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5 Reasons Why Golf Instruction Will Never Be The Same

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I have been teaching golf full-time for more than 20 years and during this time I have seen countless training aids, swing theories and new technologies all claim to be the holy grail in golf instruction. Some of them were effective, while others didn’t work at all… remember the Kallassy Swing Magic?

Here’s five things that I think are the real deal in golf instruction and have the potential to make the game easier to learn and more fun to play. Thanks to them, golf instruction will never be the same… and that’s a good thing.

No. 1: Doppler Radar Launch Monitors

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If you have read my GolfWRX instruction articles, you know that I use Trackman and feel that it has changed the way golf instructors see and view the swing. I’ve always stated, however, that Doppler Radar Launch Monitors like Trackman and FlightScope are tools that are only as useful as the teacher interpreting the information. As teachers learn more about the best ways to use them, fewer will be as obsessed with the position-perfect golf instruction that has become popular in recent decades. They’ll rely more on helping their students groove swings that are consistent and functional. That will lead to more individuality within golf swings on the professional tours and give students freedom to own more repeatable swings.

It doesn’t bother me if my top players have weird motions in their swings if they are able to repeat them under pressure. As time goes on, instructors will get away from trying to perfect a player’s launch monitors numbers, which can create robotic, doubt-filled swings. Golfers are not robots, and while it is good to see perfect numbers it’s more important to strive for consistency. No matter how good golfers are, they rarely can control their swing from day-to-day within 1 degree. Once instructors get past this boxed-in way of thinking, we’ll be off to the races.

No. 2: Gears Golf

Gears Golf

3D Motion Analysis has been around for many years. In fact, I had one of the earliest systems in the 90’s and have been a huge fan of this technology ever since. The problem with past 3D Systems was that their club data didn’t show the whole picture. They assumed that the club shaft was an unbendable entity, giving us incorrect information as to how it would react, and impact point data was nonexistent. For that reason, we had no idea as to how much gear effect was occurring within each of the golfers’ shots. Then along came Gears Golf with solutions to both problems.

Gears takes into account how the body moves and gives accurate club data, including impact point. Because of that, there is no question as to what’s happening and how it’s occurring. As these systems become more popular, they will give instructors more insight into how the body and club work together and change golf instruction for the better.

The only downside of the technology? It must be enclosed in a special room, but one day that will not be the case. Consider me a fan!

No. 3: Force Plates

boditrak-software

Like 3D Motion Analysis, center of gravity monitors and force plates have been around for many years, but now companies such as BodiTrak have allowed us to see how weight and pressure moves more accurately within the golf swing at a price that many instructors can actually afford.

We know that moving weight around in some fashion can add distance and power. The key is knowing how to move your weight and in what sequence your weight shift must occur so you can transition the club more effectively. We are learning that there are certain trace patterns of how the center of pressure moves, and as we continue to learn more, we will begin to see more trends among handicap levels and learn to improve golfers’ movements from the ground up.

No. 4: Golf BioSwing Dynamics

I was an exercise science major in college, so the role of the body within the golf swing has always been of interest to me.

In most cases, if golfers cannot move their bodies in a certain ways they will have trouble making swing changes. Programs such as the Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) have done wonders to show us how golfers can train their bodies to be more functional and prevent long-term injuries. Such programs have been great for general golf fitness, but I feel that an understanding of what swings will work best for certain body types has been lacking… until now.

Mike Adams and E.A. Tischler have come up with a system called Golf BioSwing Dynamics that runs golfers through simple tests to determine how they move, what plane they will swing on, how much hip rotation they will have and so on. The instructor then uses this information to help teach the player how they will swing best from a biomechanical standpoint. The best part about this system is that it works with the training programs golfers are already using like TPI or the C.H.E.K Institute.

I spent two days learning about the system in a seminar last month, and it’s one of the most interesting things I have seen regarding mechanics since Homer Kelley came out with The Golfing Machine in 1969. Using their system, I can now understand how people tend to swing and what works best for their bodies from a biomechanical standpoint.

I have a feeling that Mike and E.A. are on to something, and that a better understanding of the golf swing through physical testing protocols will be the next great wave in instruction. I look forward to the day when we stop trying to force people into golf swings that counteract what their body wants to do naturally.

No. 5: The Next Generation of Instructors

The biggest change we’ll see over the next few generations? It will be the instructors themselves.

My generation of teachers has been fortunate to have so much revolutionary technology introduced during our peak, but we had to spend a lot of time experimenting with it so we knew how to best use it. We are on the downside of understanding how to use the new technologies and it’s because of this that we can mentor younger teachers better than ever before.

If I can help young teachers not make the same mistakes that I did when I was learning how to teach, then I am creating a better generation of teachers and this will continue generation after generation. The kids coming out of golf colleges have the internet and YouTube so they can learn whatever they want when they want to learn it. For that reason, they are more educated than we were when we started — they just lack the hours on the lesson tee honing their craft.

I think the next few generations of teachers will be better than we were and they will get there much faster than we ever did because they have people like us to train them. From a golf instruction standpoint, the game is and will continue to be in good hands.

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Tom F. Stickney II, is a specialist in Biomechanics for Golf, Physiology, and 3d Motion Analysis. He has a degree in Exercise and Fitness and has been a Director of Instruction for almost 30 years at resorts and clubs such as- The Four Seasons Punta Mita, BIGHORN Golf Club, The Club at Cordillera, The Promontory Club, and the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. His past and present instructional awards include the following: Golf Magazine Top 100 Teacher, Golf Digest Top 50 International Instructor, Golf Tips Top 25 Instructor, Best in State (Florida, Colorado, and California,) Top 20 Teachers Under 40, Best Young Teachers and many more. Tom is a Trackman University Master/Partner, a distinction held by less than 25 people in the world. Tom is TPI Certified- Level 1, Golf Level 2, Level 2- Power, and Level 2- Fitness and believes that you cannot reach your maximum potential as a player with out some focus on your physiology. You can reach him at [email protected] and he welcomes any questions you may have.

54 Comments

54 Comments

  1. Nick

    Nov 13, 2014 at 1:03 pm

    I think the million dollar question is how, with all this tech, the average golf score hasn’t moved the needle lower. I guess the answer is that data is just data unless you marry it with a solid plan for improvement and commitment to execute that plan and these tools only help with that so much.

    • tom stickney

      Nov 13, 2014 at 2:04 pm

      It’s been incorrect information from the instructors in the past (myself included!) until we knew more, inefficient practice from our students, and finally, 85% of the public does not take lessons thus the average handicap will never go down. But I take my share of the blame for sure, as I could have done more “coaching” in my early career rather than “teaching.”

  2. James

    Nov 12, 2014 at 9:25 am

    My question is this, are instructors now going to use these tools to try and mold every golfer into the same patterns? That would be incorrect approach in my view. We are all built different, have physical limitations and so forth that drive the way we swing. Just seems to me the downside of modern teaching is someone like Trevino or Furyk or even Nicklaus would be told they must change their swings to some computer generated image to have success.

    • Tom Stickney

      Nov 12, 2014 at 10:26 am

      James…just the opposite. I let my students figure out how they can best move the number we need to change thus teaching individuality.

  3. Mad-Mex

    Nov 11, 2014 at 11:20 pm

    I believe a warning should say that these are mere tools, you still NEED to TEACH how to CORRECT the flaws. you can get too involved with numbers these tools give, I have seen countless threads here were members do nothing but quote numbers! claiming their new boron-graphite-morybillidium shafted 460CC magnesium/beryllium driver combo has lowered their launch angle by .25 degrees and their rpm’s by 200,but never how this helped their game,, you cant teach athleticism or the “feel”. Being told by my teacher to try to “feel” like my left arm stay across my chest until it is pulled away after impact, did more to improve my scores (high 80’s to low 80’s with some high 70’s in a month and half)) Than all the video and numbers combined!!! Very nice article about what is out there.

    • tom stickney

      Nov 12, 2014 at 12:17 am

      Mad– Agree…if you don’t use the machines to teach the new “feel” to the student as well as how to audit if you are in the correct position then you are not doing them any favors….

  4. jeff dantas

    Nov 11, 2014 at 5:49 pm

    A swing learning device is only as good as the one using it to teach others…the word Training Aid I assume means aiding in one’s training, yet the AIDS that are on the market Market do nothing like that.#theprocess check out the Sequence Stick for better information..

    • tom stickney

      Nov 11, 2014 at 6:47 pm

      And the training aids are only good if you remember the FEEL that they give you that’s different from your normal flawed motion

  5. Frank McChrystal

    Nov 11, 2014 at 3:29 pm

    “The next generation of golf instructors will be better…….” Absolutely true that, there is only one direction they CAN go.

    • tom stickney

      Nov 11, 2014 at 3:51 pm

      You obviously have not had a good lesson experience to date…

  6. JMaron

    Nov 11, 2014 at 3:27 pm

    “As time goes on, instructors will get away from trying to perfect a player’s launch monitors numbers, which can create robotic, doubt-filled swings. Golfers are not robots..”

    Wow did that every hit home for me. I took some video lessons this winter and the pro’s whole process was about trying to get my numbers to fit Adam Scott and other pros in things like shoulder tilt. I went in thinking I had a pretty decent swing – came out completely self conscious. Worked my butt off trying to implement the changes but the results were a big decline in my ball striking numbers (fairways down 67 to 55).

    I live in Canada – so I only get 6 months to practice outside. Took the lessons in March/April – gave up trying to implement those changes in Aug – started hitting it a little better at the end of the year, but the doubts are still there and I waffled back and forth trying to find my swing right through the end of the season.

    • tom stickney

      Nov 11, 2014 at 3:52 pm

      Agree…we have all been tied up trying to be something we are not…technology can be dangerous in the wrong hands

  7. Barry S.

    Nov 11, 2014 at 1:19 pm

    No offense to anyone but IMO golf instruction is killing golf. Most of the teachers owe reparations to their students for junking up their golfing brains.

    Form follows function.

    • tom stickney

      Nov 11, 2014 at 3:54 pm

      Barry–

      Sadly there are good and bad teachers out there for sure…the problem is that we have no way to “test” all of us. If there was an accreditation process that was worth its weight, I’d be the first to sign up. The PGA of America is and always has done a poor job of training instructors.

      • Dennis Clark

        Nov 11, 2014 at 4:04 pm

        Truer words cannot be said…

      • Oli Tucker

        Nov 21, 2014 at 2:28 pm

        Can’t comment in the PGA that side if the pond but coach education in golf a long way behind other sports.

      • Oli Tucker

        Nov 21, 2014 at 2:33 pm

        Great article.
        Launch monitors just another teaching aid (a really good one). Down to the coach to control what information is used / shared with the player to help then reach their goals.

  8. Matt

    Nov 11, 2014 at 12:41 pm

    Hi Tom, I’ve returned to the game recently and my irons + short game are ok considering my limited time to play, but struggling with consistency off the tee. Not a slice, hook, distance, equipment issue but topping it a few times each round on the tee only which can cost a lot of shots per round. I know the best medicine will be a few pro lessons, and I’m going to do that soon (just want a repeatable swing to bring me back to playing in the 80’s). So, I’m wondering if smart phone swing apps are helpful for time-strapped players like me, or perhaps something that should only really be used in conjunction with a coach?

    • tom stickney

      Nov 11, 2014 at 12:57 pm

      Anything is better than nothing; however, I’d start with a credible teacher in your area and use the app to support what you both are working on

  9. ca1879

    Nov 11, 2014 at 9:09 am

    Tom – I agree that using a player’s innate swing tendencies is likely to increase as we understand them better, but a saying attributed to the great track coach Bill Bowerman comes to mind. He said, with respect to running form: “Do what’s natural as long as it’s efficient. If it’s not, then do what’s efficient until it’s natural.” Seems like that applies to the golf swing just as well.

  10. Pingback: This technology will lead to all golfers with perfect swings - The Mitchell Report

  11. Chris

    Nov 10, 2014 at 10:44 pm

    More technology and yet scores and handicaps remain largely unchanged for your average joe. I’m sure there is a place for some technology but I question the benefit of sticking a 20 handicapper on a flightscope/trackman and filling his head with numbers relating to ball speed, spin and launch angle etc. The golf swing takes a second or so – how can we amateurs realistically expect to consciously change our impact parameters for more distance/better or a better ball flight?

    The revolution that golf instruction needs is one of simplicity. I can tell how well or badly I’m hitting it by observing how my swing felt, the feel of ball on clubface, the position and angle of my divots and by observing the ball flight without having to analyse an avalanche of data.

    Good golf is more art than science and I think instruction would benefit more from emphasising the development of touch and feel than on optimising ones trackman numbers. I’m sure touring pros can benefit by optimising the numbers but for the remaining %99 (the majority of the instruction consumers) analysing the data doesn’t make it any easier to make a swing improvement that leads to lower scores.

    • Tom Stickney

      Nov 10, 2014 at 11:25 pm

      It’s not about giving you the numbers. In fact I only use them to audit my own suggestions. If the numbers get worse then we need another feel. If you go to anyone and they fill your head with technical stuff I’d suggest you run the other way.

    • MikeOZ

      Nov 11, 2014 at 7:18 am

      yeah we are all like bubba watson and can work out our own swing. You sound just like any average golfer that is too stubborn to realise they need instruction. When you get it, you try it once, can’t make it work and go back to old habits.. thus your handicap remains the same.

      • Chris

        Nov 11, 2014 at 7:59 pm

        I’ve taken instruction and as a result gone from an 18 to 10 hcap but there wasn’t a launch monitor, 3D analysis or force plate in sight. I just checked forum recommendations and found a decent coach. I’m not against instruction at all but away from the lesson tee you have to be able to work on things yourself using ball flight and other feel based feedback.

    • CD

      Nov 11, 2014 at 1:53 pm

      Why wouldn’t you want to optimise your numbers??? That means you’re improving ball striking?

      You talk about conscious control – that’s half the problem, golf should be non-conscious. You don’t optimise your numbers by thinking about swinging on a path that is a precise degree! That’s madness! Do high handicappers seriously try to control impact consciously? I’m astonished. I’ve always felt you do it by feel and from proper, brain compatible suggestions. I’d want my coach to make a feel suggestion based on the calculated data not start talking 0.47474. Although I don’t immediately see the issue with knowing what you are doing either. I’m pretty open minded about that.

      My only gripe with the article is I think you should strive for inconsistency not consistency, random applicable skill not ‘playing driving range’. Golf is a game of many different shots and you never have the same shot twice. I can’t think of one good golfer that wasn’t brilliant at being able to hit a full range of shots. I mean, the Opens are a fantastic test of ones ability to apply your skill in a multitude of conditions.

      I agree with the basic premise of the article but it is interesting these are body and ball striking aids.

      I think the biggest barrier to dropping handicaps are closed minded students, the distance-ego, and no-one takes enough playing lessons! Playing lessons IMO will cut you strokes time after time.

      • Chris

        Nov 11, 2014 at 8:20 pm

        Isn’t the reverse also true? that better ball striking = improved launch numbers? The article promotes the idea that the technology is going to revolutionise golf instruction. Sure it will further our understanding of swing mechanics etc. but I doubt that it will produce a vastly more reliable method of improving amatuer golfers over and above what good coaches have achieved in the past without the aid of video, 3d and radar.
        I can see a time in the not too distant future when the range is full of personal launch monitors and people obsessing over reams of data after every shot.

        • Tom Stickney

          Nov 11, 2014 at 9:38 pm

          Chris. Better ball striking does not always mean better numbers overall. All depends on what your goal is.

          • Chris

            Nov 12, 2014 at 12:19 am

            Tom, do you care to elaborate on this? I can’t think of a circumstance where I would want to hit the ball worse in return for more optimal trackman numbers?

          • Tom Stickney

            Nov 12, 2014 at 10:32 am

            Chris…sure…what I was saying is that better numbers don’t always mean optimal results. Case in point former number one tour player hits 2-3 down with driver yet hits every fairway due to his higher spinloft numbers. Both values not “optimal” but functional for him.

  12. tim

    Nov 10, 2014 at 7:38 pm

    This was a very interesting read. I have a question. How as a consumer of instruction can I be certain that my coach 1)uses these technologies and 2)is competent? I live in Indianapolis, Indiana if anyone knows of good high tech instructors.

    • Konnor

      Nov 10, 2014 at 10:13 pm

      Jeff Smith in Columbus Indiana, http://www.planeandsimplegolf.com/

      Love everything he teaches and is well versed in numerous areas of technology. Helped shape countless players, myself included. Honestly recommend him to everyone I know. His website tells you everything you need to know. Not to mention an absolutely awesome indoor practice facility at Otter Creek.

      More than worth the phone call!
      Good luck!

      • Tom Stickney

        Nov 10, 2014 at 10:25 pm

        Konner– thx for the help.

      • tim

        Nov 11, 2014 at 8:43 pm

        Thanks Konnor! Columbus is a haul for me, but it sounds like it would be worth the drive.

    • Tom Stickney

      Nov 10, 2014 at 10:25 pm

      There are top teacher lists by golf, golf digest, golf for women, golf range association etc. And digest publishes a top teacher by state listing. Suggest you begin there.

      • tim

        Nov 11, 2014 at 8:52 pm

        Tom thanks for the response. I have not found the lists yet, but do these lists indicate the type of technology the instructors use? The lists I have seen just indicate the name of the instructor.

  13. Brian

    Nov 10, 2014 at 7:31 pm

    Exceptional piece – brings back confidence for us who play well-enough but need to be tuned every now and then – but fear the pro due to the static and antiquated teaching methods which are usually presented in a no-exception manner.

    Thank you –

  14. farmer

    Nov 10, 2014 at 7:29 pm

    As you pointed out, the key will be skilled use of these new tools. Buying a big box of Snap-On doesn’t make you a mechanic, all these tools, independently, will not make a great teacher.

    • Tom Stickney

      Nov 10, 2014 at 10:22 pm

      Farmer…the tech is only as good as the teacher using it.

  15. Mike

    Nov 10, 2014 at 4:00 pm

    Tom, was the conference you talked about that E.A. Tischler and Mike Adams did their thing at in N.C.?

    • Tom Stickney

      Nov 10, 2014 at 4:06 pm

      They touched on it in nc, but they did a full class in phx

  16. other paul

    Nov 10, 2014 at 3:31 pm

    You missed YouTube swing coaches like Mark Crossfield. I learned a lot about my swing from guys like him. Also learned a little about course management, and that there is no substitute for a flightscope/trackman and high speed camera.

  17. Jeff

    Nov 10, 2014 at 3:23 pm

    I can’t say I fully understand any of those tools but I can say I feel like Tom Stickney has made me a more realistic student of golf. I don’t have the time or money to see a pro, and the only one near me is at a super expensive vacation lodge. But I watch instruction all the time and thanks to these articles I can take a drill outside, and know within 5 minutes if it’s gonna help me or if it feels foreign or forced. Thanks

    And if IBF is the best pitchman you have for a strait driVing swing aid, your swing aid is toast.

  18. M. Norman

    Nov 10, 2014 at 2:57 pm

    A lil more shut at the top and less active hands is all we need in lessons.

  19. Tom Stickney

    Nov 10, 2014 at 2:41 pm

    Thx sir

  20. Dan Sueltz

    Nov 10, 2014 at 2:32 pm

    And you, Tom, have been a pioneer in simplifying all of the data stuff so your students can learn and implement faster and easier.

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Instruction

Clement: Laid-off or perfect fade? Across-the-line or perfect draw?

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Some call the image on the left laid off, but if you are hitting a fade, this could be a perfect backswing for it! Same for across the line for a draw! Stop racking your brain with perceived mistakes and simply match backswing to shot shape!

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The Wedge Guy: The easiest-to-learn golf basic

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My golf learning began with this simple fact – if you don’t have a fundamentally sound hold on the golf club, it is practically impossible for your body to execute a fundamentally sound golf swing. I’m still a big believer that the golf swing is much easier to execute if you begin with the proper hold on the club.

As you might imagine, I come into contact with hundreds of golfers of all skill levels. And it is very rare to see a good player with a bad hold on the golf club. There are some exceptions, for sure, but they are very few and very far between, and they typically have beat so many balls with their poor grip that they’ve found a way to work around it.

The reality of biophysics is that the body moves only in certain ways – and the particulars of the way you hold the golf club can totally prevent a sound swing motion that allows the club to release properly through the impact zone. The wonderful thing is that anyone can learn how to put a fundamentally sound hold on the golf club, and you can practice it anywhere your hands are not otherwise engaged, like watching TV or just sitting and relaxing.

Whether you prefer an overlap, interlock or full-finger (not baseball!) grip on the club, the same fundamentals apply.  Here are the major grip faults I see most often, in the order of the frequency:

Mis-aligned hands

By this I mean that the palms of the two hands are not parallel to each other. Too many golfers have a weak left hand and strong right, or vice versa. The easiest way to learn how to hold the club with your palms aligned properly is to grip a plain wooden ruler or yardstick. It forces the hands to align properly and shows you how that feels. If you grip and re-grip a yardstick several times, then grip a club, you’ll see that the learning curve is almost immediate.

The position of the grip in the upper/left hand

I also observe many golfers who have the butt of the grip too far into the heel pad of the upper hand (the left hand for right-handed players). It’s amazing how much easier it is to release the club through the ball if even 1/4-1/2″ of the butt is beyond the left heel pad. Try this yourself to see what I mean.  Swing the club freely with just your left hand and notice the difference in its release from when you hold it at the end of the grip, versus gripping down even a half inch.

To help you really understand how this works, go to the range and hit shots with your five-iron gripped down a full inch to make the club the same length as your seven-iron. You will probably see an amazing shot shape difference, and likely not see as much distance loss as you would expect.

Too much lower (right) hand on the club

It seems like almost all golfers of 8-10 handicap or higher have the club too far into the palm of the lower hand, because that feels “good” if you are trying to control the path of the clubhead to the ball. But the golf swing is not an effort to hit at the ball – it is a swing of the club. The proper hold on the club has the grip underneath the pad at the base of the fingers. This will likely feel “weak” to you — like you cannot control the club like that. EXACTLY. You should not be trying to control the club with your lower/master hand.

Gripping too tightly

Nearly all golfers hold the club too tightly, which tenses up the forearms and prevents a proper release of the club through impact. In order for the club to move back and through properly, you must feel that the club is controlled by the last three fingers of the upper hand, and the middle two fingers of the lower hand. If you engage your thumbs and forefingers in “holding” the club, the result will almost always be a grip that is too tight. Try this for yourself. Hold the club in your upper hand only, and squeeze firmly with just the last three fingers, with the forefinger and thumb off the club entirely. You have good control, but your forearms are not tense. Then begin to squeeze down with your thumb and forefinger and observe the tensing of the entire forearm. This is the way we are made, so the key to preventing tenseness in the arms is to hold the club very lightly with the “pinchers” — the thumbs and forefingers.

So, those are what I believe are the four fundamentals of a good grip. Anyone can learn them in their home or office very quickly. There is no easier way to improve your ball striking consistency and add distance than giving more attention to the way you hold the golf club.

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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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