Larry Rinker: The Journeyman

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By Rick V., Team Titleist Staff

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  • 38 Replies
  1. Rick V., Team Titleist Staff

    Rick V., Team Titleist Staff
    Duxbury, MA

    Team Titleist Staff

    **UPDATE: The sweepstakes is now closed. We'll be reaching out to our winners shortly.

    Hey, Team Titleist.

    I read a great golf autobiography recently that I’d like to share with you. Better yet, the author would like to share it and he’s making a few copies available in our latest Team Titleist sweepstakes!

    The book is titled “The Journeyman” and it’s written by Titleist Staff Member Larry Rinker, a 39-year Veteran Member of the PGA Tour, a 36-year PGA Member and one of the most respected instructors in the game. He’s also an accomplished guitarist and in the book, Larry chronicles his life in golf, in music and the twists and turns his journey has taken.

    As the title implies, a big theme in the book is the idea that golf is about the journey, not the destination. Golf is a funny game, because there is no summit. There is no finish line. No one can ever understand it completely or truly master it. But as Larry shares, the struggle itself, the lessons learned over years and the brief brushes with perfection are golf’s true rewards.

    Larry is the definition of a student of the game and one of the things I liked best about “The Journeyman” is that Larry includes many of the extensive playing notes he kept through the years. These insights on technique and mental approach are eye-opening, detailing what worked, what didn’t and how he has continued to learn throughout his life. Here’s an excerpt from Larry on staying in the present:

    I have a choice when I hit a ball.

    • To swing with the past and worry about being embarrassed or step up and let it go freely.

    • Great golf never comes out of the past. It comes out of vision.

    • Awareness is reality. Thinking is fantasy. Don’t let outcome of last shot mean anything. ­­

    • Have to give up conscious control to gain control (present.) This is the riding a bike kind of control. Get into being creative without fear of failure.

    • Judge shot by process – did I really let it go like my life depended on it? How committed was I?

    We're extremely proud of our affiliation with staff members like Larry and we hope you'll visit LarryRinker.com, where you can view some great instructional tips and purchase your own copy of “The Journeyman”.

    On Larry’s site, you can also check out his two great instructional eBooks - "The Upper Core Swing", as well as a the latest edition of his first eBook, “Rinker’s 5 Fundamentals”.

    • • •

    BONUS SWEEPSTAKES: 

    As I mentioned, Larry has been kind enough to provide three digital copies of his new autobiography, “The Journeyman” to give away to three lucky members of Team Titleist.

    HERE’S HOW TO ENTER - PLEASE READ CAREFULLY: Add a comment below in the form of a question for Larry, then hit the "Submit Reply" button.

    Sample entries: 

    "Larry, how do you overcome the yips in putting?"

    "Larry, what’s your favorite guitar chord?"

    "Larry, do you have any drills or advice for making my practice more productive?"

    Yes, it's that easy. Any topic is fair game.

    • • •

    We’ll randomly select three (3) winners from all approved entries that are submitted by Friday, October 16 at 11:59 PM.

    A few more important details... Only one entry per person. If you send in multiple replies, you'll be disqualified from the contest. Don't forget to include all of the details outlined above or your entry will not be considered eligible.

    After the drawing, Larry will respond to as many submitted questions as he can to help get our games on the right track for the rest of the season.

    Keep in mind, all posts are moderated, and it may take some time for your reply to appear. We'll do our best to approve posts quickly but if you enter more than one reply, we have to disqualify you from the drawing (sorry to repeat this but we want to make sure it's clear).

    No purchase necessary. View complete rules here: www.titleist.com/.../Community-Policy.aspx

    U.S. only. Here's some more info: Why are Titleist sweepstakes U.S. only?

    Good luck!

    • • •

    ABOUT LARRY: Larry Rinker is currently the Director of Instruction at both The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, Orlando at Grande Lakes October-May, and at the Red Sky Golf Academy in Wolcott, Colorado just west of Vail, June-September.

    Larry is a 39-year Veteran Member of the PGA Tour, a 36-year member of the PGA of America, and the host of "Larry Rinker Golf Live" which airs on Facebook on Thursdays 7:30-8:00PM EST.

    For more information and instruction, visit Larry's website at http://www.larryrinker.com

    Twitter: @LarryRinker
    Facebook: @LarryRinkerGolf

    Rick
    Team Titleist Staff

  2. Steve E

    Steve E
    Stockton, CA

    Larry with the passing of Eddie Van Halen who is your top 5 guitar players of all time...
  3. Larry Rinker

    Larry Rinker

    Steve, great question. My top 5 guitarist of all time would be Pat Metheny, Robben Ford, Joe Pass, Jimmy Page, and Stephen Stills.
  4. Robert J

    Robert J
    Washington Township, MI

    Larry, do you have any recommended exercises, drills, or activities that you would share with those of us who live in areas which get the cold and snowy weather to keep our games and bodies in reasonable golf shape when getting on the course is not probable?
  5. Larry Rinker

    Larry Rinker

    Robert, I would say swinging a club every day 50-100 times would be good exercise for the golf muscles. You could also swing the speed sticks or orange whip. Just make sure you are swinging with the correct sequencing for your swing. Don't want to get into bad habits. Thanks.
  6. GMaynard

    GMaynard

    Military
    Larry would you rather have a Major or a # 1 hit?

    Semper FI
  7. Larry Rinker

    Larry Rinker

    A Major no question. Thanks.
  8. Darryl M

    Darryl M
    Wichita, KS

    Larry,
    When committing to a shot do you let go of any thoughts prior to address or after you set up for the shot?

    DM
  9. Larry Rinker

    Larry Rinker

    DM, it's always good to have a cleansing breathe at some point in your routine. You have to choose when you want your focus to be before you walk into the ball because random thoughts will come in. If you don't choose where your focus should be, the random thoughts will bounce you around like a boat out to sea. Have to let the random thoughts come in the front door and go right out the back door. Don't want more than one backswing thought or feel and one downswing thought or feel. Thanks.
  10. Dan H

    Dan H
    Yulee, FL

    "Larry, do you have any drills or advice for keeping your game sharp in the Midwest during the winter/cold months when you can't get on the golf course?"
  11. Larry Rinker

    Larry Rinker

    Another gentleman asked a similar question and you want to make swings at home during the downtime. You can also work on your putting indoors. Many place now have indoor hitting bays with launch monitors so just holding the club and making 40-50 swings per day will keep the golf muscles active. Thanks.
  12. Diego D

    Diego D
    Miami, FL

    Larry, as our beloved game evolves, how do you envision golf in the years to come?

    I.e., Golf instruction, equipment, courses, etc.
  13. Larry Rinker

    Larry Rinker

    Diego, I would hope that golf instruction gets better so that people can enjoy the game more. Many of us have worked real hard on the wrong things and that is not a recipe for success. With Wright Balance we can determine someone's core region and help them understand how their natural swing works. In the end golf will survive. It's too great of a game. Distance is not killing the game and most of us need to move up one tee not back. Thanks.
  14. golfinnut

    golfinnut
    Leesburg, VA

    Larry .... what's the best way to approach the longish bunker shot? We are talking about 50 yards or so & not really greenside.
  15. Larry Rinker

    Larry Rinker

    You have two choices on a 50 yard bunker shot. Pick it or blast it with an 8-iron. You can use the same technique around the green from 50 yards with an 8-iron. Just make sure to take sand first which is a blast shot. Try it and see how it works. Thanks.
  16. Tyler H

    Tyler H
    Appleton, WI

    Larry, what facet of the game do you like to practice the most?
  17. Larry Rinker

    Larry Rinker

    Tyler these days I don't practice much. When I was playing I tended to work the most on the weakest part of my game. It's better to split time between your short game, putting, distance wedges and golf swing. That way you will have a more balanced attach. Thanks.
  18. Frank P

    Frank P
    Port St. Lucie, FL

    Military
    Larry, do you have a Les Paul guitar?
  19. Larry Rinker

    Larry Rinker

    Frank I have never owned a Les Paul. I wanted one in high school and went with the less expensive SG. I did have a Gibson 335 but sold it when I got the Fender Robben Ford which is basically the same guitar with the F-holes covered up. Being sponsored by Fender, my favorite electric is my custom shop "Golfcaster." Thanks.
  20. Gsoup

    Gsoup
    Nashville

    Larry, How do you determine whether it is an equipment change or a swing change as you get older?
  21. Larry Rinker

    Larry Rinker

    Gsoup that's where I would rely on my golf instructor. He will know if it's technique and or if you need to get your clubs fitted for you better including lie angle and length. With Wright balance we can determine grip size. I've seen people with a triple hook built in before they swing; too strong of a grip, too small of a grip, and too upright of a lie angle. Hope that helps. Thanks.
  22. Michael JC

    Michael JC
    Orwell, VT

    Larry, what golf course was your favorite while playing on the PGA Tour?
  23. Larry Rinker

    Larry Rinker

    Pebble Beach was and is my favorite course
  24. Brian H

    Brian H

    Hi Larry:

    Im curious what you make of the recent "closing of eyes" from Segio as he putts.

    Additionally, the focus on the hole approach Jordan Speith used several years ago for "short" putts?
  25. Larry Rinker

    Larry Rinker

    Brian, I'm ok with closing of the eyes or looking at the hole when we putt. It's a choice. If it helps to free up your stroke then that's a good thing. The golfer within you should decide if that's the best way for you to go. Thanks.
  26. Larry Rinker

    Larry Rinker

    Erich, I have three acoustics, three electrics, and two arch tops. I have given two telecasters away in the last few years and one to my editor of my new book, Alan Tays. (Pictured below) That was his request as part of his payment. Both Telelcasters were gifts to me from Dan Smith so I passed them along. My favorite guitar is my custom shop Tele, "Golfcaster."
  27. Erich F

    Erich F
    NY

    Larry, how many guitars do you have, and, which is your favorite?
  28. Larry Rinker

    Larry Rinker

    Erich, I have three acoustics, three electrics, and two arch tops. I have given two telecasters away in the last few years and one to my editor of my new book, Alan Tays. (Pictured below) That was his request as part of his payment. Both Telelcasters were gifts to me from Dan Smith so I passed them along. My favorite guitar is my custom shop Tele, "Golfcaster."
    Post Image
  29. Erich F

    Erich F
    NY

    Hi Larry,

    Thanks for your response, that is a beauty. I played for about 6 months as a kid but didn't like to practice. I recently grabbed a Strat and started again. Fingers are tough to train at 61.
  30. Larry Rinker

    Larry Rinker

    Practice, practice, practice. I used to paly scales watching Sports Center!
  31. Erich F

    Erich F
    NY

    Thanks, I am working my spiders right now.
  32. Jerry M

    Jerry M
    Dallas, TX

    Larry, I am so glad you selected Pat Metheny, I think he's a genius and really like this music.

    My question is do you have a specific drill for swinging the club inside out?
  33. Larry Rinker

    Larry Rinker

    Jerry, here's a video from my YouTube page that should help. Thanks. https://youtu.be/c6CYlBUX_Qo
  34. Deno

    Deno
    New Jersey

    Military
    Larry
    Do you think being a guitar player/ musician helps with "tempo" on different shots from driver to putter? I know Sam Snead practiced with music. No ear buds in those days either.

    Thanks
    Deno
  35. Larry Rinker

    Larry Rinker

    Deno, I really think being a musician has helped me in distance control with putting, short game, and distance wedges. Distance is controlled by the length of the back swing and tempo. If you hit the ball too far you need a shorter back swing and or slower tempo, if you come up short you need a longer back swing and or slower tempo. All the best.
  36. GStuart

    GStuart
    Blackfoot, ID

    Military
    Hello Larry, if you have limited practice time (I have a wife, 3 kids and 2 jobs)... is it more important to practice full swing, putting or chipping/short game?
  37. Larry Rinker

    Larry Rinker

    GStuart we all need to work on all parts of the game but whatever time you get spend equal amounts of time on your putting, short game, and full swing. All the best.
  38. Hotsauce

    Hotsauce
    Georgetown MA

    Larry,
    Do you have any advice on how to break out of a slump?
  39. Larry Rinker

    Larry Rinker

    Hotsauce, to break out of a slump I would find a new teacher. I believe a lot of us struggle because we have the wrong information for how our body and natural swing works. Better information can help you get out of a slump. All the best.

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