First Lesson in 15 years...well ever!

[enis750]

Well I have been golfing since the ripe age of 14
I have got to where i am today without one single lesson - pretty glad i finally took one
I have been struggling a bit off the Tee lately and visited my club pro yesterday afternoon

Here's what I changed and am working on:

1. Grip - went from 10 finger to overlap. My hands now feel like they are working together, instead of against eachother.
2. Backswing - slower tempo (1-2-3-pause-accel) and shorter backswing, much shorter. This has also helped me stop my hip movement on the backswing.
3. Follow through - turn hands over, as I was keeping them open causing a big fade/slice from time to time
4. Hold finish longer
5. Tee ball futher ahead in stance - only on tee shot, will help get my hands in position better

All in all, very happy w results so far
Erik (iacas) was right - you should leave a lesson hitting and playing better, if you have a proper teacher
Last night i did 9 holes after my lesson adnd heres some highlights

Hit 8/9 GIR
Hit 4/6 fwys (and the ones i missed were just barely in the rough)
all iron shots were pure and felt like butter
no more pull or block or fade (just a little baby fade, which is my natural shot

Not so good: 4, yes FOUR 3 putts
I shot 38, but should haven been two under, if I made some friggen putts
I am going to work on putting over the next week and try to get it back
I was blowing by holes, leaving em short, you name it, i did it
I burned the edge on all 4 putts for par, so im not far off - it will come

So heres my tip - IF YOU HAVE A SINGLE DIGIT HCP LIKE ME - DROP THE EGO AND SEEK PROFESSIONAL HELP!!!!!

The best part of the lesson: he explained WHY we were making changes and WHAT effect they will have of my swing
He also explained some laws of ball flight and what causes each one etc..
VERY VERY HAPPY w his teachings

My pro knows where i want to be this year and wants to check in w me every week to ensure i am on track
Also, he didnt charge me for the lesson and wont charge me in the future
And gave me 2 range passes for 20 large buckets of balls to ensure i get to the range every day
I guess i made the right decision buying a membership at this course, as the pro is also a client of mine
Karma baby - he supported my business, I did the same and now i have free lessons and range balls for the summer

i feel ready or i will be ready for my medal play tourny this weekend

[enis750]

I should also add one more thing I was shown:

6. Aim at something 2" in front of the ball - this has helped my alignment 300%. I was trying to aim at something in the distance, which is impossible from the tee or where u ar standing. Look at your target, look at the ground to find a chunk of tee, or grass, a leaf whatever. Square your club face up to "that" and mould your body around your club. I shot where i aimed all night, hense 8/9 GIR.

[Hollister]

Congrats!

No offense meant, but I thought that single digit handicap players do all the above just right (grip, aiming, ball position)... I bet that some disagree will with no. 3.

Nice to read, that you are having fun playing again. I hope I am on the same track this year.

Cheers,
Hollister

[sean_miller]

I paused on number 3 as well, but I didn't see what you're doing with your hands before. Sounds like you're back on track though - patience grasshopper.

[enis750]

Congrats!

no offence taken

u would THINK that a single digit would know this stuf....but i didnt these lessons have really opened my eyes and i am starting to understand not only MY swing, but THE swing in general more now hense WHY i took them in the first place to be honest, I was kinda just going out there swinging and trying to score it has worked for many years - but i am trying to get my game to another level....and i needed help

[enis750]

I paused on number 3 as well, but I didn't see what you're doing with your hands before. Sounds like you're back on track though - patience grasshopper.

yeah, i kinda feel like a noob

it really was basic things to change and work on just shows how little i actually know about this sport and the swing in general my friends are alwasy asking me for help and i cant help them i used to just say, "hey man i swing and it just happens!" hahaha!!!! feeling pretty confident now except my putting (or lack there of) is driving me insane spent 2 hours yesterday on it and going again today to work on it some more

[sean_miller]

yeah, i kinda feel like a noob

Do you know why I noticed how bad my putting was this year? Because I started hitting more fairways and greens - my best scoring rounds last year were because I was always chipping the ball to tap-in range. Having birdie putts somehow rattled me. This could be called projecting, but I suspect that's a bit or your issue as well. If you're a handsy or a feel player, try a couple of those drills (like the weight judging one where lay two clubs down and try to hit each putt just longer than the last without putting past the second club - in the link - and the one handed warmup drill) or a different flatstick - just to mix things up - it seemed to be the ticket with the irons.

[enis750]

Do you know why I noticed how bad my putting was this year? Because I started hitting more fairways and greens - my best scoring rounds last year were because I was always chipping the ball to tap-in range. Having birdie putts somehow rattled me. This could be called projecting, but I suspect that's a bit or your issue as well. If you're a handsy or a feel player, try a couple of those drills (like the weight judging one where lay two clubs down and try to hit each putt just longer than the last without putting past the second club - in the link - and the one handed warmup drill) or a different flatstick - just to mix things up - it seemed to be the ticket with the irons.

yeah that seems to make sense

i tried some of those drills yesterday the one hand warm up in cool for sure the two clubs one is good, but i put it further than 4 paces, i put it at 10 also do the Philly Mac circle drill i love this one I also invented a new game for lag putting I pace out 10 paces and hit 5 balls my goal is to only allow one 3 putt in 5 balls - i will putt then finish it as if i were playing a round i only 3 putted twice in about 10 rounds of this game from 10 paces once i get better at it, i will not allow any 3 putts I also do this from 20 paces....different story here!! I 3 putted a lot from this distance!! hahaha! this will be my ofcus today i dont have many putts from this distance in a round (one or two at most), but i want to know i can put it home in 2 from there try this out out, its a good drill!

[Canuck]

Good work on taking the lesson. I understand No.3 very well, by leaving your wrists open it cause you to push the ball or even the big old slice. Its a very common issue that I fight every now and again, but once you get in the right directions its like a light is switched on. Good luck and keep fighting. Oh ya and get the putting going.

[Canuck]

Good work on taking the lesson. I understand No.3 very well, by leaving your wrists open it cause you to push the ball or even the big old slice. Its a very common issue that I fight every now and again, but once you get in the right directions its like a light is switched on. Good luck and keep fighting. Oh ya and get the putting going.