Local golfers have new weapon at their disposal
GolfTEC in East Brunswick features newest technology
BY DOUG McKENZIE
Staff Writer

Doug McKenzie (above) tries his swing while Brian Gussis (at right) watches at the Telestrator at the GolfTEC Improvement Center in East Brunswick.

I am not Tiger Woods.Nor am I Stuart Appleby or Brad Faxon, two of the other obnoxiously talented Professional Golf Association (PGA) members who routinely make the game look easy on television.

The discrepancy between my golf game and those of the aforementioned professionals was made even clearer to me on Tuesday by Brian Gussis, himself a PGA member, and the director of instruction and store manager for the brand-new GolfTEC Improvement Center, inside Golfsmith, located at 678 Route 18 north in East Brunswick.

Gussis was kind enough to invite me in to experience firsthand some of the technology that is taking the golf world by storm. Through the use of some state-of-the-art technology, GolfTEC has emerged as a hot new tool for both professional and amateur golfers alike, all looking for any advantages available in their endless pursuit of the perfect swing.

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Founded in Denver in 1995, GolfTEC has emerged as a leader in high-tech golf instruction. Privately owned by co-founders Joe Assell and Mike Clinton, both PGA members, GolfTEC began offering franchise opportunities in 2004. Since that time, more than 80 locations in 19 states have surfaced, with as many as 60 additional locations expected to launch by the end of 2007.

GolfTEC works on the philosophy that if you have a fundamentally sound technique and properly fit equipment, and are in good physical and mental condition, you'll play your best golf. This philosophy is reflected in the TEC part of GolfTEC's name. While a comprehensive approach maximizes a golfer's performance, the heaviest emphasis remains on technique.

"Golfers love the GolfTEC system because it's very easy to visualize and understand what needs to be changed or fixed," said Clinton.

"A golf swing occurs at over 100 miles an hour," added Assell. "This instruction method equips our certified personal coaches with scientific data recorded on sophisticated, patented equipment so they can see critical details in the swing - elements that the naked eye just can't catch."

All GolfTEC instruction is given by PGA teaching professionals who are certified by both the PGA and GolfTEC University (based upon their PGA training and 80 additional hours of hands-on instructional education through GolfTEC), using the company's proprietary software system. This system combines digital video, impact analysis, biofeedback technology and motion-evaluation computers to evaluate and develop the student's golf swing.

During a lesson, students wear small harnesses around their waists and shoulders with sensors that measure the golfer's key movements throughout the swing. A motion analysis computer system, similar to animated feature film production, uses motion sensors to measure 24 key swing components, including shoulder turn and hip rotation.

Biofeedback reinforcement then measures and incorporates auditory signals of the golfer's swing against a set of ideal swing parameters. Those parameters are based on PGA Tour averages, and are not meant to serve as an absolute target number, according to Gussis.

"The tour averages are more of a reference than anything else," he said.

There is also an impact analysis feature, which provides accurate course ball flight and club-impact face angle to further determine flaws in the student's swing.

That data is then compared to more than 200 PGA professionals, many of whom are currently on the major PGA Tour circuit - in my case, Appleby and Faxon - and scrutinized by the instructor.

The results, or WebLessons, complete with voice-over comments and notes by the instructor, as well as video practice drills that support each individual lesson, are uploaded to the company Web site (www.golftec.com) so students can access and review their sessions from anywhere at anytime. Through this process, the client gets instant feedback to achieve ideal swing parameters, and can review the lesson repeatedly with specific follow-up drills and notes through the Web site. (A sample WebLesson is available for viewing at the Web site.)

In addition to golf instruction, GolfTEC facilities offer custom club fitting, custom-built equipment, and corporate entertainment opportunities.

According to Gussis, who played at Methodist University in Fayetteville, N.C., the local reaction to the GolfTEC center has been positive since the Golfsmith opened its doors on April 6.

"The reaction has been pretty good overall," he said. "You're always going to have people that want the quick fix, but it certainly makes my job easier when people come in with an understanding of how the process works.

"The goal is not to fix your swing in your first lesson," he added. "We hope to make you understand that this is a process."

With GolfTEC offering a variety of membership packages, customers are encouraged to pick the program that is right for them. An initial evaluation, which consists of a one-hour session including an in-depth swing analysis, a WebLesson and lesson planning program, is required for all new clients. As part of its grand opening, the East Brunswick GolfTEC is offering 50 percent off swing evaluations and 25 percent off lesson programs until May 6.

"The other advantages we have are that weather is never an issue, we don't need access to the driving range at a golf facility, and we can give lessons at night. That makes GolfTEC instruction much easier to fit into a busy schedule," said Clinton

So if you're looking for a way to improve your swing the same way the pros do, GolfTEC may be the answer. Just don't expect a miracle right away.

"You're going to get out of it whatever you put into it," Gussis said. "Just going to the driving range and hitting balls for five hours isn't necessarily going to fix the problems. You certainly have to practice, but it needs to be quality practice, emphasizing the right things. Quality repetition is the key."

As for myself, my problems certainly weren't solved on Tuesday. After comparing my swing to those of Faxon and Appleby, Gussis was able to determine that I have some issues with my posture (OK, you were right, Mom) while addressing the ball, while I also need to improve on my hip rotation leading up to the moment of impact.

My lack of rotation, coupled with the fact that my hands and arms are coming through ahead of my hips, is leading me to lift my torso and head when striking the ball, resulting in a significant loss of power.

Sounds pretty technical, right? Well, believe me, with Gussis walking you through it, and with the help of the 3-D imagery, it was actually pretty easy to follow.

Upon completing my evaluation, which I must admit was a bit humbling, Gussis assured me that the flaws in my swing are certainly fixable.

In fact, I think he even gave me a compliment.

"It's not the worst swing I've ever seen," he said.

Look out, Tiger.