[OldGator]

I just spent three enjoyable days at the Marietta Golf Center with Lynn and Ted.

So how did it go? A little background ---

A) I am 60 years old
B) Overweight
C) Never have been very flexible, even when I was much thinner
D) USGA Index 21.4 (not exactly tour caliber)
E) An ugly duck hook (really ugly - I can knock down a midget that is 50 yards out and 50 yards left) Apologies to the little people --- I am not exactly tall.

My expectations ---

I had asked for 3 days of instruction in segments of 3 hours the first day, 2 hours the second, and 1 hour the last day. Lynn said he liked my plan and thought we could get some productive work done. Little did I know that he was expecting results.

I assumed that Lynn would identify my many problems, take the major ones and recommend some drill to work on those problems. He was out with several pros on the Nationwide Tour that week and was delayed getting in that afternoon, but he assured me that I would be in good hands with Ted. (I have to agree, Ted was top notch!)

Ted worked about 1 1/2 hours with me on the chipping area. I didn't mind a bit thinking I need chipping practice and could save a lot of strokes there eventually. What he was really doing was preparing me for every stroke. He didn't use a lot of TGM lingo – just referred to things like the "Basic Motion". Pretty soon I realized that even my chips had the sound of the ball being compressed -- you know, that nice little click sound the ball makes. Then onto the short pitch shots -- same thing, how could this be?

Well about that time, Lynn rolls up (apologized -- not needed at all. He was good to his word and left me in very capable hands). Reviewed for a few minutes what I had been over with Ted. I had been using primarily a hitting motion on my chips; he suggested that we try the swinging motion instead. I can do both now and either is a lot better than before!

Then we headed on down to the range area for full shots. About this time, I am thinking that my real ugly shots would start to appear. Lynn goes over what we had done up at the chipping area and said we were just going to lengthen it a little. He then gave me a little drill and told me that little drill would be what I would always go back too if I had a problem.

Well folks, I started to hit shots that weren't half bad, then they got a little better yet, and all of a sudden they were flying pretty darn good (at least for me). They were not only straight, but they had some nice little compression to them. Oh the wonderful sound of that little click. Two hours went by pretty fast.

When I left after the first day, Ted told me to remember "flat left wrist, and bent right wrist" when I went to bed.

I woke up at about 5 AM with two of the most cramped and sore biceps that I have ever had, but damn the torpedoes, I had a flat left wrist and and bent right wrist. I think I must have been hitting balls all night in my sleep.

Well the second day with Lynn at the range was much like the first, only it just kept getting a little better. We also had a little time for sand traps, flop shots, and some putting.

The third day was a nice review of the two preceding days.

While I had expected identification of problems and the necessary drills to correct them, I got fixes that worked now! Probably something like what they call in other sports as fundamentals.

I HAVE NEVER RECEIVED BETTER VALUE FOR MY GOLF DOLLAR THAN THE EXPERIENCE THAT LYNN AND TED PROVIDED.

IF YOU EVER GET THE CHANCE TO MAKE THE PILGRIMAGE TO THE SWAMP, GO!

Bruce (oldgator)

P.S. – I had to remind both Lynn and Ted that the real “Swamp” was in Gainesville, FL. This year, it has definitely been “Great to be a Florida Gator”!