jb291

Hello, new to this and it kinda hops over from a thread on equipment but here goes... Got pretty good as a yongster, played a nice draw and down to 4 h'cap. Stopped playing for a long time: marraige, kids, job etc. coming back to it now. Was playing OK, but streaky. Went for a lesson looking for consistency and assurance of sound fundamentals. Also looking to lower ball flight. Summary was, nice old time swing, you drop from the top and then use quick hands to give you a draw: in-to-out and shallow angle of attack. Timing is key to make it all work. (all true). Instructional advice was to come back down the same plane (not drop it inside) with more neutral hands. Will give me steeper angle allowing me to trap the ball and off it goes. Less reliance on timing, more repeatable, and actually some distance to be had too - simple. Now this all makes geometric sense to me, just kinda goes contrary to what I had been taught as a youngster. Hence my question - has it all changed? Thanks in advance, enjoying my return to the game and still love Tom Watson's swing and attitude. JB

Maybe so, and the easy thing would be to stay with it, but I don't have the time to perfect the timing (so to speak) and what he was saying makes sense to me. Down the line it is! Straighter, lower shots - just some way off yet!

Thanks to all - advice much appreciated. Coupled with this, other internet research and a lesson / equipment chat with a trusted pro I have come to the following conclusions: Irons. I would be able to 'perhaps' get slightly more distance with a new set, but this would be primarily because clubs have been delofted over the years (more cavity than blade but apparently true). There might also be some advances in consistency - but marginal. Ensuring they are the correct fit and correct shafts (yes - rifle 6) is more important than new club heads. Driver. As said here, the pro reckons there is 20 yards waiting for me in a local golf shop Also, it would seen swing emphasis has changed (probably not the right place for this but perhaps of interest). I was taught to drop it inside from the top and use fast hands to get my draw. Apparently I need to come down the same plane which will help me with consistancy & trapping it (thus the lower ball flight I wanted). Oh and I've been using the wrong ball as well ! (pro V1x needed). Went to range after lesson and it must have been a good lesson as I am hitting it like a pig. Summary: Priortities: New Driver, new 3 wood, new balls, then new (ish) irons (probably the TM MB) Thanks to all JB