Consequence or Coincidence?

[Tiger]

Right chaps just been onto SS2 to look at my driving stats and found something interesting. Now I'm not sure if this is actually a coincidence or a consequence but thought I'd share with you and let you peruse the facts.

On December 11th I descended upon the golf course armed with my new FootJoy XPS-1 golf shoes (that I think give me more stability) and a swing tip shared by Kid2. The tip was to place your driver in the middle of your stance rather than up to the ball at address. It's the same thing that Moe Norman used to do and the concept is that it helps keep your shoulders square rather than open at address.

At the end of September I went on holiday with the family and on my return I decided to stop writing the blog and to just enjoy my golf. As a result I felt less tense on the course and started to swing much more relaxed.

Over this time period I have also been gradually increasing the number of tee shots I hit with the driver (currently 11 out of 13 driving holes), something that you would generally expect to have a negative impact on your stats. But this has not been the case.

December to present - 5 rounds played FIR 41%
October & November - 5 rounds played FIR 29%
August & September - 5 rounds played FIR 22%

So is this just reflecting improvement in my play, is it a placebo effect from the tip and new kit, have the new shoes and set up change actually caused a difference or should I send Snelly another cheque out of gratitude for selling me a driver that is starting to work for me?

I'm not really that fussed about why it is, just enjoying my golf and happy that things seem to be improving BUT

I am interested in a discussion about what may have caused the improvement...

 

[Oddsocks]

ill put another factor in there... the ground has got softer, so hard bounces with lots of energy are now gone. for example if the ball had some left to right movement and you hit the right edge of the fairway, chances are it would bounce on and into the rough on the right, and visa versa, now we are in the soft months chances are the ball would pitch and stop within a a few yards IE staying on the short cut.

Just something to consider.

 

[richy]

ill put another factor in there... the ground has got softer, so hard bounces with lots of energy are now gone. for example if the ball had some left to right movement and you hit the right edge of the fairway, chances are it would bounce on and into the rough on the right, and visa versa, now we are in the soft months chances are the ball would pitch and stop within a a few yards IE staying on the short cut.

Just something to consider.

Burst his bubble why don't you

 

[Tiger]

OS that probably would have made a difference if my misses where often in the first cut

 

[Monty_Brown]

Bit of all three factors perhaps Tiger? I'd hope the set-up change has had an effect... othewise all the time we spend working on a good set-up is for nowt!

And put three factors together that make you feel more positive,. and that must have a good mental effect.

Good solid stance in your shoes, good set-up, right loft and shaft on your driver... all add up to more confidence.

 

[DavidO]

Interesting wee tip there, will try that next time!!

Without hijacking your thread title... how do you like your XPS-1s???

Cheers.

 

[TheMetalMan0]

I saw a video by Shawn Clement who also described setting up like this with the driver. I'm going to give it a go at some point as the science of it seems to make sense.

 

[Tiger]

I saw a video by Shawn Clement who also described setting up like this with the driver. I'm going to give it a go at some point as the science of it seems to make sense.

that's the tip! With a smooth tempo working wonders for me.

 

[Achilles]

I would guess it's a combination of all of those factors,....but you'll probably never know! Still, at least it's all having a positive effect on your game. Now that you've gone and said all that though, the Gods will no doubt do their utmost to put a spanner in the works! Always happens to me when I think I've sussed something!! Hopefully I'm wrong though

 

[Tiger]

Sussed it? Nope. Still plenty to improve but have been striking it better with the Driver hence me checking the stats. One swallow does not a summer make definitely having more fun on course though and looking forward to the new season.

With driver in hand I'm getting better at swinging smoothly. Invariably that's leading to better results which in turn is boosting my confidence. Meaning I'm hitting the big dog more often. I think I'm just gradually improving...

...it's taken long enough