Do the pros inspire you to play better?

[TonyN]

After watching the Dubai classic yesterday I really noticed how relaxed and controlled the pros are at all times. How easy they swing to send the ball soaring with little effort.

I went to the range last night and got my usual 50. Warmed up with a few pitch shots to the 60 yard water trap and then moved onto full Pw. All the time I kept picturing the likes of stenson, sergio, jiminez playing the same shots and really taking note of how controlled the swings lookied in my mind, just as they did in the afternoon in Dubai. Without trying to replicate anyones swing I just copied there relaxed manner and played.

Placing a shaft down on the deck pointing left out of the bay I was setting up for a green at 150. The wind was strong so I started way right to allow
for my draw and the breeze.

I stepped out of the bay at did my preshot alignment everytime and the
results were exceptional. Feeling good about my game anyway after my 82 on the PGA I really felt everything was there last night. Outcome, not 1 bad shot.

Most other people in the range (especially the guy next to me I see every Friday) were whacking hell out of balls too quickly and their dispersion was horrendous. One other guy was found same as me and he was striking really well. I wreckon he was low single figures for sure.

Does anyone else find watching the pros sets them In The right mood?

I certainly will be sticking to my same routine for my range sessions. I just wish I had someone to go with so it would be a little more interesting.

 

[Imurg]

Watching pros at the course gives me more info than the tv. YOu get to see their course management strategies. The way they can see a shot but then think "hang on what if I do that? Mmm maybe not" But you can see the thought processes. Where to leave the ball so the next shot is easier. Working out the best part of the green to go for - if you're capable!

And watching their swings. most of them don't swing fast, the tempo is fantastic - if only.........

 

[TonyN]

Yes the tempo I forgot to mention but Stensons was excellent yesterday. The transition from b/swing to d/swing was just awsome.

 

[John_Findlay]

You're right Tony. It's a joy to behold. When you watch the rhythm of pros it almost seems like they're swinging in slow motion...their bodies, not the clubhead.

I had a round last week, just on my own, lovely sunny day and when I got to our 15th tee I noticed a group of our club's young band of wonderboys teeing off at the adjoining par three 8th so I stopped and watched their fourball tee off. They were all tour pro's or "professional" amateurs.

All of them looked like they were swinging at half speed and not one of them landed more than 10 feet from the flag, a couple of them getting huge backspin. Not like the amateur lash you usually see.

Keep up the good work.

 

[USER1999]

They don't inspire me so much as make me depressed.

I am never going to be any good at this game.

 

[borntorunsean]

the one thing i have learnt from pros and watching golf is visualising the shot etc.i find that it really helps. obviously it does not work 100 percent!

 

[theeaglehunter]

It is amazing how well you can play when focusing purely on tempo / rhythm. It is certainly a key aspect to me hitting it well and the reason why I am pretty rubbish with my drive: as soon as I get the big stick out I loose rhythm and try to rip it, even if I am mentally telling myself not to. When I control my swing speed on my driver so I let my hips clear just before my downswing starts I can hit it very well.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

It is there short game I want to try and copy. It is the pace of the swing for even very short shots and the control of the clubface that makes me shake my head in wonder.

As for taking your time at the range, I have often posted on here about treating each ball separately and going through my grip, alignment and posture with each one. I frequently walk off the mat after each shot has landed to give myself a 5-10 second gap. Getting back on the mat is the trigger to think about the next ball and go through the routine again

 

[Canfordhacker]

As for taking your time at the range, I have often posted on here about treating each ball separately and going through my grip, alignment and posture with each one.

Homer - I took note of this and tried it with some success at one of my sessions last week, good advice. I also didn't dump the balls out of the basket (another forummer had mentioned this), which forced me to pick each one out and take my time.

 

[Cernunnos]

Yes the televised pro's can inspire us to play better.

Certain things they do like tempo & to an extent course management can help. There are many things however that the pro's will do that takes great skill, guts, & simple blite natural ability.

Just look at Karlsson, taking a seve shortcut over some trees. Even having a crane moved to do it. Nearly paid off for him too. But many of us would have ended up in those trees or worse, still in the rough. Its this sort of thing that the pro's can inspire us to try that can get us into big trouble with our scores.

Yes they certainly inspire, but can be a help & a hinderance tbh. And I wouldn't miss a second of the inspirational coverage whether for the good or the bad.

 

[Basher]

When faced with a bucket of 50 or even 90 balls at the range, the temptation is certainly there to rush and knock 7 bells out of the balls.
I must confess to doing likewise. Get the big stick out and smash the living daylights out of them.
Not good as far as practise is concerned, the shots fly everywhere, no consistancy, no accuracy.

Treat the range as you would a round, take your time before each shot and resist the temptation to smash the ball as far as you can with every shot played. I know that will be my aim the next time I go down the range.

Even on the course I'm guilty of hitting at the ball. Result = a very tense swing with no fluidity which ends with poor shots.
Watching the pros do their stuff brings home the proof that there is no need to smash it, more like have a smooth tempo and rhythm.
Look at JM Singh, he must have one of the slowest backswings in the professional game. He still hits a lovely long drive though.

Watch and learn!!!

 

[Herbie]

Some pro's inspire me, some annoy me.

Catching pro's casual tips from various media sources or first hand can be very inspiring and beneficial.