May. 10, 2011 By Travis Fulton, Director of Instruction, PGA TOUR Academies Change can be difficult -- especially when you are already a professional golfer and having great success on the PGA TOUR. As a golf instructor, working with the best players in the world can be very rewarding, but it can be quite challenging and risky considering that most of these players have had a great deal of success already. Take Lucas Glover. He's already a major championship winner, but in 2010, he wanted to make some swing changes to make his swing more consistent. Over the last week, Lucas has let us in to the amount of time it has taken him to finally gain the confidence needed to play well again. At the TOUR Academies, we get the questions a lot -- "How long does a change take before it is permanent?" I am really not sure if I exactly know the answer to this; however, what I do know is in order for the change to happen there must first be a commitment from the player and coach. This commitment allows for a consistent approach where both parties can focus on the process it takes to make the change happen. One of the things that Lucas has been working on over the last few months is the position of the club shaft at the top of the swing. Lucas has been working to not get the club shaft across-the-line where the club shaft is pointing well right of the target line. This is a position that seems to be worked on by many professionals because -- in theory -- if the club shaft is on-plane at the top, then there would be less re-routing or manipulation on the downswing, resulting in a more repetitive impact position. The TOUR Academies are one of the most recognized golf instruction brands in the world. With eight permanent locations (with more to come) and a traveling school, students all over the world are benefiting from the industries top golf schools, private lessons and Get Golf Ready programs. Learn more I have heard Lucas refer to his old swing as more of a timing-oriented swing. Some days, his timing would be on where he is making the necessary adjustments on the downswing to make things work; however, when these things are off, his timing struggles and inconsistencies settle in. An on-plane club shaft at the top of the swing is when the butt of the club is still pointing at the target line. This can really be seen when the hands make it just above the trail shoulder during the backswing and the club shaft is roughly three-quarters. At the point, if you were to view this from down the target line, you would see the club head to the left of the hands. If the club head was to the right hands of the hands, then this would be considered across the line. With the club head well to the left of the hands, the butt of the club will still point out towards the target line. Oftentimes, this can look laid off to people but geometrically is more on-plane. To get to this point at the top of the swing, it's important you understand the sequence of the plane during the backswing. Often times, when attempting to lay the club shaft off more, players will move the club head immediately to the inside. However, this error during the initial takeaway can actually lead to a club shaft that is more across the line at the top. Therefore, it's important the club head works up first. This motion will keep the club head more out in front of the hands and allow the lead forearm to rotate the club shaft to the top of the swing. This sequence is clearly represented in Lucas Glover's swing which allows for a better on-plane position at the top. As a result, this position is now allowing Lucas to be more aggressive on the downswing with less re-routing and manipulation to impact. Furthermore, it seems Lucas is gaining more control of the club face at impact which is beginning to tighten up his ball flight in the way of starting direction and curve. This of course is a great feeling and one that he will certainly need to keep going next week at TPC Sawgrass and THE PLAYERS. Just Because Well, it has been a busy two weeks for the TOUR Academies, as we have officially started our first events for Waste Management as part of their membership with The TOUR Club. Our first event was at the newly-remodeled TPC Potomac just outside of Washington D.C. What a great golf course this has become, as I hope the PGA TOUR goes back to Avenel Farms in the near future. Stop No. 2 was at Del Mar Country Club in San Diego. A familiar practice ground for Phil Mickelson and Charley Hoffman, this first-class facility was just fantastic as we were treated to some great sights from the practice facility all throughout the golf course. And finally, event number three we ventured up the road to L.A. and Trump National. Yes, the Donald once again went over the top and did a nice job with this property as you can see the ocean from all eighteen holes along with two spectacular waterfalls on holes Nos. 1 and 16. Three great facilities and golf courses that if you ever get the chance to play -- you won't be disappointed! Speaking of great courses - be sure to tune into NBC and THE PLAYERS Championship this weekend as The Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass is as good as I have ever seen it. Should be a great tournament