============================================================== [ TomTuckerGolf.com Tips ] Issue 8 - Date 04/11/12 ============================================================== 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/contact.html If you wish to Unsubscribe from this newsletter click here. 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 The venue where I give lessons, the Plum Creek Driving Range and Practice Facility,  has their new simulator installed, and it will be available to the public as soon as the indoor remodeling is complete. There's a link to Plum Creek here: http://www.tomtuckergolf.com/ IN THIS ISSUE: - Tom's Quick Tip: Walking It Across The Road - Tom's Featured Tip: Sand Shots Made Simple - Golf Lessons - Sponsors ============================================================== Tom's Quick Tip - Walking It Across The Road ============================================================== "Walking it across the road" is a phrase associated with taking your good range swings from the range to the course. A great way to do this is to play some imaginary holes just before you leave the range. I actually try to take the swings - in sequence - for the first three holes that I will be playing. I even take one putting stroke per hole just for posterity. Try this and you'll have a seamless transition from the range to the first tee. ============================================================== Tom's Featured Tip - Sand Shots Made Simple ============================================================== 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 :-) I have two sons - and two grandsons - who are all excellent golfers. In fact, my sons are both currently the Club Champs at their respective courses. Monday, I was talking with my oldest son Tom, who carries a +1.6 handicap index at a tough course in Tennessee. He played on Easter Sunday with his two sons, and the youngest - Cameron - was struggling with sand shots. They had a little space between them and the following group, so he had Cameron take a few practice shots from the sand that ended up being very good. He gave him some very simple advice which I'm going to share with you. I study the golf swing continuously, and I never came across this tip before - and I love sharing unusual stuff like this that actually works. BTW, I know it works because I ran out and tried it right after the conversation with my son. Tom gave his son the one squish, two squish, three squish method for getting out of sand to various distances. If you have a relatively long bunker shot, squish your feet into the sand once. If you have a medium length bunker shot, squish your feet into the sand twice. If you have a relatively short bunker shot, squish your feet into the sand three times. The more you squish your feet into the sand, the shorter the ball flies, because your club bottoms out deeper below the ball than it would if you squished less and stood taller. More sand equals less flight. Your setup needs to be: weight feathered to the front foot, open stance, clubface square to the target. Swing along your body lines, which will be produce a slightly outside - in swing path to your aimline, and most important - make sure you hit the sand before you hit the ball! This could be a stroke saver if you struggle in the sand, give it a try. 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. Lesson rates are here: http://www.tomtuckergolf.com/lessonrates.html ============================================================== Sponsors ============================================================== Batavia Country Club - http://www.bataviacc.com/rates.html check out their great spring rates Chestnut Hill CC - http://www.chestnuthillcc.com/ Buffalogolfer.com notes the "challenge and diversity" of this course at a playable level. Spring rates available. ============================================================== All the best, and remember: Victory Loves Preparation ~ Anonymous 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