Tour Striker

[Cmartingolf]

[quote name='JoeCool73' timestamp='1320756044' post='3774289']
On a related note, I happened to stumble onto another training aid that looks promising. Its called the perfect release. Its a bungee cord attached to the club and your arm. My big question is would that help me from flipping. My ultimate goal is to look cooler than I already do at the range. Not an easy feat to achieve to say the least, so I can be all Tin cupped up. All I need now is a golf watch.
[/quote]

Joe, the rubber tubing has its merits. Will it help you? Perhaps.

We have to retrain your right arm/wrist action. Please be patient. You can't learn anything worthwhile in a few days. I've got a lot more stuff to throw at you.

In a lesson, I would quickly go through drills feels that work or don't work and find one that gets a result and focus on that move. This online "Project Joey" is slow going, but will likely help a lot of people. I should have time to post another drill today. It will help you master the first drill. We are still and will be on "educated hands" for the short term.

PLEASE GET YOUR RIGHT THUMB OF THE GRIP:)


The rubber tubing: I use that thing all the time with my students. Actually, I've been using rubber tubing (available in the plumbing dept at Home Depot) for fifteen years. I actually thought of trying to take this to market a long time ago. I'm glad somebody did. You can make your own; simply tie the tube around the shaft (the rubber on the steel keeps it from sliding) and then make a loop for your left arm. You'll have to figure out how much you need for the right tension, but it won't take but a minute.

[JoeCool73]

Thanks for the tip. I thought it might help me get the feeling sooner. Is there a specific brand of rubber tubing that you recommend since you've used it before? Tinsel strength, elasticity,etc. Ha, Im thinking about connecting the rubber tubing to my right thumb to get it into a better position. It fights me as much as my wrists. I have another video coming that shows me doing a lot of the hinge and hold drill for your viewing enjoyment. Thanks again Martin for all your help.

[Finbarr Saunders]

[attachment=910155:traininggrip.jpg]





Joe you might consider fitting a training aid grip to your TS or marking it up with tape to position your hands better

[Finbarr Saunders]

Joe it look like your focusing on hitting the ball as far as you can with the small swing drill, the drill is more to do with getting into a better impact position. You would be better off doing it at half speed and see how short you can hit it, like most things in golf if you cant do it at half speed there is very little chance you can do it at full tilt

[Hunter2420]

Mr Chuck,

Not to interrupt "Project Joey", but I'm really struggling with my swing. I've decided to rework it during the winter. Like you had Joey do, I've started with the 9-3 drills and took some video. They are with a cell phone camera, so maybe not useful to you. If you get a chance, could you take a peek? Also, since I'm starting with these half-swings, do you recommend getting the Tourstriker wedge to start with, and purchasing the 7iron at a later time? Thanks!


DTL:

[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u162Q1GpyGQ"]http://www.youtube.c...h?v=u162Q1GpyGQ[/url]


Face on:

[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u162Q1GpyGQ&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL"]http://www.youtube.c...n_order&list=UL[/url]

Full swing:

[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8Mfipm6ruk&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL"]http://www.youtube.c...n_order&list=UL[/url]

[JoeCool73]

[b]Project Joey Update[/b]. You guys know the drill. Half swings full hinge and hold. And yes Martin I know, get my right thumb off the shaft. That is definitely my mantra for sure. It has a mind of its own. I thought it was off the shaft but no it wasn't. I know it looks like Im trying to kiill the ball but honestly Im not, I feel like Im already swinging at half speed. I just try to get a full wrist hinge and let gravity do the rest.



[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=neqRVqRRIIs[/media]

[Cmartingolf]

[quote name='Hunter2420' timestamp='1320810217' post='3777687']
Mr Chuck,

Not to interrupt "Project Joey", but I'm really struggling with my swing. I've decided to rework it during the winter. Like you had Joey do, I've started with the 9-3 drills and took some video. They are with a cell phone camera, so maybe not useful to you. If you get a chance, could you take a peek? Also, since I'm starting with these half-swings, do you recommend getting the Tourstriker wedge to start with, and purchasing the 7iron at a later time? Thanks!


DTL:

[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u162Q1GpyGQ"]http://www.youtube.c...h?v=u162Q1GpyGQ[/url]


Face on:

[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u162Q1GpyGQ&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL"]http://www.youtube.c...n_order&list=UL[/url]

Full swing:

[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8Mfipm6ruk&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL"]http://www.youtube.c...n_order&list=UL[/url]
[/quote]

Hello Hunter, thanks for entrusting me to take a look. I appreciate it that. I don't want to sound like a turd, but this is my profession. I do offer an analysis service. The fee is $65. Of course, if you don't fine the analysis of value or helpful, you'll get your money back.

[Hunter2420]

[quote name='Cmartingolf' timestamp='1320873430' post='3780385']
[quote name='Hunter2420' timestamp='1320810217' post='3777687']
Mr Chuck,

Not to interrupt "Project Joey", but I'm really struggling with my swing. I've decided to rework it during the winter. Like you had Joey do, I've started with the 9-3 drills and took some video. They are with a cell phone camera, so maybe not useful to you. If you get a chance, could you take a peek? Also, since I'm starting with these half-swings, do you recommend getting the Tourstriker wedge to start with, and purchasing the 7iron at a later time? Thanks!


DTL:

[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u162Q1GpyGQ"]http://www.youtube.c...h?v=u162Q1GpyGQ[/url]


Face on:

[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u162Q1GpyGQ&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL"]http://www.youtube.c...n_order&list=UL[/url]

Full swing:

[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8Mfipm6ruk&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL"]http://www.youtube.c...n_order&list=UL[/url]
[/quote]

Hello Hunter, thanks for entrusting me to take a look. I appreciate it that. I don't want to sound like a turd, but this is my profession. I do offer an analysis service. The fee is $65. Of course, if you don't fine the analysis of value or helpful, you'll get your money back.
[/quote]


Mr. Chuck,

Of course. I'm sorry for the misunderstanding. I didn't mean to seem like I was searching for free lessons or anything. Really just wanted to know if I was performing the drill that Joe is doing correctly before I did 1000 wrong ones lol, but I can see how that would involve you analysing my swing. I am interested in the analysis/future lessons though, so I'll send you a PM (or do you prefer email).

To the point of the thread, what about the last part of my original post. Do you recommend getting the Tourstriker wedge to do the intial drills, then move on to the 7iron once we start hitting more full swings?



Thanks, and PM sent

[Cmartingolf]

 

 

Fin,

 

I fix this type of grip all the time. Very tough to compress whitey with a grip like this...

 

Address and impact are different my friend.

 

 

[Cmartingolf]

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLo9L3CzGcY[/media]

Joey, sorry for the slight delay in the video. Hope this makes sense:)

Keep up the good work. Be patient, you'll get it IF you take it slow and methodically.

[JoeCool73]

Sorry Martin, the Video is marked as private so I cant watch it.

[avrag]

I will have the opportunity to get lessons from Martin Chuck when visiting Phoenix in April 2012 and I am looking forward to it.
To improve over the winter, I ordered a Tour Striker from an online golf shop in the UK, and I ordered the Pro 7 iron, as Martin wrote that it will make the most sense for most people. Now, the reason I ordered it is that medium and short irons are the worst part of my game by far and I want to improve that. It is so bad that I am one of those who, in the "blades vs GI" threads, always states that it does make no difference at all. And that is true for me, it makes absolutely no difference which irons I use, because I can hit horrid shots with any type of 7- or 8-iron. I can score in the low 80s with MP-32s and Ping S-59, but I also score in the low 80s at best with Callaway X-22s.
However, the shop mixed up my order and instead sent me a Tour Striker Pro X 7iron.
I do not mind the additional bounce it has, but the face on this thing looks so tiny, it is scary. Now I wonder if I should go through the hassle of sending it back, or simply man up and try to practise with this thing.
So, what do you say:
Keep the ProX and practise really hard with lots of frustration, or have it exchanged and rather get the Pro model I originally ordered?

[mshills]

MAN UP!

 

Just kidding. Trust me, either one is going to be frustrating. I've got the Pro 7-iron. Intended to get the Pro X, but the shop I went to here in town didn't have them, so I bought the club that they had. It's helped me a lot, though I still have a lot of work to do. My index is pretty low, but it's because of a handful of low rounds. I'm a long-time flipper, so I'm really inconsistent. When it's good, it's . When it's bad, it's .

 

Anyhow, my opinion is that the Pro X might be frustrating at first, but believe me, so is the Pro. I'd just get after it with the Pro X if I were you.

[Cmartingolf]

[quote name='JoeCool73' timestamp='1320923888' post='3782943']
Sorry Martin, the Video is marked as private so I cant watch it.
[/quote]

Joey, all fixed. Sorry about that!

[Cmartingolf]

[quote name='avrag' timestamp='1320946848' post='3784121']
I will have the opportunity to get lessons from Martin Chuck when visiting Phoenix in April 2012 and I am looking forward to it.
To improve over the winter, I ordered a Tour Striker from an online golf shop in the UK, and I ordered the Pro 7 iron, as Martin wrote that it will make the most sense for most people. Now, the reason I ordered it is that medium and short irons are the worst part of my game by far and I want to improve that. It is so bad that I am one of those who, in the "blades vs GI" threads, always states that it does make no difference at all. And that is true for me, it makes absolutely no difference which irons I use, because I can hit horrid shots with any type of 7- or 8-iron. I can score in the low 80s with MP-32s and Ping S-59, but I also score in the low 80s at best with Callaway X-22s.
However, the shop mixed up my order and instead sent me a Tour Striker Pro X 7iron.
I do not mind the additional bounce it has, but the face on this thing looks so tiny, it is scary. Now I wonder if I should go through the hassle of sending it back, or simply man up and try to practise with this thing.
So, what do you say:
Keep the ProX and practise really hard with lots of frustration, or have it exchanged and rather get the Pro model I originally ordered?
[/quote]

I'd keep it. Yes, it puts a bit more emphasis on the centeredness of the strike, but the leading edge height is exactly the same as the TSP 7. Start off slow, with half shots and work your way into "full" shots. Find some hard old mats or real grass mown tightly. Cheers and see you in April!

[avrag]

[quote name='Cmartingolf' timestamp='1321022329' post='3787895']
[quote name='avrag' timestamp='1320946848' post='3784121']
I will have the opportunity to get lessons from Martin Chuck when visiting Phoenix in April 2012 and I am looking forward to it.
To improve over the winter, I ordered a Tour Striker from an online golf shop in the UK, and I ordered the Pro 7 iron, as Martin wrote that it will make the most sense for most people. Now, the reason I ordered it is that medium and short irons are the worst part of my game by far and I want to improve that. It is so bad that I am one of those who, in the "blades vs GI" threads, always states that it does make no difference at all. And that is true for me, it makes absolutely no difference which irons I use, because I can hit horrid shots with any type of 7- or 8-iron. I can score in the low 80s with MP-32s and Ping S-59, but I also score in the low 80s at best with Callaway X-22s.
However, the shop mixed up my order and instead sent me a Tour Striker Pro X 7iron.
I do not mind the additional bounce it has, but the face on this thing looks so tiny, it is scary. Now I wonder if I should go through the hassle of sending it back, or simply man up and try to practise with this thing.
So, what do you say:
Keep the ProX and practise really hard with lots of frustration, or have it exchanged and rather get the Pro model I originally ordered?
[/quote]

I'd keep it. Yes, it puts a bit more emphasis on the centeredness of the strike, but the leading edge height is exactly the same as the TSP 7. Start off slow, with half shots and work your way into "full" shots. Find some hard old mats or real grass mown tightly. Cheers and see you in April!
[/quote]

Thank you for putting my mind at ease. I had a tendency to keep it anyway. After all, off-center hits are not really my problem with irons. Direction is, when the timing of my flip is off. I will be trying it first time this weekend, depending on the temperatures either at the range of my club or in the golf dome. I am very excited.

[avrag]

Ok, first range session with the ProX, and I believe that this training aid will really make a difference.
It was cold, but sunny, the greenkeepers at my club had really shaved the grass on the range one last time before the winter, the ground was hard, because we already have sub zero (Celsius) temperatures in the night and we have had alomst no rain here for the last two weeks, so the conditions were perfect for the Tour Striker. I started my range session like I always do with 9-3 drills with a high lofted, high bounce wedge and then got the Tour Striker out.
As Martin has prescribed in "Project Joey", I also started with short swings. The first ten shots or so were hit with the low edge of what can be considered the "club face" of the ProX, so they just ran along on the ground. However, I was pleased to see that I hit them all in the middle, so, indeed, the small face did not prove to be a problem.
After about ten shots, I slowed my transition a bit and then I started to hit half decent shots. After another ten shots, I got results that were quite similar to what I would expect from a 3/4 swing punched seven iron. The ball carried roughly 100 meters and went about 115 to 120 total, the highest point of the ball flight being about 10 to 12 meters above the ground.
I rembered Martin saying in one of the Joey videos that he only made a swing to hit the ball about 60 yards in those, so I shortened the back swing and slowed my tempo once more.
Whoaah!
This felt extremely good and now the shots resembled what really good pitch shots with a seven iron look like. I had that great feeling of almost not feeling the ball when I hit it. I got more height, and everything went dead straight. This was the most fun I have had practicing in ages. About one out of ten shots was bad, but 90 percent really felt great and looked great. The range balls are old and dirty, and I checked the ball marks after each shot. WIth the good shots, there were always dimple marks in the lower third portion of the "club face", which I felt was a good achievement. After a while, I also started to hit balls from the bare spots my divots had created, and I think that I could feel the improvement of my strikes even better from there. I always took out one of my normal clubs in between and hit some of the best feeling and best flying medium and long iron shots of my life, as long as I could keep my backswing under control
I tried some full swings with the Tour Striker and realised that I could not hit the ball well at all with those. My full backswing simply is too long, too much run-off after the shoulder turn is completed and too much clubhead throwaway at the start of the downswing. I really have to find a new defintion of what my "full swing" is. I have known that all along and the Tour Striker is a very strict teacher in that regard.
I have come to the conclusion that the Tour Striker not only helps to develop forward shaft lean, but will also be an extremely good tool to find the correct speed and tempo for my swing. Especially with the tiny face of the ProX, I am positive that I will be able to find exactly the length of swing which will allow me to hit the ball consistently.

[Cmartingolf]

Glad you dig it. Looking forward to working with you in April. Hopefully by then, it is more of a social call and not a lesson:) Sounds like you are using the tool in the right manner. Atta boy.

[avrag]

[quote name='Cmartingolf' timestamp='1321219733' post='3796159']
Glad you dig it. Looking forward to working with you in April. Hopefully by then, it is more of a social call and not a lesson:) Sounds like you are using the tool in the right manner. Atta boy.
[/quote]
No, no, lessons it is. When I wrote "straight", I only meant the ball-flight. No curve. But the problem of direction remains with the Tour Striker as well. Those shots of 110 to 120 meters all ended up about 5 meters left of where I thought I was aiming. Just like with my 7-iron through PW shots.
And the length of my backswing needs some serious work.

[JoeCool73]

[b]Project Joey 1.6 [/b]. Still trying to keep my right thumb in check. I have my right thumb down pretty good now. I tried the one handed swings, believe me there is nothing positive for me to say about that. For every video I post,there are literally hundreds of practice swings trying to implement the change. I swing these damn clubs compulsively now. Im my living room, at work, in my shower, and even while Im typing on here trying to engrain get that feeling of normalcy.




[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qcv3pwPRAW8[/media] [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrEameUnY7k[/media]

[Cmartingolf]

Joey, great job.

I'll post a video of the next step tomorrow. I appreciate your hard work.

[JohnnyNight]

Hello,

I'm trying to follow what's happening about the right thumb in the recent posts and can't quite figure out what it is about.

If anyone is able to tell me it would be appreciated.

What is this about keeping the right thumb off the shaft and what purpose does it serve?

Is this just for a drill or when you're actually playing hitting full shots?

Thanks

[racolon]

Martin, more improvement
Will send you the videos in a bit, for a better view.

the TS is helping a lot, also fixing my backswing as we talked.

[Cmartingolf]

[quote name='JohnnyNight ' timestamp='1321450292' post='3806919']
Hello,

I'm trying to follow what's happening about the right thumb in the recent posts and can't quite figure out what it is about.

If anyone is able to tell me it would be appreciated.

What is this about keeping the right thumb off the shaft and what purpose does it serve?

Is this just for a drill or when you're actually playing hitting full shots?

Thanks
[/quote]

Johnny,

When the right thumb is on the shaft it CAN apply pressure and cause the right wrist to tighten up or straighten out too early. The club sets (at the top) on the base knuckle of the right index finger, not the thumb pad. I've seen some good players with the thumb on the shaft, but it is the great minority. Also, you'll get one helluva sore thumb:)

[Cmartingolf]

[quote name='racolon' timestamp='1321450529' post='3806937']
Martin, more improvement
Will send you the videos in a bit, for a better view.

the TS is helping a lot, also fixing my backswing as we talked.
[/quote]

Good stuff. You are a good athlete. I'm not surprised.

[TheFatTick]

Read the first 25 pages looking for a simple answer to a question I had, but lost patience (bloody long thread!) so I will ask it here.

I am a 13 handicap that does not struggle getting the ball airborne but does struggle with consistency. I can shoot an 80 one week and a 105 the next. I bought the TS on the recommendation of a friend a few weeks back, hoping it will help me with consistency and help reduce the myriad "fixes" that I think about when I am not playing well.

I find I can hit the TS well, but only when I emphasize - to a seemingly exagerrated dergree - leading with my hands on the downswing. Is this what is meant by fixing a "flipping" issue?

Thanks. This is an interesting club to hit, and I am hoping it will help my game.

[JoeCool73]

[u][b]Project Joey[/b][/u]


Right thumb is totally off the club now. It now sits on my right middle finger and index finger.



[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgqVMX4QDys[/media]

[Cmartingolf]

[quote name='TheFatTick' timestamp='1321548216' post='3813563']
Read the first 25 pages looking for a simple answer to a question I had, but lost patience (bloody long thread!) so I will ask it here.

I am a 13 handicap that does not struggle getting the ball airborne but does struggle with consistency. I can shoot an 80 one week and a 105 the next. I bought the TS on the recommendation of a friend a few weeks back, hoping it will help me with consistency and help reduce the myriad "fixes" that I think about when I am not playing well.

I find I can hit the TS well, but only when I emphasize - to a seemingly exagerrated dergree - leading with my hands on the downswing. Is this what is meant by fixing a "flipping" issue?

Thanks. This is an interesting club to hit, and I am hoping it will help my game.
[/quote]

You answered your own question. You can hit it well by doing something you don't normally do? That is a change and that change will help you develop a better swing. You are changing your intent, the best kind of change.

[Cmartingolf]

[quote name='JoeCool73' timestamp='1321570505' post='3815173']
[u][b]Project Joey[/b][/u]


Right thumb is totally off the club now. It now sits on my right middle finger and index finger.



[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgqVMX4QDys[/media]
[/quote]

Your right thumb IS off the shaft:)

I will have time for your next lesson today. I'll post later. This one will drive you nuts:) Sorry in advance. You'll see why shortly.

[russc1597187869]

[quote name='TheFatTick' timestamp='1321548216' post='3813563']
Read the first 25 pages looking for a simple answer to a question I had, but lost patience (bloody long thread!) so I will ask it here.

I am a 13 handicap that does not struggle getting the ball airborne but does struggle with consistency. I can shoot an 80 one week and a 105 the next. I bought the TS on the recommendation of a friend a few weeks back, hoping it will help me with consistency and help reduce the myriad "fixes" that I think about when I am not playing well.

I find I can hit the TS well, but only when I emphasize - to a seemingly exagerrated dergree - leading with my hands on the downswing. Is this what is meant by fixing a "flipping" issue?

Thanks. This is an interesting club to hit, and I am hoping it will help my game.
[/quote]

During earlier posts Martin has emphasized that you have to reeducated your hands(as you seem to be describing) in the context of a proper pivot.Watch his video "pro impact drill" on youtube.