Instruction
Do golf swing models work?
It’s a question that will always linger in the instruction world: do swing models work?
Many great teachers have taught a particular model to their students with great success — Jimmy Ballard, David Leadbetter, for example. Others such as Butch Harmon and Chuck Cook have had great success without sticking to a model.
So what’s the best way for golfers to learn? In my opinion, the student needs to answer two simple questions:
- Do you buy into this teacher’s swing model 100 percent?
- Will a swing model simplify the game for you?
If you answered yes to both, then you might be a candidate to try a particular swing method. I know plenty golfers who played great golf, but then adopted a new swing method and became much better — Matt Kuchar is a great example of this. Often times when you fully commit to a swing model and believe that it work for you, it does.
There are also countless examples of when swing models just do not work for certain golfers. It often has to do with golfers not buying into the process, or their inability connect with what their teachers were telling them. Tiger Woods’ time with instructor Sean Foley is a great example of this. Foley has had great success with Hunter Mahan and Justin Rose, who attribute their best golf to what they’ve learned from Foley, but Tiger just couldn’t make Foley’s swing work. There were some apparent physiological limitations, which ultimately led to their split.
Contrary to what many golfers believe, Foley does not teach a model swing, nor do I believe that he was he far off with what he fundamentally wanted from Tiger. But somewhere between Tiger’s brain and Tiger’s body, the wires got crossed and things started to unravel. I’m fairly certain that Tiger bought into Foley’s concepts, but there was some kind of block that Tiger couldn’t break through.
If you have an ounce of doubt regarding the validity of the fundamentals that this teacher is espousing, then you are certainly doomed from the start. What if Faldo had not bought into Leadbetter’s teachings? He would have floundered for years. Tiger with Hank Haney? Same thing.
I think when you are dealing with a supremely talented player, it’s easy for that player to swing any way he chooses. For beginners, I feel that it’s not overly harmful to put them into some type of system to allow them to better focus on the basics — grip, stance, and overall setup, etc.
In my teaching, I have tried to gravitate away from any particular model. I do find myself teaching a few swing patterns more often than others in the club-golfer world in which I work, however. My way is neither right or wrong, but it’s how I’ve chosen to do things. Some would argue for my way, while others would argue against it. I find that having a few models to choose from helps me improve the players and swings that I most often see at the club level. This gives me the versatility to help a wide-range of golfers.
This is not to say that if I started teaching on Tour full-time, I would do the same thing… at this point I just don’t know. That would take time to figure out.
The only thing I can say confidently about golf swings, swing models and teachers is that you must buy into their vision 100 percent, or you will never get better — and you’ll probably get worse. Take the time to interview your next teacher and see if you are on the same page. If not, go to someone else!
As a teacher, if you DO teach a swing model, half your students will love you and half will hate you. If you DON’T teach a swing model, half your students will love you and half will hate you!
Welcome to the wonderful world of teaching golf for a living.
The LPGA Tour is kicking off its 2026 season this week at Lake Nona Golf and Country Club in Orlando, and the pros are dealing with something most Florida golfers rarely face: freezing temperatures.
“It’s colder here than in the UK at the minute, which is a first,” said England’s Charley Hull during Wednesday’s media day at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions.
Even Lydia Ko, who lives at Lake Nona, seemed surprised by the cold snap. “We’re pretty much getting to below zero in celsius here, which maybe in other parts of the country they would be thankful, but when you’re in Florida it is a little bit of a surprise,” she said.
If the world’s best players are adjusting their games for cold weather, recreational golfers should, too. Here’s how to play smart when the mercury drops.
Understand What Cold Does to Your Game
Before you change anything, you need to know what you’re fighting against. Cold air is denser than warm air, which means your ball won’t fly as far. Period.
Hull noticed this immediately during practice rounds at Lake Nona. She mentioned hitting a gap wedge into the 18th hole during a previous win but needing a 4-iron during Tuesday’s practice round. That’s a difference of four or five clubs for the same shot.
Action item: Expect to lose 5-10 yards on every club in your bag when temperatures dip below 50 degrees. Plan accordingly and don’t be stubborn about club selection.
Layer Up Without Restricting Your Swing
Hull admitted she wore three pairs of pants during practice. While that might be extreme for most of us, staying warm is critical to playing well in cold conditions.
Your muscles need warmth to function properly. When you’re cold, your body tightens up and your swing gets shorter and faster. Neither of those things help you hit good golf shots.
Action item: Wear multiple thin layers instead of one bulky jacket. Look for golf-specific cold weather gear that stretches with your swing. Keep hand warmers in your pockets between shots. And don’t forget a good hat because you lose significant body heat through your head.
Take More Club Than You Think You Need
This is where ego gets in the way of good scores. When it’s cold, the ball doesn’t compress as well off the clubface. Combined with denser air, you’re looking at serious distance loss.
The pros at Lake Nona are dealing with a course that measures 6,642 yards but plays much longer this week. If they’re adjusting, you should too.
Action item: Take at least one extra club on every approach shot. In temperatures below 40 degrees, consider taking two extra clubs. It’s better to fly the ball to the back of the green than to come up short in a bunker.
Adjust Your Expectations on the Greens
Cold weather affects putting in ways most golfers don’t consider. The ball is harder and doesn’t roll as smoothly. Your hands are cold, making it harder to feel the putter. And if there’s any moisture on the greens, they’ll be slower than normal.
Ko mentioned that she still sometimes reads the greens wrong at Lake Nona despite being a member for years. Cold weather makes that challenge even tougher.
Action item: Hit putts more firmly than usual. The ball needs extra speed to hold its line on cold greens. Take a few extra practice strokes to get a feel for the speed before you putt.
Embrace the Mental Challenge
Hull said something interesting about cold weather golf: “I like the mental toughness of it.”
That’s the right attitude. Everyone on the course is dealing with the same conditions. The player who stays patient and doesn’t get frustrated by the extra difficulty will come out ahead.
Action item: Lower your expectations by a few strokes. If you normally shoot 85, accept that 90 might be a good score in 40-degree weather. Focus on solid contact and smart decisions rather than perfect shots.
Warm Up Longer and Smarter
This might be the most important tip of all. Cold muscles are tight muscles, and tight muscles get injured easily.
World No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul revealed she’s been protecting a wrist injury that bothered her late last season. Cold weather makes those kinds of injuries more likely if you don’t prepare properly.
Action item: Spend at least 20 minutes warming up before your round. Start with stretching, then hit easy wedge shots before working up to your driver. Keep moving between shots on the course to maintain body heat and flexibility.
The pros at Lake Nona this week will adapt and compete at the highest level despite the cold. You can do the same at your local course by following these tips and keeping a positive attitude.
PGA Professional Brendon Elliott is an award-winning coach and golf writer. You can check out his writing work and learn more about him by visiting BEAGOLFER.golf and OneMoreRollGolf.com. Also, check out “Playing Through” now on R.org, RG.org’s partner site, each Monday.
Editor’s note: Brendon shares his nearly 30 years of experience in the game with GolfWRX readers through his ongoing tip series. He looks forward to providing valuable insights and advice to help golfers improve their game. Stay tuned for more tips!
Brooks Koepka is back on the PGA Tour, and whether you love him or hate him, the guy knows how to win when it matters. After his LIV Golf stint, the five-time major champion returns this week at the Farmers Insurance Open.
What makes Koepka fascinating? He doesn’t fit the mold. His swing isn’t textbook. He doesn’t obsess over mechanics. Yet he’s won three PGA Championships and two U.S. Opens, regularly making it look easier than guys with prettier swings.
So, what can average golfers learn from someone who treats the game so differently? Quite a bit.
Stop Overthinking Every Shot
Koepka describes his approach as “reactionary” rather than mechanical. While most tour pros grind over swing thoughts, Brooks sees the target and hits it. No mental checklist.
This might be the most valuable lesson for weekend golfers who’ve watched too many YouTube swing videos.
How to actually do this:
On the range, hit five balls where you stare at the target for three seconds prior to addressing the ball. Don’t think about grip or stance. Just burn that target into your brain. You’ll be shocked at how pure you hit it when your brain focuses on where the ball is going instead of how you’re swinging.
Next time you play, give yourself a rule: Once you pull the club, you’ve got 15 seconds to hit. Koepka is one of the fastest players on tour because he doesn’t give his brain time to sabotage him.
If you feel tension in your hands at address, you’re trying to control too much. Koepka’s grip pressure is famously light. Loosen up until the club almost feels like it might slip, then add just enough pressure to hold on. That’s your swing thought: soft hands, see the target.
This approach works better under pressure. When you’re standing over that shot with water left and OB right, the last thing you need is a mental checklist. See it, feel it, hit it.
Play to Your Strengths (Even If They’re Not Pretty)
Koepka uses a strong grip that wouldn’t pass muster in some teaching circles. But he’s built his game around what works for him, elite driving distance and recovery skills. He doesn’t try to be someone he’s not.
Here’s how to build your game like Brooks:
Look at your last five rounds and figure out where you’re actually gaining strokes. Bombing it off the tee, but can’t hit greens? Lean into it. Play courses where distance matters more than precision. On tight holes, grip down on your 3-wood instead of trying to thread a driver through a keyhole you’ll miss seven times out of ten.
Koepka knows he can scramble, so he’s not afraid to miss greens. If you’re deadly from 50 to 75 yards, start leaving yourself those distances on the par 5’s instead of going for them in two every time.
Know when to take your medicine. Koepka in the trees at the PGA? He’s punching out to 100 yards, not trying to bend a 6-iron around three oaks. You’re in the rough with a flyer lie and water short? Hit your 8-iron to the middle and move on. That’s not playing scared, that’s playing smart.
Save Your Best for When It Counts
Here’s a wild stat: Koepka’s putting average in majors is often more than a full stroke better per round than in regular events. He elevates when pressure is highest.
How does an amateur tap into that gear? It’s not about trying harder, it’s about caring differently.
Here’s what actually works:
Decide which rounds matter to you. Club championship? Member-guest? That annual trip with college buddies? Circle those dates and treat them differently. Koepka doesn’t care much about regular tour events, but majors? That’s when he locks in.
Two weeks before your big round, change your practice. Stop beating balls mindlessly. Play nine holes in which every shot has consequences. Miss the fairway? Hit from the rough on the next hole too. Three-putt? Twenty push-ups. Koepka’s practice intensity ramps up before majors because he’s rehearsing pressure, not just swings.
Develop a between-shot routine that resets your brain. Koepka is famous for his blank expression after bad shots. Try this: After any shot, take three deep breaths while walking, then find something specific to notice, a tree, a cloud, someone’s shirt. That’s your reset button. By the time you reach your ball, the last shot is gone.
The Bottom Line
Brooks Koepka’s return reminds us there’s no single path to success in golf. His “substance over style” approach proves that results matter more than looking good.
You don’t need a perfect swing; you need a reliable one that holds up under pressure. You don’t need to hit every shot in the book; you need the shots you can count on. And you don’t need to play great every time; you need to play great when it matters.
Welcome back, Brooks. Thanks for the reminder that golf is ultimately about getting the ball in the hole, not winning style points.
PGA Professional Brendon Elliott is an award-winning coach and golf writer. You can check out his writing work and learn more about him by visiting BEAGOLFER.golf and OneMoreRollGolf.com. Also, check out “Playing Through” now on R.org, RG.org’s partner site, each Monday.
Editor’s note: Brendon shares his nearly 30 years of experience in the game with GolfWRX readers through his ongoing tip series. He looks forward to providing valuable insights and advice to help golfers improve their game. Stay tuned for more tips!
Blades Brown made a big impression last week in the California desert, and not just because he’s only 18. He put up numbers that would catch any weekend golfer’s attention. Most of us won’t hit 317-yard drives or find 86% of our greens in regulation, but there’s a lot to learn from how Brown managed his game at The American Express.
Here are three practical lessons from his performance that you can use on your own course this weekend.
Step 1: Give Priority to Accuracy Over Distance Off The Tee
Brown’s driving stats are impressive. He averaged almost 318 yards off the tee, ranking 12th in the field. More importantly, he hit 76.79% of his fairways, tying for fourth place in the tournament.
Think about that ratio for a second. Brown could have swung harder, chased more distance and tried to overpower the course. Instead, he played smart golf and kept his ball in play.
Your Action Item: Next time you’re on the tee box, ask yourself a simple question before pulling the driver. Do you need maximum distance here, or do you need to be in the fairway? If there’s trouble lurking or the hole doesn’t demand every yard you can muster, take something off your swing. Grip down an inch. Make a three-quarter swing. Do whatever it takes to find the short grass. Brown’s approach illustrates that fairways lead to greens, and greens lead to birdies. He made 22 of them last week, along with an eagle.
The math is simple. When you’re hitting three out of every four fairways like Brown did, you’re giving yourself legitimate looks at the green with your approach shots. That’s when scoring happens.
Step 2: Commit To Hitting More Greens
This is where Brown really separated himself. He hit 62 of 72 greens in regulation, an 86.11% clip that tied for first in the entire field. Read that again. An 18-year-old kid tied for the lead in one of the most important ball-striking statistics in professional golf.
How did he do it? By keeping his ball in the fairway (see Step 1) and giving himself clean looks with mid-irons and wedges.
Your Action Item: Start tracking your greens in regulation. You don’t need a fancy app or a statistics degree. Just mark down whether you hit the green in the regulation number of strokes. Par 3s in one shot. Par 4s in two shots. Par 5s in three shots.
Once you know your baseline, set a goal to improve it by 10%. If you’re currently hitting five greens per round, aim for six. The beauty of this approach is that it forces you to think strategically about club selection and shot shape. Brown’s strokes gained approach number was positive (0.179), meaning he was better than the field average. You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to be on the dance floor more often.
When you hit more greens, you eliminate the need for heroic short game shots. Brown only had to scramble 10 times all week, and he got up and down 70% of the time. That’s solid, but the real story is that he rarely put himself in scrambling situations to begin with.
Step 3: Minimize Mistakes And Stay Patient
Here’s the stat that jumps off the page: Brown made only three bogeys all week. Three. In four rounds of professional golf against the best players in the world.
He also made just one double bogey. That kind of clean card doesn’t happen by accident. It happens when you play within yourself, avoid the big miss and trust that pars are never bad scores.
Your Action Item: Before your next round, decide that you’re going to play boring golf. No hero shots over water. No driver on tight holes just because you can. No aggressive pins when there’s a safe side of the green.
Brown’s performance shows us that consistency beats flash every single time. He didn’t lead the field in any single strokes gained category, but he was solid across the board. That’s how you post numbers and cash checks.
Give these three steps a try. Your scorecard will thank you.
PGA Professional Brendon Elliott is an award-winning coach and golf writer. You can check out his writing work and learn more about him by visiting BEAGOLFER.golf and OneMoreRollGolf.com. Also, check out “The Starter” now on R.org, RG.org’s partner site, each Monday.
Editor’s note: Brendon shares his nearly 30 years of experience in the game with GolfWRX readers through his ongoing tip series. He looks forward to providing valuable insights and advice to help golfers improve their game. Stay tuned for more tips!
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Josh
Dec 21, 2014 at 6:16 pm
Click Here!
Regis
Dec 17, 2014 at 6:40 pm
I’ve been experimenting with different models through lessons, books , videos for years. Best lesson I ever had was probably 20 years ago. Pro said Golf is a shoulder turn. He said So much instruction focuses on using the ground, hip rotation, weight transfer…all great, but if you don’t get the shoulder turn down properly, its counter productive. When my game goes south, I start by focusing on the shoulder turn. Kind of like the Austrian Ski lesson: Bend the knees-5 dollars please.
Tom Stickney
Dec 17, 2014 at 8:00 pm
Reg- good deal
FormerCartWasher
Dec 17, 2014 at 3:24 pm
I worked for a while at a facility that used the Model Golf system that the graphic refers to. Take a bunch of measurements, plug them into the computer, and you’re supposed to see what the perfect swing would be for that person. Suppose you have a healthy 19 year old with unlimited practice time, and an arthritic 60 year old who is lucky to play once a week, but they have the same body measurements. The computer spits out the same swing. It may be valid for the 19 year old to rebuild their swing to try to match the model, but the 60 year old will need some pretty substantial adjustments to account not only for his physical limitations, but for the lack of practice time. He may be much better served by patching some things up to make his swing simpler and more repeatable, and devoting more time toward working on the chipping and putting, which require much less physical prowess.
Tom Stickney
Dec 17, 2014 at 5:14 pm
For- couldn’t be more true.
Ed
Dec 17, 2014 at 12:03 pm
Tom, my experience is that swing models work and don’t work–at the same time. A swing model focusing on how someone’s body moves (eg. arms, hips, shoulders, etc.) doesn’t work for two reasons: 1) everyones body moves uniquely (eg. walking behind someone you can often identify that person by their walk. There walk is sucessful but unique to them); 2) no single body part or collection of a few body parts controls the golf club. I can move my arms, shoulders, and hips in a variety of ways and still produce a good shot. A swing model of how the club moves always works. Because the movement of the club is universal. It must satisfy 4 conditions: 1) ball must be contacted by the center of the clubface, 2) the clubface must be square to the target line at impact, 3) the club must be swung along the target line and 4) the club must impart enough energy to propel the ball to the target.
Body models seldom work. Club models always work.
Tom Stickney
Dec 17, 2014 at 1:05 pm
Agree to a point but the first three principles you listed regarding the club are incorrect. The centerdness of contact is important but many pros miss geometric center if the club on most of their shots. Gearing to some degree in every shot one hits. Second, the club can be rt, left, or square to the target line and provide great results. Third, the club can be moved in to out, down the line, or out to in with great results.
Observer
Dec 21, 2014 at 12:20 am
I disagree with you Ed,
When you say that bodies can move differently that is not true (unless someone has had surgery to hinder normal function, or has broken or deformed a part of their body). Bones and muscles are set to move in very particular ways. Example: knees are hinge joints they are constructed to move in a very particular way – straighten and bend. They are not built to rotate. Models that are constructed on the anatomy and sound bio-mechanics can be very effective if they are based on and adhere to scientific principals, and as Tom Stickney said the student believes in their validity. Movements that don’t adhere to those principals are never going to be as effective as ones that do, they will require compensations giving false hope to the student, and leave them wondering why they can’t be consistent or efficient. Your so called club-models are dependent on the human body since clubs don’t move themselves.
Pat
Dec 17, 2014 at 7:02 am
I have had instructors that have stuck to a swing model and it ruined it my swing. My last instructor didn’t have a swing model and worked with my swing making slight adjustments here and there. Had the most success doing it that way. I think it’s best to find which method works for you and find an instructor who teaches that philosophy. Most important things for me was to start the down swing with hip rotation, and fixing my swing path so that I hit the inside of the ball. Doing so increases ball speed and helps me hit that high baby draw. Once I learned to do this consistently, my handicap dropped from 15 to all the way down to 2 when I played my best. Currently I’m a 5 handicap because I don’t have as much time to practice anymore.
Tom Stickney
Dec 17, 2014 at 1:05 pm
Some models don’t work for the player for sure. Some do.
Jeffcb
Dec 16, 2014 at 9:51 am
It also seems important to me to ask the student just what they want to get out of the game. If they just want a little more consistency is a complete overhaul really necessary? I think you can tell pretty quick if a particular theory is going to work for you or not. It took me about 5 swings to get a handle on a one plane swing (Speaking of Kuchar). So that’s how I know its a good one for me. Nice article Tom, I enjoy your articles.
tom stickney
Dec 16, 2014 at 2:45 pm
Jeff- Agree, it’s all up to the student and his or her goals…I am not in favor for a complete overhaul unless the student asks for it, but even then I tell them it’s a LONG process! Appreciate the comments.
Jeffcb
Dec 16, 2014 at 7:37 pm
LONG indeed but not so long as to quit the process. Progress is certainly one shot at a time. Takes patience
other paul
Dec 16, 2014 at 12:11 am
I love that Tom took 5 minutes to go through the comments and respond to almost every single one. Good on you.
Tom Stickney
Dec 16, 2014 at 12:29 am
Other- I always try and reply. Thx sir
juststeve
Dec 15, 2014 at 6:18 pm
I was taught how to swing the club on an arc in the direction of the target. I was taught to allow my body to respond to the swinging of the club and that the way my body moved might be different from the way someone else’s body moved. Is that a method?
Steve
Tom Stickney
Dec 15, 2014 at 7:44 pm
Steve. You’re fine.
James
Dec 15, 2014 at 2:45 pm
With the injuries I sustained playing baseball, no way I could ever swing the beautiful perfect swing that everyone strives for in a swing model. However, I figured out I have a personal swing model and I stick to that. I can make little tweaks now and again but the basic model I have developed for myself stays the same even if it isn’t pretty. Got me down to scratch so I’m good with it. I believe one has to understand the fundamental concepts of the golf swing then tailor it for what they can do. Once you have it, stick with it only making small tweaks.
Tom Stickney
Dec 15, 2014 at 7:45 pm
James- if you’ve found what works for you then you’re fine!
other paul
Dec 15, 2014 at 2:09 pm
I have no idea if my instructor has a model or not. I just go in for a lesson and he asks if I have issues. And I list my issues and what I try and do about them. He tells me how to fix it and I drop 5 more shots. Took 5 lessons and now I shoot in the low to mid 70s. Going to start on my official handicap this spring when the snow is gone.
Tom Stickney
Dec 15, 2014 at 7:45 pm
Other- stick with his ideas regardless
TheFightingEdFioris
Dec 15, 2014 at 12:47 pm
Love the end of this LOL
“As a teacher, if you DO teach a swing model, half your students will love you and half will hate you. If you DON’T teach a swing model, half your students will love you and half will hate you!”
Very, Very true. I may be puring every one of them, but I HATE when my teacher holds my head during my swing. Damn him!
Tom Stickney
Dec 15, 2014 at 7:46 pm
Ed- agree.
marcel
Dec 15, 2014 at 11:58 pm
if the teacher is holding your head during your swing then you have no core – not legs and no glut… meaning you cannot back swing nor follow thru on the same path without changing height and spine angle… your golf suffers… Bless your coach and start bucket drills and lots of squats man – like lots of squats in gym
Tom Stickney
Dec 16, 2014 at 12:30 am
Mar- core exercises are key for stability
Observer
Dec 21, 2014 at 12:41 am
If he’s holding your head to try to stop it from moving in some particular way, but can’t explain to you why its moving in the first place, or can’t explain why it shouldn’t be moving then it may not be worth following his advice/sticking with him.
Don’t know if you’ve heard of the push vs pull theory of muscles and movement, but if something it being moved in a undesired way it could be because something is pushing on it while pulling might be the more sound action. Here is an example with regard to your head. If you push your left shoulder away from the target (as some instructors and players advocate) that is going to push other parts of the body (like your head), but if you pull a part of the right side of your body behind you(towards your heel) (like your right ab(s), shoulder blade, lat, etc) different muscles will activate and your head will be more likely to maintain position. Now weather that works with whatever other actions (or compensations) you have as part of your swing is another topic.
David Gebhardt PGA
Dec 15, 2014 at 12:20 pm
I find that I adapt to the physical and mental needs of each student and have a base model.
Tom Stickney
Dec 15, 2014 at 7:46 pm
David- that’s why you’re successful on the lesson tee
B-Haf
Dec 15, 2014 at 12:10 pm
A lot of people harp on Tiger not fitting with Foley’s swing principles. Pretty sure it worked in 2013 when he was healthy (won almost a 1/3 of his starts and was player of the year). Did the swing style influence his injuries in 2014? That’s the question.
Tom Stickney
Dec 15, 2014 at 7:46 pm
B– wish we could find out.
DF
Dec 15, 2014 at 11:11 am
Could you please define the term “swing model”? If a coach had a particular way of teaching grip, backswing, plane etc is that a “model”?
Each coach has concepts that he considers fundamentals, that doesn’t make them necessarily have a model. Take Ballard for example. Do Parnevik, Strange, Sutton or Rocco’s swing look the same? Not really but they supposedly use the same “model”.
And Butch is not a “model” teacher ? He teaches most of his players strong grip, wide stance, head movement etc. Isn’t that a “model”? Are you aware that Ballard and Butch teach essentially the same stuff but you labeled one a “model” teacher ?
CD
Dec 15, 2014 at 1:57 pm
Great response.
In my opinion there are a range of variables that work but there is a narrower range (still fairly wide) that works really well or people have found to work well. Or with a smaller group of people. Why would a human being not have a preference or series of preferences? Like a tennis grip maybe. People can still be ‘unorthodox’ or have ‘style’ or creativity. Model and method in golf seem to be very dirty words, perhaps the only art/subject/sport/thing in the world where method is derided. Bizarre.
Tom Stickney
Dec 15, 2014 at 7:48 pm
Cd- we only want to put people in models that work for them.
Tom Stickney
Dec 15, 2014 at 7:48 pm
DF– Ballard is much more rigid on what things must happen within his teaching. Like his stuff.
Justin
Dec 28, 2014 at 11:27 am
I look at it this way: a swing model is like a football coach that only wants to run a certain type of offense or defense. If he doesn’t have the kind of players needed to make his scheme work, it generally fails.
Butch is akin to the football coach that adapts his scheme to his personnel. He takes what the golfer has currently and makes it better (or more efficient). In football, regardless of scheme, there are core principals, like how to read a coverage, make a tackle, etc., while the scheme is different. There are core principals in golf- Posture, Grip, Address- but the scheme, your swing, is adaptive to the individual.
D Louis
Dec 15, 2014 at 10:55 am
Great article Tom, as a teacher also, I agree 100%…hopefully the 50% that love you make it worthwhile.
Tom Stickney
Dec 15, 2014 at 7:49 pm
D- 50% success rate makes me a stud in the baseball world! Ha.
JT
Dec 15, 2014 at 10:37 am
Great article, completely agree, if you can’t buy in, why are you paying the individual for instruction?
Tom Stickney
Dec 15, 2014 at 7:49 pm
Jt- you must buy in 100%. Agree.