Pick n mix practice - good thing?

[RGuk]

I have made two range trips last two days (in preparation for my lesson next week) and have been working on a few things. Interestingly, since reassessing my grip and alignment (I found an old Leadbetter video!!) I have hit all sorts of shots (not bad, exactly, but not "on the green accuracy"). Whilst this may sound odd, I'm actually really pleased. I've been pushing/hooking with some depressing consistency, and it feels good to hit some accidental fades/straight/small draw, as this means my path is ok (ish) and not permanently stuck on in-out.
I wondered
1) anyone else feel positive with a pick n mix of shots (as long as there are no stinkers )
2) anyone permanently stuck on one bad shape (I see a lot of this at the range.....95% slices - why can't folk stop this ingraining?? )
3) Anyone more keen on quality of strike, more than pin-point precision....I think I'd rather hit 99 balls cleanly and hit a few wayward ones than 33 fat or thin? with a few laser-guided beauts mixed in?

Dave

PS - On the Leadbetter video, he recommends the "V" of the right hand pointing up to the chin (not the right eye), this weakening of my right hand has worked wonders with my feel - loving hitting it!!!

 

[medwayjon]

I tend to hit a bit of a mix myself Dave, my drives for example are not always perfectly straight in unison. As long as I feel that they would hit the fairway I am happy enough.

Like yourself I value the clean strike, it is really satisfying to get that feel of the perfect contact and if it fades right slightly, oh well.

Interesting point regarding the V, my pro has asked me to strengthen my grip and I am not as comfortable with it as my conventional grip. Will be going back to standard as tended to play too much of a draw with it. I liked my natural fade.

 

[golfcitydweller]

i was told to have the `v` pointing to my right shoulder,

i never been one to shape the ball ,if u have a natural shape then don`t fight it -just play it

 

[RGuk]

I tend to hit a bit of a mix myself Dave, my drives for example are not always perfectly straight in unison. As long as I feel that they would hit the fairway I am happy enough.

Yes, this is my theory! also at my range there is a green width target at 150 yds. either side is a small tree, if I'm in between those 2 with 9-8-7-6 I'm pleased.

Dave

 

[RGuk]

i was told to have the `v` pointing to my right shoulder,

Shoulder?...ouch, that might be taking it a bit far. At my first lessons I was asked to get both at my right eye. This version (right "V" at the chin), is more neutral and seems to be helping. A LOT will depend on your path, but I don't actually need to get the face bang on square, therefore this seems a worthy experiment.

Dave

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I also look for a decent ball strike rather than get too hung up on direction. I initially use the range for memorising swing changes or practicing after a lesson so I'd rather ensure that I am improving the swing quality.

That said, once I have changes made and repeating on (fairly) regular basis then I tend to switch my attnetion to direction. Its no good hitting the crispest irons from all sorts of lies on the course if you are "directionally challenged"

The range I use has a green at 110 yards which for my game is a perfect nine iron with range balls. I can normally hit that without having to overswing to make up for the lack of distance from the balls.

There are a couple of bays I tend to favour. If I use then there is a nice tight avenue between the 100, and 150 markers down the left and a marker flag out at approximately 170 yards. The gap I would estimate is about 20-25 yards wide and I consider that if I can keep it within these confines with my irons it would replicate hitting the green on most holes.

There is also an avenue with the markers on the right and a final marker flag out at 200 which is about 35-40 yards wide which I use as an imaginary fairway and if I keep my drives within these boundaries I mark it as a fairway hit

 

[RGuk]

I'm glad I'm not the only one to favour a particular bay. The popular area of the range seems to be the right hand side, which is not actually square to the range. Either folk like hitting away from the right hand fence, or want to be near the teaching pros.

Today I got the bay directly aligned to the 150 flag (without moving the mat).

Some bloke turned up and went in the one in "front" of me, then another chap went in the one "behind".
Turns out they were from the same club......they spent half the time chatting to one another across my bay.
Then, as it went dark, as per usual the bay lights weren't switched on. Hit the last few in near blackout....


You are right, "directionaly challenged" is no good, but my standards (as yours, no doubt) are demanding enough to know that if most are within 10 yds right or left at 150, they're probably on the green.

At least there weren't any barclays bankers boshing huge bananas and then admiring their wonderful "draw"!!!

Dave

New expression.....the BBBBBB's of the range, barclays bankers boshing blatant bananas badly.

 

[The23rdman]

My bad shot has beena pull/pull-hook for a long time, but I'm working hard on some swing changes to iron that out. Yes, it means my striking is a bit ropey right now, and they're all over the place, but as long as I'm becoming more comfortable with the mechanics I'm happy.

I tend to hit a dozen or so working on the mechanics than half a dozen working on direction at a target. That helps to keep target focused and reduce mental tensions.

Nothing better than a pure strike though

 

[RGuk]

Just in case anyone was wondering, I went to play 9 today with the new grip and alignment process. This is how it went;
double bogey (3 putt

3 over for 9 holes, absolutely delighted!!

"a good grip is for life, not just for christmas".....

Dave