29/12/11 Thursday. Golfing is in casual fun mode at the minute, very enjoyable and relaxing on my part to just amble around the course and hit the ball without tapping into the 'winning mindset'. Doing this has benefits which come from the errors made. To play a bad shot through not setting up as I would in a game and then drop another ball and play it seriously and see the desired result happen is a great confidence booster.
It is very satisfying to have a decent game foundation established. Because of this I'm looking forward to the series of coaching sessions after the New Year begins. The goal is to get the advice to be able to take my game to the level required to reach single figures and maintain it. It is possible for me to do this myself using the current, training and practise routines. The coach is not going to flick a switch and make it happen. Coaching enables the confidence and clear the vision of what are the main exercises which need to be concentrated on to improve the standard of my golf.
There has only been one consistent aspect of my coaching sessions. Each time there have been particular aspects of golf identified which I want to work on. This has came about from paying attention to my game and writing down a description of what happens in range practise and rounds played. Will be ambling around the course this afternoon for a hit which by then will be a good break from sitting in the studio working. At the minute part of my coming work is producing an interview with a touring professional. Looking forward to this project and exploring the reality of playing golf for a living while on the road. This will be completed by the end of January and will be shared through the posts here for those interested. Thankyou for your time and attention, “Hit ‘em Straight all” Geoff
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Luck has nothing to do with it...
24/12/11 Saturday. Doing nothing more than casual social nine hole rounds the past week has been enjoyable and refreshing. A modicum of a semi holiday from the golf course after being a greedy guts of late. Since the arm has improved and out making up for lost time was perhaps a little over done but still well worth the effort even if by the end I had nothing left in the tank. Having played myself out in two weeks it only took two days off the golf course to bounce back and be able to play 9 holes comfortably and efficiently again.
This is all part of developing the change in how I play a round of golf, no longer can a competition round be one of playing within myself for 2/3 rds of the holes then having a charge on the last 6 holes. Although my handicap of 12 still gives me strokes on 2/3rds of the holes it is now a matter of getting pars as the standard and setting up as many birdie chances as possible in a round. This is why the coming coaching sessions in January are important. It is vital that my game is now one of getting greens in regulation, which means drives on the fairway, not with recovery shots to get a clear shot at the green. Second shot accuracy for par 4 greens must be improved. Up and down if missing the green with the approach shot has to be perfected more. Last but not least, one putting has to become a regular feature, dropping birdie putts after GIR’s is a must.
Pushing myself to the limit is something that I avoid at all times with only one allowance, golfing. Excess is not a regular feature of my training or playing strategy. Since 2009 and the return to playing the game pushing my limit, has always been undertaken at varying intervals and for increasing durations. In the practise schedule that has worked for me in this time for improving the handicap and competing in championship or club open events, preparation has always included a burst of going marginally beyond comfortable physical limits.
Hindsight is 20/20 after the fact, relying upon hindsight has never been a consideration for my golfing. Certainly there has been moments of revelation from hindsight through the last 3 seasons. It would be disapointing to have not had those blessed unexpected insights which lift a persons motivation, knowledge and enjoyment of the game. In the main though my golf is calculated and works to a schedule, that importantly is flexible to deal with interruptions like injury. Be assured there is not a single successful golfer at the highest levels who can stand up and say that getting to their standard of play has been the result of an unexpected revelation. Look at the most effective advice given to golfers inquiring about what is needed to get better at the game or have a crack at professional qualifications. Practise, practice... is the mantra given by all as the mainstay of improvement.
This past week of casual 9 hole rounds has returned 41-43 round scores , easily getting the required 3-4 pars per round. Setting up 1-2 birdie putts in each nine was not difficult, going straight to the course with no warm up and still playing an adequate game was fun. The point was to be relaxed no competition pressure and the desire to enjoy golf had precedence over the result. There is no way I would go out in a competition round with this attitude. It works fine for fun but the winning edge is not honed with this mindset, in fact the edge is not even in play. How often have you had a great social round and then followed up with an attempt to use that relaxed mindset in a competition round? Only to not get the improved or even an equivelent round as before. Why? The ‘edge’ to go for a winning putt is not in balance with the casual carefree approach of play you are trying to emulate. There is for me definite aspects of the casual golf taken into competitive rounds. The two game styles are totally different, except that one is a good training routine for the other.
Thankyou for your time and attention, “Hit ‘em straight all” Geoff
This is all part of developing the change in how I play a round of golf, no longer can a competition round be one of playing within myself for 2/3 rds of the holes then having a charge on the last 6 holes. Although my handicap of 12 still gives me strokes on 2/3rds of the holes it is now a matter of getting pars as the standard and setting up as many birdie chances as possible in a round. This is why the coming coaching sessions in January are important. It is vital that my game is now one of getting greens in regulation, which means drives on the fairway, not with recovery shots to get a clear shot at the green. Second shot accuracy for par 4 greens must be improved. Up and down if missing the green with the approach shot has to be perfected more. Last but not least, one putting has to become a regular feature, dropping birdie putts after GIR’s is a must.
Pushing myself to the limit is something that I avoid at all times with only one allowance, golfing. Excess is not a regular feature of my training or playing strategy. Since 2009 and the return to playing the game pushing my limit, has always been undertaken at varying intervals and for increasing durations. In the practise schedule that has worked for me in this time for improving the handicap and competing in championship or club open events, preparation has always included a burst of going marginally beyond comfortable physical limits.
Hindsight is 20/20 after the fact, relying upon hindsight has never been a consideration for my golfing. Certainly there has been moments of revelation from hindsight through the last 3 seasons. It would be disapointing to have not had those blessed unexpected insights which lift a persons motivation, knowledge and enjoyment of the game. In the main though my golf is calculated and works to a schedule, that importantly is flexible to deal with interruptions like injury. Be assured there is not a single successful golfer at the highest levels who can stand up and say that getting to their standard of play has been the result of an unexpected revelation. Look at the most effective advice given to golfers inquiring about what is needed to get better at the game or have a crack at professional qualifications. Practise, practice... is the mantra given by all as the mainstay of improvement.
This past week of casual 9 hole rounds has returned 41-43 round scores , easily getting the required 3-4 pars per round. Setting up 1-2 birdie putts in each nine was not difficult, going straight to the course with no warm up and still playing an adequate game was fun. The point was to be relaxed no competition pressure and the desire to enjoy golf had precedence over the result. There is no way I would go out in a competition round with this attitude. It works fine for fun but the winning edge is not honed with this mindset, in fact the edge is not even in play. How often have you had a great social round and then followed up with an attempt to use that relaxed mindset in a competition round? Only to not get the improved or even an equivelent round as before. Why? The ‘edge’ to go for a winning putt is not in balance with the casual carefree approach of play you are trying to emulate. There is for me definite aspects of the casual golf taken into competitive rounds. The two game styles are totally different, except that one is a good training routine for the other.
Thankyou for your time and attention, “Hit ‘em straight all” Geoff
Thursday, December 22, 2011
How hard can it be...
22/12/11 Thursday. Did not even get close to the course yesterday, was locked away filming and editing for 7 hours. The mind and body were craving having a walk and hit this morning and was on the course by 8.30am and got a casual 9 holes in. For 6 pars, 2 bogies and a double bogie it was an enjoyable 90 minutes. Stopped for a chat halfway through the hit with the touring pro who is working with Limestone Coast Golf over the summer at Robe Golf Club. Gary Simpson topped the Sth Oz Order of Merit in 2011 and has just got back from playing in the PGA at the end of the year.
Then back into the last four holes and home to mow lawns, it is a glamourous lifestyle I have. Better than counting crayfish and lugging 3-4 tonnes of them around in the heat a few years ago. The golf was obviously not too bad this morning either. Concentrated on the tee shots and keeping to the rules of my backswing; Low, Slow and Out… then hit the ball. Once again the consistency was lacking, not a problem in a practise round the result does not matter, the lesson does though. Why do I keep deviating from this simple rule for the driver. That I can deliberately do it wrong see the result then straight after tee up again and hit the ball exactly as I would want it to be in a competition game. Then play in a competition and have the brain fade, playing the shot incorrectly, aware of the change, suffer from the mishits, has me bemused. I would never stick my fingers in a mouse trap after doing it the first time so why do I repeat the problem shot off the tee so often?
To sabotage a round is not a conscious decision on my part or even a consideration,. This refusal to settle down and follow the correct Tee Shot procedure is baffling. To improve iron shots took me some time, improving grip, swing, set up, club head alignment, ball placement, stance… to become a reliable and effective part of my current game. The Driver gets used 14-15 times per round, it has now developed into the part of the round that is affecting the score more than any other club. I am putting pressure on my ability to perform with the change to a more aggressive approach. The improvement is well worth the frustration at the minute with the failures off the tee. The fact is that to drop down to ten and then move into single figures handicap wise I have to play out of the comfort zone of the past three seasons.
Pushing my limits has always been a part of the experience of playing golf, ow down in lower handicap level there is a lot less scope to improve. How often do you hear of or see handicapper on 12 to 8 come in with a score of 5-6 under? When up in the 20’s and teen handicaps I have done that myself, now it is a very different landscape. The safety buffer of handicap has lessened each season and in a round these days a third of the holes have no strokes in my game. This necessitated a major game strategy shift, now I try to par every hole and attempt to set up as many birdie opportunities possible. This puts a lot of strain upon my ability and has to be done to achieve the goals set. A tee shot that positions the ball to have a playable shot for the green is vital to be able to achieve the goal. If I miss the green with the second shot on a par 4 it is not by much, the improved chipping in 2011 does get me in up and down position for par often enough. Thankyou for your time and attention all. “Hit ‘em straight”
Geoff
Then back into the last four holes and home to mow lawns, it is a glamourous lifestyle I have. Better than counting crayfish and lugging 3-4 tonnes of them around in the heat a few years ago. The golf was obviously not too bad this morning either. Concentrated on the tee shots and keeping to the rules of my backswing; Low, Slow and Out… then hit the ball. Once again the consistency was lacking, not a problem in a practise round the result does not matter, the lesson does though. Why do I keep deviating from this simple rule for the driver. That I can deliberately do it wrong see the result then straight after tee up again and hit the ball exactly as I would want it to be in a competition game. Then play in a competition and have the brain fade, playing the shot incorrectly, aware of the change, suffer from the mishits, has me bemused. I would never stick my fingers in a mouse trap after doing it the first time so why do I repeat the problem shot off the tee so often?
To sabotage a round is not a conscious decision on my part or even a consideration,. This refusal to settle down and follow the correct Tee Shot procedure is baffling. To improve iron shots took me some time, improving grip, swing, set up, club head alignment, ball placement, stance… to become a reliable and effective part of my current game. The Driver gets used 14-15 times per round, it has now developed into the part of the round that is affecting the score more than any other club. I am putting pressure on my ability to perform with the change to a more aggressive approach. The improvement is well worth the frustration at the minute with the failures off the tee. The fact is that to drop down to ten and then move into single figures handicap wise I have to play out of the comfort zone of the past three seasons.
Pushing my limits has always been a part of the experience of playing golf, ow down in lower handicap level there is a lot less scope to improve. How often do you hear of or see handicapper on 12 to 8 come in with a score of 5-6 under? When up in the 20’s and teen handicaps I have done that myself, now it is a very different landscape. The safety buffer of handicap has lessened each season and in a round these days a third of the holes have no strokes in my game. This necessitated a major game strategy shift, now I try to par every hole and attempt to set up as many birdie opportunities possible. This puts a lot of strain upon my ability and has to be done to achieve the goals set. A tee shot that positions the ball to have a playable shot for the green is vital to be able to achieve the goal. If I miss the green with the second shot on a par 4 it is not by much, the improved chipping in 2011 does get me in up and down position for par often enough. Thankyou for your time and attention all. “Hit ‘em straight”
Geoff
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Exclusive Interview with Kim Jong Il, Golfing Superstar
One incredible day in 1994, when the Dear Leader of the Democratic People’s Republic of North Korea picked up a golf club for the very first time, and — as witnessed by 17 security guards and reported by the state news agency — shot a smooth 38-under-par round of 34, including 11 holes-in-one.
Brief Bio... Kim Jong Il showed an interest in a wide range of subjects including agriculture, music, and mechanics. Better known For his dominating personality and complete concentration of power in North Korea. He is known to personally manage the country's affairs and sets operational guidelines for individual industries There are many stories of his eccentricities, his playboy lifestyle, the lifts in his shoes and pompadour hairstyle that make him appear taller, and his fear of flying. Some stories can be verified while others are most likely exaggerated, possibly circulated by foreign operatives from hostile countries.
Thankyou for your time and attention, Geoff
Monday, December 19, 2011
My Golf...
19/12/11 We have started a series of FREE 1 hour Junior Golf Clinics on the Sundays of School Holidays in January. This is an evolution of 3 years of unrelated Junior Golf events at the club in that there was no set plan. The beginning was a “come and try golf day” each year on a long weekend also the running of a Junior Golf Tournament in a season. Each of these had varying success in getting kids playing. Come and Try Golf first was a winner every time with 12-20 kids having a hit.
The Tournaments were harder as they clash with other regional and state events and being country based that makes it difficult by location alone. That said in 2011 two juniors came from the SA Riverland to the Limestone coast to play. A long trip to play golf but country golfers are used to that.
This was done purely as a must do activity initiated by the club captain, what it did was give the club a base to develop more from. Next came the regional Golf SE school coaching clinics which another golfer has volunteered to do after getting involved at his home club and seeing the number of juniors who do want to play golf coming out on the course. Hence we have the Primary School students doing golf activities at the school and then have a class trip to the course to do the same activities on a golf course plus play a few modified holes.
Hence at our club which has 2-4 junior golfers who occaisionally have a hit with parents, and play a few rounds of club golf and no junior golf competition at the club we were aware that there was an interest in golf among the juniors in the town and region. The next step was for another club member to see this interest and see the “market” which was there and develop an action plan. Then put the information to another member (Club Captain) who then contacted the regional golf assoc. who supplied a junior golfing kit. Then two members who are parents volunteered to help out and a letter was sent to the local school to be sent to parents before the end of year and on Sunday we have 10 kids turn up for an hour on a Sunday morning to hit golf balls for fun. Following the easy golf exercises supplied with the kit, starting inside with putting and the rubber balls. Then outside with the 7 irons, the kids had fun several were very good at basic golf skills in fact.
The result is that by the end of January when school returns from 1 hour on Sundays I expect the club to have a core of 10 (at least) junior golfers who we can organise a comp for when before there was nothing. It was from a combination of Golf Assoc. support, club committee support and members doing things that they are good at, besides playing golf that is. IE Organisation, Networking, Coaching, Marketing, Promotion.
It did not happen overnight, it was three years in the making from a disparate group of individuals who all “Did Stuff” off their own back in club activity. The key word is “activity” it is a task that for volunteers relies upon good spirit and generosity as well as Association support. Volunteers are not employees, they do not have to do anything unless they want too. There is a “market” for want of a better word, out there for junior golf. All of the statistics, analysis, data correlation is good reading and valuable knowledge. Like all information it does nothing except feed minds and sit there being available. For clubs it has nothing to do with a money focus, that is for businesses. By encouraging the Junior Golf activity the flow on of new golfers, new members all can benefit the club professional and the general club environment. Importantly it has given the club a future. We want to develop and encourage golf, that is in our club constitution.
Any club can start to do it as well. All you have to do is stand up and say “I will do this…”
Thankyou for your time and attention, Geoff
The Tournaments were harder as they clash with other regional and state events and being country based that makes it difficult by location alone. That said in 2011 two juniors came from the SA Riverland to the Limestone coast to play. A long trip to play golf but country golfers are used to that.
This was done purely as a must do activity initiated by the club captain, what it did was give the club a base to develop more from. Next came the regional Golf SE school coaching clinics which another golfer has volunteered to do after getting involved at his home club and seeing the number of juniors who do want to play golf coming out on the course. Hence we have the Primary School students doing golf activities at the school and then have a class trip to the course to do the same activities on a golf course plus play a few modified holes.
Hence at our club which has 2-4 junior golfers who occaisionally have a hit with parents, and play a few rounds of club golf and no junior golf competition at the club we were aware that there was an interest in golf among the juniors in the town and region. The next step was for another club member to see this interest and see the “market” which was there and develop an action plan. Then put the information to another member (Club Captain) who then contacted the regional golf assoc. who supplied a junior golfing kit. Then two members who are parents volunteered to help out and a letter was sent to the local school to be sent to parents before the end of year and on Sunday we have 10 kids turn up for an hour on a Sunday morning to hit golf balls for fun. Following the easy golf exercises supplied with the kit, starting inside with putting and the rubber balls. Then outside with the 7 irons, the kids had fun several were very good at basic golf skills in fact.
The result is that by the end of January when school returns from 1 hour on Sundays I expect the club to have a core of 10 (at least) junior golfers who we can organise a comp for when before there was nothing. It was from a combination of Golf Assoc. support, club committee support and members doing things that they are good at, besides playing golf that is. IE Organisation, Networking, Coaching, Marketing, Promotion.
It did not happen overnight, it was three years in the making from a disparate group of individuals who all “Did Stuff” off their own back in club activity. The key word is “activity” it is a task that for volunteers relies upon good spirit and generosity as well as Association support. Volunteers are not employees, they do not have to do anything unless they want too. There is a “market” for want of a better word, out there for junior golf. All of the statistics, analysis, data correlation is good reading and valuable knowledge. Like all information it does nothing except feed minds and sit there being available. For clubs it has nothing to do with a money focus, that is for businesses. By encouraging the Junior Golf activity the flow on of new golfers, new members all can benefit the club professional and the general club environment. Importantly it has given the club a future. We want to develop and encourage golf, that is in our club constitution.
Any club can start to do it as well. All you have to do is stand up and say “I will do this…”
Thankyou for your time and attention, Geoff
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Kingston SE Open preparation...
14/12/11 Wednesday, Left 4 hours early at 10 am, to get to Adelaide today so I could drop into Kingston SE and play 18 holes on the way. Had the Wilson blades in the boot, to give me my weekly workout with these irons as it is going to be less golf than of late, be in Adelaide until Friday and not enough time for golf. Yeah I know that is hypocrisy from my position, sometimes the game does get put second for doing things. Does not stop me thinking about the game though.
The hit at Kingston was the first there for a few months and a must do in preparation for their Summer Open this Saturday. Used the Infinity 420 cc off the par 4 and 5 tees, only getting 200-220m with this club at the minute compared to the 220-250 with the Cobra. Yet once again smaller driver and back on the fairways with improved accuracy. Was just browsing GPJ’s thread and he had a comment about stiff shafts replacing regular flex in drivers and that has helped get that thought ticking away in my mind. The regular flex in the Infinity works well, I like the responsive feel of the club also. It is that ‘need to experiment’ facet of my mind which really wants to know if a change in shaft would be a good thing? Not an urgent consideration as I am still enjoying the return to playing and getting some form back.
The blades were a bit of a hinderance in the hands, the AP2’s are quite a bit longer and sweeter to hit. That said, I still popped a neat 86/nett 74 with 34 putts around the course. The whole point of using the blades is it sharpens my ball striking and concentration in setting up for shots to get the best result possible.
Putting was a sloppy display, greens at Kingston were hard and dry but I will be in good touch on Saturday on them. Had a couple of chats with the greens keeper on the way around. Always good to know how a course is travelling, all the new greens are up and running at Kingston and it is very pleasant to play. I have always found it a course which makes me play shots and rewards the player who does that. That said they have a few bird scarer’s banging away, same problem with Galah damage to the course we have at Robe. Fortunately we have the okay to shoot a few to scare them off.
As usual on the drive up did a bit of “golf planning”, going to need a decision made on taking a series of regular coaching sessions in January. Expensive proposition to have at least two per week for the month, yet I see that as the best preparation for 2012 season and the Southern Ports Tournament in March. It is not a problem to keep going along as I have for the last 3 seasons, that has been successful. Being a ‘hungry’ golfer though, logic says that needs to get an upgrade for the best results in 2012. Now in the A grade competition arena, professional coaching on a regular basis is the best way for progress, having established regular practise routines it has to be consolidated and improved.
15/12/11 Thursday. Had some free time this morning so took a trip into Adelaide to browse the Golf Porn Shops. Golf Clearance Warehouse has had a name change on South Road since my last visit. The beauty of golf club stores is that unlike a lap dance you can fondle the items of pleasure. As usual there was plenty of stuff to buy and the self control was in good form, purchasing was not an orgy of stocking up on clubs for another day. Walked out with 2 dozen Optima balls for $30, good value from a clearance sale of AFL Port Power monogrammed balls.
Then a drive to the Drummond Golf Range opposite the Airport to give the driver a workout and have a few hits with the 60 Degree wedge. I rarely use this iron with only two sand bunkers on my home track and prefering to use the pitching wedge in close. It is not a matter of preference more a case of being able to go along quite well without getting it out very often. At the range though I got to have a good 40 hits at pin/green targets. A lot of variation in the distances when aiming at 30 m away targets. Going anywhere from 5m long to 10m short of the aiming point. Then I had a good crack on the range with 20 balls, it seems that 55-70m is the max distance for me with this wedge. Still the same variation in distance so a lot of work on the practise track is penciled in for this wedge.
After that out came the Infinity 420cc 10.5 degree Driver and Cobra 3 metal for some practise. The Cobra was just along for the ride, some variation to mix up with hitting the driver. Did get maximum benefit though, improved accuracy with stance and opening the club face to keep repairing the ‘hooding’ fault.
The Driver was a great fun, getting 200-220 m on the full easily and with the summer run on fairways that is a good start. Far less tendency to slice with the smaller driver compared to the Cobra S9.1 and once again better accuracy and control of the club while swinging. Getting that front leg pinned to the earth and not bending the knee and the power was transfered to good straight long hits. Have to keep it a little in check as the accuracy quotient decreases with the longer balls. Nothing that some dedicated practise will not improve.
Did not bother to hit any other irons, the Wilson 1200 blades gave me a workout yesterday at Kingston. Looking forward to getting the AP2’s back in the bag on Friday. One of the staff had a look at the Infinity Driver and commented that the ‘deep’ face was better suited to a lower handicapper as it does not deliver much ball height once hit. I do not find this much of a hinderance in my game but it has been duly noted.
Geoff
The hit at Kingston was the first there for a few months and a must do in preparation for their Summer Open this Saturday. Used the Infinity 420 cc off the par 4 and 5 tees, only getting 200-220m with this club at the minute compared to the 220-250 with the Cobra. Yet once again smaller driver and back on the fairways with improved accuracy. Was just browsing GPJ’s thread and he had a comment about stiff shafts replacing regular flex in drivers and that has helped get that thought ticking away in my mind. The regular flex in the Infinity works well, I like the responsive feel of the club also. It is that ‘need to experiment’ facet of my mind which really wants to know if a change in shaft would be a good thing? Not an urgent consideration as I am still enjoying the return to playing and getting some form back.
The blades were a bit of a hinderance in the hands, the AP2’s are quite a bit longer and sweeter to hit. That said, I still popped a neat 86/nett 74 with 34 putts around the course. The whole point of using the blades is it sharpens my ball striking and concentration in setting up for shots to get the best result possible.
Putting was a sloppy display, greens at Kingston were hard and dry but I will be in good touch on Saturday on them. Had a couple of chats with the greens keeper on the way around. Always good to know how a course is travelling, all the new greens are up and running at Kingston and it is very pleasant to play. I have always found it a course which makes me play shots and rewards the player who does that. That said they have a few bird scarer’s banging away, same problem with Galah damage to the course we have at Robe. Fortunately we have the okay to shoot a few to scare them off.
As usual on the drive up did a bit of “golf planning”, going to need a decision made on taking a series of regular coaching sessions in January. Expensive proposition to have at least two per week for the month, yet I see that as the best preparation for 2012 season and the Southern Ports Tournament in March. It is not a problem to keep going along as I have for the last 3 seasons, that has been successful. Being a ‘hungry’ golfer though, logic says that needs to get an upgrade for the best results in 2012. Now in the A grade competition arena, professional coaching on a regular basis is the best way for progress, having established regular practise routines it has to be consolidated and improved.
15/12/11 Thursday. Had some free time this morning so took a trip into Adelaide to browse the Golf Porn Shops. Golf Clearance Warehouse has had a name change on South Road since my last visit. The beauty of golf club stores is that unlike a lap dance you can fondle the items of pleasure. As usual there was plenty of stuff to buy and the self control was in good form, purchasing was not an orgy of stocking up on clubs for another day. Walked out with 2 dozen Optima balls for $30, good value from a clearance sale of AFL Port Power monogrammed balls.
Then a drive to the Drummond Golf Range opposite the Airport to give the driver a workout and have a few hits with the 60 Degree wedge. I rarely use this iron with only two sand bunkers on my home track and prefering to use the pitching wedge in close. It is not a matter of preference more a case of being able to go along quite well without getting it out very often. At the range though I got to have a good 40 hits at pin/green targets. A lot of variation in the distances when aiming at 30 m away targets. Going anywhere from 5m long to 10m short of the aiming point. Then I had a good crack on the range with 20 balls, it seems that 55-70m is the max distance for me with this wedge. Still the same variation in distance so a lot of work on the practise track is penciled in for this wedge.
After that out came the Infinity 420cc 10.5 degree Driver and Cobra 3 metal for some practise. The Cobra was just along for the ride, some variation to mix up with hitting the driver. Did get maximum benefit though, improved accuracy with stance and opening the club face to keep repairing the ‘hooding’ fault.
The Driver was a great fun, getting 200-220 m on the full easily and with the summer run on fairways that is a good start. Far less tendency to slice with the smaller driver compared to the Cobra S9.1 and once again better accuracy and control of the club while swinging. Getting that front leg pinned to the earth and not bending the knee and the power was transfered to good straight long hits. Have to keep it a little in check as the accuracy quotient decreases with the longer balls. Nothing that some dedicated practise will not improve.
Did not bother to hit any other irons, the Wilson 1200 blades gave me a workout yesterday at Kingston. Looking forward to getting the AP2’s back in the bag on Friday. One of the staff had a look at the Infinity Driver and commented that the ‘deep’ face was better suited to a lower handicapper as it does not deliver much ball height once hit. I do not find this much of a hinderance in my game but it has been duly noted.
Geoff
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Correcting pull shots...
Had some free time today and made an effort to get the camera out and film my Driver and Iron strokes. It has been quite some time since this has been done and a lot has changed for the beter since 2009 when I did it the first time.
The driver practise was well due having not done much at all in the last month or so and concentrating the past two weeks on 9 hole exercise to get some fittness and match playing under the belt. The 420cc Driver used today was purchased just before the enforced lay off with the Golfers Elbow. Of late the realisation that I have to move back to a larger club head on the driver was covered with using the 460cc Cobra S9.1, stiff flex 9.5 degree.
Today I grabbed the regular flex Infinity 10.5 degree and after 7 holes of whacking the ball organised to go and do some serious set up and practise. This soon had the desired results and the ball was going straight and long. As with the other smaller drivers 380 and 400cc used of late, the 420cc one has a more sensitive feel and I can shape the ball and know what is going to happen.
Taking advantage of being set up with the camera I grabbed the 6 Iron and had a few hits. This was to get some footage of practising the corrections needed to remove the pulling of iron shots inparticular of late. The erratic shot play was making GIR a very difficult task.
I had combined two set up faults to cause the problem, hooding the clubface at address, also whilst lining my feet up to the target, the shoulders were being aimed to the left. These are minor corrections overall and the day after this was identified I played 18 at Robe and won with an 82 (nett 70) correcting the faults with ease. I also do not clear my left sde when hitting the ball but this can wait for a later date.
KIngston Open this Saturday and in a bit of form as well looking forward to the round. Will call in tomorrow on the way to Adelaide and have a 9 hole hit on the track at least. Thursday. if time is available, will get in a bucket of balls with the driver at Drummonds range in Adelaide as well. Thankyou for your time and attention. "Hit 'em straight all" Geoff
The driver practise was well due having not done much at all in the last month or so and concentrating the past two weeks on 9 hole exercise to get some fittness and match playing under the belt. The 420cc Driver used today was purchased just before the enforced lay off with the Golfers Elbow. Of late the realisation that I have to move back to a larger club head on the driver was covered with using the 460cc Cobra S9.1, stiff flex 9.5 degree.
Today I grabbed the regular flex Infinity 10.5 degree and after 7 holes of whacking the ball organised to go and do some serious set up and practise. This soon had the desired results and the ball was going straight and long. As with the other smaller drivers 380 and 400cc used of late, the 420cc one has a more sensitive feel and I can shape the ball and know what is going to happen.
Taking advantage of being set up with the camera I grabbed the 6 Iron and had a few hits. This was to get some footage of practising the corrections needed to remove the pulling of iron shots inparticular of late. The erratic shot play was making GIR a very difficult task.
I had combined two set up faults to cause the problem, hooding the clubface at address, also whilst lining my feet up to the target, the shoulders were being aimed to the left. These are minor corrections overall and the day after this was identified I played 18 at Robe and won with an 82 (nett 70) correcting the faults with ease. I also do not clear my left sde when hitting the ball but this can wait for a later date.
KIngston Open this Saturday and in a bit of form as well looking forward to the round. Will call in tomorrow on the way to Adelaide and have a 9 hole hit on the track at least. Thursday. if time is available, will get in a bucket of balls with the driver at Drummonds range in Adelaide as well. Thankyou for your time and attention. "Hit 'em straight all" Geoff
Monday, December 12, 2011
Back in good golf form - Naracoorte Golf Course
12/12/11 Monday. A weekend of golf has passed and 36 holes played at two courses, Naracoorte on Saturday and fronting up on Sunday at my home club, Robe for another round. Finally back into playing without the hindrance of an injury having a major effect, which with a -5 score in the Par Round at Naracoorte on Saturday could be seen as a misnomer. All square after the front nine the wheels fell away on the back nine. Too many bogies and double bogies caused by wandering off the fairways and into the tall timber to lose 5 holes and square 4. The Naracoorte track has always been a challenge for my game, with the natural layout of tall gums and dogleg fairways. It has been the best thing for my game making me have to work on getting accurate, and play technically better golf. Hence on the following day I get on the home track and win the competition with an 82 off the stick (nett 70) It was not arrogance or beer that had me say to my playing partners at Naracoorte that I would be in good form the next day at Robe.
The other benefit was the analysis of my swing by the single handicapper players in the group. After the game passed on the pointers to a problem that was earmarked for attention in the next coaching session. Of late it has been irritating with regular straight pulls of shots with irons and woods. It was nothing major as a fault and had been identified previously, when up in the low 20’s and teens of handicaps. I ‘hood’ the clubs’ at address. Also need to move the ball forward in my stance.
In my case it is the second of the two definitions, “Hooding the club” definitions; 1. In the more common usage, "hooding the club" means pressing the hands forward, which makes the clubface more upright, as a way to de-loft the club. A 5-iron that has been "hooded" will produce a lower trajectory than a normal 5-iron shot. This meaning is used when talking about lowering the ball flight, increasing roll or, on the green, producing top spin in a putt.
2. But some people think of hooding as something completely different. Many golfers and golf instructors refer to shutting the clubface as "hooding." By shutting the clubface, we mean closing it to, among other things, counteract a slice or produce a hook. In this usage, the hooded club's toe is pointing inward relative to the target line, rather than being square at address (a righthander would rotate the club counterclockwise to hood it, in this definition). A club hooded according to this definition can also be used to dig out buried lies in sand bunkers.
In my case it has not been done to counter a slice, simply something my eye has not identified as how the clubface is facing. This is further affected by the other fault identified which was my feet are lined up correctly but I have been letting my shoulders line up to the left of the target. If you set up with your shoulders aimed left of the target, you'll tend to straighten up at impact and hit pulls or weak shots to the right. Another factor identified is that I am not clearing my left hip in strokes either.
On Sunday, made the changes to correct the ‘hooded’ club face and once set up turning my shoulders 2-3 cm to the right. The hip matter can be put aside for the minute. What was noted by the observers was that I strike the ball well and even on mishits the ball travels in a straight line, not sliced or hooked. This has always been my goal, ‘Hit the Ball straight’. My game is attuned to that tenet, to get the ball to the target in generally the shortest distance from the tee. That I could make changes to long term established faults yet were in truth minor tweaks in 24 hours successfully was not good luck. I have never allowed for a slice or a hook in my game. All my efforts in practise from coaching advice was always around the tenet of hitting the ball straight. When my slice was terrible with Drivers I used a 3 iron off the tee in the first season. Winning the club handicap championship and a few monthly medals and other competitions along the way.There are many golfers who when I started are now 10 strokes behind me in handicap. Some definitely because I see them still playing to allow for sliced shots instead of fixing the problem and hitting the ball straight. I can not coach and do not give advice, even when asked except for my stock standard reply. You have a problem or want to improve your golf game, get professional coaching.
There has been another change to my game which was very effective on Sunday and Saturday for that matter. The putting practise in the last two weeks and the correction to a traditional putting grip returned 28 putts and winning the competition on the day. The handle runs under the butt of my left hand and the back of my right is parallel to my left. Position both thumbs directly down the top of the handle and left forefinger lies across the fingers of my right hand to provide unity. It felt good the first time in practise and obviously works for me. A lot of practise coming up to get better with the 460cc driver, accuracy is a must to get the benefit of the 20-40 m longer drives.
All up the coming challenge at the Kingston SE Summer Open, Saturday 17th December, will be a good test to follow up from the past weekend of golf. I carried the camera with me at Naracoorte and put together the round of my playing partners and a good vista of the course to share. There is also a section on an extremely rare orchid on the course. Found by chance recently, when a golfer looking for another’s ball recalled seeing a description of the flower of which approx 200 now known to exist in the world. 50 of those were found at the Naracoorte Golf Course. Importantly the players ball was not found, a one stroke penalty was applied and another ball had to be played. Thankyou for your time and attention, “Hit ‘em straight all”
, Geoff
The other benefit was the analysis of my swing by the single handicapper players in the group. After the game passed on the pointers to a problem that was earmarked for attention in the next coaching session. Of late it has been irritating with regular straight pulls of shots with irons and woods. It was nothing major as a fault and had been identified previously, when up in the low 20’s and teens of handicaps. I ‘hood’ the clubs’ at address. Also need to move the ball forward in my stance.
In my case it is the second of the two definitions, “Hooding the club” definitions; 1. In the more common usage, "hooding the club" means pressing the hands forward, which makes the clubface more upright, as a way to de-loft the club. A 5-iron that has been "hooded" will produce a lower trajectory than a normal 5-iron shot. This meaning is used when talking about lowering the ball flight, increasing roll or, on the green, producing top spin in a putt.
2. But some people think of hooding as something completely different. Many golfers and golf instructors refer to shutting the clubface as "hooding." By shutting the clubface, we mean closing it to, among other things, counteract a slice or produce a hook. In this usage, the hooded club's toe is pointing inward relative to the target line, rather than being square at address (a righthander would rotate the club counterclockwise to hood it, in this definition). A club hooded according to this definition can also be used to dig out buried lies in sand bunkers.
In my case it has not been done to counter a slice, simply something my eye has not identified as how the clubface is facing. This is further affected by the other fault identified which was my feet are lined up correctly but I have been letting my shoulders line up to the left of the target. If you set up with your shoulders aimed left of the target, you'll tend to straighten up at impact and hit pulls or weak shots to the right. Another factor identified is that I am not clearing my left hip in strokes either.
On Sunday, made the changes to correct the ‘hooded’ club face and once set up turning my shoulders 2-3 cm to the right. The hip matter can be put aside for the minute. What was noted by the observers was that I strike the ball well and even on mishits the ball travels in a straight line, not sliced or hooked. This has always been my goal, ‘Hit the Ball straight’. My game is attuned to that tenet, to get the ball to the target in generally the shortest distance from the tee. That I could make changes to long term established faults yet were in truth minor tweaks in 24 hours successfully was not good luck. I have never allowed for a slice or a hook in my game. All my efforts in practise from coaching advice was always around the tenet of hitting the ball straight. When my slice was terrible with Drivers I used a 3 iron off the tee in the first season. Winning the club handicap championship and a few monthly medals and other competitions along the way.There are many golfers who when I started are now 10 strokes behind me in handicap. Some definitely because I see them still playing to allow for sliced shots instead of fixing the problem and hitting the ball straight. I can not coach and do not give advice, even when asked except for my stock standard reply. You have a problem or want to improve your golf game, get professional coaching.
There has been another change to my game which was very effective on Sunday and Saturday for that matter. The putting practise in the last two weeks and the correction to a traditional putting grip returned 28 putts and winning the competition on the day. The handle runs under the butt of my left hand and the back of my right is parallel to my left. Position both thumbs directly down the top of the handle and left forefinger lies across the fingers of my right hand to provide unity. It felt good the first time in practise and obviously works for me. A lot of practise coming up to get better with the 460cc driver, accuracy is a must to get the benefit of the 20-40 m longer drives.
All up the coming challenge at the Kingston SE Summer Open, Saturday 17th December, will be a good test to follow up from the past weekend of golf. I carried the camera with me at Naracoorte and put together the round of my playing partners and a good vista of the course to share. There is also a section on an extremely rare orchid on the course. Found by chance recently, when a golfer looking for another’s ball recalled seeing a description of the flower of which approx 200 now known to exist in the world. 50 of those were found at the Naracoorte Golf Course. Importantly the players ball was not found, a one stroke penalty was applied and another ball had to be played. Thankyou for your time and attention, “Hit ‘em straight all”
, Geoff
Friday, December 09, 2011
Chipping practise is always good value..
I practise this part of my game as often as possible. I realise over the past 12 months how much my chipping ability has changed for the better from doing this. Being able to play with confidence in your ability is a good thing at any time. With a consistent chipping game I set myself up for birdies and pars as well as prevent blow outs happen in the course of a round. A good short game stops many double bogies from getting on the card. When you are in trouble on a hole and then chip in for a par or set up a bogie with the ball stopping close to the hole your golf benefits from the tee to the green with self belief.
Thankyou for your time and attention, Geoff
Thankyou for your time and attention, Geoff
Thursday, December 08, 2011
Playing out of my comfort zone
7/12/11 Wednesday. It has been a gradual revealing of the following, that golf is a game of playing outside your comfort zone. As a person who does the best I can to be comfortable, to be able to make the effort and accept not staying comfortable as the better way to play golf surprised me a little. It was not a eureka moment reached with a coalescing of a lightbulb over my head. This had been mentioned to me by others in the past and taken on board to be reviewed at a later date.
A few things had to happen before playing golf outside of my comfort zone could be considered worthwhile. My own capability as a golfer had to reach a standard that would give confidence and consistency to allow playing a more attacking game. For the past three seasons, playing bogie golf was good enough for me to win and slowly improve most of the time. More times than before in 2011 I had blow out scores into the 90’s, coming in with scores 10 strokes or more over my handicap of 12. To come in 10 strokes over my handicap rarely would happen when in the 15 to 20+ handicap range. Getting the right club set up has taken a couple of years to establish also.
After watching the play off videos of the Robe Open and Village Classic it was glaringly obvious that my setup of small head drivers had to change. This worked in club golf and competition golf well enough this season. It is not going to have me in the hunt for success in Open A grade fields. That extra 20-40 metres less off the tee is a millstone, no matter how accurate and consistent my small head driver shots are. The change has not been a major problem, at the minute I am playing 9 holes each day and no range practise. The injury is still healing and I enjoy the walking and hitting 40-43 shots using all the clubs. Last week, an enjoyable 9 holes in the club “Chicken Run” put all of the changes into the round. Sticking to not having set club selection for any shots, doing the setup routine before each shot and playing off a 9 handicap in this comp. and not my actual 12hcp. Managed 15 Stableford points after the nine, did not drop any of the birdie puts and missed a couple of close ones as well.
Then relaxed over a few cold bevies in the club house, which included a first hand observations of the Presidents Cup from a former club champion. The consistent tempo of the various golfers was one topic of conversation and then something that I have already been out and used in practise this week. Putting has been a targeted game improvement that I must get proficient with in the near future. The particular drill that was discussed was from watching the USA Team on the green. They were all doing the same putting drill, hitting at a single tee as the target. This morning I set up on the practise green for 30 minutes with a single tee as the target with 6 balls and putted out with each one until the tee was hit. Best I got was 4 hits from six balls, from 3 metres. Either side of that distance varied from 2-3 hits. I will keep at this for the next three months and establish better results in my rounds from it.
“Drive for show and putt for dough” a golf adage we are all familiar with. For me in the past week it has been turned on it’s head. Tee shots have become as calculated and well thought as setting up for putting strokes. The setup routine is the same, the clubs can be anything from irons, hybrid, 3 metal and... back in the bag the 460cc Cobra Driver. The summer weather has helped to a certain extent. Even so I am hitting the 3 metal (Cobra also) easily 200 to 220m with the accuracy of the 380cc - 400 cc drivers. The 460cc Driver though gets 3-4 hits each nine, off the tee. That is delivering 230-270 m without any shaping, just straight and long. The best I can do and it is good enough. This has brought that much needed increase in GIR results on holes. Birdie putts occur regularly in the past week where as previously they were oddities. It is fantastic to stand on the tee and see the ball soar across a dogleg creating a 100m shot at the green. No more less enjoyable than hitting functional straight drives along the fairway and leaving the ball just as well placed.
Still a lot of practise to go that is nothing unexpected in golf. With the elbow injury still hampering my stroke play and general daily use of the arm, I can see the needed 2-3 strokes less on each nine as a reality. This mornings 9 hole hit finished with a 41, included one double bogie with an OB from a bad drive and a three putt for a bogie on a par three hole.
2011 has been a successful and enjoyable season on and off the golf course, with the following results. Southern Ports Competition in March. Following runner up placing in 2010 in “C” Grade. “B” Grade delivered second place this time after a playoff at the end of the 3 rounds during the Tournament. Played in the Masters Games at Naracoorte Golf Club, came away with a Silver and Bronze medal at the end of the weekend. Managed to win one monthly medal, Caledonian Inn Trophy that I tied for in 2010 my goal was defending the title. I pulled that off with my last round getting over the line in the best 2 out of 3 stableford scores. Club Championship Runner-Up, hung in there for 32 of the 36 hole match play final and thoroughly enjoyed the surprise appearance in this finals event.
Thankyou for your time and attention, “Hit ‘em straight all” Geoff
A few things had to happen before playing golf outside of my comfort zone could be considered worthwhile. My own capability as a golfer had to reach a standard that would give confidence and consistency to allow playing a more attacking game. For the past three seasons, playing bogie golf was good enough for me to win and slowly improve most of the time. More times than before in 2011 I had blow out scores into the 90’s, coming in with scores 10 strokes or more over my handicap of 12. To come in 10 strokes over my handicap rarely would happen when in the 15 to 20+ handicap range. Getting the right club set up has taken a couple of years to establish also.
After watching the play off videos of the Robe Open and Village Classic it was glaringly obvious that my setup of small head drivers had to change. This worked in club golf and competition golf well enough this season. It is not going to have me in the hunt for success in Open A grade fields. That extra 20-40 metres less off the tee is a millstone, no matter how accurate and consistent my small head driver shots are. The change has not been a major problem, at the minute I am playing 9 holes each day and no range practise. The injury is still healing and I enjoy the walking and hitting 40-43 shots using all the clubs. Last week, an enjoyable 9 holes in the club “Chicken Run” put all of the changes into the round. Sticking to not having set club selection for any shots, doing the setup routine before each shot and playing off a 9 handicap in this comp. and not my actual 12hcp. Managed 15 Stableford points after the nine, did not drop any of the birdie puts and missed a couple of close ones as well.
Then relaxed over a few cold bevies in the club house, which included a first hand observations of the Presidents Cup from a former club champion. The consistent tempo of the various golfers was one topic of conversation and then something that I have already been out and used in practise this week. Putting has been a targeted game improvement that I must get proficient with in the near future. The particular drill that was discussed was from watching the USA Team on the green. They were all doing the same putting drill, hitting at a single tee as the target. This morning I set up on the practise green for 30 minutes with a single tee as the target with 6 balls and putted out with each one until the tee was hit. Best I got was 4 hits from six balls, from 3 metres. Either side of that distance varied from 2-3 hits. I will keep at this for the next three months and establish better results in my rounds from it.
“Drive for show and putt for dough” a golf adage we are all familiar with. For me in the past week it has been turned on it’s head. Tee shots have become as calculated and well thought as setting up for putting strokes. The setup routine is the same, the clubs can be anything from irons, hybrid, 3 metal and... back in the bag the 460cc Cobra Driver. The summer weather has helped to a certain extent. Even so I am hitting the 3 metal (Cobra also) easily 200 to 220m with the accuracy of the 380cc - 400 cc drivers. The 460cc Driver though gets 3-4 hits each nine, off the tee. That is delivering 230-270 m without any shaping, just straight and long. The best I can do and it is good enough. This has brought that much needed increase in GIR results on holes. Birdie putts occur regularly in the past week where as previously they were oddities. It is fantastic to stand on the tee and see the ball soar across a dogleg creating a 100m shot at the green. No more less enjoyable than hitting functional straight drives along the fairway and leaving the ball just as well placed.
Still a lot of practise to go that is nothing unexpected in golf. With the elbow injury still hampering my stroke play and general daily use of the arm, I can see the needed 2-3 strokes less on each nine as a reality. This mornings 9 hole hit finished with a 41, included one double bogie with an OB from a bad drive and a three putt for a bogie on a par three hole.
2011 has been a successful and enjoyable season on and off the golf course, with the following results. Southern Ports Competition in March. Following runner up placing in 2010 in “C” Grade. “B” Grade delivered second place this time after a playoff at the end of the 3 rounds during the Tournament. Played in the Masters Games at Naracoorte Golf Club, came away with a Silver and Bronze medal at the end of the weekend. Managed to win one monthly medal, Caledonian Inn Trophy that I tied for in 2010 my goal was defending the title. I pulled that off with my last round getting over the line in the best 2 out of 3 stableford scores. Club Championship Runner-Up, hung in there for 32 of the 36 hole match play final and thoroughly enjoyed the surprise appearance in this finals event.
Thankyou for your time and attention, “Hit ‘em straight all” Geoff
Thursday, December 01, 2011
2011 Robe Village Classic Golf Invitational
1/12/11 Thursday. The return to form after the layoff over the past two weeks is working at the minute. Nothing spectacular more so back to my previous standard, with perhaps a little improvement which is an unexpected bonus. Starting on Monday this week I have played 9 holes every day and several additional improvements to my game have been established as the restriction of the golfers elbow abates. Once again getting positives out of the negative has rewarded me, admittedly the frustration and anger that boiled over last week still sucked.
So far this week the first major improvement has been the hitting of greens in regulation, giving birdie chances. This has never been a consistent aspect of my golf, which the analysis and introspection of the past month while limited on the course has highlighted. The following are some game improvements that have came from the experience, 1) Established a defined setup routine for tee and fairway shots, 2) Improved swing plane, 3) Pitching and Chipping accuracy and versatility improved, 4) Returned to using any of the clubs all of the time. With a little more physical improvement to follow there is a few other specific aspects of my game that have been identified for development.
The restrictions from MVA injuries are abating through regular playing of golf since 2009. To the extent that now I am going to target getting a complete follow through on my swing, as far as my body limits will allow. In this the progress has been very extensive already, flexibility and rotation of my hips has improved at least 20% in 3 seasons. To attain an improved forward swing will be a valuable addition to my ball striking. This one addition will go hand in hand with my practise of tee and fairway shots. Secondly, yet most importantly is improving the results on the green when putting. This part of my game has really suffered from the Golfers’ Elbow injury. Even now I am using the lighter and shorter putter to accommodate the strain the action puts on the tender spots.
Beside the obvious enjoyment at being able to play again, the use of blades has been a very successful exercise for my game improvement. The need to strike the ball well with blades to get a good result is a great incentive when practising and playing with them. I still alternate between using blades and the Titleist AP2’s, whilst my consistency with the blades is maintained when returning to the AP2 irons the improvement is markedly noticeable. With Ebay and the variety of used irons available there, picking up a set of blades for $30 and paying $100 for extensions and new grips was unbeatable value. I am not a coach and thoroughly recommend any golfer to not hesitate in taking lessons from qualified coaches. This has been the best thing I have done in my golfing, followed by regular practise routines. That is not discounting the vocal minority who will espouse that coaching was wasted on them, just take note this is a minority of golfers.
Which brings me to the free part of improving your golf, watching good golfers play the game. The last few weeks I have benefited from this during the club Open with playing partners and this past weekend in the Robe Village Classic Ambrose, followed by the 18 hole Classic Invitational event for 5hcp or less golfers. This year I followed the deciding group of 4 players tied on 71 gross and filmed the two hole play off. Doing this was well worth the walk, and the deciding factor in two changes that are now part of my game. Establishing and following a setup routine for each shot, putting is the one that is lagging in this. Coaching is needed for my putting, as well as a little more recovery time for the elbow injury. This also assisted in returneing to using any club for all shots instead of automatically grabbing what seems best. These two changes came from my observations and discussions with the low handicap golfers played with during these events. Thankyou for your time and attention, “Hit ‘em straight all”
Geoff
So far this week the first major improvement has been the hitting of greens in regulation, giving birdie chances. This has never been a consistent aspect of my golf, which the analysis and introspection of the past month while limited on the course has highlighted. The following are some game improvements that have came from the experience, 1) Established a defined setup routine for tee and fairway shots, 2) Improved swing plane, 3) Pitching and Chipping accuracy and versatility improved, 4) Returned to using any of the clubs all of the time. With a little more physical improvement to follow there is a few other specific aspects of my game that have been identified for development.
The restrictions from MVA injuries are abating through regular playing of golf since 2009. To the extent that now I am going to target getting a complete follow through on my swing, as far as my body limits will allow. In this the progress has been very extensive already, flexibility and rotation of my hips has improved at least 20% in 3 seasons. To attain an improved forward swing will be a valuable addition to my ball striking. This one addition will go hand in hand with my practise of tee and fairway shots. Secondly, yet most importantly is improving the results on the green when putting. This part of my game has really suffered from the Golfers’ Elbow injury. Even now I am using the lighter and shorter putter to accommodate the strain the action puts on the tender spots.
Beside the obvious enjoyment at being able to play again, the use of blades has been a very successful exercise for my game improvement. The need to strike the ball well with blades to get a good result is a great incentive when practising and playing with them. I still alternate between using blades and the Titleist AP2’s, whilst my consistency with the blades is maintained when returning to the AP2 irons the improvement is markedly noticeable. With Ebay and the variety of used irons available there, picking up a set of blades for $30 and paying $100 for extensions and new grips was unbeatable value. I am not a coach and thoroughly recommend any golfer to not hesitate in taking lessons from qualified coaches. This has been the best thing I have done in my golfing, followed by regular practise routines. That is not discounting the vocal minority who will espouse that coaching was wasted on them, just take note this is a minority of golfers.
Which brings me to the free part of improving your golf, watching good golfers play the game. The last few weeks I have benefited from this during the club Open with playing partners and this past weekend in the Robe Village Classic Ambrose, followed by the 18 hole Classic Invitational event for 5hcp or less golfers. This year I followed the deciding group of 4 players tied on 71 gross and filmed the two hole play off. Doing this was well worth the walk, and the deciding factor in two changes that are now part of my game. Establishing and following a setup routine for each shot, putting is the one that is lagging in this. Coaching is needed for my putting, as well as a little more recovery time for the elbow injury. This also assisted in returneing to using any club for all shots instead of automatically grabbing what seems best. These two changes came from my observations and discussions with the low handicap golfers played with during these events. Thankyou for your time and attention, “Hit ‘em straight all”
Geoff
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)