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Lower back exercises: deadlifts, good mornings, back extensions/hyperextensions. Squats aren't really a lower back exercise, but they pretty much work EVERYTHING in your body. You have to make sure that you're doing these lifts with proper form however. It's crucial. Deadlifts and squats are great exercises, but doing them wrong can mess you up for a long time. On th P90X note, I did the program a year or two ago and it is really good. However, I really have to mention that people may not be painting the clearest picture here as to how hard it is and how much dedication it takes. This program is going to take about 1.5 hours of your time daily (6-7 days a week), so just be ready for it. The workouts are also very intense (you can do them at a slower pace if you want). Overall it's a great routine for getting back into shape for sports and the like. I'm not sure whether I would recommend it long-term though, since I find it to be a bit of an overkill. The YogaX routine they have (as well as the stretching routine) are really good. They aren't very many peoples' favorites (I was almost never motivated to do YogaX, but forced myself to anyway), but they really do you a world of good. As far as eating healthy and sleeping goes, that really has nothing to do with P90X. Any exercise program should be supplemented with those two things, and they should actually be an every day thing for anyone, gym or not. Eating healthy and sleeping right are just things that you should do if you want to be healthy. For golf, I'd agree with the more explosive exercises as well as focusing on your core and rotator cuffs. Core exercises would be: squats, standing press, bench press, deadlifts, bent over rows. You can also throw in power cleans which are an amazing exercise, but you really have to learn the technique (which isn't easy) properly. Build a routine around those core exercises with some secondary stuff like bicep curls, dips (awesome exercise), pullups/chinups (awesome as well), lateral raises, leg presses/curls, calf raises, and some ab exercises. Typically you have two choices. Either do a full body routine (which usually take longer, but are a great choice for beginners and people that know what they're doing), or split up your routines into muscle groups (i.e., one day for Back and Biceps; one for Chest, Shoulders and Triceps; one for Legs). I personally don't do squats anymore (yes I know it's THE exercise) since my legs grew so much that I had to get a whole new wardrobe and couldn't find any pants that would fit or look good. I stick to cardio and sports mostly for my legs now. In sum, I think what will help your golf most are core exercises, as well as a routine which promotes flexibility (such as Yoga or stretching). Cheers,

Just started at the beginning of summer, so 3 months now? I'd say I've spent roughly $1,000 so far on clothes, lessons, range sessions, and green fees. Haven't even bought any clubs yet. Will likely be close to $2,000 by the time winter roles around...

Well this is definitely not too encouraging... I'm looking at buying my first set of clubs at GolfTown soon, so I don't really have any irons to compare them with (been renting/borrowing clubs and won't be able to have any when I go to the store). Comparing clubs in the store to each other on the screen, does that work (as far as how straight and far the shots go), or is that totally bogus too...? Thanks!

Maybe it's just me, but some of you seem a bit too easily distracted and annoyed. No? I agree that kids running around (to the point that they could get hit by your club) or picking up balls on the range (dangerous) is one thing, but if it's just background noise... Don't get me wrong, I don't think it's the place for a family outing, far from it, and I think it's disrespectful to other people, but isn't this what happens at public ranges? Have you guys seen the public tennis courts recently? Not sure about your areas... but here people are playing topless, screaming, throwing rackets, hitting balls into your court, letting their kids run loose, etc. In a private course, I would agree and I think that someone working there should kindly tell them something, but in a public range, that's what you get I guess. Background noise shouldn't bother you that much though... I don't see why it does. As for the driver guy, that's pretty much 80% of the people at the range I go to... All I hear and see are drivers. Cheers,

So how should one rely on these screens when comparing clubs in store (i.e., GolfTown)? :/

I've been using a baseball grip so far... but I think I'm going to give the overlap a try. Maybe it'll help my hands work more in unity. I'll see how it goes! Cheers,

I'm heading back to university soon, so I'll have some time in the mornings/afternoons before or after class and while I'm not working part-time or studying, but now it's much less of a "finding the time" problem and much more the "finding the money" issue... Cheers,

I say if it's not a hassle to bring them and you think you'll enjoy yourself more, then go for it. Who cares if you're not a pro? Everyone's been there and I doubt they'll hold it against you. You'll probably get a lot more congrats than nay-sayers. Cheers,

Too bad I have to pay those damn taxes and duties when they ship to me in Canada

No pro here, but that stance seems a bit narrow to me

As people have said, I wouldn't really change your swing (or start thinking about it too much) the day before a tourney. You're a 5 handicap for a reason, so just go out there and play your game. The comments you did get about your swing (putting aside those other skeptical/rude ones) seem to be pretty spot on. I'd say play your tourney and enjoy yourself, you no doubt have a good golf game. After that, post a better video (maybe not through a closed door) showing your club/hands at the top of the swing, as well as a face on view and a video we can slow down (not Youtube?), and you'll probably get some better responses. Good luck and let us know how the tourney goes! Cheers,

I try and get a lesson in about every 2 weeks or so. My instructor had me start out with a 7i, then 6/5i, then 5W, then 3W, then did some chipping, then putting, now I'm back to perfecting my swing with the 7i and working on more specific details while still practicing the other stuff on my own time. Definitely Ben Hogan's book is going to be useful for you, so you can go your route and read it first before getting instructions. Bear in mind that every instructor has their own methods of teaching, but the stuff Hogan covers in that book seems to be pretty well accepted as standards. Do what works for you! P.S. I have Hogan's Five Lessons in the mail right now :) Cheers,

Hey I like Guinness! Not for golf though.. It's more of a dark pub feel. I usually have one beer during the front and one for the back. Nothing like a cold beer on a hot day while playing some golf :) I wouldn't have more (or at least not much more) than that though... Cheers

The App is free :) I definitely want to purchase the software too, but the only reason I'm hesitating is that this is my first season playing (and not nearly as much as I'd like), so I don't feel like buying the software, using it 2-3 times, and then having to pay for an upgrade next summer (instead of just waiting to buy the full thing next summer). Opinions? It looks like a great tool though! Thx! Cheers,

You can also upload your videos to swingacedemy.com. They have an online analysis tool where you can draw on your videos. Cheers,

I guess it would depend on the pro. I heard the other day someone say he used a new one every 3 holes. Can't remember who it was though... Might have been Appleby. Cheers,

No expert here, so take this with a grain of salt. It seems as though you may be overswinging with your driver at the top of the backswing. Also, your backswing seems flat. Try and get your hands above your head at the top of the swing. Your club is inside when you're taking it back. Try taking it back more with your shoulders and less with your arms. A face on view could help as well. Looks like a pretty smooth swing though! Cheers,

I pretty much do: Score (#) Fairways GIR Putts Sand-Saves Up-and-Down and sometimes 100-or-less At this point in my golf career it's not helping much though, since I have to work on everything Cheers,

I won't pretend to be able to estimate my handicaps for each types of clubs, since I don't really even have an overall handicap yet (gotta play more full rounds!). But it's a fun topic so I'll give it a whirl without the handicap guessing I know I'm breaking the rules but please don't be mad! Driving: By far the worst part of my game. Slicing it off the tee almost every time, meaning that I'm not hitting too many fairways (usually about 2/9 or so)... F-way woods Better than my game off the tee, but still quite a bit of slicing going on with the fairway woods. I'd chalk it down as my 2nd worst clubs. Irons: Long irons aren't superb, but I still manage some pretty decent shots with them at a better rate than with my woods. Mid and short irons have been really solid as of late and I'm pretty happy with them! Wedges: Working well. I put myself in some bad spots with my woods and long irons, but my wedges have been working pretty solid as of late. Short game: Probably the best part of my game (maybe tied with putting) for now. I still chunk a few here and there, but overall I usually put myself in some good spots for an up-and-down or sand-save. Putting: I guess knowing that I'm scoring so high takes the pressure off my putting, but I've pretty much managed to keep myself to 2 putts or less quite consistently. I've only three putted very rarely. Still working on my overall swing. I've been practicing my mid-irons recently which has gotten them to be pretty consistent. Now I have to do something about these woods... Cheers,

Agree with the above posts. I would first check on your grip, it does look a bit weird, but it could just be the camera angle or what not. Your shoulders (body) definitely look open at address, so try and square those shoulders up so that they line up with your toe-line and target line. One thing you also REALLY want to do is shift that weight onto your front leg during the downsing. Your downswing should be starting from your hips, so work on sliding the hips to the right and rotating them, have the shoulders follow. What many baseball players have is an arm swing (which can work), but you usually want a whole body swing (hips, then shoulders, then arms). I also notice that your head may be swaying a bit on the backswing. Try and keep it pretty steady from address all the way though impact. Cheers,

Sounds good. Let us know how the new shaft works out when you get it! P.S. What law school and what year are you in? I'm starting law school this fall (although up here in Canada). You liking it? Cheers,

I'll agree that with that swing speed you may need a stiffer shaft, but I'll also echo that this is probably not your (major) problem. Technique is usually the issue and taking a lesson (even if just a 30 mins one) will help you more than the new shaft (I would think). I don't quite get the reasoning as to why you can't get a lesson because you're in law school. Is it the money or the time? It's cheaper than buying a new shaft and it takes just as long as going to the range, and much less time than playing a 9 or 18-hole. No? Anyway, I'm no expert on shafts, but it seems like you've gotten some good advice as far as that goes. Good luck and let us know how it works out! Cheers,

I'll agree with the first post. It's going to be very hard for someone to identify what you're doing wrong with only a vague description of your problem. You'll get a few guesses as to the most common causes for it though. A video would for sure help, but a lesson with a good pro is always your best bet. Cheers,

I'd bet that your distance increases. As to what I've read (on here and other sites), people put about 7-10 yards per inch choked down, so you're looking at 14-20 yards potentially? I definitely see a difference in my yardage when I choke down on a club, but then again, at my stage in the game it probably has a lot more to do with my swing... Best way is to give it a try and see what happens. Good luck and let us know if it works for you! Cheers,

Last time I was out I was shooting pretty close to my age after just 3-4 holes (23) Maybe when I hit my 80's or 70's (maybe 60's !!) I'll be there Cheers,