New Approach

[User 105]

Had an interesting lesson this lunctime.

As some of you may remember from a post a few weeks ago I've been going through a major swing re-build with my pro and I was getting to the point where I'd had enough as it just wasn't working. And I was on the verge of quitting the game.

I had a bit of a break from playing a practicing, also assisted by the recent snow and I decided that I actually missed playing, but carrying on the way things are isn't an option either as it's ruining my enjoyment.

At todays lesson we spent most of the time discussing what was important to me, and if it had changed since we started the re-build. And my view has changed, I still want to get as good as I can but not at the cost of enjoying the game.

So

1. We are going to stop trying to force my normal shot shape into a draw. For whatever reason, mental, physical, I just can't do it.
2. We are going to get me hitting a consistent left to right shape. As that seems to be all my body want's me to do.
3. Focus more on short game to get my scores down.
4. Spend some time on mental game as well to get the best out of what I've got.

We done a bit of pre-shot routine work today to basically get all my swing thoughts out the way before I step in and hit the ball. And basically just picture the shot shape left to right and hit it.

What a difference. I'm just letting myself hit the ball how my body wants to hit it, not fighting it as I have been.

My swing isn't perfect, never will be, but I was pretty much hitting the ball where I wanted it to go.

As my coach said afterwards.

What's the most important thing in a golf shot? Not the shape, strike, swing path. It's where the ball ends up not how it got there !!

We're just going to work at making what I've got work as well as it can.

So feeling way better about things and now actually looking forward to the season and getting my handicap going in the right direction again.

 

[CMAC]

Congratulations on accepting what you have and working with it, you'll only go from strength to strength with that attitude:thup:

 

[jammag]

Well done for seeing the light and accepting the game for what it is designed for. Have a good time play your natural game and I am sure you will love the game even more.

 

[Tiger]

Nowt wrong with playing with a fade my friend. I've got a lot better since I accpeted mine and started playing to it!!! Sounds like we are doing similar things my biggest weaknesses are my short game and mental game so am focussing on those two areas this year.

Good luck with it all and may the big fat smile return!!!!

 

[shewy]

I went through something similar and learned to accept my shot shape as well,the rebuild was killing my game and for the life of me I could not adapt to it. You've done the right thing playing to your natural shot shape.

 

[Alex1975]

I stood on that cross roads you are on and went other way to you, I dont try and learn on the course but I do in my practice. It has been ineradicable slow but part of the enjoyment for me is to make the ball do what I want it to do. I am making good progress and if my knee were not so messed up and I had a little more money to play with I think I would be in for a great season.

I am really looking forward to moving onto the short game stuff to get those scores down as you say.

Congrats on your new approach, the very best of luck!

 

[ash01]

This is the best way.

Embrace what is natural and what you can control.

If more golfers did this instead of messing around with their swing, shape etc. they would be alot lower in handicap.

Good on you and I hope you get out there soon and rip it up!

Ash!!

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I'm on a similar road. We have gone from a swing that was full of flaws to a one plane swing which should be a much simpler action (yeah right) akin to hitting a baseball. I've really struggled to grasp it but had a bit of an epiphany with my need to rotate the hips and not slide them as I 've done for 20 odd years. The swing still isn't where the pro would like it but it's taken the horrid slapped slice away and the contact is much better. I have more control on the club and it is going more in the direction I want.

It still isn't right and will never be perfect. I sent a message to my teacher telling him of the breakthrough and he's a great believer in substance over style so as long as you are hitting it well on a regular basis, don't look for a perfect swing but control the one that is working

 

[DaveM]

Very wise words from everybody. The game is supposed to be fun not a fight. Play with what you got and enjoy.

 

[Wolfman]

This story is very common, not knocking the pro's but seems this is a common issue

I had a group of lessons some time back to cure my slice, the pro spent the whole time trying to get me draw the ball. It didnt stay with me and i went backwards. Last year i had 6 more lessons and a video was done on first lesson. Regardless of ball flight this different pro discovered i lost my posture in the back swing from over swinging and straightening my right leg, and then dipped on the downswing, this has plagued me since i started the game !

Took me alot to stop quitting the game but at least i now have a 3/4 swing with the club in a far better position and my ball striking has improved. When i leak one to the right i know exactly why and i can correct it

The main point i am getting to is for many golfers it can take many lessons to reach a point where they have peaked, the rest of the game short game, putting etc gets overlooked, the result they cannot score and they struggle.

Since getting my improved swing i have spent time of the rest and my scores are improving

Dont give up !

 

[HomerJSimpson]

This story is very common, not knocking the pro's but seems this is a common issue

The main point i am getting to is for many golfers it can take many lessons to reach a point where they have peaked, the rest of the game short game, putting etc gets overlooked, the result they cannot score and they struggle.

Since getting my improved swing i have spent time of the rest and my scores are improving

Dont give up !

I got a set of 6 lessons with this guy for Christmas. Had two already and the next is on Monday on the short game. Given the state of it I'm not sure 30 minutes is going tobe enough time to clear my mind of the mental debris and get me hitting decent chips. He says so and you have to admire his optimism but I think I could leave him a broken man. I'm making progress with my swing bit by bit and I've a 9 hole playing lesson to tag on too.

 

[User 105]

Thanks guys.

The other thing my pro said is take a look at what happened to Kaymer last year. Tried to go from a fade to a draw and wrecked his game. And he's a pro and can spend all day working on it. He's now reverted back.

So at least I have something in common with the pro's

It's really weird, for the first time in probably a year I actually have a positive outlook on the game. I feel like the pressure is off to make this swing work and can just go play.

tbh, there is a lot of good stuff I will be taking forward that I've managed to embed into my swing, so it's not been a total bust.

I'm out playing tomorrow afternoon. No expectations, just going to play and see what happens.