RIduffer

I choked the first couple times I was on my way to breaking 40 for 9-holes in my league. Like anything though, experience is key, and the next time I was in that spot I barely thought about it--just focused on each shot. One thing I try to avoid is playing defensively. Instead of thinking "I only need a bogey to shoot 39", I'll say to myself "Let's make birdie and shoot 37".

If I remember correctly, JackLee likes the "Golf Swing Master Key" by Noel Thomas. I haven't read it, but I think it advocates lead side control (left side for a right-handed golfer), which is supposed to automatically get the body and arms working in sync.

Looks good man. If you're looking for suggestions, people are going to want to see swings where you are hitting a ball. Probably would also help to know your swing tendencies/misses (i.e. fat, hooks, slice, etc.) Glad to hear you're hitting it good though. Best of luck.

Where do you practice? At a range or course, or both? For short game I like to go to the practice green and just try to get up and down as much as I can from certain spots. Instead of hitting 15 chips in a row, I'll play 3 balls and try to get all 3 up and down on one turn before I move to a new spot. Why do you feel it's a waste of time when you can play 3-4 balls down each hole at a course? That's my favorite way to practice. Drop a bunch of balls at 80 yds if that's your problem distance for example. Maybe the problem is that you are only practicing, and don't have any rounds or matches to prepare for. I know during the winter I got really bored beating balls... I have more focus in my practice now because I have a couple matches each week to get ready for. Sorry, I probably didn't help much, but I felt bad no one replied. Sounds like you have a good idea of the weak spots in your game, and it may just be a matter of making practice enjoyable for yourself.

Zeph, one thing I hear alot is that the pivot is crucial to maintaining this lag on a full swing. If you're just focusing on hands/wrists, I think the tendency is to over-accelerate and throw it away. Even though Nick Clearwater keeps weight forward on the backswing, he shifts more weight forward on the downswing and drives the club through with his pivot (IMO). I think lagging the club on the takeaway is used to help get the pivot involved.

I was working on this same thing earlier tonight and had some good results. I found this video too for those who are interested.

I am unable to attend on this date, but I hope this works out. I look forward to hearing about everyone's experience. Definitely something I plan to do in the future, even if it means driving to Erie, PA.

Yeah, always love watching this clip. Thanks for reminding me of it.

You are seriously wondering if you are the only golfer who doesn't know how to categorize the way he swings a club? This is a golf forum, so you'll find alot of geeky golfers (myself included) who are into the technical aspects of the golf swing (for better or worse). But most people I play golf with wouldn't have a clue what I was talking about if I mentioned S&T...or; know the difference between an overlap and interlock grip.

slimeberry, you might want to separate your posts into paragraphs so that people can actually read them without getting a headache.

Almost everyone in my golf league loves to drink and/or smoke (not cigars), so it's just a matter of getting them to over-indulge . Unfortunately, this works equally well on me. If I par the first couple holes, you can be sure my opponent will pull out a flask or offer to buy me a cold one from the cart girl.

So what would you like to improve in your full swing? Distance? Accuracy? What are the misses like? If you hit your irons straight, but struggle with the driver, maybe you should post a driver swing video so you can get some feedback.

I do choke down sometimes when I want a little less distance, more control, or a lower ballflight. When I choke down I probably grip the club about 2-3 inches above where the grip and shaft meet. Some people like choking down because it allows them to get a desired result (i.e. less distance) without changing their swing. But in your case, you want to change your swing (make it smoother) so I would just take an extra club without choking down at first. My thinking is: If you feel like you have to kill a 5i to hit it 180 (or whatever distance), why not use a 4i and swing smooth?

Just a thought...Try taking one more club than you'd usually hit, so that you don't feel the need to muscle the shot. For example, if you have 170 to the green and would normally hit a 6i, try taking a 5i and making a smooth swing. Yeah, occasionally you might really flush the 5i with this approach and end up long...but I think that's usually a better result than trying to bash a 6i and mis-hitting it. It might also help dissolve that mental block of yours, by proving how far the ball can be hit when struck cleanly, rather than forcefully.

I haven't seen the videos, but I think the S&T; book is very helpful. In addition, I'd recommend watching some S&T; swings on youtube from instructors like David Wedzik, Mike Bennett, Nick Clearwater, Dan Carraher, and Dana Dalqhuist.

kilbyman, is a majority of your practice time spent on the range? Is it possible for you to play some practice rounds (ideally in the evening, when the course is not crowded and you can hit a few balls off each tee)? IMO, this has alot of benefits: you get comfortable on the course; hit shots from different lies and angles; get to practice every aspect of your game like putting and bunker shots. Most importantly, it helps you focus on playing the game and getting the ball in the hole, rather than swing mechanics. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for grooving a swing on the range, but learning how to score is another thing.

Sorry to hear, but at least you know what to work on now. I think that's why it's good to play some competitive golf...it exposes the weaknesses in one's game. I am no one to be offering putting advice, but there is one thing that I always come back to: keep my head down all the way through the stroke. I was doing this today; literally waiting to hear the ball hit the hole before I picked up my head. It's the only thought that has ever brought any consistency to my putting. Just my .02 but good luck and I am envious of your ballstriking prowess . My irons are an absolute joke lately.

Played 9 holes this evening and shot 40. Birdie, double, par, par, par, par, bogey, bogey, bogey. Didn't hit the ball great, but kept it in play and putted well.

Also interested in Boston area clinic.

I volunteer at a course in exchange for a membership. You should be able to find a job that will get you playing privileges. The course saves money by having volunteers rather than employees do the grunt work...so it's a win-win situation if you plan to play alot of golf.

Is it possible this argument is just semantics? For example, who thinks he is straightening and who thinks he is maintaining flex?

Alright I slacked for a couple weeks, but I was still in the middle of the field. Oh well, thanks. Hope you win again gogolfing.

Congrats! Sounds like people are getting off to a good start this season. I also had my personal best for 9-holes this past Wednesday at my home course. Keep up the good play guys.

Thank you for clarifying.

The lift-clean-place rule doesn't seem to have any relevance here, as you were addressing the ball. Definitely a stroke.