The Secret, but Simple, Formula

     This  is the first in a regular series of articles where I
will be talking to you about golf; all phases of golf.

	I welcome the opportunity to share with you my 
experience as a player, club maker and teacher.

     The golf industry has changed considerably since I started
the game as a caddy at age 9. More clubs, more balls, more 
advertising, more everything that seem to be the answer to a 
player's prayers. More choices often lead to more confusion
and, ultimately, to more indecision.

     Some things have not changed, however. Clubs still look a
lot like they did nearly a century ago. New materials have made 
them more efficient and our knowledge of how they work
     ... (gained from  reverse engineering what worked) ...
has increased tremendously but they remain within the same 
old U.S.G.A. specifications.

     The other major, and most important, element of the game
that has not changed is you and me...the golfer. We're still
built as we were a few hundred thousand years ago; two arms,
two legs and a head that worries too much.

     In these articles we are going to bring together all the
elements of equipment and human implementation to assist
the local golfing community to better understand the game and 
how it can be played for lower scores and more fun.

     In doing this I will  try to stress the positive, the  "do",
rather than the negative or "don't".

     Golf is really a simple game. The swing is really equally
simple. As John Jacobs, the world renowned British player and
teacher has so often described it,

	 "The golf swing is really nothing more than a turn away
from the ball followed by a turn back to the ball ... 
with a "swish" in the middle".

     In addition to discussing the simple "how" of making any
particular shot I will also be giving enough supportive
information so that you can identify and make the proper simple
choice on Sunday afternoon when you are 2 down with three to go.

	From a solid basis in physics, mechanics, kinetics
and hopefully a little common sense we are, along the way, 
going to dispel some myths, kill a few sacred cows and get down
to the basics of this devilish sport that we all love so well.

     Golf is unique among sports because the ball is not moving
when we prepare to strike it. It just sets there intimidating us,
causing us worry and raising our tension level. 

	We are not moving much either.  

	We must execute a rather violent move from a
standing start. Unique. 

	Tennis players, in contrast, practice ground strokes by
the hour so that the mechanical execution of set up and stroke
are automatic. This frees their mind to concentrate on the 
tactics of winning the point. Once the serve is started neither 
player thinks about grip, foot placement or back swing. They 
are listening to the sounds and looking for  the cues that enable
them to be in position before the ball arrives.

	Not so for the golfer.

	No two golf shots are exactly alike either. That's why it is
always a good idea to do all our thinking before we pick up a
club.  What we are striving for is to always make the "90% "
shot; the shot we know we can make successfully 90% of the time.

	Assess your situation, (lie, stance, distance, wind), decide
what you want to do, (temper that decision with what you CAN do),
visualize the shot you are going to play then, and only then, pick 
up the club. Small periods of indecision lasting no more than 1/2 
second each have ruined many potentially fine scores. 

	So, the simplicity starts here - Think, Decide, Act. 

	That's the simple formula to better golf and more fun. 

	Ready? ...  Let's tee it up.