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wannabe
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Went great.
I'm doing a lot of things right, which was good to hear from a pro!
Enthusiastic teacher kept me longer than the advertised length of the lesson. Really wanted to send me off with some good things to work on to fix my recurring flaw - the push. Excited that there's not much to go to really get my swing in shape for the season.

Currently, the pro has me working with using an extremely strongly positioned grip and very closed position at the top, and then just hit balls trying to get a draw or hook going.

Crazy thing is, I can still produce a push with this setup & backswing position. How is that possible? I expected to be hooking like crazy with the occasional draw, but I'm actually still mostly pushing, with the occasional straight or draw.

What else could be going on? I'll be back with my teacher in a week or two, but until then, any drills or thoughts folks might have about ways to determine if there's something else I might focus on in the interim to move things along?

I thought about making sure my forearms are crossing around impact - pronating, I think.

Balance and synchronization/timing are the other two areas I'm concentrating on.

Much thanks!

Ping G2 Driver; Titleist 906F2 5W; TM Rescue Mid 3H; Adams Idea Pro 4H; Titleist DTR 3-SW; Callaway Bobby Jones Putter; Ping Hoofer lite

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I'd probably try to stay away from taking a bunch of tips and drills from us between lessons. If your pro gave you a few things to work on, just focus on those. He should have a long term plan in mind that will best help you.

As for still not hooking the ball, a strong grip/closed clubface at the top won't eliminate your push. You're more likely to work the ball right to left (assuming you're a righty), but grip won't affect--isn't a major effect at least--of swing path, which is what mostly controls initial direction of ball flight.

What I play:

Driver: XLS Hibore 9.5* Fit-On Red (S)
Woods: Tour XPC 16* Graffaloy ProLite (S)
Hybrid: Exotics 3HIrons: Reid Lockhart 3-SWWedge: rac 60*Putter: a crappy $20 Academy putter (but it works!)

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thanks for the feedback.

I searched the forums using keyword "pushing" and found some other thoughts that my teacher mentioned to me (clearing too quickly).

Yep, I agree -- teacher knows best for now.

Ping G2 Driver; Titleist 906F2 5W; TM Rescue Mid 3H; Adams Idea Pro 4H; Titleist DTR 3-SW; Callaway Bobby Jones Putter; Ping Hoofer lite

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I think even your instructor could agree that working on your tempo and balance and flexibility THROUGHOUT your swing would only advance your improvement. Those are my suggestions, let him show you why you're still pushing it though when you go back.

Sumo 5000 10.5 Aldila NV 65-X Driver
PC-III 4-SW irons
Custom Putter
Pro-V1 Balls

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was better than the first one! ( http://thesandtrap.com/forum/showthread.php?t=20970 )

Second lesson was one week after the first one, and I was only able to hit the range one day in between lessons.

At the first lesson, my pro analyzed my swing & gave me some suggestions for working on eliminating the push on my full swing.

At the second lesson, we made some minor adjustments in setup, takeaway, position at the top, and smoothed out the timing of the downswing. Bottom line, I was "overdoing" everything.

It was amazing. The previous week I pushed 90+% of my shots. This week, over half my shots were straight or drawing, and the pushes were much less severe. Oh yeah, and my distance was improved dramatically, too - bonus!

The things we worked on were things I would never, ever have been able to figure out on my own. After this experience, I've come to realize that lessons just can't be over emphasized in this game. I'm actually happy to be using my old equipment, because I'm getting great results now. Who needs new eqpt when you can play a good game with whatcha got?

Gonna be a great 2009 for this wannabe.

Ping G2 Driver; Titleist 906F2 5W; TM Rescue Mid 3H; Adams Idea Pro 4H; Titleist DTR 3-SW; Callaway Bobby Jones Putter; Ping Hoofer lite

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Glad to see that things are looking up. Keep working hard, but mostly enjoy the game. I guess that's a chicken before the egg thing, but it's true...just enjoy, after all it's just a game.

|Callaway I-MIX FT-9  - Driver | Callaway Diablo Octane - 3 Wood | Callaway Diablo Edge Tour [3H & 4H] - Hybrids | Callaway X-forged 2009 - Irons | Callaway JAWS [52, 56, 60] - Wedges | SC Studio Style Newport 2 / Laguna 1.5 / Kombi-S - Putter |
 

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Well i'm on my 40th or so lesson .

The first 25 were crap so I changed coach, the next 5 were crap so I changed that coach (didn't take me 25 lessons to work out he was crap this time), the last ten have been fantastic although I had to be really 'strict' with the coach at the start, once he knew I meant business and wasn't just there to have the odd lesson and bugger off he got to work proper.

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been to the range a couple of times to practice what I was taught, and I pretty much sucked both times. Nice to know I'm moving in the right direction, though, and working on the right things. I keep telling myself that I'm leaving all these bad shots where they belong, on the range.

Ping G2 Driver; Titleist 906F2 5W; TM Rescue Mid 3H; Adams Idea Pro 4H; Titleist DTR 3-SW; Callaway Bobby Jones Putter; Ping Hoofer lite

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had my pro that I've been working with bring in the heavy artillery -- the head pro. Still wondering if this is a good sign or a bad sign. :P

My major flaw has been a push shot, and my normal pro had been working my setup and backswing.

During the past week on the range, trying to incorporate what my pro had been teaching me, I was still pushing the ball and got really down on myself a couple of times. I was able, though, to shake that off and realize it's all part of the process, and was looking forward to a breakthrough on my upcoming lesson.

The head pro took one look at a video of my swing and started focusing me on relaxing the tension in my grip and forearms to allow the club to swing and release freely. I think we really found something here.

Here's hoping for straightened ball flight at the range this week!

The coolest thing about these lessons the last three weeks has been the way these pros have gone above and beyond, spending extra time (not watching the clock), and being very encouraging. My normal pro mentioned that he had been racking his brain the whole week since last we had a lesson to help me get the improvement I was looking for -- wow, that's awesome!

Onward & upward.

Ping G2 Driver; Titleist 906F2 5W; TM Rescue Mid 3H; Adams Idea Pro 4H; Titleist DTR 3-SW; Callaway Bobby Jones Putter; Ping Hoofer lite

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If you'll listen to the teacher and do the drills they suggest they will almost always go above and beyond with lessons (at least the good ones). I've always felt the good teachers are really interested in helping you get better. However, if you do not follow their directions, do their drills or go off on your own and do stuff (like play a round when they have asked you not to), then you become just a 'customer' to them and they will show less interest in you. Stick with it; it sounds like you and the teachers are on a good path to your improvement.
Driver: SQ DYMO STR8-Fit
4 Wood: SQ DYMO
2H (17*), 4H (23*) & 5H (26*): Fli-Hi CLK
Irons (5-6): MX-900; (7-PW): MP-60
Wedges (51/6*): MP-T Chrome; (56/13): MP-R ChromePutter: White Hot XG 2-Ball CSPreferred Ball: e5+/e7+/B330-RXGPS Unit: NEOPush Cart: 2.0
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The head pro took one look at a video of my swing and started focusing me on relaxing the tension in my grip and forearms to allow the club to swing and release freely. I think we really found something here.

That's one of the basics that any good instructor will look for.

Sounds like you're getting serious about your game. That's great! If you're a 30+ as your info says, you should see a LOT of improvement in a short period of time. You're on the right track! Higgy.
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  • Administrator
I've merged your three separate lesson threads into one. Please just add to this thread rather than creating new ones for each of your lessons.

Erik J. Barzeski —  I knock a ball. It goes in a gopher hole. 🏌🏼‍♂️
Director of Instruction Golf Evolution • Owner, The Sand Trap .com • AuthorLowest Score Wins
Golf Digest "Best Young Teachers in America" 2016-17 & "Best in State" 2017-20 • WNY Section PGA Teacher of the Year 2019 :edel: :true_linkswear:

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I've merged your three separate lesson threads into one. Please just add to this thread rather than creating new ones for each of your lessons.

thanks! I should've thought of that from the get go.

Ping G2 Driver; Titleist 906F2 5W; TM Rescue Mid 3H; Adams Idea Pro 4H; Titleist DTR 3-SW; Callaway Bobby Jones Putter; Ping Hoofer lite

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wow -- my only day at the range this week was so awesome I didn't think it was me swinging. Keeping the wrist and forearm area relaxed throughout the swing seems to be the missing link for me.

Playing 18 today for the first time in months -- will report the results. It's early spring and gorgeous in Georgia!

Ping G2 Driver; Titleist 906F2 5W; TM Rescue Mid 3H; Adams Idea Pro 4H; Titleist DTR 3-SW; Callaway Bobby Jones Putter; Ping Hoofer lite

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Georgia in the spring is a lot of fun. Have fun at the course today.

T.M. O'Connell

What's in My Bag
Driver - 909 D2 9.5 degree
3 Wood - 909 F2 15.5 degreeHybrid - 909 H 19 degreeIrons - AP2 w/ Rifle 6.5Wedges - BN 60.04 & 54.11Putter - Pro Platinum Plus

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yesterday's round was a lot of fun, and the weather was perfect. My game was pretty much where I left off before my lessons started -- double & triple bogeys all day long - yuk. I tried incorporating what my lessons had taught me, but results were not forthcoming, though I did see a few shining moments throughout the round. As I've read on this forum so many times, this is gonna take time. The good news is, I'm not deterred. I know I've got this game in me, I love it, and I'm going to get there. Enjoying the ride.

Ping G2 Driver; Titleist 906F2 5W; TM Rescue Mid 3H; Adams Idea Pro 4H; Titleist DTR 3-SW; Callaway Bobby Jones Putter; Ping Hoofer lite

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  • 2 weeks later...
My pro has pretty much determined the cause of my push is due to poor releasing of the club leading to a chicken-wing, as well as rushing the downswing. He gave me a drill which fixed both these problems almost instantly -- I was straight, draw, or draw-hook almost every time with this drill -- like a miracle or something.

At address he had me (1) set my wrist cock and turn the club parallel to my target line, then (2) just turn my shoulders to set me at the top of the backswing, then (3) bring everything down in sync from the ground up, ensuring I wasn't pulling from the top.

I instantly felt three really different sensations (hard to explain). (1) I felt my 'inside' arms both on the backswing and downswing get much more connected to my upper torso, bringing a feeling of stability. (2) I felt my leading arm on the downsing release, that is, my left arm (I play righty) came around, my elbow touched right under my rib-cage as my forearm came up. (3) I felt much more participation by my right side and hand, though it wasn't forced.

It's really weird, though, I can hit great shots with this drill, but my trouble comes when I switch back to a 'normal' full swing motion. My homework is working to ingrain what the drill is teaching me into my full swing.

The greatest news is that I went back to the range the next day, and I could still do what I was doing in the drill. consistency - yes!

Was that a light flickering in that dark tunnel?

Ping G2 Driver; Titleist 906F2 5W; TM Rescue Mid 3H; Adams Idea Pro 4H; Titleist DTR 3-SW; Callaway Bobby Jones Putter; Ping Hoofer lite

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Note: This thread is 5422 days old. We appreciate that you found this thread instead of starting a new one, but if you plan to post here please make sure it's still relevant. If not, please start a new topic. Thank you!

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