't be fooled by visual tricks that architects play. You should never be surprised by a putt going left that you thought was going right. Immediately.


Originally Posted by Shindig

I think I understand the concept of a zero-line - it's the line (well, piecewise series of smaller lines) along which any putt is straight.  This means that the ball and the hole are on this line?

Not quite. A zero line (every cup has one or two (or more) of them) is a putt aimed straight at the hole. The putt can break twice, even three or four times, but the "aim" is straight at the hole.

Just a word of caution (it really doesn't apply to you - more to other people) - it's easy to feel like AimPoint is such a simple system that you can "learn it" on the Web by reading things and watching videos. It's not, and if you think you've learned something, you won't go see an AimPoint Certified instructor and actually learn it. Then you'll think it's lousy when, again, you haven't really learned it...

It's freakishly accurate and only gets more so the more you learn it, but you can't learn it from reading stuff on the Web only.


Originally Posted by Shindig

My reading seems to be that AimPoint is something similar for putting: it's a mathematical input for my putter feel. Instead of telling me how far back to pull the putter (although speed is obviously important), it also gives me some starting points for my feel, by allowing me to figure out the correct line during practice, and use that to feed the feel I'll have during a round. Am I even close to what I think this is going to give me?

It can definitely do that. But you can do more too and apply it during the round as well... you're almost never putting from the same spot to a hole in the same location. But that's a good question and I'll be sure to ask Mark.

Originally Posted by Shindig

Also, and this is not really one for the interview, so much as one I wish I could ask:  why aren't the clinic costs listed on the website?

Instructors can set their own costs. Ours will be $225 or so for 2-2.5 hours. Virtually all of them are $200 to $250 for 2-2.5 hours of "Fundamentals."

Also, most instructors will let you audit a class you've already taken (sometimes space is limited, and not everyone does this). For a few reasons: 1) they want you to continue to use AimPoint, and if you fall off the wagon, you won't continue to use it and potentially take an Advanced class from them, and 2) you will quite likely help other new students and be able to share your experiences.

Erik J. Barzeski — ⛳ I knock a ball. It goes in a gopher hole. 🏌🏼‍♂️
Director of Instruction Golf Evolution • Owner, The Sand Trap .com • Author, Lowest Score Wins
Golf Digest "Best Young Teachers in America" 2016-17 & "Best in State" 2017-20 • WNY Section PGA Teacher of the Year 2019 :edel: :true_linkswear:

Check Out: New Topics | TST Blog | Golf Terms | Instructional Content | Analyzr | LSW | Instructional Droplets

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Awards, Achievements, and Accolades
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

jamo Incredible Member

jamo

Does their iPhone/iPod app measure slope, or is it more of an electronic version of AimCharts (which is what the website say: " It has an interactive version of the AimChart as well as video tips and instructor listings.")

In my bag:

Driver: Titleist TSi3 | 15º 3-Wood: Ping G410 | 17º 2-Hybrid: Ping G410 | 19º 3-Iron: TaylorMade GAPR Lo |4-PW Irons: Nike VR Pro Combo | 54º SW, 60º LW: Titleist Vokey SM8 | Putter: Odyssey Toulon Las Vegas H7

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Awards, Achievements, and Accolades
1
1
1

Shindig Incredible Member

Shindig

Thanks for the info.  I emailed the instructor to ask for some more information, and to ask about how I would go about signing up for it.

-- Michael | My swing! 

"You think you're Jim Furyk. That's why your phone is never charged." - message from my mother

Driver:  Titleist 915D2.  4-wood:  Titleist 917F2.  Titleist TS2 19 degree hybrid.  Another hybrid in here too.  Irons 5-U, Ping G400.  Wedges negotiable (currently 54 degree Cleveland, 58 degree Titleist) Edel putter. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Awards, Achievements, and Accolades
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

  • Administrator
iacas Hall of Fame Member

iacas

  • Author
  • Administrator

Originally Posted by jamo

Does their iPhone/iPod app measure slope, or is it more of an electronic version of AimCharts (which is what the website say: " It has an interactive version of the AimChart as well as video tips and instructor listings.")


No. It'd be too inaccurate. The levels in phones aren't super -precise. It's more the latter.

I'm fine just using the charts. The app's fun to play with but is limited in its usage on-course.

Erik J. Barzeski — ⛳ I knock a ball. It goes in a gopher hole. 🏌🏼‍♂️
Director of Instruction Golf Evolution • Owner, The Sand Trap .com • Author, Lowest Score Wins
Golf Digest "Best Young Teachers in America" 2016-17 & "Best in State" 2017-20 • WNY Section PGA Teacher of the Year 2019 :edel: :true_linkswear:

Check Out: New Topics | TST Blog | Golf Terms | Instructional Content | Analyzr | LSW | Instructional Droplets

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Awards, Achievements, and Accolades
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

Note: This thread is 4745 days old. We appreciate that you found this thread instead of starting a new one, but if you plan to post here please make sure it's still relevant. If not, please start a new topic. Thank you!

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing


  • Want to join this community?

    We'd love to have you!

    Sign Up

  • TST Partners

    TourStriker PlaneMate
    Golfer's Journal
    ShotScope
    The Stack System
    FlightScope Mevo
    Direct: Mevo, Mevo+, and Pro Package.

    Coupon Codes (save 10-15%): "IACAS" for Mevo/Stack, "IACASPLUS" for Mevo+/Pro Package, and "THESANDTRAP" for ShotScope.

  • Posts

    • AndysSoncal
      Klineka's Garage Simulator Build Thread

      By AndysSoncal ·

      However, have you ever considered using small summer houses for such setups? They offer a great solution for creating dedicated practice areas, especially for an affluent audience looking to enhance their outdoor living space.
    • Maroon88
      Favorite Las Vegas Course

      By Maroon88 ·

      I've played Bali Hai, Bear's Best and Painted Desert. I enjoyed Bali Hai the most--course was in great shape, friendly staff and got paired in a great group. Bear's Best greens were very fast, didn't hold the ball well (I normally have enough spin to stop the ball after 1-2 hops).  The sand was different on many holes. Some were even dark sand (recreation of holes from Hawaii). Unfortunately I was single and paired with a local "member" who only played the front 9.  We were stuck behind a slow 4-some who wouldn't let me through even when the local left. Painted Desert was decent, just a bit far from the Strip where we were staying.
    • StuM
      Wordle Daily Puzzle

      By StuM ·

      Wordle 1,035 3/6 ⬜🟨🟨🟩⬜ 🟨🟨🟩🟩🟩 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Just lipped out that Eagle putt, easy tab-in Birdie
    • DaHolla
      "5 Minutes Daily" Practice Challenge

      By DaHolla ·

      Day 106 - Worked on chipping/pitching. Focus was feeling the club fall to the ground as my body rotated through. 
    • DeadMan
      My Swing (billchao)

      By DeadMan ·

      Honestly, unless there's something about that rough there that makes it abnormally penal or a lost ball likely, this might be the play. I don't know how the mystrategy cone works, but per LSW, you don't use every shot for your shot zones. In that scatter plot, you have no balls in the bunker, and 1 in the penalty area. The median outcome seems to be a 50 yard pitch. Even if you aren't great from 50 yards, you're better off there than in a fairway bunker or the penalty area on the right of the fairway. It could also be a strategy you keep in your back pocket if you need to make up ground. Maybe this is a higher average score with driver, but better chance at a birdie. Maybe you are hitting your driver well and feel comfortable with letting one rip.  I get not wanting to wait and not wanting to endanger people on the tee, but in a tournament, I think I value playing for score more than waiting. I don't value that over hurting people, but you can always yell fore 😆 Only thing I would say is I'm not sure whether that cone is the best representation of the strategy (see my comment above about LSW's shot zones). To me, it looks like a 4 iron where you're aiming closer to the bunker might be the play. You have a lot of shots out to the right and only a few to the left. Obviously, I don't know where you are aiming (and this is a limitation of MyStrategy), but it seems like most of your 4 iron shots are right. You have 2 in the bunker but aiming a bit closer to the bunker won't bring more of your shots into the bunker. It does bring a few away from the penalty area on the right.  This could also depend on how severe the penalties are for missing the green. Do you need to be closer to avoid issues around the green?  It's not a bad strategy to hit 6 iron off the tee, be in the fairway, and have 150ish in. I'm probably overthinking this.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Welcome to TST! Signing up is free, and you'll see fewer ads and can talk with fellow golf enthusiasts! By using TST, you agree to our Terms of Use, our Privacy Policy, and our Guidelines.

  I accept
The popup will be closed in 10 seconds...