The Golfing Machine wins at Hilton Head

AP Photo

by: B. J. Hathaway, G.S.E.B., M.C.I.

Brian Gay closed his Sunday round with a 64 yesterday and set a new tournament scoring record in his win at the Verizon Heritage. With a 10 shot margin of victory, he didn’t just beat the field- he lapped the field. It’s been since the ‘06 BellSouth Classic since we’ve seen a margin of victory of this proportion.

Surely he must have some secrets, some inside information into golf’s book of buried treasure? Well actually….he does. Two years ago Brian began his quest to unlock the secrets of golf’s most famous book, The Golfing Machine.

Inside the yellow hardback cover lies the true science of how and why the golf swing works based on two concepts: physics and geometry. Lest you be afraid of tall men in white lab coats with multiple clipboards….do not be afraid golfer! Yes my friend, the book is a bit of heavy reading and some of its concepts daunting. You see, the book was actually written as a guide for instructors- a golf encyclopedia if you will- that documents the components of mine, yours, and all golf swings. But this book is based on science- not theory, conjecture, guess work, old wives tales or riddles.

The secret of TGM is the flexibility it permits. There is not just one golf swing that will work and that explains why John Daly’s swing doesn’t look like Tiger’s who doesn’t look like Phil’s, etc. But what the book does help us understand is what my swing must do in order to be successful, and once you have that knowledge it gives you the freedom to build your swing around who you are.

The book is now in its 7th edition and you are welcome to pick up a copy and give it a test read. If however you find the material difficult, do not despair! The Golfing Machine has a worldwide network of Authorized Instructors who are extensively trained to help you improve your game and also the Medicus Golf Institute trains its certified instructors to teach TGM.

So congratulations to Georgia’s own Brian Gay, a professional golfer and true golfing machine.

www.augustagolfinstruction.com

The Golfers Guide to Cigars

By: B.J. Hathaway, G.S.E.B., M.C.I.
Augusta Golf Instruction

Just like a green jacket at Augusta, a fine cigar and good round of golf are a perfect match for many golfers these days. Professional golfer Darren Clarke is a cigar connoisseur and it has been estimated that he spends £25,000 annually on cigars. Although most golfers don't have that kind of budget, finding the right cigar will make your round that much more enjoyable.

The golf course is one of the few places a good cigar can be enjoyed without worrying about where your smoke flies, and even if you're hitting it sideways a great cigar can mellow your golf nerves.

With golf there are certain fundamentals that apply to bring success and to really enjoy your cigar you need to know the basics. Recently I sat down with cigar expert José Ortega: Vice President of Sales for Reyes Family Cigars in Miami to get the inside information you need before heading to the first tee.

AGI: What is the best way to transport a cigar when playing golf?

José: I usually keep it in my mouth! But we have found also found an interesting tool that should do a fine job on the course called The Cigar T.

AGI: What are the keys to cutting and lighting a cigar properly?

José: You want to cut as little of the head as possible. A good cigar will draw with just a tad of the head cut. When you light your cigar, make sure it is even and take your time. You want to make sure the foot is evenly lit and blow into it to see.

AGI: Is there a best time to light up, as in before beginning a round of golf, or during?

José: Why wait, I like to light up right before I begin the round. I'm already happy to be on the course and away from the wife, let's make it a trifecta with a good cigar!

AGI: How do you judge a good cigar?

José: Cigars are purely subjective. What you may like, I may not. Just like wine and food, what you consider to be the best is what the best is.

AGI: Does ring size affect flavor?

José: Absolutely. Usually, the bigger the ring gauge, the cooler the smoke and the milder the cigar will be. The smaller ring gauges burn a little hotter and place more emphasis on the wrapper, which constitutes more of a percentage of the blend due to the proportions.

AGI: How about the wrapper?

José: Wrapper constitutes at least 70% of the flavor of a cigar, if not more in my opinion. The wrapper is the most important component of a cigar

AGI: Are there any etiquette rules that apply to cigar smoking?

José: My simple rules - never blow smoke in anyone's face and always be courteous to those around you if you light up a cigar in public. I understand that not everyone enjoys the odor of a cigar, and as a sign of respect I will ask those around me if it bothers them before I light up a cigar. That's of course if I am in an environment that is not an actual cigar shop.

AGI: How did you get into the cigar business?

José: My wife knew the Reyes family and found out they were looking for a National Sales Manager. I was working for a big company that sold conferences and was literally burned out. I was hired right on the spot on my first interview, back in 2003 and it's been smooth sailing ever since!

AGI: Tell us a little about the history of Reyes.

José: Rolando Reyes Sr. has been making cigars for 70 years! He is 84 right now and started in Cuba at the tender age of 14 or perhaps even younger. He moved to the United States, New Jersey to be exact, back in the 70's. From there, his business kept growing and he moved to the Dominican Republic in the 1980's. Towards the end of the decade, he decided to build a factory in Honduras, where he fell in love with the area when he visited. We have been manufacturing our cigars there in Danli, Honduras for the past 20 years.

AGI: What is your favorite cigar?

José: Well, asking me to choose a favorite cigar is like choosing a favorite child, but if you put a gun to my head, I'd have to say the Cuba Aliados Regordo is my personal favorite. It is a 6x60 cigar that delivers intense flavor and will give you an hour of undeniable smoking pleasure.

With 10 brands to choose from, Reyes certainly has a cigar that will suit any taste and make your time on the golf course more enjoyable. Special thanks to José Ortega and Frank Santos of Reyes for their valuable input and be sure to check out the entire line at http://www.purosindioscigars.com/.

For golf lessons in the Augusta area visit www.augustagolfinstruction.com

I Saw an Angel at Augusta

by: B. J. Hathaway, G.S.E.B., M.C.I. Medicus Certified Instructor
The Golfing Machine Authorized Instructor


I was fortunate to attend the Masters twice this year and of course the beauty of this place is like no other that I have witnessed. As an instructor, I have a real appreciation for the skill that these players have. For the true golf aficionado, there is nothing like the sound of compression of ball against club at impact created by the best players in the world.

But.....not everything about Masters week was perfect. Personal favorites like Ernie Els and Fred Couples didn't make the cut. Our own Georgia boy Stewart Cink just barely missed the mark, and big names like Choi, Goosen, Norman, and Scott had to pack their bags early. And of course we sadly say goodbye to two of golf's ambassadors: Player and Zoeller.

On Monday however, I did see an angel play at the Masters, or as we know him- Angel Cabrera. Now here is a guy who walks with a swagger. He just has that look about him that says, I belong here in the spotlight. He's comfortable on the course, but just slightly impatient. He is golf's version of John Wayne, except he chews gum and carries a Ping driver. He has a U.S. Open title, and 3 top ten finishes and 5 top 25's at Augusta.

Only Sunday will tell, but I think there's a good chance an Angel will be dressed in green.

Improve your game
www.augustagolfinstruction.com

April in Augusta: Tournament Guide

by: B. J. Hathaway, G.S.E.B, M.C.I.
Medicus Certified Instructor, The Golfing Machine Authorized Instructor
Augusta Golf Instruction


The Masters....there is no tournament and no place on earth quite like it. Welcome to Augusta, GA in April, when Spring presents Bobby Jones' masterpiece in all of its glory. For those of your lucky enough to gain admittance to those hallowed grounds here are some tips on finding your way.

Arrival

Gates open at 8:00 a.m. and close approximately 6:30 p.m. If you are an early riser, you can beat some of the traffic and join the dew sweepers. You can also get an unobstructed view of the course and pick your spot to sit if you prefer to stay in one place. If you prefer to follow a group, get a pairing sheet and track your favorite golfers from the first tee.


Parking

Lot 1 will now be available only to the media, members and players and service vehicles but the club has added more than 6,000 parking spaces along Berckman Road. From here you will need to enter by walking across the street to Gate 6A.

As a spectator

Following the guidelines set down by Bobby Jones, guests are expected to follow golf etiquette and obey all tournament rules and signs. Running, protesting, jeering and other ill-mannered activities are forbidden. You are expected to wear appropriate clothing and shoes. This is the year's first major, so don't be afraid to display your finest golf attire.


Cell phones, beepers, weapons, radios, walkie-talkies, coolers, etc. are not allowed at any time.
Cameras are only permitted during practice rounds. Bags and pockets are subject to inspection for security purposes.

There is a no autograph policy except for the parking lot side of the clubhouse.

You will find almost every convenience that you may need once inside the gates. ATM's, first aid, concessions, spectator guides and more are all provided. Don't forget sunscreen, you don't want to be miserable for the rest of the week because you spent 10 hours on the course and got burned.

Entrance

Once you enter the property just follow the paths and signs until you get to the security checkpoint. Once you get past security....paradise awaits. As you come in on the right you will see the huge Pro Shop, expect to stand in line for admittance but it's worth it. If you don't want to wait there are several other mini pro shops around the property. You can also wait until the end of the day, usually there is more than enough inventory unless you just want to get it now.

Go straight ahead for the golf course, up the hill and to the left for the practice area and club house. Take a peak at Magnolia Lane or sit on the bleachers at the driving range and watch the pro's warm up. Walk the course and enjoy a barbecue sandwich. Imagine sunshine, lush green grass perfectly manicured, flowers in bloom, a slight crosswind across the first fairway, and the unmistakable sound of impact between ball and club.....all provided for you.

Good food, a bag of tournament souvenirs, the scenery, the crowd roars..... this is the Masters...... this is golf's Nirvana.

www.augustagolfinstruction.com

For more information on tournament details visit www.masters.org

Ball Flight Flaws?

By: B. J. Hathaway, G.S.E.B, M.C.I.


No doubt most of us have read or been taught the Ball Flight Laws. These are the seemingly scientific explanations for the 9 possible variations of travel that a golf ball can make through the air. You've all heard it before when you hit a ball that started left of target and been told that shot was a "pull" and therefore a swing path problem.

The conundrum for those of us who teach and study the physics and geometry of golf is that those ball flight "laws" don't agree with the 30 plus years of study that Homer Kelley put into every aspect of the golf swing which he detailed in his book, The Golfing Machine. For many years TGM has offered an explanation for ball flight behavior based on science. The problem was, nobody wanted to listen because they thought the book was too complicated and its readers "bizarre", and because certain organizations said "these are the ball flight laws and because this is what we say, that's the end of it."

Luckily, now we can find evidence that backs up science, and times - well they are a changing. According to TrackMan data, initial ball direction is determined by two factors, club path and face angle.

"According to the "old" ball flight laws, the initial direction of the ball is 100% dictated by the club path, All the scientific people in the golf industry know that this is very wrong"

Fredrick Tuxen, inventor of TrackMan

According to TrackMan's data, which uses the most advanced technology available, the initial direction of a golf ball is 85% caused by face angle and only 15% by path. This just solidifies what TGM has been saying for years, the ball generally leaves at a 90 degree angle to the face!

Now there are other factors that affect ball flight, such as near-center contact and gear effect which influences side spin, but for most of us the important information is this:

1. Learn to control the club face: phase I of directional control. You must also learn to control the shaft and the club head, but for now let's remember that the lead hand controls the club face. How we control the club face is done by hinge action, which dictates how much the face rotates through the impact zone. Last, but never least, the lead hand must always be flat at impact, no scooping or flipping the wrists!

Any TGM or Medicus Certified instructor can help you understand how to control these three swing elements because when you do, you will control the ball.... and then you will control your game!

AGI
Improve your game

B. J. Hathaway is a Medicus Certified Instructor and Authorized Instructor of The Golfing Machine

The Rhythm of Golf

by: B. J. Hathaway, G.S.E.B. , M.C.I.
Medicus Certified Instructor


As golfers we are familiar with such terms as rhythm, timing and tempo but often times we are not exactly sure of their definitions. Let's get a feel for what rhythm really is and how it applies to the golf swing.

Rhythm (from Greek ῥυθμός - rhythmos, "any measured flow or movement, symmetry") is the variation of the length and accentuation of a series of sounds or other events.

As we see, it is measured, so there must be a count or beat. Listen to your heart beat and you will hear your own rhythm. When we are healthy it is constant, a dependable rhythm. Good golf has a rhythm too.

Poor rhythm is caused by quick, jerky motions at some point in the movement. Many players lose their timing in the transition phase of the swing; that terrible feeling of hitting from the top is just another name for lost rhythm. Quitting, or stopping at the ball is another cause of poor timing. One of the reasons I like students to use a heavy club such as the Medicus PowerMax is to give a feeling of constant motion without quitting with the thought of a smooth start-down and swinging into the finish position.

Rhythm is accomplished when the club and arms move at the same RPM. The angle formed between th club shaft and left forearm is the third power accumulator in The Golfing Machine and defines rhythm control when in its "in-line" condition. The pivot also must not interfere with the arms and hands but play a supporting role.

Ernie Els has a smooth rhythm while Nick Price is quite fast, but both have a rhythm that supports how they live, walk, talk and play.

The key is to find your rhythm and make sure your swing components help you achieve it more consistently!

Are you Bigger than your driver?

Pictured: Ashley L. Davis

By: B. J. Hathaway, G.S.E.B, M.C.I.

Everyone wants to hit the ball further. Everyone. I’m fairly certain the club manufacturers know this, and they have ways to tweak our drivers to make them go further. One simple change is to make the club longer which is supposed to make your golf ball go further. But, as in most things in life, we have the law of diminishing returns to contend with.

Expert club builder Tom Wishon notes that the standard driver length on the PGA Tour is 44.5″. Now, go to your local golf shop or online site and just see if you can find a new driver under 45″ long. I’m betting you may need a golf detective to find one. The standard new driver is between 45″-46″. The problem is, drivers are getting longer but you’re not getting taller! You are probably thinking, “hey, I’m skilled enough to swing whatever they are selling. I got game!”

I’m betting that unless you’re a Pro you:

a. don’t practice 4 hours a day
b. don’t also play 3 times a week
c. have bills to pay or other obligations

So the professionals are playing a shorter driver than you, but hitting it further and straighter. Besides skill level, what is their secret? It’s called center face contact and it’s kind of a big deal! All things being equal, on center hit = faster ball speed = longer drives.

My suggestion for the majority of us who are mere mortals when it comes to golf ability:

Find a launch monitor and experiment with different driver lengths until you find one that you can hit on-center. You will hit the ball further with the same effort, what a pleasant surprise.

Learn to hit the ball better and be bigger than your driver!

AGI

Improve your game

www.augustagolfinstruction.com