============================================================== [ TomTuckerGolf.com Tips ] Issue 17 - Date 06/13/12 ============================================================== IN THIS ISSUE: - Tom's Featured Tip: A Swing For A Bad Back - Tom's Bonus Tip: Geoff Mangum Quote - Lesson Comments: http://www.tomtuckergolf.com/testimonials.html - Sponsors: The Batavia Country Club, Chestnut Hill CC If you like this newsletter, please do me a favor and forward it to your friends so that they may subscribe: Subscribe - http://www.tomtuckergolf.com/signup.html The Unsubscribe link is at the bottom of this newsletter. My bio is here: http://www.tomtuckergolf.com/ If you wish to comment, respond, or ask a golf related question, please email me directly at ttucker@rochester.rr.com Plum Creek Driving Range and Practice Facility, simulator rates can be found through a link on my home page here: http://www.tomtuckergolf.com/ WE TAKE CLUBS ON CONSIGNMENT Plum Creek is now accepting clubs, bags, etc on consignment. If you have something golf related in good shape - clubs, bags, balls, etc. - that you want to sell, please contact me directly for details at ttucker@rochester.rr.com. For the sake of simplicity, all advice on swings and drills is provided from a right handed perspective; lefties .... well, you know what to do :-) ============================================================== Tom's Featured Tip - A Swing For A Bad Back ============================================================== I am currently teaching a student that was ready to quit the game because his back was giving him so much trouble. He has some fused discs, and a traditional swing produced a lot of pain. In order to develop a pain free swing for him, I had to break a few cardinal rules of traditional swing method instruction. I thought I'd offer a glimpse of what we are working on, for those of you that experience an inordinate amount of back pain during or after a round. I suppose this is the time when I should say don't try this if you have a bad back unless your doctor approves, so there - it's been said. The challenge is to develop a swing that allows the hips and shoulders to turn simultaneously without producing torque between your core and your shoulders, which is the opposite of what I usually teach. Then some compensating movement has to be developed to try to get as much swing speed as possible without the usual coiling. First of all, to get some swing speed, the swing needs to be as long as possible. This means allowing the left heel to come off the ground in the takeaway and backswing, and a wide lateral weight shift. At the top of the swing, I actually encourage the student to allow both elbows to break, to allow for more swing length and more centrifugal force generation at the ball. The student understands that the left arm still needs to get straight prior to impact. Next comes a long lateral weight shift to the forward leg, then a rotation of the core and shoulders together, pulling the arms, and shaft down through impact with a release that I teach called a "buggy whip" release. This is followed by a full finish with your hips turned towards the target, with your shoulders at the same forward facing angle as your hips. Your arms fold over your shoulder in a mirror image of that position in the backswing, your back foot is up on the toe, your back is straight, and all your weight is on your forward foot. * If I were to overemphasize anything, it would be the full finish as described above. Most players with back pain gravitate to an all arms swing, thinking that it will reduce strain on their back. In reality, that causes pain because the shoulders torque against the hips when a full follow through is inhibited, usually aggravating the problem you want relief from! Throughout the swing you're arms need to feel connected, and also feel like they are staying in front of your chest. There are some potential issues with casting, but there are drills that can nip that in the bud. Timing of everything is a bit more critical than with other swing methods, because this method has a lot of moving parts. But to someone with back pain, it's worth the extra effort to be able to still play the game they once used to love - pain free. After the first lesson, it was very gratifying to hear the student say that he was enthused about playing again, and that most importantly - his back wasn't hurting. He hit some excellent shots, and some poor ones also - which is normal when you are learning something so different from what you had been doing. Repetitions will cure that problem. In golf, if there's a will there's usually a way - but sometimes it follows an unconventional path. Enjoy, Tom ============================================================== Tom's Bonus Tip - Geoff Mangum Quote ============================================================== This is a quote I heard from Geoff Mangum, one of my favorite putting gurus. He may be one of the deepest thinkers I've ever encountered in the realm of golf instruction. He also seems pretty free spirited - you just know he wore tie dyed shirts back in the day: "A good golfer is the one that adapts to the reality of what's required by physics." Now that's deep - and true. Enjoy, Tom ============================================================= Golf Lessons ============================================================= I conduct lessons at The Plum Creek Driving Range & Practice Facility there's a link with info here: http://www.tomtuckergolf.com/ Lessons are available for all ages and skill levels, please contact me - Tom Tucker - at (716) 474 3005 or at ttucker@rochester.rr.com for more information. Rates: http://www.tomtuckergolf.com/lessonrates.html Testimonials: http://www.tomtuckergolf.com/testimonials.html ============================================================== Sponsors ============================================================== Batavia Country Club - http://www.bataviacc.com Need a new pair of golf shoes or a new Callaway Wedge? Great Pricing ! Puma /Callaway /BCC Logo Shirts/Wind/Caps. Chestnut Hill CC - http://www.chestnuthillcc.com Low greens fees, great course! ============================================================== All the best, Tom Tucker Teaching Pro, Plum Creek Driving Range & Practice Facility WGTF "Top 100 Golf Teacher" USGTF Class "A" Teaching Professional Cell: (716) 474-3005 Email: ttucker@rochester.rr.com http://www.TomTuckerGolf.com http://www.usgtf.com/top_100_wgtf.html Success Loves Preparation ~ Anonymous