Will offer my comments in this thread regarding my experience at Andy’s Stack & Tilt Camp here at JW Marriott in Aventura. First and foremost, I’m still a huge fan of Tom, his enthusiasm, and teaching style. I’ll be a follower forever. But when the opportunity comes along to go to The Mountain, you gotta’ go!
- Last night was the meet and greet from 6:00 - 7:00. Andy finally wrapped up with his numerous stories and observations around 8:00! I’d heard he was a man who likes to talk, but that’s ok. He‘s got a lot to say worth listening to, and that makes all the difference. Plus he’s soft spoken, considerate and obviously very intelligent. Quite impressed.
@Mark Davenport great write-up! Thank you for this. I love the idea of focusing on the low point and the grid. At the end of the day, the grid is everything and whatever feel you need to get the desired shot shape is key. How great to have these guys watching and guiding the proper technique.
3rd day recap:
Started with Dave on the range, reinforcing the means and methods to finish tilted, arms 3-0 and keep that right arm at or slightly below, the shoulder line. Top are befores, bottom afters.
To improve the exit of club and get rid of thins and pushes, LOTS more bowler drills. Actually added to my shot routine a couple bowler swings, then stepped into setup and hit. Nice results!
Moved over to Andy after short while of this, hit about 6 or 7 pure ones and Andy goes, ‘I think we’re good here’. So there you go. Switched over to just hit some drivers by myself. Here bowler and qumbrella feels need more time to do their job. (Longer club, faster head speed?). Hit driver with ‘slight bowler’ or trail foot apulled back maybe only 4-5 inches. Nice! Andy asked one of his coaches, Dave or Mike, how many tour players set up with driver with trail foot pulled back? ‘75-80%’ was their answer. Andy said at least that, maybe more.
After lunch, learned the basics of green reading and Aimpoint sytem on putting green with Stan. Then moved over to chipping practice with Mike, now using the chipping grid as our template to hit to various targets on a green. Was shown a quick and easy way to practice the techniques, and MEASURE the results. Very important
(If I didn’t mention it earlier, this is a pretty comprehensive school! I didn’t hit every club in the bag for sure, but we covered tee to green several times over in three days).
Wrapped up my day with Double M (Mike) under the trees off to the right of the range to work on … punch shots! Always with grid and S&T basics called on to make it work. Knowing how to punch it low, control the draw (the basic punch is gonna go low and draw) will save your bacon, so good to have this one down. EXTRA BONUS, doing some ‘working of the ball’ practice. High draws added to the punch (we weren’t hitting between the trees anymore!). Getting the ball UP. with fade spin on a full swing (back vertical, follow through vertical … HARD). You too, can work the ball! But make sure to hit a basic shot often as you practice these, lest you get stuck ‘overdoing’ because of the changes these require.
Finally, we all gathered, very well done from the sun, tired from the long days, etc in hotel conference room for a recap. Everyone’s before and afters showed significant improvement. Some issues take more time and work to iron out. But hand it to Andy and his teachers - they do not gloss over a problem or a flaw witn a simple fix. If you can’t successfully control your low point, for example, that’s what you’re working on with them until you show improvement BY LOOKING AT WHAT YOUR BALL IS DOING. So if you’re not proficient at something, you’ll know and see the why - no magical mystery fixes here. It’s a system.
Last thing. I’m very fortunate to be able to attend the camp and I jumped at the opportunity. I’m not getting any younger(!) and felt it was now or never. By all means though, if you can’t make it to one if these, keep following Tom. Go see Tom. Contact Andy (he’s a walking, talking Rolodex) and find out who’s had the network training (hint: Tom) and make your own S&T camp happen. Book a couple days with whoever can work with you in your area. YouTube’s ok, sending phone vids to your instructor is ok. But for coaching that’s more memorable and stays with you down the road, in my opinion in person is the way to go.
Here’s to better golf for us all.
Day 2 recap:
Started with a condensed (45 minutes) of The Grid with Andy. Further explanation of how we will be moving from a grand design to a more condensed version we can bring to the range/course. We’re moving, slowly, past being taught, to enablement. That’s my take any.
Then session with Dave, keeping after that shoulder down/face back finish that cleans up the flight issues for me; some pushing and thinning.
Revisited the chipping grid with Mike, as we worked to systematize the ball position and club orientation to path and target lines. 9 total combinations! And first ball forward/face open combination, the high-low, was to be foundation for … the bunker shot later in the day.
After lunch, with Stan on the putting green he got out the metronome app and we established my ‘personal’ one-two stroke rhythm. Way cool!
I meant ‘shoulder down, face back’ in above. NOT head down!
The bowler drill. To get shoulder(s) AROUND on the finish and club face pointing BACK. Trail arm straight across and along or little below shoulder line. Lead arm right angle at elbow.
Wow - Great recap, Mark!! Sounds like we may have a few things to learn from YOU after this is all done!!
Day 1 recap:
Andy on The Grid, the fundamentals not the variables, and the predictability of the geometry and physics that inform his model.
Hour with Andy on deepening my ‘left shoulder down, right shoulder back’ circle for higher, farther ball flight’. And getting my right rear pocket button more headed toward the direction of the tailbone. Challenge is keeping my head in the ‘box’ (no down and to the left with my head). After a few dry swings to get those feels, higher, farther ball flight.
Then switch to work with Dave on my finish. Head down, face back is key here. Control the clubhead with arms finishing at follow through as mirror image of where they were on backswing. Reduction of slightly pushed or overheated hooking immediately followed But this adjustment is the challenge for me. Backswing is good, through to finish will need more work.
Next, eye opening chipping session with Mike. The Nine Shots. From low runner to mega-vertical flop. It’s Voodoo, I tell ya’.
Finally, with Stan on the putting green. A whole new world here. Different lengthened backstrokes for different length puts, but same -none really / follow through. Hit the ball and STOP! This required a deeper dive today, as this just blew my mind.
Awesome, @Mark Davenport!! Andy is indeed a "mountain" of wisdom, and he is exceptionally skilled at conveying it. Please say hi to him for me.
Looking forward to your updates!!