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I was watching The Golf Channel and I saw a commercial featuring PGA Tour Caddy, Lance Ten Broeck. Lance cadies full time for Jesper Parnevik in his second life on the PGA Tour. In his first life he played the PGA Tour and played rather successfully, making the cut in 159 tournaments and is exempt from qualifying.
This past year at the 2009 Valero Texas Open, he entered the tournament and when enough players withdrew before round 1, he got a spot in the field. Still having to caddy for Parvevik, he lucked out as the player he replaced was in the opposite tee time wave. Parnevik was early morning on the first round so Lance caddied all 18 and was done in time to tee off that afternoon. Playing with borrowed clubs he shot 71 the first day with his son carrying the bag. He followed with a 70 for 141 and missed the cut by 2 shots. He did beat his boss Parnevik who shot 144. Jesper was all in favor of Lance’s marathon caddy and playing, which gained national attention and made Lance the hero in the caddy shack.
I have a personal relationship with Lance Ten Broeck. Lance caddied for me in my one time qualifying try for the Champions Senior Tour. I played OK, finished descent, but at my site there we only 8 spots to move onto the finals for over 90 players.
So, I am watching TGC and Lance pops up in a commercial, speaking as a caddy/former player pitching the benefits of clean clubs. He was the endorser/spokesperson for the Frogger Golf cleaning products. This link http://froggergolf.com/ will take you to their web site. They even have the TV commercial video of Lance swinging and then giving the sales pitch.
Lance was endorsing the Frogger “BrushPro” club cleaner. It was the winner of “The Best New Product” Award at the 2008 PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando. Upon opening the site the promo video pops on beginning the message. “There is a plague infecting golfers everywhere. Dirty clubs, filthy clubs and dirty grooves are killing scores, but now there is an answer.” Then Lance comes on saying “If you want to hit consistently strong and accurate shots, you gotta keep your clubs clean.” Lance is spot on correct in that you have to keep your clubs spot off clean.
Written promotions say that the “Frogger BrushPro” increases distance, backspin and accuracy with clean clubs. It removes stubborn debris from clubs and groves. Frogger also introduced at the 2009 PGA Merchandise show their “Amphibian Towel” and again won the award for best new product. This towel is different in that it looks like a taco shell. You wet the inside and it stays wet to clean the clubs while the outside stays dry.
Clean clubs are a “MUST” to play better golf and shoot lower scores as the promotion states. This is why, on Tour, you see caddies wipe the clubs clean as soon as the player gives it back to them. Clean club faces and grooves are as important as having a clean ball to putt.
Clean club faces and grooves are a must for hitting good shots. Dirt on the face and in the groves will affect the spin and fight of the ball, mostly in a bad way. Debris on a clubface and in the grooves is the same as debris on a road. Road debris reduces the ability of the tire to grip the road for control and torque. Golf is just like driving a car where we must stay on the road. The best way to hit fairways and greens is to control the ball.
The big club story this year is all about the fact that the USGA banned the use of U groves with sharp edges. The contention is that the wider U and sharper edged grooves, as compared to narrower V grooves, grips the ball too much. This extra grip puts too much spin on the ball to bite and hold the greens, even out of the rough. So this year on the PGA Tour, and most pro tours and top USGA pro and amateur tournaments, the U grooves are banned from play.
This issue of the U grooves causing too much spin would not be an issue if golfers and caddies did not keep their club faces and grooves cleaned. The point is that not only must the face be clean, but the grooves as well. Many times on the PGA tour, when players are held up waiting to hit a shot, you see the player scratching the face of his club. He is using a tee or his ball mark tool to scrape every groove spic and span clean. Extra special digging out the dirt is applied to the grooves from the middle to bottom of the face where the ball is struck.
Every lesson I give, one of the first things I always do is check out the students clubs as to the makeup of the set. I also am checking the club faces for dirt. I can’t tell you how many times I have found clubs, including the fairway woods and even drivers, filthy dirty, even with caked on dried up dirt. That student’s first instruction is me showing them my spic and span clean clubs and getting told the importance of clean club faces and grooves for ball control.
I don’t think we’ll see “Frogger BrushPro” club cleaners or “Amphibian Towels” hanging from the side of PGA Tour Players bags except for maybe Jesper Parnevik’s bag. I will bet that the caddies will stick with tradition and keep the towels with one end soaked and one dry to clean their player’s golf ball and clubs. For them, it is keeping the club faces and grooves clean or be fired. It is that simple and important.
For the rest of us, keeping our club faces and grooves should have the same importance and be done with the same diligence. After all, the only golf shots hit better and lower scores shot will be your own.
Think of it like this. “A clean club is a happy club and happy clubs hit better shots.”
The Surge!
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Hey Don, off subject I know… but had to tell you about a great weekend of golf i just returned from. I am lucky to live here in New Zealand where we can play all year around, and have just played Cape Kidnappers course (home of the Kiwi Challenge…. would love to see DJ play in that!). Was pretty nervous going there as it is built on top of some amazing cliffs and seaside terrain, with most holes having long carry over valleys and gorges. Played with a group of lads, and before I went studied up hard on the PPGS… I not only won on the day, but all the other courses we played over the weekend. As one of my buddies said, Sh*!, you are playing out of your skin! Kept the ball straight and true, even with my driver. Played with the same ball for the first 9 holes. Quite a feat there! Thanks so much for the great system. Keep at it everyone, it definitely works. Just follow Dons advice and keep it as simple as it is! Cheers, Shane
I am still confused about the 12 o’clock position at the top with the club being at it’s lightest position. All the videos I have seen look more like 2 o’clock, not straight up and down on the tree. Please help! Thanks
Do the V grooves flatten out over time. How can you tell if the grooves are too worn? I have an old set of irons by the way so this is the reason for the question.
What do you think of the NEW TaylorMade Driver at 46.5 inches long?
From TaylorMade:
“The Burner Super Fast Driver offers exceptional distance with extremely light weight.
•Weighs only 284 grams and is extra-long at 46.5 inches long and when combined together they become the perfect recipe for increased speed and distance”
Hi Don, I went out to hit a few practice balls last night, before a five day tournament next week and shanked about half of them. Not confidence inspiring before next week. What I normally do is stand a little bit further away from the ball and put the ball on the toe to cure the problem and it generally works. I know it is the hands not returning to the same address position, but what other suggestions do you have to cure the problem. And yes I need to clean my clubs. Thanks Barry
As Mark says, “The club appears to be more at the 2 o’clock position than the 12. Please explain or show us how the club can go to the 12 o’clock position and still follow the line. Are you using your hands to be set at 12 or is it the club Please explain!!!
Thanks,
Jim
Jim and Mark,
As you stand to the right of a right handed player, i.e. looking down the line, the clock would be facing you. So, 12 is over head, 6 is where the feet are, 9 would be directly behind the behind, and 3 is opposite the belt buckle. You are not looking at the golfer face on.
Hi Don
I appreciate your daily letters and the work that you are doing.I only get out to play golf about twice a week. Joined a men’s league to force myself to do something besides work. I am 55 and 6 feet tall. Two years ago I began to have trouble with my left elbow ( I play right handed) and our club pro suggested trying a full set of grafite shafts. I tried a neighbour’s set for a month and haven’t experienced any pain since. I ended up buying this set, but have started carrying a mixed bag of steel and grafite. I find I get more distance and control out of my steel long iroms than the grafite, but am I looking for trouble by combining the two ? Thanks again Greg
Tired of TaylorMade,
It would be a really great driver if the golfer could swing the club and hit the ball in the center of the club face. However, the majority of players will be all over the place with their ball striking.
The clock mystery has been solved.
Mark,
Like many of us, you are imposing the clock face on shots of Don or DJ (or yourself in your mind), FACING the golfer. At the top of the swing, the club is not at 12 on THIS clock–it is more like 2 o’clock for a RH golfer (10 o’clock for lefties like me).
But if you step behind a golfer and look down the line along the path of the ball as it flies away, you will immediately see the differece between the top of a PP swing and all others. Viewed from this angle, the club is indeed standing straight up at 12 noon. But on THIS clock face, virtually all non Peak Performance RH golfers of whatever skill level will have the club at about 10 o’clock.
Jim and Mark,
Go back and read “Swing Clock Defined” written by Don on 1/13/2010. That article has clock illustrations. Print it and hang on for future reference. As J Griffin stated, that 12:00 position is from behind the golfer, looking thru the ball towards the target.
Hi Surge – my comment on keeping clubs clean – the grips are just as important.
I make a routine of cleaning my grips the night / morning before each medal day (first Saturday of every month).
I use a small amount of dishwashing detergent, in the sink, scrub the grips with a small nail brush, and towel dry. I rarely use a glove – for better feel.
As Surge says since the grip binds the club to the hands, I see it as critical to keep them clean and free of dirt and grime. Obviously, I clean the club heads and shafts as well – maybe a sick pleasure – but I do take pride in my equipment.
On the day of play – I wet my golf towel, and wipe the face clean after every shot – even the driver, in which case I look at exactly where I made contact with the ball (high, low, heal, toe) – excellent feedback together with the resultant flight of the ball.
BTW I am getting there with your PPGS – certainly striking the ball better and more consistently, with little back problems – just pulling it left too often – reading some of your articles on the Bump at the momnet – using the lower half has always was a problem for me, or maybe I am getting into the SBG.
Mal
Don, I have a question about club fitting and building. Does getting fitted for clubs automatically mean then getting a set of clubs built that are not a brand name club? should we all then get a set of clubs built sspecifically for us and not buy brand name clubs off the shelf? Please esplain- thanks, Don Brown Also, can you tell me of some good club fitters in the Nashville, TN area?
don,
you say you are getting on too but watch how the other who dont play golf are getting on
and you will realise that you are getting younger than them everyday.thanks for the tips.Does
your son know how to be if i can spell it YOGA CONSCIOUS,It will help his game try it.
Mr. Brown:
First, let’s address what is “name brand”. By this you mean clubs that you see endorsed by tour players and would find advertising for in both print and screen. This is not the limit of name brand however. It’s just the limit to what you’ve been exposed to. Ask any fitter and most pros about Miura. Mr. Miura used to make Tigers clubs when he was with Titleist. Infinity is used by a long of long drive professionals as well as Alpha. Keith Ferguson won twice last year playing a set of KZGs, clubs that I play by the way, and Alpha. Most of the “other” clubs as you’d think of them are played by somebody on tour. They just aren’t paid to play them and can’t endorse them if under contract to someone.
With that said, you can get a set of the brand names built for you but all they will adjust is lie, length, flex, and grip. That is 4 items out of about 21 different items that go into a true fitting. Also, having worked for Wilson, Adams, and TaylorMade, I can tell you with 99.9% certainly that the clubs will not be done 100% correctly. I could tell you nightmare storied but that’s not what this site is about. If you are concerned about quality, let me assure you that these head we professional fitters/builders use are the same grade steel, with the same warranties, and are made in the same foundries right along side the name brands that you are fimiliar with. What you want to stay clear of are clubs known as knock offs or clones. These clubs are look alikes to name brands and are inferior in quality for sure.
Now, for fitters in Tenn. Please see below:
Tennessee
Gene Brosky
Brosky Golf
Tel: 615.371.5020
Email: rebclubs@aol.com
PCS Certified “Class A” Clubmaker
GCA Advanced Clubmaker
Association of Golf Clubfitting Professionals
Certified True Length Technology Club Fitter
Certified OptimalFlight Technology Club Fitter
John Foreman – AGCP Level 10 Certified
Custom Clubworks
1210 Bradley Drive
Franklin Tennessee 37069
615-591-6957
Glubworks@aol.com
PCS Class “A” Certified
Jim Holley – AGCP Level 10 – Qualified & Certified
Holley’s Stix
Mount Juliet, TN
PCS Certified “Class A” Clubmaker
GCA Accredited Professional Clubmaker
Eidolon Certified Wedge Fitter
True Length Technology Registered User
615-308-3359
jim@nashvillegolfclubfitter.com
http://www.nashvillegolfclubfitter.com
John Huheey – Level 10 Qualified & Certified
HUGOCLUBFITTER
501 Lexington Dr.
Lebanon, TN. 37087
615-444-1614
http://www.hugoclubfitter.com
hugoclubfitter@aol.com
PCS Advanced Professional “Class A” Clubmaker.
PCS Certified “Class A” Club Fitter
GCA Master Craftsman
GCA Tennessee clubmaker of the year 2006-2007
GCA Tennessee Clubmaker of the year 2008-2009
UST Tour Shop
Wishon Gold
Tour Concept Authorized Fitting Center
Certified Rifle Center
Black Gold Certified Fitter
True Length technology Certified
Optimal Flight Certified
GCA Advanced Accredited Professional Clubfitter
Certified Eidolon Wedgefitter
Swing Science Fitting Center
Certified Video Annalists Center
Dan Wilt AGCP Level 10 Qualified/Certified
Link to the Links Custom Club Fitting
119 Stoneybrook Rd.
Columbia, Tn. 38401
931-381-7226 or 931-334-3831
proclubftr@gmail.com
http://www.linktothelinks.com
PCS Class-A Clubmaker
GCA Certified Advanced/Professional Clubmaker
True Length Technology TM Fitter
2X GCA Tennessee Clubmaker of the Year
Wishon Gold+ Member
GCA Master Craftsman
MOI Certified Clubfitter
Certified Eidolon Wedgefitter
Authorized Accu Length Fitting Center
Tony Wright – AGCP Level 9 Certified
Game Improvement Golf
136 Windham Road
Oak Ridge, TN 37830
865-384-3753
tony@gameimprovementgolf.com
http://www.gameimprovementgolf.com
(See my weekly blog!)
GCA Accredited Clubmaker
Optimal Flight Certified Fitter
“True Length Technology” Fitter
Authorized ACCRA Dealer
Authorized Alpha Dealer
Swing Science Center
Certified Rifle Center
Wishon Gold Member
PCS Certified “Class A” Clubmaker
Just an added note for anyone interested in keeping grips clean:
I use a small amount of dishwashing detergent, in the sink of warm water, scrub the grips with a small nail brush, rinse under a hot tap, and towel dry. (You have to rinse off the saopy water – hot water makes it easier to towel dry the grips, and make them feel somewhat tacky).
Sometimes custom, clubs work way better than brand name.
I thought Ping G10s were the greatest thing since sliced bread as far as hybrids are concerned. Then I bought a 35 degree hybrid, the Excel Strong (I specified shaft length and grip) from Pinemeadow Golf (www.pinemeadowgolf.com) and I was hitting it 160 yards on a consistent basis (I also ordered the 31 degree hybrid and I get about 175 yards out of it).
Another case for custom clubs are the Snake Eyes Q3A 38 deg hybrid, Q3I PW and SW, and the 600W lob wedge I constructed. I tried several lob wedges and none of them could touch the 600W as far as performance. The PW and SW actually perform better than a 50 and 54 deg Cleveland CG10; these are cavity back “game improvement” clubs. As far as the 38 – it makes short irons obsolete and I just about don’t miss with it; furthermore, distance is very predictable (I know if I hit a full shot it is 140 yards and if I choke fully, it is 120 yards).
This question is for Lou:
How far do you hit your driver?
YOU FORGOT TO MENTION CLEAN GRIPS!!!!!
Grips, not only accumulate dirt but oil and sweat from the hands etc. They should periodically be washed with warm water and soap such as dishwasher liquid soap. It is amazinng how many golfers never think about cleaning their grips. I wash mine AT LEAST every ten rounds. (Sometimes more often!) Inasmuch as the grips are the only part of the clubs that the hands come in contact with it only makes good sense to keep them clean.
Happy golfing!
Hi Surge,
I am a new student and I believe that what you are teaching is really the answer for me. Could you help me further with this problem. I find very hard to stop my whrist to cok when I am extended at 10 o’clock in my back swing, What do you recommend me to do to stop from breaking the whrist at this point
Thank you
Yes ,cleaning your clubs is like brushing your teeth…..!
Taking a shower. You really have to fill a page with that.?
A thought struck me yesterday ,when I saw a PGA Pro , put his watch back on after finishing the 18 th.
As you practice balance, I realised a +ounce watch on 1 wrist ,upsets balance.
Took my watch off 2day and felt more intune.
Your opinion ?
Frank
how do yo train to finish your swing? i am stopping just past my fronbt shopulder and distance
or the straight shot I need to lower my score from 98-102 to 86-92 is resricting my finish.
What can i do? Help
Don,
I am a fanatic when it comes to clean clubs.As an avid golf fan I have found that after every round {and during} I religiously clean my clubs.I actually use a titanium golf regroover after every 4-5 rounds just to remove stubborn debris from my clubs.
In finishing,I have found your lessons a great help and I have found a greater love of THE GAME.
Cheers
Mal
Hi surge
went out for a game last friday with few of my buddies after spending 2 weeks in driving range and looking at your viedos i really belive in your system but am a bit frustrated with my driver and rescue woods i keep badly slicing all these shoots my irons are getting there.but it is like going back in time as i always used to slice any idea how i can stop this slicing with my driver ?in general how long should it take to get the swing right ?iwant to prove to my buddies that your system works as they are very very unsure that it does and i want to prove them wrong !thanks don will not let you down i hope! 19 handycapper
Congratulations to DJ!
A 66 the last day to finish 7th. Sure wish we could of seen a little mor of DJ this week. Seems the GC certainly has favorites. They repreatedly show pros that are 10 – 15 strokes off the lead and not DJ and some others by lead. Oh well, soon he’ll have week closer to the top and they’ll have to show him more. Anyhow he looked great this week and is off to a wonderful year!
Down the middle,Robert
Hello Don,
Thanks for all your wonderful tips.
I am 71 years old, medium build, handicap 7. I am going to gym 3 times a week and is getting expert help to build up my muscles and I am doing so including eating more protein. Gradually I have been alble to lift heavier weights.
Today I checkd my swingspeed of the driver och got a result of 80 m/hr. Chockingly bad as I used to have 95-100 just some years back. Getting stronger I thought I would be well over a 100. m/hr.
I read that lifting weights slowly can actually make you swing slower, while making your movements with lower weight but as quickly as you can, make your muscles move quicker and therefore giving you higher swing/club speed and longer balls.
I feel very fit, but do you think this slow speed is natural because of my age, or because my actual slow moving training makes my swing slower.
Regards from a snowy cold Sweden.
Kurt
I have been starting to learn playing golf recently. But my performance was really disappointing and I even began to doubt that I could never be able to play it until days ago a friend of mine recommended me this ebook “The Simple Golf Swing”, also called “Golf Swing Guru”. It is the best selling golf swing book authored by David Nevogt, who is a golf expert and a great golf teacher.
I have to say that this book is really helpful in solving your swing problems.
It was great to see DJ get into the top 10, but his putting is still hurting him. Tied for 4th in GIR, but only tied at 52nd for putts per round. If he can tighten that up, he could contend in every tour event he enters.
This is to Chris,
I also look at David Nevogt’s site.
I think he is a good instructor but don’t think for a minute you will get as much from his site as you will ever get from Don’s. Not only that you will get a lot more advertising for buying his golf lessons. I believe he gives a tip a week now.
The Surge is for me!
Rod
I was wondering if you could recommend a good club fitter in the Dallas, Tx area. I have been to several of the big box golf stores but am not impressed. Any guidence would be appreciated.
Tim,
Here is the best fitter in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area.
Russell F. (Russ) Ryden – Level 10 Qualified & Certified – Retail & Teaching
AGCP Master – 2009 AGCP Golf Club Technology Award
Fit 2 Score
————————————————–
The Golf Club at Champions Circle
15801 Championship Parkway
Fort Worth, Texas 776177
————————————————–
Golden Bear Golf Center
2538 Golden Bear Drive
Carrollton, Texas 75006
————————————————–
817-247-3110
http://www.fit2score.com
club.fitter@fit2score.com
Titleist Performance Institute Certified
PCS Professional “Class A” Clubmaker
Golfsmith Accredited Advanced Clubmaker
Tom Wishon Golf Technology MOI Certified
Mitsubishi Rayon Shaft Fitting & Installation Center
Matrix Shaft Partner
Miura Custom Clubmaker
Nippon Shaft Installation Center
Rifle Certified Center
Scratch Golf Wedge Fitting Center
UST Shaft Fitting Center
To J. Griffin,
From time to time I see you give information on qualified clubfitters in various cities. Is there a website where we can go on our own to look up this information? I am interested to find someone in the area of Atlanta/Sandy Springs/Marietta. Can you help?
Thanks,
Michael
Michael,
Here is your list for Georgia. My recommendation for the best is Dana Upshaw.
Joel Beatty
Doc’s Custom Clubs
100 St. Agnes Merici Ct.
LaGrange GA 30240
707-594-2437
E-mail jbtgba@msn.com
Al Humphrey – AGCP Level 6 Qualified & Certified
Precision Golf Services
271 Providence Club Drive
Monroe, GA 30656
770-207-5360 (O)
770-312-6398 (mobile)
sloswingspeed@yahoo.com
Greg Johnson
Master Stix
Milledgeville, GA 31061
Phone: 478-456-7802
gjbirdie@yahoo.com
Roy Nix – AGCP Master of Golf Club Technology
Founder/Director of the AGCP
McNix Golf
5045 Milgen Court Unit 12
Columbus, GA 31907
706-324-7490
http://www.McNixGolf.com
r.nix@McNixGolf.com
Golf Professional
PGA Business School Class of 1968
Former Head Professional:
Sand Hill G. C. Ft. Benning, GA
Four Lakes G. C. Columbus, GA
Certified Rifle Center
Fujikura Charter Dealer
Accra Dealer
UST Dealer
Accu Length Authorized Fitting Center
Dana Upshaw – AGCP Master of Golf Club Technology
Lifetime Member
Dana Golf Inc.
Warner Robins GA 31088
(478) 328-7888
Email – dana@danagolf.com
GCA Accredited, Professional, Advanced, Master.
PCS Class A Clubmaker and Fitter
2005 Mizuno Top 100 Clubfitter
2004 GCA Southeast Region CoY
2004 Golfsmith Elite Clubmaker
2002 GCA Harvey Penick
1999 PCS Clubmaker of the Year
1998 Golfsmith Distinguished Clubmaker
1999 PCS Southeast Region CoY
1998 PCS Southeast Region CoY
1997 GCA Clubmaker of the Year
1997 GCA Southeast Region CoY
1996 GCA Southeast Region Coy
1995 Dynacraft Top Workshop
1994 Dynacraft Top Workshop
First clubmaker to hold both GCA and PCS CoY awards
First clubmaker to hold GCA CoY, PCS CoY and Penick awards
To J. Griffin:
Many thanks for the reply to my inquiry. I find it amazing that none of these folks are in the Atlanta metro area which holds the highest concentration of our state’s population and the largest number of our golfers.
Thanks again,
Michael
Hello Don,
I am 64, handicap of 24 ( not playing to it) reasonably fit and very keen to improve my golf.Confidence is sometimes a problem, especially in good golfers’ company in a competition.
Slicing the ball with my longer clubs remains my main problem.
I know you will have been asked this over and over, but do you have some tips for keeping my club face square, releasing properly,, avoiding bringing the club head “over the top” rather than straight back and straight through and being sure to get the weight shift through to the target before striking the ball
I am not concerned about distance, only keeping out of the right hand rough.
Cheers
Richard Attwood
hi don i have been following and trying your golf instructions they work well with the irons but having trouble with the 3 and 5 woods of the fairway can you help i am 73years old and play of 15 hcp allthough i have played of lower hcp
To answer Garrie’s question:
I hit my driver about 230 or so. I hit my 5 wood 200 yards. My record drive was with a laminated 3 wood (325 yards in 1972). For a long time I used a 4 wood off the tee because I couldn’t hit a driver. When I took up golf again 3 years ago, I started to use a driver.
I don’t think my iron distance has changed much (I hit a 7 iron 165 when I was 21; however I used to hit a 4 iron close to 200 – it was my “fairway wood”). I changed from stiff shafts to regular 3 years ago.
The big difference is I have a deadly short game. My average golf score for a standard 6500 yard course is 88. On my fave exec course, I had 7 pars in 9 holes a couple weeks ago (it is a par 34).
A lot of people scoff at my setup – the so-called “Old Geezer” setup. I beat a lot of people with $2000 Taylor Made golf sets and have fun doing so.