Here is my issue. I always have to use my last outing to form an opinion on what I am doing. I am going to the grass today and will give a full update. I am going to the grass to work on the driver with my alignment sticks and do everything I can to stay out of the death zone.
Hard to stick an alignment stick in a mat I and I am not one for fancy golf aids as I feel they take you away from your natural ability.
My last outing was on the mats. I hit the ball so well that I wore myself out with sheer excitement and joy, that when I got to the driver I was worn out. I was not hitting the ground before the ball and the reason I know this because I was popping off great, straight shots that had a great hang time all the way to my 3 wood. I was on fire. This does not mean I was perfect.
Now, with the driver, you get to use the rubber tee on the mat and hopefully, the driver will never come into contact with the mat. Or the ground. But is the driver okay to hit from the mats? I am not trying to do an apples-and-oranges thing here I am trying to figure out a routine as I move forward with my golf and semi-retirement. I want to play well enough so I get asked to play or even someone asking me how I am hitting it so well. If hitting from the grass is the best thing I can do for myself then I will take that and do only that. I am a disciplined person yet cheap! But I also know what my goals are and it is to be as good as I can be and it is also the reason I am here. I have looked all over YT and have tried to see how other guys teach. This is where I am and where I will stay and also tell others. I commented in a Youtube video that at one time I purchased every David Ledbetter video that was available when I was younger
(50-55) and they did nothing for me, yet I follow some charismatic young man on the internet for free and I am hitting it better than ever. Go Figure.
I actually played Jai Alai from the time I was 16 into my 40s. I played well enough that I could have become a pro when I was young but it paid so poorly from my trade that it was a dream that would never come true. I was okay with that because I know I could have done it if I wanted to. My next question is for my own satisfaction. Even at the age of 66 when I am in good shape with a full range of motion, won't there come a time when I will peak and be the best I will be? I will still hit some bad shots, use the wrong club and make the wrong decision but doesn't everyone at one time while playing a sport, come into their own?
Tom.
Tom,
We sound a lot alike in many ways.
I'm 65 and played golf in high school then had on and off stints over the years. The last years (with just a 3 year break in there) I been more devoted then I have ever been removing the High school years.
I trained and raced Harness Horses (Standard Bred) in my 20's and walked away from it. Only because I loved horses. And I had a once in a lifetime offer from Hanover Shoe Farms leader in the sport. But I couldn't train horse like a machine. So I passed and left the racing game.
As to your second question.
I am playing better golf and more consistent and smarter golf than ever. And last year had to withdraw from finals in my men's league due to shoulder issue(my good shoulder at that).
But that aside, I improved enough to get bumped in top the 1st flight.
And (here's hope for you) my driving picked up at the end of the year(with new Callaway) by 10 to 15 yards. Even better, because I use Arccos sensors on my clubs, my accuracy went from 51% center to 71% center!
I have a "garange"(indoor driving net in my garage). I work on the 2:8 drills there and with a Divot Board and focus on takeaway and keeping arm straight a 3/4 swing.
There is no doubt things will continue to get better this year! I credit all of it to Saguto Academy and this forum, they are mutual!
But as Tom has told you, you have to reconstruct it from bottom up. That's what I did and I am only scratched the service. I haven't even went through everything offered adding bits and pieces as I get comfortable with my new incorporations and my own little nuances that work for me. Also I bought totally into making changes and did not hesitate bringing right to the course even in competitive league play.
And all of this with a plate and 11 screws in my right shoulder!
So keep at it!!!!!!
And keep practicing and interacting on this forum.
Come join some of the Saguto Alumni that are heading to Myrtle Beach this August for the World Amateur !!!!!!!
Blessings,
Steven