New from Long Island

[ehubbs]

Hi guys. I have played golf on and off for the last 13-14 years or so, probably averaging 3-4 rounds a year. I have taken more of an interest this year and have hit the driving range more frequently, and have played about 2-3 times a month. I'm slightly better than a double bogey golfer and have been trying to tinker with my swing and find what works for me this year. Best 9 hole round this year was 43, worst 63, with my most frequent 18 hole score being 104. I feel I play best when I hit a few balls on the range before playing, but unfortunately this does not usually happen and I usually mentally throw out my front 9 score as a warmup.

Golf is a second hobby to powerlifting where I have a Top 10 ranked deadlift in my weight class. I am 6'4" and 285 lbs, very muscular, and some ROM limitations in my backswing due to the size of my upper body. Never had a lesson. I use a Stiff Big Bertha X460 9.5 degree driver, King Cobra F-Speed 7 Wood, some hand me down Callaway irons with RCH 96 shafts, a dinged up old hand me down putter, and a Cleveland 60 degree lob wedge. The plan is to get fitted for clubs soon, but I would like to consistantly play sub 100 golf before making an investment. I tend to hit a bad slice off the tee and usually find myself in trouble and drop a lot of balls. I also tend to hit the ball much more consistantly on the range than out on the course, but from what i hear this is somewhat normal for a high handicapper.

Things I have "learned" about my swing that I have tried to correct this year:

- Lots of hip slide, with minimal hip turn
- Setting up with my hands in line or behind the club/ball
- Tensing up when making contact with ball
- Poor / no follow through (sometimes I almost let go of the club once I make contact with ball )
- Lack of attention to proper alignment to the target
- Not being smart enough to back off and setup again when I feel off. This usually means a bad mishit because I am not aligned to the ball properly

When I make solid contact with my driver I can hit it in the 280-290 range during the summer. I could care less about increasing distance at this point I would just like to hit more consistanly from lob wedge to driver. I tend to hit my irons high and to the right. OF course if I try and close the club face I tend to shank it left

Anway, joined the forum to learn a few tricks and just continue to focus on getting better. Anyone have any tips for the larger more muscular golfer would be helpful too. Thanks all!

[Uncle Lau]

Welcome !!!! Alot of us here shared the same story, the Love and hate of golf !

[wrx_junki]

Welcome to the boards from a fellow LI'er.

[bertrans]

Welcome to the fourms

[andy-golf]

yea great site the oul forums