So......did it work?

[HomerJSimpson]

I started in May 2015 so it hasn't just been a winter thing but I have completely changed my swing. I didn't really have any targets apart from to improve. My handicap started on 10.3 and finished on 8.4 with a low of 7.4. The results have been up and down, as I had a lesson, got used to the change and then had another lesson. Each change has ended in me hitting the ball better. I'm not finished, the Pro at Blackmoor calls me "his project" and I feel like I am heading into another good season.

Last time I got down to 7 I did so by virtue of a 2 shot ESR cut and I wasn't good enough to stay there, I feel like this time I can get to 6 or 7 and once I get there I believe I am now equipped to stay at that level. Time will tell.

Keep going pal. Sure you'll get there and at least you don't have me dragging you down anymore! Not sure if I'd be worried being called "a project" by the pro

 

[Deleted member 3432]

Just the usual clubs go away in October and come out after my March ski trip. Normally have a couple of range sessions to get used to hitting the ball again and then a lesson before bad habits get ingrained.

Play for a few weeks before I realise I'm hitting it crap and then have another lesson.

Struggle for a while before finding form towards the end of the season.

Same as every year for me and handicap static.

 

[simplyme]

Just read through a few threads on here about people having lessons through the winter last year, targets they are/were working towards, swing changes falling into place etc etc.

So.....be honest people......how many of you actually achieved what you set out to do? Whose handicaps tumbled? Or was it all a waste of time and your handicap stagnated or went up?

Worked for me, went from 12 to 7

Not put anywhere near as much time in this winter though due to work commitments.

 

[HDID Kenny]

Never did any lessons last year but I intend having a block Feb through to March, need ball striking to be better to enjoy my golf this year.

 

[3565]

Yep it's working for me, I'm striking and the sound from the club head from the ball is better then ever, always looking to improve my swing and hitting more quality shots.

 

[mikseymono]

Had a couple of lessons last year....one of which was a putting lesson....found out my alignment was a bit off with my 2 ball putter. I too want to improve the ball strike and find that with softer hands, juicy lucy etc, I can get that magic feeling when the ball comes off the middle of the irons but not easy to do on comp day. This is the key for me, to try and stay relaxed. On the driving range I can put the ball where I want...on the course it can have a mind of its own!

My advice would be to practise with a purpose. Particularly wedges and knowing how far they go. Also reverting to a pitch and run technique from say 30m out rather than trying to lob it close.

Thats my 2cts worth....

Bon courage!

M

 

[need_my_wedge]

Yep, working for me. Went from 19 to 13 in early April and prety much kept playing to it all season.

Had a lesson in December to try and resolve a little left pull that had crept in...... fixed the pull a treat, improved iron striking buit can't hit any fairway/ wood for toffee now...... aiming to fix that before the season starts, but more specifically before I play the Old Course in April.

 

[chrisd]

I had a couple of lessons early last year, was hitting the ball really sweetly and determined not to change anything more going into the start of the season. Then a serious eye problem and surgery derailed that and whilst I played I couldn't see so well and focus was an issue and I also completely lost my ability to drive the ball with a worsening swing fault. My handicap was going up .1 each time, but eventually things improved and I had better control, when I wasn't hampered by the driver I scored better and finally I ended the season only .1 worse than I started it.

I was chatting to our esteemed leader Mr Harris on a day that I played pretty ok and drove really well and he asked why I was not playing single figures, I reversed the question and asked him why he thought it was and he gave me an honest answer, I was playing too much (true), I didn't hydrate enough during the round (true) and my clubs weren't the easiest to play consistently with (JPX 850 Forged) I corrected the first 2 things easily, just then got my old game improver irons out and never looked Back!

I have since changed my bag to TM'S and easy to hit RSI clubs courtesy of AG trade in but more particularly, thanks to Smiffy, who convinced me how easy they are to hit.i had several gross par 9's and mid 70's gross rounds over the autumn and winter so I'm really looking forward to the new season!

 

[GreggerKBR]

Just read through a few threads on here about people having lessons through the winter last year, targets they are/were working towards, swing changes falling into place etc etc.

So.....be honest people......how many of you actually achieved what you set out to do? Whose handicaps tumbled? Or was it all a waste of time and your handicap stagnated or went up?

Absolutely! Yes it's worked, but it's not just the swing/mechanics lessons, it's "incremental gains".
I now have a little book where I recorded notes, pics etc. from my lessons, so I know my default habits and it's self managing a bit more.
Also I've stopped watching and picking information from all the youtube/media lessons - I only focus on issues my coach suggests.

I was tired of losing the ball in both directions and not knowing "my swing".
I've put in a fair amount of work, and I still hit the a few loose shots, but I've been in contention an awful lot, won a couple, topped OOM etc.
It's been fun, fantastic if like me you love getting amongst it.
H/c from 13 to 8 and still playing a lot better, can and will go lower I'm sure.

Recently I've had to invest a lot more effort into putting coaching, I'm just starting that journey as previous lessons did not get the improvements I wanted.
If I can make some progress with putting, I will go lower, much lower - that's how much I trust my swing now...

 

[GreggerKBR]

Just read through a few threads on here about people having lessons through the winter last year, targets they are/were working towards, swing changes falling into place etc etc.

So.....be honest people......how many of you actually achieved what you set out to do? Whose handicaps tumbled? Or was it all a waste of time and your handicap stagnated or went up?

What about you? Have you...?

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

What about you? Have you...?

I don't work particularly hard on my game if I'm honest, try to get to the range once a week during the winter but often doesn't happen. The thing holding me back is my short game, the rest of my game is probably on a par with a 2 or 3 hcp'er. I got cut from 6 to 4 last year then sneaked back up to 4.5 in the last medal but this coming year I'm hoping to consolidate at 4 or lower.

So I suppose the answer to your question is yes, considering I don't put much work in the small amount I did paid off

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

I had a couple of lessons last year to stop me s****ing the ball every shot except putts. And yes it has worked. They are still there - I have to be careful and not too lazy about my swing as bad habits of 30yrs are hard to unlearn.

The BIG upside is that not only have I 'stopped' (never say never) but my iron play has improved hugely cf even when I was hitting it well before the s****s set in.

 

[HawkeyeMS]

Keep going pal. Sure you'll get there and at least you don't have me dragging you down anymore! Not sure if I'd be worried being called "a project" by the pro

His exact word were "interesting project" but I didn't take offence. To be honest, I've never enjoyed golf more than I do now so I'll definately keep going. I think we dragged each other down TBH, I can't let you take all the blame for our collective failings :rofl:

 

[Dasit]

yeah went from shooting 110 on average to under 90.

Want to get down to shooting low 80s regularly by the end of this year and break 80 a few times in medals.