tm22721

My handicap just dropped to 7.2, I am not bragging, just relieved because it has been a very long journey (5 yrs) and recently I am improving much faster. I just read a book called 'Down to Scratch' by Abe Mitchell written early last century. It has elements of the DOCF methodology which is what I am working on.

Finally got my 3i to go straight so now I can reach most of the par 4s. Handicap has dropped to 7.2 because of it. My short game is non-existent so I absolutely need a high GIR. I love my 6150 yard course with its narrow fairways. The premium should be on accuracy. I am thinking of going to the older heavier clubs like the Wilson Staff Dynapower irons from the late 1950s for better feel. I bought the 1 iron off Ebay just to see if I could get it up in the air. It's like hitting with a butter knife LOL. Ball takes off like an Exocet missile in a very low but piercing flight.

I agree, the key is GIR and that means hitting the ball consistently straight, not long. A year ago, the only way I could get down to low 80s was scoring par on all of the 3's and 5's with a 7i, laying up on par 4s due to distance limitation (my 7i only went 150-160 yds). Learn your limitations. Then leave the rest of your clubs in the garage...

The left side reaches for the target...right side reaches for the sky.

Here is the drill that has dropped my handicap into single digits. Getting into early position to hit. Gary Player was a proponent, stepping into his shots. As he pointed out, balance is key to this move because your backswing 'sling' is the motor to moving you to the left side and there is a lot of energy to dissipate (hence his step into follow through).

It's just a drill. Helps me to get into position to hit. Nothing else matters.

Indeed, it is HOW the hips get there that counts.

After the inital sling of the club in takeaway, turn off your bicep muscles in your arms keeping them (and your wrists) totally passive. I know this is hard to do for most people but it is THE most crucial point. As the club reaches the top initiate the downswing by throwing your right shoulder at the ball. Again, resist the impulse to fire your biceps ! The clubhead will 'tip back' initially as you start down, then STAY BACK if your right shoulder continues to move STRAIGHT AT THE BALL. The clubhead releases very late into the ball. My swing is TARGET focused, I am consciously trying to turn my entire left side to the target from setup, especially as I initiate the backswing. This keeps me centered and my lower body NEVER TURNS AWAY FROM THE TARGET even in the backswing. Only the shoulder girdle moves. Your hands cannot go behind your right pocket in the takeaway. There is a WALL that your club will ride against up to the top after you sling it. The constant target focus of the left side automatically shifts your weight to the target in the backswing. No need to perform a conscious lateral shift with its problematic critical timing.

Working on 'tipback'. After the downswing is initiated with the right shoulder the clubhead initially moves in the opposite direction. The idea is to contain its lagging energy as long as possible for a delayed release. When I do this properly the ball is crushed and launched like an Exocet missile.

Pretty is as pretty does. Good dynamics make good positions, not the other way around. This is why golfers do not improve. Their trainers can mimic positions but not impart the feel of the requisite dynamics.

Getting into early position to hit. Nothing else matters. Reach for the target in setup...healthy sling up The Wall in takeaway...contain the energy to delayed release. "What is attained by force must be retained by force."

Takeaway plagued me until I found a way to keep it consistent. I reach for the target with the left side of the body while forcing my hands inside as much as possible in the takeaway. You will find that the hands can't go any further inside than the right pocket - the clubhead stays outside. The club follows a virtual 'wall' all the way to the top. Arriving at the same spot every time. Slinging the club back from the ball insures enough initial momentum to propel the club to the top without further manipulation. The momentum of the sling automates the lateral shift to the target.

All manipulation should be done at setup, not during the swing.

Glad to see somebody else has discovered how to get their handicap down by playing within their limitations. Two years ago I got down to a 10 handicap using a 7i to keep it in the fairway. Four weeks ago I discovered how to harness opposing forces for consistency. My longer clubs are finally coming under control.

IMO only one guy can handle this task...Martin Ayers.

Seekers eventually find consistency.

Left side reaches for the target right side reaches for the sky.

Exactly. If the left side of your body reaches for the target throughout, the hands can be pushed inside as hard as you want but they will stop at The Wall and the clubhead will stay outside.

Tiger's strength was his focus on the game which has been distracted. He needs another few Zen lessons from his mother.

For years I followed the common wisdom to turn the hips. Recently I learned that you should only turn the shoulder girdle. The sternum and everything below it should stay still and centered until transition when the body will be automatically flung to the target by the forces established at setup.

Weight shift plagued me. I could never get into position to hit. The answer came from down under. The left side must be forced to the target throughout. The right side must be forced to the sky throughout. Word will spread.

I'll stop worrying about yardages when I can leave certain clubs out of my bag for a given golf course. That's what Hogan did. When asked why he didn't have a 7i in his bag at a particluar tournament he said "there is no 7i shot on this course".

Wrong measurement, wrong tool. The key is smooth acceleration into impact, most overaccelerate from the top then decelerate. For that you need to monitor the change in speed, not simply speed or time. Some like VJ use audible feedback like Sonic Golf. Others monitor the shaft pressure/flex against the knuckle of their right index finger using a whippy shaft (like the Orange Whip) to help develop feel. To prevent overacceleration add a little stretch at the top.

I agree. I admired his focus on dynamics, it was a breath of fresh air. But overly simplistic. Since then, better dynamics have been discovered (or re-discovered since Hogan ?) to prevent deceleration, the core issue.

The yellow book has baked in the back seat of my car for three years. Until it is translated into English I won't waste the time of resuming from where I left off on page 12.