Spyder

Not all professionals are great instructors. You can easily find another resident pro to show you the ropes, who may be more in-depth and descriptive when teaching. If you're like me, the "do this and don't do that" method does not go very far. I need hands on teaching. Grab my club with my hands on it, walk me through what I'm doing wrong and where the club should be, describe what my result is compared to the desired result, talk about the compared results and focus on one thing at a time. This could have very well been a type of "what level are you at" test on his behalf as well though. Sort of like having a kid throw a football and gauging where he is at before you work on mechanics. I just posted my own thread regarding lessons as well. I think if you have any doubts you should find another instructor though. Be weary of the pros that will have you buy a bucket, hit half of them and show you what to do and show little patience when their swing is not replicated within 20 shots. These guys are all over the place.

This is the type of feedback I really need and appreciate guys. Thank you very much. I just wanted to be sure that the cost of lessons (which can be buku bucks) would be justified with results. The results of course vary on my level of determination, which would be very high. I just needed to know if we would be talking about a really drastic over-all game enhancing deal here or not.

Thanks a lot for the insight! I've just recently caught the bug and I'm 26. I'm not necessarily going out to play tournaments, but I do love the game enough to where I actually enjoy practicing and playing. When I was younger I was a stand-out football player but got hurt. To this day, I hurt 24/7 non-stop due to a condition called "spondylolisthesis" with a herniated disc and a pinched sciatic nerve - which was caused by a nasty hit in my football glory days. Golf is actually the only physical activity that does not hurt as bad, and it's obviously a sport that I can play well into my 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s (that is if the big man upstairs lets me do so). So anyway long story short, I really appreciate the advice. I think I will work on this a bit on my own and focus on hitting down on the ball, rather than the swooping/scooping/flipping motion before/under/through the ball like I have been doing. I'll most likely get another lesson soon, but probably on my perimeter green shots. I think if I can set up for some nice 6-10 ft. putts by working on my flops/chips/pitches - I would easily shave 5-8 strokes.

I had my first 1 hour lesson yesterday with a professional who has been on tour for a while and is now a resident pro at a local country club. I bought some custom clubs (clones of the Callaway X-24s) off of him that he had built and fitted perfectly for me. In exchange, he offered me a free lesson. One of the first things that he wanted to work on was my ball striking with irons. I have always been pretty accurate with irons, and my range with a 4 iron is around 180. The 180 is fairly short considering my loft with the 4i had his jaw drop. Apparently, I had never realized that I -never- leave divots on what I personally call my "good shots". He pointed out that this was a major flaw in my swing, and that if I learn to leave divots by adjusting my downsing's plane - I could essentially improve by 20 yards on each iron in the bag, on top of gaining much more accuracy/control. Is this "scooping" motion really that terrible that I should be restructuring my entire swing to begin to leave divots and almost learn how to golf all over again? Or should I stay where I am at, with almost no slice ( a slight draw actually ) and work on my chip, pitch and flop shots? These 3 shots are my weakness and I am tired of the 7i hit-n-runs. Averaging 150 7i, 180 4i, 250-275 (depending on Fairway) Driver. The pro pointed out several flaws, of course because I am self-taught, but the divot subject had him laughing. He couldn't understand how I taught myself to swing so non-conventional, yet make it work as well as it does for my own game. The reason for my divot-less swing, according to him, is my "robotic stiff left arm" (I am right-handed). He wants me to mirror my back swing to my follow-through and un-hinge my left elbow at release. This can be a tough thing to do especially after being told that my swing plane is off and I am hitting up on the ball. Overall question : To Divot or Not To Divot at this point in my game? Should I restructure my swing in accordance with his advice, or keep working on my own game and find another pro that will be willing to simply adjust what I am already doing? PS: I am personally around a 10 HDCP at this current time. I did go up 1-2 strokes recently.

I love playing in the heat, but it is hard to find others that enjoy it as well. Obviously I prefer a nice cool calm 75° day with a slight breeze and not a cloud in the sky, but that is not happening in Ohio in July/August. The entire month of September is usually when all of my golf buds are ready to play. We went out 2 weeks ago when we had an index of 115° and there was not enough water in the world to keep hydrated. That was kind of torture at that point!

Just poking at the fire for the fun of it! Obviously I mean no offense to anyone in that profession. It could always be worse - they could work for the IRS!

Now I remember why I cannot stand accountants.

I would love to be GIR/FIR throughout a round, but I doubt it will ever happen. I'll always get stupid and pull one, push one, draw one or slice one border-line "next hole over". It just happens, for me at least. Hell that is what makes the game fun sometimes is just to get back in the cart laughing and crack a cold one while your buddy harasses you all the way there. That is the difference between myself though and obviously someone who is extremely good and takes the sport very seriously/professionally. I'll shoot 38 and go crazy, or I'll shoot 48 and still have a blast. I have buddies who will spend hundreds of dollars in lessons if they're not par or under for the course. They're not even fun to play with though lol. The best words in golf... "You're still up!"

I'm in pretty good shape, but I have to admit that 36 holes a day is crazy! To answer the question, I definitely see it being possible to drop off in scores after so many holes. Your core and legs play a huge role in accuracy. Weak legs (weak as a result of fatigue) will definitely drop your accuracy a ton. It becomes common to push and pull a lot of shots when your legs are tired.

Unfortunately I haven't had the pleasure of playing an exclusive course yet. The course that I do want to play very bad is Firestone Country Club in Akron, OH - aka Tiger Woods's Playground! http://www.clubcorp.com/Clubs/Firestone-Country-Club

Oh I know it is definitely hotter where you are at Motteler621. I wasn't being a wise guy or battling temps with ya lol. Just saying that anything over 90 period (even with heat index) is HOT! It's hard to play golf but it definitely is doable. Just have to be careful and be wise. Stay hydrated and dress appropriately. Moderation also. Not many people are out so speed of play is definitely slower and the break at the turn is much longer! It always amplifies the heat coming out of the AC back into the heat though. Edit: It's more doable with age and level of fitness as well, is what I meant. Seniors over 60 definitely need to be careful in this heat. Everyone needs to be careful, but obviously those that are very young, the elderly, and people with any type of medical issues need to be even more cautious and stay indoors.

lol You may want to check the dew points and humidity levels that we've had here. Our highs in northeast ohio have been anywhere from 92-95 with the "feels like" index of 110. The heat wave is currently affecting over 1,000,000 square miles and Ohio is definitely in the thick of things. After all, it is stretching from west of Iowa to the East Coast. Current Time: 12:45 AM - Current Temp: 90° (I live a bit south of Cleveland). http://www.fox8.com/weather/

Here in Cleveland, Ohio we've had a heat index of 100-110 for a few days straight now. Actual temps of 90° have been around for like a week or more also. You just have to dress appropriately and stay hydrated. Shorts, Nike Dri-Fit shirts, hat and lots of cups of water at each "Water Hole!". Plus a few beers, though it's the worst thing that you can possibly have in the sun/heat. It helps take your mind off of the heat though - and your game, which can be useful if you're playing bad.

youngbutgood, I hope you understand that nobody here is being rude or hard on you, but they are being very honest with you. Honesty is what you want from people when you are considering taking on a HUGE task of being a professional -anything-, let alone professional athlete. From 13 I was told I had a "natural swing" but never really enjoyed golf as a kid. Now I enjoy it because it gives my fiance time alone and myself some time to go out and hit the course with buddies and have a few beers. I also drive in the 280-300 range, but distance is not everything. When you hit the course, you will see this first hand when you encounter dog-legs, hazards, breaks and hills, etc. Professional courses are designed to force the player into making decisions such as a draw, fade, loft, run, spin, etc. Most professionals (look up bios on Rory, Phil, Tiger, etc. etc. etc. etc.) have been playing golf since the age of 4! They had literally thousands of hours of practice, great coaching from a very young age, and quickly attained sponsors that absorbed the cost for them. There is nothing wrong with trying though and I'm sure everyone wishes you the best of luck! It's going to be a very, very, very, very long and bumpy road. Just remember! Happy Gilmore was a great movie, but it was not based on a true story! There are Seniors at your local course that are driving the ball 200 flat and straight as an arrow. You would laugh from a distance but look at their score card and your jaw will drop. Accuracy all-around the game is what matters. Driving the ball is 25% -maybe-.

Hopefully I'll be playing 18 tomorrow. The index is supposed to be around 105-110° again. Such an inconvenience to reach for a beer in a bag full of water! Looking forward to the 50 yard bounce/roll/carry on my drives though! All the water in the world will not keep fairways soft when it has been 100° for 8 days straight!

My putting game increased 10-fold after buying a new putter. I was previously using an old Odyssey that was always just too light in the head. It was really hard to judge power/distance control from the fringe or 20' out. I picked up the Odyssey from a friend who paid around $150. I picked up a Trend R7 Nano Putter (ceramic white head) from MC Sports for $19.99! It was an overstock type of one-time sale. The kid kept thinking they mislabeled it because of the look and feel of it. The suggested MSRP was $139.99 (as all MSRP's are usually inflated by 500% anyway). I was lucky enough to grab the last one that they had. It took some getting used to because compared to my last putter, this is like swinging a sledge hammer. The weight keeps me consistent and slower. I also get awesome roll directly at impact with no skid/hop. Like the rest of the guys here said - I think it's more or less the "feel" and definitely, definitely, not the cost/name. Sometimes buying something new just increases confidence and can refresh the game. Sorry for the long rant!

Here in Cleveland, OH the heat index is 110°+! The course was a no-go because I could not find anyone else as crazy as myself to go! I did go to the driving range though and worked on my game. My drive is consistently carrying 240-250 in air now. I'm guessing at most courses, depending on how often the course waters, I would get some bounce/roll to 270-280. The sunburn is definitely in full effect right now!

On top of my previous rant, we're now on the topic of "finding lost balls". People really need to learn to have a little patience. Golf is a sport that should be enjoyed and is really relaxing. Are the people complaining about people looking for balls the same people that hit the turn at 9 and continue to 10 with no break? People complain too much period. Go find your golf balls guys - who cares! I will play at my own pace, slow down if needed, or even speed it up. Just lay back and relax and have fun. Go ahead and lose your ball in the woods and take a drop, that's your right. Clearly the guys in this thread aren't hunting balls. It seems like if they hit a bad shot and go looking for it, they come out with a pocket of balls. Who cares. it's not like they're parking their carts 200 yards off the tee, dead-center fairway and scavenging balls from hazards. Please, relax. After 9 holes go get yourself a cold one and a 'dog' and just breathe. A bad day of golf is better than a good day at work. Live a little, you're not on tour and you're most likely not cashing over-sized checks if you're witnessing people looking for balls!

I see a lot of mention about "drinking while golfing" in this thread and its being said as if it is a crime or "trashy", or rude or non-conforming to the sport. First of all, I am 26 and I do love my beer (as most men do). I do not sneak my beer in my bag on the course. I do not throw my cans anywhere but the trash cans that are provided at EVERY HOLE. I am never to the point where I am being obnoxious or distracting to other people around me. Lastly, I was raised to respect everyone (especially elders). I think it's pretty poor judgement by anyone to judge a whole entire generation/class/group based on one experience. If I see a 60 year old man commit one of the disgraces mentioned here, I won't be coming back to summarize the entire age group as classless. Nor do I expect anyone to see an irresponsible, "I remember my first beer..." moment, 21 year old getting blasted and being a fool - and then come here and classify drinking while golfing as "stupid" or "classless", or say that the people in their 20's are mostly idiots. I will have my beers and I will have my fun. I can drink and be responsible and enjoy the game and be very competitive all at once. Unfortunately, some people cannot multi-task in regard to being responsible with their liquor. TL/DR You cannot cast judgement on an entire age group of people after seeing one or two people being idiots. People are people and the balance of stupidity equals out with people of all ages. I am very competitive and I take the game seriously, but I also know how to enjoy the game and make it fun for myself and those around me. Ron White - " You can't fix stupid ." - So don't try.

Mine is most definitely hitting the long irons from the rough - where the ball is half way up a slope while you are holding the club shin-level. For the life of me I always pull these far left and miss the green. For the longest time I would have the fear of topping it embedded in my mind so I would PW it back in play lol. My own personal nightmare right here...

All the above. It is also very important to know that the golfer can hit off of a real tee and natural grass. The mats can be misleading. There is no real practice unless you are hitting in real situations - driving/irons off of real grass. Most courses are very open and a beginner golfer can get away with 40% easily. When I first went as a kid with my father he was 240 dead straight off the tee, and I was hitting from the adjacent fairway due to a severe slice. At the range, off the mats, I was golden though!

New to the forums but I've been reading for quite some time. This topic actually made me want to create a username and start contributing, as well as learning more. I just recently bought my set of clubs (Callaway X-20 Clones by Integra (eXtreme 2 set) with Graphite Shafts (3-PW, SW) and a Taylormade Burner Tour Driver 10.5°). I then began working on my slice and I actually fixed it after watching like 20 hours of video on YouTube. Pros, friends, family, etc. could not figure out why the super-slice was happening. I would sometimes connect and carry 250 airborne, and to me that was "worth it" at the time. I then gave up on the Driver/3W and took up hitting a Hybrid 1 Rescue (Driving Iron for me). I never sliced any type of irons and the hybrid worked fine. Long story short, this is how I fixed my 50 yard slice and I now drive 270-300 consistently. 1. I line up with my nose lined up on the ball (put your feet together and the line/space between your shoes should line up with the ball). 2. Turn the left foot out about 45° pointing towards your target. 3. Step the right foot out slightly -more- than shoulder width apart while leaving the ball lined up on your left ankle/heel. 4. In your approach, make sure your stance is athletic and you are "stretching" to reach the ball. Not to the point where you are off balance, but to where you feel like if someone were to come at you in a stand-up football block, you will not easily fall back. By stretching, I mean lay the club down comfortably so that you are not stretching, with the toe of the club near the ball. Then, slightly stretch out so the sweet spot is lined up center-ball. 5. *SLIGHT* Knee bend - With fitted clubs, your knees should never go past the arches in your feet or the tongue of your shoes. 6. In my opinion, this is the most important part - Line your Left Shoulder up slightly behin, or even lined up with, the ball putting 70% of your weight on your right foot. * Step 6 will help you with your out-to-in swing path. You will be behind the club/ball and by stretching your stance back further, you will be forced to come through the ball with a flush head (so long as your left hand's knuckles are pointing down at impact). * Remember, the Left Hand (for a righty) controls the clubs face. From here, just swing slowly and focus on contact. Don't even raise up and watch the ball. After several shots you can begin following through with your head and watching the ball's path. Eventually with enough practice, you will feel comfortable laying into the ball and driving your hips into it. Sources: Search YouTube for "Driving without a slice". There are many useful videos available. Don't forget about your pre-shot routine as well. This is very important. No negative thoughts, no over-thinking. Relax, be comfortable and be confident. Take a few baseball bat swings over top of the ball to loosen up and promote a slight in-to-out (reverse of a slice's out-to-in), fluid and flush swing. After following these tips for a while, I could easily tell and feel when the slice would occur because you start paying attention to your left hand's position through the swing subconsciously. Good Luck guys! ******* Golf is a game where you can yell 4 , shoot 5 , and write 3 !