Greetings Golfers,

I just finished reading “The Plane Truth for Golfers” by Jim Hardy. Hardy – a famous golf instructor – claims that there are two types of golf swings: the one-plane swing, and the two-plane swing. And he insists that you cannot merge the two without causing big problems.

Ok … let’s talk about swing planes. Ben Hogan started the talk about swings planes in his “5 Lessons” book. In the book, Hogan had a line drawn from the golf ball through his shoulders while addressing the shot … that is the swing plane.

Thus, many of us assumed that if the club stayed on that line during the back swing and the down swing – it was a one-plane swing. And, if the downswing was on a different plane than the backswing – it was a two-plane swing.

Hardy has a different definition. In fact, Hardy says that Hogan had a one-plane swing. But, in Hogan’s book, Hogan insists that the downswing drops into a more inside plane than the backswing – a two-plane swing.

Basically, Hardy says that the one-plane swing is more of a flatter, baseball type swing. And that the two-plane swing is more of an up-and-down arm swing.

Many great players combined Hardy’s two different swings such as Larry Nelson and Walter Hagen.

I’m going too long with this, so let me get to what I think really matters. Most people don’t wind up very well and don’t make good contact. They need a good backswing and a good downswing. They need BOTH.

Years ago, I read an interview with Greg Norman and Seve Ballesteros. Norman said that he took the club back with his left hand … Ballesteros said that he took the club back with his right hand. Norman was one of the most accurate drivers of all time – his left hand controlled backswing kept the swing on plane. Seve was one of the wildest drivers of all time, but had more more feel than anyone on little shots.

I think the secret is to combine the two methods – take the club back with the left hand, and hit the ball with the right hand. To do that, you need to have a good transition from backswing to downswing. Try it with a putter. The left hand will take it back on line, and the right hand will give you the feel and contact you want. Try it with chipping … and iron shots … and the driver. You’ll feel it immediately.

Is that a one-plane or two-plane swing? It doesn’t matter. It doesn’t matter if it’s flat or upright. Let your natural plane and motion take place. Just take the club back with your left hand and hit the ball with your right hand.

Try it – you’ll like it.

Cheers,

Tom Abts
GM and Head Golf Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com

Greetings Golfers,

Billy Casper died a few days ago at age 83.  Casper was about the same age as Arnold Palmer and always stayed in Arnie’s shadow. Ironically, his biggest victory was beating Arnie in the 1966 US Open – he came back from 7 shots down during the last round, and then beat Palmer the next day in a playoff.

Casper wasn’t sexy like Arnie. He was very likable and a great player … but he wasn’t Arnold Palmer. Casper grew up in San Diego. I just read an article in the San Diego Union Tribune memorializing Casper – it only had a big picture of Palmer.

But don’t feel sorry for Casper – he had a great life. He was known for his warmth and kindness, and was a devoted family man. Casper also won 51 times on the PGA Tour and is 7th on the all time list of victories.

He struggled with his weight and was an early advocate of unusual health foods. It might have helped because he lost 60 pounds before he won the 1966 US Open. But, I’m not sure it was necessary – I saw him win the 1983 US Senior Open at Hazeltine … and he was big – very big.

Everyone talks about how important the “core” is to playing good golf. I’m not sold. Look at Casper, Craig Stadler, Kevin Stadler, John Daly, and the young Jack Nicklaus. I’ve heard that Jackie Gleason and WC Fields were great golfers – none of those guys had good “cores”.

Now I’m not advocating big bellies … but I’m skeptical about the need to have a flat belly to play good golf. I think golf is more about hand-eye coordination, feel, and good footwork. Very often big guys are good dancers. Golf swings should be more like dancing than frozen tag.

Billy Casper was one of golf’s greatest players – and one of its nicest guys. But, he wasn’t sexy … so he flew under the radar.

R.I.P.,

Tom Abts
GM and Head Golf Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com

Greetings Golfers,

Though it’s wintry outside, we have very little snow … and the strong possibility of an early Spring. Three years ago we opened on March 16. I’m not saying that we’ll open that early, but it does have an early feeling.

So, now is a good time to get ready for the golf season. Sign up for our leagues, make tee-times, and/or buy some Loyal Player Passes.

You can do all those things on our new website (http://deerrungolf.com).  We think it’s pretty cool – too many websites are junked up and hard to navigate. We tried to make it as player friendly as possible.

And, if you have any questions… please send me an email … or call us on our new phone system (which we also made player friendly).

Give yourself and/or someone the Valentine gift of golf.

Cheers,

Tom Abts
GM and Head Golf Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com

Greetings Golfers,

Tiger has the yips. Not with the putter, but with his wedge around the green – especially off of tight lies. I’ve heard that he has no problem when he practices or plays practice rounds. But in tournaments, it gets ugly.

I get it. I’ve had chipping yips, and putting yips, and other crazy stuff. In fact, for many years I’ve had a thing with my shadow … I pray for playing on an overcast day. But I’m probably more prone to crazy hangups than most golfers. That’s why I’m so sympathetic to Tiger’s plight, and also why I think I know some ways to cure such ills – I’ve had to.

When we get self-conscious, we’re apt to get in our own way. Things that are normally simple become difficult when we over-think them. For example, walking isn’t too tough, but when you feel people are watching how you walk, it can be difficult to walk with any rhythm. You know what I mean. How about when everyone is watching you hit off the first tee?

That’s when that old line of “just trust it” seems impossible … it’s hard to be natural when you’re too self-conscious. How many people do you know who play better when they drink? Yeah … I know a lot too.

But there are other ways to beat the yips than with drugs and alcohol. Trying something different works well. Trying not to choke or trying to be natural doesn’t work for me. I need to try something different so I can change my focus from negative to positive. That’s why golfers have swing thoughts – it’s a way to focus on something to get you through the shot … rather than focusing on failure.

That’s why I’m such a believer in trying to hit shots and not just swing. Trying to be perfect is the killer. Back to that walking analogy – if you feel you can’t walk “right” try to imitate someone’s walk … like John Wayne … it takes the pressure off. Same with golf – when you’re freaking out – try to swing like Lee Trevino or try to hit some kind of funky shot … just don’t try to be perfect.

Ironically, Tiger has all of the shots … but he’s really lost his confidence. Think about it – maybe the best player of all time is afraid to chip … even the best are still human.

Cheers,

Tom Abts
GM and Head Golf Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com