| Whenever you talk with golfers about golf | | | | |
| instruction, they all seem to be very | | | | Having said that, let me say that most of us |
| interested in the latest gadget, gimmick, | | | | simply don't have the time or talent required |
| trend, or secret method but mention | | | | to hone our action to this very fine edge so |
| fundamentals and they tune out quicker than | | | | it's awesomely important that with limited |
| you can say jack rabbit. | | | | practice and playing time, we give ourselves |
| | | | the very best possible chance to hit good |
| "That's just for beginners," they say citing | | | | shots and that means to play our best golf it |
| their current 19 handicap as evidence that | | | | would behoove each of us, no matter our |
| they have progressed beyond working on their | | | | current handicap, to work on developing sound |
| grip, posture, and alignment. But talk about | | | | fundamentals. It's just easier with a good |
| the "X-Factor" or "Speed Stick" or "The Power | | | | grip, good posture, and good alignment to hit |
| Move" or "The Magic Pill" or "The Inside | | | | shots that fly toward the target and that's |
| Path" or some other new-fangled gimmick and | | | | what we all want .....right? |
| they immediately start to salivate at the | | | | |
| thought of becoming a single digit | | | | So why do players who would love to play like |
| handicapper just by buying another videotape, | | | | Tiger Woods, who consistently shoot in the |
| DVD, or gimmick. | | | | upper 80's, 90's, and worse, steer clear of |
| | | | the very fundamental concepts that would help |
| The truth is that yes, you can play good golf | | | | them play better and shoot lower scores? Is |
| even with poor fundamentals but it's so much | | | | it pride? Is it a misconception they have |
| easier to get your golf game on track and | | | | about what's important? What is it? I can |
| keep it on track if your golf swing is | | | | guarantee you that Tiger Woods works |
| fundamentally sound. There is a moment in | | | | diligently on fundamental concepts like grip, |
| every golf swing whether it be a full driver | | | | posture, and alignment. He does this because |
| swing, a 3 foot putt, or a 30 yard pitch, | | | | he knows that if one of these fundamentals |
| that I like to call "the moment of truth." | | | | gets a little off, it will effect his entire |
| | | | swing. He knows this as do all tour players |
| The "moment of truth" determines whether or | | | | and most low handicappers. |
| not a given shot will start on line and where | | | | |
| it will finish. | | | | Good players work consistently to develop and |
| | | | maintain a good grip, athletic posture, and |
| This "moment of truth," impact, is really the | | | | square alignment. |
| only thing that matters whether you're | | | | |
| pounding your driver or trying to coax in a 3 | | | | Bad players don't. Players who struggle seem |
| footer. Whether or not you can square the | | | | to work on gimmicks, fads, and tricks in an |
| face of the club to the intended target line | | | | effort to improve but somehow year after |
| at impact determines how successful any | | | | year, they have a new set of clubs, new pair |
| single swing will be. | | | | of shoes, the latest golf ball technology, a |
| | | | brand new gimmick, and yet they shoot the |
| Let's take for example, Lee Trevino. | | | | same old scores and hit the same bad shots. |
| Trevino's swing was not what you'd call | | | | |
| classic but he was very skilled at squaring | | | | Now I know that working on your grip, |
| the face of the club to the target line at | | | | posture, and alignment are not nearly as |
| impact. He spent years honing his motion to a | | | | exciting as working with the latest gadget |
| fine edge, spending countless hours on the | | | | you bought on the Golf Channel that will |
| driving range and golf course so that he | | | | allow you to hit the ball 350 yards but if |
| could consistently square the face of the | | | | you'll try working on your fundamentals as |
| club to his intended target line. Jim Furyk | | | | prescribed in "How To Break 90 In 3 Easy |
| is another example of someone with a less | | | | Lessons", you'll see results that you won't |
| than classic motion who has major | | | | find anywhere else. You might actually be |
| championship talent and who has spent his | | | | surprised how good your swing really is when |
| entire life honing his golf swing so that he | | | | you put yourself in the optimum positions to |
| can consistently square the club face to the | | | | excel. |
| intended target line. Fred Couples is another | | | | |
| example and the list goes on and on. These | | | | I know it, Tiger knows it, and know YOU know |
| players, all from different set-up positions, | | | | it.... so get out there and get to work on |
| have trained themselves to square the club | | | | the concepts that are truly essential if you |
| face to the intended target line at impact | | | | are going to shoot the scores you've always |
| and you can too. | | | | dreamed of. |