Anecdotal… But 100% Gospel…

1,204 Views | 12 Replies | Last: 7 hrs ago by AggieDruggist89
maroonthrunthru
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10:36a, 1/4/25
Guys…

I hope this post doesn't break any TexAgs Rules (other than maybe the famous Rule 1)…

Sorry for the verbosity… Maybe TLDR… There's a payoff at the end, I promise..

I'm 70 (Crocker Hall, Class of '77) and have been playing golf since I was in Jr. High. My wife is in her mid 60'd (looks 45… Again, no Rule 1)..

Used to be a 4-5 handicap in my prime, but time is always undefeated, and I have struggled to break 85 in past 2-3 years, even after moving to "white tees" - 6200 yards or so… No longer able to simply compress the ball…

My wife was a really good tennis player back in the day, but she has always struggled with not trying to hit the golf ball like a tennis ball… Shoots anywhere from "bogey plus 9 to double"..

About a year and a half ago, I took a retirement gig, working in Player Services at the Omni PGA Frisco…

I got to know all the coaches at the PGA HQ Coaching Center pretty well, specifically Pablo Del Olmo..

Last August, I decided to invest some of Retirement Gig money into a lesson to try and fix my "body can't twist any longer" swing issues…

Bottom Line:
In 2 freakin' lessons Pablo FIXED me… I now have a more relaxed swing (befitting a 70 year old).. I can actually compress the ball consistently…

Just shot 72 yesterday (albeit White Tees - 6200 yards)…. My goal now is to shoot my age one day…

But the real kudos for Pablo go to him for helping my wife enjoy the game again…No adult puns necessary…

She is now PO'd if she doesn't break Bogey..

So… To keep this from being a "Cool Story Brah", I would invite any of you who want to improve your game immeasurably and happen to live in the DFW metro area, or who want to come visit us at the Omni for a Stay and Play, I recommend contacting the Coaching Center and see if you can schedule a lesson with Pablo…

It will be the best $150 investment you can make in your golf game…

Cheers !!

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tlfw378
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4:00p, 1/4/25
AG
That is a cool story. Good for you and your wife.
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concac
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In reply to maroonthrunthru • 6:54p, 1/4/25
AG
You shot 72 through 9 or 18?

Joking aside, that's impressive. I wish I can be half as good at golf as you.
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AggieEyes
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8:14p, 1/4/25
AG
Awesome thread, thanks for sharing!

Can you email me sir.

aggieeyes@gmail.com
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zephyr88
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9:52a, 1/5/25
AG
72 is 72, no matter the tee box... especially at your age (snicker...)!
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Matsui
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10:16a, 1/5/25
AG
Nice
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G Martin 87
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10:38a, 1/5/25
AG
Great results! No caveat or apology required for which tees you shoot from.
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MW03
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In reply to maroonthrunthru • 11:26a, 1/6/25
AG
maroonthrunthru said:
I got to know all the coaches at the PGA HQ Coaching Center pretty well, specifically Pablo Del Olmo..

I moved on from GOLFTEC over a year ago. I looked up PGA Frisco and thought to myself, "I bet that place has good coaches." I went online and found Pablo Del Olmo. Former touring pro. Represented Mexico in the World Cup. Former head coach of the Mexican Federation's national team.

I ended up buying a lesson pack from Pablo, and he's easily the best coach I've had in any sport ever. From the way he explains things to his upbeat attitude, he's an absolute joy to work with. Some of my anecdotal experiences:

  • I've never felt rushed whatsoever. He takes his time, and if you run long, you run long. He's never packed his schedule so tight that I've felt forced out the door
  • He asks me what I want to work on and we go from there. "Pablo, I lost my drive." "WELL, LET'S FIND IT!!! COME ON!!!"
  • I was having all kind of trouble with my short irons, and was the first coach to really get me to focus on my grip and takeaway. It fixed my swing path almost instantly.
  • He's not pushy. At all. After my first lesson (of a 5-lesson pack), I asked him when I should schedule my next one. His comment was "Come back when you need help!" I said, "How should I be practicing between now and then?" His comment was "Go hit balls and have fun! If it stops being fun, come back and let's make you have fun again!"
  • Best lesson I had with him by far was a short game lesson. I went in there with some Arccos data and told him I was hitting the ball well but completely lost on what to do from 60 yards and in. He said, "Let me ask you a question, and please don't be offended." "OK..." I said. "Do you know the difference between a chip and a pitch?" I resisted the urge to be proud and answered honestly, "No, not really." We spent like 60 minutes on those two shots, then he ran me outside to try it on the course for another 30 because he was excited and didn't have another lesson that day. Completely changed my game around the green.

Anyway, can't echo the OP enough. If you have the time and inclination, go see Pablo. He's a gem.

Here's my original post about seeing him back from June when I started.

https://texags.com/forums/60/topics/3469303

And before any one roasts me (and deservedly so) about the 8-iron, that was clearly a fluke from swinging hard and flushing the ball on a couple of occasions. I'm trying to swing easier and in more control these days, and my Arccos real world data is a ways different compared to cherry picking from the sim.

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DDub74
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11:51a, 1/6/25
What did he "FIX" that helped so much?

Path of down swing, stance/set up, grip?
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MW03
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In reply to DDub74 • 1:35p, 1/6/25
AG
DDub74 said:
What did he "FIX" that helped so much?

Path of down swing, stance/set up, grip?

Biggest for me was the takeaway. With my irons, I was trying to start shallow and stay shallow. I had the swing robot in my mind, thinking I could just repeat the motion back to the ball. The problem is that I'm a bit of an overswinger, and I would cheat my turn with my arms to get that extra little bit.

Pablo told me that with the irons, I have to start steep to end shallow. He got me hinging earlier and lifting the club more upright with the butt pointed at the ball, then around, down, and through. The mental concept was to draw a giant "C" in the air with the head of the club. When I started doing that, it was easier to drop my hands to my pockets and my path was much better (0 to 2.0 I/O) compared to when I was coming over the top.

Of course, then I had issued with the super strong grip I had developed to correct the slices when I first started playing, so I couldn't get my hands over. So the next thing he did was fix my set up. Weakened my grip to what I would call neutral/strong now, and also reduced my shaft lean quite a bit.

Now by starting steep, I can drop much easier, shallow through and return to the ball I/O, and the weaker grip helps me get my arms/hands over. It's like hitting a topspin forehand shot with a tennis racket.

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David_Puddy
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3:41p, 1/6/25
AG
Interesting.....why did I think that you lived in Houston this whole time?
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MW03
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In reply to David_Puddy • 4:08p, 1/6/25
AG
David_Puddy said:
Interesting.....why did I think that you lived in Houston this whole time?
Me? Probably my affinity for sneakers and 90/00s hip hop. Now give me a pair of Diamonds & Wood dunks in mocha brown and pearlescent cream already, you cowards!
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AggieDruggist89
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In reply to maroonthrunthru • 11:21a
AG
maroonthrunthru said:
I now have a more relaxed swing (befitting a 70 year old).. I can actually compress the ball consistently…
Well?????

We could all benefit from this you know.

So what is it??
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