Blogs

Club West Golf Course

20 January 2012 Loco Lobo

If you are in the South Mountain /Ahwatukee area Club West golf course is worth playing. The facilities are modern, well maintained and as picturesque as the golf course itself which winds through residential neighborhoods and desert. The signature hole is a par 3 elevated tee box nested 100 feet or so high. You will want to take a shot with your camera before or after your tee shot. The view is pretty spectacular.

Golf plays well for all levels although if you tend to not hit the ball straight and wind up off the fairway more than on, the recovery shots are not so friendly as you will most likely find your ball in a hard dirt desert area. If you are like me and you depend on that recovery shot to get you back into a par situation you might want to consider adjusting your shot. Don't expect to pop the ball up. Just hit it low and run it up the fairway.

The are several tee shots that are elevated and fun to hit from. Mother nature factors in as natural desert washes make you consider your next shot. When you are finished playing the clubhouse is a great place to relax, enjoy the views and talk about your round. Chances are there are some games on the big screen televisions inside to wind down before ending you experience.

Price:
$25-$70 depending on season and time of day. You can find some good deals online in our Golf Course Directory.

Course:
18 hole championship, scenic views. Goof for all level players

Condition:
The course seems to be in fair condition. Not super groomed and manicured, but this was during the hot season. Areas outside of the rough are hard dirt.

Bonus:
Beautiful vistas of South Mountain

Downside:
As I mentioned before, I rely on the extra help when I am not on the fairway. That hard dirt is not fun to hit off.

Amenities:
On-site restaurant. Good food at a decent price. Good place to watch a game or catch golf on tv.

Contact info:

16400 S 14th Ave

Phoenix, Arizona 85045

(480) 460-4400

View this golf course in the L4G Golf Course Directory

18 hole regulation length course
72 par, 4,985-7,142 yards

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Blogs - Golf Course Reviews

What is a Coaching Program?

20 January 2012 Chris Fry

What is this whole 'Coaching Program' and why is it so awesome?

Times have changed folks! We as golf instructors are becoming more and more aware that there is more to this game than making swing change after swing change. When attending a session, monthly program, or annual program with Expert Golf you will definitely get your money's worth. This is because we can do it all... well most of it, and the stuff we cannot do we have someone who can. For example, I do not claim to be a personal trainer but I know the important role it can play in golf performance.

So what did we do? We added Fitness by Andrew, a certified Titleist Performance Institute trainer. Part of coaching is knowing where you fit in, and building a strong team around you. Do you have an injury that may be hindering your golf swing and your ability to improve? Well that's where our physiotherapist, Robb Blackaby comes in. We take a holistic approach to your personal golf improvement and KNOW it works. We have built the best team of golf bio-mechanists, short game instructors, mental coaches and physical performance coaches that can totally renovate your game for the long term. That is what I call golf coaching!

Chris Fry, PGA

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Blogs - Expert Golf Instruction

POP For Power

03 January 2012 Chris Fry

Maximizing Your Power with the POP

Everybody is searching for at least a bit more distance, but most of the time the search is unsuccessful. I want to help you understand how to generate more power and speed without swinging out of your shoes. All good players have what I call the pop. This is when the hinge, or wrist cock, is unleashed into the back of the ball and the club head passes through your hands. When done correctly, the clubhead speed is maximized at exactly the right time… Impact!

	In order to control and maintain your wrist hinge on the downswing, you must first shift your weight to the target. A slight bump of your leading leg and hip to the target will delay the hands allowing you to lag the club longer.
	Here you can see the left leg driving to the target and the hands driving downward to the ball. This is allowing for maximum lag and power build up.
	Once you have shifted your leading side (knees and hips) to the target and built up the power, it is time to POP the club into the ball. It is somewhat like extending both arms into the back of the ball trying to release the club head into and past the ball.
	Here you can see the hands have release the club head and the club has passed the body extending down the target line.

To recap, start downward with a slight bump to the target feeling the hands along for the ride. Then, as you drive downward to the ball release the club into the back of the ball using your hands. Follow through feeling the club head swinging past your hands and body. Do not forget to hold the finish and watch the ball soaring to the target!

Chris Fry, PGA

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Blogs - Expert Golf Instruction

No Fear Bunker Plan

03 January 2012 Tyler Christensen

Drill to get you out of the sand everytime

Julius Boros won the 1963 U.S. Open, and dedicated it to his bunker play. Fact: He didn’t get in the bunker even once the entire tournament. He had dedicated the previous year to improving his bunker play, and now had confidence in his bunker ability. His newly found confidence in the sand allowed him to be more aggressive and aim at more pins, and not worry about bunkers. He knew he could get up and down out of any bunker if he missed a green. Here is my favorite drill to help you get out of the sand every time!

	In image (1) I have drawn 2 lines; one 2-3 inches behind the ball, and the other 6-7 inches in front of the ball. Set up with your feet aimed slightly to the left(right handed golfer), with weight even or slightly left depending on the slope. Ball position is key, it should be off of the front foot, but because your feet are slightly left, it may “feel” more in the center. Aim club face at target or slightly right.
	Now that you have the drill set up properly, the goal is to take long, but not to deep of divots that enter the sand at the first line, and exit at the second as if you are just splashing the sand out of the bunker. Splash several times moving down the line as shown in the picture. Once a ball is in front of you, do NOT get “ball conscious,” continue to splash from line to line. Be aggressive and follow through.