The Tour Striker Post: July 2011

Friday, July 29, 2011

Re: Thanks for the lesson

D, nice playing!

You can feel the gentle push of the right arm at all times. My right arm is always pushing (lifeline of right hand onto left thumb) even at address. At address, my right shoulder is lower than my left shoulder allowing my right elbow to be bent yet still keeping the gentle push on the left thumb.

Don't bend the right arm with the right arm:)

Cheers and keep up the good work.

Martin Chuck, PGA | Tour Striker Training Products | Tour Striker Golf Academy | www.tourstriker.com | C 541.948.2480

Sent from my smart phone

----- Reply message -----
From: "Darin/HQ4SPORTS" <ddavis@hq4sports.com>
To: "Martin Chuck" <martinchuck@pga.com>
Subject: Thanks for the lesson
Date: Fri, Jul 29, 2011 9:56 am

Martin  A follow up on the concept of pushing the right arm out to get the left arm straight which will limit my backswing length... When does this happen? I was working on it this morning and I think I am getting the feel of it. I just kept the feel of keeping the right arm straight during take away and into the backswing. Both arms seemed fairly straight until about parallel to the ground. Is this ok or should I feel a push of the right arm at the beginning takeaway...  Side note. Shot my personal best at woodlands from the blue tees... 79 which included 3 consecutive 3 puts on GIR's. On that course it was 81 from the whites.  Thanks again.  Darin D On Jul 27, 2011, at 9:26 AM, Martin Chuck <martinchuck@pga.com> wrote:  > Darin, that is awesome. You were an excellent student! I could tell you were soaking in comments and trying to get it into your personal language. Keep working on "educating" those hands on the short shots and the long shots will take care of themselves.  >  > Here's the link to you lesson wrap up: http://www.box.net/shared/static/q210cjst79yatkqss2d9.mp4 >  > Looking forward to seeing you in a month or so. >  > Cheers, >  > Martin Chuck, PGA | Inventor - Tour Striker Training Products | Instructor - The Tour Striker Golf Academy at Sunriver Resort | C 541.948.2480 | martin@tourstriker.com | www.tourstriker.com >  > On Jul 27, 2011, at 9:08 AM, Darin wrote: >  >> Martin, >>  >> I wanted to send you a quick note regarding the yesterday's lesson. I really found every item you wanted me to work towards to really ring true. I don't think change is supposed to happen so quickly, but yesterday was interesting. After the lesson, hit one bag of chips/pitches on the practice green. Then another bag hitting 1/2, 3/4 and some full shots. I decided to do the things I could implement now.. >> Grip-right thumb loose on left side of shaft and right index finger in a trigger position >> Ball position. Moved it about 3-4 inches away from me and had to have a bit more knee flex and waist bend to reach it. >> Eliminated the wrist cock >> (right arm straighter will take a bit more time) >>  >> Hit good shot after good shot. 7 iron went from 150 to 165. Went out and played Woodlands from the Blue tees which usually give me a great deal of problem. This year I have been shooting mid to upper 80's there...and today shot 81 with 1 ball OB and 3 putting the first 2 holes. Like we talked about, I tend to be streaky and when on, I play pretty well. I hit it all clubs better yesterday than I can remember. And you were right about the spin into greens. Spun 3 balls back yesterday with my gap wedge about 3 feet. >>  >> Sorry for the long "note", but just thought I would pass it along. I was fully expecting things to get worse but to my surprise saw immediate results. >>  >> Thanks again. I will probably check back in with you in a month to see how things are looking. >>  >> Darin D

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Re: Question regarding hand position

Alan, thanks for sharing your success and enthusiasm with your buddies. I really appreciate it! Keep up the good work. Soft wrists that allow the club to lag is a critical step in a golfers evolution. Sounds to me like you are getting it!

Cheers,

On Jul 26, 2011, at 6:54 PM, Alan S wrote:

Martin,

Thanks very much for the quick reply. I am not sure why it is easier to move into a correct position, but it seems to be. With the irons I hit the ball better when I have the "bent" left wrist at address. My question is, do you also recommend this hand position for the driver?

What I like about the Tour Striker is that one has to find a way to hit the ball correctly (with hands ahead of the clubhead at impact), there just is no other option. It took me about three days to get a feel for the changes I had to make but now I am hitting the ball well with the Tour Striker. I found that a different address position with the wrists, and with more relaxation in the wrists, has allowed my hands to get ahead of the ball at impact and now I also have more of a weight shift to the left foot on the downswing. So far so good.

You might also like to hear that I have been responsible for the purchase of 3 other Tour Strikers. My enthusiasm and showing it to others on the range has resulted in these folks making a purchase.

Thanks.

Alan
----- Original Message -----
From: Martin Chuck

Sent: Sunday, July 17, 2011 11:11 PM
Subject: Re: Question regarding hand position

Alan, thanks for your note.

I was always taught that it is easier to move into a position that to start in one. Golf is a very dynamic game and we need to stress the shaft. I like to think of the back swing as a loading motion and the loading of the shaft is more like a "buggy whip" than a careful placement of the club at the top.

Impact is a millisecond and is very dynamic and can't really be controlled. We have to free wheel through impact with the right intent on how we use the tool.

Addressing the club with a vertical and bent left wrist (mid-body hands) lets us "swing" the club into a flat left wrist condition and thus create more dynamics and load.

I hope that makes sense and I'm glad you are striking it better!

Martin Chuck, PGA | Inventor - Tour Striker Training Products | Instructor - The Tour Striker Golf Academy at Sunriver Resort | C 541.948.2480 | martin@tourstriker.com | www.tourstriker.com

On Jul 17, 2011, at 8:22 PM, Alan S wrote:

Martin,

I have purchased the Tour Striker and have used it on the range a number of times. I am confident that this is a valuable training aid. I am not striking the ball as consistently as I would like with the Tour Striker (5 handicap) but will continue to use it. The one question that have is based upon your comments about hand position in the training video that you have included and also my experience. You note in the video that the correct address position of the hands is a break (cup) of the left wrist and a straight right wrist. I have started to do this and so far it seems to have improved my impact consistency. This has surprised me somewhat    because I have always thought that at address a flatter left wrist and a bent (cupped) right wrist would be closer to the impact position and therefore would be preferable because all one has to do at impact is to feel like you are returning to the address position.

If you have a couple of minutes would you please send me an email explaining why it is preferable to have the left wrist bent and the right wrist straight at impact?

Thanks very much. I also plan to purchase a Tour Striker 5 Pro as soon as you have it in stock.

Alan

Re: Thanks for the lesson

Darin, that is awesome. You were an excellent student! I could tell you were soaking in comments and trying to get it into your personal language. Keep working on "educating" those hands on the short shots and the long shots will take care of themselves.

Here's the link to you lesson wrap up: http://www.box.net/shared/static/q210cjst79yatkqss2d9.mp4

Looking forward to seeing you in a month or so.

Cheers,

On Jul 27, 2011, at 9:08 AM, Darin wrote:

> Martin,
>
> I wanted to send you a quick note regarding the yesterday's lesson. I really found every item you wanted me to work towards to really ring true. I don't think change is supposed to happen so quickly, but yesterday was interesting. After the lesson, hit one bag of chips/pitches on the practice green. Then another bag hitting 1/2, 3/4 and some full shots. I decided to do the things I could implement now..
> Grip-right thumb loose on left side of shaft and right index finger in a trigger position
> Ball position. Moved it about 3-4 inches away from me and had to have a bit more knee flex and waist bend to reach it.
> Eliminated the wrist cock
> (right arm straighter will take a bit more time)
>
> Hit good shot after good shot. 7 iron went from 150 to 165. Went out and played Woodlands from the Blue tees which usually give me a great deal of problem. This year I have been shooting mid to upper 80's there...and today shot 81 with 1 ball OB and 3 putting the first 2 holes. Like we talked about, I tend to be streaky and when on, I play pretty well. I hit it all clubs better yesterday than I can remember. And you were right about the spin into greens. Spun 3 balls back yesterday with my gap wedge about 3 feet.
>
> Sorry for the long "note", but just thought I would pass it along. I was fully expecting things to get worse but to my surprise saw immediate results.
>
> Thanks again. I will probably check back in with you in a month to see how things are looking.
>
> Darin D

Monday, July 25, 2011

Re: We last spoke in 2010

Dave, thanks for the kind note. Keep your positive vide and good things will come for you and your family. Glad to hear about your great round! You never know, I may get out your way one of these days. Funny how things work out.

Take care and keep in touch.

On Jul 25, 2011, at 2:59 AM, WDM wrote:

We last spoke as you left for the evening from the club and then you had to hang up because you received an emergency call about a worker at the club from the hospital. I took what you told me and made the sticks in my seven iron work perfectly.

So yesterday, yes yesterday in 102 temperature my wife and ventured out to the course. I took my time, stayed low in the drive and hit the living stuffins out of the ball. I had the irons down good and with the drive coming back slowly, I broke 90 for the first time in my life.

I wanted to share this with you because of your videos, phone call, and your sincere way of really showing me that you cared. I know you'll never come east because after all of this heat I wouldn't either. I never got to own the tour striker because of the financial misfortune. I hope the tour striker makes you a million plus but just don't change the way your are because even without tour striker, your worth more than a million to me.

Thanks,

Dave M
Edgewater, MD 21037

Saturday, July 23, 2011

Re: Tour Striker Advice

Hi Jeff, thanks for buying the TS. You are the "educated picker." You have good hand eye coordination and use it. GREAT for juggling, but not the best for golf.

Keep using the club. You'll have a breakthrough with it. Start with 9 to 3 swings with soft wrists and touch the ground with the leading edge closer to the ground at impact than you had at address.

You'll be striping it in no time!

On Jul 23, 2011, at 5:09 PM, Jeffrey M wrote:

> Hello,
>
> I just received my Tour Striker Pro today and promptly went to the range. I hit about 120 balls with it and only about 10 were hit in the air; and those were not hit very solidly. I'm a decent golfer (low to mid 80's), but I've always had issues hitting solid irons...I'm a turf-picker. Also, lately, I've been hitting nearly all of my iron shots off the toe, even with multiple adjustments. I know it's a swing path issue, and I was hoping the TS would help solve that issue. I've never had a lesson and don't really want to, but I enjoy practicing and like the concept of the TS and the fact that I can teach myself. From what I have read about the TS, I know that it can take time to master, and I'm willing to put in that time. I'd just like to know if it's likely that I will figure this club out on my own with more practice, or if I have to do something else. Thanks for you help.
>
> Jeff

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Re: Tour Striker 8

Steve, thanks for the kind note! I'm happy that you have made a positive change in a short time. That is awesome!

On Jul 12, 2011, at 6:20 PM, steve wrote:

Martin, your t.s.8 is the best training aid I've ever used. It took me about six shots to fiure it out but once I did, WOW, good .crisp shots between 140-145 everytime. My coach was truly impressed when I went back to my short irons in practice. If it had'nt been for the infomercial on the Golf Channel I may never have found out about it. It should not be too much longer before I'm ready for the 7pro and maybe even the 5. Thanks for a great tool and keep up the good work. Steve G, Broomfield,Co

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Re: Tour Striker - Thank You

JB, sorry for the delay.

The face has a huge impact on swing path. Guy who get to the top with an open face quickly realize that an on plane path will hit the ball to the right, so they come over the top to help hit it straighter. Some open face guys can square it up on the way down and use a neutral path.

Same goes for closed face guys; they get swinging it too much inside out and and shallow. They need to feel like they can get OTT.

Regarding deep divots; you are likely a little steep and have an outside in path. Roll up a bath towel and use it as a towel plane board. Set it parallel to your path, but just barely off the heel of your club. Hit some balls and see if you don't hit the towel after impact. I get a little steep too.

Outside in paths = deep divots. Inside out = shallow divots

Thanks for the kind words and support!

On Jun 16, 2011, at 6:15 AM, Jonathan Bwrote:

Martin,

I bought a tour striker last year and it has really improved my contact. It has to be the best training aid ever developed. No frills, nothing based on junk science to get you more "on plane," just something that makes you hit the sweet spot. I don't hit the ball straight all the time, but at least it's in the middle of the face which is half the battle. I'm thinking about getting a TS 56 to help me out with pitches. Anyway, a couple of things I'd like to hear about are:

1. Why the clubface orientation has anything to do with coming over the top. I know it does because so many guys have been fixed by getting the clubface right at the top, but I don't understand why it has such a huge effect on path.

2. What can be done to stop getting those huge, deep divots on iron shots! I've been a walking scorer at a few tour events and have noticed the pros all have these nice, LONG, shallow divots when they hit an iron. My divots are shorter and deep and I'd like to get some direction on shallowing out so that I can get just enough downward strike to hit the ball well.

At any rate, thanks for a great product and for being so responsive to your customers. I've read the tour striker blog here and there and I'm impressed with the way you get back to your customers with swing issues, whether they are related to your product or not. Keep up the great work. I wish you a lot of success.

Thanks, JB

Re: Question regarding hand position

Alan, thanks for your note.

I was always taught that it is easier to move into a position that to start in one. Golf is a very dynamic game and we need to stress the shaft. I like to think of the back swing as a loading motion and the loading of the shaft is more like a "buggy whip" than a careful placement of the club at the top.

Impact is a millisecond and is very dynamic and can't really be controlled. We have to free wheel through impact with the right intent on how we use the tool.

Addressing the club with a vertical and bent left wrist (mid-body hands) lets us "swing" the club into a flat left wrist condition and thus create more dynamics and load.

I hope that makes sense and I'm glad you are striking it better!

On Jul 17, 2011, at 8:22 PM, Alan S wrote:

Martin,

I have purchased the Tour Striker and have used it on the range a number of times. I am confident that this is a valuable training aid. I am not striking the ball as consistently as I would like with the Tour Striker (5 handicap) but will continue to use it. The one question that have is based upon your comments about hand position in the training video that you have included and also my experience. You note in the video that the correct address position of the hands is a break (cup) of the left wrist and a straight right wrist. I have started to do this and so far it seems to have improved my impact consistency. This has surprised me somewhat because I have always thought that at address a flatter left wrist and a bent (cupped) right wrist would be closer to the impact position and therefore would be preferable because all one has to do at impact is to feel like you are returning to the address position.

If you have a couple of minutes would you please send me an email explaining why it is preferable to have the left wrist bent and the right wrist straight at impact?

Thanks very much. I also plan to purchase a Tour Striker 5 Pro as soon as you have it in stock.

Alan

Friday, July 15, 2011

Fwd: Tour Striker 8

Martin, your t.s.8 is the best training aid I've ever used. It took me about six shots to fiure it out but once I did, WOW, good .crisp shots between 140-145 everytime. My coach was truly impressed when I went back to my short irons in practice. If it had'nt been for the infomercial on the Golf Channel I may never have found out about it. It should not be too much longer before I'm ready for the 7pro and maybe even the 5. Thanks for a great tool and keep up the good work. Steve G, Broomfield,Co