Monte Trip Report

Wedgefromhere · May 16, 2016

Just a short review of my recent trip out to Irvine to see Monte in case anyone is on the fence about seeing him in person. If you like his videos and posts, he'll exceed your expectations in person.

I made a trip out there three years ago, but because of the distance (I'm in FL) I got sidetracked looking for something more local the last couple of years. After wasting time and money, I started back up with Monte last November with an online lesson and another a couple of months ago.

My three goals in order were to figure out the driver that has been a complete mess lately, better greenside bunker play, and more consistent lag putting. We went four hours Thursday night and I got to use all his toys. The 3D analysis identified a flaw that we both thought was getting too narrow at the top of the swing, something that I've been guilty of most of my golfing life. However, upon further review the lack of shoulder turn.

The short story is I know what I need to do to accomplish all three of my goals and was able to demonstrate that I could do it at times. We also worked on some other things during the playing lesson and the last morning I was there. For example, I've also been a little more of a hinge-and-hold guy around the green with so-so results, but I was hitting some of those little pitch shots to a near pin from wet, tight, and into the grain grass with just two simple thoughts Monte gave me. It was so easy and felt so good coming off the clubface that I'm sold on it.

I don't want it to sound like I showed up for a few days and Monte solved all my problems, but I do know what I need to do and through a lot of practice, I feel confident I can get there.

The highlight for me (and Monte too) was the 18th hole during the playing lesson. This is a nice 500 yard par 5 finishing hole. Monte grabs his 3-metal and plops three balls on the ground and says "I'm going to keep going until I hit a good one and there's my bucket of balls". Well needless to say, he hit a piercing bullet and smiled and picked up the two other balls. I take my driver and push it way right into the rough. I hit another that felt really good right down the middle of the fairway. We pick up my first one and then drive to the other balls which were pretty close together, but one about a yard farther down the fairway. As we pull up to the first one, I ask Monte if that was his and he's like, yeah you outdrove me. I let out a big f*****g A. On to the next shot. The gps indicates Monte has exactly 230 yards to the pin. He takes out his 2-iron and hits another great shot. I pulled the 3-metal for my 229 yard shot and hit one of the most solid metal woods ever, but it didn't quite make it over the water that protects the green. I was still happy with the shot though. When we get to the green, we see Monte's ball mark was two feet in front of the pin and the ball stopped about 4 or 5 feet past......what a shot!

I owe Monte a big thank you, as he didn't skip a beat the three days I was there despite having pneumonia and gave me 100% the entire time. He truly loves helping people as much as we love his instruction. Now here's something you may never see again.

OTTgolf · May 16, 2016

Glad you managed to enjoy it with the Pneumonia and all, wow! You feeling better? Take care of yourself

MonteScheinblum · May 16, 2016

Have to brag. The shot was to the back right pin only 8 paces over the water and the wind was in my face.

Schnee · May 16, 2016

Glad you managed to enjoy it with the Pneumonia and all, wow! You feeling better? Take care of yourself

Monte has pneumonia. Hopefully wedgefromhere doesn't too.

Great write up man. Keep up the good work.

PepsiDuck · May 16, 2016

How dare he cover up his always perfectly coiffed hair. :swoon:

ryan983 · May 16, 2016

A hat!!!! you better go see a doctor

Grayback1973 · May 17, 2016

Yeah Monte,you were falling apart here in Chicago.Was it that illness that turned into pneumonia?If so,wow,you have been sick for a long time man.Get to a dam doctor!

Hawkeye77 · May 17, 2016

Even across the range it's still Monte in a golf hat. It's no disguise! It doesn't fit! If it doesn't fit, well you know . , . but all that was about an SC guy.

Wedgefromhere · May 17, 2016

Oh yeah, how could I forget about the wind???

It was funny because the guy that sets up the range in the morning didn't even recognize Monte. He thought there were a couple of guys scoring free range balls. I heard a "Do you have a lesson with Monte?" and Monte replies, "It's me".