Turning words into feel

[jhawker23]

I would like to hear from fellow players that have a difficult time taking all of the "talk" or technical instruction on paper and translating that into your practice/play.

I am amazed at the number of players that can speak so well about the physics of the swing. The real physics. I can read it, I can absorb it and "know" it, but I take that to the range and I simply struggle converting those thoughts into any kind of feel in my swing.

Do you know what I mean?

I can take instruction from someone who literally moves my body into the correct positions and I can then repeat the motion pretty consistently. I get very frustrated when I'm practicing and things just aren't working. I start thinking about the written instruction to correct whatever is falling apart and it just doesn't work for me. The same goes for verbal instructions. It is a waste of money for me to pay someone to stand behind me and just tell me the same technical things I already know.

Its not that I have the IQ of a marmot, its just as if I am simply wired in a completely different manner. And yes, I know that we are actually prone to different learning styles, however I just want to hear from others who, like me, read all of this instruction and then think "what does that really mean?"

I envy those of you who can be technical thinkers of the swing and improve your game significantly from written instruction.

I'm coming off of a very frustrating 2 days of practice. I'm out there and I can't figure out how to fix a single thing. Is it open hips, club off plane, early release, on and on and on. I could verbally quote the swing but someone like me can't fix the problem because they're not feeling it that day. Nothing is more frustrating to me than coming off a round of 78 and the next day I strike the ball like I'm 6 yrs old... and can't grow up that day.

Who knows, today I may go to the range and stroke the ball beautifully. I never really know.

[saevel25]

Well i guess its putting 1-2-3-4-5 together.

For example, if you hook the ball. We know the physics of the shot, the clubface must be closed with regard to the swing path, through impact. Now you got to analize your swing to that. Check the backswing, is it on plane. Check the weight shift, are you getting to your left side, hanging back can cause a person to flip there hands. But if the swing is on plane, and the weight shift good, that just means you have to much hands in your swing and you are closing down the clubface. So its more of a list of things that could cause what is happening. To me there are a few key things to look at.

Divot, will give you your swing plane
check alignment with a pole or golf club
Mirror, or video camera to check backswing and weight shift

That will get you most of the swing, if everything is solid then the grip might be bad. Its like most things, just keep up a check list of things that are right, and you will get down to the problem.

[Zeph]

Video camera, physical obstacles or limitations, mirrors, pictures.

I can't imagine practicing without my video camera. I read an instruction from my instructor, maybe with video or pictures to demonstrate. I take my camera outside, work only on that single detail I was told, and video tape it. I often move around the whole spectrum when doing this. Which means, if I work on a shorter backswing, I will swing as far as I can and progress more and more down to a very short backswing. When watching the video tape, I can tell if my feelings were correct or not.

If you don't have a mental image of how a position should look like, I agree that only reading a tip will be difficult. That is why I emphasize the use of video and pictures, because they can explain things so much easier. They can't explain how a feeling feels like, that is something you have to find by yourself, but they can show you how it should look, and you should try to mirror that look.

[inthecup]

I am a big believer in video. I am in the same boat as you feel wise. I recently bought a Kodak Zi8 video camera.

http://store.kodak.com/store/ekconsu...ctID.156585800

What I like about this particular camera is that it can shoot at 60 frames per second. It then will allow you to play back on camera at one frame at a time. I can then try to make the move, feel what I am doing and verify if I had in fact done it. This closes the circle for me. Most times I did not do enough of whatever I am try to do and I must exaggerate the movement.

It is also a good idea to video and try and perfect moves without the ball. It will take your mind off the physical move you are trying to make.

[Teklabz]

I'm new, but had an "ah ha!" moment at the range two visits ago, trying to learn to hit down on the ball and take a forward divot. I didn't consciously manipulate my hands, or the club or my swing etc., I just visualized the swing coming down at a steeper angle, that the clubface hit down on the ball, and that the impact with the ground came afterwards, and voila! It worked! If there is any lesson to be learned from that, for me anyway, it's that visualizing an outcome is crucial. Now to visualize getting the ball to hit the fairway with my driver, or an approach shot to land on the green, or even more importantly for me, visualize a putt getting closer to, if not IN, the hole! Hopefully the visualization thing works for these as well!

[Randy4h]

As you said, people learn in a variety of ways. Simply reading an instruction book, then being able to parrot the important swing philosophies, does not a golfer make. There's a lot of high handicappers on here that can quote all sorts of swing theories. I've probably read 20 or 30 golf books, and am familiar with most swing theories, but they don't do a thing unless something "clicks", whether that's a phrase or an idea that makes sense to me. To someone else, it may not do a thing. That's why it's hard to find the right instructor.

For me, it has been very worthwhile to hit the range with others who know what to look for in a good swing. We will check each other's swings for posture, alignment, etc. and try to notice any flaws that may have crept into each other's game. I also use my digital camera every other week or so. I then download it to the computer, and put it side by side with someone who's swing I'd like to emulate (currently, it's Scott McCarron on Jim Hardy's website). I've been able to pick up some flaws in my setup that I'm working on currently.

Good Luck! You'll figure it out.

[jhawker23]

I'm frustrated mostly because I'm not able to diagnose whats going on when I have an off day. If I'm out of my own head I can walk up to the ball, not take a stance, make a free swing and hit it flush. I stand in, take a stance and chunk it 2 inches behind the ball. It makes me want to snap the club like a little brat.

[Randy4h]

I'm frustrated mostly because I'm not able to diagnose whats going on when I have an off day. If I'm out of my own head I can walk up to the ball, not take a stance, make a free swing and hit it flush. I stand in, take a stance and chunk it 2 inches behind the ball. It makes me want to snap the club like a little brat.

The inconsistency you talk about may in fact be a major swing flaw that you are not even aware of. Someone who is knowledgable about such things (doesn't have to be a pro) may be able to spot it right off.

Is your grip perfect? Are you aligned properly to your target? Is the ball position correct? Do you keep your weight balanced (not shifting to the outside of your back foot)? Do you consistently swing in balance? Can you hold your follow-through (the sign of a balanced swing)? These are questions that someone should be able to check for you. Or, you could video yourself and then check them yourself. Or, you could post yourself on here, and get 20 other ideas. Good Luck.

[jhawker23]

The inconsistency you talk about may in fact be a major swing flaw that you are not even aware of. Someone who is knowledgable about such things (doesn't have to be a pro) may be able to spot it right off.

Its a reverse pivot, balance issue right now. I'm falling back and just can't get this crazy hiccup worked out. I'm getting back to a drill of not moving my lower body and using the arms to take the club back to parallel, make sure the toe is up and not letting the left shoulder drop. My takeaway is almost a low curve around my body. It has turned into a hit and not a swing. I feel like I'm 180 degrees away from where I should be with a swing.

One cause of the roadblock is a broken verterbrae, and a herniated disc. I just can't get the torque of a good turn. I have to somehow compensate for the lack of flexibility. I've turned into a hitter to compensate. I'm actually okay with accepting the role of hitter if its possible to play good, repetitive golf. If its going to be a crap shoot every time out then something will have to get worked out. Another problem is finding a good instructor. I've gone through 4 in the area. None of them seem to get past just talking about the swing which was the origin of the post. If the best I'm going to get is "talk" then I need to be able to translate that somehow. I know there are good teachers out there but I don't budget $200/month to try out instructors until I find one. Its my own problem but it does help to vent a little.