On the Links: Cleaning out the mail bag before the season ends
As we move into fall and look back on a great golf season, and see if I cannot answer some of the emails that I have gotten over the past year. This will not be my last column for the year, but I will stop writing as of the end of September, so I wanted to use this space to answer some emails that have gone, until now, unanswered.
Billy from Fairchance asked, “What is the value of fitted golf clubs versus off the rack?”
My answer is simple: there is a world of difference and one that does not have fitted irons, or get fitted for irons before buying them, is being irresponsible to their golf game. By spending no more than thirty minutes to have a qualified club fitter check you for lie, shaft flex and length, you guarantee yourself golf clubs that are built for you. And the cost is no different, so the value is great, so please do not overlook club fitting.
Hank from Uniontown asked “why do I move vertically in my golf swing instead of turning or rotating?”
Well without seeing Hank swing, this one is a very well educated guess. The reason for vertical movement in the golf swing is a weak spine angle at address. This does not mean that Hank’s spine is weak; it just means it is not stiff or straight when setup to hit a golf ball. Hank should push his hipbones back to straighten the lower half of his spine and he will feel less up and down in the golf swing and more rotation or turning. Hank, for what it is worth, this is a pretty common problem and you will improve pretty rapidly once you get your spine stiffened.
Derek from Connellsville asked, “What is your favorite golf memory?
This one is easy, although I have two. The first was making a five-foot putt on hole number nine at Lindenwood Golf Club for the first par of my life. The best part was the fact that I was playing golf with my Father, so that is pretty special.
The second favorite golf memory is my visits to Augusta National Golf Club to watch The Masters. As a PGA Professional we are granted free admission to this event and I have been fortunate enough to visit on two occasions. There is no way in the world that I can convey to you how beautiful Augusta National Golf Club is. It is a tremendous place, the only place I have ever been that was better than I imagined. If you ever have the opportunity, please visit Augusta National Golf Club, you will be emotional, excited and amazed, but you will not be disappointed.
Enough questions for now and I promise golf instruction next week. Have a great week and PLAY WELL!!!
Rich Conwell is the PGA Head Golf Professional at Uniontown Country Club. Rich enjoys teaching players of all skill levels and is excellent with junior golfers. Rich can be reached at richconwell@atlanticbb.net.