John Boy

High tension Topic...got to love it. It was mentioned earlier about the "I am not a racist" statement and how comical it was. Unfortunately, it is not comical at all. Our society and it's overwhelming ignorance has people scared to make comments on race and religion and any other differences we may have. If someone believes that it is not special to mention 2 black coaches, then they are highly entitled to their opinion. If they believe their is a historical signifigance because it is a new thing, then they too have that right. The problem with racism in the world is not the opinions of the people, yet how they try to force their opinions unto others. That is where our ignorance comes in. People, as advanced as we are, still find it to be offensive to hear the opinions of others or are still afraid of voicing their opinions. Because of this, people feel it neccessary to make statements such as "I am not a racist."

Great Thread.... I always enjoy the different ways people put the fundamentals to work. The walk thru video made a lot of sense. I am a pretty good golfer, I think, but at times I have a tendacy to finish left (hit left) of my target. I am going to try this next time to get me in sync. It makes a lot of sense and seems really easy to apply. When I do it, I know it and it usually takes me a few swings to correct it. Hopefully, this will correct it faster and I can start aiming down the line quicker. I am a fan of mid-round quick fixes.

I have to agree with everyone...your swing and tempo look pretty good. It does look like you have a tendacy to losw a couple right though. Somethings I noticed... - You get a little lose at the top. Like you said, it seems you are trying to get "a little More." Try keeping that left arm straight a little more. You get some distance through your whipping action of the club with your forearms through impact, but more power is based off your legs and torso muscles. Most people, when they get lose at the top, tend to get a little off balance and lose a little from their core muscles. - I may be wrong about this one. I cant slow the video down enough to really tell, but it looks as though you may be pushing the club through with your right hand. It is another thing that can lead to a slice or a push and overall inconsistant shots. Hope this helps, and plaease take some more video. Fundamentally, you have a pretty good looking swing.

I have a few... (1) Last year, I shot my first round under PAR, 71, from the back tees at my home course (PAR 72 / 6600 yards) (2) Hole 13, last November (330 Yard PAR 4). Tried to kill a drive and the inevitable happened. It is a slight dogleg left and my draw didn't draw. Lost the ball deep right in the woods. For my provisional, I hit a Hybrid up to the 100 yard area. I didnt find my first ball, but it didn't hurt too bad. I hit my SW and spun it back about a foot into the hole and walked off with a par. (3) My buddy Jake got me playing and essentially taught me how to play about 5 years ago. We played in a match against each other (Squadron tournament) last April and I shot a 76 to his 78. By Handicap, he had to give me 2 strokes. I can only remember one time since then that he has beaten me. A "pupil becomes the master" story.

Great Thread, because I am intersted in it. I am not too much into knock-offs, but I am sure not going to spend $500 on a Driver either. I will probably end up building a knock off of this one because of that. Actually, on that note, are there any shaft suggestions out there? I carry the ball roughly 260 and my swing speed is around 110, at least the last time i checked. I am a fan of the Graffaloy Blue, but if I am going to build a club, I want to try something different. I prefer a lighter shaft with at most a low or medium kick point.

Good point on half way power check. A tool to help tell where you are attempting to generate power is by swinging your club upside down. The loudest part of the "SWOOSH" should be at the bottom of your swing (where you strike the ball). It also helps for hitting half and three quarter shots to ensure you ACCELERATE through the ball.

Thanx Doc, appreciate the compliment. I also appreciate your inputs. I have to agree with everything you are saying. There are days where I strike the ball well and don't score too well and I usually feel really positive about my experience. Other days, I seem to struggle from tee to green, but scramble my ass off and shoot pretty low. Even though the score is nice, I still feel better about a better ball striking day.

I am guessing that your problem isnt tempo, yet the way you attack the ball. I am assuming you are right-handed, if not, just do the opposite. You have to make sure you pull through the ball with your left hand/arm. DO NOT try to help the ball in the air. DO NOT push through the ball with your right hand. It is just there as a guide. Pull back with your left arm straight and then swing through the ball like it isnt there (WITH YOUR LEFT ARM!!!) As I have told others, there is a lot more to it. This can get you started though. Good Luck.

I have to agree. He is striking the ball like the DD of old, when he was in his prime. Once them putts start dropping, they will continue to fall.

I am a Staff Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps and loving life.

It seems to me like you concern yourself with lifting the ball though impact, therefore stading up. It is very important to hit down through the ball, the loft of the club will spin it up in the air. In fact, the higher ball hitters have the steeper swings. For distance. The one piece of advice my buddy gave to me a couple years ago that changed my game drammatically was this. I will break it down a little better though... - Plant your feet - Flex your knees a little. - On your back swing, concentrate on keeping your back knee from moving. Your right knee if you are right handed. - You should feel your leg muscles trying to push your leg. This is a KEY power move. - Finally...swing through the ball. Keep your head down and swing, and let the ball get in the way. That is what swingin through the ball means. this will also help if you have a tendacy to slice the ball. The only reason your bakc foot should lift is because of your body weight twisting and pulling you forward. - set up to the club with the club set up to the ball. - grip the club - set your stance and flex you knees - Head down amd keep your head still. - concentrate on your back knee staying stiff on your back swing - Swing THROUGH the ball!!! There is a little more to the swing than that, but these steps should help your distance and consistency incredibly. Good luck. Please reply with some feedback.

Thanks for the input. I am actually a pretty damn good wedge player. As I said, they just struck my curiosity. I think I will just stay away completely. Thank You,

I think you should keep the TM and possibly add a utility wood to your bag. The question is when you "mishit" your 3-wood. If it is because of lies, then add an assett to your bag and make decisions based on your lie. If you just occasionaly mishit the 3-wood you have, then I would reccommend working on your preshot routine. Mishits usually give better feedback than great shots. But, if you are just looking for something new...Have at it, then give a product review in sandtrap.com.

Did go to PGAtour.com and found the same information. It is rather eye opening. these guys are good, but like I said earlier, they are not near as good as many people believe them to be. This goes to everyone who wants to get a lot better and rather quickly. I brouhgt up that article because it changed my golf life. Here is my golf life broken down. - May,2002 - Picked up first golf club @ 26 yrs old. - Dec,2002 - Wife bnought me a set of Verdicts and I was hooked - 2003 - end of year handicap of 20 or so - 2004 - end of year handicap of 16 or 15 - 2005 - end of year handicap 0f 11sh - 2005 - read article about how good pros are not and applied it to my short game more than anything. - Dec, 2006 - end of year handicap of 4.1. I am proof that it is all about the short game. On top of that, I got lazy the last half of year. Short game, Short game, Short game... I am not that great a ball striker. I throw in the occasional yank left or set up for a draw and hit a pull draw. The key is to survive from there. that is where short game is key. Another quote I heard a couple of years ago is how pros only hit about 15% of there shots the way they intended to or saw in their mind's eye.

Although I am a fan, I am not sure he has the stuff. I think his best chance is to play often and well anough to get into the top 125. The unfortunate part of JD is his awesome "wasted" natural talent. I love the guy, but I don't think he has the drive or good enough work ethic to be what he can. I do believe he has the ability to be an awesome contender, just not the patience.

Not a soccer fan... Just curious how you like your Sasquatch, what driver it replaced, and the differences...

DO NOT try to force the ball to spin with your hands. - Open your stance to allow for easy shoulder turn. - Set your hand forward and leave them there - Hit down and threw the ball. - Practice it by trying to hit the ball into the ground with the blade of your club and adjust from there. that is how I learned, hopefully it will work for you. Just so you know. The above set up is how you should set up to most of your chips. Just adjust the club in your hand and how hard you hit it. The easiest way to score low around the greeens is to grab the lowest club you can and chip with it. If you can hit a 7 iron and get it rolling as opposed to a SW, that will shave many strokes. The check shot is rarely neccessary, especially if you use good course management. It is fun though.

I see these things and am actually quite intriqued. I don't think I would want one, but I am curious if anyone has them and how they helped or hurt there game. I may purchase one when they are no longer a fad and the price drops immensely.

I guess this is just a conversation. One I am enjoying. I do agree with you partially. The advantage is always for the big hitter that can keep it in play. My argument is whether most decent amateurs have what it takes to compete on tour, as afar as distance. The long hitters don't win them all, but mostly. I do not believe PGA is choosing courses based on the length of our power hitters. It was brouhgt up a few years ago that courses would have to be made longer because of equipment and things like that. I still and never had agreed with that. My theory is to have lots of hazards seperating fairways, with really thick rough. Award the shot maker and not the bomber. I still think the big names would still be on top though. Phil, Jim, Vijay, Tiger, etc are just better ball strikers. There length is not what makes them great, it is just an additional thing that makes them better. They would dominate on any course.

I am a fan. This kid has perfect enthusiasm and a great appreciation for where he is. Most kids and young adults take for granted the life they are dealt (michelle for instance), Tadd is inspiring. No negativety what so ever and a joy to watch.

I am not trying to advertise for them, but I shop RockBottom a lot. I am always satisfied with there equipment. As far as your irons are concerned, if you hit them well, it doesn't matter if they are knock-offs or made of plastic. It is all about what the club brings to your game. It is never about the equipment. It is about the result.

I am a fan of straight back, straight thru. I actually open my stance a little, like a chip, to make this easier. My 4 year old said it right though... He was on Santa's lap this last year and Santa asked him what he wanted for Christmas. Jacob, my son, said he wanted a putter. Santa replied "so you can hit the ball?" My son, god bless his heart, said "No dummy, you role the ball with your putter." Whatever stroke you can hit to put a good solid role on the ball is best.

Want to break 68 at my home course Want to drop handicap to 2 Want to play all the courses at Pinehurst By the way, great comments on course management. I was just talking to a golf budy the other day about "trying to make birdies." It will, more times than not, lead to a bogie or worse. If you are above an 18 handicap, make sure to make short goals. Don't try to break 80, try to have 5 rounds in a row under 90. It works the same for the lower handicappers. for higher handicappers, take your bogies with smarters plays. Have a 400+ PAR 4, play it as a short par 5 and play for bogie. Hit a medium iron off the tee if need be. You will be surprised how much better you get if you play within your own game. I know I said it often...the key is short game. The other key that makes a pro a pro is shooting within their game. If a draw is not there strong point, then they knopw damn well what kind oif shot they dont want to have into the green .

I hate to say it, but i know a kid, now about 16, that can BOMB a ball. I probably average about 260-280 off the tee, pending on weather and how soggy the ground is. This kid put me to shame. Oddly enough, he was a pretty solid golfer. He needs some short game, but he has the stuff. I would venture to say he was carrying the ball around 300 yards. He was also a pretty hefty kid. That was about 2 years ago, so he was around 14. I know no one that can hit the ball like this kid did. He is still around, I just dont play the same course anymore. I think he was just a freak of nature with great natural ability... Most kids are just bluffing for the most part. I have played with many who say they can hit the ball 300 yards, and I blow by them with ease. I am still only hitting about 270. This is adults. Kids do the same. thing. It all comes back to "THE BIG FISH" story. A valid point above was the kid WINNING the long drive with a 300 yard drive. The winner hit barely over 316. That tells me that not many kids can do it, even though it is possible.

Couldnt agree more about the fairways. I have played some good courses, and there is a huge difference. Yet, the average still isnt that high. Most of these guys arent big ball hitters. That is my point. I do not think I am a long ball hitter, but I think I hit it solid enough off the tee to be on tour. I know people who hit it better than me. It is all about the short game!!!