JohnHayesGolf.com Newsletter Golf Tip – May 2016
For your golf game: Sad news, Manuel de la Torre, PGA of America Hall of Famer and World Golf Teachers Hall of Famer, passed away on Sunday, April 24 at age 94. He kept his sharp mind until the end but his heart finally became too weak and he passed away peacefully in Milwaukee, WI. His teaching lives on in the many teaching Pros who have been strongly influenced by his ideas and his example. And also by the thousands of students that were fortunate to have a golf lesson with him. Thanks goodness he left us his book, UNDERSTANDING THE GOLF SWING, and there is a dvd that is a companion to the book.
One thing that you certainly experienced if you had a golf lesson with Manuel is his questions. Manuel told us that he knew of one of his students who had just finished a lesson and was then asked by a friend, “Well, how was your lesson with Manuel?” The student responded, “You know, it was the Spanish Inquisition.” This was not intended to be a negative comment about the lesson experience. As Manuel often told us, “I am not trying to embarrass people I just want them to think. I want their minds to work.” This was so they could get a better understanding and remember what was being covered in the lesson.
One common question that would often begin a lesson was, “What are you trying to do?” The student often discovered, as they tried to answer this, that they did not have a very clear picture of what they needed to do to produce a golf shot. Or the student talked only about the RESULT they hoped to achieve with the golf ball and not the PROCEDURE they needed to carry out to achieve the desired result. Once you finally settle on what “you are trying to do” with each golf swing then you can begin to practice and perfect this. In its very simplest form, once some pre-swing fundamentals are performed, you need to swing the whole club from the end of the backswing forward to the finish of the swing in the direction of the target using both arms. Let your body respond to this action by letting your back heel come up during the forward swing.
So go to the practice range soon and try to answer that basic question – what are you trying to do? Remember that now Manuel might be watching you from above.
Upcoming clinics and events: My next specialty clinic will be a SHORT GAME BOOT CAMP for 2 hours held on Saturday, May 7th from Noon to 2:00 p.m. I will cover pitching/chipping, bunker play, putting, and fun games to practice effectively! Men or Ladies welcome. This is NOT for new beginners. There is a limit of only 3 students so call or email to sign up. Total cost is only $55.
My next LADIES-ONLY GOLF CLINIC will be held on 2 consecutive Weekends – May 14, 15 and 21 from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Sat. (5/14) and Sun (5/15) and then from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sat (5/21). Cost is only $40 total for all 4 hours! It is good for beginners or newly dedicated golfers.
I will conduct a GET GOLF READY LADIES BOOT CAMP on Thur., June 23rd through Sunday, June 26th. There will be 4 hours of golf clinics (Thur. & Fri. from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and on Sat. from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.) and then we will finish on the golf course on Sun. from 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. This is perfect for beginners who want to feel comfortable on the golf course in a short time. Total cost is only $99 and includes everything!
Please call, text (727) 692-4679 or email, jh@johnhayesgolf.com, to sign up as space is limited for all clinics. Go to www.johnhayesgolf.com for more details.
As always, please contact me with any questions or comments and I hope to see you soon on the lesson tee at the Chi Chi Golf Range & Family Sports Complex in beautiful Clearwater in the Tampa, FL area.