I've got today off so played this morning with my m8's Dave and Mark.
Started really well, swing feeling great. Smooth, good tempo and in balance. Striking the ball really nicely, driving straight, crisp wedges and putter working well.
by the time I walk off the 4th I'm 1 under my hcp, with the 5th, 6th and 7th being good par opportunities, 7th is a good birdy optionality really. But for some unknown reason my swing just deserts me. Pretty much for the rest of the round. I scramble it around, chipped ok, putted ok, but nothing would drop.
Out in 44, back in 49 for a shocking 93. tbh, it wasn't too bad, just nothing really happened. it was all fractions off.
So a little frustrated.
So this afternoon I'm going to go see Paul at the cinema. That should cheer me up.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Thursday, February 24, 2011
More Time Down on the Range
Took an hour out of work to go hit some balls in the sunshine.
Hitting the Mid-irons and wedges really well. Hit about 10-15 with the 5i, not good. Just awful contact, going straight enough but no distance. Felt like I was fatting them, probably not getting by weight forward.
It's odd. I seem to do that a lot with the longer irons and my woods. Don't know why, my swing also gets a bit quick instead of nice and smooth, which probably doesn't help me get my weight forward.
As the irons were going on I hit some drives too. First few ok, but fading and lacking a bit of distance. Arms were coming into it too much and not releasing, getting the old chicken wing follow through.
Hit some dead arm wedge shots to get the feel of a no arm swing, then hit some more drivers. Yep, that worked.
I just really struggle to swing with my body with the bigger clubs. Wedges, short irons - Fine, but as soon as you put a big club in my hands it's grip it and rip it. And everything turns right.
Playing in the morning, might get up there 30 mins early and hit some balls on the range to get the driver going.
Really looking forward to it. Looks like it's going to be a nice day for a change.
Hitting the Mid-irons and wedges really well. Hit about 10-15 with the 5i, not good. Just awful contact, going straight enough but no distance. Felt like I was fatting them, probably not getting by weight forward.
It's odd. I seem to do that a lot with the longer irons and my woods. Don't know why, my swing also gets a bit quick instead of nice and smooth, which probably doesn't help me get my weight forward.
As the irons were going on I hit some drives too. First few ok, but fading and lacking a bit of distance. Arms were coming into it too much and not releasing, getting the old chicken wing follow through.
Hit some dead arm wedge shots to get the feel of a no arm swing, then hit some more drivers. Yep, that worked.
I just really struggle to swing with my body with the bigger clubs. Wedges, short irons - Fine, but as soon as you put a big club in my hands it's grip it and rip it. And everything turns right.
Playing in the morning, might get up there 30 mins early and hit some balls on the range to get the driver going.
Really looking forward to it. Looks like it's going to be a nice day for a change.
Results from Yesterdays Bets
ok just done me sums.
Bet £16 on the singles matches (32x50p). And win £15.88. So 12p down.
But also 2 of my picks to win also got knocked out. Poulter and Johnson. So that's another £4 down.
But Bjorn (@175/1) and GMac are still in it.
Got my bets in for today's 16 matches. 50p a match again.
Lets see how we do tomorrow.
Bet £16 on the singles matches (32x50p). And win £15.88. So 12p down.
But also 2 of my picks to win also got knocked out. Poulter and Johnson. So that's another £4 down.
But Bjorn (@175/1) and GMac are still in it.
Got my bets in for today's 16 matches. 50p a match again.
Lets see how we do tomorrow.
Accenture Matchplay - Gloat Post
What did I say. Bjorn to beat Tiger.
Some great results yesterday. Golf channel coverage was shocking though. Hardly showed world No1 or 2. I think we saw 1-2 shots from Rory, nut much from GMac either.
I guess if Michelson gets knocked out today they'll cancel the coverage completly.
Placed my bets on the matches today. I need to do the sums on yesterdays bets. I think I'm down a couple of quid.
Looking forward to tonight.
Donald v Molinari should be a great match. Gone for Donald in that one after yesterdays performance.
Kaymer v Rose should be good. Got to go with Kaymer there.
Michelson v Fowler - That should be a fun match to follow. I image the GC will pretty much show it end-end.
GMac and Fisher - another real good matchup. I think GMac probably shade that one.
It's a shame Johnson lost, he'd have been up against Bubba in this round.
Bjorn has Ogilvy in this round. in with a shout there I think. I do think he's got a great outside chance of taking the whole thing.
Some great results yesterday. Golf channel coverage was shocking though. Hardly showed world No1 or 2. I think we saw 1-2 shots from Rory, nut much from GMac either.
I guess if Michelson gets knocked out today they'll cancel the coverage completly.
Placed my bets on the matches today. I need to do the sums on yesterdays bets. I think I'm down a couple of quid.
Looking forward to tonight.
Donald v Molinari should be a great match. Gone for Donald in that one after yesterdays performance.
Kaymer v Rose should be good. Got to go with Kaymer there.
Michelson v Fowler - That should be a fun match to follow. I image the GC will pretty much show it end-end.
GMac and Fisher - another real good matchup. I think GMac probably shade that one.
It's a shame Johnson lost, he'd have been up against Bubba in this round.
Bjorn has Ogilvy in this round. in with a shout there I think. I do think he's got a great outside chance of taking the whole thing.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Accenture Matchplay
Can't wait until tomorrow. Love the matchplay.
Placed all my bets with paddy power for the first round. 50p bet on the winner of each match.
Plus I stuck £2 to win on each of Dustin Johnson, Poulter, GMac and an outsider in Thomas Bjorn.
Also picker Bjorn to beat Woods in his first round match. He's been playing well lately and Tiger hasn't. So I figured there's some value there.
Some good first round match-ups.
Westwood vs Stenson - I'd give Westwood the edge, just.
Stricker vs Manassero - Old vs New. Strickers experience should win out. But if Manasssero catches fire. Who Knows
Poulter vs Cink should be a good match. This should be a fantastic match. Both real tough opponents.
Ogilvy vs Harrington. Even though neither are playing well. Should be a good match-up. Real fight that one.
Placed all my bets with paddy power for the first round. 50p bet on the winner of each match.
Plus I stuck £2 to win on each of Dustin Johnson, Poulter, GMac and an outsider in Thomas Bjorn.
Also picker Bjorn to beat Woods in his first round match. He's been playing well lately and Tiger hasn't. So I figured there's some value there.
Some good first round match-ups.
Westwood vs Stenson - I'd give Westwood the edge, just.
Stricker vs Manassero - Old vs New. Strickers experience should win out. But if Manasssero catches fire. Who Knows
Poulter vs Cink should be a good match. This should be a fantastic match. Both real tough opponents.
Ogilvy vs Harrington. Even though neither are playing well. Should be a good match-up. Real fight that one.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Up the Range Again
Working on the old irons, yet again. Still trying hard to get my weight transferring correctly, seems to be more natural now but I do catch myself getting stuck back occasionally.
Started to work on the club head release again as well. Got to take my arms out the swing, they are also still getting a bit to involved. But things are a lot better.
Hit a few drivers as well. Again need to take the arms out and just let the body go. Works much better.
Measured out my 60 and 52 wedges doing dead arm Full, 9 o'clock and 7o'clock swings. So now I have all my yardages for all my wedges.
Don't think I'll go on the range tomorrow, I'll leave it until Wednesday or Thursday I think, and I'll probably spend some of it on the practice green. If it's open !!
Looking forward to Friday now. Got the day off and playing in the morning with my m8 Dave.
Also only a couple of weeks to the Woburn trip for my m8 Richards birthday. Playing Duchess in the morning and Dukes in the afternoon. We done the same last year but I had got dragged into something major at work and was pretty much out of it all day, can hardly remember anything. Had to neck 2 red bulls before I left to stay awake on the way home.
Richard, now that guy can hit the ball. Plays off 2 I think and hits the ball harder than I've ever seen anyone hit it. Absolutely miles it goes.
Also, Accenture Matchplay in Phoenix starting Wednesday. Looking forward to that too. Watched most of it last year and loved it.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Stupid Winter Comps
It was supposed to be a winter medal (Strokeplay) game today. Showed up at the club at 7:45am to be told we're playing foursomes stabelford. i.e. Pairs, alternate shot, alternate tee off using 1/2 the combined handicap. So you basically only get to play 9 holes.
If I'd have known I have played yesterday and stayed in bed today.
Paired up with my m8 Dave. Didn't get off to a good start. I teed off on the first, then as I go to put my driver back in the bag I realise I'd left my other driver in the bag as well. Great 15 clubs, 2 point penalty after just 1 shot. We managed to get a bogey on the hole for a net 2 point. Which was cancelled out by the 2 point pen.
I played ok. Hit some nice drives and iron shots. Chipping was good. Putting was awesome again. Hardly missed anything from 10-15 ft and sunk all the 3-4ft putts my partner left me with. Also dropped 2 20 footers as well. Which was nice.
Front 9 was a decidedly dodgy 11pts, But we had a good back 9 and knocked up 20 points for total of 31.
We had a bit of a laugh and the other 2 guys that made up the other pair were a good laugh, so it wasn't too bad.
Our partners were scoring well until the 15th and I reckon would have been in with a shout. But they then blobbed 15 and 16. One unlucky teeshot on 15th ended in the ditch and 2 thinned chips on the 16th. They scored 20 on the front and 16 on the back. For a level 36 points.
It's just really hard to get anything going if it's about 10 mins in between shots. Longer between drives.
Our first is a par 4. I drove. 2nd Par 4. Dave Drove. 3rd Par 3. I hit a 7i in. 4 Par 4. Dave Drove. 5th Par 5. I get another drive. So between my first drive and my second there was almost an hour.
Some people only get to play once a week and to have to play a foursomes comp on that 1 day seems a bit off.
Not proper golf IMHO.
OK rant over.
If I'd have known I have played yesterday and stayed in bed today.
Paired up with my m8 Dave. Didn't get off to a good start. I teed off on the first, then as I go to put my driver back in the bag I realise I'd left my other driver in the bag as well. Great 15 clubs, 2 point penalty after just 1 shot. We managed to get a bogey on the hole for a net 2 point. Which was cancelled out by the 2 point pen.
I played ok. Hit some nice drives and iron shots. Chipping was good. Putting was awesome again. Hardly missed anything from 10-15 ft and sunk all the 3-4ft putts my partner left me with. Also dropped 2 20 footers as well. Which was nice.
Front 9 was a decidedly dodgy 11pts, But we had a good back 9 and knocked up 20 points for total of 31.
We had a bit of a laugh and the other 2 guys that made up the other pair were a good laugh, so it wasn't too bad.
Our partners were scoring well until the 15th and I reckon would have been in with a shout. But they then blobbed 15 and 16. One unlucky teeshot on 15th ended in the ditch and 2 thinned chips on the 16th. They scored 20 on the front and 16 on the back. For a level 36 points.
It's just really hard to get anything going if it's about 10 mins in between shots. Longer between drives.
Our first is a par 4. I drove. 2nd Par 4. Dave Drove. 3rd Par 3. I hit a 7i in. 4 Par 4. Dave Drove. 5th Par 5. I get another drive. So between my first drive and my second there was almost an hour.
Some people only get to play once a week and to have to play a foursomes comp on that 1 day seems a bit off.
Not proper golf IMHO.
OK rant over.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Equipment
So here's the gear I use and why.
Bag - SunMountain Four5
I used to have a Nike Sasquatch Carry bag but swapped to this in Jan when the straps on the Nike broke. I wanted a full 14 club divider carry bag that was lite and had plenty of storage. I almost got the Nike Extreme wich I think is the replacement for the Sasquatch, but fancied a change.
The SunMountain Four5 is a great bag. Light, full Dividers, plenty of pockets for all you're bits.
Driver - TM R9460 10.5 Stiff Shaft
Had this since it was released about 18 months ago now. I had the original R9 before that, but just found it too hard to hit consistently, so swapped to the 460. Excellent bit of kit. Long, Straight and forgiving.
3w - TM Burner 08
Probably my favourite club in the bag. Hit this as sweetly as you can, time after time. Good penetrating flight. Absolutely love hitting it when I get the chance. Which is only usually once or twice a round at my place.
Irons (4i-PW) - Ping s56 Yellow Dot. Dynamic Gold S300 (stiff) Shafts.
Well what can you say about these beauties. Look fantastic. A top quality product.
I swapped to these at the end of last season as a treat. I tried a lot of different irons over about 6-8 weeks. Most of the Mizuno Range, Tietlist AP1 and 2. Ping i15's as well. Didn't get on with the Mizuno irons, but they do look nice. AP1's were pretty good. I thought I'd end up with the i15's really, but surprising I hit the S56's better.
So in the bag they went. I was playing G10's before and was a bit worried about a jump to a better players iron, but I hit them ok.
Wedges - Tietlist Vokey Spin Milled (52,56,60)
Nothing needs to be said about these. Top wedge. Loads of spin and feel.
Putter - Odysey Black Ice #1
Changed to this about a year ago from my TM Tourismo Rossa. I just found this much better from distance, although the TM was easier to hit from close in.
Other Stuff
Balls - Srizon Z-Stars - Good spin, great feel round the greens and don't scuff up as bad as ProV1's
GPS - SkyCaddie SGX. Had one since the lauched in the UK. Despite some initial software problems (needed a replacement when my first one bricked on me), this has been a fantastic bit of kit. Couldn't play without it.
Cart - Powercaddy Twinline 2 Push - Most of the time I carry, but if it's wet I'll take the cart out with an umbrella holder to help keep me and the kit dry. I've started to use it a bit more in comps as well so I'm not tired over the closing holes.
Bag - SunMountain Four5
I used to have a Nike Sasquatch Carry bag but swapped to this in Jan when the straps on the Nike broke. I wanted a full 14 club divider carry bag that was lite and had plenty of storage. I almost got the Nike Extreme wich I think is the replacement for the Sasquatch, but fancied a change.
The SunMountain Four5 is a great bag. Light, full Dividers, plenty of pockets for all you're bits.
Driver - TM R9460 10.5 Stiff Shaft
Had this since it was released about 18 months ago now. I had the original R9 before that, but just found it too hard to hit consistently, so swapped to the 460. Excellent bit of kit. Long, Straight and forgiving.
3w - TM Burner 08
Probably my favourite club in the bag. Hit this as sweetly as you can, time after time. Good penetrating flight. Absolutely love hitting it when I get the chance. Which is only usually once or twice a round at my place.
Irons (4i-PW) - Ping s56 Yellow Dot. Dynamic Gold S300 (stiff) Shafts.
Well what can you say about these beauties. Look fantastic. A top quality product.
I swapped to these at the end of last season as a treat. I tried a lot of different irons over about 6-8 weeks. Most of the Mizuno Range, Tietlist AP1 and 2. Ping i15's as well. Didn't get on with the Mizuno irons, but they do look nice. AP1's were pretty good. I thought I'd end up with the i15's really, but surprising I hit the S56's better.
So in the bag they went. I was playing G10's before and was a bit worried about a jump to a better players iron, but I hit them ok.
Wedges - Tietlist Vokey Spin Milled (52,56,60)
Nothing needs to be said about these. Top wedge. Loads of spin and feel.
Putter - Odysey Black Ice #1
Changed to this about a year ago from my TM Tourismo Rossa. I just found this much better from distance, although the TM was easier to hit from close in.
Other Stuff
Balls - Srizon Z-Stars - Good spin, great feel round the greens and don't scuff up as bad as ProV1's
GPS - SkyCaddie SGX. Had one since the lauched in the UK. Despite some initial software problems (needed a replacement when my first one bricked on me), this has been a fantastic bit of kit. Couldn't play without it.
Cart - Powercaddy Twinline 2 Push - Most of the time I carry, but if it's wet I'll take the cart out with an umbrella holder to help keep me and the kit dry. I've started to use it a bit more in comps as well so I'm not tired over the closing holes.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Starting to Click
Finished work a bit early today and decided to go play 9 holes. As you can see below, I couldn't exactly stop at 9 after going out in 40 :-)
Probably some of the best golf I've played in a long long while. Driving and Irons were average. But I was getting up and down a lot.
Probably some of the best golf I've played in a long long while. Driving and Irons were average. But I was getting up and down a lot.
| Chesfield Downs Golf Club | |||||||||||||||||||||
| HOLE | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | OUT | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | IN | TOTAL |
CSS: 71 Yellow | 409 | 410 | 162 | 368 | 540 | 332 | 258 | 402 | 139 | 3,020 | 414 | 432 | 161 | 388 | 488 | 401 | 531 | 178 | 351 | 3,344 | 6,364 |
| Handicap | 9 | 1 | 13 | 7 | 3 | 11 | 17 | 5 | 15 | 12 | 2 | 8 | 14 | 16 | 4 | 6 | 10 | 18 | |||
| Par | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 35 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 36 | 71 |
| Score | 5 | 6 | 3 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 40 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 45 | 85 |
| +/- | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Net Score | 4 | 5 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 33 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 38 | 71 |
| Fairway |  |  |  | | |  | | 42.9% | | | | | | | | 28.6% | 35.7% | ||||
| Distance off Tee | 213 | 196 | 183 | 204 | 217 | 202.6 | 182 | 222 | 219 | 219 | 210.5 | 206.1 | |||||||||
| Putts | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1.6 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1.8 | 1.7 |
| Total Putts | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 14 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 16 | 30 |
| GIR | | | | | | | | | | 22.2% | | | | | | | | | | 11.1% | 16.7% |
Albatross
Eagle
Birdie
Par
Bogey
Double Bogey
Other
How about that run of pars to finish the front 9 :-)
Disappointing last few holes.
16 - It's OOB all down the right and I was fading my drives all round so I aimed it way left, and then pulled it. Had no shot to the green so got it back out in the middle of the fairway. 120 yards out and pulled it again, but into a ditch. Took a drop, chip and a couple of putts later and it's a 7. Ouch.
17 - Par 3 into the wind. Hit an ok hybrid but it drifted right and short. Easy chip up the back, duffed it 6 feet. over hit the next and a couple of putts.
18 - Good drive, left side of the fairway. 8i Just left on the fringe, left my pitch and run 10ft short and missed the putt.
But well happy with that. I just took my time, really thought about the shots before I played them. Didn't hit the ball until my practice swing felt right. Took time putting and chipping. Just didn't try to force anything.
Roll on Sunday's Winter Medal.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Here we go again
Up the range again today. Working on the irons again, trying to stop myself going out to in.
Could I. Nope.
Instead of hitting the ball sweetly like I did yesterday. Now I'm all over the place again. Getting stuck on the back foot and not transferring my weight, AGAIN.
So went back to focussing on weight transfer. Then my timing got all out of whack, wasn't releasing the club. Started pulling, pushing, slicing. Everything but straight.
Couldn't draw the ball if my life depended on it.
Could I. Nope.
Instead of hitting the ball sweetly like I did yesterday. Now I'm all over the place again. Getting stuck on the back foot and not transferring my weight, AGAIN.
So went back to focussing on weight transfer. Then my timing got all out of whack, wasn't releasing the club. Started pulling, pushing, slicing. Everything but straight.
Couldn't draw the ball if my life depended on it.
Good Range Session
Popped up the range after work yesterday for a quick session.
Bit of chipping and putting and them some balls on the range.
Surprising the chipping was really good. First few were a little tentative after the shanking incident.
I spent about 20 mins chipping with a 56deg wedge, PW and then an 8i to a couple of 10-15 yard targets. The 8i was really accurate, pretty much got all inside 3ft and almost holed a couple.
Putting started with some varying length putts just focussing on stroke and tempo. I then done my 3ft drill.
Basically place about 8-10 balls around the hole in a circle, using the putter length as a guide, then try to sink them all. If you miss, you start again. I had to give up and didn't finish after about 10 goes :-(
Ok onto the range.
Again focus for the session was on correct weight transfer. Starting to feel more natural now, driving off from my right side before I start the downswing. Really starting to crush the ball.
Started to hit a little draw again as well, hardly faded anything.
The one thing I need to sort out is I'm still coming over the top a bit resulting in a bit of a pull.
Something to work on tonight I think.
But confidence is starting to come back that I'm going in the right direction. But who knows what will happen at the weekend to knock that.
Bit of chipping and putting and them some balls on the range.
Surprising the chipping was really good. First few were a little tentative after the shanking incident.
I spent about 20 mins chipping with a 56deg wedge, PW and then an 8i to a couple of 10-15 yard targets. The 8i was really accurate, pretty much got all inside 3ft and almost holed a couple.
Putting started with some varying length putts just focussing on stroke and tempo. I then done my 3ft drill.
Basically place about 8-10 balls around the hole in a circle, using the putter length as a guide, then try to sink them all. If you miss, you start again. I had to give up and didn't finish after about 10 goes :-(
Ok onto the range.
Again focus for the session was on correct weight transfer. Starting to feel more natural now, driving off from my right side before I start the downswing. Really starting to crush the ball.
Started to hit a little draw again as well, hardly faded anything.
The one thing I need to sort out is I'm still coming over the top a bit resulting in a bit of a pull.
Something to work on tonight I think.
But confidence is starting to come back that I'm going in the right direction. But who knows what will happen at the weekend to knock that.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
14th Feb -10 - Wedge Chip - Super Slow
So now I'm completely lost as to what happened last night.
Hit about 10 balls with my 58 degree with 1/4 swings. And pretty much hit every one well. No shanks, thins or anything. Just popped them up and off they went.
So absolutely clueless why I shanked so many last night.
Relieved that it seems to have gone away. But kind of worried that I don't know what caused it, so I haven't fixed anything to stop it happening again.
Here's a quick vid. Super slow-mo (1000fps) with my Casio EX-FS10. Pretty cool eh ?
I'll post a bit about that later.
3-Feb-10 - Iron DL - Slow
Now to a week or so ago. Swing is looking better.
Looks like in this on my hands are pushing the club away on the down swing. Still seems to be a bit of out to in with this swing.
Head looks pretty stable. But right leg stays pretty planted through the hit still.
I know that's something I've been working on this week :-)
So. I'll get some vids up of how things are with a better weight transfer as that was working well last night.
15-Jan - Iron DL - Slow
Ok. Mid Jan now. Swing is looking good, well good for me.
Good takeaway, Reasonably on plane. Not to much wiggle of the club head at the top, then down and through.
Weight shift still looks late and the club head seems to be coming in straight to in, which is probably where the slight pull\slice is coming from.
All in all not bad. But can repeat it consistently.
31-Dec - Iron Dl - Slow
Ok now end of the year on a cold New Years Eve.
Things looking 'tighter'. i.e. More under control. Back swing looks good and on plane.
Straightinging the right leg too much I think and a little over the top as well.
Bit off the back foot too. But a better looking swing.
Just can't repeat it.
26th Nov 10 - Iron DL Slow
Ok. Probably a month after starting the changes. Now off 13.
Backswing is much more on plane. Hands higher and not as flat a swing.
Head is comming up a bit still, bit of over swing in the backswing too.
But the swing looking more compact and 'orthadox'.
Better looking swing. But at this time I was really struggling with a consistent hit.
6th Jul 10 Iron Slow
Ok 6th July -10. Off about 15-16 I think.
Bit better. Bit more control. Not as much body movement or head movement, but still some.
Still taking the club away far too inside.
My Swing - Jan 15 2010 - Iron.avi
Here's an old swing video from way back in Jan-10.
Observations
1. Hips turning to much in the back swing
2. Club coming way inside in the back swing
3. Wrists over cocking
4. Swinging over the top,
5. Resulting in an out to in swing
6. Late weight transfer
So Not great then. But something to work on.
I was playing off 20 at the time.
Observations
1. Hips turning to much in the back swing
2. Club coming way inside in the back swing
3. Wrists over cocking
4. Swinging over the top,
5. Resulting in an out to in swing
6. Late weight transfer
So Not great then. But something to work on.
I was playing off 20 at the time.
Sleepless Night
Morning. Had a sleepless night last night. Lot on my mind. Work stuff mainly but yesterdays shanking session was in there as well.
I've got an old 58 degree wedge in the garage so I might spend 30 mins in the garden later with a few balls and try to work out what's up.
I think I know. The leading edge of the club must be coming up. Not sure why if my weight is forward and the shaft is leaning forward. Must be flipping my hands or leaning back on the shot or something.
We'll see later. I hope
I've got an old 58 degree wedge in the garage so I might spend 30 mins in the garden later with a few balls and try to work out what's up.
I think I know. The leading edge of the club must be coming up. Not sure why if my weight is forward and the shaft is leaning forward. Must be flipping my hands or leaning back on the shot or something.
We'll see later. I hope
Monday, February 14, 2011
What's In Store Tomorrow
OK, last post for today.
Right tomorrow I am going to sort my chipping out, it must be something simple, because something can't go that wrong so quickly.
I'll also post a bit about what's in my bag and some of the other gear I have.
Might even post some swing videos up to youtube.
Right tomorrow I am going to sort my chipping out, it must be something simple, because something can't go that wrong so quickly.
I'll also post a bit about what's in my bag and some of the other gear I have.
Might even post some swing videos up to youtube.
Ok lets hit the range
After a miserable weekend I had a serious think about what I wanted to do.
Have a break from golf for a while or just keep plugging away. Or just quit.
I've tried taking a break before, and it didn't work. I just came back playing worse and even more frustrated with my game. Felt like a step back.
Quitting didn't seem right. I'm starting to hit the ball well on the range now. So decided to have a session after work.
I decided I wasn't going to over complicate things and just work on the weight transfer.
Got myself 100 balls and started with the weight transfer drill again for 5-10 balls. The onto the full swing, taking my time, just trying to keep things simple. Smooth turn back, transfer my weight, and smooth turn through. After 5-10 balls it started to feel in sync, I wasn't releasing the club and holding it open a bit, but things weren't too wayward and I was getting a good strike on the ball.
Carried on just doing that for another 20 or so balls until it felt comfortably. I then focussed on the release a bit more, just swinging with my body and letting the arms just follow which got the club releasing nicely. Just trying to take my arms out of the swing.
Boy was I striking the ball sweetly. Smooth, good tempo, crisp contact, great ball flight, little right-left draw on it. Hit about 40-50 balls like that, couple of strays. But most were real quality hits.
Had plently of time before I had to pick the GF up from the station. So got another 100 balls. I was on a roll. So just wanted to keep hitting and hitting to try to make it take hold.
To finish I thought I'd just hit a few drivers, same thing. Transfer the weight, using my body to swing the club and nailed 5 right out the middle. Lovely
Ok lets hit a couple of 30 yard chip shots with my 56 degree. Ooops. Shank, Shank, Shank.
WTF, I don't think I've ever flat out shanked 3 in a row. My short game is usually one of the better parts of my game and has saved may a round.
Ok, hit a few more. I shanked 10 balls straight. All my second 100 gone. I can't leave the range with that in my head, so grabbed another 25 balls.
ok, took my time setup properly, weight on the front foot, shaft slightly forward to promote a descending blow. Shank, thin, shank, shank, thin, shank.
Out of 25 balls I think I actually got 2 air born. And I couldn't understand why. In the past I'd just step in and chip for fun. Not even think about what I was doing. But now I couldn't even chip on decent ball.
Get another 25, really concentrate. Another 25 shanks and thins. This is driving me nuts. What the hells happened.
Get another 25, hit some full shots with my 8i first just to get away from chipping, then went back to chipping. Same again. Shank, Shank, Thin, Shank Shank, Thin. Absolutely unreal.
I ran out of time and had to leave the range.
I'm sitting here now writing this and still in utter shock and still have no idea how I can basically shank 70 out of 75 balls.
I spent 2.5 hours on the range. Irons feel great, driver good. But I can't chip. Not a 'I can't chip, cuz I duff one every so often' I just can't chip full stop.
I'm going to have to sort that out tomorrow, because I can't play a round this weekend without being able to chip. So that's going to take time away from working on my irons and driver.
So from feeling really good, I'm now feeling pretty pissed off.
I'm off to bed in a bit and I'm sure I'm going to have a sleepless night over this.
What's the title of this blog.
Oh Yeah, 'God Hates Golfers' or it could just be me.
Have a break from golf for a while or just keep plugging away. Or just quit.
I've tried taking a break before, and it didn't work. I just came back playing worse and even more frustrated with my game. Felt like a step back.
Quitting didn't seem right. I'm starting to hit the ball well on the range now. So decided to have a session after work.
I decided I wasn't going to over complicate things and just work on the weight transfer.
Got myself 100 balls and started with the weight transfer drill again for 5-10 balls. The onto the full swing, taking my time, just trying to keep things simple. Smooth turn back, transfer my weight, and smooth turn through. After 5-10 balls it started to feel in sync, I wasn't releasing the club and holding it open a bit, but things weren't too wayward and I was getting a good strike on the ball.
Carried on just doing that for another 20 or so balls until it felt comfortably. I then focussed on the release a bit more, just swinging with my body and letting the arms just follow which got the club releasing nicely. Just trying to take my arms out of the swing.
Boy was I striking the ball sweetly. Smooth, good tempo, crisp contact, great ball flight, little right-left draw on it. Hit about 40-50 balls like that, couple of strays. But most were real quality hits.
Had plently of time before I had to pick the GF up from the station. So got another 100 balls. I was on a roll. So just wanted to keep hitting and hitting to try to make it take hold.
To finish I thought I'd just hit a few drivers, same thing. Transfer the weight, using my body to swing the club and nailed 5 right out the middle. Lovely
Ok lets hit a couple of 30 yard chip shots with my 56 degree. Ooops. Shank, Shank, Shank.
WTF, I don't think I've ever flat out shanked 3 in a row. My short game is usually one of the better parts of my game and has saved may a round.
Ok, hit a few more. I shanked 10 balls straight. All my second 100 gone. I can't leave the range with that in my head, so grabbed another 25 balls.
ok, took my time setup properly, weight on the front foot, shaft slightly forward to promote a descending blow. Shank, thin, shank, shank, thin, shank.
Out of 25 balls I think I actually got 2 air born. And I couldn't understand why. In the past I'd just step in and chip for fun. Not even think about what I was doing. But now I couldn't even chip on decent ball.
Get another 25, really concentrate. Another 25 shanks and thins. This is driving me nuts. What the hells happened.
Get another 25, hit some full shots with my 8i first just to get away from chipping, then went back to chipping. Same again. Shank, Shank, Thin, Shank Shank, Thin. Absolutely unreal.
I ran out of time and had to leave the range.
I'm sitting here now writing this and still in utter shock and still have no idea how I can basically shank 70 out of 75 balls.
I spent 2.5 hours on the range. Irons feel great, driver good. But I can't chip. Not a 'I can't chip, cuz I duff one every so often' I just can't chip full stop.
I'm going to have to sort that out tomorrow, because I can't play a round this weekend without being able to chip. So that's going to take time away from working on my irons and driver.
So from feeling really good, I'm now feeling pretty pissed off.
I'm off to bed in a bit and I'm sure I'm going to have a sleepless night over this.
What's the title of this blog.
Oh Yeah, 'God Hates Golfers' or it could just be me.
Last Weekend
Ok, I'm on a roll.
This is a great outlet and I'm feeling better already. Been up the range tonight and am frustrated as hell. I'll cover that in the next post I think.
So what happened this weekend.
Well had a lesson on Friday and Mr Pro confirmed what I already knew. I'm not shifting my weight in the downswing.
Back swing is all good, great positions, little longer back swing than he'd normally like. But all on plane and under control.
Downswing starts with a shoulder turn but I stay planted on my right foot. I'd been trying to fix this but all i'd managed to do was incorporate a hip slide left, causing me to lean back even more and fat and thin everything.
So, he took me though an impact drill where I setup with my right heel already off the floor, then make a swing.
After a few goes I was getting a good impact on the ball and compressing it nicely.
Then into some full swings and focussing on backswing, start weight shift and then rotate back through. After a few hit the ball really crisply. Nice little draw as well.
Then we did some short game work. Wedges from 100 yards and in. Just playing little dead arm shots and getting a feel for distance for different swing lengths. Hit the ball really consistently dropping all my wedges consistent distance.
Left the range feeling really confident, really looking forward to this weekends golf.
I probably hit the ball consistently better than I probably have ever done. REaly good compression on the ball, great penetrating flight with my irons, all of them. Swing felt smooth, relaxed and powerful.
So that was Fridays lesson. Onto the course on Sat and Sun. Managed to get two rounds in.
Wish I hadn't bothered. Awful. Simply awful.
Saturday, my driving was all over the place. Hit 2 fairways all round. Irons were all fatted and thinned. Stuck on my back foot again and just couldn't get off. Chipping was ok most of the time. Putting was ok, but never really sank anything. Result 94. Ouch.
Sunday was a comp, more of the same, drove the ball a little better. But again, irons were awful. Chipping was ok(ish) couple of duffed ones and putting the same, just made nothing. Result 93.
Left the course feeling absolutely dejected. Why am I even bothering any more. Wasted half my weekend on something that just makes me miserable right now.
This is a great outlet and I'm feeling better already. Been up the range tonight and am frustrated as hell. I'll cover that in the next post I think.
So what happened this weekend.
Well had a lesson on Friday and Mr Pro confirmed what I already knew. I'm not shifting my weight in the downswing.
Back swing is all good, great positions, little longer back swing than he'd normally like. But all on plane and under control.
Downswing starts with a shoulder turn but I stay planted on my right foot. I'd been trying to fix this but all i'd managed to do was incorporate a hip slide left, causing me to lean back even more and fat and thin everything.
So, he took me though an impact drill where I setup with my right heel already off the floor, then make a swing.
After a few goes I was getting a good impact on the ball and compressing it nicely.
Then into some full swings and focussing on backswing, start weight shift and then rotate back through. After a few hit the ball really crisply. Nice little draw as well.
Then we did some short game work. Wedges from 100 yards and in. Just playing little dead arm shots and getting a feel for distance for different swing lengths. Hit the ball really consistently dropping all my wedges consistent distance.
Left the range feeling really confident, really looking forward to this weekends golf.
I probably hit the ball consistently better than I probably have ever done. REaly good compression on the ball, great penetrating flight with my irons, all of them. Swing felt smooth, relaxed and powerful.
So that was Fridays lesson. Onto the course on Sat and Sun. Managed to get two rounds in.
Wish I hadn't bothered. Awful. Simply awful.
Saturday, my driving was all over the place. Hit 2 fairways all round. Irons were all fatted and thinned. Stuck on my back foot again and just couldn't get off. Chipping was ok most of the time. Putting was ok, but never really sank anything. Result 94. Ouch.
Sunday was a comp, more of the same, drove the ball a little better. But again, irons were awful. Chipping was ok(ish) couple of duffed ones and putting the same, just made nothing. Result 93.
Left the course feeling absolutely dejected. Why am I even bothering any more. Wasted half my weekend on something that just makes me miserable right now.
The Past 3 Months
Bit of more scene setting.
I started my swing changes at the end of October after the season here ended. I've had regular lessons with one of the pro's at my club since I started and he's done a great job getting me down to 13 in such a short space of time.
Well he's done a great job but I've put in a lot of work as well. So he can't take all the credit.
At the end of the season I told him this year I want to push for single figures. Which he said was doable but we'd need to make some swing changes that are going to take a bit of time to reduce the impact of the bad shots.
Over the year I'd developed a bit of a flatish swing. Which to be fair worked pretty well for me. My normal shot would be a gentle draw. My bad one would be a huge destructive pull left or a snap hook.
So. Mr Pro has been gradually changing my swing to a more upright orthodox swing. And it's been a nightmare.
Over the past 3-4 months we've made so many changes I have no idea what the hell I'm doing any more. I practice hard, 2-3 1-2 hour range sessions and week and play 1-2 times at the weekends.
My scores have gone to pushing to break 80 to struggling to break 90, and my scores are getting worse, not better. I don't think a 100+ score is out of the question now.
I'm really having trouble making the changes stick. I'll have a lesson, come away hitting it great, then within a couple of range sessions it's gone, or some other problem has crept in.
A few weeks ago I almost quit the game and it's constantly on my mind at the moment. I started playing because I got so much pleasure out of the game. Right now I hate it. Literally hate it.
But I know that I can enjoy the game again, but I'm going to need to fight though these changes.
If I could turn back the clock 3 months I would. Right now I'd be delighted with my old swing back and content playing off 13. But it's too late, that swing has gone and it ain't coming back.
I started my swing changes at the end of October after the season here ended. I've had regular lessons with one of the pro's at my club since I started and he's done a great job getting me down to 13 in such a short space of time.
Well he's done a great job but I've put in a lot of work as well. So he can't take all the credit.
At the end of the season I told him this year I want to push for single figures. Which he said was doable but we'd need to make some swing changes that are going to take a bit of time to reduce the impact of the bad shots.
Over the year I'd developed a bit of a flatish swing. Which to be fair worked pretty well for me. My normal shot would be a gentle draw. My bad one would be a huge destructive pull left or a snap hook.
So. Mr Pro has been gradually changing my swing to a more upright orthodox swing. And it's been a nightmare.
Over the past 3-4 months we've made so many changes I have no idea what the hell I'm doing any more. I practice hard, 2-3 1-2 hour range sessions and week and play 1-2 times at the weekends.
My scores have gone to pushing to break 80 to struggling to break 90, and my scores are getting worse, not better. I don't think a 100+ score is out of the question now.
I'm really having trouble making the changes stick. I'll have a lesson, come away hitting it great, then within a couple of range sessions it's gone, or some other problem has crept in.
A few weeks ago I almost quit the game and it's constantly on my mind at the moment. I started playing because I got so much pleasure out of the game. Right now I hate it. Literally hate it.
But I know that I can enjoy the game again, but I'm going to need to fight though these changes.
If I could turn back the clock 3 months I would. Right now I'd be delighted with my old swing back and content playing off 13. But it's too late, that swing has gone and it ain't coming back.
First Post
Well it all has to start somewhere I suppose.
So 'Why does God Hate Golfers ?", well, I've played a lot of sports and I've never found one where the highs and lows in are such a close proximity to each other. It drives me, and I'd hazard a guess, most other golfers mad.
So a bit about me and this blog.
I'm 42 and started playing this wonderful game just over 2 1/2 years ago, and was instantly bitten by the golfing bug. I guess once I turned 40 it was a given I'd start playing golf :-)
I got my first official handicap, 24, in April 08. Got that down to 20 by the end of the first full season. Then last year things clicked and I got it down to 13.
Over the past few months I've been working with my golf coach on a lot of swing changes in the effort to try to get down to single figures. At the time of writing the chances of that happening are slim to none. If I was a betting man, well I am, I'd say I'll probably be playing of 15 by the end of the season.
So I guess you could say that things ain't going to well.
And that's what this blog is about. Documenting my rise, well fall at the moment, and somewhere for me track my progress and thoughts.
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