| Whenever you talk with golfers about golf instruction, | | | | Having said that, let me say that most of us simply |
| they all seem to be very interested in the latest | | | | don't have the time or talent required to hone our |
| gadget, gimmick, trend, or secret method but mention | | | | action to this very fine edge so it's awesomely |
| fundamentals and they tune out quicker than you can | | | | important that with limited practice and playing time, we |
| say jack rabbit. | | | | give ourselves the very best possible chance to hit |
| "That's just for beginners," they say citing their current | | | | good shots and that means to play our best golf it |
| 19 handicap as evidence that they have progressed | | | | would behoove each of us, no matter our current |
| beyond working on their grip, posture, and alignment. | | | | handicap, to work on developing sound fundamentals. |
| But talk about the "X-Factor" or "Speed Stick" or "The | | | | It's just easier with a good grip, good posture, and good |
| Power Move" or "The Magic Pill" or "The Inside Path" | | | | alignment to hit shots that fly toward the target and |
| or some other new-fangled gimmick and they | | | | that's what we all want .....right? |
| immediately start to salivate at the thought of | | | | So why do players who would love to play like Tiger |
| becoming a single digit handicapper just by buying | | | | Woods, who consistently shoot in the upper 80's, 90's, |
| another videotape, DVD, or gimmick. | | | | and worse, steer clear of the very fundamental |
| The truth is that yes, you can play good golf even with | | | | concepts that would help them play better and shoot |
| poor fundamentals but it's so much easier to get your | | | | lower scores? Is it pride? Is it a misconception they |
| golf game on track and keep it on track if your golf | | | | have about what's important? What is it? I can |
| swing is fundamentally sound. There is a moment in | | | | guarantee you that Tiger Woods works diligently on |
| every golf swing whether it be a full driver swing, a 3 | | | | fundamental concepts like grip, posture, and alignment. |
| foot putt, or a 30 yard pitch, that I like to call "the | | | | He does this because he knows that if one of these |
| moment of truth." | | | | fundamentals gets a little off, it will effect his entire |
| The "moment of truth" determines whether or not a | | | | swing. He knows this as do all tour players and most |
| given shot will start on line and where it will finish. | | | | low handicappers. |
| This "moment of truth," impact, is really the only thing | | | | Good players work consistently to develop and |
| that matters whether you're pounding your driver or | | | | maintain a good grip, athletic posture, and square |
| trying to coax in a 3 footer. Whether or not you can | | | | alignment. |
| square the face of the club to the intended target line | | | | Bad players don't. Players who struggle seem to work |
| at impact determines how successful any single swing | | | | on gimmicks, fads, and tricks in an effort to improve |
| will be. | | | | but somehow year after year, they have a new set |
| Let's take for example, Lee Trevino. Trevino's swing | | | | of clubs, new pair of shoes, the latest golf ball |
| was not what you'd call classic but he was very skilled | | | | technology, a brand new gimmick, and yet they shoot |
| at squaring the face of the club to the target line at | | | | the same old scores and hit the same bad shots. |
| impact. He spent years honing his motion to a fine | | | | Now I know that working on your grip, posture, and |
| edge, spending countless hours on the driving range | | | | alignment are not nearly as exciting as working with |
| and golf course so that he could consistently square | | | | the latest gadget you bought on the Golf Channel that |
| the face of the club to his intended target line. Jim | | | | will allow you to hit the ball 350 yards but if you'll try |
| Furyk is another example of someone with a less than | | | | working on your fundamentals as prescribed in "How |
| classic motion who has major championship talent and | | | | To Break 90 In 3 Easy Lessons", you'll see results that |
| who has spent his entire life honing his golf swing so | | | | you won't find anywhere else. You might actually be |
| that he can consistently square the club face to the | | | | surprised how good your swing really is when you put |
| intended target line. Fred Couples is another example | | | | yourself in the optimum positions to excel. |
| and the list goes on and on. These players, all from | | | | I know it, Tiger knows it, and know YOU know it.... so |
| different set-up positions, have trained themselves to | | | | get out there and get to work on the concepts that |
| square the club face to the intended target line at | | | | are truly essential if you are going to shoot the scores |
| impact and you can too. | | | | you've always dreamed of. |