Olympic boxers are swinging in a different direction
 
By Wayne Creighton

Sports
Mar 21, 2007
 ST. CATHARINES — Jamie Pagendam is convinced he has found the cure for his ailing golf game. So convinced that the former Olympic boxer not only endorses the Wrist Rite he has invested in and is now employed by the company that designed it.
“This product will improve your game instantly,” said Pagendam, who competed at the 1988 Seoul Olympics. “The biggest problem in golf today is the break down in the mechanics in the lead wrist and the Wrist Rite has the ability to alleviate that problem by restraining the lead wrist from cupping or bowing at impact.”

“It has provided me with an added power and accuracy that I thought I would never attain on the golf course,” added Jamie’s brother Steve, himself also an Olympic boxer who fought at the 1984 Games in Los Angeles and also an investor in Kiko Products Inc.

“Jamie and I are still swinging, just in a new direction.”

The Wrist Rite sells for $29.95 and is designed to slide inside a golf glove and can be used by men, women or children and worn on the left or right hand. It’s expected the product will be available soon at area driving ranges and pro shops.

“Not only will it help out with your swing, it will help you mentally and with course management,” said Jamie, the company’s Director of Sales. “If used properly, the Wrist Rite is designed to make you focus on every shot. You will hit the ball straighter and you will be thinking one shot ahead all the time.

“So, when you go to the 19th hole when you’re finished a round of golf you’ll have something to talk about. And you’ll be less frustrated.”

St. Catharines native Charlie Kingston is the president and founder of Kiko Products Inc. and designed the Wrist Rite to help with his own struggles on the golf course.

“I could hit the ball, it just didn’t always go where I wanted it to,” said Kingston. “Well, I’m a studier so I got all these books and after reading about 19 different books I found out that the number one problem in golf is breaking your wrist. It’s not your shoulders or where your hands are or what you wear.”

One of the books suggested taping an ice cream stick to the back of your hand to help with the problem of breaking your wrists so Kingston headed to the drawing board and came up with several prototypes before the final product which is completely manufactured and packaged in Canada.

Kingston is optimistic that the Wrist Rite will be the first of several products produced by Kiko Products.

“We are going to build an organization to do Canadian things for Canadian people,” said Kingston.

For more information about the Wrist Rite visit www.kikogolf.com.
 

Tags: GENERAL GOLF TOPICS by kikod
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Since there are an infinite number of wrong paths for a golf ball to fly, but only one right path, the odds are not in your favor. Beat them by looking at the cause of a hook and practicing the cure.

A hook is a shot that moves to the left of the target line. (For right-handers, for lefties reverse the directions.) Sometimes it starts out to the right, then veers left; sometimes it starts left and curves further left. (If it shoots off behind you, you have a different problem…)

As with any undesired path, the causes are many and varied. Still, some fundamentals remain. A hook is the product of one or more of: (1) incorrect grip, (2) poor stance, (3) wrong swing. Any or all can contribute to a closed clubface, producing counter-clockwise spin and a shot that moves left of the target line.
(1) Grip

You may have an overactive right hand, in which the hand and forearm rotate too much, too quickly, bringing the clubface closed.

To check this, start with the static grip. The V’s in each hand should point toward your right shoulder. If they point further right, your grip is probably too strong. Remember to grip firmly, but lightly. A death squeeze leads to tension in the forearms and incorrect swing.

The back of your left hand and the palm of your right hand should face the target. You should see only two knuckles of your left hand. If three are showing, you probably have too ’strong’ a grip. Make sure your left is not too relaxed, though. This tends to cause the right wrist to take over, again leading to a closed clubface.

Grip the club more in the palm of your hands than the fingers. This will help reduce wrist action and premature closing of the clubface. Hold the club only tight enough to keep control.

(2) Stance

In order to hit the ball squarely with any consistency, you have to return the club to the original spot (sweetspot on the ball) at impact with the club squared.

So start with the club in the proper position, by taking the proper stance. Your knees, hips, and shoulders should be parallel to the target line.

To ensure the clubface isn’t closed at address (your starting stance before beginning the swing), align the scoring lines of the clubface at right angles to the target line.
(3) Swing

In order to hit the ball squarely with any consistency, you have to return the club to the original spot (sweetspot on the ball) at impact with the club squared. Yes, I said that in (2) — it bears repeating.

The lesson here is that the club should remain in the same swingplane both on the backswing and the downswing.

Make sure the right forearm is not far below the left.

On the downswing, make sure that the action is from the body, with the legs relaxed. This helps to reduce wrist rotation and closing the clubface. Your weight should shift to your left side.
 
   
  Wrist Rite can help correct these problems. If you would like to know how to create a consistent and effortless swing and start hitting those fairways off the tee and rolling those putts into the hole, the answer is on our web page.

Visit us at   www.kikogolf.com
 

Tags: GENERAL GOLF TOPICS, The Golf Swing by kikod
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August 6-12, 2007 PGA Championship Event Schedule

Monday and Tuesday
Monday and Tuesday Daily Grounds Tickets will let you get autographs from your ideal golf players as well as take pictures with them during the rounds of practice. Ticket prices are at $30 plus tax.

Wednesday
The final practice round is on Wednesday. Ticket prices are also at $30 plus tax.

Thursday
The first Championship Round takes place on Thursday. You’ll be able to witness the entire PGA Championship field. Ticket prices are at $85 plus tax.

Friday
Before the cut for the 3rd and Final Rounds, on Friday you’ll be able to see the complete field for the PGA Championship. Ticket prices are at $95 plus tax.

Saturday
Saturday is the 3rd Round of the PGA Championship where the prime players compete for the Rodman Wanamaker Trophy. Ticket prices are at $105 plus tax.

Sunday
Sunday is the Final Round of the PGA Championship. The Rodman Wanamaker Trophy will be awarded to the 89th PGA Champion. Ticket prices are at $115 plus tax.

Would you like to golf like a pro? Visit our web site   www.kikogolf.com

Tags: GENERAL GOLF TOPICS by kikod
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