I'm in the process of working through GSS but I have incorporated much of it into a swing. I had to be flexible due to a planned golf outing and took my new-ish swing to the course today. All told, heading to the course was premature and I intend to stay off for a while as I build my new swing. But still I can feel a paradigm-shift brewing in the way I play the game. I've never been more excited to not play golf, if that makes sense.
As I reflect on the round, all I have to say is damn it felt good to see a somewhat consistent draw pattern with shots today.
I had noticed it on the range in the week prior, but figured I'd cripple and go back to slice city under pressure. My father hadn't seen me hit that flight pattern before (same goes for the one swinging), and he began remarking on it once it was clear that it was repeatable.
I had a draw shot in my bag . . . what? Did the earth start spinning the other way? Was there a series of strong, northwesterly, well-timed gusts? No -- even more improbable -- it was me. Perhaps more accurately, it was a product of the setup and backswing Tom prescribes.
I left my driver and metals in the bag (they're a work in progress and I've always found them unwieldy and I don't intend to get to them -- and the driver-related lessons -- until I've reached a solid foundation with my irons). Still, a 175-yard draw with a 6-iron off the tee put me in such a comparable position to my spray-prone driver (more distance, sure, but I'll be hitting my approach from the next fairway over) and metal swings that I shot at the lower end of my typical range notwithstanding.
I might be shouting into the ether here, but I wanted to write this to simply express the joy of seeing a ball move appropriately left rather than sharply right. It's prompted in me a lot more confidence than I've ever had on the course.
That's awesome, @DannyMac!! And no - you're not "shouting into the ether"....🤣
If you're working through GSS then you've probably toiled with Drill 2.8. You can take that drill swing to the course and play quite well with it through your entire bag while you're in the process of learning the finer points. I mention this probably more often than he would like, but @burkholder.ronald shot five consecutive rounds in the 70's using only that swing.
Keep up the great work, enjoy your newfound shot shape and ball striking both of which signify to me that you are working properly through the program - and know that it's common for the driver and fairway metals to lag behind the irons. We can dive into those in more detail when you're ready.
@Patrick Anlauf, @Gerry_Lager Good points and thank you. I'll keep these approaches in mind as I progress through the system.
@DannyMac nice to have a new swing but the drills are for the battle on the course. Drills-Play-Drills, Repeat. Eventually, muscle memory becomes the norm. I am 7 months into this program and still trying to feel comfortable with a new swing and NEW habits….it is hard to break an old system that doesn’t work well, but worth it! Hope to be on the course in June, be in a car pool to save on gas, and play out the monthly membership.
There is a mental approach on taking Toms content to the course. You can take pieces to the course. for example, concentrate on lead shoulder down and weight forward when you play. Is your 'new swing' ever going to be complete? So, get out and play!! It's the best feedback you can get on your progress. IMO