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.
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.