Tip Of The Month

By John Pallot
Director of Instruction

May 2006

"Twas a rainy day in the Gables so I took off for a visit with my good friend Bob Toski. After a friendly welcome he invited me to watch him give some lessons. Our conversation naturally turned to teaching. It's always been in the back of my mind, but as we spoke it really hit me. I was in the company of a golf legend.
Toski was the PGA Tour's leading money winner in 1954. Slammin Sammy Snead dubbed him "Mighty Mouse," for good reason. Barely 120 pounds soaking wet in old metal spikes, he was the longest hitter on the tour pound for pound. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2002 and is in the top ten of Golf Digest's Greatest Teachers.

Every moment with him is a learning experience. His swing today is sweet as 40 years ago. A long flowing motion producing effortless power. Toski is a golf historian, great story teller and can emulate the swings of many top players. At our last session he showed me Byron Nelson's swing, particularly demonstrating the genius of Nelson's lower body action and uncanny ability to keep the club-face square long after impact.

Here's a tip from Toski to me to you: to hit the ball long and straight the lower body must initiate the downswing. Picture a pitcher or batter. Before the ball is released or bat swung, the lower body shifts toward the target. Now here's my drill, what I call the pump and bump. Try this. After completing your backswing, pump the club three times, then swing to finish. You'll feel your wrists staying cocked when pumping. You'll feel your left knee and hip bumping forward(toward the target) and your left knee staying flexed when pumping.The butt of the club should point at the ball when pumping. Practicing this drill will give you effortless power. Thanks Bob.

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