EZprophet
Head Pro
Cliffnotes at the bottom if you can't be bothered reading the whole thing.
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I've never done one of these self-indulgent posts before but I feel like I've finally done something worth writing about so thought I would give it a go...
For the last month or so I have really been struggling with my game. It all started a few days before the Blackmoor forum meet as it happens. Before the meet I had played 22 rounds in a row shooting in the 70's and afterwards 10 of my next 17 rounds were in the 80's....
Every single part of my game was poor (except luckiy my wedges which managed to limit the damage somewhat) and I had just completely lost all confidence in my swing and my putting stroke. I felt as though I had completely lost what it felt like to swing the club well. I could feel myself manipulating the clubface in my backswing but I couldn't do anything to stop it. My putting was even worse. I was pulling or pushing almost every single putt and was never making pure contact with the ball.
I went for a lesson with my teacher up at the range and was talking to him seriously about maybe easing up on the amount I played as I really wasn't enjoying the game at all. He told me that maybe it might be an idea to have a break for a week or so but unfortunately I couldn't as I had a match arranged already for the next day. Anyways, I had the lesson and it was the best one I had ever had. It was the same stuff we always work on but one point he made about "extending down the line" finally clicked with me as to exactly what he meant and I was hitting the ball as good as I ever have. We went out on the putting green and one small adjustment with my hand position had me striking the ball pure again.
I was obviously very happy but part of me knew that the real test would be on the course the next day. Sure enough, I went out and shot my first EVER round in the 60's!! To be fair it was only 1 under par as the par at my course is 69 BUT the official course record is only a 3under 66, so I was still completely over the moon.
I have come close to shooting in the 60's so many times in my life I can't even tell you, but I have always *ahem* choked at the last minute. The most recent one (that still pains me to even think about) was on a golf trip in Atlanta a few months ago. I was standing on the 18th tee -4 par and facing a reachable par 5 that I had eagled in the morning round. I hit a decent drive but crept into the fairway bunker and left myself a 170 yard shot over water but with no lip to contend with. To cut a long story short, against my caddies wishes I went for the green and it hit the bank and rolled back into the water. I double bogeyed the hole to shoot 70
But anyways, since I finally broke my duck I actually went out and shot the best round of my life last week, a 4 under par 68 which included a missed 2 1/2 footer and a 3 putt from 15 feet. It was also my first ever round with 2 eagles in it!
Anyways I'm done now banging on about me but just wanted to say to anyone who is struggling with their game and thinking of giving up that there can be a light at the end of the tunnel! It might just need one little tweek from a pro to give you your swing (and more importantly, your confidence) back.
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Cliffnotes:
-Started plying crap about 5 weeks ago, just before Blackmoor forum meet
-Lost all confidence in game, considered quitting (well... kinda )
- Went for lesson with pro, a few adjustments and was swinging/putting well again
-Went out and broke 70 for the first time after choking countless times before.
-Followed it up last week with best ever round a 4 under par 68 with two eagles!
------------------------------------------------------------
I've never done one of these self-indulgent posts before but I feel like I've finally done something worth writing about so thought I would give it a go...
For the last month or so I have really been struggling with my game. It all started a few days before the Blackmoor forum meet as it happens. Before the meet I had played 22 rounds in a row shooting in the 70's and afterwards 10 of my next 17 rounds were in the 80's....
Every single part of my game was poor (except luckiy my wedges which managed to limit the damage somewhat) and I had just completely lost all confidence in my swing and my putting stroke. I felt as though I had completely lost what it felt like to swing the club well. I could feel myself manipulating the clubface in my backswing but I couldn't do anything to stop it. My putting was even worse. I was pulling or pushing almost every single putt and was never making pure contact with the ball.
I went for a lesson with my teacher up at the range and was talking to him seriously about maybe easing up on the amount I played as I really wasn't enjoying the game at all. He told me that maybe it might be an idea to have a break for a week or so but unfortunately I couldn't as I had a match arranged already for the next day. Anyways, I had the lesson and it was the best one I had ever had. It was the same stuff we always work on but one point he made about "extending down the line" finally clicked with me as to exactly what he meant and I was hitting the ball as good as I ever have. We went out on the putting green and one small adjustment with my hand position had me striking the ball pure again.
I was obviously very happy but part of me knew that the real test would be on the course the next day. Sure enough, I went out and shot my first EVER round in the 60's!! To be fair it was only 1 under par as the par at my course is 69 BUT the official course record is only a 3under 66, so I was still completely over the moon.
I have come close to shooting in the 60's so many times in my life I can't even tell you, but I have always *ahem* choked at the last minute. The most recent one (that still pains me to even think about) was on a golf trip in Atlanta a few months ago. I was standing on the 18th tee -4 par and facing a reachable par 5 that I had eagled in the morning round. I hit a decent drive but crept into the fairway bunker and left myself a 170 yard shot over water but with no lip to contend with. To cut a long story short, against my caddies wishes I went for the green and it hit the bank and rolled back into the water. I double bogeyed the hole to shoot 70
But anyways, since I finally broke my duck I actually went out and shot the best round of my life last week, a 4 under par 68 which included a missed 2 1/2 footer and a 3 putt from 15 feet. It was also my first ever round with 2 eagles in it!
Anyways I'm done now banging on about me but just wanted to say to anyone who is struggling with their game and thinking of giving up that there can be a light at the end of the tunnel! It might just need one little tweek from a pro to give you your swing (and more importantly, your confidence) back.
------------------------------------------------------------
Cliffnotes:
-Started plying crap about 5 weeks ago, just before Blackmoor forum meet
-Lost all confidence in game, considered quitting (well... kinda
)- Went for lesson with pro, a few adjustments and was swinging/putting well again
-Went out and broke 70 for the first time after choking countless times before.
-Followed it up last week with best ever round a 4 under par 68 with two eagles!
