Some advice my pro gave me - feedback please

[Bogee]

I've just written this up in a fairly lengthy blog post over on Project Scratch, so please check this out in more detail over there. But in essence my coach has given me a set of tips he says should avoid overcomplicating a lot of the learning at this early point in my development and allow me to retain a natural feeling to my game, whilst lowering my average scores:

#1 “Use a pre-shot routine”
#2 “Dont think about your swing, when you swing”
#3 “Lose the bravado” (translates as ditch the clubs you can't useconsistently well, like the driver, when you play real games)
#4 – “Play safe” (recognise my strengths and don't attempt the impossible)
#5 – “Practice your putting, over and over”

As I say, i've written in more detail what he said about each on the blog but they are the tips in essence.

Seems like a lot of common sense to me but always keen to involved others in the discussion!

 

[Ethan]

Sounds like sound advice. Perhaps add 'and the short game' to tip no. 5

 

[Hogan_Fan]

All very sound advice. I agree the short game should also be in there

 

[drawboy]

Yep ! that sounds right to me. My pre shot routine consists of taking out a club I've never hit right yet and remembering to swing smooth on a good plane with a full shoulder turn and making sure I take ball before turf. Then I try to hit this through tree branches over water to a pin 2ft behind a bunker. After that I take out my putter for the first time in a week and try to putt a downhill left to righter at 11 on the stimpmeter. I thought I was doing everything right.

 

[Bogee]

Heh, very good drawboy. I actually spat some tea on my keyboard reading that

 

[Simbo]

Sound Advice

you'd be surprised how uncommon common sense is!!!

 

[HomerJSimpson]

There are some good bits there but I concur that the short game needs to be looked at too. I've just come back from a lesson with a new teacher (my regular guy is recuperating from knee surgery). Worked on a much taller address position to give myself the room to turn. I need to go back to work on my tempo as there is no trust and so everything from a good position at the top is sooooo quick again that it all falls apart. I'm great with a 7 iron on a low tee but put a ball on the mat and there is the in built fear of something new and its all a lunge. At least I'm understanding where the guy wants me to go and what I'm trying to do so even if its slow progress I can feel where the club needs to be.

 

[JustOne]

Worked on a much taller address position to give myself the room to turn.

Oh crikey!.... FORE RIGHT!

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Actually right is probably safe. Its either shanksville if I get way out of synch and swing too fast, a pull left or a majestic moment of triumph.

 

[Society_Fan]

Sound advice.
You can wait until your down to teens before you have to try and tie your head and body in knots!!!
Good luck

 

[bobmac]

So you aren't being taught by this guy

J.C.Anderson

I know it's been done before but it's worth another spin for the newbies.

 

[kid2]

Bogee it all sounds good.
I got some great advice from the lads here on the forum......
For a change think of playing all the holes on your course backwards from green to tee.....
If your good from 100 yrds and in take this from the complete distance of the hole only on par 4's and 5's.
Now what your left with see what clubs will hit this distance you'll be surprised that your driver will stay in the bag maybe for a whole round especially if you attack your par 5's with 3 clubs into the green and 2 putts will have you walking away with par....It gets you thinking and you swallow your pride leaving the driver in the bag and playing with your braing for a change.....
I did this in my last round and was blown away with how i could keep the ball in play.

 

[TRS30]

Concur, some very sound advice there.

I try to not have any swing thoughts on the golf course if playing in a comp. Swing thoughts are for the practice ground/round.

 

[HRC99]

So you aren't being taught by this guy

J.C.Anderson

I know it's been done before but it's worth another spin for the newbies.

Love it. Done that once or twice. Sadly, in competition.

 

[bobmac]

I try to not have any swing thoughts on the golf course if playing in a comp. Swing thoughts are for the practice ground/round.

But some people can't play like that.
There's nothing wrong with having swing thoughts on the course in comps as long as it's only one or maybe two.
After all, why practice one way and play a different way?

 

[ShriekingSheet]

I agree with bobmac, even Rotella advocates one simple swing thought for some people. That's certainly what seems to work for me, when I think back to the best runs of holes I've played.

I think once it's simple, and you've practice it properly, as opposed to trying a new swing thought that day, it's fine.

 

[sfby]

My swing thought....

I wonder where my ball will end up this time?

 

[StrangelyBrown]

On the course I try to think about getting my grip right and getting my address right. I forget about these once i'm over the ball so I can concentrate on making a proper shoulder turn and not swinging too fast.

When putting I try and keep it simple, straight back and straight through so I can concentrate on the line and pace.

I'm still sh!te though, but improving

 

[Robobum]

I can't see how it would be possible to swing the club without some form of thought going on even if it is something painfully simple.

I could just see myself stood in position, mind cleared, staring at the ball, staring....staring....zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

 

[BigBoppa]

I could not agree more. But practice on the short game more than any thing