The Stack and Tilt Chronicles

Filed in archive Golf Instruction on September 1, 2007

Courtesy: Golf Digest

Time to catch up with some readers' comments.

Several weeks ago, I wrote a post regarding parents who are highly involved in their children's sports careers, not always with good results. I sited Michelle Wie as an example of involvement that doesn't appear to be working and Tiger Woods as an example of involvement that has worked in spades.

Rae Pica wrote:

"It certainly seems as though Tiger's father did a lot of things right.
Unfortunately, the only thing most people remember is that he got his son
started at age 3; and that story has done a great disservice to children. The
reason? Tiger was an exception! But parents now believe that if they don't get
their little ones started almost as soon as they're out of diapers, they'll fail
to achieve the same - or any - level of success! Hand-eye coordination isn't
even fully developed until age 9 or 10. Making a judgment about a child's
athletic abilities before adolescence keeps many, many children from finding
their talent".

Excellent point.

Now to the latest on Stack and Tilt. I must say, as an aside, I have experimented with this swing half-heartedly during moments of bleakness on the range. I do note that my shots go straight and exactly where I aim them. But I also find they fly much lower. I doubt I'm performing the swing correctly. As I say, I tried it half-heartedly and with little preparation.

Nonetheless, the many others who try it are loving it. To wit, this comment from Steve McDyess:

"Ever since Leadbetter and a couple of lessons in Atlanta I have been struggling
with two problems: coming over the top and lower back pain. Since stack and tilt
in June, I have resolved both and lowered my handicap from 7 to 4. Now if there
was only something to help me get up and down, even though I need to less often..."

Yes, Steve, no matter how good we are off the tee or from the fairway, there's always that "short game" to deal with. If it's not one thing, it's another...

Finally, this note from Sam Lameaz, another S&T convert:

" tried it yesterday for the first time, after reading the article. Did very
well on my irons, I was not sure about the driver. I hit some good shots, but I
also duck-hooked a few. I would love to know the way to hit the driver with this
method, since you are supposed to sweep off the tee".

Sam, the August issue of Golf Digest has an instructional article dealing with this very thing. You've probably seen it by now but I mention it for others who may be having the same problems.