Went to the range this evening for the first time this season with a small bucket of balls - around 50 balls I think. That was still more than I wanted as if things go bad - the misery lasts a lot longer. :) I am pleased with the ball flight. One of the latest videos I watched that hit home for me was this one: Fix 2 - Keep the Trail Leg Straight in the Downswing. When I watched this video a light bulb went off in my head as I recalled my right knee shooting out when I start my downswing from my self videos. And at the end of last season I had a hook. I never really knew what the trail knee was supposed to do until I saw that video. Once I kept the trail knee quiet I could feel the left leg working much more and I had a hip bump. The net was feeling a lot better. It carried over onto the range, today. I took my gap wedge, 8 and 5 iron and my 3 wood. All clubs I had good ball flight. I'd say maybe 40% even had a draw - especially the longer clubs - first time ever. Wow. I hit a few mishits but so much less than before. Maybe one fat shot which before those were the norm. My distance is still about the same I think. My 5 iron is probably around 165 yards so I'm a bit disappointed with that. However, the markings at the range were awful so I'm guessing. The colors for the distance were all faded and that side of the range left a lot to be desired. But I must say for the first time out the ball flights were so much more consistent so I am satisfied about that. Near the end I could feel some old habits kicking in so it was time to quit, anyway. Accuracy was better, had a good number of draws, and just good ball fight. I was impressed with the 3 wood ball flight. That's the first time I didn't mishit that club. I'm sure the course will be a different story. lol More work to do and then maybe I'll try to focus on distance once things get settled and much improved. Might hit a course this weekend so we'll see how that goes. Thank you, Tom. This stuff is working. (on a side note - my neighbor behind my house has seen me on the net and complimented my swing. If nothing else at least I look good.) 🤣
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Great stuff, guys!!
@Alan Studnicky - Crispy impact and a nice ball flight in your first range session of the year are plenty to be happy with!! Distance comes as we get more comfortable with the overall motion and no longer have to focus on the individual components. I'd say you're on a great track for a most enjoyable season!
@tedpuryear - 150 carry on your 7 iron at age 74 tells me that you have more than enough runway and plenty of fuel in the tank! Similar to my comment to Alan, as you take ownership of your swing and are no longer relying so heavily on mechanical thoughts while on the course, you'll be able to play target-focused golf and your game will enter a new dimension.
If both of you have a chance, check out the book "Fearless Golf: Conquering the Mental Game" by Dr. Gio Valiante.
Well done!!
Tom
Played today for first time. Range warm up was incredible. 90% slight draw and pretty crispy and down the middle . lot's of good divits. 7 iron ave about 150 carry. Happy man.. The course not so good. Not bad but lacked confidence. Different lies and the ground intimidated me I think. But several KFCs but with bad aim. Wasn't keeping score. At this point I don't think score is important. Most of the score is a function of the short game i imo. I'm working mostly on swing. I'm 74 and am running out of runway for for a kfc swing. Started playing off and on in mid 60s. This process really works for me.