SOme of you will remember a few months back how I had some lessons and felt my game was back on track and how recently it had gone so far backwards I was worse off than before. Certainly after my showing at the club championship (last of those that didn't NR or were D/Q'd) and an atrocious hack (and that is too kind a description) yesterday I was wondering if I would ever play well again.
I had had a lesson last Saturday whereby my pro has got my posture a LOT more upright and got my right arm more over to the left (imagine the pale bit under the arm and the burnt bit where you get tanned playing - he wants the tanned bit more on top). Hit the ball great at the lesson and after but then played like a numpty.
I really played like a novice yesterday trying and was caught between trying the new set up and reverting back to "old habits" which I knew would at least get the ball forward (I nearly missed the ball completely twice on tee shots). I went to the range yesterday afternoon and was no better until HID popped along to see how it was going. She said I was addressing it too close to the heel. Well the change was imediate and I struck the ball very solidly if not very long (timing and power issues still to be addressed).
I played in the monthly medal today and came back with 31 points (13 out and 18 home). Not great but I 3 putted twice so that was two shots wasted and I threw at least another 2 shots away so I was very close to a par performance. The only potential problem I have with the new set up is that occassionally I am setting up with my left shoulder open which means every now and then I come over the ball resulting in a choppy slice/fade.
However for the first time in ages I feel like I am striking the ball well again and if I can get the set up correct I am swinging on plane (divots shallow and on line). It was hard to be subjective about how far I was hitting it distance wise as it was very windy and a lot of shots seemed to be into a direct headwind or wind across and into.
I'm not going to get over excited but it would be nice after all this time if I have found something that is at least repeatable 7 out of 10 swings. I'll keep at it and update you as to my progress!
I had had a lesson last Saturday whereby my pro has got my posture a LOT more upright and got my right arm more over to the left (imagine the pale bit under the arm and the burnt bit where you get tanned playing - he wants the tanned bit more on top). Hit the ball great at the lesson and after but then played like a numpty.
I really played like a novice yesterday trying and was caught between trying the new set up and reverting back to "old habits" which I knew would at least get the ball forward (I nearly missed the ball completely twice on tee shots). I went to the range yesterday afternoon and was no better until HID popped along to see how it was going. She said I was addressing it too close to the heel. Well the change was imediate and I struck the ball very solidly if not very long (timing and power issues still to be addressed).
I played in the monthly medal today and came back with 31 points (13 out and 18 home). Not great but I 3 putted twice so that was two shots wasted and I threw at least another 2 shots away so I was very close to a par performance. The only potential problem I have with the new set up is that occassionally I am setting up with my left shoulder open which means every now and then I come over the ball resulting in a choppy slice/fade.
However for the first time in ages I feel like I am striking the ball well again and if I can get the set up correct I am swinging on plane (divots shallow and on line). It was hard to be subjective about how far I was hitting it distance wise as it was very windy and a lot of shots seemed to be into a direct headwind or wind across and into.
I'm not going to get over excited but it would be nice after all this time if I have found something that is at least repeatable 7 out of 10 swings. I'll keep at it and update you as to my progress!
