• I attended a Flightscope Certification Training Class at the Show.  One of the presenters talked about a recent club fitting experience he had with two well-known PGA pros (both past Major Tournament Winners).  He noted that he fit them in drivers with shorter shafts (around 43 inches long) to get their effective lie angles flatter for them.  He also used heavier shafts for their drivers.  Their driving improved significantly.

• Now, lie fitting for drivers is typically not a major issue - but lie fitting for fairway woods CAN be important (Wishon discusses this in one of the articles I referenced earlier).  I need to learn more - so I started by doing some checking on myself.  I found out that my present driver lie angle is 60 degrees, and is VERY toe up at address.  So - I am building a new driver for myself - with about a 54 degree lie angle - and we will see.  And - see later in this newsletter - I am looking for some help from you readers to get more driver lie angle data to evaluate. 

• I listened to the Titleist Performance Institute folks give two separate presentations on flexibility screening tests and their importance for golfers.  They showed some simple screening tests for ankle, hip, spine, shoulder, and wrist flexibility screening.  They also - and I liked this a lot - talked about some golfer swing strategies for golfers who simply cannot become more flexible in some areas.  A club fitting friend of mine - Brian Morrissey - says golf fitness is more important for your life than for your golf.  If you can find a TPI certified person in your area to help you with your flexibility, you will see great benefits.

• There were a number of devices shown at the PGA Show that can be used to measure a golfer's Balance and how their weight pressure can move during their golf swing.  And I was exposed to two separate discussions on the importance of Balance in creating a stable putting stroke.  So I bought the two "toys" I show below to help me start learning better balance - I take a few minutes each day now in my basement, and stand on these to work to learn the feel of better Balance.

•  Dr. Bhrett McCabe gave a wonderful presentation on the importance on effective practicing and training.  Some of the gem quotes from his talk included: "We do not train people to fail under a safety net." ... "We have to study and endure failure better." ... "If you have never faced adversity, how would you know how to overcome it?"  He also noted that golfers do not typically practice 5 foot putts - but that these are in his view the ones that are most important to be good at making.

Another great PGA Equipment Show week!