RIduffer

Good questions Jetfan, I am wondering the same things lately. By "not releasing" I get nice compression, and a penetrating ballflight...but I feel like I am missing something as my shots are sort of a hold-off fade.

Leagues sometimes establish rules different from the course rules. In this case, the league decided that the course conditions were such that preferred lies were appropriate in the rough. Maybe it goes against your idea of the "basis of the game", but different courses can have different conditions. For example, my home course has tons of hardpan/rocks/roots just outside the fairway, which you would probably not find at a private course. Normally, I play according to course rules (which say suck it up and hit off the hardpan), but this league is just trying to make things more friendly.

Thanks, that's a good solution. It may hurt me a little in that league, but I think it's better in the long run, since I have to play the ball down in all other rounds.

Not to worry...after using the Vardon grip his entire career, Sergio has switched to the interlocking grip .

I got a GHIN this year, and have been entering scores since April 1. Previously, I just used my league handicap, but I'm playing in a few member-guest events this summer where I'll need something official. My question has to do with league rules vs. course rules. My home course allows preferred lies in the fairway ONLY. But one of the leagues I play in allows preferred lies in the rough as well (the justification being that our course has so much hardpan, rocks, roots, etc.). Would you still enter scores from this league? So far I have not entered these scores since I assume they are not legit.

Ben I'm going to ask a couple more questions as long as you're willing to humor me . 1) What is your main feeling through impact (i.e. underhand toss, sidearm throw, left arm pulling, etc.)? 2) I read another post where you mentioned trying to feel your right elbow close to your torso. Any other keys that helped improve your swing along the way? 3) Head still. Important to you? Thanks again.

Thanks for posting some recent swings Ben...looks great. I always enjoy reading about your tournament play, and appreciate your insight on the golf swing. Is your swing pretty much thought-free at this point, or are there certain fundamentals you like to re-visit?

40 in the first night of my league. Doubled the last hole, which was depressing since I've never shot in the 30s in league play.

Love the compactness of your swing. Club looks very controlled at end of backswing and finish position.

81 at Swansea CC.

Played 9 and shot 41. Parred the two hardest holes, but 3-putted both par-3s.

No I would absolutely not want a tip during a round like that--I would be too steamed. An hour later at the bar after I cooled down? Yes, then I would listen.

I played a practice round today and saw some major improvement with the irons. A couple thin shots, but probably 80% were very solid. Was striping my 4i for the first time all year. The adjustment I made was simple, but really helped. I watched my swing videos again, and noticed that I was setting up with my hands WAY ahead of the ball (i.e. a ton of forward shaft lean) and delofting the clubface. Today I set up with my hands just slightly ahead of the ball, and the clubface in a more square (even slightly open) position. For some reason, this helped me to eliminate the thin shots even when using a forward ball position. I know I'm still getting a little flippy at times, and straightening my right arm too soon, but at least I'm working from a better set-up position now. Felt like the clubs were doing all the work today if you know what I mean.

Yeah, I'm thinking lately that golf is not some mystical journey where you "find your swing", but alot of hard work, patience, and commitment like any other skill in life.

Ok, thanks. The video is from a lesson, so I will check with the instructor first to make sure he doesn't mind.

I would never use any driving range for real distances...too many variables. I think you have to figure out your real carry distance on the course.

I have video of my swing that was e-mailed to me (not my camera) but I don't know how to post it. It's not in any of the formats listed here.

I think you have the right idea looking for a practice plan. I have started working with an instructor recently, but I wish I had more structure between lessons.

Yes, someone told me before that I "run out of right arm" too early. I will check that again on video. Alot of folks in RI have been pumping water out of their basements for the past 3 days. I was lucky. Thanks, but I have used a forward ball position for a while now (about a year), and always struggled with thin shots on and off. Maybe my question was misleading, but I just recently started moving the ball back in my stance to compensate. Anyway, you're probably right that there is some flipping going on and I just need to work more on that. I'm done hitting off range mats for good...these thin shots seem to creep back into my game after driving range sessions.

sara, "evolvr" online swing analysis will be offered soon on this forum. Do you have a camera so you can post video of your swing? I think that's a must if you want to get the most out of online instruction. Good luck and welcome to the forum.

74 at a relatively easy par-70 course.

Thanks for the feedback. I watched my swing on video recently, and my impact position looks really flat-footed. I know some guys like Kenny Perry keep the right foot down, but I think they still have alot more weight driving forward than I do. Anyway, leagues start soon, so I kind of need to go with whatever works, you know? Thanks again for responses.

Oh, yup, looks like I started him too.

Sorry to hear about your round Jetfan. I had a pretty ugly front-9 myself today. Same old story...doing something at the range that worked great, but then flopped on the course. I'm starting to think I'd play better if I never set foot on a driving range again. Anyway, turned my brain off for the back-9 and played well. Good to hear you didn't flip out and break clubs, or say something rude to your father. Play well next time.

What's the problem? You hit the perfect drive...bounce it down the cart path and get an extra 100 yards!