Golf Instruction

The PGA of America has announced that its 2009 National Teacher of the Year award recipient is Mike Bender of the Mike Bender Golf Academy, headquartered at Timacuan Golf Club in Lake Mary, Florida. This is the highest singular honor that can be earned by a golf instructor.

"This is very special because it means that my peers, the professionals who have the same passion for teaching that I have, respect what I have been able to accomplish in helping golfers play better and enjoy the game more," said Bender. "There is no other award that means as much to a golf instructor as National Teacher of the Year and I will do my best to live up to the legacy of the teachers whose names are already on the award.”

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. - Summer is almost upon us, and that means the Bermuda grass will be growing actively and harassing us around the golf course, especially around the green.  At the TOUR Academy we train a shot that will become a stroke saver for you in the rough around the green or even from the short grass around the green.

This swing technique is called "Hinge and Hold" because the backswing calls for an immediate hinging of the wrists and the downswing demands holding the angles through impact. 

By Jim Irvin, Director of Instruction Belfair Country Club

Editor's Note: The following is the first in a continuing series of bi-weekly instruction articles and is a collaboration between Mr. Irvin and Golfer's Guide's Online Editor, Brandon Underwood.

Proper ball position is a critical element in making solid impact with all of your clubs. Growing up in Ohio, I was always told, as most are, that the mid- to short-irons were to be positioned in the center of the stance. The long irons were to be positioned between the center of the stance and the left heel and all woods should be positioned off of the left heel. 

By Jim Irvin, Director of Instruction Belfair Country Club

Editor's Note: The following is the first in a continuing series of bi-weekly instruction articles and is collaboration between Mr. Irvin and Golfer's Guide's Online Editor, Brandon Underwood.

Proper posture is an essential element if you are to have success becoming a consistent ball striker. Many swing problems are just a result of poor posture. Yet, most golfers will pick on their golf swing when things go awry versus assessing their posture at address and how it contributes to their position at impact.

By Jim Irvin, Director of Instruction Belfair Country Club

Editor's Note: The following is the first in a continuing series of bi-weekly instruction articles and is collaboration between Mr. Irvin and Golfer's Guide's Online Editor, Brandon Underwood.

These two words are often used in golf, but what do they really mean? If you have poor aim and/or alignment, this will force you to manipulate to achieve an acceptable result. If not, well, you know the outcome.

As we get started, the first thing you should always do prior to striking your first golf ball in each training session is set up a workstation. The best players in the world never assume they are “aimed/aligned” properly.

By Jim Irvin, Director of Instruction Belfair Country Club

Editor's Note: The following is the first in a continuing series of bi-weekly instruction articles and is a collaboration between Mr. Irvin and Golfer's Guide's Online Editor, Brandon Underwood.

How you apply your hands to the golf club has the greatest influence in your ability to consistently strike the ball solidly with maximum speed and control. A poor grip along with poor grip pressure will unfortunately set you up for failure in the swing you are about to make. Fortunately, it doesn't guarantee failure as you still have the ability to manipulate the golf club to save the shot. Given this scenario, the word consistency is no longer attainable.

As we begin with how to grip the club, I will be referencing a right-handed golfer. So, if you are a lefty, please reverse the information.