====================================================
Newsletter - Issue 75 Date 11/08/08
====================================================

====================================================
Equipment - Books - DVD's 
====================================================


Last issue:

Two excellent training aids are the Orange Whip Trainer, and the Swing Fan.

In the next issue I'll tell you which one is best for the classic type swing and which
one is best for the rotary or one plane type swing, and why.

To view these training aids click here: http://www.bataviacc.com/whipfan.html

Per the last issue, here's the information:

Please note that a Rotary swing and One Plane swing are not one and 
the same, but they are similar in swing plane theory.

The Orange Whip Trainer is best for the Classic type swing - which goes 
around then up on the backswing, then down and around on the downswing.

The Power Swing Fan is best for a Rotary or One Plane type swing - which 
simply put - turns back, then turns through.  For a great video clip of a Rotary 
swing drill by Anthony Kim, click here:
http://www.thegolfchannel.com/core.aspx?page=32005&select2=10860

I really think there should be room for both tools in your training aid arsenal, but 
here's why one or the other may help one swing type more than another.

The Orange Whip Trainer helps you build core muscle strength, and it helps you
feel the correct wrist position at impact, which has the clubface lagging behind the
hands with the wrists in a powerful position. It also helps you maintain patience
in the downswing so that your hands do not allow the clubface to close too early.
It helps you feel tempo, timing and rhythm a little better than the Power Swing Fan.

On the other hand, the Power Swing Fan helps your body feel the correct lagging 
of the arms in the downswing as you allow your body to rotate more to the left (righties) just 
prior to impact with a Rotary or One Plane type of swing. These swing types use more 
body and less arms and hands than a Classic type swing, and the resistance felt 
when swinging the Power Swing Fan embeds the lagging arms feeling in your muscle 
memory.  The Rotary or One Plane swing is not as dependent on tempo, timing, and 
rhythm as the Classic swing type because the swing plane doesn't change as much.

Having said all of that, I use my Orange Whip Trainer to build core muscle strength
and flexibility, and I use my Power Swing Fan to recognize the feel of lagging my 
arms, which is still a work in progress for me.

To view these training aids click here: http://www.bataviacc.com/whipfan.html

The Orange Whip Trainer retails for $100 plus $10 shipping and may be purchased here:
http://www.orangewhiptrainer.com/

The Power Swing fan can be purchased at many places, here's one for $54.95 plus shipping:
http://www.golfaroundtheworld.com/product_info.php?products_id=31&osCsid=9fgmamtf4llnsi7h5ckrgvnvj6

I can get you a discount on either item, if you are interested email me 
for pricing.

Enjoy,

Tom


====================================================
TCT Quick Tips - Concentration
====================================================


OK, this tip isn't too quick but it's useful.

Concentration needs to be worked at to keep your scoring low. 

Proof is in the pudding for me. I had the chance to play a lot during our 
extended Indian Summer and I was hitting the ball well but not scoring 
for beans. I have been experimenting with a new driver and 3 wood, and 
three different putters, but I really think lack of concentration was more 
of the issue. It has just been so darned beautiful out I found myself 
appreciating the weather more than fully concentrating on my shots.

I was playing with some different players than my normal group and having
a great time in spite of missing putts that I usually make with my eyes closed,
when I noticed my cart partner rummaging around in the basket of the cart.

Keep in mind that we had been taking off sweaters as the day got warmer 
then adding things back on as it got a bit cooler.

Anyway, my cart partner said "I'm looking for my vest", to which I replied
"do you mean the one you're wearing?". He said "uh....yes".

So when I got home I searched the Internet for some sort of concentration 
building exercise and I found this one, enjoy. (I don't give this one the TCT
guarantee at this time because I don't know for sure if it works or not, but 
it seems to make sense) :

1. Get a candle and place it on a table about 2 feet in front of you, and do this 
exercise in a place that you won't be disturbed. 

2. Light the candle, then sit in front of the candle, relax and look at the flame. 

3. Fix your eyes on the candle and nothing else. Stay calm, relaxed and 
most importantly breath naturally as you are looking at the flame. 

4. Focus on the flame for about 1 minute.

5. Now close your eyes and look at the image in your mind’s eye. If you can't 
see the flame in your mind’s eye, open your eyes and try again.

The objective of this concentration exercise is to try and keep the image of 
the flame for as long as possible. With practice you should be able to keep the 
image in your mind’s eye for a good couple of minutes.

Keep doing this concentration exercise regularly for a month, and you'll notice a 
huge improvement in your golf score as you improve your concentration skills.

Finally, you need to be relaxed and focus on each shot in the present (undivided attention). 

That is real golf concentration. 

Enjoy,

Tom


====================================================
Golf Tip : Putter Experiments
====================================================


Photos of the putters and the Stroke Saver grip mentioned in this section
may be viewed here:

http://www.bataviacc.com/putters.html

For some unknown reason, other than "that's what golfers do" I decided to
experiment with some different putters than my old faithful Odyssey 2 Ball
putter with the oversized Stroke Saver grip.

One of the things that sparked the experimenting was that Slotline has gotten
back into production - they make great putters - and another thing was that
I wanted to try out a putter with a milled face in playing conditions.

The new line of Slotlines is gorgeous, but I'm not ready to spend $200 
for an experiment even if I do get the deduction on my tax return.

So....I went to Ebay and bought two older models of Slotline putters, and I 
went to http://www.golfworks.com and hunted down a putterhead with a mallet 
head and milled face that was on sale.

Golfworks sells quality items for a fraction of what you would pay for a more
recognizable brand name, the Maltby brand there is very high quality.

I spent $25 for the putterhead (half price sale), $7 for a shaft, $5 to have it 
assembled, and I already had a Super Stroke grip.

BTW, the grip cost more than the putterhead but it helps me keep my wrists
out of my putting stroke so God knows that it's worth ten times the price :-)

I quickly found out that my eye and my stroke had gotten so used to the mallet 
style head that I was uncomfortable using either of the Slotlines. However,
I will say that if you like looking down at a blade type of head these two are
really good putters.

The Slotlines were both older models and did not have a milled face, so I was
really looking forward to trying out the Maltby model which has a milled face. 

When my Maltby arrived, I replaced the 360 gram weight that came installed on 
the putter with the optional 400 gram weight that also came with the putter and 
immediately gave it a try.  BTW, my first impression was that it's bigger than 
I expected the head to be, but I got over it.

I really liked the feel of the Maltby putter with my Super Stroke grip, but I am 
going to have to get used to the roll out that results from the milled face. The 
pure roll was noticeable, and I believe that the milled putterface is a significant 
technical advantage for anyone. 

Some manufacturers have horizontally milled faces which look like grooves, and 
others have circular or "C" shaped milled faces.

To me, the milled face has the feel of ridges which extrude from the 
clubface as opposed to grooves.  In theory a milled face it is supposed to grip 
the ball better as it comes in contact with the face, resulting in a purer and more 
accurate roll. I experienced the roll part - it lags beautifully and effortlessly, but I 
wasn't as consistent on short putts as I normally am.  

In defense of the Maltby, I took it out of the box and played two rounds immediately 
without any practice - so I won't pass judgement on the accuracy yet.

I think that the lighter weight option might be better when the greens are at their 
fastest, and that the heavier one will be good for when they are slow.

Or...maybe the lighter weight option is better considering the better roll out. 

Either way, about a thousand putts with each weight option on my putting ramp 
should tell the story.

I just know that I like the milled face Maltby and look forward to using it regularly, 
or at least when I have to put my Odyssey 2 Ball in solitary confinement for a 
week or two, which happens once in a while.

Enjoy,

Tom