Leek

The answer is confidence. Once you are confident you wont worry about 3 footers and you'll make them. As far as the clock drill, you just have to break through. Start by making 12 in a row, for a few days, then increase the number to 15, then 18, then 21, etc. Commit to yourself that you don't care how long it takes, you will make your quota for the day, and don't stop until you do. I'm not sure I'd be willing to commit to 100 in a row, but then I'm not on tour. When I do this, I've never tried to get past 40 in a row. Trust me, that's tough enough for me.

Would you like to really help your game without having to buy new irons just yet? Go to a good fitter and get your driver shaft reduced to a length that you can keep in the fairway. Studies have shown that while a longer shaft should help us hit the ball farther, they don't. Why? The longer the shaft, the less likely the player will make good contact. Most of the newer drivers are coming out at 45.5-46 degree lengths. This is very hard to control. A few years ago- ok maybe 10-15. Standard driver length was 43"! I think Tiger plays with a 43" driver today! I know when I had my driver cut down to 44.5" I hit it much straighter and longer.

Winner winner Chicken Dinner! Unless you prefer Anna Rawson...

Both elbows are pointed at my hip bones.

Here's some info for you from the USGA: http://www.usga.org/questions/faqs/h....asp?FAQidx=22 Q. Why is there an “R” after my Handicap Index? A. A Handicap Index is displayed with an “R” (e.g. 10.4R) because two or more tournament scores have been posted within the past year that are at least three strokes better than the current Handicap Index based on the most recent twenty scores. Tournament Scores (T-Scores) are kept for a minimum of one calendar year from when they are posted or longer if they are still within a player’s current 20-score history. At each handicap revision the most recent twenty (20) scores as calculated are weighed against the average of the two best T-Score differentials, and if the difference of both T-Score differentials is at least three strokes lower than the Handicap Index (as calculated from the most recent 20 scores), the player is eligible for a reduction. A reduction (if necessary) is an automatic calculation of the handicap vendor or local computation software provider. The club Handicap Committee has the authority to increase, decrease, or even remove the “R” if it feels the reduced Handicap Index does not accurately reflect the player’s potential ability. A Handicap Index intends to reflect potential ability, and this procedure enhances that likelihood. Statistical tables show the probability of shooting two exceptional T-Scores: http://www.usga.org/playing/handicap...eanstable.html . Please visit Section 10-3 of the USGA Handicap System manual for further reference. And the ABSOLUTE sandbagger killer: THE ODDS Odds of Shooting an Exceptional Tournament Score Handicap Ranges 0-5 6-12 13-21 22-30 GREATER THAN 30 Net Differential odds odds odds odds odds 0 5:1 5:1 6:1 5:1 5:1 -1 10:1 10:1 10:1 8:1 7:1 -2 23:1 22:1 21:1 13:1 10:1 -3 57:1 51:1 43:1 23:1 15:1 -4 151:1 121:1 87:1 40:1 22:1 -5 379:1 276:1 174:1 72:1 35:1 -6 790:1 536:1 323:1 130:1 60:1 -7 2349:1 1200:1 552:1 229:1 101:1 -8 20111:1 4467:1 1138:1 382:1 185:1 -9 48219:1 27877:1 3577:1 695:1 359:1 -10 125000:1 84300:1 37000:1 1650:1 874:1 According to the USGA, the odds of a 36 handicapper shooting 95-96 ONE time in a tournament are 874 to 1. The odds of him doing it 5 times? Too high for me to figure out. In the millions to 1.

How would you define a reputable fitter? The one you went to might be very, very good, or they may not be good at all. PS..if it was Golfsmith, Golf Galaxy, Dicks, Sports Authority or any othe large chain, it most likely wasn't a reputable fitter.

While reading another site, I came across this post from Tom Wishon. If you aren't familiar with Tom, he is recognized as one the golf industries foremost experts on clubs, club design and proper fitting. I believe he designed a large number of the Taylor Made iron and wood products in the recent past. He also has his own manufacturing company, that makes components. "There was a post on the thread about the Kessler/XM Radio interview that really hit me as important enough to jack the thread over to a new one to talk about the subject that lurked between the lines of the post from the man who talked about being fit but not noticing a world of difference, yet he was still happy to have been fit. The topic is WHO benefits from accurate fitting and more than that, HOW do they benefit and HOW MUCH ?? To me, this IS the whole essence of fitting for golfers who never thought about custom fitting, for golfers who cling to the myth that only good players benefit from fitting, and for golfers who realize the quality of fitting does vary from CM to CM. After 30 some yrs digging deeply into the art/science of custom fitting, I can start by saying this in all seriousness. "The level of VISIBLE or MEASURABLE shot and score improvement from custom fitting is inversely proportional to the golfer's handicap, up to a handicap of approximately 25." By saying that, I am definitely saying that the higher the golfer's handicap, up to a point of about 25, the more visible shot improvement will come from accurate fitting, and the more score improvement as well, as long as the wedges and putter are included with the woods and irons in the professional fitting. I stop this at 25 as an approximation point - what I mean is that for the golfer to really benefit from fitting, they have to be at a point where they get 90%+ of their shots well airborne, and they should have gotten to the point where there is some consistency in the errors and mistakes and bad shot results they get. At the same time, there is definite truth to the statement if the beginner or terrible golfer has clubs which are shorter/weaker/lighter/more flexible to start with, rather than longer/stronger std clubs off the rack, they can shorten the learning curve to get to this point of 90%+ airborne and most errors being somewhat consistent. Typically, the higher the handicap, the more swing mistakes the golfer makes - things like outside in path, earlier release, downward angle of attack or very upward angle of attack. But as long as 2 of 3 swings on avg have about the same swing errors, that is when custom fitting can step in and start to really make a difference. For golfers like this, going shorter in length, getting rid of strong lofts in fwy woods and irons, getting the shaftweight/total weight more matched to the golfer's strength/downswing tempo/transition, using face angle to offset the path problems, getting the grip size fully comfortable so the hands/forearms stay relaxed while still holding securely to the club - all this can make a HUGE difference. And I define HUGE as being no less than 3-4 shots better and up to as much as 10-12 shots better. Seriously, the more mistakes the golfer makes which hurt his accuracy and on center hit percentage, and if the golfer does make these mistakes with relative consistency, accurate clubfitting can be an overnight wonder. The lower the handicap of the golfer, the more the golfer is getting into a less outside in path, a later release, a less downward and not so much upward angle of attack - the less visible and measurable effect fitting will have on shotmaking. However, for this golfer, accurate clubfitting can definitely start to get him/her into an overall FEEL for the clubs, that in turn breeds more consistency and confidence. And when I say overall FEEL, I am talking about three different FEELS - 1) shaft bending feel and how that relates to confidence and swing timing and freedom through the release of the club to impact, 2) total weight and swingweight (MOI) feel of the club and how that relates to swing timing and rhythm, 3) Impact feel and how that relates to confidence in the clubs. Interesting is that when the better player is properly fit, it is more rare for them to see an actual score improvement than it is when the higher handicap player is properly fit. Of course the exception to this is wedge and putter fitting - if the good player has never been fit properly for the wedges and putter, and if these clubs were poorly fit before to the golfer and for the courses he plays, definite score improvement can be seen. But if we are talking only about wood/iron fitting, it is definitely true that the higher handicap player will see more score improvement from accurate fitting than will the good player. This is because the degree of the shotmaking mistakes of the higher handicap player is far worse and far more score damaging than are the shotmaking mistakes of the better player. You take a 20 handicap player and get him to hit 7 fairways instead of the 2 he hit before, to hit 7 greens when he hit 2 before, to lose 1 ball when he lost 3 per round before, to have one club less into the green - these are going to have the chance to have a big effect on his/her score. And believe me, when you put standard OEM clubs off the rack into the hands of a 20 handicapper versus ones better fit for length, loft, lie, face angle, total weight, swingweight (MOI) and grip size, those types of ball striking improvement happen more times than they do not from accurate wood/iron fitting. For the good player, accurate wood/iron fitting might increase fairways hit by 1 or 2, greens hit by 2 or 3 - because their athletic and swing ability that they were born with or worked hard to develop is already holding them in good stead. Sure, there are cases here and there where if certain aspects of the previous std made set were very ill fit for the player, more tangible improvement can happen for sure. But it brings to mind the story from last week's Zurich Open in New Orleans - the story of the pro who found he made the cut after originally being told he missed the cut. His clubs did not make it back to New Orleans in time for his Saturday tee time, so he used a rental set from the pro shop and shot 71 in the third round. Good players have GOOD ATHLETIC ABILITY and decent swing moves, so they adapt to the clubs with which they play. When club specs that are slightly off are properly fit to the good player, improvement is very slight and more a feel thing. Typically only when specs are way off for the good golfer will the fitting improvement really show up very visibly. But specs for the less skilled golfer can be WAY OFF when they buy a std made set off the rack because these golfers do NOT have the athletic ability to be able to adjust. The longer lengths can make the outside in move worse, make the release earlier, and these swing errors are so damaging to score and shotmaking quality that even a little improvement in the right direction can show up with remarkable results. last point - as I said, really good clubfitters do not grow on trees. Neither do really good swing teachers. It takes time to learn the solid fundamentals of clubfitting. It takes more time to be able to know how to adapt them to all the different swing differences out there. And it takes even more time to learn all the nuances to be able to fit for FEEL. So yes, those of you who complain that there is too much inconsistency in fitting quality, you are right. But there are really good fitters out there, believe me. And they can and do make a difference. TOM " If you want to see the entire thread: http://www.golfdiscussions.com/yabbs...c,24842.0.html

I hate the idea. I'm a club 'ho

couple things: right should must move....should say .... right SHOULDER must move downplane. It really is that simple. Those three things make a great ballstriker

borf, I work to keep golf as simple as possible. I've gone to a number of "big name, top 50" instructors. I now go to the best I've ever seen. He teaches a number of tour players and he has taught me to fix myself and how to handle the inevitable advice. The golf swing has three important elements 1. You must pivot (turn) both back and through 2. You right shoulder must move downplane ie. trace the target line (if you are right handed) 3. You must have a flat left wrist at impact from there there are literally billions of ways that will work. He says everything else is just style and personal preference. He also taught that when unsolicited or unqualified advice is offered he wants me to say, " Thanks, that's exactly what I've been working on!" then go about my business and ignore them.

I voted count on one hand- that would be my total, I see rounds in the 60s pretty regularly from my friends. I hate them :)

Good job! That's a great opening round. I hope it's a sign of great things to come.

While reading another site, I came across this post from Tom Wishon. If you aren't familiar with Tom, he is recognized as one the golf industries foremost experts on clubs, club design and proper fitting. I believe he designed a large number of the Taylor Made iron and wood products in the recent past. He also has his own manufacturing company, that makes components. "There was a post on the thread about the Kessler/XM Radio interview that really hit me as important enough to jack the thread over to a new one to talk about the subject that lurked between the lines of the post from the man who talked about being fit but not noticing a world of difference, yet he was still happy to have been fit. The topic is WHO benefits from accurate fitting and more than that, HOW do they benefit and HOW MUCH ?? To me, this IS the whole essence of fitting for golfers who never thought about custom fitting, for golfers who cling to the myth that only good players benefit from fitting, and for golfers who realize the quality of fitting does vary from CM to CM. After 30 some yrs digging deeply into the art/science of custom fitting, I can start by saying this in all seriousness. "The level of VISIBLE or MEASURABLE shot and score improvement from custom fitting is inversely proportional to the golfer's handicap, up to a handicap of approximately 25." By saying that, I am definitely saying that the higher the golfer's handicap, up to a point of about 25, the more visible shot improvement will come from accurate fitting, and the more score improvement as well, as long as the wedges and putter are included with the woods and irons in the professional fitting. I stop this at 25 as an approximation point - what I mean is that for the golfer to really benefit from fitting, they have to be at a point where they get 90%+ of their shots well airborne, and they should have gotten to the point where there is some consistency in the errors and mistakes and bad shot results they get. At the same time, there is definite truth to the statement if the beginner or terrible golfer has clubs which are shorter/weaker/lighter/more flexible to start with, rather than longer/stronger std clubs off the rack, they can shorten the learning curve to get to this point of 90%+ airborne and most errors being somewhat consistent. Typically, the higher the handicap, the more swing mistakes the golfer makes - things like outside in path, earlier release, downward angle of attack or very upward angle of attack. But as long as 2 of 3 swings on avg have about the same swing errors, that is when custom fitting can step in and start to really make a difference. For golfers like this, going shorter in length, getting rid of strong lofts in fwy woods and irons, getting the shaftweight/total weight more matched to the golfer's strength/downswing tempo/transition, using face angle to offset the path problems, getting the grip size fully comfortable so the hands/forearms stay relaxed while still holding securely to the club - all this can make a HUGE difference. And I define HUGE as being no less than 3-4 shots better and up to as much as 10-12 shots better. Seriously, the more mistakes the golfer makes which hurt his accuracy and on center hit percentage, and if the golfer does make these mistakes with relative consistency, accurate clubfitting can be an overnight wonder. The lower the handicap of the golfer, the more the golfer is getting into a less outside in path, a later release, a less downward and not so much upward angle of attack - the less visible and measurable effect fitting will have on shotmaking. However, for this golfer, accurate clubfitting can definitely start to get him/her into an overall FEEL for the clubs, that in turn breeds more consistency and confidence. And when I say overall FEEL, I am talking about three different FEELS - 1) shaft bending feel and how that relates to confidence and swing timing and freedom through the release of the club to impact, 2) total weight and swingweight (MOI) feel of the club and how that relates to swing timing and rhythm, 3) Impact feel and how that relates to confidence in the clubs. Interesting is that when the better player is properly fit, it is more rare for them to see an actual score improvement than it is when the higher handicap player is properly fit. Of course the exception to this is wedge and putter fitting - if the good player has never been fit properly for the wedges and putter, and if these clubs were poorly fit before to the golfer and for the courses he plays, definite score improvement can be seen. But if we are talking only about wood/iron fitting, it is definitely true that the higher handicap player will see more score improvement from accurate fitting than will the good player. This is because the degree of the shotmaking mistakes of the higher handicap player is far worse and far more score damaging than are the shotmaking mistakes of the better player. You take a 20 handicap player and get him to hit 7 fairways instead of the 2 he hit before, to hit 7 greens when he hit 2 before, to lose 1 ball when he lost 3 per round before, to have one club less into the green - these are going to have the chance to have a big effect on his/her score. And believe me, when you put standard OEM clubs off the rack into the hands of a 20 handicapper versus ones better fit for length, loft, lie, face angle, total weight, swingweight (MOI) and grip size, those types of ball striking improvement happen more times than they do not from accurate wood/iron fitting. For the good player, accurate wood/iron fitting might increase fairways hit by 1 or 2, greens hit by 2 or 3 - because their athletic and swing ability that they were born with or worked hard to develop is already holding them in good stead. Sure, there are cases here and there where if certain aspects of the previous std made set were very ill fit for the player, more tangible improvement can happen for sure. But it brings to mind the story from last week's Zurich Open in New Orleans - the story of the pro who found he made the cut after originally being told he missed the cut. His clubs did not make it back to New Orleans in time for his Saturday tee time, so he used a rental set from the pro shop and shot 71 in the third round. Good players have GOOD ATHLETIC ABILITY and decent swing moves, so they adapt to the clubs with which they play. When club specs that are slightly off are properly fit to the good player, improvement is very slight and more a feel thing. Typically only when specs are way off for the good golfer will the fitting improvement really show up very visibly. But specs for the less skilled golfer can be WAY OFF when they buy a std made set off the rack because these golfers do NOT have the athletic ability to be able to adjust. The longer lengths can make the outside in move worse, make the release earlier, and these swing errors are so damaging to score and shotmaking quality that even a little improvement in the right direction can show up with remarkable results. last point - as I said, really good clubfitters do not grow on trees. Neither do really good swing teachers. It takes time to learn the solid fundamentals of clubfitting. It takes more time to be able to know how to adapt them to all the different swing differences out there. And it takes even more time to learn all the nuances to be able to fit for FEEL. So yes, those of you who complain that there is too much inconsistency in fitting quality, you are right. But there are really good fitters out there, believe me. And they can and do make a difference. TOM " If you want to see the entire thread: http://www.golfdiscussions.com/yabbs...c,24842.0.html

If I was in your shoes, I would go to a credible clubfitter. Frankly, it's a lot less expensive to pay someone to help you get the right driver; one that's well suited for your game, than to keep drivers until you find one that works well for your swing.

Sure do. In a 2 day medal play tournament last summer, I was in the top 5 after day 1. Something went very wrong in round 2. I bogeyed #1, quintuple bogeyed #2. It all went downhill from there. I posted an 87. I never for one moment believed I could get my round back after #2. I was just trying to survive.

You played at Groveport/the Willows? You played for OU? When were you there?

Drivers are very different. Different designs, different shafts and different target players. I've used Titleist drivers going back to the 975D and the 983K. I tried the 905R and the new 907 D1 and D2. The newer ones weren't a good match for me. They spin the ball way too much. These 907s are really high spin! I honestly believe they might be better for the 12-18 player than for lower handicappers due to the massive amount of backspin. They are both very forgiving as well. I've tried the Ping G10 and liked it a lot more- lower spin, flatter flight. Tried the Srixon Z-RW and TM SuperQuad and Burner TP. All were lower spin than either 907. I ended up with a Geek Dot Com This! and an Adams Dual Can 4350 (a Tour only model). Both are pretty low spin and not very forgiving, but have a high launch and flat flight. Coupled with Ozik Xcon shafts, they give me exactly what I want. A club that can't go left, has very low spin and high ball speed. Of the drivers I've tried, if I went with a major OEM club, it would be either the Cally FT-5, the Ping G10 or the Srixon Z-RW. I would then go to a good clubfitter to find a shaft that matches my swing in that head. Since all drivers are NOT the same, shaft characteristics can change from head to head. If you change your mind and want to look for a shaft, find a great clubfitter. There are lots of great options out there, and not all of the great shafts are over $300. You just need someone who knows how to find the shaft that maximizes what you have.

Nicklaus, Norman and Watson DID exactly that. Nicklaus went to MacGregor and tried driver after driver until he found what he wanted. Watson did the same thing at Ram. Norman did this over the years with Spaulding and Cobra. Heck Bobby Jones did this in the 1920s.

My understanding is that the courses are actually much shorter than that. Usually something around or shorter than the Member's tees on the courses they play. A lot of these women hit driver around 225 yds. and playing over 6500 yards would be pretty tough. I watch the LPGA Tour whenever I notice it on TV and have been to a few tournaments. I think in general it's a just a different game than the PGA Tour. For the most part, it looks to me as if more of the ladies have really maximized their full swing fundamentals, than the men have. I also think their short games are not nearly as good as the men. I'm not sure but the difference in short game might be strength. In person, they do seem more friendly and approachable. A few years ago, my wife and I went to a blues bar while the LPGA tour was in town. All the tables were full, and a tableful of the LPGA ladies were there. When they saw us trying to find a table with no luck, they invited us to join them. It was group of "older" ladies- 30s & 40s. It turned out they were friends with the headliner, Tab Benoit. I guess one of the ladies, Dale Eggeling is a neighbor of his. We were partying with the LPGA ladies, Tab and his band for the night. They were a blast.

I take a practice swing in my short game routine. no practice swings for full shots or putts.

The Masters because for me, it's the most exciting golf of the year. I just love the Sundays when the back 9 is a free for all and there is no way to know who will win it.

Try http://www.golfclubspec.com/

I honestly think it's just an uncomfortable thought for you, and hard to make a good swing trying to think about that stuff. Maybe it causes some other problem. It's important to understand sometimes an instructor might tell you to have a "feel" that could help you, but that feel may not actually be what you are doing. I don't believe anyone would tell a student to have a rigid left arm, but if the student is collapsing their arm on the backswing, they might tell them that to get them better extension. Really good teachers usually have lots of different ways to get the student to accomplish what they are trying to teach. If this is a PGA pro telling you this, and you trust his teaching, then I would practice what he told you- on the driving range. On the course, I would just play golf and think about the shot and the target and not try to "practice" what he taught. In other words, save it for practice sessions- on the driving range.

Really? Do you know Bob Sowards? He is a guy who is/was a teaching pro who has a lot of game. He won the Club pro championship a couple years ago. Played in the PGA Championship a few times. At 39 he decided he had given up his dream of playing on tour and he wanted to give it a shot. Went to Q School last fall and got his card. Will he keep his card? I don't know. The guy is a great guy, a very good teacher and obviously a heckuva player. I just don't believe a lot of people understand how good they have to be to just get to Q School finals. These guys really are good.

This thread is pretty amazing to me. Golf pros- instructors- simply made a different career choice. Why? Could be lots of reasons: Maybe they just have a knack for communication and really enjoy helping people. Maybe they are a really good player, but don't have quite the game for the tour.I'm not sure many people understand how ridiculously good a guy has to be to just get a card. Even a Nationwide card. To get one of those the odds are overwhelmingly against you. Some love golf, want to work in the industry, might even have the ability but don't have the funds to become a tour player. It's an huge financial commitment to become a tour player. An awful lot of them today are guys who love golf, played college golf, went through a golf curriculum that teaches them the golf industry and how to be an instuctor and their goal is to be a teaching pro. There have been several who were "decent" tour players: Butch Harmon, Stan Utley, Brian Mogg, Davis Love Jr. and more who just wanted to teach. I've even known a few who wanted to be tour players, had the ability and skills to teach so they took a job as a club pro to make money and give them the chance to practice for free, but they just liked teaching so well they never got it together to try to get their card. I think there are as many reasons as there are teaching pros, but the bottom line is it's often a different skill set.