Greetings All,
I know most if not all of issues this season are between the ears. Now I got my fairway woods back and short game except for the occasional not great shot(we are not pro's) is firing on all cylinders. I mean the last 2 weeks 28 and 30 putts for the round. And only a couple of bad drives.
When you can't stay consistent throughout the round, and I know I can play despite not having the lenght I use to with all clubs. It is frustrating and making me crazy. So have 3 more league rounds before I head to the MBWA. Think maybe it's time to just relax and really get basic and setup and just get into my play box. Been here before on the ball field in my younger days. But last year was in mid to high 80's and low 90's most of time to where I got bumped to first flight. Now went opposite way this year and at bottom 2nd flight, which is okay.
But feel like pressing and in the twilight zone.
Thanks for the vent.
Tom said " sandbag"
I can tell you what I have done. We seem to be a lot alike with inconsistencies of one form or another. I always go back to the beginning. The set up,the take away,keep that head right where it is, I do everything to keep that weight forward but sometimes I have this slight move to the right, right and the apex of the backswing. Even though it is ever so slight, I still seem to hit the ball harder and farther then when I don't do that. Or at least I think that. I think its because I am reaching back as far as I can reach. I have tried to stop doing that because I think I am bending my arm and gettin lucky at the bottom by getting back where I need to be. I know I can hit the ball well and straight and there is no feeling like it but, I don't do it all the time. So because I have that little tick on the backswing I have tried to do this. I only come back as far as I can knowing where my arm starts to bend. I reall try to get it accrss my chest and do everything I can to keep that elbow in. I fell I am more consistent but with less power then I did when I was making the claim that I was hitting my 9 iron 150. Not anymore. It's more like 130-140 and my 8 iron gets me closer to 150
I work on timing and form. I have tried to immulate Ben Hogan because that easy breezy swing. When I get up to the ball I go through my routine and just hit. My swing caddie has given me this information. 9I-130-140 Top 148 8I 140-150 Top 161 7I 150-160 Top 171
And so on. Unfortunately the distances are all over the place with that distance. Its rare I hit it the same distance twice in a row. but i think thos top distances is where I reall reach back. I actually go to the range more then I play. So today the camera comes out with that swing caddie SC300i and will will go through some self anyalisis. I will post if I get brave.
Thanks Tom
Hi Steven
Take a deep breath and relax. I've been in one of my 9 hole leagues for 5 years. There are A,B,C, and D flights. Every year I start at the bottom of the D flight, and every year I end up at the top of the D flight. ( I win a lot of bucks at the end of year banquet.) I am not a snowbird like the majority of my league mates, and indoor practice between November and April just doesn't do it. The good thing is, I just love the game so much! If the course is well kept, there are enough flowers, birds, (except geese), and bunnies, and I hit some good shots, I keep coming back. Got 2 pars last week, one on a par 4, and one on a par 3. Though the par 3 wasn't real. They were repairing the pond in front of the green, and had to move the tee box to the side. But, not everyone parred the hole, so I'll take it. Tom's S&T has been great for me. It's friendly to my old body, (I'm one of the first of the baby boomers), and I know it all in my head. I can recite almost every lesson, every suggested swing thought, (though I don't say them all at once when I play). The tough part is getting it into my body. I would like to write a book, "Golf for Duffers, by a Duffer." Anyone want to illustrate it for me? Again, I just love the game. To me, it's the joy of the process, not the outcome.
My advice to you...Be a mindful golfer. Enjoy each moment. If one isn't up to your expectations, that's OK. Another one is coming up.
Maybe I'll do 2 months down south next winter.
Paula
Based on where your short game is now, I think you're in good position to sandbag that handicap to victory!
Relax. You know you can get the ball in the hole, so allow that to take pressure of the rest of your game. Just let it go!