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About Spudmonkey
Your Golf Game
- Index: 7 - on a yoyo
Spudmonkey's Achievements
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Working the ball as a matter of routine, 7I down to 5W. Draws and hooks (high and low) are fairly straightforward for me, but I struggle at hitting slight cuts, high or low, really can't nail the setup and feel. Also working hard on continuing to educate my hands and arms, trying to ingrain the use very soft arms and the tempo that keeps them that way. So easy to just go blank/unconscious during the swing, the hardest bit is always staying aware of the clubs feel.
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How to keep left arm straight on impact and finish?
Spudmonkey replied to marvin's topic in Instruction and Playing Tips
Yep, flipping going on! You need to understand the way the arms/forearms work in the downswing, esp through the impact area. Here's a huge clue - the left hand/wrist stays flat all the way through (for the purposes of learning the correct motion), for that to happen you will find you have no choice but to let your forearms rotate anti-clockwise (as you look down) through the bottom of the swing, this should be a natural unforced rotation, the result of having soft(ter) arms. Once you figure this out its gravy all the way. Try to get a pro or someone who knows what they're doing to show/explain it to you, it is really simple, but something you have to do to move forward. -
How Are You Finding Your Tour Striker?
Spudmonkey replied to GlasgowsGreen's topic in Instruction and Playing Tips
I have the TS #7 Pro, had been after one for an age but couldnt swallow the price new, got mine of the bay in mint condition. I hit it off pretty hard mats, not a lot of give in them, and I find there is no way to cheat it. Not too bad a ball striker to start with but I really wanted to find out what would happen using a TS. I would say I was hitting appx 30% of the shots ok, right off the bat. To increase this percentage it forced me to shorten my swing slightly, stay more connected, and definitly ensure PP#1 (base of trigger finger) was in the mix. That was quite hard for me, as I'm definitly a swinger of the club not a hitter, but I soon realised that I can mix in some PP#1 pressure and not lose my "swinger" feel. -
A lot of good posts, but I would like to add:- A LONG LEFT THUMB (never really see this being discussed when the grip is the topic)
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What type of shot should I play in this situation ?
Spudmonkey replied to bjoern2796's topic in Instruction and Playing Tips
Well just hit the punch slight cut shot then -
Good advice, if its even a slightly cuppy lie leave the fairway in the bag, A hybrid is a much better choice.
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What type of shot should I play in this situation ?
Spudmonkey replied to bjoern2796's topic in Instruction and Playing Tips
Ok, sounds like this hole gets to you. If it's S.I.15 or harder do like Adam posted 150 - 150 - wedge shot, make it easier on yourself and take the extra shot your handicap is allowing you. -
What type of shot should I play in this situation ?
Spudmonkey replied to bjoern2796's topic in Instruction and Playing Tips
342 Long? 4-5 Iron of the tee, punched, setup on right side of tee box aiming for the bunkers on the left, with the idea of playing the punch with a slight touch of cut. Best case middle of fairway with about 140 - 160 left, worst case maybe left semi just short of bunker, looking down the green. A lot depends on your club yardages, but a driver seems like asking for trouble on this hole. -
Tips to help me get hips more involved in downswing
Spudmonkey replied to Blitz28179's topic in Instruction and Playing Tips
Blitz28179, There are plenty of people who will advise you on the correct swing mechanics, but I'd like to touch on something that you seldom read about, but is so important for you to move forward. You are now at the crossroads, you either learn how to do it and go on to be the golfer you could be, or don't believe/ don't learn how to do and forever be resigned to the rank of hacker (sorry to be so blunt). For me, it was ego that stopped me for so long. I knew what I should be doing, I knew the feel, I knew the positions/mechanics, but could I do it? - NO! I couldn't do it because my ego/self image wouldn't let me. It didn't want me to look bad infront of people (and myself) by hitting shots that would be much worse than my norm. You have to give up caring where the ball goes and what its flight is (that comes after the basic swing change is in). It takes a hell of a lot of guts to purposefully hit balls that you know make you look so bad. Thats were so many people give up and end up never progressing. So whenever you practice you have to leave your ego at the door (I mean it), remember you're there to improve not just bash balls. Stop caring about the ballflight, 1-2 practice swings with the feel/mechanics you are working on, then try to put the same feels on a swing through the ball and dont care where the ball goes. A good swing is one that has some of the feelings you are trying to learn, a bad swing is one were you give up (subconciously) and your old feelings/mechanics take over. Good luck. -
Anyone successfully gained more distance?
Spudmonkey replied to srjorion's topic in Instruction and Playing Tips
divot dave, Check extensor action out, there are numerous articles on it (mostly from TGM people) it has some very good things going for it, gives the arms some solid stucture, removes any arm over-run, really helps in maintaining a flat left wrist, oh yeh it also gives great extension through impact and beyond. Feels pretty odd to start with (I think most people stiffen the left arm to try and help, but thats almost the opposite of what you need to feel), but once you figure out the amount of force required, and the way in which you need to apply it, it really is simple and adds some very nice elements to the swing. I'd direct you to some info but most of it is from TGM disciples, and I'd rather not inflict that on someone, so have a good search about I'm sure you'll find what you need, maybe some of the pros on here have some info or input on it. cheers -
Anyone successfully gained more distance?
Spudmonkey replied to srjorion's topic in Instruction and Playing Tips
"Club weight awareness throughout the swing, makes a big difference to clubhead speed, ensures your working with the club and not choking its potential speed, Soft hands (needed for above)" This for me was really an eye opener, (so easy to lose the feel of the clubweight in the swing), but its so important to feel it. It allows you to actually feel how to accelerate the club correctly (not overpower it) once you have the faith to do it, it really is a game changer. I would urge you to develop "soft hands" and get in touch weight of the club (weight isn't the right word its more like energy/potential) Sorry if this sounds confusing, but its very hard to explain in words. -
Anyone successfully gained more distance?
Spudmonkey replied to srjorion's topic in Instruction and Playing Tips
I have gained about 20%-25% increase in distance through the bag over the last 12 months. While I have actually lost about 8Kg in weight. Still getting used to my new distances, it's pretty weird. But its taken a lot of work, detemination and a lot of range buckets. eg, 7I was 140yds now 165-175yds Its all about technique, for me the main things that brought the gain about (having worked hard on them) are :- Flat left wrist (all the way), Extensor action, Club weight awareness throughout the swing, makes a big difference to clubhead speed, ensures your working with the club and not choking its potential speed, Soft hands (needed for above) No over-run of arms, (shoulders finish turning, my arms are finished moving as well), Sense of linkage/connection of left arm and shoulder blade with my turn. These are the main points for me, there are of course many other things, but these are the ones I had to work on/discover. It all comes together, and you actually feel like your swinging with less effort (because you are), and the distance just appears. It really is nothing to do with hitting the ball as hard or as fast as you can, it really feels like the opposite of that. ie, easier, more fluid, more connected, more aware of the energy in the club. Its very hard to explain the feelings, without using phrases and words that end up confusing things even more. All I can say is TECHNIQUE TECHNIQUE TECHNIQUE Good luck & bear with it, its worth it! -
False sense of really getting to the 70's?
Spudmonkey replied to Maverick's topic in Instruction and Playing Tips
This!! Need decent short game, decent putting, decent mid/short iron game, but most of all T balls/ second shots leaving you 160yds or less in, it takes the strain off your long iron (hence less pressure scrambling for pars). -
Shortening swing-any helpful hints!
Spudmonkey replied to Bo the Golfer's topic in Instruction and Playing Tips
Look up "Extensor Action" (think it originates from the TGM guys) it will definitely shorten your swing up, with the added benefit of ensuring a FLW and good extension past impact. It will probably feel pretty odd on the left wrist when you start but stick with it.