Courtesy: UPI

One final thought or two on the Canadian Open and then I'll shut up about the tournament.

I had a strong desire to watch Mike Weir on the practice range because he is the latest player to adopt the Stack and Tilt swing method of Mike Bennett and Andy Plummer.

Weir has said that his swing changes under Bennett and Plummer were not radical but minor.

I'm sorry but Mike Weir is a full blown Stack and Tilter. And he's still having troubles with it.

On Friday, I watched the lefty hitting driver. And for a guy who weighs a shade over 150 pounds, he can hit the ball a long way - I'd guess around 290 on the range.

But, as I watched, Weir actually skied a shot, the ball shooting up in the air and traveling about 150 yards.

Frankly, I was astonished and it struck me that he is not yet comfortable with the swing method, especially with its unorthodox backswing. I don't think Mike is going to have a breakthrough with his game this season.

A number of comments I've read from well-known swing coaches allude to the fact that Stack and Tilt is hard on the back.

And interestingly, two of Plummer and Bennett's students - Eric Axley and Dean Wilson were forced to withdraw from the Open because of - get this - bad backs. These are young players so there might be something to the concern expressed by others, including golf fitness guru, Roger Fredericks.

At any rate, I continue to receive comments about how effective Stack and Tilt is for us amateurs.

So here are a few that I have received over the last couple of weeks.

Mr. T. Getz wrote:

"Tried it and bought in immediately. irons are very crisp and longer. I too am
having trouble with fairway woods and driver. When you do "hit one" with the
driver though - it is really long! But am having trouble with pull hooks with
this club. Am going to try and keep connected better and extend to see if that
helps.
Am averaging 5 shots less per round already even with the missed drives from
time to time (12 hdcp). So am loving it."

But Mac M has a question:

"How does S&T relate to the short game? Pitches, chips, sand shots and putting?"

Putting aside, a very good question. Does anyone have any thoughts or knowledge of how Stack and Tilt applies to pitches, chips and bunker shots?

Dade writes with enthusiasm about his experiences:

"I was playing to a 3 handicap and have never had an issue with power, but was
no longer able to play 2 to 3 times per week and was losing my ball striking
ability. I always felt I needed the clubs in my hands several times per week to
use the 2 pivot swing (whether one plane or two) and even then I'd still go
through mini-slumps. I began using the concept of staying centered over the
ball and from the first time at the range, my ball striking GREATLY improved! My
average 7 iron before was 180 yards, but inconsistent in direction - sometimes a
draw, sometimes a fade and sometimes much worse. I'm the same distance now and
my accuracy has greatly increased and I don't feel the need to manipulate my
hands to release the club, the release is so natural and my club path is much
more consistent! I LOVE IT!!!!"

The beat goes on...