by RC
I've switched to natural golf. I got tired of not being able to control my slice. I've taken lessons but in the end nothing worked. For whatever reason, the combination of grip, stance, and club swing alignment allows me to hit the ball squarely. Before NG I would hit 1 out of every 3 balls toward the tarket, now I'm 8-10. My handicap has gone from 18 down to 12.

by LS
After a serious back injury a few years ago I could no longer use the "traditional" swing. I took lessons from a NG instructor and am now down to a 13 handicap. I have had 2 holes in one and hit most fairways. This year my goal is to get to a 10 HC and I should hit that by Fall. (I was an 8 HC before my injury.) I found the transition to be easy but you do have to commit to the change completely. I can out drive my playing partners (10 handicappers) and still get a few chuckles when people come up to me on the driving range and tell me my swing is all wrong.
It worked for me. Life without golf would have been tough. Putting is still an issue.

by Mike
I was playing a round yesterday evening when my playing partner showed me this grip. I immediately hit the straightest drive! I played the rest of the round with this swing. On a 500yd par five my drive was 275 - same as with the traditional golf swing. A 3 wood put me perfectly on the green. I am sold and will be playing with this swing from now on. There is more than one way to do things - just looks the pros - even their swings differ from player to player.

by Lee
Tim is an "idiot". Moe Norman has passed away so it would be hard for him to maintain a website. I find it hard to believe that most golf instructors have never heard of Natural golf when I have heard everyone from Gary Player to Tiger Woods talk about Moe's ball striking. Do a little research next time Tim before you dismiss a technique that you know absolutely nothing about because you hit a few balls on the driving range and it didnt immediately "transform" your "game".

by Marty
So Tim hits one bucket of balls with the natural golf technique without an instructor or equipment change and doesn't see any difference?! Anyone who would expect an improvement must have very little experience playing any sport. As with any swing change, NG takes time to learn, and you will definitely get worse before you get better.
The same is true with making a technical change in other sports. I played tennis in high school, college and as an adult amateur. Whenever I've made adjustments in my tennis grip or swing I'd have to accept getting worse for a while. But the goal is to find a better technique that will help you reach a higher level. Tiger Woods went through a swing change a few years ago and had the same result.
There's not much equipment needed for NG but larger grips are critical. You can't use the NG technique without larger grips. Conventional grips are much thinner and designed to be held in the fingers. NG grips are thick (3 inches in circumference), and are designed to be held in middle of the hands, in a similar manner to a baseball bat.
The NG swing is also simpler than the conventional one. It requires fewer moving body parts and less rotation of the hips. It also is more forgiving in timing as the proper NG swing keeps the club head square throughout the impact zone for a longer period of time than the conventional swing.
I got my handicap down to an 8 with a conventional swing but couldn't get it lower. About 5 years ago I switched to NG and have lowered my handicap to a 4. This wasn't easy. I took about a dozen lessons, purchased several videos, went to the range 2-3 times per week and played once a week. I also videotaped myself frequently to see if I was following the proper technique. Frequently, my videos would show some flaw in my swing that I had not realized. I don't think there's any substitute for taking lessons or videos of your swing because your mind cannot visualize everything you are doing in your swing.
I've frequently recommended the NG technique to people I've met on the range or the course. But I've also cautioned that while the technique is simpler and better for playing consistent golf, it's certainly doesn't make golf easy. There's no way to swing a club head 100 mph at a ball that less than 2" and hit it strait 250 yards every time, even with NG! For more on my ideas about Natural Golf, you can check out my website at www.SwitchtoNaturalGolf.com.

by Marty
I forgot to mention in my previous post, I've had many discussions with visitors to my website http://switchtonaturalgolf.com about implementing the Natural Golf technique. You can read some of the questions and answers in the "Ask Marty" section of the website.

by Terry
Seems odd Tim McDonald is a golf writer and does not know Moe Norman and the history behind him. Considering Titelist paid him something like $5,000 a month in the twilight of his years just because they cared about an important figure in golf.
To comment on something in a hap-hazrd manner without going to the natural golf people and research it properly does not do justice to the sports writers of North America. Actually their web site has numerous free videos showing the set up, drills, etc. all free of charge. No hard sell there.
If one does a story it is best to do a good story---Moe carries many golf records and many golf pros past and present still say he was the best golf striker ever.
Anyone that studies and enjoys the history of golf has enjoyed the history of Moe, a man who simply wanted to play golf. And was better than most.

by Gary S
Does any know of any competent Natural Golf instructors in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area?
Thanks in advance,
Gary S

by Brenda
After trying a couple different times to take some lessons from some "pros," I found that I was getting worse instead of better.. It's difficult trying to remember what seemed like the 20+ different things I'd been taught.
I saw an ad for Natural Golf and mentioned it to a dear friend that had been playing golf longer than I'd been alive. He remembered Moe Norman and his amazing ball striking and suggested I try it.
I'm SO THANKFUL I did. Within weeks I had improved by at least 5-10 strokes and it felt 'so natural.' As an athlete it was the best and easiest way to learn golf and have immediate results. I highly recommend it to anyone struggling or just picking up this game!!
Brenda

by Gary Johnson
My experience with Natural Golf was not a good one. During the class the instructor announced that he was going to quit teaching in favor of growing grass on golf courses. (immediately!)
Despite much practice, the inevitable occured. When changing your grip, stance, equipment, and swing, all at the same time, the wheels will inevitably come off.
I called to request the promised retake of the class, only to be ignored.
Not even a return phone call or email.
A lousy company to do business with!