QandATelevision, Radio, and Print Media Interview with Charles Wendell Boatright, author of “THE ESPY GOLF SWING COACH”:

Charles W. Boatright

Civil Engineering Technology Degree with a background in Kinesiology and Ergonomics

Born July 1958 in Arkansas. Married his wife and editor, Lea Ann in 1992. Charles retired from Entergy after 33 years in Transmission Lines and drafted procedures. He has been playing golf since 1996. His hobbies include: writing, golfing, carpentry and farming.

Why did you write “The ESPY Golf Swing Coach” book?

To provide a simple and effective golf swing technique that would allow individuals to take their baseball or softball swing from the batter’s box onto the tee box. This would provide the golfer the ability to move the golf swing from the conscious part of the mind into the subconscious realm, where 80 percent of our daily activity takes place.

What does the word “ESPY” stand for?

The word “Espy” is a French term for spy, meaning to uncover or reveal. I use the ESPY term to describe the three simple Ergonomic elements of Synch, Protract, and Yaw to set up the golf swing. The first two elements, Synch and Protract, set up 80 percent of the golf swing by presetting the wrists.

How did you get started writing the book?

I spent part of my career with Entergy analyzing and writing procedures for line work. In 2007, I started taking field notes, much like professionals do when playing a particular course. I filled three (3) Xerox boxes full of data and information. Two (2) boxes were labeled “THIS DOESN’T WORK” and one (1) half- filled box was labeled “THIS WORKS.”

The box that was labeled “THIS WORKS” became the basis for my book, covering tee shots, approach shots, chipping, pitching, and putting.

The book also contains a workout program called “CASPER” that stands for

  • Cardio
  • Aerobic
  • Strength
  • Plyometrics
  • Exercise Regimen

What is the objective of your book, “The ESPY Golf Swing Coach”?

The current Stats for the average golfer:

  • Is 46 years old, and that number is inching up the past 10-years.
  • Started playing at age 23
  • Starting handicap is 108
  • Handicap is 96
  • Takes two lessons per month
  • Goal is to shoot in the low 80’s or upper 70’s.

From these statistics, I hope to provide the golfer with a simple self-coaching technique to use on and off the golf course to improve their golf game and their life. And also to provide organizations with an outreach program to help young adults of all ages and especially veterans dealing with PTSD.

What makes your approach different from other books or techniques?

My technique allows the golfer to synchronize the elbows with the shoulders to create a significant natural mechanical advantage that is ergonomic to prevent from over-stressing the wrists, shoulders, back, hips, and knees.

The ESPY golf swing allows the elbows and shoulders to interact as gears, similar to the gears on a ten-speed bicycle.

  • The takeaway swing allows the small gear (elbow) to turn the large gear (shoulders) for power to coil the large core muscles.
  • The downswing has the large gear to turn the small gear for speed at impact.

How can “The ESPY Golf Swing Coach” benefit the average golfer?

It allows the golfer to address their ‘Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde’ syndrome, where they consciously prepare for their golf game on the practice range, then rely heavily on their subconscious mind to perform the golf shot on the course. “The ESPY Golf Swing Coach” allows the golfer to make the transition.