Abominals

How and how often do you practice trouble shots? Was watching an old episode of The Golf Fix last night where he was talking about trouble shots. One example was a shot you need to go 100 yards but the tree line makes you need to keep it under 10 or 15 feet off the ground. I usually go to the range and work on my full normal swing. I mix in some work on draws and fades, but that's it. I would think it's a good idea to mix in some work on these other type of shots, any good ideas for that?

Curious what you mean by monster swings. I didn't think I was swinging that hard for me but appreciate the feedback. As for what I would like to fix, now that's a good question and I should probably have a better answer, especially since I read the http://thesandtrap.com/t/54840/simple-specific-slow-short-and-success-the-five-s-s-of-great-practice as suggested . My problem was a bad pull/hook at times off the tee. Got me into some serious trouble some holes. I've followed all the advice posted so far, mostly been concentrating on my plane on the back swing, trying to be much less shallow. The good thing is I've gone two sessions and haven't had a bad pull/hook, but now I've seem to add a weak slice to the mix. More generally I found the Sandtrap because my goal was to be more consistent. For example I ended the year last year with a 4 round stretch of 77, 92, 78, 90. Granted the 92 and 90 were a little more difficult courses that I hadn't played before, but certainly not about a stroke a hole difficult. Also I've never really been taught and focused on the swing, which I plan on changing this year.

A little old but this really cracks me up. I'm sure I'm not the only one who's gone through this basic thought process. Tried but couldn't find that anyone else posted it: http://www.newyorker.com/humor/2011/07/04/110704sh_shouts_david?currentPage=all

Like Golfingdad I think for most people it's going to be time you are able to devote, the level of instruction you get, how your approach practice, etc... that will be much bigger factors in improvement than just age. No reason you can't get a lot better after an age like 35. Now if you have already done those things at high level it would be more difficult to improve. Of course I say all this as a 33 year old not so low handicap golfer looking for some big improvements myself.

Wasn't going to film today, was trying to just relax and work on some of the tips people have given to me. But the session was so bad had to get it on tape. I no longer have a pull/hook, instead just a weak fade sometimes slice this session. The rational side of me wants to see the positives, changes are happening to my swing and it will take time. The irrational side of me wants to break my club in half and go on a 12 state killing spree. Anywho here are 2 swings, first one ended up OK, 2nd not so much. I don't know whats going on with the video editor I'm using, the videos are filmed in higher quality than what ends up getting made.

That was helpful. I followed the set-up strategy during the draft, will see how it goes. Thanks as well

I like the V1 Golf app, only one I've tried really. There is a free version and I think a $5 version. You can do frame by frame and slow motion, draw lines and some other stuff. You can also compare two of your videos side by side, or dowload a pros swing to compare. Decent app overall.

Tried dynamic effort days for the first time. Tuesday upper body - Bench 8 sets of 3 - 155# working on moving bar as fast as possible. Other upper stuff. Wednesday lower body power cleans and squats, emphasis on speed not total weight.

Any fantasy baseball players who know any good follows on twitter or elsewhere? I joined a friends AL only league, don't follow baseball that closely. I'm a Mets fan so baseball gets depressing quick. It's a pretty deep league with weekly transactions and more starting positions on your roster than there even is starters in the AL. I think it's going to be pretty key to know which prospects get called up, who is going to start for a few weeks due to injuries etc.. But no clue where to find the best info for this.

Thank you for this. I hit somewhat similar to described in the first video and always thought I was doing it wrong. Some good tips to work on.

I voted no. Not that I wouldn't like to see it but as a player I wouldn't want to bother with it unless we were put on the clock. My guess would be most slower players wouldn't care and it would just serve to get me more aggravated. I think Loupe showed that attitude a little in his post-round interview: Q. The guys on NBC were giving you a hard time on backing off, taking some extra swings. Is that normal? Were you a little bit nervous today? ANDREW LOUPE: Maybe a little bit. Playing a little slower right now. We're on the 18th tee and they're still on the 18th green. You hurry up and wait if you want but I'm really -- I don't care.

Thanks for all the tips above, and can't help but think you are hinting I should be participating elsewhere. And if so, yes point taken

The instructor specifically mentioned the right hand, but didn't put it in any context like you did thanks. Never knew or thought about how it could effect the take away.

Wanted to use the info from the Simple, Specific, Slow, Short, and Success - The Five "S"s of Great Practice thread this week, instead spent half the week with he stomach flu and the other half working crazy hours. Fiscal year over so now on to a more normal work schedule and will try and get some good practice in. This weeks session was much improved. Watched mvmac's video and without practicing was much improved. Only one bad pull/hook the entire session(good for me). Driver was still a little low at times but MUCH improved over last few sessions. Went to a golf expo on Sunday, they had a free instructor who took a quick look at some swings and gave some quick tips. Said grip was pretty strong, and a little bit too much in the palm. Also said I saw sliding back a bit, just like mvmac said. Overall thought my swing was pretty good just needed to tighten up those things. The video is 7 iron, a decent drive and then one of my low liner drives. The range plans on opening the grass next weekend, will be able to bring my better camera and get some straight on views and better views overall. Thanks for all the advice everyone, very happy with how things are coming along since I joined the site.

Well took a couple swings in the mirror after watching this, it does appear I am sliding back a little bit. Thanks for the tips.

Hit my first 1.5XBW bench - 275 LBS at 175 BW. Followed with some Front Squats and core work. Also tested my grip strength which was 69KGs right hand and 67 left. I have no idea if these things are accurate or if that's any good or not. Also had to use a metric conversion calculator after because I'm a dumb American who only knows pounds. I've found since I've gotten stronger my irons, especially short irons and 3/4 swings have gained a good amount of distance while my driver hasn't. Anyone else notice that or could just be a technique issue?

Pretty bad session today. Hit my irons great at first, a little revert to a draw but not too bad. However driver was TERRIBLE. One thing I noticed from the video was my driver seemed really across the line but not sure if that's the problem. Going to get some lessons so I can get some more instant feedback. Might be more effective than plan B of breaking the driver in half.

Thanks, missed this reply. Thought I had it set to email posts on this but I guess not. I had checked that thread out and I think it helped, at least it looked like it to me too.

T ried to listen to saevel25 's advice. Think it's better not sure. Hit a large and small bucket and only had one pull-hook, which is great for me. On the bad side at the beginning was hitting some low shots, and pushed it out right much more often. The positive was overall ball flight was much straighter and swing was different so at least I was doing something different. Appreciate any feedback.

Great stuff, thanks. Will work on this and update when I can.

I noticed swing seemed slow. Did the simulator inside a week later and was slow at the beginning, maybe bad winter habits? For reference here was my swing speed from last year at golf galaxy, which is in line with my distance I usually hit.

I've been Playing Golf for: On and off (mostly off) since I was a kid. Joined league 4 years ago, trying to take it more seriously recently. This is the first year I've continued to work on game during the winter. My current handicap index or average score is: 9 - 10 not official, using online calculator My typical ball flight is: Draw The shot I hate or the "miss" I'm trying to reduce/eliminate is: Bad hooks/pull hooks Video quality isn't the best, as close as I could get in the booth. Read the filming tips thread and will try and get some better angles/camera when I can. Any thoughts on what I have to work with would be appreciated though. Video is driver 1st, 7 iron second swing. Videos:

Thanks all. Will use the filming tips when the weather breaks enough.

Hi everyone, Been lurking for the last few weeks and really enjoyed some of the tips here, especially liked the stop aiming at the flag since I'm a bit of a data nerd. About a 9-10 handicap but looking to take the game more seriously and hope to improve this year. I would like to start a my swing thread, the only video I have is fairly close up shot in the booth since this winter will never end. I'm not sure how strict the video quality rules are for that thread, is it worth starting one or should I wait until the weather warms up enough to get a better angle? Tough to answer without anyone seeing the video I know. Ready for winter to be over.