My Swing v. The “Right” Swing

For my birthday, I got a gift card for some golf lessons at any one of our really good community golf courses. Now, at my age, I’m not sure that I don’t know more about my golf swing than I want to know. Is it “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks” or “You’re never too old to learn.”

Anyway, I met Golf Pro Akers at the Lake Whitney Golf Course and after we had exchanged some greetings, he dropped a ball, had me take out my six iron and said, “OK, line up with the ball between your feet.” Then he said, “Take the club back without breaking your wrists.” This went on with him telling me the “correct” way to stand, to move, and to swing. After about 15 minutes, I put my six iron back in the bag, said “Thank you” and walked away leaving Golf Pro Akers wondering what had happened.

I retrieved my gift card from the cashier and drove over to the Deer Park Golf Course. Golf Pro Canale met me at the range. He told me to take out my six iron and he dropped some balls and said, “Hit ‘em.” After a few strokes, he said, “Take the club back on the inside a little bit.” I did and it felt good. We went through some other clubs. Each time he had me hit a few and then made positive adjustments in my stance and swing.

It was a good learning experience for me and I thanked Golf Pro Canale for his help.

Golf Pro Akers had the “correct” golf swing, the swing he had developed to teach to everyone and he was changing my swing to that swing. Golf Pro Canale had me keep my natural swing and made adjustments, relative to that swing, so that I got better results.

Thought - Provoking: Look up Jim Furyk on your computer. He has been considered to have the most unusual golf swing ever in the pro ranks. He has won 29 professional tournaments in 17 years and is still playing and winning in the PGA Tour Champions. He is still using his “natural” swing. His net worth is estimated at $60 million dollars.

The pertinent question is: If you had been his high school or college coach would you have “standardized” his swing?

For the fun of it, look up The Fosbury Flop.