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There’s no need to fear lessons

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I did five lessons today. Five different lessons.

The first person was in-to out, shut face, hitting hooks that barely got off the ground. The correction involved swinging more left through the ball and adding a slightly weaker grip.

The next person was out-to-in, wide-open face, hitting shanks and balloon slices. The correction involved a slightly stronger left-hand grip, and adding a shut face going up at impact with a more laterally sliding body motion.

The third person hit toe hooks, almost exclusively. The correction involved more rotation of the arms on the down swing and a “deeper” backswing.

Next up was a brand new player, who learned the grip, stance, ball position and posture — the building blocks of the swing.

And the last player shanked almost every pitch or chip he hit. We corrected his overly inside-out path and very late release.

Everyone has a different problem in golf, and therefore everyone needs a different lesson. A good rule of thumb for playing might be this: If you hit the same shot several times in a row, in other words you have no self-correctional ability, you need a lesson.

Remember, you DO NOT have to keep slicing, shanking, etc. You just need to be honest enough with yourself to admit you do not know what the problem is. If your car breaks down, you take a look to see if it’s something simple and if it isn’t, you take it to a mechanic. You probably don’t spend a week under the hood pretending you know what to do.

The first inclination golfers have when they go bad is to try and fix the problem. The next stop might be a friend who plays better than them, or to possibly read a magazine, watch the Golf Channel, etc. The last case scenario is to see a professional for a lesson. One reason for that sequence might be the cost; but there is also a certain hubris in this thinking. I’ve found that golfers are fearful of taking a lesson for a few reasons. They usually believe at least one of the following things:

  • I’ll get worse before I get better.
  • The pro will laugh when he/she sees my swing.
  • I’ve been playing so long, I can’t change my swing.

The list goes on, but I’m here to tell you that after a lesson from me or another qualified professional:

  1. You will NOT get worse.
  2. You will not show me anything I have not seen in the 40,000 or so lessons I’ve done.

ANYBODY can change if they really want to. It just takes being honest with yourself, swallowing a little pride and asking for help. Here’s a rule of thumb: If you hit the same shot over and over, several times in a row, there’s a very good chance you don’t know what is causing the problem.

Everyone enjoys golf on a different level. Some are attracted to a ride in the park with friends on a nice day in a nice place. The score… so what? Sometimes over the years I wish I was so constituted.

But others just want to play better golf, it’s really that simple. If you’re in that camp, and you have been in a golf funk for some time, you might consider a lesson. Golf is always fun, but maybe a little more fun for some of us when we do better.

A teacher should know the swing in all of its complexity, but teach it in all it’s simplicity! I am not going to tell you all I know, only what YOU need to know about what YOU are doing that’s causing the problem.

I saw two members today on the tee that I have not seen since last winter. One went from a 21 to a 13, and the other stopped shanking (almost every shot) and is playing quite happily in the 80s. And both were given a few simple corrections and thoughts. PAINLESS, believe me.

As always, feel free to send a swing video to my Facebook page and I will do my best to give you my feedback.

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Dennis Clark is a PGA Master Professional. Clark has taught the game of golf for more than 30 years to golfers all across the country, and is recognized as one of the leading teachers in the country by all the major golf publications. He is also is a seven-time PGA award winner who has earned the following distinctions: -- Teacher of the Year, Philadelphia Section PGA -- Teacher of the Year, Golfers Journal -- Top Teacher in Pennsylvania, Golf Magazine -- Top Teacher in Mid Atlantic Region, Golf Digest -- Earned PGA Advanced Specialty certification in Teaching/Coaching Golf -- Achieved Master Professional Status (held by less than 2 percent of PGA members) -- PGA Merchandiser of the Year, Tri State Section PGA -- Golf Professional of the Year, Tri State Section PGA -- Presidents Plaque Award for Promotion and Growth of the Game of Golf -- Junior Golf Leader, Tri State section PGA -- Served on Tri State PGA Board of Directors. Clark is also former Director of Golf and Instruction at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort. Dennis now teaches at Bobby Clampett's Impact Zone Golf Indoor Performance Center in Naples, FL. .

21 Comments

21 Comments

  1. Dennis Clark

    Nov 20, 2013 at 7:58 pm

    Thx to all. Great feedback. Remember my article was not an ad for more business. I have as much as I want! It was more directed to the people who might be wary of instruction because of things they’ve heard or myths that have been perpetrated. I only fix what needs to be fixed, and leave as much of the old swing as possible. If I can get you hitting the ball better with ONE little change, that’s my goal. If that doesn’t work, Ill go to two things– rarely more. Starting over is a nightmare for both teacher and student. And rarely helps anyway!

  2. Jeff

    Nov 13, 2013 at 9:21 am

    Dennis, I agree with what you are saying – all of it. Unfortunately, in this area (Baton Rouge) Trackman Mania has taken over and pushed the lessons with good instructors to the 150.00 range. We used to have a guy here in town, Burt Burdick, who was a an older Pro that could fix any problem you had w/o Trackman and for about 50-60.00 per lesson. I once heard a Pro say – find yourself a Pro…. an older Pro….. who isn’t trying to pay off expensive fitting stuff and they can give you an excellent lesson at a great price. I’m looking for just a guy like that for my 13 yo son who just started a few months ago.

    • Martin

      Nov 14, 2013 at 8:21 am

      I really agree that pro´s with great experience is a good thing. I have taken lessons during the season and a few times (without extra cost) we were using flightscope. My pro, primarily, wanted to show me some numbers to increase my understanding of the swing path. And it was a real eyeopener. But the other lessons was correction, drills etc all the traditional stuff. Maybe this isnt something for your son yet, but even though I am a little conservative at times, new technique can be a good thing as well.

  3. Craig Matthews

    Nov 12, 2013 at 12:20 pm

    Got to say I had two lessons this summer and it was the best thing I’ve done for my game. I have been playing for about 14 years and a 14hdcp but back issues had me driving the ball about 180 yards. At 63 years I should be able to do better. The pro changed my grip which got me back in form and although 220 is my best drive I am now able to compete.

  4. Fred Bluhm

    Nov 11, 2013 at 7:35 pm

    I’m a nine hcp. I went to have a lesson a few months ago to try and improve on my game. It was my first lesson in over 40 years. The pro asked me to tee it up with my driver and hit one so he could see where I was at. I hit the ball around 250 yards down the middle. The first thing the pro said to me was… “ok, let me tell you what you’re doing wrong.” I haven’t been back since. I’ll keep trying to improve on my own. Nothing against instructors, but maybe at this stage of the game, I’m my best teacher.

  5. Regis

    Nov 11, 2013 at 2:36 pm

    My advice. Ask around. Get two or three names. Tske a lesson from one. If you bond buy a package. If not move to the next. Although one lesson can help, a weekly session with a pro you feel comfortable with over the course of a month or two is the best recipe for improvement.

  6. Chris Hanson

    Nov 9, 2013 at 11:59 am

    Taking lessons from a PGA Professional like yourself definitely makes the game more enjoyable, especially if the student puts the time in to practice. Great article Dennis, keep them coming.

  7. Tom

    Nov 9, 2013 at 9:12 am

    My body has changed over the years with injuries and age. Taking lessons every three years will insure that I enjoy playing golf well into my sixties and beyond.

  8. Conrad MacDonald

    Nov 8, 2013 at 9:09 pm

    I haven’t paid for lessons in years. I get one every few weeks and it really helps, especially video.

  9. paul

    Nov 8, 2013 at 8:12 pm

    I watched my swing on the v1 app. so cool. thought my one arm bent to much. went for a lesson and the pro agreed. problem is he found a bunch of other issues, but when i left the lesson a half hour later i was doing much better.

  10. Zack

    Nov 8, 2013 at 4:44 pm

    I took lessons for the first time this summer. Definitely was a little intimidating. The pro had me hitting the ball so much better in less than 10 minutes. I would have spent a ton more money going to the range hitting the same shanks over and over again trying to figure out my swing myself. Definitely a believer in seeing a pro now!!

  11. Grant Hargate

    Nov 7, 2013 at 9:52 pm

    I have been playing at golf since I was 12. I am now 56. I have worked with three different PGA professionals. They have always seen something that I could not.
    I always improved. It always felt strange. My eldest son an engineer in Houston is now working with a PGA instructor. He will improve. I can guarantee it. PGA instruction is the best there is.

    • Grant Hargate

      Nov 7, 2013 at 9:53 pm

      One more thing. Spend the money on lessons before you buy new clubs.

  12. Dennis Clark

    Nov 7, 2013 at 5:48 pm

    Good luck. Accepting limitations is a noble thing. Sounds like you’re pretty happy with the state of things.

  13. naflack

    Nov 7, 2013 at 5:30 pm

    My fear is that I’ll be taught to someone elses success.
    The way they swing successfully will be the swing they teach me.
    The second sounds ludicrous but spreading honestly…I don’t trust someone I don’t know to have any more knowledge of the swing than what I already know. The third is that I don’t practice and have no plans to start, I know my game and I accept my ability with my refusal to practice. Not all teachers are created equal and I’ve heard some doozies.

    • Sean

      Nov 11, 2013 at 4:20 pm

      I think it goes without saying that lessons are for people who want to improve. Not sure this page needed such a strongly-worded contrary position, such as yours.

      • naflack

        Nov 14, 2013 at 4:54 pm

        First of all there this isn’t strongly worded.
        Second of all lessons in and of themselves don’t make you better.
        Of the people I regularly play with some take lessons and some don’t but it isn’t by any means a reflection of ability. Arguably the guys who take the most lessons are the poorest players among us. Natural physical ability will not allow all of us to break 80… I have been a 1 before and the amount of time required to stay there vs the amount of time required to be a 3 isn’t comparable, I’ll take the 3. That doesn’t mean I don’t want to get better but I know I’ve maximized my natural ability. We wonder why the game is stagnant, people generally don’t want to have to make such wife reaching investments of time and money to enjoy their free time.
        Some pros are great but some are terrible…
        If we all needed lessons for every sport none of us would bother playing. I learned how to throw a football and baseball, how shoot a basket and dribble, I didn’t pay for lessons.

        • Dennis Clark

          Nov 15, 2013 at 3:42 pm

          I think you have to give consideration to those less athletic than you. I teach many people who picked up the game late and need guidance with it. One of my students won on the hooters tour last week with -13 for three days (he’s a +4) and he’s coming for a lesson this weekend also. So that’s why they make chocolate and vanilla…

          • naflack

            Nov 18, 2013 at 1:33 am

            fair enough…perhaps i took a little offense to the phrase “strongly worded”.
            i have friends who teach the game and often suggest to me that my attitude towards the whole thing is the difference between me being a 3 and breaking par but i wonder why it has to be so serious for those of us who play when we get the chance, which can be rare. i am not trying to be flippent or disrespectful…i couldnt even teach the game to my wife.

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Instruction

Clement: Stop ripping off your swing with this drill!

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Not the dreaded headcover under the armpit drill! As if your body is defective and can’t function by itself! Have you seen how incredible the human machine is with all the incredible feats of agility all kinds of athletes are accomplishing? You think your body is so defective (the good Lord is laughing his head off at you) that it needs a headcover tucked under the armpit so you can swing like T-Rex?

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How a towel can fix your golf swing

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This is a classic drill that has been used for decades. However, the world of marketed training aids has grown so much during that time that this simple practice has been virtually forgotten. Because why teach people how to play golf using everyday items when you can create and sell a product that reinforces the same thing? Nevertheless, I am here to give you helpful advice without running to the nearest Edwin Watts or adding something to your Amazon cart.

For the “scoring clubs,” having a solid connection between the arms and body during the swing, especially through impact, is paramount to creating long-lasting consistency. And keeping that connection throughout the swing helps rotate the shoulders more to generate more power to help you hit it farther. So, how does this drill work, and what will your game benefit from it? Well, let’s get into it.

Setup

You can use this for basic chip shots up to complete swings. I use this with every club in my bag, up to a 9 or 8-iron. It’s natural to create incrementally more separation between the arms and body as you progress up the set. So doing this with a high iron or a wood is not recommended.

While you set up to hit a ball, simply tuck the towel underneath both armpits. The length of the towel will determine how tight it will be across your chest but don’t make it so loose that it gets in the way of your vision. After both sides are tucked, make some focused swings, keeping both arms firmly connected to the body during the backswing and follow through. (Note: It’s normal to lose connection on your lead arm during your finishing pose.) When you’re ready, put a ball in the way of those swings and get to work.

Get a Better Shoulder Turn

Many of us struggle to have proper shoulder rotation in our golf swing, especially during long layoffs. Making a swing that is all arms and no shoulders is a surefire way to have less control with wedges and less distance with full swings. Notice how I can get in a similar-looking position in both 60° wedge photos. However, one is weak and uncontrollable, while the other is strong and connected. One allows me to use my larger muscles to create my swing, and one doesn’t. The follow-through is another critical point where having a good connection, as well as solid shoulder rotation, is a must. This drill is great for those who tend to have a “chicken wing” form in their lead arm, which happens when it becomes separated from the body through impact.

In full swings, getting your shoulders to rotate in your golf swing is a great way to reinforce proper weight distribution. If your swing is all arms, it’s much harder to get your weight to naturally shift to the inside part of your trail foot in the backswing. Sure, you could make the mistake of “sliding” to get weight on your back foot, but that doesn’t fix the issue. You must turn into your trial leg to generate power. Additionally, look at the difference in separation between my hands and my head in the 8-iron examples. The green picture has more separation and has my hands lower. This will help me lessen my angle of attack and make it easier to hit the inside part of the golf ball, rather than the over-the-top move that the other picture produces.

Stay Better Connected in the Backswing

When you don’t keep everything in your upper body working as one, getting to a good spot at the top of your swing is very hard to do. It would take impeccable timing along with great hand-eye coordination to hit quality shots with any sort of regularity if the arms are working separately from the body.

Notice in the red pictures of both my 60-degree wedge and 8-iron how high my hands are and the fact you can clearly see my shoulder through the gap in my arms. That has happened because the right arm, just above my elbow, has become totally disconnected from my body. That separation causes me to lift my hands as well as lose some of the extension in my left arm. This has been corrected in the green pictures by using this drill to reinforce that connection. It will also make you focus on keeping the lead arm close to your body as well. Because the moment either one loses that relationship, the towel falls.

Conclusion

I have been diligent this year in finding a few drills that target some of the issues that plague my golf game; either by simply forgetting fundamental things or by coming to terms with the faults that have bitten me my whole career. I have found that having a few drills to fall back on to reinforce certain feelings helps me find my game a little easier, and the “towel drill” is most definitely one of them.

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Clement: Why your practice swing never sucks

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You hear that one all the time; I wish I could put my practice swing on the ball! We explain the huge importance of what to focus on to allow the ball to be perfectly in the way of your practice swing. Enjoy!

 

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