April 6, 2024 The Lesson Tee

Stop the Slice

 

Let’s face it, most players’ shot shape is a big fade, or if we are being honest a slice. If this is you, it’s because the club face is open at impact to the target.  

This can be maddening, and you can spend hours trying to remedy this problem. In an effort to do less harm to your game, do not try to fix this via YouTube. Instead try this drill on the range the next time you want to work on your slice. 

Make practice swings with your hands split apart on the grip.

To achieve this, assume a normal grip with your lead hand (left hand for right-handed golfers). Next slide your trail hand down the grip 2-3 inches so there is noticeable separation in your hands. 

Separating your hands will make it easier to release the club through impact thus minimizing slice/fade movement. After a few practice swings, try hitting wedges in this fashion. Again, after a few shots you will begin to feel the club release.

 The next step is to move your hands back to a normal grip and start hitting them straight. 

Good luck and enjoy hitting more fairways.

Alan Reese, Golf Lab



October 11, 2023 Course Features

Talking Stick Resort

Nestled in the heart of the vibrant city of Scottsdale, Arizona, Talking Stick Golf Resort offers a golfing experience like no other. For any avid golfer and traveler, the opportunity to explore this golf resort will exceed expectations in every way.

Talking Stick Golf Resort boasts not one, but two championship golf courses, creatively designed by acclaimed architects Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore. The O’odham Course and the Piipaash Course each offer their unique challenges and are impeccably maintained, ensuring that every round is a memorable one. With meticulously groomed fairways, challenging greens, and breathtaking desert landscapes, these courses are a golfer’s dream come true.

One of the standout features of playing golf at Talking Stick is the stunning desert scenery that surrounds you. Towering cacti, rugged mountains, and lush desert vegetation frame every hole, creating a captivating backdrop for your game. The desert landscape isn’t just for show; it comes into play on several holes, adding an extra layer of challenge and intrigue to your rounds.

Talking Stick Golf Resort doesn’t just excel on the course; its facilities are equally impressive. The practice areas are top-notch, including a vast driving range and a short game area where you can fine-tune your skills. The clubhouse is a haven for golfers, offering a pro shop stocked with the latest gear and apparel, as well as a restaurant serving delicious meals and refreshing beverages.

While golf is undoubtedly the highlight at Talking Stick, there’s more to enjoy on the property. The resort’s pool area is a fantastic place to relax and soak up the Arizona sun, and the nearby Talking Stick Entertainment District offers a vibrant nightlife scene with restaurants, bars, and live entertainment.

Talking Stick Golf Resort is a golfing paradise that should be on every golfer’s bucket list. With its two world-class courses, stunning desert views, top-tier facilities, and luxurious accommodations, it offers an unforgettable golf vacation experience. Whether you’re a seasoned golfer or a novice looking to improve your game, Talking Stick Golf Resort has everything you need for a memorable and enjoyable golf getaway in the heart of Scottsdale.

October 11, 2023 Course Features

Golf Club at Estrella

Nestled in the stunning Sonoran Desert of Goodyear, Arizona, the Golf Club of Estrella is a hidden treasure that beckons golf enthusiasts and admirers of the great outdoors alike.

Upon arrival at the Golf Club of Estrella, guests are immediately struck by the breathtaking natural beauty that envelops the course. The rugged desert landscape is seamlessly integrated into the course’s design, creating a harmonious marriage of human craftsmanship and the awe-inspiring wonders of nature. Towering saguaro cacti, vibrant wildflowers, and majestic mountain vistas serve as a mesmerizing backdrop that enhances the golfing experience in profound ways.

The course itself, meticulously crafted by Jack Nicklaus II, is a par-72 masterpiece that caters to golfers of all skill levels. Pristine fairways, lightning-fast greens, and a thoughtful layout ensure that the Golf Club of Estrella stands out as one of Arizona’s premier golf destinations.

What distinguishes this course is its unwavering commitment to sustainability. It employs reclaimed water for irrigation and has implemented environmentally friendly practices throughout its operations. Golfers can revel in the desert’s beauty while knowing that the course is a steward of the environment.

The Golf Club of Estrella’s clubhouse provides a warm haven for post-round relaxation. The staff is known for their hospitality, and the dining options are exceptional. After a round, guests can savor a delectable meal while enjoying panoramic views of the course and the mountains—a perfect way to conclude a day on the fairways.

For those looking to plan a golf-focused getaway, the Golf Club of Estrella offers enticing stay-and-play packages with nearby accommodations, ensuring a seamless and memorable golf vacation.

In summary, the Golf Club of Estrella stands as a desert sanctuary for golf enthusiasts, delivering a challenging yet rewarding golf experience set against a backdrop of breathtaking natural beauty. Its commitment to sustainability, top-tier facilities, and warm hospitality make it a must-visit destination for any golfer. Visitors depart with cherished memories and a profound appreciation for the splendor of the Arizona desert, eagerly anticipating their return to this desert haven.

October 11, 2023 Course Features

Whistling Straits

Thanks to three PGA Championships, a Senior U.S. Open, and a win by the United States in the 2021 Ryder Cup, golf fans everywhere know a little bit about Whistling Straits. What most don’t know is that the site was a former airfield, transformed by the vision of Herbert Kohler and the bulldozers of architect Pete Dye into one of the most dramatic venues in the world.

Opened in 1998, Whistling Straits is one of three courses settled on the shores of Lake Michigan, just an hour away from downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It’s all part of the Destination Kohler resort, which includes The Irish and Blackwolf Run golf courses, three lodging options, spa and fitness services, and seven restaurants with something for everyone.

The course’s first major saw Vijay Singh win the PGA Championship in 2004, a tournament that returned in 2010 for Martin Kaymer’s first major victory, and then again in 2015 when Jason Day finally broke through in a major. Even before the 2021 Ryder Cup, Whistling Straits was considered a modern classic that should be on every golfer’s bucket list.

Aside from the rugged dunes and sweeping views of Lake Michigan, the one thing that gets brought up about Whistling Straits are the bunkers. They’re everywhere. There’s no official count, but Golf Digest writer Ron Whitten said he spent two days counting them in 2010 and settled on 967. That’s a lot of sand for players to avoid and is considered the most bunkered golf course in the world.

When asked why he designed the course with so much bunkering, Dye called the course ‘popcorn,’ but quickly added that “sometimes people choke on popcorn.” Like all of his designs, Dye gives golfers opportunities to score well and continually goads them into hitting a shot they know they shouldn’t.

The course makes use of every natural element available to it. The layout and routing are well-balanced, and offers six sets of tees with recommendations for players of any ability to ensure they have a great time.

1 2 3 4 … 9