Most would figure with Tiger Woods as your dad, you have access to golf knowledge that most only dream about.
It was evident that Charlie Woods has already had a nice coat of golf-instruction polish applied. He was amazing to watch last weekend. At age 11, his swing is really, really nice.
So what is Tiger’s main mantra?
Here it is:
“I preach the same thing over and over,” says Tiger. “You can swing as hard as you want, but hit it on the face and have a nice finish.”
And there’s where it becomes a balancing act. Swing hard yet learn to hit it in the middle of the face.
Another thing Tiger did with Charlie was give him forged, blade-style irons. But Mike Thomas, father of Justin and a sought-after teaching professional, altered Tiger’s thought process on that.
The elder Thomas told Tiger last week that youngsters need to play with more forgiving irons (like the rest of us).
Mike Thomas told Tiger it was the way to go and he can still emphasize Charlie’s need to find the middle of the club face.
This is something everyone can benefit from.
Yes, it’s in vogue to swing hard, but you have to keep your balance in order to find the club face. It’s a gradual process, it takes time and hours on the range.
Most of us have already put the blades on the wall in the garage. It’s all about forgiveness these days.
So take it from Tiger — swing hard — but make sure you can find the club face.
Merry Christmas from The Lesson Tee!
3 Comments
baxter cepeda
good balance is the key to finding the face while swinging hard; and it’s also one of the most commonly shared tips from great players and teachers.
The club talk is fascinating with juniors. I generally agree with Mike.
I’ve been very patient with my kids by keeping their clubs light and fitted because pros like Mike Thomas and Mike Breed and many more recommend that above all else for juniors To develop a sound swing. And I have found that to be true.
My girls are now transitioning from junior clubs to women’s clubs. The older one is using some forgiving heads with ladies flex shafts now.
I’ve been recommended by a well established lpga teaching pro that as they get older they use light but stiff shafts, which supposedly most lpga players use.
I personally don’t have a problem with blades for tigers cub if the heads, shafts and clubs are light enough and fitted for him. Boys especially are strong enough before you know it, so why not get used to it. Also blades are harder to hit but they allow shaping more, which tiger addressed as a reason for blades with Charlie. It makes sense to me.
I’m just saying Mike Thomas knows a thing or two about junior golf. But the thing to ask ourselves is if tiger may know even more.
Tom Edrington
It was interesting to note that when Mike Thomas spoke, Tiger listened…..I think Tiger, over his career, has been a sponge when it comes to information; I think the thing I like most about him is his respect for the history of the game; I hope youngsters like Hovland, Wolff, Morikawa and the rest will carry and respect the knowledge of where this game has come from and the great players who set the stage for them to earn millions without winning a whole heckuva lot.
baxter cepeda
Yes tigers respect for the game gets lost in people over criticizing every time he does something wrong like spit, or gets frustrated m, or too focused, or whatever it may be.
But yes tiger deeply respects the game.
And These new tour pros definitely respect all the little things about the game as well.
I love how much new young golfers appreciate learning golf is a bully free zone, one where everyone treats everyone the right way.