IN THIS ISSUE
- Bring a Buddy, Save Some Bucks
- TEE TIME LPGA PRO DIXIE ECKES:
Finishing the Swing
- TEE TIME PRO BOB E. SMITH: Club's
Position in Backswing is Key
|
MARCH HIGHLIGHTS
Greetings!
As the days get warmer and longer, our thoughts drift more often to
golf. It's the season to get ready at Tee Time! We're open until dusk,
so come out and sharpen your game. The hours spent at Tee Time are sure
to give any golfer who's interested in playing better the competitive
advantage they need. So come by, come often, and bring a buddy!
Practice hard,
Blake Johnson
Owner
|
BRING
A BUDDY, SAVE SOME BUCKS
When Tee Time Owner Blake Johnson rang in the New
Year, he made a resolution he promises to keep. "I went on the radio
promising to lower rates to all clients who bring a friend along with
them, all year long," Blake says. The popular offer allows
both guests to play for $8 each-for a savings of
$4 per person.
Blake says he came up with the idea in response to
the slumping economy and his belief in the Tee Time
experience. "I
believe that most people who try our facility will
want to come back. Visiting for the first time is
easier when they're accompanied by a friend. The reduced 'Buddy Rate'
is my way of rewarding existing clients and their newcomer friends from
making the effort."
Recent rains have greened-up the range, and the hitting
area has remained in great shape due to Tee Time's
professional drainage system. "We've rarely had to stay closed after a rain," Blake
says. The hitting area is superb and the putting
green has never been better."
Rain or shine, it's a great year to introduce a friend
to Tee Time.
TEE
TIME LPGA PRO: DIXIE ECKES
FINISHING THE SWING
Dixie Eckes is Tee Time's LPGA teaching professional. She is active
player on the ladies' mini tours, State Opens, and LPGA Teaching & Club
Professional events. Dixie became a teaching professional in 2001 and
has enjoyed teaching several golfers throughout the years. She is happy
to answer questions and arrange lessons at 805.708.0836.
I like to observe golfers on the driving range. One
of the common flaws I've noticed is that many never finish the swing.Their
arms are pulled in to their side, their right foot is not responding or
they finish with the club across their chest. Maybe they don't know
where the club is supposed to go once they make contact to the ball.
I have my students swing the club over their shoulder
on the backswing and finish with it over their shoulder on the forward
swing in balance and hold that position for at least three seconds. It
sounds simple and basic, but try it!
Since the swing is symmetrical, what happens on the
backward motion should be the same on the forward motion. But too many
golfers are concerned more about the ball than the club. So when we put
a ball down, it seems to change everything. Pay more attention to swinging
the club and not hitting ball. Remember that the ball is just a result
of what we do with the swing. For consistency, practice this drill.
Place a tee in the ground so it's above the grass
and your club is able to clip it. Take your set up with the ball
position in the middle of your stance. Using an eight or seven iron, swing
the club back over your shoulder and then forward over your shoulder in
a continuous motion backwards and forwards. It is important to do this
slowly for seven to ten times without stopping. See if you can brush the
tee or the same spot of grass going forward and backward. You will need
to let the right heel respond on the forward swing just like it does naturally
in a throwing motion. If you are able to brush the tee in both directions,
you will then create a swing that is symmetrical, balanced, and rhythmic-resulting
in better shots.
TEE
TIME PRO: BOB E. SMITH
CLUB'S POSITION IN BACKSWING IS KEY
Most players are so conscious of what their hands
are doing during the swing that they do not concern themselves with the
proper club position on the backswing. At waist high and when the club
is parallel to the ground, the butt of the club should be pointing at
the target.
It makes no difference if you are chipping or making a full swing, nothing
good can happen when the club is pointing to the right of the target.
From that position, the club will continue to be inside and behind your
target. Your hands may also be overactive because the club is stuck behind
you.
How do you fix the problem? Take a practice swing.
Set the club parallel to the ground with the butt of the club pointing
to the target. Your club face should be square, not pointing to the ground
closed. Now continue the backswing and hit. The result should surprise
you. Stick to the basics and work on being in the proper positions. If
you do, you should find yourself hitting better golf shots.
|