Get to know SwingFix pro Justin Bruton

Justin Bruton might not be a household name in the world of golf instruction just yet, but it appears as though that day is quickly coming.

Over the last few years, Bruton has carved out a niche as one of the top teaching professionals in South Florida, where he now is the Director of Golf at the Biltmore Golf Course in the Miami area.

But his resume includes far more than just his latest position.

Bruton previously had the opportunity to work with elite instructors at the David Leadbetter Academy and Rick Smith Academy, and he’s also been a top level TPI certified instructor for the last five years.

And it’s Bruton’s understanding of working with what a student can do physically as it relates to their golf swing -- something that he emphasizes within the Total Performance Golf program that he has developed at the Biltmore -- that has earned him acclaim from students of all ability levels.

We sat down with Bruton recently to find out more about his teaching philosophy and various other subjects.

FIVE QUESTIONS:

1. How would you describe your teaching philosophy to a potential student?

BRUTON: Every person has a combination of unique physical characteristics and mental thoughts that end up forming their particular swing style. This means there is no singular correct way to swing a golf club. There are, however, common dynamics between all effective ball strikers and those are: Ball-first, ground-second contact, consistent ball speed through center-face contact and clubface angle at impact matching the players swing style.

2. What would you consider to be a popular myth about golf instruction, meaning something that most average players believe to true but actually is not?

BRUTON: The biggest myth in my opinion is that you have to the swing the club from the inside out to be an effective ball striker. There are a lot of elite level ball strikers that are steep in their angle of attack. This is more of a physical characteristic than a swing fault. Some players just physically can't shallow out the club during transition, but that in no way, shape or form means they can't be great ball strikers.

3. What aspects of the golf swing do you think most of the higher handicapper players you teach have trouble understanding?

BRUTON: Most high handicappers struggle with the concept of hitting the ground consistently in front of the golf ball. No matter what a swing looks like, if the player can strike the ball first and the ground second the ball will get in the air and the player will have more fun and smile more often.

4. For someone who is completely dedicated to playing golf at a high level, what are the best things they can do to accelerate the improvement process?

BRUTON: I have three keys for the player that wants to get the most out of his or her game:

Improve your athletic ability to help maintain what you have or develop what you lack. Improve your golf skills from 125 yards and in - this area should make up 75 percent of your practice sessions. And make sure your equipment matches your swing style and your set make up fills all your gaps.

5. What advice would you give a golfer who is going to seek out professional instruction for the first time?

BRUTON: If the pro ever tells you that it will get worse before it gets better, thank them for their time and run the other way as fast as you can. If you're working on the right things, you should get better every time you have a lesson. How much better is dependant on your ability to process the information and how much practice you can dedicate before the next lesson.

Take a lesson with Justin Bruton.