Tony Lema was a US PGA touring professional in the 1950's & 60's.  Born & raised in Oakland, California, Tony was known for his flamboyant lifestyle and spirited personality; for this Tony became known as "Champagne Tony".  Winner of 12 tour events including the 1964 British Open, Lema was a rising star.  For those fortunate enough to attend the 1966 Canadian Open at Shaughnessy Golf Club in Vancouver, Tony Lema played in the event. Sadly, he and his wife were both killed in an airplane accident en route to an event in Chicago the same year; he was only 32 years old.

Shown above is an advertising piece I acquired last year signed by Tomy Lema.  Due to the short duration of his career and life, the Lema autograph is one of the most difficult and valuable of all famous golfers. 

 

Rory McIlroy

When I start a lesson session with a student, the first thing I look at is the grip.  The great Ben Hogan referred to the grip as the "heart beat" of the action of the golf swing.  In my mind the grip is the  #1 key element in golf.  Here is why...

Bobby Jones	Harry Vardon	Jack Nicklaus	Tiger Woods

a.  Unfortunately most golfers have home grown grips... meaning they are not conforming to a conventional style grip.  Ball flight is very much a function of how the grip shapes the clubhead at impact.  Above I have illustrated perhaps the 4 greatest players (plus Rory) of all time & their respective grips... combined the five have won 50 major titles... need I say more?

b.  It only makes sense, where and how you attach yourself to the club is monumental for the club to react correctly. The game is so much about consistency.

  

e.  There is no coincidence every golf instructional book starts with the first chapter being the grip.  It only makes sense... a correct attachment to the club is very beneficial, rewarding and can dramatically shorthen the learning curve for all golfers.

  

f.  All great players have much the same grip... the only difference being the linkage between the two hands (ie innerlock, overlap & ten finger)  Please note above the three variations.

  

g.  There is no question, if we can develop and encourage proper grips in our young junior players, they will play better as they age.

p.s.  Check your grip... have some fun!  Compare it to the above images. 

Recently I have been giving a number of chipping lessons.  I think chipping should be relatively easy, simply because the amount of power used is very limited.  Next time you hit some chips, try to make the follow through the same length as the backswing.  Much like throwing a ball under handed over a short distance. 

 

My instructions regarding the execution of a chip have never changed... they are: study the shot for slope, terrain & speed, aim the clubhead, set the feet in an open stance, weight forward, hands slightly forward.... lastly swing the arms with the appropriate measure of power....  keep all body movement quiet as possible.