Digging a hole for myself
Medal Winner
Managed to get out on the course today after a 6 month break. Having not lifted a club since August, I've been fitting in a little range time since Christmas but haven't had enough time to do anything else. Equally, free time and daylight have not coincided to enable me to practice my short game. I did treat myself to custom fit shafts in my woods and irons for Christmas and a new SLDR driver.
Well, the results were interesting. My scores we slightly lower than last August - roughly in line with when I've been playing at my best. The successes were purely down to my long game - the custom fit has paid off and I'm hitting it longer and a lot straighter than ever before. The driver has gone from being an outright enemy to a (still slightly fickle) friend.
Highlights?
-A 315yd (measured) drive - by far and away my longest ever. And it was straight. Ok, it was downhill and with a following wind and did leave me with a very curious shot between trees for the green, but it will do for me!
- A great hybrid shot on the 18th that cut (intentionally?!?) beautifully to roll up to the fringe of the green in front of the clubhouse, missing the water right. Up and down for par on the 3rd hardest hole on the course.
- Some really nice short iron work.
- Only 2 holes on which I really blew up and wasn't thinking about my course management.
Problems?
- Putting - absolutely horrific. More 3 putts than I think I've ever seen. Everything up the right hand side and too long by miles.
- Chipping - shows signs of promise, but very inconsistent. Doubting myself over which club to choose.
- Shot shape generally - I've lost my ability to draw somewhere along the line. Have a feeling my left hand is taking over too much in the downswing and my release isn't sufficient, so need to work on that a bit.
- fairway woods - not quite there off the turf
So, clearly the short game is where the most work is needed and most benefit will be found. I'm not surprised. What is pleasing is that the long game is miles better and I know my short game isn't up to where it has been before, so can improve greatly. Put the two together and I'll feel that I'm really getting somewhere.
Sorry for the very self-indulgent post, but it's been good therapy to get this down in writing.
I'm off to the practice ground...
Well, the results were interesting. My scores we slightly lower than last August - roughly in line with when I've been playing at my best. The successes were purely down to my long game - the custom fit has paid off and I'm hitting it longer and a lot straighter than ever before. The driver has gone from being an outright enemy to a (still slightly fickle) friend.
Highlights?
-A 315yd (measured) drive - by far and away my longest ever. And it was straight. Ok, it was downhill and with a following wind and did leave me with a very curious shot between trees for the green, but it will do for me!
- A great hybrid shot on the 18th that cut (intentionally?!?) beautifully to roll up to the fringe of the green in front of the clubhouse, missing the water right. Up and down for par on the 3rd hardest hole on the course.
- Some really nice short iron work.
- Only 2 holes on which I really blew up and wasn't thinking about my course management.
Problems?
- Putting - absolutely horrific. More 3 putts than I think I've ever seen. Everything up the right hand side and too long by miles.
- Chipping - shows signs of promise, but very inconsistent. Doubting myself over which club to choose.
- Shot shape generally - I've lost my ability to draw somewhere along the line. Have a feeling my left hand is taking over too much in the downswing and my release isn't sufficient, so need to work on that a bit.
- fairway woods - not quite there off the turf
So, clearly the short game is where the most work is needed and most benefit will be found. I'm not surprised. What is pleasing is that the long game is miles better and I know my short game isn't up to where it has been before, so can improve greatly. Put the two together and I'll feel that I'm really getting somewhere.
Sorry for the very self-indulgent post, but it's been good therapy to get this down in writing.
I'm off to the practice ground...
