We use the word straight to describe a lot of things in life 

We use sayings like scared straight; down the straight and narrow; taking the straight road; and many more.  One saying is “As straight as an arrow.”  This must be describing the arrow itself, because if you have ever tried to shot an arrow at a target it is harder than heck to make it go straight to the bullseye.  I was told by the individual whose bow I was using that the bow must be set up correctly for the individual using it.  The draw must be set for the length of the individual’s arms; the stiffness of the bow must match the individual’s strength; the sights must be set for how the individual holds the bow; the arrows must be the correct length; and the list goes on.  With everything set correctly it only increases the odds of the arrow hitting the bullseye, it does not guarantee it.  He quickly proved that with his shots. Although he hit the bullseye many more times than I, he could not hit it every time.

Normally straight is good 

When golfers talk about being inconsistent they are normally talking about the inability to hit a ball straight every time.  Most golf courses are made where a straight shot is rewarded with no hazards.  As the shot gets further to the right or left from center of the fairway there are more hazards and more problems.   If this is not true of the courses you play, then it is true that when you have the ability to hit a ball straight to where you want it, you will play at a low handicap. 

Is straight a miracle? 

A golf joke that relates to straight is:  A shot to the left is a draw.  A shot to the right is a slice.  A straight shot is a miracle.   Well, it doesn’t have to be a miracle, but it should be remembered that golf is a game of skill,  just as hitting the bullseye with an arrow, to hit a ball straight every time requires a lot of skill.  You also need to understand that without equipment setup correctly for the individual, the ability to hit a straight shot is much more difficult. 

Swing path and face angle at impact must relate 

To hit a ball straight many things must happen correctly at the same time.  A straight shot can only be hit if the club head is brought to the ball at a reasonable angle with the face set perfectly for that angle.  

To deliver the head correctly the individual must have a back swing that takes the club to a location where the down swing will begin from the same location each time.  The arms must then hinge and the hands must rotate the head at exactly the correct angles, so the head will be delivered to the ball at the correct angle for the path of the swing.  With that you have a straight shot…unless of course the golf club is not fitted correctly for that swing.  If it is not, the shot will not be straight even though the swing would have provided a straight shot. 

A good swing is not enough to produce a straight shot 

Even with a swing that should produce a straight shot that will not be the result of a swing with a club that is not fitted correctly for that swing.

• The club must be the correct length for the individual’s physical stature.  If not, the ball will be pushed right or pulled left.
• The shaft flex must be set correctly for the individual’s swing speed and tempo.  If not, the club head will be presented to the ball either too open or too closed.
• The lie angle of the club must be set correctly for the individual’s swing and posture. If not, the club will be aimed right or aimed left.
• The Club must be the correct total weight and the correct swing weight.  If not, the individual will not feel the head or will lug the club and the ball will be pushed right or pulled left.
• The grip size must be set correctly for the individual’s hand size.  If not, the club face will be left open too much or closed too much sending the ball right or left.

If the club is not fitted correctly then the swing will have to change  

A club that is not fitted correctly can be hit straight, but the individual will have to change their swing to accomplish that shot.  If all the clubs in the set are not fitted the same, then the individual will have to change their swing to match each club’s deficiencies, which will require remembering what swing must be used with what club. 

A bad shot is going to be bad 

Oh…if only individuals were machines.  If they were then the swing would be the same every time.  A set of clubs could then be developed that would hit the ball straight every time.  Unfortunately, we are not machines and we cannot deliver the head to the ball from the same angle with the face set correctly for that angle every time.  When either the swing path varies or the club face varies the shot will not be straight.  No one should set up a club to make that bad shot good.  If the club is set up to make that bad shot good, then it will be set up incorrectly to make the good shot good.  The bad shot will be good and the good shot will be bad, so the swing will change to match an incorrectly fitted club. 

Straight shots aren’t the whole story 

Straightening out your game is more than just shot direction.  You must have the clubs in your bag that you need.  Each club needs to be set at the correct lofts, so you get varying distances.   When the clubs are set up properly you will be able to cover all the distances you encounter with clubs you can hit.   

A well fitted club will provide the individual with better odds for a straight shot.  A well fitted set will provide the individual with a better game. 

Fitting golf clubs is what Pat Ryan Golf is known for due to the expertise and passion of the Cook Family.  No one knows golf clubs like the Cooks.  When an individual comes to Pat Ryan Golf they will be fitted by the Professional Clubmakers’ Society’s “International Clubmaker of the Year”…not the Minnesota Clubmaker or National Clubmaker of the Year, but the International Clubmaker of the Year. Pat Ryan Golf also has state-of-the-art computers and launch monitors to assist in the fitting process.  The clubs are built by Certified “Class A” Clubmakers or Certified Professional “Class A” Clubmakers, since everyone in the Cook Family is certified.  That is not true of any other shop in Minnesota.  That is also not true of any other shop in the United States.  Golf Digest has them on their list of "experts" to contact when they need information on club fitting and club building.  Now you are starting see how much of a passion fitting and building golf clubs is for the Cooks.   No one fits and builds clubs better than the Cook Family! 

They Will Straighten Out Your Game!