Jay Vecchiarelli

I’m a life long player.. started when I was 8 and am turning 80 this year. I went to GOLFTEC 2 years ago because I had some back issues and couldn’t turn fully anymore . I was single digits until my early 70’s from the blue tees. Thought they could help me. They did not. In fact my instructor tried to completely revamp my swing. As I said I’ve played for nearly 70 years and know you can’t change easily in a few months. In fact it takes about 2 years to change your grip so you are comfortable and confident. Find a teacher that is highly recommended and pay him. You will be better off. Practice is essential with the guidance of a real teacher.

You will never forget the experience! If you are lucky and get in the first wave you can put your chairs at the eighteenth green. Leave them no one will move them. At least that’s the way it was when I went. in Aiken, you may be able to play the Reserve club as they accept outside play. It’s a Nicklaus course and it is in every aspect a championship course. Aiken golf club is a public course. Neat because of the history. Many PGA pros from the area cut their teeth on it. I lived at the Reserve Club for many years. Sage valley is another great course. Walking and caddie is required. You won’t regret playing it.

Today’s golf is not really different from when I learned to play in the early 1950’s. Today’s power hitters invariably hit a fade. They set up pretty much the way Ben Hogan did. I heartily recommend his 5 lessons as the Bible . Everything in that book was right. Grip, posture, etc. my second book would be Tom Watsons , getting up and down. Sam Snead had a pamphlet about his swing that was enlightening also everything else is a spin off. I was a single digit for many years and now time has caught up with me. But the point is those books covered me for my golf career. If you get caught up in stuff, Rotellas book would be helpful

I too have a mavrik driver. When fitted by a Callaway fitter,( actual Callaway ) we came away with a 9 * head set at stated loft and neutral. Swing speed is under 80 mph. I questioned him and he said A) The driver is difficult to draw , B) my angle of attack is just about 2* upward. More loft would give me too much spin. The shaft is A flex. If I wanted higher loft he stated a stiffer shaft would keep my spin down. The point is if you were fitted to that club the setting would be correct. I spent a long time with him. He was right. Alway get fitted and question everything. I’m not making negative comments but trying to demonstrate how crucial a fitting is.