The week of June 15 - 19, 2009 marks the beginning of weekday events at Rio Salado Golf Course in Tempe. Here is what is on tap:

Mondays

Every paid player can put their name in a box to win the drawing of a new TaylorMade R9 driver. There is no limit, so play every Monday and drop your name in the box.

Tuesdays

Skins Game starts at 3:00 pm. Bring your game for friendly competition…

Wednesdays

“Dog Fight” Wednesdays: each golfer is given a “quota” of points to pull based on handicap or average scores. To earn points: bogey = 1, par = 2, birdie = 4, and eagle and ace = 6. The player not able to card at least a bogey will pick up. The player with the highest + total, or the lowest - total is the winner. The game starts at 5:00 pm. How much to play? The cost is green fee + $10 for the prize fund.

Thursday

Couples League: 5:00 pm shotgun start (pending how many players).

Fridays

“Rush Hour Madness.” Tee off at 5:00 pm or later and pay only $5 and beers are only $1.50. Tell all your golf buddies about this one!

If you have not played Rio Salado Golf Course, then now is the time to play. You will find a hidden gem. The facility is a nine hole golf course with practice range, putting green, and bunker. You can practice every part of your game. And golf lessons are open for all Phoenix metro area players. The Arizona Golf Instructor, Robbie Camacho offers golf lessons for the beginner to the advanced player. Women golfers and junior golfers are highly encouraged to participate. Please call for more information and answers to your golf questions.

Happy Golfing,

Last Saturday after my last golf lesson, I had the experience of trying Nickent’s 4DX T Spec Driver. Here are the specs of the driver: I played the 9 degree.

T Spec 9 Degree
Stock Shaft - UST SR3 S Flex
Length - Stock 45.5
460 CC

After the first first drive, I knew this driver needed to be in my bag. My reaction was: ‘that ball came off the face HOT!’ I continued to play shot after shot with delight. The ball seemed to stay in the air forever. I was surprised how high my trajectory was for a 9 degree. And a huge bonus was DISTANCE! I killed this driver.

This driver is far superior over my old 2004 TaylorMade R7. The aesthetics of the club are superb. The club-head in my opinion is the best looking on the market today. You will find no “marketing-hype” here. This is true classic head-shape, and at 460 cc’s the head does not look huge as compared to some other large 460 cc’s offered by the other oem’s.

Results

-

On a five-star scale: I rate Nickent’s 4DX T Spec Driver with five-stars!

I highly recommend this driver for all levels of play. The better player will certainly appreciate the fine looks at address and the outstanding performance.

If you would like answers to your golf questions, please contact me at 602-828-GOLF. You can also book your next Arizona golf lesson on any topic. The golf lessons are available by appointment only. The lessons are offered as a corrective lesson, development lesson, and a playing lesson. All Arizona golfers from Ahwatukee, Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Tempe are always welcome.

Happy Golfing,

Here in Arizona we just ended a record of 13 days in a row over 100 degrees. Summer came too early! But the last two days we had rain and cooler temps. As desert natives, most of us are used to the heat to participate in outdoor activities such as golf.

In Arizona there are well over 300 golf courses to play. The golf rates are ridiculously cheap right now. And with the rates being so low, learning how to play to game is very affordable. If the heat is bothersome, then golf lessons can be taught early in the morning and in the evening. At Rio Salado Golf Course in Tempe the evening time is ideal for those who can’t book a morning time.

Rio Salado Golf Course

As an advocate for more women to take up golf, I welcome new players. Women golfers make wonderful students of the game. And for women with families, you can play with your children and husband. There are more opportunities for women to join golf leagues, golf groups, and golf clubs for women.

If you are interested in women’s golf lessons, contact Arizona golf lessons for more information at (602) 828-GOLF (4653). All Arizona residents from Ahwatukee, Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Tempe are welcome to participate. The golf lessons can be booked seven days a week. You can learn the following: full swing, chipping, pitching, putting, sand (bunker) shots, on-course-instruction, specialty shots, golf etiquette and golf rules.

Yes I am talking about Tiger Woods!

The man is coming back after knee surgery. He has played in six tournaments with one victory (Arnold Palmer Invitational). He just finished 8th at The Players Championship. In five stroke play events he has finished in the top ten in all five.

Tiger is just getting tuned up. He will be back. You know he is going to work even harder. I will not be surprised if Tiger wins two more events this year.

Here are three interesting facts for 2009:

1. 35 consecutive cuts made (ranked number 1)

2. He is ranked number 1 for scoring average 69.13

3. Putting within 3 - 5 feet (ranked number 2 at 97.06%)

For all the golf pundits out there:

LEAVE THE MAN ALONE!

I welcome golf dialogue. And if you are interested in golf lessons right here in Arizona - you can book your next golf lesson today. I teach, coach and instruct individual private golf lessons in Tempe, Arizona at Rio Salado Golf Course. Even though the temps are above 100 degrees in the Arizona Desert, I am game if you are. And remember: beginner golfers men and women are encouraged to sign up. You can book a golf lesson on any subject. Even if you live in the Ahwatukee, Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Scottsdale, and Phoenix - you are within reach. In my opinion, the summer months are great to play golf at reduced green fees. And speaking of reduced green fees: check out golfnow.com. Sign up and receive email alerts for special rates.

If you would like to discuss this article, please call me at

(602) 828-GOLF

or email me at

rcamacho at azgolfinstructor dot com.

1. Keep Your Left Arm (right hand golfer) Straight on the Backswing

You do not have to keep the left arm straight. Relatively straight is fine. If you keep the left arm straight you create tension and you limit your range of motion.

2. Keep Your Head Down

You do not have to keep your “head down” on your backswing. If you do this your range of motion is limited. The common ways people put their head down is this:

a. at address the golfer tilts his/her down
b. at the moment of impact the golfer will keep their head down as long as possible well after impact

Look at PGA TOUR PRO JJ Henry. It appears as though he is keeping his head down, but he is NOT doing it on purpose. The images are still images. If you watched his swing live - you will not see that he is trying to keep his head down.

3. You Looked-Up - Keep Your Eye On The Ball

If not seen one of my students since I started teaching/coaching (1996) “look up” as they hit a poor shot. This one baffles me. Just because you may whiff, top, skull, hit-then, hit-fat, and shank is not because you “looked-up.”

If you would like more information on the above “myths” please contact me at (602) 828-4653. And by email at rcamacho at azgolfinstructor dot com. The golf lessons in Arizona are held in Tempe at Rio Salado Golf Course. All golf lesson programs are open to women beginners to advanced and men beginners to advanced. Also, junior golf (kids golf lessons) are available too. You can book golf lessons and golf instruction on topics such as full golf swing, putting, pitching, chipping, sand (bunker shots). and any other shot that interest you. All Arizona golfers form Awhatukee, Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, and Phoenix are welcome.

Happy Golfing,

At Rio Salado Golf Course in Tempe you can buy a large bucket of range balls for five bucks.

Is there a catch? NO CATCH! The five dollar bucket (no limit) starts at 5:00 pm everyday. You will also see new dividers on the range tee for spacing and safety. I do not know of any driving range or golf course in the Phoenix metro area that can beat $5 bucks for a large. The balls are far superior to most driving ranges in the East Valley. You will also find a large putting green where you can also chip balls onto. There is a bunker, which you can chip and pitch shots onto as well.

And this is the place where I teach and coach at. The range turf is in great condition. You won’t find driving range mats here. In my opinion, Rio Salado Golf Range in Tempe is the best in the area. If you would like a better golf game, then perhaps I can be of help. You can book a golf lesson on any topic such as, full golf swing coaching, putting, chipping, pitching, bunker shots, playing lessons (9 holes), trouble golf shots and recovery golf shots. The driving range and golf course is close to all Phoenix, Arizona metro areas from Ahwatukee, Chandler, Mesa, Gilbert, and Scottsdale. So whether you are a beginner golfer, novice, intermediate, and advanced golfer - you are all welcome. All Arizona golf lesson programs are open to men, women, and children.

Happy Golfing,

At Rio Salado Golf Course in Tempe, Arizona, I don’t see many golfers on the driving range with a training-club, practice-club, and teaching-aid. I know many golfers have purchased one or more, but for some reason I don’t see them in use. I currently use the Swing Assist, and a heavy-weighted 7 iron. I carry both in my bag.

Here are some of the popular ones:

Momentus Driver

Inside Approach

Medicus Dual Hinge

Swing Assist

Swing Fan

Are golfers too embarrassed to use their devices in public? Perhaps, I guess. If you are golfer who has bought one of the above, or something other, call me so we can discuss why you are not using it on the driving range. And, if you are using one of the above or something else, please let me know. I’d like to get your take on golf training-aids.

If you are interested in learning how yo play better golf in Arizona or elsewhere, call me at 602-828-GOLF (4653) or email me at rcamacho at azgolfinstructor dot com. You can book your next Phoenix, Arizona golf lesson(s) today for a better golf game tomorrow. The topic areas include the following: full-swing, wedge shots, putting, pitching, chipping, bunker shots, trouble shots, and specialty shots. The golf lessons and instruction is open to men, women, and children. All beginner golfers in Phoenix, Chandler, Tempe, Mesa, Gilbert, Scottsdale, and Ahwatukee, Arizona we always welcome.

Rob Camacho
(602) 828-GOLF
Www.AzGolfInstructor.com

We all have missed very short putts, right? But why? Did you concede the put already as you casually walked up to the ball and attempted to make your put, but missed. Did you give the putt to yourself anyway? You know you did, well sometimes, right? You missed, but you gave yourself the par instead a true bogey, right? You would have made it your really tried, right?

There are many reasons why we miss the “easy putts.” Here are 12 common reasons:

1. Not taking the proper time
2. The upper body is turned toward the hole (ball misses right or left)
3. Lack of confidence (self talk “don’t miss”)
4. Not committed
5. In a hurry to get it over with
6. Putting technique
7. Changing putting technique from golf hole to golf hole
8. Thinking ahead (you already conceded the putt)
9. Distracted (fellow golfers, noise, etc.)
10. Speed (too much or not enough)
11. You attempted the ‘ole “one-hand-jab”
12. You attempted to putt left handed (right hand golfer with right handed putter)

If you would like help with putting, call Arizona Golf Lessons, by me (Robbie Camacho) today. In Arizona you have many choices on choosing your golf coach and taking golf lessons here in Arizona. I welcome for a limited time all Phoenix metro area golfers to “try before you buy.” What does that mean? I am offering 27 minutes of my time to answer your questions and evaluate your golf game, golf swing, putting, chipping, pitching, bunker shots, and any others shots you need help with. This offer is open to all Arizona women beginner golfers as well. The golf lessons are held in Tempe, Arizona at Rio Salado. The location is within easy reach from Ahwatukee, Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Scottsdale, and Phoenix. To Book your Tempe golf lessons and coaching, call me at 602-828-GOLF for more information.

Why in golf do other golfers try to make body movements like tour professionals? The answer is this: most golfers are watching the body movements and not what the player is doing with the golf club. I was guilty if this back in 1991 when John Daly won the PGA Championship. I tried to over-swing (minus the beer can)the next day on the driving range as so many more golfers around the world tried to do as well - swing like John Daly.

You know what we did…swing back as far as you can like John Daly so you can drive 300 yards. But it did not work for me, and I am sure it did not work for others as well. Daly’s average driving distance in 1991 was 288.9. See more stats.

I soon realized that I just could not swing the golf club like Daly did back then (1991) and how he swings now in 2009. But there are golfers who try to swing back as far as they can in the hope to drive the golf ball farther.

The next time you watch golf on TV or watch live pay close attention to what the tour pro does with the golf club.

If you would like to learn how to swing the golf club properly, call Arizona Golf Lessons by professional golf instructor, Robbie Camacho. The golf lessons in the Phoenix metro area is within close reach from Ahwatukee, Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, and Scottsdale. Even if your are planning a trip to Phoenix, Arizona, call ahead of time for booking. You can schedule your golf lesson(s) on any topic such as full golf swing, putting, chipping, pitching, and bunker shots. All golfers men and women from beginner to the advanced golfers are always welcome. Please call 602-828-GOLF for more information. The golf lessons and coaching are held in Tempe, Arizona at Rio Salado Golf Course.

The Haney Project (Charles Barkley show) is fun to watch! I The show airs on Monday nights at 9:00 pm eastern on The Golf Channel. The show should run 60 minutes instead of 30 minutes per episode. Why? It is very entertaining…you just don’t want the episode to end. If you have not seen the show - you have to watch this “real golf show.”

Hank Haney is Tiger Woods’ coach. And if Tiger has a coach…you know Hank must be the best. In fact Haney is one of the best golf instructors in the world. He has worked with well over 200 touring professionals. He is currently ranked #3 on Golf Digest’s America’s 50 Greatest Teachers.

What makes this show appealing is Charles as Charles. And of course his “golf-swing.” You can’t help that you want him to swing better. And the fact that he takes all the jokes about his golf swing and golf game. As golfers we can relate in someway to Charles. The Qwest to play better, swing better, and perform better in front of strangers, and friends is important. I wish Sir Charles Barkley all the best. And I look forward to next Monday for the new episode.

If you have desire to get better with your golf swing (golf game) please call me for HELP at 602-828-GOLF. I recently added “try before you buy.” I am offering 27 minutes of my time (no cost) with you on the driving range at Rio Salado Golf Course in Tempe, Arizona. This offer is open to all Arizona residents thinking about taking golf lessons. You can come as a beginner golfer, intermediate golfer, and advanced golfer. I highly encourage all Arizona women beginner golfers to come out and have fun while learning how to play better golf. You can even bring a golf buddy with you. You can come for help on topics such as full golf swing, putting, chipping, pitching, and sand shots. Rio Salado Golf Course is not far from Ahwatukee, Chandler, Mesa, Scottsdale, and Phoenix. If you come with an open mind - you will learn how to properly swing your golf club (your
tools).