Ever been happy to blow a hole??

[Jack Lee]

I was today. Twice. I have been working with a pro on my swing, building a nice repeatable swing that will give me a base to work on. Priority has been on irons and short game.

I was playing stronger than average by far today and was really happy with how I was coming along. Playing 9 holes, I was fully expecting to better my usual score (55 or so). On the third hole, I hit the prettiest wedge I have ever hit in a round. Perfect 56 degree wedge to the green that checked up only a foot from the ball mark. Hot and solid. Great times. Then I get to the par 3 fourth. I check my range, get 125 and pull my 7 iron. I usually play a 7 for that range, and have been clubbing up while working with the pro to keep myself from trying to overswing and causing bad habits. Basing on the wedge shot I pulled on the prior hole, I decide I am a bit pumped up and need to hit the 7 solid instead of the 6 I had been hitting for that range recently. I take my aim and swing, and my dad watches it take off saying, "Man, that is going dead at it!" (and it was). Then I watch the ball hit and bounce sky high. I had hit the cart path behind the hole and bounced it into the landscaping. I ended up with a 6 on that hole trying to get out of the junk and in the hole. But I checked the distance to the cart path on my gps and came up 145. More than I have ever made with my 7 in a round.

I did the same thing on the back side par 3, only worse. The hole was set long today and the rangefinder was giving me a reading of 170 to the center. I pull my 4 iron and swing. I pulled the shot left just a bit and watched, stunned as the ball vanishes into the woods behind the green. I grab my 5 iron and hit a provisional in case I can't recover the first ball. Pulled that one, too, but was able to find it. (not the first ball though) Checked the shot on the gps and got a distance of 177. I usually consider my 5 iron my 150 club and have, like I said, been clubbing up lately to allow me to swing easier while I get the hang of it. I ended up with a 6 on that hole as well.

Shot 53 over 9 holes, but I can't be upset that it was because I was swinging better than I have ever been able to. I had two other holes that I caused myself to have to recover or scramble by hitting much further than I have ever been able to off the range. How can you be anything but happy about that??

Now I just have spend enough time on the range to relearn my clubs. It seems like I no longer can trust what I had come to think of as my ranges.

Y'all have fun!
Jack Lee

[Crey23]

Well worst things can happen in the game of golf!!

I hear ya... I have recently changed my swing, by trying to swing on a single plane, and increase my lag. Well I have been playing for about a year and half how, and my 6i has always been very solid 165. I came up to a 165 to the center par 3, 5th hole...water right all the way there, and water behind the green. I usually aim a bit left, and try to go for safer landing grounds. A few weks ago I was having the best 9 ever. I was string the club very well about a club length longer than usual...the prior No. 4, I hit my longest drive (283), so I was having a great time. I took my 6i choked up a little and took a good swing. The first ball I lost deep in the woods behind the green. The second ball went left (way left) on me. When I went and measured it was 178!!!! My original must of been at least 185/190 that is way too hot for a 6i for me.

And 2 weeks ago, I I had 120 to the green, so I took my PW which is a typical 110/115 or so, pin was in the back of the green...I hit it 145 into the tee box of the next hole! I guess when you start to improve your swing, you have to take into account that swing speed and ball striking will improve, thus hitting longer and better!!

these are the type of problems that I don't mind having, providing that you adjust to it.

Have fun!!!

[bong_crosby]

Ummmmhhhh...we're talkin' 'bout golf here, right?

[Dad-2-3]

Ever been happy to blow a hole??

I've never happy to fly a green, but know what it is to make yardage adjustments. I'm 2 clubs longer than I was last year at this time. Time on the range and practice rounds will get you back in sync,

[mrmiller8]

Probably the big reason you are getting more distance is becuase you are swinging easier. You will find as you play more golf and develop a smoother swing you will make more solid contact and thus getting more distance. The pro is teaching you the correct way to swing and it definately will help you in the long run.

[Jack Lee]

Probably the big reason you are getting more distance is becuase you are swinging easier. You will find as you play more golf and develop a smoother swing you will make more solid contact and thus getting more distance. The pro is teaching you the correct way to swing and it definately will help you in the long run.

I know the reason for the changes exactly. I seem to be already incorporating the corrections that he is teaching me faster than I had thought.

The thing to me was that I was screwing up holes by being better than I expected. I was literally belly laughing each time it happened. Guffawing like an idiot on the course. What else can I do??? I know that I am going to have to spend some serious time relearning my club ranges especially if I continue to improve. I also expect that I will have to go through that more than once as we tweak my game and I become better and longer as a result. To me, though, it was hilarious to be smearing the ball that way and trashing my score as a result. I thought maybe y'all would share the humor and maybe appreciate the sentiment. Take care! Jack Lee