Best Range Session Everrrrrr!!

[jambalaya]

As many of you may know I am a struggling golfer. I ask lots of questions, postulate on all kinds of swing thoughts, tweak and tweak, speak with authority on too many topics while seeming to be at a complete loss as to how to fix my own swing. Well I hit the mother lode today.

I have a thread in Golf Tips related to wrist angle at address. My range session is related to that but there are other factors. So I go the range for lunch with two thoughts in mind: the first is to raise my hands at address, take all cock out of the wrists and have the hands and arms pretty much aligned. Second, start the down swing with the left arm pulling down towards the ball. I had other thoughts in my mind like weakening the grip and weight shift but I said screw it, I like my grip and I don't want to think about too many things.

I took my 8 iron out of the bag and shot after shot was solid and straight. I actually got bored after about a dozen or so balls and looked at a nearly full bucket and wanted to quit right there. I mean I am talking 160 to 170 yard 8 irons on some of them and all pretty solid and straight. Let me leave before I wake up. But no, I took out the driver. Look, I have hit the ball over 300 yards on numerous occasions so I know what it feels like. But in the last 6 months those have been few and far between. I smoked some drivers and can tell you on at least three of them I have never hit the ball more solid. I had a few slight fades and hooks but no weak hits.

So next, I decide to tone thing down and hit some pitch shots. Great improvement on contact there too. The fat shots I have been hitting so much lately were gone. Even the slightly fat ones were travelling pretty far. I have been having a terrible time with fat shots. And what the hell happened to my weight shift problems. 7 iron, more success, 4 hybird, more of the same. I quit with about 15 or so balls left in the bucket. What the heck. I know I like when people leave balls on the range.

I hope I am on my way to better things.

[BillyG]

So, you had your arms in a straight line with the club shaft?

[jambalaya]

So, you had your arms in a straight line with the club shaft?

No, I just had the wrists and arms aligned. Clubshaft was still at an angle though less of one. I just adjusted the wrist cock so to speak. I didn't lift the arms until they were in line with the club shaft.

[dave s]

Here's to taking your range swings onto the course this weekend!

Mine usually get left behind at the range!

dave

[jambalaya]

Here's to taking your range swings onto the course this weekend!

Yeah, it is kind of like "Now what was I doing at the range?"

[jambalaya]

Well, I took the changes to the course. My first two drives were great, right down the middle and long. Solid contact on every shot on those holes. Distance control was a problem with irons (figuring new distances basically) and I forgot to bring my short game with me. Too excited about my new ball striking I think. I really found myself rushing throughout the round though. Couldn't wait to get to the next shot. That cost me later in the round.

However, it was not all good. The first nine went beautifully and continued until 13. I completely mishit a drive on this par 5. Later on same hole I hit a beautiful 4 hybrid 8 feet from the cup. But that was my last really solid hit of the round. I mishit my next drive and struggled on in. I think I was overdoing hit. It was hot and I my swing got sloppy. Interesting enough I scrambled for some good bogeys on all of the holes. I think I was overdoing a good thing and just lost form from getting tired. So, it was still very encouraging but job not done naturally.