Teaching Junior Golfers

 I always get asked when is it a good time to start kids playing golf.  My answer is always the same, when they show interest.  Kids learn much quicker than adults.  They follow the program of show me and I'll copy you.  However, there are some very important basics they must learn.  I make it a point to always make sure they have a good grip and stance.  When they swing I want the club swinging up over their right shoulder in the backswing and then over the left shoulder in the through swing.  Balance is very key as well. 
Below is a link to my latest article in the September issue of Avid Golfer.  It goes more in depth about what's necessary to getting juniors started.  BTW, the model in the pictures is my 9 year old son Carson.  Can you tell he's a Rickie Fowler fan. 

Teaching Juniors

Teaching Review

Rick Arnett is the Vice President of Avid Golfer Magazine based in Dallas, Texas.  Each month he writes a column for them called Wayward Shots.  He approached me about taking a few lessons and then writing a review about the experience.  I was 'game' and looked forward to the challenge.
Rick had not had any formal instruction in a long time.  His game was slipping but wasn't keen on going through the agony some golfers face in adjusting his swing.  He took three lessons from me over a 3 week period and the results were very impressive.  Below is Rick's article in the September issue of Avid Golfer.
Check it out!!

Teaching Review of Tim Cusick

IonLoop - A New Association

I've recently partnered with IonLoop to help promote their product.  IonLoop is a magnetic sports bracelet designed to increase the amount of negative ions throughout your body.  In nature, negative ions are created from plants, trees, oceans and rain.  Being around these settings gives you the appearance of a lighter mood, better concentration, stress management and quicker sports recovery.  IonLoop has created a sports bracelet, using earth's magnets, the most powerful magnets available to give you access to the benefit of negative ions.  The very fashion foward bracelets are comfortable, stylish and come nine different vibrant colors.

Have a look at their enhanced website.

IonLoop Website

Using Drills in My Teaching

Over the years I've been very guarded in giving students drills to improve their games.  Instead I would have them practice their swing in a mirror hilighting the areas they needed to improve.  To this day, I still follow this practice.  However, I do have a few drills that I find very beneficial to improvement.
Below is a link to my August article in Avid Golfer.  I've outlined the drills I feel are best for improvement.

AG Article - Drills for improvement

A Quick Lesson

Below is a video, from my youtube channel timcusickgolf, of a quick lesson with Stacy Hardin, one of our fantastic employees at the Four Seasons Resort and Club and a very good golfer as well. 
Her issue tends to be her impact.  In the video I address what areas can improve to help her impact as well as giving her a game plan for a difficult shot. 

A Quick Lesson

Bare Lies

When faced with a bare lie, the impact is paramount.  You must make solid contact or else the distance is drastically decreased.  I focus on the ball slightly back in the stance with my hands forward, wristcock in the backswing and then letting the leading edge of the club make contact with the ground and ball at them same time.  For the exacution of this scenario view the video clip below from my youtube channel, timcusickgolf.

Bare Lies Video

Tough Lies

Golf can be cruel sometimes.  For example, you hit a nice drive in the middle of the fairway with a short iron left to the green.  As you approach the ball you notice it's landed in a sandy divot.  Tough break but you have to deal with it.  First, you must not let it effect you mentally.  Deal with the scenario and come up with a game plan.  You must make contact with the ball first.  So, play it similar to a fairway bunker shot.
Below is an instructional video clip from my youtube channel, timcusickgolf, that describes the execution of the this difficult shot.

Sandy Divot Lie 

Germany Trip

Returned a few days ago from a teaching trip in Berlin and Hamburg, Germany.  I've been making at least one trip a year to Germany since 2000.  The main focus is doing small teaching seminars for golf professionals in the country to help improve their games and teaching skills.  As well, we've devised a new program where the golf professional brings a student with them and I'll help set the game plan for that student with the instructors input.  This allows the instructor an opportunity to cement the relationship with that student. 

I've always been very impressed with the facilities when I go to in Germany.  They're very expansive and have fabulous provisions for the inclement weather.  The covered hitting stalls and enclosed teaching huts are really top notch. 

This past trip I visited Berlin for two days and then on to Hamburg for another two days.  In Berlin, both golf courses were on the East side of the city.  So, as you head down the highway you pass under what's left of 'The Wall.'  It looks to be a structure that was a look-out point.  A very surreal reminder of how it was just a short time ago. 

Paul Archbold was the host professional at Seddiner See GC and Gregor Tilch hosted at Gross Kienetz GC.  Both facilities were very nice and accomodating.  Seddiner See greeted me with summer like conditions while the next day felt like the first day of fall at Gross Kienetz. 

After the second seminar it was a short train ride up to Hamburg to see my good friend Christian Kirchner who's the main teacher at Gut Kaden GC.  Christian and I have taught together for about 15 years.  He's one of the best in Germany and hosted to very nice teaching seminars. 

The final day at Gut Kaden allowed me to wear a long sleeve shirt, sweater vest, sweater and jacket.  And I wasn't too hot.  Coming from the inferno in Dallas, Texas it was a very enjoyable feeling. 

Many thanks to my hosts Paul, Gregor, the Berlin PGA and Christian for their time and effort.  It's always good to pass on the knowledge you've acquired to allow someone else a chance for more success. 

Power

Power in golf is a wonderful thing.  But it doesn't always come from just muscles.  Flexibility, technique and speed are very necessary to create power. 

Below is a instructional clip from my youtube channel, timcusickgolf, that outlines how to increase your power.

Power