My latest instruction article in Avid Golfer centers around what's important with putting.  Consistent distance and direction allow you to become better at putting which translates to lower scores.  Below the entire article details how to improve both aspects.

November Article - Avid Golfer

 

Matt Gilchrest - AJGA All American

Congratulations to Matt Gilchrest, from Southlake, Texas on being named to the AJGA All American Team.  Matt received Honarable Mention All American status last week after winning three AJGA events in a row this past summer.  Matt has verbally committed to Auburn University where he'll be a Freshman next fall. 

October AG Article - Fairway Bunkers

Sand creates havoc in many golfers minds.  One time you're not making contact with the ball and another time you're not.  It gets confusing.  This month's Avid Golfer article is about fairway bunkers.  Making contact with the ball is paramount for a successful fairway bunker shot.  Some subtle adjustments at address and during the swing can improve your success ratio on this difficult shot.  Below is a link to the article.  Check it out!

October 2012 AG - Fairway Bunkers

September AG - Fix the Banana Ball

The article linked below is my latest piece in Avid Golfer Magazine.  It's designed to help golfers understand why they slice and how to go about fixing it.  Ultimately, a slice comes from an open clubface at impact or a clubface that's in the processing of opening.  Compensations appear when a golfer has a curvature problem.  When they miss with a slice the compensations tend to be a stronger grip, a swing angled in the opposite direction of the slice as well as their aim in the opposite direction.  Have a read to get the 'rest of the story.'

September AG - Fix the Banana Ball

On a Roll!

Camille Enright is a determined girl who has made a habit out of whipping up on the competition.  The incoming HS Freshman has owned the TJGT Tour 12-14 yr old division in 2012.  So far she has five 1st place, two 2nd place and a 4th place finish for the year.  Her scoring average is 77 but recently it has been much lower.  This past week she shot 76-73 to win the TJGT event in Spring, Texas.  This victory included girls up to 18 years old.
Today's competition was the 1st round of qualifying for the Plano West Golf Team.  She went out and shot 69 and is leading the qualifying by 11 shots!  The future is very bright for Camille.

This kid is good!

Soon to be Senior in High School Matt Gilchrest is on quite a roll in the last four weeks.  It started with a repeat win at the AJGA in San Antonio.  He followed up that with a co-medalist performance at the US Amateur Qualifier.  Matt then travelled north with me to play in the Northern Amateur.  The day before the practice round Matt and I went out to play a local course called The Brassie.  From the tips, he shot a course record 66.  I got beat by 10!  The Northern Am had a field of 90 with over 70 players being Division 1 college golfers.  Matt finished in a tie for 15th place.
Back in Texas he won the AJGA at Austin Country Club for his second AJGA in a row.  This week he played in the AJGA at Timarron CC, a course just outside of Dallas.  With scores of 68-70-62 Matt won by a whopping 9 shots.  Yes, that's right, 62 in the final round with a 3-putt!  The round was a competitive course record.  That's two course records in 3 weeks.
Through this stretch he has played these rounds in an incredible 42 under par.  Just off the charts great golf.  Tomorrow he leaves for a big one, the US Amateur at Cherry Hills CC in Denver, Colorado.  My only hope is that he still has some gas left in the tank.  It's been a fantastic ride.

AJGA Timarron recap

A proper golf swing blends the hands/arm swing with the correct body movement from start to finish.  How your shoulders turn throughout the swing plays a big part.  You can either turn your shoulders on the correct axis that matches your set-up, turn too flat or too steep.  My August article in Avid Golfer goes into the specifics of getting this key movement right. 

August AG Article - Shoulder to Shoulder