I have decided for the most part to practice off the grass as opposed to the mats from now on. A few weeks ago I hit off mats and hit balls better than I ever had
The next time I hit from the grass and I was terrible then the 2nd time I hit from the grass I was terrible.
Here in the forum, I tell it like I hit them. I don't hold back and I am completely honest with my results, good or bad.
Yes, I like to toss a little levity into it. It's what keeps me being me. I try to forget the bad I did and start new the next time.
@burkholder.ronald gave me the advice to go back, learn the basics again, and do the 2.8 drill, so that's what I did. I watched most of "golf swing simplified" all the while saying to myself "I have done all that".well, no I wasn't. "Not even close, Bud".
The first 50 balls, I tried, I really tried to do the drill but about 30 balls in I started my full swing again, but no matter what, I chunked many. I gave the drill up because I couldn't hit 3 the same. forget about 8 in a row Don't get me wrong I did hit some very good, clean, crispy shots. And kept trying to figure it out. Why sometimes and not most of the time? I realized more than anything that I was shifting my weight back. Not always, but many times. I was not turning that shoulder. So I did everything step by step and tried to make sure I kept the head where it was. The drill where you put your body in the doorway came to mind and that is what I tried to do. I was not keeping the weight forward. I was not turning. Forget about tilting ( can't turn if you don't tilt!), and I was falling slightly backward and when my weight shifted backward, I took a few extra large divots. I've been through this before. It's like I got divorced for the 2nd time.
For the last 50 balls or so I was as determined as ever, and I am going to tell you I had great results.
So now that I have taken the little refresher course I can only say it helped to the point that on 2 or 3 occasions I hit my driver 225 in the air and straight. I have laid off the driver for the most part but I am making solid contact. Still, a little push to the right but I started to put that target down in front and it helps. In lesson 2.3a Tom tells all of us that if we don't tilt we will not be able to hit that crispy, clean, KFC crispy every time, if ever. Forget about any of the fancy stuff if you can't do this, you can't do any of it. Take it from a 66-year-old man that was the key to my success today
If you struggle with consistency, where One day is good and the next day is bad. You should do what I did. Go back look, listen, and do. I've been through this twice and I walk away with a very negative feeling but both times I want back and both times I did, I got results. I am hoping that I don't need 3. But I think that is the trick. Go back Re-learn, do it, and make sure you are.
I used to get a little weird around others at the driving range, but have you ever watched these people hit!! Holy Moly it's like watching Little Rascals re-runs sometimes. I want to get so good that these people ask me "how do you do that" And you know where I'm sending them.
I feel stronger now since I think I can start the next session in the right direction. It's like a lightbulb went off. (We will see) Next week I am playing my first 9 on a par 3. First of many. The way I see it if I can play these well and get the driver moving all I will have to deal with is putting and sand. Plus I can use it for my handicap goal for the Amateure handicap Golf Tournament.
Sometimes when I hit it with the crispy goodness, I hit the ball farther then it should go. This is not all the time but today I am telling you I hit my PW 150 (extra crispy?) and my 5 hybrid went short of 200 yds.(2 ps. extra crispy?) must have had everything working. Oh and a few times my driver 225 in the air. That must have been the family pack.
Sometimes I think I need to go back to work in the office. I damn near wrote a dissertation here.🤓
OUTSTANDING!!!
I know the feeling of the excitement of having the lightbulb go on. In some ways you are at an advantage believe it or not. If you are at the start of your golf journey, you advantage is you don't have to undo or fight years of muscle memory and bad habits.
Keep going!