Jeff Coston interviews his long-time friend and recent inductee into the Wold Golf Teachers Hall of Fame, Mike Adams.
Question 1: You have just been inducted into the World Golf Teachers Hall of Fame. (Coston say’s you have been in his hall of fame for decades!) Tell us about that evening and how you feel about that.
I have had incredible venues to teach at: the Academy of Golf at the Hills of Lakeway, PGA National, The Medalist GC and Hamilton Farm. God has put life-changing individuals in my life to help me and direct my path, people like: Biomechanists Dr. Chuck Dillman and Dr. Jim Sudmeir, who I researched the tour players swings with, orthopedic surgeons Dr. Ned Armstrong, Dr. Dick Steadman and Dr. Richard Hawkins, who gave me a better understanding of how the body worked in time and space, and functionalist Pete Egoscue who taught to screen each student and treat them as individuals. I was blessed with talented teachers who taught side by side with me and helped me develop my system: Scott Munroe, Bill Moretti, Mike McGetrick, Mark Steinbauer, Jim Murphy, Jerry King, Mark Hackett, Don Sargent, TJ Tomasi, Jim Suttie, David Wright, EA Tischler, Eric Johnson, Mike Malizia, Brian Mogg, EJ Pfister,Kellie Stenzel, Krista Dunton, Gia Bocra and George Wrede. I have been blessed with gifted and talented students who have worked hard on their game and made me look good.
Question 2: You have always been “cutting edge” in golf instruction. Your “Bio Swing” research again is cutting edge. Tell us about it.
Mike Adams: What is BioSwingDynamics? It is the combination of the sciences of Biomechanics and Dynamics and how they apply to the student’s swing.Biomechanics is the study of body mechanics. It takes the laws of physics, mechanics, and engineering applying them to human performance. It relates them to the internal and external forces acting on the body and the effects of these forces. It allows us to predict the mechanical aspects of human motion and potential outcome. Dynamics is the motion of bodies as induced by external forces.
BioSwingDynamics bridges the gap between teaching, coaching and science. It allows us to take the guesswork out of determining how a golfer should swing optimally. It allows us to bring efficiency of motion in an injury free environment to the students’ golf swing. Through a series of screens we are able to determine:
- Their dominant power source
- Their Natural Swing Track on back swing and down swing (shoulder, torso (right arm) or hip (shaft) Plane
- Their Optimal Lower Body action (Lateral or Rotary (one post, or two post) or Vertical or a combination of each)
- Their Natural hip speed (fast, medium or slow)
- Their Ultimate Swing Type (one plane, two plane, or slot swing)
- Their optimal set up procedure (grip, posture, stance (width, foot flare, and orientation), ball position, aim and alignment
- Natural Tempo, and Swing Speed
- Optimal Ball Flight, Shape and Trajectory
- Their natural right arm action (on top, side on, or under)
- Their matching hinge type (vertical, horizontal, or diagonal)
- Natural set (early, middle or late)
- Optimal swing length
- Ideal top of the back swing position
- Linkage ( the right elbow position through the delivery zone (waist high to impact))(front, center or rear)
- Release type (cornering, covering or extending)
- Torque Type Utilize
With this information gathered from the screens the instructor is able to create the student’s swing blueprint.
Question 3: You have always been involved in sports, how did you settle in golf?
Mike Adams: The athlete doesn’t chose the sport, the sport choses the athlete. Baseball and basketball were always my favorite sports growing up, I was better at golf and gravitated to it.
Question 4: You have taught countless players on every “Tour,” give us a number. What floats your boat as a teacher/mentor/coach?
Mike Adams: Teaching Tour Players is great (I have worked with over 100 of them), but it really doesn’t matter who I am working with. What floats my boat is making everyone who comes to me play better. Having someone break 100, 90 or 80 for the first time is just as big a thrill to me as someone winning the US Open.
Question 4: You and Coston met in 1975 in college. Jeff says he would not be the teacher or player he is without Mike Adams. Do you have an interesting story about the two of you?
Mike Adams: Jeff Coston and I met playing in a college golf tournament in 1975 at Sahalee. I had a 7 shot lead with 9 holes to play and Jeff shot and amazing 30 on the back 9 to tie me. Jeff has been one of my best friends for 40 years, I wouldn’t have had the success I have had if Jeff Coston hadn’t entered my life. When I started teaching Jeff, because of his swing and success other players trusted me with their games. From their I built a business that guide me to the Hall of Fame. Jeff Coston has been and will always be like a brother to me.
Check out mikeadamsgolf.com for more about Mike Adams and BioSwingDynamics.