From the Range to the Field

[navidfirouz]

This coming Saturday I'll be playing a round of 18 holes, it will be one of my first few times out on the field.

Today Monday, it was the first time "ever" that things started to make sense at the range.

- I used less muscle power to swing my irons and the ball flew further and straighter than ever

- I was well relaxed

- Shot around 200 balls and almost half of them went straight

- My driver (usually a complete failure) started to find it's path (didn't find it really but who cares, I'm a beginner)

- I didn't have any body pain leaving the range

Now ... the reality on the field will be different. I'll hit the grass and get stuck.

I'll be tense and nervous and mess things up etc. OB after OB etc...

One last thing; this is my practice schedule before the game on Saturday:

(all after a long day at the office)

Monday: Today (Practice irons primarily and few driver shots)

Tuesday: putting at home

Wednesday: (well balanced mix of irons, fw and driver - like on 18 hole course)

Thurs: putting at home

Friday: relaxed session)

Anything I'm missing or any advise you may have would be great!

Thank you!

Nave

[tstrike34]

Originally Posted by navidfirouz

This coming Saturday I'll be playing a round of 18 holes, it will be one of my first few times out on the field.

Today Monday, it was the first time "ever" that things started to make sense at the range.

- I used less muscle power to swing my irons and the ball flew further and straighter than ever

- I was well relaxed

- Shot around 200 balls and almost half of them went straight

- My driver (usually a complete failure) started to find it's path (didn't find it really but who cares, I'm a beginner)

- I didn't have any body pain leaving the range

Now ... the reality on the field will be different. I'll hit the grass and get stuck.

I'll be tense and nervous and mess things up etc. OB after OB etc...

One last thing; this is my practice schedule before the game on Saturday:

(all after a long day at the office)

Monday: Today (Practice irons primarily and few driver shots)

Tuesday: putting at home

Wednesday: (well balanced mix of irons, fw and driver - like on 18 hole course)

Thurs: putting at home

Friday: relaxed session)

Anything I'm missing or any advise you may have would be great!

Thank you!

Nave

Hi Nave,

I encourage you to relax and enjoy the competition. Also if you can, take note of how you feel and the things you did whilst out in the field. From there you know what things you can work on later on.

I don't want to jinx you, but stay with your gameplan and your swing (even if things are not working out). From many I hear here and elsewhere, being true to what got you to the dance helps a great deal.

I envy you and wish you nothing but the best of luck. Let us know how things go.

[grubby98]

Try some putting at the course you are playing on the practice green.  it will help you get used to the speed and then lets you start to read how the greens will break.  Since you are putting at home, I would due less than a half hour.

[navidfirouz]

Thanks so much guys. I went early to putt and stretch for relaxation - thanks again for the advice. The score was 120'ish with two mulligans. I lost a handful of golf balls and hit about five shots that I was very satisfied with. Two pars ~ yeah.

[Ernest Jones]

Try some putting at the course you are playing on the practice green.  it will help you get used to the speed and then lets you start to read how the greens will break.  Since you are putting at home, I would due less than a half hour.

If it's permitted on the practice green, I highly recommend chipping and pitching as much as you can before the round. It's important to get feel for the roll just like putting plus the chipping will really translate well to your full swing and generally should work towards improving your contact. YMMV. * I realize you have already played but assume you will play again :-)

[navidfirouz]

Thanks Ernest Jones

Sounds absolutely like what I've got to do. Without the advance chipping I was surprised on the field. Only after a few rounds I got the feeling of how long the ball will roll.

Thank you!

Nave