Reached my first goal of the year

[cruzthepug]

Having been back playing regular just over a year, one of my goals for the 2012 was to get my handicap down to single digits. The way I played during the winter I thought this may take a while. Well, spring arrived early and so did my swing, after a couple of lessons to make sure everything was in line my scores started to really drop. After last weekends rounds my handicap dropped to 9.7, at least that's what the DiabloGolf handicap tracking app has me rated for my last 86 rounds. I guess it time to sign up and get legit with the USGA.

[boogielicious]

Congrats!  It is a good feeling when you work hard and improve.  I am close too!  Did you work more on the swing or short game?

[cruzthepug]

Congrats!  It is a good feeling when you work hard and improve.  I am close too!  Did you work more on the swing or short game?

I started with the driver and hitting more fairways, then from there hitting more greens. I've always been a pretty good putter, but my short game is where I need work now. Inside 40-50 yards and especially chipping I've got a lot of work that needs to be done. Seems like I throw away several shots around the green each round.

[Beachcomber]

Congrats!  Great to hear getting some lessons helped too.  What did your instructor have you working on?

Also, I agree with your process of improvement too... Working from Tee to Green is better than working backwards IMO.  The more fairways and greens you hit... The easier the game becomes.  It's kind of like this Nike commercial...

[David in FL]

Outstanding..... ....congratulations!

[cruzthepug]

Thanks guys, it feels good to reach a goal, especially this early in the season. Next step is to get to 8 and then go from there.

Originally Posted by Beachcomber

Congrats!  Great to hear getting some lessons helped too.  What did your instructor have you working on?

Not working on anything major, just a couple of small things. Before the last lesson my miss with the driver was to the right, and I normally never miss right. He had me move my ball position just slightly forward but more importantly raise my hands just a bit at address and then close the swing with my hands. I hand kinda already figured out I was sometimes quiting with my hand and not rotating through, but he said by having my hands higher would help me not to get stuck and hit the ball right. I also used a tip that mvmac suggested that's a S&T move have my hand and hip ahead of the ball at address. I think this position helps eliminate any unwanted side to side movement and puts me in the same spot at address and impact everytime.

As far as my irons, after the lesson previous to this past one I bought a Tour Striker training iron and had been using that some, hitting a few balls into my net at home everyday and I would hit a few with it during a range visits as well. It's really helped to get the club in the slot on the downswing and my ballstriking has greatly improved. At my last lesson I was warming up hitting some 7 irons when my instructor walked up and commented on how much he liked my positions with the irons.

I think my next lesson will be spent all on the short game

[Harmonious]

Originally Posted by cruzthepug

As far as my irons, after the lesson previous to this past one I bought a Tour Striker training iron and had been using that some, hitting a few balls into my net at home everyday and I would hit a few with it during a range visits as well. It's really helped to get the club in the slot on the downswing and my ballstriking has greatly improved. At my last lesson I was warming up hitting some 7 irons when my instructor walked up and commented on how much he liked my positions with the irons.

This might have been the single best thing you did to improve your ball striking.  Good job!