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

Matt Gilchrest Wins AJGA in San Antonio

Southlake, Tx soon to be Senior Matt Gilchrest captured the AJGA Genesis Shoot-out presented by Valero Texas Open this past week.  The win makes it back to back for Gilchrest as he won the same event in 2011.  With scores of 70-67-70 his 9-under par total is the best 54 hole score he's ever posted.
Matt credited his solid iron play and ability to get the ball up and down for the keys to his victory.
Matt and I have been working together for 5 years.  He's verbally committed to Auburn University.  Next up for Gilchrest is the 36 hole qualifier Monday at Timarron CC for the US Amateur Qualifier.

Scoring Recap

July AG Article - Driving the Ball

Driving the golf ball well makes the game of golf alot easier.  To be a consistently good driver of the ball you must have the proper angle of attack, clubface and clubpath.  When one of these mechanics gets out of whack shots start flying crooked.
In the July issue of Avid Golfer I detail why these three areas are so important.  Check it out!

Driving the Golf Ball

June Avid Golfer Article - Working the Teebox to your Favor

18 times a round you have access to 'ball in hand.'  Similar to a scratch in pool you can position yourself, within the rules, where you like on the teebox.  Taking advantage of the proper angles you may just give yourself more green or fairway to shoot at.  My latest article in Avid Golfer Magazine details the advantages you have on the teebox.

Working the Teebox to your Favor

May Avid Golfer - Pitching/Sand Play

The pitching and sand motions are very similar.  Both require the bounce of the club to hit the ground at impact.  One shot you make contact with the ball and one you don't.  Ball position varies slightly between the two shots.
Attached is a link to my most recent article in Avid Golfer Magazine.  Check it out for a more detailed description at improving these two shots.

Avid Golfer - May issue

Chunky Shots

Nothing is worse than to have a short chip, around the green, and chunk it.  Obviously, you hit the ground first when this occurs.  Here's a few things to focus on to avoid this embarrassing shot.

1.  Make sure the ball isn't too far forward.
2.  Create some wristcock in the backswing and retain it in the downswing.
3.  Have the club swinging down the plane not underneath it.
4.  Allow your lower body to turn through the shot as the club swings through.
5.  Lead with the left arm and hand.

Watch this short video for a more complete explanation on curing the chunks.

Chunk Shots