.jpg)
Click On Thumbnail to enlarge.
Probably best described as "Timeless". I believe Tom suffered an injury in the time between the end of his PGA tour career and his Senior Tour Career which altered his swing somewhat.
Purtzer averaged 279.6 yards in 1990 as the PGA TOUR's driving distance leader. Last year, he averaged 295.5 yards, and hasn't gone below 294.8 (2004) as the Champions Tour statistical leader. This year he is averaging 304.5 yards.
Purtzer's 4 key tips:
1. Get fitted for the right equipment. Take advantage of the available technology to find out what equipment -- shaft, clubhead loft, ball -- will be of greatest benefit.
Purtzer: "The modern high-tech equipment only helps if it fits you properly. If it doesn't fit you, it's worse than using what you're using now."
2. Keep stretching. Hitting a golf ball a long way is more about flexibility than strength.
Purtzer: "To me the most important thing is to be able to stay flexible enough to make a body turn -- shoulders, hip. That's the key."
3. Don't fall victim to equipment misconceptions. Stiffer shafts and stronger lofts don't necessarily translate into more distance.
Purtzer: "My way of thinking is old school. The older you get, you want to soften up the shaft to give yourself a little more kick to get the ball to fly, to keep the ball in the air."
4. A trusty driver is a friend forever.
Purtzer: "If it works, why would you change? My driver is three generations old. There have been three upgrades since mine."
The shaft in Purtzer's driver is at least 12 years old. Moral of the story: It's hard to say good-bye to a loyal friend who has been good to you for a long time.
Gregg McHatton
Gregg changed all the perceptions I had about the Golf Swing
Jeff Maggert
It doesn't get any simpler, it seems like he has no wasted motion
Posts
I had fallen for some of the new technology hype with several shaft gaffs that lead to terrible drive play. Your point of proper fitting cannot be overstated. Club and shaft companies tell you how great a shaft and it's advanced design will benefit your game (ie. Aldilla Voodoo shaft).This has no bearing of what it means to your swing. If a golfer buys a shiny new driver off the rack, without fitting, they are almost assured of paying for it twice, once at the counter and many times off the tee.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely Rich, I seem to always buy off the rack irons and wind up adjusting my swing to fit my irons as opposed to the other way around. I think I will go out this winter and get properly fit. Thanks for posting.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with Purtzer's second point about maintaining flexibility. You might know the greatest swing techniques but if your body cannot handle the movement then the concepts are useless. Your body is your most important piece of equipment. Pilates for golf is a great way to increase flexibility, balance and core strength. It also helps to avoid injury.
ReplyDelete