muggs

When I'm struggling with my swing, I start taking the club away way too far inside which makes my swing really inconsistent. A swing thought that really helps me with this is (this part is pretty obvious) focusing on taking the club back along the target line as long as I physically can and then (this is the mental key for me) at the moment I can no longer keep the club there, I begin to fold my right arm and complete the backswing. That thought alone fixed the take away problems I was having earlier this season. The good news is when I can do this sucessfully it puts me on plane, keeps the clubface in a good position at the top of my swing, and when I have the club in that position it naturally helps me release the club and follow through nicely. The bad news is, I really have to focus on my takeaway because I can easily fall back into the old habit of opening everything up too soon and taking it back inside.

Pretty sure I can safely say, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Gandhi, Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King were all pretty decent dudes, even though I've never had any of them over for a BBQ.

Okay, but that doesn't change the fact that the Watson story is much more refreshing and positive for the PGA than the Tiger story was. Which has been my point all along, and was the only reason I made the comparison. Which, at this point, I regret doing, and did as more of an aside than anything else. If I would have known that one statement would have taken on a life of its own and completely taken away from my man love for Tom Watson...I would have never made it.

If you're reading comprehension level is at or around the 5th grade level, you'll see that my only point was Watson's story is refreshing (and positive) in comparison to the recent media attention Tiger generated this year. Call me crazy, but the PGA probably favors "legendary player, finishing his career with inspired play" to "hoes in different area codes" as their storyline of choice. Could just be me, but I doubt it. I think it was more some people's defensive tendancies as soon as they read Tiger's name associated with anything other than "he's the man" that spun this thread out of control.

3...2...1...hijacked by Tiger's lemmings...

For the sake of having class and good sportsmanship, if nothing else. But it could also go a long way in improving his image. I guess that goes back to my point about a different era. Players used to exhibit more class, to their competitors and the galleries.

I tend to agree with you on that, but I still would need to see more of the changes he told us all he was going to make. After The Masters, his interview was all about how poorly he played, and not once did he think to mention the fact that Phil played well. Honestly, I don't want to make this thread about Tiger, we've had enough of those already, but it's fairly obvious the type of person Tiger is. That said, I really appreciate watching the guy play, so I do hope he can regain his form. I just also hope he changes his attitude.

I'm aware of all of that, and now we see a man who's better for it, and sort of relishing the moment. It's refreshing.

Talk about Tom Watson, or don't talk at all, pud. If you can't recognize Watson has a better character than Tiger, it's not my fault. Nothing wrong with pointing that out either. I could go on that Watson represents what was right about an entire era compared to today's PGA if you can't deal with Tiger being called to task for his lack of character.

This guy is awesome. I'm not old enough to have been around for this guy in his prime, but I wish I was. Actually, I wish this guy was my dad. Not only does the guy have unreal game for his age, but his attitude and philosophy on live is also pretty unreal. With the whole fallout from Tiger, I'm happy to see a good guy like Watson at least getting a little media attention and bringing the game itself some positive attention. It would be great if he can make another run at the Clarrett Jug, but I'm really not holding out much hope. I just hope he's still around on Sunday.

Yeah, first thing I noticed was your position at impact. Even in full speed it was obvious you're well behind the ball. Shanks knows way more about the swing than I do, and he's given you some great advice. But that's what I noticed right away (mainly because I'm trying to fix the same thing). Nice swing though. Take away looks good, your left arm is perfectly straight, good position at the top of the swing. If you can work out your position at impact you'll be a single digit handicapper in no time.

Honestly, it could be a lot of things. It would help to see your swing. You could be dropping your shoulder, dipping down into the ball, swinging over the top, ball position, too steep a downswing etc...etc... I have a feeling the issue is your angle of attack. Here, this may help, pulled from Golf Illustrated. Too Deep Of A Divot If you notice your divot is too thick, then you are coming into the ground steeply and must shallow out the impact. Shallowing the angle of approach will not only allow you to pick up additional yardage, but it will also give your body less of a jolt when you swing. There are several ways to do this, but the easiest and most efficient way is to line up several golf balls on different tees. Imagine clipping the ball off the top of the tee without even hitting the tee. If you do this and are still chopping down, then before you hit the next series of teed-up balls, make some practice swings about knee high above the ball, feeling as though you are hitting slightly up through impact. This helps to round out your swing. If you are still not shallow enough, try practicing from a sidehill lie with the ball above your feet. The lie will flatten out your swing plane. This forces you to come into the ball more level, and you will cure the big divots.

I carry a PW/SW/60. I don't really think it matters if you carry a 60 or a 58, or a 55 for a 56. It's how you play them and knowing your own game.

I don't really think that tempo is quick either. Nice take away, on plane, but I agree with the guy who said your driver gets a little loosy-goosey at the top of your swing. Still, nice looking swing. Not much you have to work on.

Not bad, seems like you move your lower body a lot. Almost like you're swaying back a bit. Maybe work on quieting that down a little...I'm no expert though.

I'm no expert, but I can tell you it could be any number of things. Get a video up and like others will probably tell you, your best bet is to take a lesson or two.

I don't release the club properly when I've tried to use it. I interlock. Works for me.

You have to get over the mental block...those Video Jug videos are great. Very straight-forward and simple. Watch that and try your best to put it to work. When it's all said and done, you're just going to have to practice and think positively enough until you get over it. I played hockey all my life and have been golfing the last 4 years. When I started I had the same problem, I was used to whacking at pucks. Just think of the ball as an object in the path of your swing, not a target you're trying to hit.

I could see if you were bringing your buddy up there everyday and giving him hour long lessons, or if you were getting paid for your instruction (profiting on private property), but come on...there's a difference between that and giving a buddy some pointers at a driving range you paid to hit balls at. Anyone who says differently is probably a golf pro. Posting a policy in the hopes of detering such behavior is one thing, but the pro having the nerve to approach you with that attitude...whole different story. A lot of a-holes in the world...not much you can do, other than giving your $$ to another range.

In so many words, I would have told him where to go. Money-grubbing dbag...

Don't even get me started on Mo Williams...that guy just disappears in the playoffs. Yeah, Hickson needs to see the floor A LOT more, and so does Moon. I think Moon could check Rondo better than anyone else the Cavs have on their roster. I don't think anyone would completely slow Rondo down, but Moon would do a lot better than Mo and Parker have on him. I think a defensive combination of Moon/LeBron on Rondo would have probably won the series for the Cavs. But you hit the nail right on the head, Mike Brown's rotation is inconsistent and he doesn't seem to use the talent he has. You add in the fact the Cavs have had a terrible offensive system every year under Brown- I think it's time for a change. We get pick-n-rolls with LeBron and Andy, or they just lob it into a 38 year old Shaq (oldest player in the NBA)...really? That's your offense? The Celtics want it more too. Cavs were the #1 rebounding team during the reg season, Boston was 25th...in their two blowout losses at home, the Cavs got destroyed on the boards...hats off to Boston, the Cavs have been dominant at home, but the C's have worked them over twice at home...they deserve to win the series, Cavs sure don't.

Yup, I agree 100%. Diet is the #1 thing, combining that with exercise is important, but you can run as far as you want, if you're eating super-sized MickyD's meals you're not going to notice any change. It's all about burning more calories than you consume.

I'm a huge Cavs fan, live in Cleveland, and it's pretty obvious the Celtics are the better team, with a MUCH better head coach. There's a few reasons this shouldn't be so surprising. 1.) Z, Shaq, and Jamison had not been on the roster together until the playoffs began. 2.) Shaq just came back at the start of the playoffs after missing 2 months. 3.) Under Mike Brown, the offensive system has been absolutely terrible and has not improved, they're lost on offense 4.) Boston is the better team. Take the top four players from each team, the Cavs have LeBron, Jamison, Shaq, and Mo Williams. The Celtics have Rondo, Pierce, KG, and Ray Allen. Take away the best player from each team (for the sake of arguement, we'll say it's Rondo). That leaves the Cavs with a 38 year old Shaq, Jamison, and Mo. The Celtics still have 3 future HOFers...even if you take away one of the Big 3 you still have 2 HOFers and an emerging superstar PG in Rondo...

First off, nice job on the weight loss, that's quite an accomplishment. I agree with you 100%, that's why I made sure I said walking is better suited for some, and also suggested that people who are really trying to get fit could try walking a 1/4 mile, running a 1/4 mile etc... Actually, I have a buddy who was really overweight, he's gotten into running and he runs for three telephone pole lenghts, walks 5, runs 3 etc... The fact of the matter is, if you say, 50 lbs. overweight. Maintaining the the same diet and walking as your only form of exercise is not going to get you fit- if that's your goal. But, like I said, getting out and walking is good for you. It's really all about what your goals are.

Lefty, that's what I was trying to get at before we had to go and get all technical. Depending on how far I'm running, I usually run somewhere between a 7-8 mpp pace. If I'm walking fast, it's probably going to be around a 4 mph pace. In my humble estimation (better??) I'm at least burning 60% more calories while running. Heck, I can't even talk when I'm running hard, even walking fast I could probably be downing a cheeseburger and telling you about my last round. After viewing the links, you have to get pretty creative with data and scenarios to claim "running and walking burn the same amount of calories." Paralysis by analysis, when really it just boils down to plain common sense.