Furyk Wins Second Event of 2010

Like many decent players here in Pennsylvania, I had the chance to play with Jim Furyk when he was still an amateur at the University of Arizona back in the early 1990's. We were paired together in a U.S. Amateur qualifier at West Shore CC in Camp Hill, PA. Jim fired rounds of 69-74 for a one under par total, and was medalist. I fired two balls out of bounds in my first two holes (actually, one was just a lost ball on the range next to the first hole) en route to rounds of 83 and 76.

I thought Jim was an excellent player with a goofy swing, but I thought I had played with many better players before him in my amateur career. I outdrove Furyk by 20 to 25 yards on every hole.

Now, 19 years later, Furyk has just won his 15th tour event and has a U.S. Open victory and over $45 million in earnings. A few more wins, or one more major, and he is a shoe in for the Hall of Fame.

He has accomplished this one with of the most unorthodox swings ever seen on the PGA Tour, comparable to Trevino, Miller Barber and Chi Chi Rodriguez. So, how is he able to play so consistently well?

One thing Peter Kostis mentioned in the CBS telecast today is that while Furyk takes the club up steeply in the backswing, he loops it back to the inside on a better swing plane on the down swing. Therefore, he is always hitting the inside of the ball. Most amateurs, since most slice the ball, hit the outside of the ball, and have a flat backswing and steep downswing.

Also, Furyk stays very balanced through the entire swing, and he always swings within him self. Most amateurs are typically off balance and will often try to hit shots that they are unable to hit.

Finally, while unorthodox, Furyk is able to repeat his swing consistently. That is the key to consistent ball striking and is also what made Trevino such a great player with an orthodox swing. Unfortunately, most amateurs can not achieve this consistency due to the basic swing faults in their swing. A steep downswing combined with an early release of the hands, or even a change in spine angle are three killer flaws that many amateurs have. However, it really is not all that difficult to correct these errors. A little practice and some guidance from a good teaching professional can set you on the right path.

Scott Cole
www.scottcolegolf.com
www.powergolftraining.net

Jerry Rice Gets Dose of Reality

Hall of Fame wide receiver Jerry Rice, at age 47, made his professional debut on the Nationwide Tour today, and he quickly got a dose of reality. Playing competitive golf against the big boys is quite a bit different than playing Lawrence Taylor on Donald Trump's show. Rice shot a smooth 84 today, and stood at second to last place among 155 golfers, a mere 20 shots out of the lead. Overall, scores were low.

Now, I've seen a few professional athletes become professional golfers and have some success. Quarterback John Brodie comes to mind. Pitcher Rick Rhoden is another, but he has not had much luck on the Champions Tour after being a dominant player on the Celebrity Tour. The bottom line is the courses those celebrities are playing are nowhere near as difficult as what they play on any of the big tours. Rice's 84 today would have been equivalent to 94 at Augusta.

I am not sure why he thought he would have success and think he might even make the cut. His swing is ok, but not fundamentally sound, and he looks stiff in his putting and short game shots. My guess is that he might be a solid 3 handicap at best.

Playing competitive golf is a totally different experience compared to playing professional football. You have to control your emotions rather than feed off of them. But, it takes a lot more ability than shooting a few scores in the low 70's to be ready to play on any professional tour. Hopefully, Jerry will realize this and not take a spot from a more deserving player again.

Scott Cole
www.scottcolegolf.com
www.powergolftraining.net

Mickelson Shines at Augusta

Phil Mickelson showed the heart of a champion today at Augusta, posting a final round 67 in a display of amazing shotmaking. I think this sets up a U.S. Open that could turn out to be an epic battle between the two best players in the world, Phil and Tiger. Well, at least we can all hope this will be the case. Tiger gave no indication what his schedule may be going forward, but I think it is almost assured that he plays at Pebble Beach, scene of his most dominating major victory.

This was a great tournament all the way around, with terrific stories each day. From Arnie's long putt in the Par 3 contest on Wednesday, Watson's 67 and Couples' 66 on Thursday, to Mickelson's turnaround on Saturday and victory on Sunday, this will be a Masters to remember. This is what makes golf the greatest game.

Scott Cole www.scottcolegolf.com

Developing Competitive Junior Golfers

In the competitive world of junior golf, identifying and developing talent can be tricky and downright expensive. There is significant competition for the handful of scholarships golfers can receive at colleges and universities. With that in mind, some parents are willing to spend upwards of $35,000 PER SEMESTER to send their child to a top golf academy such as Hank Haney’s IJGA academy in Hilton Head, South Carolina or the Leadbetter Academy in Florida. The instruction these students receive, of course, is second to none, but of course, most people simply can’t afford to send their child to such a place.

Unfortunately, the alternatives closer to home are few and far between. It is extremely difficult to find a good instructor that actually offers an environment to develop junior players who have the talent to compete at a higher level. Most instructors simply offer instruction to beginner and intermediate players. Since they tend to also where the hat of a head golf professional or assistant golf professional, they simply do not have the time to provide more in depth instruction. These professionals spend most of their time running a pro shop, dealing with club members or patrons, directing tournaments, managing personnel, etc.

Another issue with finding instruction for the competitive junior golfer at the local level is the expense. Top teachers tend to charge upwards of $120 per hour, although they may offer a lower rate for juniors. However, even if the rate is just $75 per hour, one lesson per month adds up to $300, and that is quite a bit for most families, especially in this economy.

The alternative is the professional that offers a junior program that is tailored to the needs of the student, and set up more on a tuition basis. For a set amount each month, say $150 to $200, a student can have their game fully evaluated by the instructor, who can then develop a plan for improvement. There is no need for a full blown lesson every week, but the instructor can provide the tools necessary for the student to improve on their own. Once the student’s game is evaluated, the instructor provides the drills, swing thoughts, golf course management ideas and mental tips to help the student improve. The instructor can then simply make themselves available through conversation or email, and fewer lessons are required.

Now, the instructor also has the opportunity to keep track of the progress of his students through the use of the internet. Students can provide certain information regarding their rounds of golf by uploading it via cell phone or computer, and it can be sent straight to the instructor. The instructor then has the information necessary to potentially make recommendations for improvement without seeing the student.

The bottom line is that there is a more cost effective alternative to developing the junior golfer. Parents should take the time to research their local teaching professionals to find the few that set themselves apart from the rest in this regard. By finding a top instructor locally, they will provide their junior golfer a better opportunity to compete with the kids that have the opportunity to attend the high end golf academies.

Scott Cole
www.scottcolegolf.com

Harrisburg PA Junior Golf Programs

I am now taking new students for my competitive junior development program in Harrisburg and Southcentral PA. Instruction will be conducted at Liberty Forge Golf Club, Rich Valley Golf Club and my indoor studio in Mechanicsburg.

For junior golfers seeking to take their game to the next level, this program is essential! It starts with a full evaluation of the student's game, including iron play, tee shots, short game, bunker play and putting. Next, video analysis of the student's full swing will be conducted. An overall improvement plan will be developed for the student.

Contact Scott Cole for details!

www.scottcolegolf.com