Ducky O'Toole
PGA Golf Professional
DNA Golf
Carmel, CA
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Insight from Ducky O'Toole on Backswing.com:
Proper footwork can eliminate flipping & scooping
Posted on: 10 Apr 2024
Flipping and/or scooping is generally caused by improper footwork. Fix your foot pressure, shoulder turn and pivot and you can begin to release the club properly. The ‘fix’ requires loading/transferring your weight to the heel of your trail foot in your backswing as you turn away from your target and then pivoting to your lead […]
Mindfulness
Posted on: 27 Mar 2024
The mythical and magical quality of golf is in the imagination of every golfer. Freedom to dream and the courage to swing both make golf possible. As in life, what you decide should be inspired. Golf provides that opportunity, to hold a golf club, imagine a shot and feel the stroke required. Instruction has evolved […]
Better Bunker Play
Posted on: 07 Mar 2022
Common misunderstandings about greenside bunker play include the swing required, the angle of attack and the angle of the shaft and clubface at impact. Choosing the correct club for you is important. More loft for short shots, less loft for long shots is the general rule. In order to execute a proper bunker shot, practice […]
Pre-shot Routine
Posted on: 12 Jan 2022
For all golfers, from beginners and high-handicappers to low handicappers and professionals, developing a good and consistent pre-shot routine can eliminate unintended random shots. Aim is the first step. If you aim well you are already halfway to a good shot. If you aim well you send a positive message to your brain that will […]
Short Game Magic
Posted on: 02 Oct 2020
There are 3 rules for choosing a short game shot, 1) Putt whenever you can, 2) Chip when you can’t putt, and 3) Only pitch when you have to. The decision to select one of the short game shots depends on the situation. The biggest mistake most amateurs make is automatically reaching for a lofted […]
Aim your feet (toe line) and shoulders (for a right-handed golfer) to the right of the target and aim your club-face at the target.
Posted on: 10 Sep 2020
When you need to intentionally draw the ball, simply aim your feet (toe line) and shoulders (for a right-handed golfer) to the right of the target and aim your club-face at the target. Your club-head path should parallel your toe line. Take your normal swing and you should see the ball curve from right to […]
Trust your speed
Posted on: 20 Aug 2020
Speed control may be the first and most important element in being a good putter. Good putters are usually good at judging speed. And some great putters were just born that way. If you were not blessed with that skillset, here is a simple drill to help you develop speed control. On the practice green, […]
Play Golf with your Friends
Posted on: 27 Jul 2020
The best way for Juniors to be inspired is to play golf with their friends. Learning to play the great game of golf is just better with your buddies. What better learning environment than boys and girls together, playing games and learning golf skills without even knowing it. Just pure play! The fun is what […]
Relaxation and Concentration
Posted on: 16 Jul 2020
Mental control of your golf game is a developmental process. It starts with having fun playing the game. That does not mean you have to be good to enjoy the game but it helps. A simple mantra that best describes playing the game of golf is that golf is a game of total relaxation, then […]
With the quality and development of golf instruction, technology and fitness training, player development is out of sight.
Posted on: 11 Jan 2020
Not only is it a good thing, it is inevitable. With the quality and development of golf instruction, technology and fitness training, player development is out of sight. You are witnessing the new normal. Expect this to continue as more and more golfers believe they can do it!
The Orange Whip
Posted on: 16 Jul 2019
While there are multiple effective full swing training aids, I like the orange whip. The orange whip provides a feeling of lag for both the backswing and forward swing as well as an awareness of the timing and rhythm necessary for a proper full swing.