==================================================== Newsletter - Issue 65 Date 08/10/08 ==================================================== ==================================================== Equipment - Books - DVD's ==================================================== Impact Bags, to see what one looks like click here: http://www.bataviacc.com/impactbag.html So..................... Here's some ad copy I found regarding impact bags: Creates a consistent impact position. Develops upper body strength. Improves consistency of swing. Develops proper muscle memory. And you know what - impact bags do all that and more! I would not be without one personally or for my lessons. If you decide to get one, the model by Izzo is the cheapest commercial bag I've seen. The BCGA (blue collar golfer alternative - hey, I think I actually thought of something original here) would be a heavy duty sand bag or small bale of rags. I've heard of a college golf coach that has a sand bag at every hitting station for his teams' range work, and their team has had great results. Personally, I have several Izzo impact bags that I use for our junior program - stuffed with half of my wife's winter wardrobe - and they work great. Next issue I'll evaluate fiberglass alignment rods, like the ones many Pro's use on the practice range. You can view them here: http://www.golfaroundtheworld.com/index.php?cPath=5&osCsid=a9lebhje7c6e6nvmf0tdbc8ri0 ==================================================== TCT Quick Tips - Trajectory Tips ==================================================== To achieve lower shots remember these rules: ball back, weight forward choke down on your grip, grip the club firmly and take a short swing with a soft pace. Higher shots are just the opposite: ball progressively more forward, weight to the rear slightly, full and loose grip, fuller swing and a faster pace. The one key that most people miss is the speed of the swing. Faster swing speeds launch the ball up, whereas slower speeds help keep it down. Try a few swings with a pitching wedge using these techniques and note your results. They should be pretty consistent ==================================================== Golf Tip : Foot Wedges and Grooves ==================================================== Foot Wedge Last issues' quick tip was: To cure a sway, practice your takeaway with a golf ball under the outside of your rear foot. It generated the following question from John Primiano: Regarding your "Quick Tip" - "Curing the sway". Do you mean to actually stand directly on the ball (under the rear sole) while practicing the take away? I believe that I do have this problem and would like to practice this in the correct manner. Thanks again. Thanks to John for the question, here was my answer: Yes John, that's what I meant - another good tool for this is a rubber door stop, that's what I have my junior golfers use in the same way to feel what the weight distribution should be like; there's also a product called the "foot wedge" which accomplishes the same thing for a little more money, here's a photo of that product: http://www.intheholegolf.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=FT-WEDGE It works quite well, and it covers a wider area than a golf ball or door stop - you might find one at Golf Galaxy or Dicks, get the Izzo model, it's the least expensive. The BCGA (blue collar golfer alternative) would be to go to the dollar store and get some rubber door stops. Either does the job, but Izzo's foot wedge looks nicer. Grooves The USGA has adopted a rule change placing new restrictions grooves. The rules control the cross sectional area of grooves on all clubs, with the exception of drivers and putters, and limits groove edge sharpness on clubs with lofts equal to or greater than 25 degrees (generally a standard 5-iron and above). For full details on the rule change, click here: http://www.pgatour.com/2008/r/08/05/usga.rules/index.html This rule change prompted a question from Mike Easton as follows: Hi Tom: I just don't get V groove vs U groove.. Can you decipher for me. Thanks Mike Thanks to Mike for the question, here was my answer: Hi Mike, basically there are two types of groove designs used in irons, “V” grooves and “U” grooves. “V” grooves are the oldest groove type and have been the predominant groove used in many irons over the years and a number of companies still use them today. “U” grooves are a more modern groove (the last 20 years or so) that basically will bite into the ball better making them an improvement over the “V” type grooves. This is especially true in playing conditions that cause the ball to slide up the face. Any lubricant (grass, water or whatever) between the clubface and the ball will cause the ball to have a tendency to slide up the face thus reducing backspin as it leaves the face. This is also referred to as the “flyer effect.” Groove shape impacts how much a ball will slide. Because wedges have more loft than the other irons, the tendency for the ball to want to slide up the face at impact is greater and this require more friction or bite into the ball to help reduce this tendency. “U” grooves definitely help to reduce this sliding action at impact. The groove type has less importance on spin if the face remains completely dry at impact but even something as small as higher humidity may have some effect. Obviously the USGA is trying to take that advantage away with this rule change. Personally.....I think they have way too much time on their hands. Enjoy, Tom