Introducing Five Simple Keys®

[iacas]

[SPOILER=Warning: Spoiler!][/SPOILER] Orlando.

Well, we'll have someone there shortly, at Reunion Resort.

[The_Pharaoh]

Originally Posted by iacas

"Take a training stick and put it in the grip of your club so that a foot or so sticks out." Though it appears Chuck may have just held onto it it beside the grip in the picture.

Yes, and the stick mysteriously disappears below the grip!

I haven't been practicing or playing much recently, but played on Tuesday and my ballstriking was all over the place. After reading your Golf Tips article last night, decided to go back to basics and really work on the drills you mentioned for Keys #1, #2 and #3. The results were immediate and extremely satisfying. I'm not sure what sensations other people have trying these drills but it made me realise just how far the hips need to slide forward on the downswing before turning and just how far the hands need to be ahead of the clubface at impact. The overall feel was that my entire body (including my head!) was way ahead of the ball at impact. Initially it felt all wrong and I struggled to stay down on the shot hitting a few push-fades, but after 5 shots or so I got used to the new impact position and started hitting push-draws. The strike was very solid, producing a lower ball flight and few extra yards in distance. I thoroughly recommend these drills for players struggling to hit the ball solidly.

[apgolf]

Yep Sounds like an interesting project. Definitely agree on the importance of  a steady head, my golf has got better over the years as I have stopped moving off the ball. Having send that, not extending my arms too much helps with my head staying still.

Where does the grip and set up come into the the system? Key number 6 and 7 perhaps.I still like Ben Hogans fundamentals when it comes to the basics.

[The_Pharaoh]

Originally Posted by apgolf

Where does the grip and set up come into the the system? Key number 6 and 7 perhaps.

Hi apgolf,

I see that you are new to The Sand Trap. Welcome! I suggest you spend some time on here reading as many posts as possible written by the admins, Erik (iacas) and Mike (mvmac). They'll help change the way you view golf forever.

The reason grip and the set up are not included in the system is because they are not commonalities found in ALL great golfers. Some great golfer have a weak grip, others a strong grip. Some are more hunched over at address, others are more upright. I hope that helps!

[mvmac]

Originally Posted by apgolf

Where does the grip and set up come into the the system? Key number 6 and 7 perhaps.I still like Ben Hogans fundamentals when it comes to the basics.

Grip would fall under Key #5

[iacas]

Grip would fall under Key #5

Bingo. Or #3, or #4. Most often #5 though. :-D

[DannyG]

I'm a little confused -

Is Five Simple Keys no longer associated with Golf Evolution? There is no mention of it on its website.

Why Medicus? I have read a number of complaints from people doing business with them. Is Golfshopcentral part of Medicus?

You can also order from the PureStrike.com site, is this your site?

When ordering things off the internet I like to know who I'm doing business with but this (Five Keys) seems to be all over the place. Can you help clear this up?

Thanks.

[mvmac]

Originally Posted by DannyG

I'm a little confused -

Is Five Simple Keys no longer associated with Golf Evolution? There is no mention of it on its website.

Golf Evolution is the golf academy founded and owned by Dave Wedzik.  Medicus offered Dave an opportunity to do a dvd and now we have 5SK.  Five Simple Keys is a dvd, and learning system with accredited instructors around the world where Dave Wedzik and Chuck Evans are the top guys.

Originally Posted by DannyG

Why Medicus? I have read a number of complaints from people doing business with them. Is Golfshopcentral part of Medicus?

Medicus is the best at what they do.  They know how to produce and market success products and dvd's.  Bob Koch, owner of Medicus Golf, went to Dave for instruction for his own game (as well as Bob's son) and liked how Dave presented and explained how to make an efficient golf swing.  Yes, golfshopcentral is part of Medicus.

Originally Posted by DannyG

You can also order from the PureStrike.com site, is this your site?

The official name is Purestrike 5 Simple Keys, part of Medicus

[Bo the Golfer]

When will you have a list of instructors ready? Do you have anyone in MA that you certified? Thanks for all the great info!

[Slim from SF]

Making the game of golf easier for people is noble.  Having keys to demonstrate competency dangling from your bag is silly and lame.  Playing well is what matters ...

[jshots]

I can't believe I never read this post until now... WTF... this is awesome.

Ok so I have a question about shaped shots and clubface control. Shouldn't clubface control happen mostly before the swing starts as in when you take your grip (and if so then why wouldn't key 5 just be grip)?

For example. I know ball flight laws. And I've started hitting great shaped shots simply using my same swing and opening or closing the club face. Club face where I want to start the ball and my swing is even further outside of that. BUT Why don't more pros do this? It seems like the large majority of them aim similarly to their normal swing and then drastically change the plane of their swing in order to get the proper path and spin on the ball but that is clearly not more simple. Am I wrong in assuming pros don't do this?

My point is you guys are looking to make the swing as simple as possible, but pros don't always necessarily use the most simple methods, I would assume that key 5 clubface control is not simply grip because as with other things you've said, not all pros share a common method of clubface control? ? I'm probably getting a bit confusing here but do you understand what I mean?

[Zeph]

Making the game of golf easier for people is noble.  Having keys to demonstrate competency dangling from your bag is silly and lame.  Playing well is what matters ...

Lucky for you, having the keys dangling is optional. ;-)

[mvmac]

Originally Posted by Bo the Golfer

When will you have a list of instructors ready? Do you have anyone in MA that you certified? Thanks for all the great info!

I don't know of anyone in that area, the closest I can think of is Mario Bevilacqua in New Jersey, Trump National Colt's Neck.  We should have the list of instructors up soon depending on the guys putting the site together.

Originally Posted by jshots

I can't believe I never read this post until now... WTF... this is awesome.

Ok so I have a question about shaped shots and clubface control. Shouldn't clubface control happen mostly before the swing starts as in when you take your grip (and if so then why wouldn't key 5 just be grip)?

Grip is part of the 5th Key as well as understanding and correcting applying the ball flight laws.

Originally Posted by jshots

For example. I know ball flight laws. And I've started hitting great shaped shots simply using my same swing and opening or closing the club face. Club face where I want to start the ball and my swing is even further outside of that. BUT Why don't more pros do this? It seems like the large majority of them aim similarly to their normal swing and then drastically change the plane of their swing in order to get the proper path and spin on the ball but that is clearly not more simple. Am I wrong in assuming pros don't do this?

I would say that most pros play 85 to 90% of their full swing shots with their "stock" shot, they all have certain patterns they rely on.  The pros I know adjust their path by their body alignments at set-up.  I feel that is the correct way to adjust path.  For example, to hit a cut, I would aim my hips and shoulder about 10 yards left of the target and clubface just left of the target as well.  I wouldn't just try to swing left.  That's Key #5 btw ;-)

Originally Posted by jshots

My point is you guys are looking to make the swing as simple as possible, but pros don't always necessarily use the most simple methods, I would assume that key 5 clubface control is not simply grip because as with other things you've said, not all pros share a common method of clubface control?? I'm probably getting a bit confusing here but do you understand what I mean?

Most pros have no idea what they are actually doing.  They have a feel that produces a certain shot and that's what they go with.  Most don't question it.  As an instructor you can't just rely on some arbitrary feel to give to students.  Most students need correct knowledge to help them play better, most pros play well in spite of the instruction they have received.

The grips may not be similar from pro to pro but what ever their grip is produces a certain impact alignment. If they can consistently produce this alignment time and time again they'll know how to set up their "machine" to go play good golf.  If a guy consistently hit 5 yard draws, he'll eventually learn to align the face 5 yards right of his intended target.

[Bo the Golfer]

Thanks for the reply Mike. Jersey is a tad far but if I take a road trip with the family that way I'll throw the clubs in the car and try to avoid the dirty looks from the wife!

[iacas]

Originally Posted by Bo the Golfer

When will you have a list of instructors ready? Do you have anyone in MA that you certified? Thanks for all the great info!

As Mike said, we'll have a list as soon as the site is up. You can see several of them participating on the Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/5simplekeys/ .

Originally Posted by Slim from SF

Making the game of golf easier for people is noble.  Having keys to demonstrate competency dangling from your bag is silly and lame.  Playing well is what matters ...

Thanks for the feedback. You're in the minority, but as others said, what you do with the Keys you earn is up to you.

Originally Posted by jshots

Ok so I have a question about shaped shots and clubface control. Shouldn't clubface control happen mostly before the swing starts as in when you take your grip (and if so then why wouldn't key 5 just be grip)?

No, there's a lot more to controlling the clubface (in motion) than "your grip." Grip is a part of it, though. Not everyone needs or wants the SAME grip, so it's not a commonality itself, but it is a part of one of the commonalities: Key #5.

Originally Posted by Bo the Golfer

Thanks for the reply Mike. Jersey is a tad far but if I take a road trip with the family that way I'll throw the clubs in the car and try to avoid the dirty looks from the wife!

Go see Eric Gemboski.

[sk golf]

Here is the commercial if it hasn't already been posted here...

[poser]

who is the guy in the green shirt black pants hitting the ball?

[iacas]

Originally Posted by poser

who is the guy in the green shirt black pants hitting the ball?

James.