Some of you may have read my previews of the Wii golf training aid, My Personal Golf Trainer with David Leadbetter. It looks awesome, retails for $99, and it's something I've wanted since I first heard about it. On Father's Day, my kids got me a $100 gift certificate at Golf Galaxy, so with gift card in hand, I had every intention in the world of buying this thing. (you can buy it by clicking on the photo to the left) Well, at the last minute I changed my mind. I may end up buying it later this year, but had a change of mind when I came to realize one thing:
My golf game needed professional help. I know the Personal Golf Trainer will help my game, but I also know that I probably needed an outsiders point of view on what exactly I was doing wrong. I'm a 15.5 or so handicapper. When my game is "on", I can shoot in the mid to high 80's. Problem is, the very next outing I'm just as likely to shoot in the mid to high 90's. It's this inconsistency that I need help with. The PGT would probably help me address any swing plane issues I have, and give me drills to correct what I'm doing wrong, but having the eyes of a professional figure out exactly what my core problems were.....I don't think PGT can help me there.
So, I did what I've since learned was the most logical thing to do. I decided to sign up for actual lessons. Only problem was I had this gift card, and didn't really want to spend my own money for the lessons at a local course. Low and behold, Golf Galaxy offers lessons. My first thought upon learning this was "how good could the pro be if he was working at a golf shop and not at a golf course?" My next step was to do some research. Google "Golf Galaxy Lessons" and you'll find quite a bit of information on the subject, including reviews of individual pro's at each location where Golf Galaxy offer's lessons. Or you can go straight to their lesson website: http://www.golfgalaxylessons.com/.
After seeing for the most part, nothing but positive reviews, I took the plunge and booked a 3 lesson package at the Golf Galaxy here in Roseville, CA. The teaching pro, Shannon Hoyt, was very personable and very knowledgeable. Prior to Golf Galaxy, he was the head pro at a very nice local golf course, Whitney Oaks Golf Club. After discussing the problems I was having, he had me take some swings with one of my favorite clubs, an 8I, then proceeded to show me what my main problem was (swaying to the left instead of rotating correctly). He had me make a few adjustments in my stance, and then had me practice some drills to correct things. It was awesome. Since the lesson I've only had a chance to make it to the driving range once but I utilized that session like I never have before. Instead of mindlessly hitting balls, I actually had a game plan on what I wanted to practice. I'm playing tomorrow so I'll try and take what I've learned so far and put it to use. I don't expect a great outcome as I've always heard that your game is usually a little screwed up at first after taking lessons, but I'll give it my best shot. I plan on tracking my progress on Oobgolf and will keep you posted on whether or not my game has improved as a result of the lessons. I'll also post the next two lessons here after I complete them. Note: The total 3 lesson plan cost me $130, so I did spend a little out of pocket. Check with your local Golf Galaxy to see what a similar package costs.
To see my lesson summary in all of it's glory, click on the "Read More" button at the bottom of this post, or the title at the top of the page.
There are two kinds of amateur golfers…..the “Walker” and the “Rider”.
Walkers usually fall under the following categories:
a.They are walking because they need the exercise
b.They are walking because they can’t afford the cart fees
c.Both a & b
Riders on the other hand fall under multiple categories:
a.They are lazy
b.They have always ridden and see no reason to change
c.They believe the round goes faster when they ride
d.They need a place to hold their beers
e.They aren’t physically able to walk
f.They have a non-golfing passenger who doesn’t like to walk and is just along for the company
g.They think it’s more fun to drive
Neither camp necessarily likes the other.I know as I’ve been, and still am, a part of both camps.I never walked really until this year, and it’s because of category A, I need the exercise.I still won’t walk if it’s above 90 degrees or so.
As a Rider, the thing you dreaded most was pulling up to the first tee behind a group of Walkers.My first thought, and those of my golf mates, was always “oh no…walkers”.So why did we always think this?Because every Rider “knows” that Walkers are slow.It only makes sense because you can’t walk as fast as you can ride right?It takes forever for them to clear out ahead of you, and if they happen to have hit one into a hazard, forget it; Walkers always take forever to find their balls.
Walkers on the other hand tend to be more tolerant of the Rider.Mostly it’s because a majority of Walkers used to be Riders…at least until they got fat and lazy, or had to deal with some sort of financial crisis.That is of course unless they are behind the “Drunk Riders” or the “Social Riders”.Social Riders like to hang out and watch each other hit the ball instead of going to their own ball.Drunk Riders like to think they are in some sort of bumper car, or worse yet, that they are professional drift car drivers…usually in the fairway.You want neither in front of you.Subsequently, Walkers think Riders are slow too.
In reality, on any given public course, a competent Walker can finish a round as quickly as a competent Rider.Riders that aren’t completely clueless drop their passengers off at their ball, then move to their own.They meet up again after each has hit and move on.Walkers go straight to their own balls and have time to consider what their shot will be as they approach it.I’ve finished a round in 3 ½ hours both walking and riding.It’s all about common sense.
Next time you’re golfing, whether as a Rider or a Walker, think about the group behind you and the group in front of you.If the group in front of you is more than a hole ahead of you, your group is playing too slow, you’re too drunk, or you’re just spending too much time watching each other hit.Think about the group behind you while spending 15 minutes looking for that lost ball, or spending enough time conversing in the cart in the middle of the fairway that you might as well break out a pack of cards and play a quick hand of cribbage.Instead of ignoring them, waive them through if you’re behind, or start playing golf instead…that’s why you’re out there.Use the 19th hole to catch up on all the gossip you’ve missed in the last week.Everyone else will be happier for it.
As you may know, ever since the Wii "game", My Personal Golf Trainer with David Leadbetter, was announced, I've wanted to get one. If you do a search on this website, you'll find several posts about it along with screenshots and videos I've found.
It's been out now for several weeks but I have not yet purchased, mainly because I still have to convince the wife that A) spending $100 on a "game" is a good idea, especially when the only person in the house who would ever use it is me, and B) spending $100 on yet another golf related gizmo is also an equally good idea. As you may have guessed by now, I'm one of those golf gadget guys who buys the latest and greatest thing to improve your game, uses it for a few weeks and then sends it off to dead gadget land. I tend to do this even with the good golf gadgets (the Medicus comes to mind). I think I'm easily bored and apparently always looking for that miracle thingy that will instantly fix all of my golf related problems and turn me into a 50 year old Tiger Woods.
This game intrigues me though. Mostly because it will do one thing that even a professional instructor can't do..... trace each and every golf swing I make and compare it against the "ideal" golf swing. I will probably eventually get this game, but still have some heavy negotiating to do with the woman who holds the key to my bank account.
Now, I did however find what I consider a very amusing and informative video review done by a young guy who just recently purchased it. I think he was looking for more of a "golf game" than a "golf trainer" when he bought it, and this was pointed out by a few comments posted on his YouTube account by both some regular people, and apparently the developer of the game. I've included Part 1 of his video review below on this page. Part 2 and the comments posted on YouTube can be seen by clicking on the Read More button at the bottom of this post. His video gives what I consider a very good look at what you're getting for your $100. He points out what he feels are "annoying" things in the game and I can sort of agree with him on these points. However, just based on what I watched, I think I could improve my own game by using this tool...at least until it ended up in dead gadget land......enjoy:
Ben Hogan has long believed that any golfer with average coordination can learn to break 80 if he applies himself intelligently — and here, with Herbert Warren Wind, and artist Anthony Ravielli, he tells you, step by step, just how to go about it.
The greatest golfer of our generation has distilled his experience as teacher, player, and observer of golf into a series of richly illustrated "visual instructions" that not only can improve your game and lower your score, but also can help you get even more fun out of what many people already think is the most enjoyable game in the world.
Each chapter, each tested "fundamental" is explained and demonstrated with amazing detail and clarity. It's as though the master himself were right there at your elbow, giving you a personal lesson with the same thought and care that has gone into his lifetime of golf.
The Modern Fundamentals of Golf is no instant and easy shortcut. There is none. But with Ben Hogan as your pro, you can master these basic movements very quickly. And then you can go on to develop a correct, powerful swing that will repeat. As Ben Hogan says, it's only then that you'll "discover golf for the first time."
There are two kinds of amateur golfers…..the “Walker” and the “Rider”.
