My experience tonight practicing with a twisted right elbow (I'm a righty)

[SQ Bimmer]

Before I start, I will come clean with you guys right now... I am pretty embarrassed, but I will admit it: I have NEVER practiced half swings before. I have taken a couple half swings here and there as part of a quick drill or something, but for the most part, on the driving range, I am trying to tweak my swing for distance. I feel so ashamed for having made this realization tonight, but I am glad I recognized it and can make a correction.

I twisted my right elbow pretty good last Friday. A week later, it is still pretty sore. If it was my left elbow, aka forward elbow which takes more abuse, I probably would not be making this post right now. Anyways, tonight I went to the driving range with my girlfriend intending to just practice chipping and putting. I took some slow half swings in the parking lot with no club, just out of curiosity, and realized that it didn't induce the pain anymore than driving does, really not much. So I decided I would practice some half swings at the range as well. I brought my 3H, 7i, SW, and putter. I was going to practice chipping with the 3 longer sticks, but decided to try some half swings. 3H half swings didn't really work too well, so I gave that up pretty quick and stuck with the shorter clubs, mostly SW. Hitting fat and thin shots vibrated the elbow a bit and caused some pain, so I stopped hitting it fat and thin REAL quick. I had to.

I was taking 8 o'clock and 9 o'clock swings, varying my finish between 3, 2, 1, and 12. After a while, I was getting somewhat consistent SW shots at 80, 70, and 60 yards, distances that I have very little confidence with on the course. I then moved on to open and choked down shots, short pitches, flops, chips, etc, at 50-20 yards, and was getting pretty consistent with those. Once down to the last ball, I asked my GF which distance she wanted me to hit the ball. She said 40 yards. I decided on my club face angle, stance, and choke on the grip, took a couple practice swings, lined up, sent it 40 yards right next to the 40 yard marker.

It is very confidence inspiring knowing that I have tools in my bag now for 20-80 yard partial shots with my 56*. I wish I would have listened to the more experienced posters on this forum who have posted over and over again to practice half and 3/4 swings before full swings, etc. I feel like my swing plane has improved so much now, and I am much more confident that I am not going to toe or shank the ball. And the elbow thing has really helped with my depth and keeping my head still. I have also decided not to add a lob wedge to my bag for now, something you more experienced players will probably support.

Sorry for the long post. If you've read this far and you are a higher handicapper or you were at one point (I guess that covers everybody now, doesn't it? ) and you can relate, please share your "AH HA!" moments with us, I'd very much like to hear them and maybe I can learn something from them as well.

[RIduffer]

Sounds like you had a breakthrough, born of necessity. Those shots inside 100 yds are so important, and, in addition to putting, I think the quickest way to lower scores.

So, I have to ask. Why aren't you practicing these shots all the time? You can find an open field and hit balls for free. I take my dog to a park where I can hit my SW while she chases squirrels.

BTW, you asked what our "a-ha" moment was. You can view mine in a recent thread grip awareness .

[DaSportsGuy]

Those shots inside 100 yards can make or break a round. Keep that confidence and hopefully it'll transfer over to your rounds.