I have never struck the ball so well in my life – and I’m doing it consistently! I’ve always been a bogey golfer, but now looking to improve – my goal this year is to break 80 for the first time. I’m retired and intend to play as much as I can and achieve this goal.
To quote Tommy Armour from his 1954 book How to Play Your Best Golf All the Time, “The average golfer can't deliberately hit a long iron or wood to save his life. When he does hit such a shot that comes off without fluffing, he doesn't know how he did it.”
Well now, after signing up for Saguto golf on-line lessons, I do know how I did it, and I can repeat it. A lot of practice this winter into the net in the garage, and I am striking the ball KFC crispy.
A couple of key factors (apart from the main instruction) I found two things which helped: Making sure your “relationship to the ball” was not too close which in my case kept me coming over the top. I moved the ball out two club heads to make sure my hands were under my chin (which was mentioned in one video) and that allowed me to complete the in-to-out downswing. Also just before starting my backswing I touch my right elbow to my side which helps with the backswing path and tilt.
Admittedly, the ball is only flying 8ft into the net, so we’ll see what direction the ball goes on Tuesday – my first round of the year (now we’ve been released from the lockdown in Ontario). I am excited.
Thank you Tom!
Angus
Toronto, ON, Canada
Update - 22 December 2022
Well that’s the end of the golf season in Toronto (managed to get one more round in on 16th December). I ended the season with a handicap of 15.2 (down from 18.2 at the beginning of the season). 13 of my last 20 scores were in the 80’s, and many of them I felt (for the first time) that they should have been even lower. Altogether very pleased with the season’s golf and improvements made with Crispy KFC strikes. Setting up for the winter’s net golf in the garage (with a Garmin R10 on order), to be able to go out and crack the 80 nut next golf season.
All the best to everyone for 2022.
Considering that the @weegus of two months ago said: "One of these days I’ll put together a few sub 85 rounds", I'd say preliminary mission accomplished with primary goal most definitely in sight!
Great work with the driver with more improvement to come as you get increasingly comfortable and confident, and nice job sorting out the putting as that is going to be a key component of breaking 80 sooner rather than later.
Excellent update! Keep them coming!!
Update – 13th August 2021
I read your comments Tom about the driver ball position and height, and agreed. As I couldn’t hit my woods in the garage in the winter, I think I reverted to old habits on the golf course as I started the season. I re-watched the videos on driver and soon sorted it out – am now hitting consistently over 200yds, and up to 230yds on good ones and 70+% in the fairway. I’m very happy with the driver now. My lag putting has improved also – I think it was a matter of getting used to green speeds, relaxing my hands on the putter and testing out all 5 putters I have to find the best one!
My last 20 rounds have mostly been in the mid to high 80s with the best ones at 85, 84 and 83. I haven’t scored an 83 in a very long time. I was very pleased. My last round didn’t have a 7 on the card. My handicap index is now 16.1 down from 18.2 at the beginning of the season.
Still hitting the ball very crisply, very few bad shots – mainly due to lack of focus but they tend to cost you a few strokes.
Still on the quest of the sub-80 round!
Update: 14 June 2021
So far I have played 8 rounds and I am very pleased with my ball striking. For my first 9 holes I was hooking the ball – something I’ve never done in my life. I weakened my grip and that corrected it - now it goes straight - most of the time.
My handicap is still ~ 18 as my scoring has not necessarily followed my ball striking (scores high 93 – low 87) for 2 main reasons: 1. I have been hitting my irons longer than I am used to and am frequently over the back of the green and 2. My putting has been terrible (leaving putts short). The first will be a case of having the confidence to take less club into greens and the second will take some practice.
I have had some good nine holes ~41 with birdies and pars. I have never had such confidence over the ball – from my fairway woods through to my wedges.
I have not refined my driver shots yet – when I try to tee it up and put it forward in my stance to hit up on the ball, I either leave the face open and slice it or pull the ball to the left. Mostly I play the ball slightly lower and just a bit forward of centre and am managing 190 – 225yds with a swing speed of ~85-90 mph.
One of these days I’ll put together a few sub 85 rounds, but my goal this season is to break 80 for the first time. Future updates to follow.
Fantastic stuff, @weegus!! I'm very glad to know that they're finally letting you out to play. My only advice at this juncture is that you just be patient in your transition from the net (and perhaps a hitting mat) to the real thing in real playing conditions. What you've built over the past several months is all there in you. Trust in that, while also understanding that the migration process to the course may or may not take a little time.
Thanks for the great update - now let's move towards achieving that goal of breaking 80! Please keep us posted on your progress, and most importantly - have fun out there!!