Insight from Nick Duffy on Backswing.com:
It’s all dangerous
Posted on: 22 Feb 2022
This is a loaded question, I’ve seen good advice of identifying what is wrong with a poor correction. I’ve also seen people trying to fix the effect not the cause a swing issues.
I’ve had two main mentors in golf Kevin Smeltz and Sean Foley
Posted on: 12 Jan 2022
Two very intelligent mentors with very different styles. Kevin is way more laid back and understated. Foley is more flashy and telling life lessons while instructing. Both have taught major champions and have been very successful instructors.
It’s an effect
Posted on: 19 Nov 2021
So in golf you normally have a fault and there is an error that breaks the chain down the line. A lot of the time people don’t make long term fixes since they are trying to change the effect not the cause. For example if I’m hitting it fat, it might be from a steep […]
It All Depends
Posted on: 20 Sep 2021
So, when it comes to decision making off the tee the goal should always be to hit the ball as far as possible while avoiding hazards. Most scratch golfers I coach will hit 3 wood off the tee only when driver distance will get them trouble or the shot shape with 3 word fits the […]
Yes and No
Posted on: 16 Aug 2021
This is one of those it depends answer. If you want to have a similar ball flight yes the path and face numbers should be similar. If you want to hit a different pattern it might change. Also the feel might be different but actually look the same. In a perfect world there shouldn’t be […]
At Least Stretch
Posted on: 03 Aug 2021
For my junior golfers looking to play college golf or my college players fitness in golf is not an option. I’m partnered with Vault Performance who help assess my players and build a plan for them. For my clients who have full time jobs and struggle to even get time playing golf. I want them […]
Yes You Can
Posted on: 26 Jul 2021
I 100% believe you can increase speed without losing accuracy. Most amateurs would be better served starting with better contact and face to path improvement. From there adding more speed will improve distance greatly.
Do it right and less often
Posted on: 28 Jun 2021
The biggest difference for am and juniors in club fitting is the amount of change a junior can go through. If you have a big clubhead speed increase or junior growth then you need new clubs and fitting. If not much has changed in your swing or game you can wait. The biggest issue most […]
Match Up Your Grip
Posted on: 28 May 2021
The grip is a very important part of the golf and instruction. The grip is your connection to the club and is important for controlling the club face. Grip changes should be made when 1- you can’t hinge or rotate the club due to your grip 2- your grip doesn’t match how your release 3 […]
Steep Top
Posted on: 10 May 2021
The dreaded steep top, that’s a shot where a player hits the top of the ball due to the swing direction being so left and steep (for a right handed golfer). The clubs low point ends up being well in front of the ball especially with longer clubs. A good way to fix or improve […]
Bryson Part 2
Posted on: 06 Apr 2021
I think he learned from his last trip to Augusta. He will be ready for the challenge and ready to win it.
Friction is the key
Posted on: 01 Apr 2021
Long story short friction is how we get a ball to spin on the green. You can increase friction by adding speed and not letting (water, grass or dirt) get in the way. You do this by having clean grooves and newer grooves. The technique to add spin is setting up fairly neutral hitting a […]
Use Your Time Wisely
Posted on: 19 Mar 2021
For most amateur’s time is a big issue, they need to have a good plan on how practice when they get the time. Most amateur’s I coach need to improve their pivot (rotate in their tilt better) and get a wider / more out hand path going to the top. I believe they can do […]
Loft Up
Posted on: 04 Mar 2021
In the deep rough loft is your friend. No matter what distance you may have the first objection should be getting the ball back in play first. Then after that you can focus on hitting closer to a target. So the order of operation should be what can I get out of this lie, how […]
Harbour Town Golf
Posted on: 22 Feb 2021
My favorite hole is 18 at Harbour Town Golf Links, it’s a picturesque hole. The hole can play very different from day to day based upon the wind coming of the sound. One of my favorite holes and plays difficult on the PGA Tour as well.
Visio
Posted on: 04 Feb 2021
I my favorite putting aids are items that don’t guide the putter but build awareness. I tend to use tees or coins for visual aids. My favorite aid to buy in a store is the Visio putting Mat. It’s a great template for the face to path relationship and also a great way to see […]
Pick Your Poison
Posted on: 27 Jan 2021
The best way to describe a good fairway bunker shot is one that gets out and travels to a safer spot. Trying to be a hero or hitting a perfect shot isn’t a great goal. I always like to pick and order of how to play these shots. 1- Can I get this club over […]
Practice Makes Permanent
Posted on: 23 Nov 2020
My advice for all my players is to always hit punch and 3/4 shots in practice. This normally has a few benefits for timing and contact help. The other side of this is always having a shot to hit in windy weather.
Bombs Away
Posted on: 09 Nov 2020
If Bryson drives the ball well he is hard to beat. The way Bryson has been playing golf recently and the lines he will pick off the tee will be tested fully. If he is driving it well not many people can keep up with him.
Mirror and Short Club
Posted on: 04 Nov 2020
When it’s getting too cold or the time change interferes with your practice use a short club and mirror. If you get in the habit of swinging twenty swings a day in a mirror working on your setup and swing feels. You can make some changes and be very productive without the ball flight interfering […]
K.I.S.S.
Posted on: 02 Oct 2020
Keep it simple stupid ( K.I.S.S.) is used often and almost a cliche by now but very good when it comes to playing around the greens. I’ve seen too many players with low point issues or the yips trying to use the bounce on a simple chip. I would rather see more amateurs putt the […]
Two in a Row?
Posted on: 16 Sep 2020
I like Colin Morikawa to win, he’s played well on tough courses this year and is one of the best ball strikers out there. If Colin gets the putter rolling he’s hard to beat that was the difference maker at the PGA Championship.
Change Your Face
Posted on: 10 Sep 2020
For an amateur swing more in to out is difficult. A lot of the time the bigger issue is an overly open clubface at impact. For the average golfer if you learn to square or close the face first you can still hit a draw without coming from the inside, you just need to aim […]
Distance Control is the Key
Posted on: 20 Aug 2020
Lag putting and distance control are the best way to cut down three putts. If you are leaving yourself outside of 3 feet for your 2nd putt odds are not in your favor of 2 putting. I would work on grouping balls from 20-30-40 feet then work on 3-5 foot putts.
Self Discovery
Posted on: 24 Jul 2020
It depends a lot on the students age and where they are in their development. If you have a pretty standard junior golfer, I like an environment with open space for them to be creative and learn from competing. Learning to hit shots while competing helps the junior learn faster than hitting the same shot […]
Make it Yours
Posted on: 16 Jul 2020
Whenever you are warming up for a tournament you should be working on shots you will encounter on the course and your go to shot. This always gives you a safety blanket before you play. If you find yourself working on your swing this is no the time. You need to use what you have […]
Enjoy the Challenge
Posted on: 15 May 2020
The first tee nerves aren’t a bad thing they just mean you care. If you learn to focus on what your’re trying to do and not on all the trouble. Once you start to master this it becomes fun to embrace the challenge and enjoy succeeding under pressure.
Relationships
Posted on: 22 Apr 2020
Since the pandemic started to shut down everything, I’ve not coached in person like I use to. I’ve been meeting with players on Zoom, giving FaceTime lessons, and also using various apps. For most of my players I’m trying to switch over to the Golf Stats Coach app. The combining of stats and swing videos […]
Still Coaching
Posted on: 10 Apr 2020
I’m still able to coach in Orlando just limiting the number of students and taking precautions. We’re not touching flags and wiping down carts
GC Quad
Posted on: 03 Mar 2020
GC Quad is a great alternative but also comes with it’s differences much like Flightscope and Trackman.
I think it's a great thing for golf, it introduces fans to a variety of new young players.
Posted on: 11 Jan 2020
I think it’s a great thing for golf, it introduces fans to a variety of new young players. One of these players will end up winning majors and get new golfers introduced to the game.
Tiger Woods, he’s grown the game better than anybody in recent history.
Posted on: 09 Dec 2019
Tiger Woods, he’s grown the game better than anybody in recent history.
CoachNow is the best for simplicity and ease.
Posted on: 10 Oct 2019
CoachNow is the best for simplicity and ease.
I use ball flight technology more for getting distances and dialing land angles these days.
Posted on: 26 Sep 2019
I use ball flight technology more for getting distances and dialing land angles these days. From using it pretty heavily over the years, my eye has improved, but if I ever question what I’m seeing I’ll for sure double check it.
The Stock Tour Swing by Tyler Ferrell is one of my favorite golf books.
Posted on: 11 Sep 2019
The Stock Tour Swing by Tyler Ferrell is one of my favorite golf books. Loaded with drills and anatomy lessons for better understanding of complex motions.
The amount of golf you play, the weather, and other factors like sunscreen all contribute to the need to change them.
Posted on: 14 Aug 2019
Lamkin suggests changing your grips every 40 rounds or once a year. The amount of golf you play, the weather, and other factors like sunscreen all contribute to the need to change them. Getting in the habit of changing them once a year before your season starts helps.
TPC Sawgrass
Posted on: 07 Aug 2019
TPC Sawgrass is my favorite public course I’ve played. The experience of playing a course that you’ve watched on tv since you were a kid makes it a great experience. So much history and the new sub air golf course system helps the course play dry with summer rain.
...make sure ball position is more forward, weight not too far forward and the club face too shut.
Posted on: 29 Jul 2019
Not enough height while pitching around the green is not something you encounter that often from a player with a good setup. I will always start with that make sure ball position is more forward, weight not too far forward and the club face too shut. If all that looks good then I use a […]
A Pool Noodle and Alignment Stick
Posted on: 16 Jul 2019
My favorite training for full swing is a pool noodle and alignment stick. You can use these aids for a variety of ways but my favorite is to use them for building a practice station. You can tailor it for many different issues and the fix for them.