Grow The Game Through Networking

The Golf Academy Network Association™ has been established to provide golf instructional destinations to golfers traveling throughout the U.S. Much like golf courses that utilize a reciprocal system, this network is designed to do the same for golf academies in an effort to drive customers to your business when in your area; ie business travel, vacation etc.

 

There are hundreds if not thousands of small golf schools/academies around the country owned and operated by professionals, instructors and business entrepreneurs that cater to a relatively small audience and by establishing a network of academies it will provide a platform to showcase your “GANA™ Academy” to a wider audience.

In addition, the respective clients/students of all participating GANA™ members will become part of a nationwide family of establishments and will add instant value to the perks each academy already offers.

How it works:

To be a member of the GANA™ you must provide the following:

      -    Minimum of a 10% discount on services offered to anyone visiting your facility who are clients/students from a participating GANA™ facility.

     -     Provide a membership card to your students so as to be presented at participating facilities.

     -     Some % of savings with at least ONE local golf course that you are affiliated with in your area.

     -     Provide at least 1 person (and contact info) as a point of contact at your facility that will be kept current on all GANA™ activity.

Like many small businesses, Golf Academies face the same hurdles in trying to gain exposure as well as create effective marketing and advertising. By establishing the Golf Academy Network Association™ our goal is to build a strong network of reputable golf teaching facilities that can feed off one another as well as help one another grow while at the same time growing the game of golf!

Cost to join:

$49.99 annually

What you will receive as a member:

  

•  Listed on the Golf Academy Network Association™ website (set to launch 12/10/14)

• All members of the GANA™ family of facilities will have links on their website that link to all other member websites.

• Ability to update information on the GANA™ website via the GANA™ administrator (all                 changes will be current and updated within a max of 48 hrs)

• Discounts on golf equipment for yourself or clients/students through the GANA™ home office. It’s as easy as a phone call!

• Use of the GANA™ logo

• More to come!

If you would like more information on becoming part of the Golf Academy Network Association™ drop me an email at thepro1@inbox.com. Please provide your name, contact number and name of your academy or school and I will be happy to get back to you ASAP!

 

Blog written by Vince Fratercangelo-Director of Instruction at VJF Golf Academy

 

EQUIPMENT REVIEW – ORLIMAR GOLF

As a golf professional I have had the pleasure of playing (and/or hitting) just about every brand of club that’s ever come down the pike over the past 20 + years. Like a kid in a candy store some you really like and want more of and others are just ahh…..

Orlimar, although not the first name that comes to mind when contemplating new clubs has re-entered the market with some great offerings across the board; from irons to woods to balls with something for everyone regardless of your skill level.

•        Tour 2 Irons: Great looking set of irons! Forged, with a traditional look that better players want. Thin top line, uncluttered and classic. Performance is outstanding with a feel as good as anything on the market today!

•        OMax Driver: Has an adjustable loft, lie and face angle to meet the needs of any golfer. Comes standard with a True Temper Project X shaft in both 9.5* and 10.5* lofts. This driver is a pleasure to hit! Nice sound off the face, great feel and a very responsive Project X shaft. It’s a gamer!

•        Tour Groove Wedges:  Comes in traditional lofts of 52 /8 bounce; 56/12 bounce, 60/6 bounce. With standard True Temper Dynamic Golf shafts. These clubs provide pin point accuracy like throwing darts at a dart board. Solid spin off the face and very responsive to a variety of shots around the green!

•        Golf Ball – 318UC: The only ball Orlimar currently produces but is certainly well worth a look. It’s a 3 piece ball designed to provide optimal spin without compromising distance. As a long time player of both Srixon and Titleist I would like to see this ball tested side by side with both as I believe it would measure up nicely!

•        Tad Moore TadPole Putter: Mallet putter, center shafted with a T shaped aluminum head. Nice feel with ball coming off the face both smooth and true. If you use a mallet putter and/or like center shafted styles give this one a look!

Orlimar has both caught my attention and gained my trust as a viable player in the world of golf equipment that is dominated heavily by a few.

If you’re not one of the millions sucked in by name to keep up with the Jones’s give Orlimar a look, better yet get one in your hands, let the clubs do the talking or should I say selling. For more on the entire line of Orlimar products visit http://orlimar.com

Have a golf product you’d like reviewed, contact VJF Golf and we’d be happy to provide an honest and unbiased review of your product. We can even field test your product at our Golf Academy should you so desire. For further info or to contact us visit our website @ vjfgolf.yolasite.com

Blog written by Vince Fratercangelo-Director of Instruction at VJF Golf Academy

Tigers Return…With or Without a Drummer?

The latest buzz over the last couple of days regarding Tiger Woods has been two fold; His return to golf in December for the Hero World Challenge and the current situation with not having a coach. Since the split with his now former coach Sean Foley, it appears as though Woods is giving serious consideration to going it alone, being his own coach if you will….good idea? Maybe, it all depends on what Tiger needs to get him back to his once dominating form and the only person who knows what he needs is TW himself.

In a recent article I read, Woods stated that although a coach can be beneficial, what a coach can’t know is “Feel” when making the turn at Augusta on Sunday leading by 1. True statement? Yes, valid…. not so sure. There aren’t too many coaches that can lay claim to such a feeling. So, if that be the criteria by which to find a new swing guru, Tiger may indeed need to go it solo.

As a coach and teaching professional, my gut feeling tells me that TW will be doing himself a disservice by not bringing a swing coach into his camp. Sure I’m a bit partial, but there are reasons and benefits that I believe go beyond the swing itself. Let’s face it, players on the PGA Tour are there because they know how to swing a golf club pretty consistently, I think anyone would agree. But there is a reason why the best “swingers” in the world use swing coaches.

Having been in the golf industry for over 22 years, I can tell you that the best players I work with need more that just swing advice. It’s kind of cliché but we wear many hat and the better the player the more demanding and the more hats one must wear; Advisor, strategist, psychologist, listener, mentor and motivator. In my opinion swing guru is just a part of the whole. If it were just a matter of managing his swing, maybe.

If I were advising Tiger, first I would tell him to look for a coach that is a good listener. One who can create a strategy for success based on Tigers needs. Second, is the obvious, someone who has an inside-out understanding of the golf swing but not someone with the latest FAD flavor of the month new tour swing (I will refrain from diverting and getting on my soap box) but rather someone who will diagnose and advise objectively rather than for the betterment of pushing an agenda. And thirdly I would advise TW to find someone with the capabilities to be the advisor, strategist, psychologist, listener, mentor and motivator as previously mentioned.

So it remains to be seen in the coming weeks and months just what direction Tigers career will take. Certainly Tiger is good for the game and the fans love to watch great players play great! The question is can Tiger return to greatness solo or will he need a drummer to keep the beat? Time will tell and only TW holds the answer.

 Blog written by Vince Fratercangelo-Director of Instruction at VJF Golf Academy

A Changing of The Guard??

I thought I would devote this latest entry to examining what some believe is a changing of the guard given the recent performances of Tiger Woods coming off his back surgery.  This is certainly a hot topic these days and it seems everyone has an opinion one way or another. I have also found that those opinions tend to coincide with whether people are or are not Tiger fans. Let’s make no mistake about it… most of us who live and breathe golf have our opinion about Tiger Woods and I think it is fair to say there isn’t a lot of middle ground…you either really like him or you really don’t and with that said I am going to try my best not to turn this entry into an “I love him or hat him” article because that’s not what this is about. Personal feelings aside, I’d like to focus more on the title of this blog which is about whether Tiger will continue to stand tall as the current guard or are we bearing witness to a change that will inevitably come, it’s just a matter of when.

Many are quick to write Tiger off based on the performances we have seen since his recent return from back surgery. My first question would be, is that fair or accurate? Any golfer who plays at that level and is forced to take time off to recover from a surgery is entitled to a grace period upon his/her return which is why I believe it is too early to determine the future of TW and his impact on tour week in and week out.

With all that said the current young talent that is out there every week, guys like Jordan Speith, Rickie Fowler, Adam Scott, Rory Mcllroy etc. are not going to make it easy, that’s for sure. But as we know golf is about battling the golf course and yourself, after all you can’t control what the other guys are doing. So I believe part of the question will be answered by how Tiger handles this adversity. I think another question that could be asked is…what (if any) changes are being made to his swing as a result of his surgery? Swing changes take some time before they truly take hold especially under tournament condition and pressure, so again another missing piece to this story.

I believe the answer to the title of this blog entry will be answered sooner rather than later. If TW wins a tournament between now and the first quarter of the 2015 season the guard will be unchanged for a few more years. However, if Tiger fails to win at least one event prior to that same time frame, then yes the days of Tiger domination will slowly fade into history. That’s not to say he will never win again, we are talking about a changing of the Golf Guard, a shift in power. If I were a betting man (or a weather man) here would be my 5 year outlook in percentages:

                                                                                             YES                  NO

• Win another tournament                                                99%                 1%
• Win another major                                                        50%                 50%
• Break Jack’s record                                                     15%                 85%
• Win 2 or more tournaments in a season                         45%                 55% 

So there you have it, just another point of view regarding the Tiger saga. One thing is for certain people tune in to see what will happen. If you’re a TW fan you watch in hopes that he wins. If not a fan you watch in hopes that he falters. When viewership is up that’s good for the game!

 Blog written by Vince-Director of Instruction at VJF Golf Academy

New Junior Golfers: Getting Started On The Right Path

Well, It’s official the golf season is in full swing (pun intended), school is out and golfers are out playing their favorite courses. Junior golfers are no exception as they are the future of golf and its growth. As golf professionals we strive to develop golfers that will hopefully be a lifetime player of the game. Studies have shown that a new golfer is more likely to remain a long term golfer if he/she is exposed to playing on a course in the early stages of development, juniors included. Practice and hitting balls at your local range is no doubt important for swing development but getting out on the course is vital to an overall introduction to the game.

I encourage my junior golfers to play, but along with playing comes having to know proper etiquette which is what I would like to discuss further in this article. I have played all over the country and have found that some courses are more “junior” friendly than others. This in part is due to the fact that many junior players hit the links without knowing proper etiquette which can leave a less than favorable image on others players and personnel of any given golf course in America. However, as parents, and teachers of the game it is our responsibility to make sure that our junior players know the rules before stepping on to the course. If you are the parent(s) of a junior player but you do not play yourself, then it is important that your child receive some form of rules etiquette training from one of your local golf professionals. This is something that can be covered (and should be covered) during a series of lessons. How else can our juniors become educated if we don’t teach them? Following proper etiquette will enhance your child’s enjoyment of the game, and they will be looked upon in a much more favorable light when on the course. Now, I will be the first to tell you, there are plenty of rules in golf, certainly too many to mention, however I would like to pass along a few tips that are sure to help your junior become a more educated and favorably looked upon golfer.

1. Always rake the bunkers.
2. Replace and/or sand your divots whenever possible.
3. Repair your ball mark on the green and look for another to fix as well.
4. Let faster players play through.
5. Never lay your golf bag on the green.
6. Try to refrain from throwing your clubs farther than the ball after you’ve hit a bad shot.
7. Try to refrain from shouting obscenities after hitting another bad shot.
8. Dress appropriately. 

Although these few things mentioned seem rather basic, you can visit any given golf course on any given day and witness these simple etiquette guidelines/rules being violated…… and it is not just the junior players. Just these few simple reminders will make a day on the links more enjoyable for everyone. As professionals and parents we need to set good examples for our juniors to follow!

Blog written by Vince-Director of Instruction at VJF Golf Academy

GETTING TO THE NEXT LEVEL

One of the toughest things to do in golf is break the cycle you’re in and permanently enter a new cycle or players bracket i.e. a 100’s shooter becomes a 90’s shooter or a 90’s shooter becomes an 80’s shooter or an 80’s shooter becomes 70’s shooter. Sure, anyone can catch fire one day and break out of their “Norm Zone” to have that career day. But the question is how do you take that “career day” and make that your new “Norm”.

It starts by making up your mind that the process is not going to be instantaneous; there is some work to be done to attain such goals. Like most, wanting to get better is what keeps us coming back, the carrot dangling in front of us that many never actually get to eat.

If you’re like most, you eventually want to take a bite of that carrot but in order to do so you need a plan. But where to start……First give yourself about a month (give or take depending on how often you play) to gather data on your game, you need to hone in on exactly what is holding you back but to do so you need to chart your consistent weaknesses. In that first month try not keeping score because at this point it’s irrelevant. Instead use your scorecard to track key areas of your game. Here’s what I suggest you chart; 1. Number of putts taken on each hole 2. Fairways hit on each hole 3. GIR (greens in regulation) 4. Number of up & downs. These categories will help you truly see where you deficiencies are and help determine where your practice time should be spent.  

During your “data gathering” phase, it’s also good to get in some range practice time. However, utilize this range time to re-calibrate your club distances and really get to know your distances for each and every club; right it down and keep it in your bag…nothing should be left to guesswork or chance.

Once you feel you have gathered enough data (a month or so give or take) take the time to compile it all into one big spread sheet which will include the 4 areas you have charted PLUS the number of holes played during that time. Convert your data into percentages and this will then let you know what your next course of action should be. Rank your 4 charted areas weakest to strongest and let that dictate your practice regimen in the coming weeks. It’s kind of like radiation treatment for a tumor; you don’t shoot radiation all throughout the body typically. Instead, if the tumor is identified to be in a specific location you deliver heavy doses of treatment to that specific location. Your golf game is very similar in that if you want to rid your game of the things that weaken it, you need to concentrate heavily on removing those weak areas. Remember, permanently improving your game is a process and a time consuming one at that. If you’ve been stuck in the 100’s, 90’s, 80’s or even the 70’s give this system a try. It’s both time tested and proven and if executed properly will help you take your game to the next level.

ADDITIONAL GAME IMPROVEMENT IDEAS TO BREAK THE BARRIERS

-        From time to time play 9 holes with a putter and one other club. You will soon learn to hit a variety of shots that you otherwise probably wouldn’t hit. The more varying kinds of shots you are capable of hitting, the better golfer you will become.

-        When practicing, challenge yourself. Any pressure you can put on yourself will pay off in the long run. Putting against your buddy for a quarter a hole adds purpose to your practice. That type of practice is 10 times better than a practice that is just “going through the motions.”

-        Have your clubs checked to see if they “fit” you. The old adage is true “It’s not the arrow it’s the Indian.” However, if the arrow is crooked even the most skilled Indian will be at a disadvantage.

Now it should go without saying that once you have identified your weaknesses it might not be a bad idea to schedule a lesson or two with your local professional. After all, there’s a reason why your weaknesses are actually your “weaknesses.” If you have the patience to stay the course you will soon be in a new “players bracket.”

Blog written by Vince-Director of Instruction at VJF Golf Academy

Tee to Green: A Guide For The Journey

I figured with a new golf season on our door step, everyone wants to get their game going on the right track. Certainly there are may sources out there that can help you do just that, whether it be a golf publication, shows on the Golf Channel, YouTube videos, golf pros….not to mention there is no shortage of “experts” at your local club more than willing to give you their 2 cents on how to fix that big banana ball. So the good news is there are a lot of sources to gain valuable and useful information; the bad news… there are a lot of sources to gain valuable and useful information. What I mean is, if you have been playing golf for any length of time much of the stuff you read, see or hear can be contradicting and conflicting information. My students tell me all the time how they read this or that but it conflicts with something else they heard or read. And like I always tell them “stick with one source you trust and shut everything else out” because too much of something is, well…too much.

So I thought I would provide an abbreviated look to some of the things I teach (and use as a player) on a daily basis with my students and clients. If you are a student of mine or a follower of my blog, feel free to print these out and carry them in your bag. If you are hearing some of this for the first time, then consider me just another source muddying up the waters and adding to the confusion that already exists. Remember, pick a source you trust and stick with it. Let’s get started……

Alignment: When lining up there are 2 important lines pointing down the fairway, think railroad tracks, 2 parallel lines. Line one is set by the club face (that’s the target line) and the second set by the feet (that’s the body line). The target line should point at the target and the body line should run parallel to the target line which means just to the left side of your target (for righties or the right side for lefties). Poor alignment is one of the biggest reasons for bad shots and poor swings.

Driver: When hitting a driver remember these few key points for better success. Tee the ball up so that 1/3 of the ball is below the face and 2/3 above the face. Second, ball position should be off the inside of your left heal (righties) and third, tilt your shoulders so that your trailing shoulder (right shoulder for righties) is lower than your left shoulder. This creates a proper attack point at impact.

Fairway Woods/Hybrids: Ball position should be about 2 inches in (moving toward center) from where you play your driver. From there swing the club with the intentions of trying to make a divot, reason being, golfers tend to swing up on these clubs (especially FW woods) and by trying to create a divot it helps keep you down a bit longer through impact.

Irons: By now you probably know that taking a divot is a good thing and where your divot starts is the difference between a good iron shot and a so-so iron shot. A solid iron shot is going to produce a divot just in front of the ball. You should always hit ball first, ground second. A great drill is to draw a small line on the ground with spray paint and set your ball on the line. This gives great feedback as to where your divot starts in relation to the ball. When the divot start on the front side of the line you know you are doing

something right.

Pitch Shots: The art of getting up and down can make or break a round. When hitting pitch shots keep these key factors in mind. Tempo! Your follow through shouldn’t be much faster than your back swing. For example, hypothetically if your back swing is moving at 30 mph your downswing/follow through should be about 40 mph. Also you can place a little bit more weight on your lead leg (left leg for righties) at address. This promotes a slightly steeper swing path which can lead to better contact at impact. And finally learn your distances for a ¼ swing, ½ swing and ¾ swing. This will better help you with touch and feel and also give you confidence in your pitch swing and should help with eliminating the dreaded deceleration.

Chip Shots: Whether you are a one club user around the green or a multiple club user technique shouldn’t change much. Set up with feet rather close together. Place about 70% of your weight on your lead leg (left leg for righties) and place the ball in the back of your stance. Hands should position the club so that the shaft is leaning at the same angle as your spine. From there it becomes more of a putting stroke, very little (if any) wrist motion. Distance control is king when chipping so try and keep your back swing and follow through equidistant, this will help you develop solid distance control.

Putting: I consider putting to be a first cousin to chipping because some of the same rules apply. Ball position and weight distribution can vary but keeping the wrists quiet and balancing out the back swing and follow through are keys to becoming a great putter. And to help better develop distance control try my “No Look” drill. Hit putts from varying lengths while looking at the hole not the ball. You’ll get so good you might never want to look at the ball again when you putt. And although that sounds a bit far fetched. One of my students from years ago adopted that exact philosophy, stopped looking at the ball all together when putting and has become a very solid putter.

Green-side Bunker: A dreaded place on the golf course but really it doesn’t have to be. Hitting out of a bunker, when executed properly can be one of the easier shots in golf. On a typical bunker shot (ball on the surface) set up with ball position being just forward of center, stance slightly open and club face slightly open as well.  When the swing is in motion remember two things; aim for 2 inches behind the ball and FOLLOW THROUGH! Even if your set up is off a bit, hitting properly behind the ball and following through will most always get you out on the first try.

So there you have it, some of the ideas, tips and philosophies I use both as a teacher and as a player. I was a bit reluctant to write a blog such as this because reading from a book or blog is so one dimensional and without pictures, it can create a head scratching confusion. Hopefully that's not the case. So if you’re looking to improve in an area of your game maybe some of the things mentioned will help you save a stroke or two.

Best of Luck to everyone for a successful and prosperous 2014 golfing season!

Blog written by Vince-Director of Instruction at VJF Golf Academy

The State of Golf

Over the last few years I think it is safe to say that golf has been on the decline or at the very least stagnant in terms of rounds played, dollars spent on equipment, new golfers taking up the game, past golfers dropping off etc. The reasons for this trend can certainly be argued and debated but what we do know is there are a number of initiatives aimed at growing the game of golf.

As a golf professional who has been around the game some 40 years (21 yrs in the business) I have seen many trends come and go as well as the growth and decline of the sport, and like many I have an opinion on why this great game we love has been on its heels as of late.

I think we first have to look at the state of where we are as a country, economy still trying to recover, less disposable income and a variety of outlets trying to capture a piece of our disposable income, busy lifestyles going in 10 different directions and a mindset that wants instant gratification. If I could only add a drive up window to my golf academy I could start a revolution!

Certainly too many areas to cover in one blog, but speaking from personal experience I think a good starting point would be first; A golfing experience that is affordable, doesn’t take 5 or 6 hours out of your day and something the whole family can enjoy and second; Setting realistic expectations in a fun environment for those that seek instruction to help improve their game and the enjoyment of it. There’s a double edged sword at play that I think directly relates to golf’s current state.

So to implement my master plan to get golf back on the rise we need to start refocusing on the executive, par 3 and pitch & putt courses. Think about it, 2 ½ hours of your time you can get the family together for a morning or afternoon on the links, spend time being active outdoors all at a cost equivalent to an evening at the movies (and in some cases maybe less).  These courses have never received the value they deserve and yet they offer so much to the game. A place to hone your short game skills (where a majority of you shots are made; 70% within 100 yds or less and 40% of all shots are putts), learn (or teach your kids) about rules and etiquette in a rather laid back atmosphere all before lunch time. As a child my father would take me after dinner EVERY night to the local par 3 course and we would play until dark. When I got a bit older he then brought me to the BIG course a local 9 holer. To me that is the idea sequence. But in a land of $400 drivers and a mentality of wanting to hit it 400 yards, the forgotten “short” courses don’t stand much of a chance. I guess in a sense I should be grateful to the manufacturing giants who tag their latest offerings with promises of solving world peace and better golf games. They set the bar high and when things don’t go quite as advertised, my phone rings, otherwise I might be forced to get a real job..Yikes!

I also believe for golf to take a turn for the better, FUN needs to be injected for growth. Think of “fun” as a growth hormone. Nobody wants to spend their hard earned cash on doing something that isn’t fun. With that said, we all enjoy the game much more when we are playing well, hence another pitfall. I see golfers every day coming to me because they want to improve their game, that’s what the tell me but is it what they actually want to do? To truly improve takes hour and hours of boring practice and practicing correctly, most folks don’t have the time nor desire to truly devote what it takes to reach their desired goals. This leads to frustration which leads to playing less which leads to rounds per year being down. It is a trickle down or domino effect so to speak. Golf has no short cuts, I repeat no short cuts! Here’s an example, someone comes to me for a lesson and as I always do with first timers, there is a brief Q & A regarding strengths, weaknesses, etc. I then finish by asking the student what is their desired goal or expectation for the lesson(s) and almost 75% of the time the answer is “consistency” which by the way is a great goal. When I get the “C” word as a goal the next question is ALWAYS how often do you play and/or practice? The answers vary of course but many times it’s in the neighborhood of a couple times a month. Well there in lies the problem; consistency doesn’t hang out much with twice a month so it becomes a vicious cycle. Unattainable expectations = frustration + 5 ½ hour rounds + less disposable income = rounds per year down. So how do we put FUN back in this great game? For those who focus on teaching the game, lessons need to be fun and exciting! If a lesson with me or at my academy isn’t fun, then we have failed as professionals. For those who run courses and clubs, have “fun” days. A “Beat the Pro” day once a month, or periodically hold a putting tournaments on the practice green. At one of my former clubs I held a putting tournament inside the clubhouse! As professionals we need to start thinking “outside the white stakes” in a manner of speaking.

And when the day comes that you can pull up to the golf academy drive thru window and say “I’d like to order a slight draw and 3 knockdown shots” you’ll know where the idea first originated.

Blog written by Vince-Director of Instruction at VJF Golf Academy

Bringing the Range to the Course

One of the most asked questions I get as a golf professional is “why can I hit it so well on the range yet when I get to the course it all falls apart?” My answer; it’s one of the great mysteries of the golfing world! I say that with some humor because there are certainly ways to bridge that gap which I will share with you in this article. However, should you take a survey of 50 different professionals my guess is you will get a variety of theories regarding this much debated topic.

Let’s get right to it! What is the reason for success on the range and then the lack-there-of on the course? In a word….Pressure! Let us examine further. You go to the range, get your bucket of balls, find your spot and off you go! You progress through a variety of clubs in your bag and at some point maybe you hit your stride and string together maybe 8, 9, even 10 good shots in a row and you’re feeling good about your swing and your practice then you start asking yourself why this same success doesn’t duplicate itself on the links.

The range, although the BEST place to work on your game provides little stress or pressure on your swing. Stress or pressure meaning a tight tree lined fairway or a 200 yd body of water that has to be carried or a green surrounded by 6 bunkers. When those objects are staring you in the face you swing feels the pressure that it doesn’t feel on the range. And when the swing feels pressure it changes, and not for the better unfortunately.

So unless you favorite practice facility installs water, trees and lots of sand, how do we overcome this lack of obstacles? Use the most powerful tool in our bag, your mind. To truly carry over your success from the range to the course you need to create a practice routine that in many ways replicates being on the course.

For example, visualize a fairway in your mind, pick two objects on the range (maybe two target flags that are spaced apart 25 to 35 yards) and that now becomes your fairway. Hit 10 drives trying to keep the ball within that “imaginary” fairway. One of my favorite ways to bridge the gap is through alignment. When practicing, change your targets often. Hit 10 balls at one flag then change your target and hit another 10 balls. This process should continue throughout your practice session. Too many times a golfer gets to the range and spends the entire session hitting to one target. Again, just like on the course your target is ever changing and so to should your target always be changing on the range.

Another area I see golfers neglect all too often is the development of a pre-shot routine. Use the range to develop a pre-shot routine and then execute it while you practice. Very rarely do I see amateur golfers execute any type of routine (from start to finish) during their practice time on the range. If you were to ask a tour pro how they maintain consistency in pressure situations a majority of them would tell you “by sticking to their routine.” By going through a routine and sticking to it greatly helps with rhythm and tempo (which is ultimately what breaks down between range and course).

So if you’re looking for a way to get your game to the next level, you might want to start with revamping how you conduct your practice sessions. Anything you can create on the range that can in some way simulate what happens on the course will go a long way in the development and improvement of your game.

                                                     Blog written by Vince-Director of Instruction at VJF Golf Academy

Winds of Change

Having been around the game of golf all my life which includes the last 20 years (give or take a year or 2) as a professional, a lot of things have changed over in that time; some good and some not so good. And like any stretch of time in ones life that was enjoyable, we often miss those days and look back with fond memories. But if you're a golfer whose taken the game up in the last 10 years, you might not even realize that clubs were once made of metal…yes metal…. let alone wood. Wood was way back in the day although the name “woods” has kind of stuck when referring to our driver and fairway clubs, however in many circles they’re starting to be referred to as “metals” so maybe “woods” is slowly on its way out (no pun intended). For the newer golfers reading this article, there was once a time when hybrids didn’t make up half  your set of clubs…that’s because hybrids didn’t exist. But like all things, change is inevitable and we can either roll with it or get left behind.

And I will admit change can be good….sometimes, but I do still like to muse over the days when you had a plethora of golf equipment to choose from; when going to pick out your next set of sticks was an event; at least for me it was; it was better than Christmas! Many of the club manufacturers I grew up with are either exclusively produced overseas or are no longer in existence. Many of which were extremely well built, high end stuff. To me, this is a piece of golf’s history I truly wish had never changed. Again, for most, you won’t recognize the names on the following list if you’re a golf newcomer, and by newcomer I mean new in the last 10 - 15  years. Sure the 5 or so big name manufacturers we get bombarded with were around back in the day, but they just didn’t dominate like today. There were too many other choices, good quality choices.

I thought it would be fun to take you on a trip back in time to do some shopping for your next set of clubs. You go to your local club or golf course, oh ya, I didn’t mention? That’s where a majority of golfers bought their stuff, especially if you were any kind of golfer at all. Buying your clubs at a retailer, um….no. Maybe a few select locally owned off course shops but that’s about it.

Let’s take a look at the brands you would be pondering over in your quest for the perfect set:

• Yamaha: Awesome clubs! They were ahead of their time. One of their best sets was the “Secret” which had a shallow cavity with a carbon fiber insert within the cavity with a gunmetalish finish. Yamaha now exclusively manufactured overseas.

• Head: Yes the tennis and ski company. Another great set of clubs. High quality visually appealing higher end clubs. One of memorable sets the “Head Pro.” Currently: No longer manufactured to the best of my knowledge.

• Prince: Once again best known for their tennis, these clubs were hot sellers. Grips made out of the same material as their tennis rackets, shock absorbers in the shafts and known for having an over sized sweet spot on both woods and irons. Currently: No longer manufacturing to the best of my knowledge.

•   Cubic Balance: Another quality product. As I remember, many of the better players played this brand. Most of their clubs were forged and they were also known for having a groove less driver. Just a smooth face! Currently: No longer manufactured to the best of my knowledge.

•  Daiwa: You might know them for their fishing gear but they once made very nice golf clubs. Some were even on the higher end at a cost of 8 to 9 hundred for a 3-pw set. Currently: Daiwa now manufactures under the name “On|Off”. More prominent oversees but I believe they are available in the US as well.

•  Founders Club: Another club manufacturer that appealed to the better players. Their most notable  line was the “Fresh Metal” line and had a solid loyal following. Currently: Still manufacturing but I believe they are much scaled back.

•  Zevo: You might know this brand if you are a frequent shopper in any Golfsmith as they are the companies low end house brand. But what you might not know is Zevo was once a well respected brand that was not uncommon on the PGA Tour. Currently: Part of the Golfsmith brand.

Oh how things have changed! And this is just a sampling of what was once available and it wasn’t that long ago relatively speaking. Early to mid 90’s in most cases. But, as in life, all good things must come to an end and who knows what we’ll be swinging in another 15 years or so. But it’s always nice to take a trip down memory lane in golf, or life in general and share with others what it was like “back in the day”. I think the next time I go out to play 18 I’ll break out the Yamaha’s or maybe the Head’s; I’m a sucker for golf nostalgia!

                                             Blog written by Vince-Director of Instruction at VJF Golf Academy

Advice, Advice & More Advice

There are many ways to achieve a common goal and that is one of the big reasons why so many amateur golfers get stuck in their quest to improve. Think about it, you pick up the latest edition of your fav golf magazine and read an article on a particular topic, let’s say “proper set up.” Later in the day you turn on the golf channel and they’re giving their version of the “proper set up.” You go out to play with your Saturday group and your buddies (who are all closet golf pros) give you their version on “proper set up” after seeing you struggle through your first 9 holes. Finally you decide it’s time to see your local pro who no doubt has his/her version of yet the same topic. The best part is that all the opinions you gather are all different. Is there only one right theory in that whole bunch? No not at all, in fact each and every opinion on the subject probably yields reasonable results.

The problem lies in…what works for you! And that is the true quest towards improvement. One of the toughest things for an amateur golfer to do is subscribe to one theory and stick with it through both the highs and lows of the transformation. As soon as one technique starts to go sour we look for another, then another, and another and so on. Remember there is no quick fix or short cuts in golf yet golfers continue to look for that pot o’ gold, hence the reason so many golfers can’t control the urge to purchase the next greatest driver that claims to cure world hunger, only to end up ultimately as the back up to your trusty Wilson Deep Red. Believe me, I hear this dilemma all the time from my students and it is truly a problem for today’s golfers. Why do you think technology has improved by leaps and bounds over the last 25 years in all categories yet the average golfer’s handicap has barley improved by 1 stroke?

The advice I always give is simple…..find one source that fits your style of learning, understanding and personality and stick with that source…period. Testing the waters so to speak is inevitable but most golfers test the waters for years and years…..and years. Any teaching professional worth his/her salt should be able to get you hitting a driver from the discount bin (assuming the shaft is right for you but that’s for another topic) every bit as well as the $400 club that proudly shines like a beacon in your bag if you subscribe to their theory and STICK WITH IT.

Oh, I almost forgot…proper “Ball Position.” This should muddy the waters a bit.

•       For a driver place the ball on the instep of your left foot (for righties)

•         For all your irons (yes all of them) place the ball in the middle to maybe 2” forward of middle. If       you have a good solid weight transfer just forward of center if not more middle.

•         And for your fairway woods and hybrids place the ball somewhere between the driver and irons (some trial and error required)

We all know the best advice is FREE! Hope this helps J

Blog written by Vince-Director of Instruction at VJF Golf Academy

Quality Golf Equipment You Probably Have Never Considered

I started this blog as another outlet to share with golfers, information that will hopefully benefit all those who play this game we love so much. Whether that be via golf tips, drills, best courses to play, golf destinations, equipment reviews etc. This blog is designed to be a potpourri of all things golf from one golf professionals prospective.

This latest entry is going to take a look at some of the quality golf equipment on the market today that fly’s under the radar or gets overlooked for a wide variety of reasons. Because the golf equipment industry is so dominated by the big names, smaller companies need to rely on specific (and limited) target advertising, word of mouth, quality customer service and of course quality of the product.

Being in the business for a number of years I have been fortunate to be able to hit, play, own and demo just about every club under the sun. With that said, I have gone out of my way to do so in many cases because inevitably a member, student, client or whomever will ask my opinion about driver X or irons Y or this ball or that ball and I have always made it a priority to be “UP” on whatever is out there that golfers need, want or think they want….It comes with the territory. Let’s get started……

Ray Cook Wedges & Putters: Ray Cook putters have been around for many many years having been in the winning bags of every major winner from years past. If you’ve played golf for at least 25 years you probably owned a Ray Cook putter at some point as they were as good as any back in the day. Fast forward to 2014, Ray Cook is still putting out quality equipment. And although RC is known for their putters, I can tell you they have some nice quality wedges (Premium Black Nickel Wedges) as well. They have even expanded their lines to include a full set of clubs and junior clubs, bags, clothing, some training equipment and other unique items. Also in the RC portfolio now is Solus wedges which I have recently hit and really like the feel and weight. RC putters still have the solid feel (I like the Blue Goose BG 10) they have always been know for and their wedges are very playable, eye appealing with that classic look …all for about a third of the cost of the other guys.

Other Highlights From Ray Cook:

        Solus Tour 720 CS Wedges

MacGregor: Another blast from the past and once a fixture on the PGA Tour. Now-a- days, not so much. But what I think is important to note is that all things NOT on tour does not mean a lack quality. Case in point, the new MacGregor MT Pro-C Forged irons. Ball comes off the face solid with great feel in the hands and the overall appearance is sharp, with that darker gun metal look. For the budget conscious golfer these are overall a nice set of sticks….and forged!

Other Highlights From MacGregor:

        VIP Wedges

        Lytham Putter

F2: If you like different these may be the clubs for you. F2 is a company that brands itself on Face Forward Technology. What that means is the face has been moved forward and the hosel back. The look, just to give you and idea, at first glance reminds me of the old Cleveland VAS irons. For those who remember, VAS irons had a radical look but were really easy clubs to hit. I saw these wedges in a golf shop and asked the pro if he happened to have a demo because my curiosity was rather high. He had a 56* and was happy to let me hit it and asked for my thoughts as he was thinking about putting them in his bag. In short, very accurate, loved the weight of the club and how the ball felt coming off the clubface. Not sure about spin as I did not hit any shots into a green. The price point on these are in the same ball park (although slightly less) than a Vokey, but for those who purchase based on what feels best rather than purchasing based on what everyone else does or thinks, these might be something to look at.

Other Highlights from F2:

        No other clubs hit

Thomas Golf: I had heard about Thomas Golf but up until recently had never hit or tested any of their products. Now, as a golf professional I can tell you my students come to me with everything and anything ever made as you can imagine. And when I see something in their bag I have never hit, I have to ask myself …do I feel lucky….well do I? And as always the case in these situations, I inevitably asked if they mind me hitting a few.  This particular club was a 9* Driver (AT 460 if memory serves me correct) and to spice it up a bit it was a square headed club. Interestingly though, unlike some of the earlier square headed clubs this (although squarish in nature) club had a better eye appeal to me with much more rounded edges so the appearance of “square” was not so prominent. Hit my first shot straight, second shot straight, third shot straight…I was sold! Have never considered a square driver before but if Thomas Golf would like to comp me one I will proudly endorse it. Easy club to swing, nice feel and also liked to sound. Distance was every bit as good as my current driver. If you don’t know, Thomas Golf is a custom club company and builds everything to your specs. If you have thought about custom clubs, I would start here. Haven’t tried anything else by Thomas but you can bet the next time a student comes through my academy with one, I might not wait until after the lesson to try it!

Other Highlights from Thomas Golf:

        No other clubs hit

Powerbilt Golf: Again, another blast from the past. A company that’s been around a loooog time and in my opinion putting out quality equipment all the while. Companies like Powerbilt are like aging rock bands most people think their dead but in reality many are still putting out quality music….and PB is doing the same. I had the pleasure of hitting their AFO Players Irons as well as their AFO DF Driver. The PB mantra these days is NITROGEN! Yes, the clubs are filled with N7 to pressurize the heads, allow the face to be thinner, create solid feel without adding extra weight. Now I am not a scientist but I can tell you these irons felt awesome and great playability! I would go so far as to say this…if you could do a blind taste test  (like the old Coke vs Pepsi ads) or club test in this case and had X number of golfers hit these clubs along with 4 or 5 of the top brands and asked them to evaluate I would guess these clubs would get as good or in some cases better reviews than the big names

Other Highlights from Powerbilt Golf:

        AFO DF Driver

So there you have it! An honest review on some of the clubs I have recently hit and liked. I have always been one to pull for the smaller guy in hopes they will make it big, with most people that’s probably the way. So if you’re in the market for new irons, a flat stick or even a driver, with a little extra effort you may find a real treasure that you might otherwise have overlooked and the extra few buck you save you can take your significant other out for a nice dinner…it’s a win win!

Have something you’d like me to review…. clubs, balls, bags, whatever… contact me I would be happy to accept a “COMP” …shameless I know, but someone has to do it!

Blog written by Vince-Director of Instruction at VJF Golf Academy

Looking For A Way To Elevate Your Game?

In this latest entry I thought I would share some of the many drills and techniques I use when working with my students. Drills are a great way to train your muscles and create the motions you are seeking to develop a fluid and repetitive swing. In addition, not all drills require hitting golf balls, and in my opinion that’s a good thing. Believe it or not the ball can be the biggest distraction for many golfers during a lesson or practice session. And the nice thing about drills that don’t require a ball, most of them can be practiced in the comfort of you living room or office. Let’s take a look at a few……

Full Swing: The “Whoosh” drill is a great way practice proper release and can also be used to build up your swing speed.

How it works: Flip the club upside down so the grip of the club is pointing towards the ground. You will now be gripping the club just below the head of the club. Set up as if you’re going to hit a shot placing a golf ball in your normal ball position of your stance. Now make a full golf swing at your normal swing speed. You are not trying to hit anything (don’t try and hit the golf ball) you are only trying to create a sound, hence the “Whoosh” sound.

Listen for the whoosh and determine if you hear it before your club gets to the golf ball or after it passes by the golf ball. If the whoosh happens before the golf ball you are releasing too early and if the whoosh happens after the golf ball you are releasing too late. Try and create the whoosh right at the ball. This will help improve ball striking. As an added bonus the better you get at this drill the louder the whoosh will get which means the faster your swing speed, and faster swing speeds, when executed properly can equal more distance.

Chipping (using the same club for all chip shots): Many golfers feel comfortable using the same club for all types of chip shots. If you happen to be one of these golfers this might help.

How it works: Take your set up with a very narrow stance (feet close together). Place the ball towards the back of your stance and place about 60 to 70% of your weight on your front leg (that’s the left leg for righties) you will basically be leaning slightly towards your target. Press your hands forward of the ball so your club is also leaning slightly towards your target as well. During the swing try and use very little wrist motion as this will help develop consistency. The keys to a good chipping stroke are keeping your down swing and follow through just slightly faster than you back swing (but not by much) and try and keep both you back swing and your down swing and follow through equi distant. Try and avoid long back swings and short follow through’s and vise versa.

Chipping (using a variety of clubs): Some golfers like to change clubs when chipping depending on the situation at hand. If this is you keep these ideas in mind.

How it works: For set up see the above mentioned set up as it will be the same regardless if you are a one club chipper or multi club user. The difference here really is where is the hole location in relationship to where your ball sits relative to the green. If you’re chipping you are obviously somewhere around the green but the key is how far from the hole are you. The more real estate you have between your ball and the hole the longer club you may use (maybe a 6, 7, or 8 iron). Using the technique mentioned above this will allow you to get the ball started on your desired line much like an extra long put. And because you are using a less lofted club your swing will be shorten which means less chance for error.

Putting: The goal of all golfers once on the green is always…don’t 3 putt! But how many times have you had a 15 footer and left it 3 feet short or blown it 5 feet past? We’ve all been there. The “No Look” drill is one of the best putting drills to help you eliminate so many 3 putts and help turn them into 2 putts and even 1 putts.

How it works: A good fundamental practice of any good pre-shot routine usually includes a few practice strokes before you putt. But I have found that over half of the students I see, while taking their practice strokes are looking at the ball, but why? If you are one of these golfers try this; Start taking your practice strokes looking at the hole, it’s just a good habit to get into. If you watch golf on TV take note of where your favorite pro is looking when he/she takes their practice strokes. Now on to the drill… When on the practice green take it a step further. Start at about 10 feet from the hole. Take a few practice strokes while looking at the hole, then step up to the ball, take your set up, keep your eyes on the hole and putt! Putting while not looking at the ball will have you dropping putts and eliminating 3 putts in no time. This drill is amazing! Give it a try! GUARANTEE you'll make a bunch during your practice session!

Bunker Shots: For some this can be one of the most dreaded shots to execute, but when practiced properly it will be feared no more.

How it works: Most golfers over exaggerate their sand set up way too much by setting up way too open and generally swing too hard. Remember this; it’s regular sand not quick sand. Next time you find yourself in the bunker only open your stance slightly and open your club face only slightly. Place the ball forward of middle in your stance and put a little more weight on you left leg (for us righties). When you swing remember the 2 most important things: 1. Aim for a spot about 1 to 2 inches behind the ball (this varies depending on how dry or wet the sand is) and 2. Make sure you follow all the way through! Don’t stop your swing! And soon being in the bunker will truly be a day at the beach!

Give these drills and techniques a try and soon you’ll be dropping strokes off your game before you know it!

Blog written by Vince-Director of Instruction at VJF Golf Academy