Some days you struggle with your swing. It happens. Today, my Saguto golfer buddy Brandon Wall and I had a chance to play his home course and it was that kind of day for me.
I still shot 78 (on a track I have never seen) even though I was not hitting the ball as I usually do and I had 3 3 putts.
Lesson: understanding the grid is essential to making adjustments and still scoring ok.
I have two swing problems that creep into my swing. The most common problem is getting too far inside out. That is a terrible position because I can hit blocks and big hooks. This tends to happen when I am playing a lot of golf.
The other tendency, the one that tends to pop up when I haven’t been playing, is exactly the opposite, I get too low and inside on the backswing and then swing “over the top”. This was today’s pattern. Please note, when I say over the top, I am saying my downswing is over the top of my backswing (that doesn’t mean I am swinging outside in).
Since I know my swing, I can use the grid to make compensations and still score reasonably well.
When I get too far inside out, I weaken the grip and move the ball much more forward in my stance. This neutralizes the inside out path and I play a little push fade.
When I am getting over it, I open my stance and move the ball way back in my stance. Because I am trying to swing so far right, even when over the top, I still come from inside to hit the ball so I play a little draw.
The grid rules all and if you use it correctly, it can make getting through a round possible.
In the next few weeks Brandon and I will get to the range when he comes to my home course.
It was a great day on the track with my new Saguto golf buddy. We had heat index of 108 today and still got in 27 holes.
Oh, yes. I dressed so that he couldn’t lose me on the course.
Awesome photo and sage advice, @Russell Hogue, PhD!!
I'm very glad y'all were able to get together, @Russell Hogue, PhD & @Brandon Wall!! Hope you're able to tee it up again soon along with @Gerry_Lager at Russell's course.
By the way, Jay Haas must be everywhere because I just ran into him last week at my course in Pawleys (where he is also a member).
So Friday I played somewhat decent with Russell at my home course. This morning I went with 3 friend from work to Red Hawk golf course located outside of Du quoin, IL. I had a absolute terrible round. No matter how I tried to adjust nothing would work. For starters I am unable to put extra weight on my left leg. I’m thinking still sore from our Friday round. Non the less I was topping the majority of my shots. Or hitting off the toe. Sliced the ball only twice, which is a plus. Those things I’ve been working on with Russell’s help. The pain in my left leg got so bad I stopped playing after the 16th hole. So I’m going to give my leg time to rest and get back out there.
Great write up and great pics!
Interesting that the grid is your baseline. I shot a 43/36 yesterday. What happens to me is similar in terms of swing path issues. For me, my "go to" baseline is to ensure the club head is in front of my chest for as long as possible on the backswing as this forces a shoulder driven backswing. Arm swings and inside takeaways can quickly creep in on the course.
I also pay close attention to alignment because I have a history of blaming bad shots on my swing when often times my alignment was the culprit. Then there's the short game and putting.
Sounds like a fun day! Glad you had a chance to get out and play.
Glad you guys had fun. That track is like 90 minutes from me. I've played Rend Lake but never ventured a bit more south to WF. Wish I could have made it down. and yes...it's hot.
When Russell says it was hot he was not joking. I drank over 88 ounces of water. BTW this was Franklin County Country Club in West Frankfort,IL. I had a bad day as well. Which I’ll just blame the heat.