Insight from Brian Powers on Backswing.com:
I’d have to say that my favorite golf gadgets are the laser rangefinders
Posted on: 28 Oct 2021
I’d have to say that my favorite golf gadgets are the laser rangefinders because they give you very accurate yardage readings, they really help speed up the pace of play and they make each round that much more enjoyable! I recommend that every avid golfer buy one. It’s way worth the one time investment. Just […]
Pre Shot Routine! Pre Shot Routine! Pre Shot Routine!
Posted on: 04 Oct 2021
Yes, having a sound and efficient pre shot routine that is simple and easy to repeat is so important, especially to also find the proper full swing address position. Any golfer (on the course) should always approach any shot (not just full swings) from directly behind the ball (with my three step process): Pick your […]
Situational Strategies
Posted on: 20 Sep 2021
3 wood off the tee is oftentimes not a bad idea. I wouldn’t say you should always hit it instead of your driver (except in situations where you just cannot find control and accuracy with your driver). Most of the time 3 wood off the tee is appropriate when driver is just too much club. […]
Putting Better
Posted on: 03 Sep 2021
When it comes to anything green side, it’s essential to always be very creative. With regards to putting, you should also be extremely creative, even in terms of creating your own drills (probably only if you’re an experienced golfer at around a 15 handicap or better) that you may think are effective. Putting is also […]
Minute Differences
Posted on: 18 Aug 2021
There are some pros that teach that the driver and iron swings are quite different and there are some pros that teach they are quite the same. The truth is that you really should have the same swing with every club. However, there are some minute differences between the iron swing and the driver swing. […]
Don’t Be A Punk!
Posted on: 03 Aug 2021
Fitness in golf can sometimes work to give you a competitive edge, that is if you work the right muscle groups. I really like to (also have my students) focus on opposite hand and arm strength, as the swing is an opposite hand and arm swing. Forearm raises and wrist curls (especially with the opposite […]
Full Swing Alignment
Posted on: 12 Jul 2021
When it comes to alignment, a lot of people are really misinformed. They think it’s to aim “just their feet” directly at the target, when in actuality it’s to aim your feet, knees, hips and shoulders “parallel left of the target” so when you reach with the club to make your swing you’re actually aiming […]
The Golf Grip Is No Philosophy!
Posted on: 28 May 2021
The golf grip is no philosophy. Any qualified and trained instructor should know these facts with regards to the golf grip. First, the grip has the most influential effect on club face angle at impact, which determines how the ball curves or does not curve in the air. However, there is a correct way to […]
K.I.S.S. Fix
Posted on: 10 May 2021
The topped shot is a very common mistake amongst many amateur golfers, especially those new to the game. I’ve seen all too many (so called) pros try to fix their students with all the wrong answers, trying to make it this hugely complicated issue to fix the problem, when the answer is really super simple […]
A Couple Big Common Issues
Posted on: 14 Apr 2021
Here are the 2 most common problems I see with beginner golfers. The first is the slice. It is a common problem amongst many beginners because most beginner golfers don’t usually know how to grip the club properly, which has a direct affect on club face angle through impact and side spin. The second most […]
2 of 5 Important Factors
Posted on: 01 Apr 2021
There are 4 fundamentals to a good setup position that every golf pro should teach. They are grip, alignment, posture and ball position, which we could discuss in more detail if you contact me. But, I like to add a fifth, which is distance from the ball. There are 2 (of these 5 fundamentals) that […]
3 Drills I’ve Used Before
Posted on: 19 Mar 2021
*Here are 3 great drills below (that I have used many times before) to teach my students how to improve their backswings.* 1. The Full Length Mirror Drill: It really helps to see the positions you’re in while you make them so that the next time you have to repeat that correct position over the […]
Know Your Limitations.
Posted on: 10 Mar 2021
When it comes to escaping deep rough (or even any bad lie for that matter), it’s good (especially for amateurs) to always remember this one really important piece of advice. That is, the worse the lie the more the loft. In other words, the worse your lie is, you should pick a more and more […]
Keep It Simple
Posted on: 05 Feb 2021
To maintain a stable club face through impact, there are many opinions amongst many good players as to how to do just that. Some promote the opposite hand low method. Others promote the claw grip or long putters, etc. Any way you look at it, the purpose of all of these methods is to maintain […]
Evaluate / Strategize / Execute
Posted on: 27 Jan 2021
For many amateurs, escaping a bunker can be a really scary thing. But it really doesn’t have to be if you know how to approach the shot. Let’s just clear up one thing first. There is one major difference between escaping a green side bunker and a fairway bunker. In a green side bunker you […]
2 Techniques That I Like
Posted on: 09 Dec 2020
There are a couple of good full swing drills that I like which help well with full swing alignment. One, you can always lie down an iron on the ground (pointing at your target) when you’re hitting balls on the range. Then line up your feet, knees, hips and shoulders on that same line to […]
Hit Longer Clubs Shorter Distances
Posted on: 23 Nov 2020
Playing in the wind is a creative art form, oftentimes of just making your best guesses. But, there are proven strategies that are effective. A good method for many is that for every 10 mph wind, club up or down 1 club depending on if you’re playing into the wind or downwind. I think the […]
Get Creative
Posted on: 04 Nov 2020
Here are a few good ideas for improving your game indoors when the cold weather approaches. 1) Buy a putting mat to work on those short putts 2) practice your swing in front of a full length mirror and 3) plan out your strategy for each hole of the golf courses you regularly play so […]
Once You Groove A Swing
Posted on: 28 Oct 2020
You shouldn’t get custom fit for clubs until you’ve actually grooved a somewhat efficient swing, hitting the ball consistently in the air with distance and somewhat straight. Experience isn’t quite as important as long as you can hit the ball somewhat efficiently, since everybody learns at a different pace.
A Few Factors
Posted on: 08 Oct 2020
I see a lot of beginners who top the ball and catch it thin a lot. I always tell them that this is a lot of times not such a swing issue, but rather a simple matter of just hitting the ground solid more consistently through impact by returning the club head to where it […]
The Feel Shots
Posted on: 02 Oct 2020
I get asked all of the time. How do you hit those 50, 60, or 70 yard pitch shots? Well, my answer to those students is that they’re feel shots. But, don’t get confused on that because feel can be taught, especially with those types of feel shots. It’s about doing your math. For example […]
A Few Different Ways
Posted on: 10 Sep 2020
There are a few different ways to work the ball. Some golfers are conventional in their approach and others are not so conventional. The conventional ways (that I endorse) to hit a draw include strengthening your grip and closing the club face. But, I’ve found from my personal experience (which may be more unconventional) that […]
Sandpiper In Santa Barbara, CA
Posted on: 27 Aug 2020
In my opinion, the best bang for your buck public golf course that is both fun and challenging (which I’ve had the pleasure to have played a number of times) is Sandpiper in Santa Barbara, CA. You get the bang for your buck because of the awesome beauty (as many of the holes are right […]
Several Proven Methods
Posted on: 20 Aug 2020
There are several proven methods for eliminating 3 putts. The first one I want to talk about is developing feel and distance control from much practice and trial and error. Most people who often three putt are usually lacking in this area and need to especially practice on the practice putting green before their round […]
Centeredness Of Contact
Posted on: 14 Aug 2020
Most people think in order to get more distance you have to swing harder or be some extreme physical specimen. But, they often forget that when you make a more efficient move at the ball you will catch the sweet spot more often, which automatically results in more distance without having to exert any extra […]
It Depends On The Junior Golfer.
Posted on: 24 Jul 2020
I think my ideal learning environment for junior golfers depends on the junior golfer and their skill level and goals in golf. If I have a junior with a lot of talent who wants to play college or pro golf, I would recommend that they take private individual range/short game lessons with playing lessons and […]
More Mental Than Physical
Posted on: 16 Jul 2020
My ideal pre round warm up (especially before a tournament) is usually more mental than it is physical, as (before the round) I usually like to get a yardage book of the course or have played a practice round so I can strategically plan my attack to each hole before I get there. I like […]
The Naked Eye
Posted on: 04 Mar 2020
Don’t get me wrong, I think technology can be great, but oftentimes it confuses students more than helping them, as their minds get flooded with swing thoughts and they can get paralysis from analysis. If you really have a good teaching pro that keeps it simple and knows swing fundamentals along with ball flight laws, […]
It shows that anybody can win anytime and that the tour isn’t just being dominated by only a few good players that win every week.
Posted on: 11 Jan 2020
I believe having new blood in the winners circle is a good thing for golf because it shows that anybody can win anytime and that the tour isn’t just being dominated by only a few good players that win every week. It also shows the strength of the whole tour that if you earn your […]
My favorite player on tour for a little while has been Rickie Fowler.
Posted on: 09 Dec 2019
My favorite player on tour for a little while has been Rickie Fowler. He’s a good guy who has had a solid career so far and has some serious style and personality. Style and personality always go a long way with me.
It’s always good to just ask them before they start with you
Posted on: 07 Nov 2019
With regards to physical limitations with your students, it’s always good to just ask them before they start with you (as an instructor) if they have any physical limitations you should know about. Then, adjust the lessons to adapt to those limitations accordingly. There are tests you can do to determine flexibility for example though. […]
With regards to ball flight technology during lessons, I try to keep things pretty simple for my students
Posted on: 26 Sep 2019
With regards to ball flight technology during lessons, I try to keep things pretty simple for my students as most people we teach are beginners. So, I may show a student the difference in spin between a Titleist pro v1 and a Pinnacle or some other hard (low spin) ball in the short game area […]
I wasn’t much of a fan of the new format
Posted on: 04 Sep 2019
I wasn’t much of a fan of the new format as I think in every tournament each player should start with the same score regardless of fed ex cup points. I don’t think it made it more fun for the fans either.
Once you’re hitting the ball consistently in the air with distance and can make a few pars when you play, then maybe you might want to get fit and upgrade to something nicer.
Posted on: 19 Aug 2019
I personally think one of the best ways for a new player to start their new club search is on Craigslist or at your local Roger Dunn Golf Shop because when you’re starting out you don’t need any fancy clubs. You can find good used sets at both of these places and a used set […]
When the grips have lost that tackiness and/or are moving in your hands when you swing.
Posted on: 14 Aug 2019
There’s no real timeline for how often you should get your clubs regripped. It just depends on how much you use your clubs and how tacky or torn up the grips are. You really want to regrip your clubs when the grips have lost that tackiness and/or are moving in your hands when you swing.
Sandpiper Golf Course in Santa Barbara, CA
Posted on: 06 Aug 2019
The best public golf course I’ve had the pleasure of playing is Sandpiper Golf Course in Santa Barbara, CA. With majestic ocean views and several holes right next to the water it is a must play if you’re ever in the Santa Barbara area and looking for an awesome golf experience. It’s also no walk […]
The Swing Whistle
Posted on: 16 Jul 2019
My favorite full swing training aid is a simple and cheap device that gives great feedback. It’s called the swing whistle and most anyone can buy one. It’s a small device that attaches to the shaft of your golf club and makes a whistling noise when you release the club in the downswing. It tells […]