Improvements To Your Game In 09?

[ks8829]

1) I have improved my up and down percentage.
2) I have built confidence in my overall game.
3) I have learn to hit my driver more consistent and with added length
4) I have learn partial shots will all my clubs for inbetween distances or to keep the ball low in the wind.
5) I have shot a one over round recently
6) I have improve my putting confidence with a 26 putt for 18 holes.
7) I have improved my endurance by running and staying fit.
8) I am playing my best golf since playing 25 years ago
9) I am enjoying playing golf with my buddies, James & "K" man, playing match play with James and starting to beat him more frequently.
10) I have learn to practice and improve my short game, putting and iron swing.
11) I am enjoying the game more than ever and have played at least once a week and sometimes even twice.
12) I have maintained my game within the year.

Share your improvements in your golf game for 2009. Happy rest of the year to everyone!

[RandomRaiderTTU]

Well, I think the most glaring improvement that I've made is that I'm more consistent.

Previously, I had shot in the 70's twice over an eight year period playing off and on. Also, both times I shot in the 70's, it was on EASY courses.

I shot 76, 78, and 79 this year and two of those scores were on difficult courses that I played for the first time.

I flattened the swing plane on my driver which cost me about 5-10 yards on my distance for some reason, but has greatly reduced my "miss" shots. I am likely to be on the property now after a bad swing instead of 3 counties over )

My wedge play has been better this year from 120 and in.

My handicap is down to a 10.9 currently which is encouraging.

However, with all that said...2009 isn't over for me. I'll be playing well into December, so hopefully the improvements aren't finished yet.

[ks8829]

Driver control is with conscience effort to keep my grip neutral to weak to prevent the occasional draw or hook.

[etlreams]

I've continued improving my short game (always has been my strongest part of the game) and have improved my putting from averaging 2.4 to 2 putts per hole.

I've also become a little more consistant with my mid game for approach shots, as well. (for me I'd say that's 125 -175yards range)

I have played more golf this year than ever before. So I think I've developed a fairly consistant swing.

But after those improvements this year, my driver and 3W off the tee has become horrible. Slicing everything and can't figure out why. Guess I've got something to improve on for next year!

[cougar978]

1) Improving play on more difficult courses by bagging the driver on tight holes and choosing to go with 3-woods and 2-irons to have clean approach shots.

2) More wedge-intensive practice drills (and finding a spot behind a strip mall near my place that's lit so I can go out whenever I want to practice them) - I started hitting two shag bags worth of balls (one from 20 yds and one from 40 yds) - and by making myself walk out and get any ball that I hit fat, shank, blade, or air mail past the target.

3) Devoting most range work to short and mid irons, and reserving the rest for 2-irons and 3-woods (I never take the driver to the driving range).

4) Hitting the treadmill at home at least twice a week to improve conditioning.

5) Practice putting at least 3x/week by doing 18 holes of 3-ball and keeping score (best so far this year is 3-under, usually average +4 to +6).

[royemunson]

My goal is to play more and gain the consistency I once had. Short game needs improvement in terms of making putts from 10 feet away or so. I also need to work on my bad hook shots off the tee when I'm not hitting well.

Long irons I need work on as I tend to lose confidence on these.

Joe

[Clambake]

I set a goal last winter to improve my play enough to go play Pebble Beach this summer and feel that I experienced the course as it is meant to be played as opposed to just hack my way around. I identified my main weaknesses as inconsistency off the tee and with mid to short irons, attributing all of these to a combination of poor swing positions, tempo, and balance, plus mediocre course management.

I set off on a number of lessons with a couple pros. One used video a lot, hit off mats, and was a good full swing instructor for basically getting my swing in order. The other didn't use video but would go out on the course, work more on shotmaking, and loved teaching short game. I also started using video myself with Michael Breed's book "Picture Perfect Swing", and also found Tour Tempo to be very very helpful. I also dedicated a lot of time to practice, with 2-3 sessions on my way home from work each week (usually almost two hours each) and one or two long sessions on the weekend. I've also focused more on the mental side, particularly anger management and staying in the moment instead of beating myself up for bad shots and then letting my temper simmer and destroy more holes.

The result of all this work was that I got my index down from about an 11 at the start of the year to 6 currently. I realized my dream of playing Pebble (along with Spyglass and Spanish Bay) in July, and managed to break 80 at Pebble and an 82 at Spyglass. And my game is much more consistent now, without the big numbers on the occasional holes. My last 5 rounds have all been in the 76-79 range on a variety of tougher courses.

Next year: Short game, Short game, Short game!!!

[DaSportsGuy]

1) I've improved my short game
2) I'm starting to hit greens consistently from 130 in
3) I'm consistently keeping the ball on or around the fairway

[ZEUS]

I decided to take golf seriously and play on a more consistent basis. Finally purchased a real set of clubs. ( I was a renter ).

[NormH3]

Pulled the bag out of the basement and cleaned off the mildew.
Bought an inexpensive set of Adam's Irons.
Found a few other clubs on EBAY.
Made a few trips to the driving range for practice.
Played a few rounds.
Hope to play a few more before winter really arrives.

[Gerardv]

For the first time in eight years I was physically able to play and practice, at least for the last half of the golf season here in Ohio.

Finally, I was able to hit the ball a lot more consistently because I was able to play more than two rounds this year. The last three years I played a total - yes total - of six times. So, I was all over the place and my putting was bad beyond belief.

Because I was able to play and practice starting in June, I shot my best round since 1997 when I shot an 82 at my home course (Turnberry in Pickerington, OH).

Even before I had the medical problems I was a mid-80's shooter and now, for the first time I feel like next year I will break 80, and I'm going to take lessons at the local golf dome all winter to make sure it happens.

2009 is a watershed year in my golf game - and in my life, because I am finally healthy enough to play, which is a huge deal for me.

[Where's the Cart Girl?]

1.) Improved up/down numbers out of the greenside rough/sand (not sure what it was, but it's about 1/3 now and it definitely was worse)
2.) Improved GIR from inside 150
3.) Learned a low, controlled tee shot with my long irons
4.) Drastically improved balance through my swing
5.) Turned a lot of slices into fades with a flatter swing
6.) Switched to overlap grip from 10-finger (not sure if this counts as improvement, but I like it better)
7.) New gear

8.) Most important .... graduated and got a real job so I can actually afford to play now. I'm joining a club for 2010 and plan on playing/practicing much much more than I've been able to any other time in my life. Goal is to cut my HC in 1/2 by this time next year. But will probably settle for 2/3

[Where's the Cart Girl?]

Oh, forgot to mention.... I joined this internet golf forum thing?? Can't recall the name at the moment, but it turns out there are a lot of people out there that suffer from the same disease I do.

Who knew?

[finitesoup]

Lowered my handicap from 34.5 to 25.