It’s time to launch!
You can take that a few different ways—and all of them are good when it comes to golf. It’s a new season on the PGA Tour at the Sony Open in Hawaii, and it’ll be fascinating to watch and see if the excitement of Rory winning the career Grand Slam and Scottie winning two majors and player of the year can be topped.
It’s also the unofficial launch of the golf season with the PGA Show opening next week in Orlando. The world of golf instruction is mostly in one place, and it’s awesome to share ideas and have a few drinks with old friends and new ones. I’ll be there Thursday and if you see me walking the floor at the Convention Center (or enjoying a glass of wine on International Drive), come over and say hello.
There’s also the “launch” that you get from a good shot. It’s not just about hitting the ball high. When I work with my professional and elite amateur players, we’re trying to create a consistent platform to launch shots through predictable windows. That means doing what you mean to do instead of being surprised by the shot you hit. The only way to do that is to practice in a way where you connect your preparation and setup with real feedback.
How to Build a Practice Station
1. Use a reference tool
Resist the temptation to pick a blade of grass or old divot and use it as a “close enough” alignment aid. Get an alignment stick (or a broken shaft or a driveway marker from Home Depot) and lay it so it is parallel to your target line, just outside the ball. Next, stick another one in the ground about 10 yards down range, in line with the first stick. Last, lay a third stick on the ground perpendicular to the first stick and in line with the ball. Now, you have a very precise set of guides for stance, ball position and the start line of your shots.
2. Every time means every time
Now that you have your station set up, go through your pre-shot routine before every practice ball and make sure you’re aligned the way you intend. Do this every time, and I mean EVERY time. The more it becomes a habit or ritual, the easier it will be for you to lean on this process when you play and focus on it instead of the stress of the shot.
3. Find your predominant curve
It’s fine if you hit a fade or a draw. I mostly want you to pick your start line on purpose and make the ball go to one side of the upright stick or the other and curve back toward the target. The stick helps give you a specific focus that’s nearer to you than the target, and it also makes it easier for you to actually visualize where you need to start the ball relative to “straight” to make it end up where you want it.
What I’m Watching
I’m excited to be a part of the GOLFPASS family for 2026, and my first instruction video landed there this week. It’s one of my favorite drills—and oldie-but-goodie I learned from my friend Mark Wood. It’s another take on the practice station advice I talked about above, but it uses both a rope and an alignment stick. There’s no better deal going than GOLFPASS, where you can get tons of great instruction, deals on tee times and equipment and even access to Peacock+ to watch sports and movies. Watch Golfpass Here!
Camp Update
Looking to get better in the “offseason?” We have some camps coming up where you can work with me and a collection of other great coaches. We also have a special Elite Player Development retreat February 13-14 at Old Palm with special guest instructors Morgan Hale, Mark Hackett and Kevin Sprecher. I also have some individual availability January 27-30, February 4-6, February 11-14, February 23-27 at Old Palm if you’re looking for a private lesson. I also have some Mobile times available January 23 -24 and February 7.
Performance Session
January 28 … one-hour sessions with Tony and golf fitness expert Kolby Tullier together. These sessions help you learn to move your body in a new and different way and improve your swing mechanics. Limited spots and times. For details text me 850-225-1631 or email Liz@dewsweepersgolf.com.
Click here for the full schedule, and we’ll get something on the books.
Now go knock it in the hole,
Tony
