Your story and Help

Not sure this is the right place for this; as a matter of fact there might not be a place on here for this.lol


This is a combination kind of post so it is kind of long (sorry) but needs to be.

This is a golf goal and a conditioning goal and I think they both go together and I would like some input from some of you on certain aspects of this set of goals and how to achieve them. I would also like to know if you have tried or are trying something like this and how it worked out or how it is working out for you.

My thought on this going into it is NIFTY AT SIXTY…lol…as I am 58 now and will be 60 on July 17, 2010. I have a weight goal and conditioning goal that I have set and my golf goal I am shooting for is to have a 10 handicap on or before July 17, 2010.

This is where I start from, ground zero, as I have only golfed a couple of times a year for the last few years and probably had a fifteen year stretch or so where I did not play at all. I have only got to the range a few times before our company tournament every year and maybe a trip or two to the range before another company tournament in a different part of the company about 90 miles south. When I signed up here I put my handicap at 50 and then found out that it could only be 36 (they never saw a guy like me before lol) and that is how I play if I was to go out tomorrow and play a round.

First off I know things don’t happen over night and this time frame might not be long enough to get where I want to go but this is the one I set. I have shot golf in the high 30’s to low 40’s for nine but that was when I was about 25 years old and that was self taught so don’t know if my swing was very good or not but seemed to work…lol at times that is.

As I got out this past summer I noticed one thing, if I play the ball on the outside edge of my right foot (I am right handed so yes, the ball is basically behind me) I hit it the best and most consistently as far as good contact. When I try to play it towards the middle or just a little back of center then I top the ball or I just don’t get good contact very often. I do hit my driver more towards the inside to middle of my left foot.

With that info here go’s, I am 6’0” and 380 pounds and that has a lot to do with it as you can imagine, maybe I would have some kind of normal swing if I had kept playing through the years but have not so I will pay a price now. My weight goal is to get down to 220 pounds and I know this part is achievable if I stick with it.

I have tried to lose weight in the past and have found that I can do it and it is not that hard but for whatever reason I just kind of get off of it but by setting this goal I hope to put them both together and get this done.

My plan is to start slow and by that I mean both in my golf work and my work on conditioning. As far as my golf work I am thinking that I will start out with chipping and putting throughout this winter and maybe work up to a 7 iron and nothing longer as I do not have a swing I can repeat. What do you think of this to start with, I know the putting will be ok and I think I can repeat the shorter pitch strokes but my question is working up with wedge shots etc. as I don’t want to keep repeating bad ball placement but would like to work on my short game as I get the conditioning under control?

As far as conditioning I have purchased a golf stretching program ( be nice to stretch something besides skin lol) and I have recently acquired a bowflex and some dumbbells and that will be part of my routine. I will also start out with walking, and that along with certain stretching exercises will be part of my routine every day, even on weight training days.
I want to work on my flexibility etc. as I take the weight off and thus get to a point that when I have enough weight off I can go to a pro and get a few lessons so I can get a feel for a good swing.

I don’t know how much weight will have to come off to get a good feel for this so will have to play that by ear.

Sorry for being so long winded but would just like some input if you have ever done anything like this or just might have some input that could be helpful.

Thank You for taking the time to read this and look forward to your input.

One last thing, the reason for the 10 handicap is that I want to play in the Oregon senior amateur tournament when I hit 60.

Hey evil - I think your goals are admirable, doable, and I'm rooting for ya.

The one piece of advice I would give is to not get discouraged on those inevitable days where you feel you haven't stuck to your diet or exercise program. Those days will happen - the key is to just keep at it.

- Bill

Golf is a good way to exercise. As for your goals, take it one day at a time, good luck. Also, you might want to consider a healthy diet to be included in your plan. Good Luck.

Thanks for your input, I have the diet part wired..lol...I know if I have it wired why do I weigh 380. I eat six times a day and when I eat better food I get a lot of food for less calories, stick to my exercise and I am there. I make sure the balance is there also.

Only reason I bring the weight part to the forum is because I figure my dang size is getting in the way of a good repeatable swing, one that won't break down all the time.

What really worries me is what kind of practice should I be doing with what clubs until I get some of this weight off and the stretching etc. has a chance to get me where I can start placing the ball and swinging a regular golf swing (at least regular for me as I know everyone is different).

I know putting and real short chipping but wonder about the full wedge shots etc. and is this going to be something I can do now as I get going or if I should wait, I seem to hit my wedge, 9i, 8i and 7i more consistent than other clubs..wedge and 9 better than 8 and 7.

Thanks again,

evilstepdad

I believe in playing golf when it works for your golf swing, so continue to play the ball in your back foot and have fun.

I have a friend that bicycled too lose weight and maybe starting slow and begin walking on the beach or soft surface would be a start.

Pilates helped my golf game and might help yours also.