Blog attempt

[Boabski]

like Toad and a few other forumers i had a go at sending a blog into the mag and it has been added onto the website . its just a few paragraphs of something i had been thinking about, maybe a bit against the grain in some peoples thinking. anyway its there if you have a spare 5.

 

[StuartD]

Good blog mate, I 100% agree with you.

 

[John_Findlay]

Nice one, Boabski. Enjoyed that. Good points you make.

In the immortal words of "Life of Brian"......"We are all different.......I'm not"

Crumbs. Didn't realise you'd only been playing 4 years. Good going, mate.

 

[Sneds]

Interesting article mate. However, from a personal point of view - because of lessons I am hitting the ball a lot cleaner than I ever did or could playing before.

Perhaps it's not for everybody, but to pick up the basics of golf as a beginner and therefore having a good foundation to build upon - I don't think you can go too far wrong.

Good read anyway.

 

[USER1999]

I kind of agree with you on this. There is the old paralysis by analysis bit, however, I think teaching yourself will only get you so far.

I have only ever had 6 lessons (about 10 years ago I went all the way around the green, and 5 shots later was back where I started, having never set foot on the green), but have been playing for 20 years or so.

I have been off 12 for most of these years, and so I have obviously plateaued (spelling?). I think if I had had more lessons back when I started, then I would now be a better golfer (there is no way to prove this). I don't want to start now, as I have so many bad habits it would cost a fortune to get rid of them, both in terms of money and time.

Mind you, I would also have needed a sports psychologist too, as many of my problems are between the ears.

One of my regular playing partners is off 4, and I have learned a lot off him, both in terms of course management, and also tempo. He does not give swing tips (even if asked), and I don't want them, as I prefer to work it out myself (it is more likely to be relevant, and to stick if I come up with my own solution).

I do envy the kids at my course with their technically brilliant swings, and feel this will stand them in good stead for a lifes golfing. If I could wind the clock back, yes, that would be me.

 

[minty18]

That is a good article and although I have a lesson everynow and then I do agree with you. I get on really well with my pro, he knows i'll never have the perfect golf swing so we just work on a few small things, like chipping and putting etc.

Getting close up to the pro's at the masters on saturday I picked up a lot of little things ie, position of the right hand when gripping the club and how loose they have it.

I went and played 9 holes the next day with this in mind and was striking the ball lovely.

Another player who has a strange but very effective swing is Jeev Mikha Singh, think thats spelt right. It looked very unorthodox to me but i think he's a great golfer.

 

[USER1999]

I can't look at Jeev's swing. Ugly. I don't want that sort of image in my head (although my own swing is probably nearer to his than to Ernie's).

 

[minty18]

I was lucky enough to see him playing with clark and the fishman on saturday morning. I cant even explain Jeevs swing. If Mr Burns from the simpsons was to swing a golf club I'd imagine it would look something like Jeev.

You think the balls gonna come off at an angle or travel about 50yrds.

 

[AliB]

Good blog. I know what you mean - lessons can be a swing wrecker. I think it's vital to get with a teacher who's on your wavelength - and you may not know until you've paid your money.One teacher demoralised me (playing off 30 at the time) by doing a video comparison of my swing and Ernie Els'!!
Having said that I usually do recommend lessons at least for a beginner - you see so many people fighting with crazy swings. After that, it depends how you learn and what you're comfortable with.
My own chief provider of tips is Mr B - a situation not always conducive to marital harmony - that's why I usually go to a pro if I feel the need.
good luck with the golf - and congrats on the blog.

AliB

 

[Imurg]

Couldn't agree with you more - I got down to 8 on my own a few years back. I don't think most of us could give the time and effort needed to make any big swing changes stick.

 

[viscount17]

help, I can't find the blogs! ok, found it.

I've had lessons but as one pro says, I'm a fiddler. I think a pro (or in your case experienced golfers) can teach (show/suggest) certain basics and correct some errors but (at least for me) it is inevitable that you are going to adjust these 'lessons' to suit your body's capabilities, even your personality. So where you say you've had no lessons, I think you owe andy, frasting and the others a few drams

 

[Herbie]

Ive never had a single lesson only tips/advice from seasoned and competent players and lots of practice, my best h/c being 6 some years ago. My current being 9....age and MS lol.

I dont poo poo pros or teachers of the game unless they are crap teachers and Ive seen plenty to know they exist.lol

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Have to say I'm pretty sure that if you went to a pro, given your fairly high level of competence, there would be none of the radical changes to grip and changing your swing (unless you were completely off plane etc). My advice would be to find one who understands what you are trying to achieve and gets his points across simply and teaches in a way that is easy for YOU to understand.

Te point I think you are missing in your blog (very good effort) is that even the top pros have teachers that they go to on a fairly regular basis. This isn't for any major overhaul, particularly during the season, but for minor tweaks and attention to detail especially in the short game area.

Off your handicap you are obviously a very good golfer, but you may find that a lesson (at least an assessment lesson that many pros offer to first time pupils) will give you plenty of pointers that you can use to shave the next few shots off and get you nearer to 5 or 6 which I imagine is where your game should be