Tip Of The Month

By John Pallot
Director of Instruction

October 08: Toski's Timeless Tips

As the 2008 golf season comes to an end, I realize more than ever what a great game we have in golf and what a great and surprising year this has been! Reflect with me upon Tiger Woods amazing U.S. Open win at Torrey Pines. How about Paddy Harrington winning The Open and PGA Championship with two dramatic back 9 four-under par 32's. Annika Sorenstam calling it a career, Lorena Ochoa winning 7 tournaments. Who could forget the U.S. winning The Ryder Cup in dramatic fashion after the long drought? A great year for golf, dramatic and exciting! It is truly a global game with worldwide interest and appeal.

It was a great year for me too. I made new friends and took several opportunities to visit one of my oldest, Bob Toski. He is a great golfer, teacher and friend whom I consider my mentor . World Golf Teachers Hall of Famer; leading money winner on the tour in 1954; Dean of the Golf Digest Golf Schools; still going strong at the age of 82.He still drives a ball 275 yards and can call any shot before he hits it.

His peers still call him "Mouse". Sam Snead gave him his moniker "Mighty Mouse" after watching him hit drives twice his body weight. After fifty years of teaching his eyes and mind remain so keen I am amazed at the details he sees and perceives.Mouse is currently #15 on Golf Digest's Best 50 Teachers. He should be certainly in the top 5, if not # 1. "The Tosk" has played with Sarazen, Nelson, Snead and Palmer to name a few, and he watched Hogan hit shots for many hours. No one has studied the golf swing in more detail than Toski.When he helped found the Golf Digest Schools in 1971 he taught with legendary teachers Davis Love II, Jim Flick, Paul Runyan and Sam Snead. Can you imagine being in the same room talking teaching with that lineup? Listening to Bob conduct his lessons one has to appreciate the ways in which he relates his own amazing talents, the ability to play the game, hit the shots, his scientific understanding of the physical laws at work and skill in relating and communicating what he knows to his students. He is the greatest teacher/player of our era. He teaches with knowledge gained from 70 years in golf, the evolution of the modern golf swing presented from a historical perspective. His socratic method of teaching has intimidated a few, yet no one can argue the logic of his presentation of the fundamentals. I take copious notes when Toski's talking. He's gracious and generous in sharing his knowledge.Nearly every sentence contains a bullet point worth noting.

In dedicating this edition of my Tip of The Month to Bob Toski, I've decided to pass along some Toski truisms.

Rhythm:One-Two-Three. Simple count will help any golf swing.
Putting:Putting must be a pendulum. Club swings itself. Most golfers over control.
Putting:Arch left wrist at address and impact.
Putting:Must see impact.
Short Shots:Lean left. Club goes high to low. Let wrists hinge and swing down.
Iron Shots:Left knee must be flexed at impact to strike down.
Swing:The faster the arms swing the faster the body moves. Swing has freedom and flow.
Swing:The body pivot responds to the arc of the swing.
Swing:Pause at the top helps student swing to the target.
Swing:Make a circle with a neutral grip to hit straight.
Swing:Aim the club on the line of play. Most important fundamental in golf.

Thanks Bob for helping me to greater understanding and enjoyment of golf in 2008.

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