Tom Watson on the Golf Channel

Tom Watson's timeless swing

Every time I need a little uplift in my game (which is often), I turn to my copies of the Tom Watson DVD set, Lessons of a Lifetime.  Tonight, I'll be tuning in to the Golf Channel to watch the eight-time major champion and 2014 U.S. Ryder Cup Captain on a special instruction episode of the Golf Channel Academy with Martin Hall. The segment will air 13 times through the end of September including July 16, 18, 20 and 23rd.

In the hour-long episode, Watson reflects on several memorable moments that helped establish his career and demonstrates the keys to developing a strong skill set and mindset on the golf course. Watson and Hall also discuss the tools necessary to creating an ideal swing and highlight the fundamentals for developing an excellent touch around the green.

Watson also discusses the time he spent with his first swing instructor, Stan Thirsk, at Kansas City Country Club, as a youngster trying to mimic Jack Nicklaus' swing. Since Tom and I are about the same age, that would have been about the same time in not-so-recent history when I was learning the game as a caddie at Fairview Municipal Golf Course about fifty miles away in St. Joseph, Mo. The Golf Channel episode was filmed at Loch Lloyd, a course Watson designed in his native Kansas City.

"One of the many great things about golf is that it can never be mastered," says Watson, who is also promoting his brand-new Tom Watson Lessons of a Lifetime II DVD set. "Sure you can have a good run of play, but sooner or later the wheels will come off. I've been experiencing the game for half a century, and I promise you I'm still learning."
 
His new DVD set is an addendum to the very popular original that was released in 2010. While that rendition has become one of the best-selling golf instructional video programs of all time -- selling 70,000 DVD sets in 40-plus countries -- the new series covers many advanced topics, including pre-shot routine, the importance of the bottom of the arc, head movement, getting maximum benefit at the practice tee, handling pressure, the 40-yard wedge shot, controlling trajectory on chips, chipping with a putting set up, and much more.

These DVD programs are available at TomWatson.com, Amazon.com, and select golf and sporting goods retailers. Both programs can also be purchased by calling 800-993-5589. A portion of the proceeds from all sales will be contributed to the Bruce Edwards Foundation for ALS Research.

Among many other books, Dave Donelson is the author of Weird Golf: 18 tales of fantastic, horrific, scientifically impossible, and morally reprehensible golf

Watson DVDs Make Great Fathers Day Gift

Ray Watson first introduced his 6-year-old son Tom to the game, so it's only fitting that World Golf Hall-of-Famer Tom Watson just released the Lessons of a Lifetime II revision of the best-selling original DVD set just in time for Father's Day.

"I felt it was time to provide further instruction in areas not just about hitting the shots, but also about the mental approach of playing the game," says Watson. "One of the many great things about golf is that it can never be mastered. Sure you can have a good run of play, but sooner or later the wheels will come off. I've been experiencing the game for half a century, and I promise you I'm still learning."

The original DVD set was released in 2010 and has become one of the best-selling golf instructional video programs of all time, having sold 70,000+ DVD sets in five languages in more than 40 countries. The new lessons cover many advanced topics, including pre-shot routine, the importance of the bottom of the arc, head movement, how to benefit the most with your time on the practice tee, handling pressure, the 40 yard wedge shot, controlling trajectory on chips, chipping with a putting set up, several putting lessons and instruction for kids and seniors. 

The new 2014 lessons can be purchased in two ways:
• The first, Tom Watson Lessons of a Lifetime II With New Advanced Lessons ($49.95), features three discs (including the original two-disc DVD set) and a 20-page booklet.
• The second, Tom Watson Lessons of a Lifetime II: The New Advanced Lessons ($24.95), features one disc (only the new lessons) and a five-page booklet.

These DVD programs are available for sale at TomWatson.com, Amazon - U.S., Canada, U.K., Japan and select golf and sporting goods retailers. Both programs are can also be purchased by telephone at 800-993-5589.

Among many other books, Dave Donelson is the author of Weird Golf: 18 tales of fantastic, horrific, scientifically impossible, and morally reprehensible golf

Watson Adds to Excellent DVD Instruction Series

Tom Watson has just released a second DVD in his Lessons of a Lifetime set. This excerpt answers one of the biggest questions I've always had about the short wedge shot:

Simple, isn't it?  That clear, uncomplicated approach to the game is why Tom Watson Lessons of a Lifetime has become one of the best-selling golf instructional video programs of all time, having sold over 70,000 DVD sets in 5 languages in over 40 countries since its release in 2010.  In extensive surveys conducted with buyers, 88% said the program had improved their game and 79% rated the program as excellent.

"I felt it was time to provide further instruction in areas not just about hitting the shots, but also about the mental approach of playing the game," says Watson. "One of the many great things about golf is that it can never be mastered.  Sure you can have a good run of play, but sooner or later the wheels will come off.  I've been experiencing the game for half a century, and I promise you I'm still learning."

The new lessons cover many advanced topics, including pre-shot routine, the importance of the bottom of the arc, head movement, how to benefit the most with your time on the practice tee, handling pressure, the 40 yard wedge shot, controlling trajectory on chips, chipping with a putting set up, several putting lessons and instruction for kids and seniors.

These new 2014 lessons are being sold separately and also combined with the original 2 disc Lessons of a Lifetime program.

• Tom Watson Lessons of a Lifetime II With New Advanced Lessons (3 discs and a 20 page booklet) will have a MSRP of $49.95.

• Tom Watson Lessons of a Lifetime II:  The New Advanced Lessons (1 disc and a 4 page booklet) will have a MSRP of $24.95.

The DVDs are available for sale at TomWatson.com, Amazon and select golf and sporting goods retailers.  

Among many other books, Dave Donelson is the author of Weird Golf: 18 tales of fantastic, horrific, scientifically impossible, and morally reprehensible golf

Tom Watson Releases DVD Instruction Set

By guest blogger and fellow golf writer Howie Munck

Tom Watson has released an instructional two-disk DVD set entitled “Lessons of a Lifetime” in which he draws upon his many years of experience and observation of reliable golf swings.

Watson's swing has been a model of repeatable simplicity and effectiveness. He credits his longevity in golf primarily to good family genes, a regimen of aerobics and weight training. He also credits The Champions Tour with keeping his game sharp.

Watson is generous with crediting those from whom he has learned: his father, Stan Thirsk, Cory Pavin, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, lee Trevino, Byron Nelson, Johnny Miller, Seve Ballesteros, Claude Harmon, Billy Casper, Dave Stockton, George Archer, Tiger Woods, Freddie Couples, Harvey Penick, and Gary Player.

A cursory on-line check reveals several of his You Tube sessions of recent vintage, but the new set provides a picture of his collective fundamentals that can be helpful to all.

Things not generally found in other instructional videos include the importance of maintaining the bend in the wrist at setup all the way through impact and his abandonment of the reverse C finish in favor of maintaining spine angle and swing plane. His observation of Cory Pavin’s unusual swing prelude in 1992 at Harbour Town led him to swing down the target line with a higher right shoulder at impact and more consistency.

Asked last week how long it took to internalize the new move, he said, “It took me three swings.” That translates to more than three for those without eight majors.

The set includes 44 instructional points. It plays in two hours and forty minutes. As to how the dvd’s should be viewed, Watson said, “You certainly can’t go through all 44 points. You’d be a basket case. There’s a sequential order to it. We started with the grip, then the setup and grip pressure, where your feet should be and your weight balance. You have to start with that before you swing the golf club.”

The set was in the planning last year, and he credits the mental process in working out the script as a factor for his fine performance at Turnberry. He does not dwell on quick fixes, but following the fundamentals he presents should minimize the need for them. View selected lessons with the dvd player for what you need. Available for $49.95 at golf stores or at www.tomwatson.com.

Dave Donelson, author of Heart of Diamonds a romantic thriller about blood diamonds in the Congo.