Swing Re-buid - Glad you Done it or Wish You Never Started

[User 105]

I'd be interested to hear other peoples views on this.

For anyone that has gone through a major swing rebuild.

When you got you game stable again, do you think it was worth all the effort and pain ?

The reason I ask is I'm finally starting to get some consistency in my game again and only now after about 18 months starting to shoot the scores I was before the rebuild started.

I can see that I'm now going to be a much better player than I was.

BUT, it completely ruined my enjoyment of the games for 18 months and I'm not convinced it was worth it.

My opinion will probably change in maybe 6-12 months if my scores start to tumble down.

Don't get me wrong I'm actually the happiest I've been about my game in ages and really looking forward to seeing what I can achieve, but I came so close to quitting on more than one occasion that it could have gone either way.

 

[patricks148]

I've just started to see results aftera comp swing rebuild.

I've been playing now 6 years and was self taught and had a very short flat swing, when it worked i was fine getting cut 4 shots in 2010. but over that time i've had the shanks, which i had never had before. Had a couple of lessons and it was fine for a while.

But we came to the conclusion it needed starting from scratch.

worked just on the swing, and this year started using a swingyde, to help with wrist hinge.

Had patches where it started to work early in the year and even shot a 2 under par gross.

Over the last months its really paid off;
went around Carnoustie in 76 gross off the yellow (sss 74) hit buffer a few times when my putting let me down. Did Royal Dornoch in 76 gross, with 5 birdies on a windy day.

Last weekend in our blue comp off the back tee's came 3rd overall and got a cut despite putting badly, 5 three putts tells how low it could have been.

now looking to get down to cat 1 in the next year if possible.

the week before was only 3 over gross after 15 holes and only a plugged ball in the face spoilt the round but still got a cut.

gone from 9.3 to 8.3 in two comps and am now looking farward to playing in comps again.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Hell yeah. Wasted most of 2011 with the teaching pro I had. Should have cut my losses but well and truly hacked it round most of the year with the exception of the GM Centenery qualifier at St Pierre and the final at the Forest of Arden. Apart from that it was inconsistent and the bad was awful.

Swapped to the new guy in December and changed to the Plane Truth methodology and a one plane swing. Even after the initial lesson it was better in terms of ball striking and bit by bot we've taken the bad shots both ways out of the equation. My stock miss is now left and even those aren't as destructive as they once were.

I'm still going through the process and we're getting there layer by layer. He's talking of attacking it full on in the Winter and breaking the bad habits in a short concerted effort. The plan is to come out with a much more stable and repeatable action although he's warned I may not play great while we do it.

I think you need to ask people who have seen me play regularly (hawkeye, bash, sundance) for a more rounded opinion but the results in the work I've done to date are pleasing. I've dropped from 13.4 to 10.9. I've had a second in an honours board event where the winner had a career day to beat me. Second on countback and recently won a medal. Unbeaten in inter-club matches.

Add in a new personal best last night for the back 9 of +1 gross. Hit every fairway and only missed the green at 10 (my only bogey) and 17 when it was a smidge too long and rolled into the fringe (got up and down).

I'm probably mad but I enjoy the range work and the drills every time we make a change and then seeing the effects on the course. It doesn't always work first time out but usually I can see the reason why and so can work on it after. It is much simpler technically and I've lost the 9247 swing thoughts on each shot. It isn't technically right yet (hence the big work in the winter) but it is getting better.

Would I go through the process again. Unquestionably. I've not enjoyed my golf as much as I have in 2012 in a long time. Think that says it all really. Isn't that why we play?

 

[User 105]

patricks, glad to see its now paying off.

Sounds similar to me. I got my first cut in ages, just a .2 at the weekend.

My putting is probably letting me down, same as you. Because I've pretty much spent all my time on full swing, my short game, mainly putting, is not where it needs to be.

I'm not really missing putts I'd say, I'm just not making many. If that makes sense.

 

[patricks148]

patricks, glad to see its now paying off.

Sounds similar to me. I got my first cut in ages, just a .2 at the weekend.

My putting is probably letting me down, same as you. Because I've pretty much spent all my time on full swing, my short game, mainly putting, is not where it needs to be.

I'm not really missing putts I'd say, I'm just not making many. If that makes sense.

sods law on Saturday i did spend 10 mins on the putting green, sank everything from long distance, i dont usually bother and putt better than i did on that day, the most disapointing was 2 of the 3 par fives o was on in two and they are both well over 550 yards and one of those was into the wind. 3 putted both. just could not get the pace right until the last few holes, still got 4 birdies so sank a few 10 footers and hashed more.

Putting practice is the way to go for me now, as you say spent all my time on iron play of late.

 

[User 105]

Homer, glad to hear things are on the up.

I was one planeing for a while with my last coach and got to say I had good results. A much simpler swing.

Unfortunately for various reasons I couldn't see him as much as I needed so swapped to a more local guy who wasn't a one planer. So have moved back to a 2 plane swing.

I guess you know yourself that there are lot of differences between the two that aren't immediately obvious, but subtle enough to completely mess you up for a while.

Now I've got confidence in my swing I'm able to commit to my shots much more. And I'm probably hitting my irons 2, almost 3, clubs further and with control.

I'm able to now start getting some control on trajectory as well, which I never could with my old swing.

 

[Curls]

I'm starting to think about this, will watch the thread with interest. I came down from 17 to 11 this year and then had a bit too much of a lay off, struggling to find my April/May form in the rain. Played our club matchplay comp Friday against a 7 h/c and he hit the ball so much better than I did it wasn't even funny. Trajectory, strike, it was an eye-opener. I beat him on the 4th play-off hole and it wasn't a hollow victory by any means because I played the best golf I have in while to do so, but I couldn't help feeling I won't progress unless I learn how to hit the ball that cleanly, and I know I can't do that myself. The thought of not enjoying my golf during the transition is holding me back, so might wait til winter but by the sounds of it I won't be ready come next season... Bloody game.

 

[JustOne]

Played our club matchplay comp Friday against a 7 h/c and he hit the ball so much better than I did it wasn't even funny. Trajectory, strike, it was an eye-opener.

You need to see Fundy hit the ball...... that'll open your eyes I've seen scratch golfers that don't hit it as well.

 

[Alex1975]

For me it has been an ongoing thing for a while now, maybe 18 months. I know I was flicking at the ball, not moving my weight and was coming over the top. It took a huge amount of time to stop coming over the top and about the same to start to move my weight forward.

I have had the time to work on these things as I have a little girl now so am having a year off being a member at the club, stratigraphy this has worked out well. I have enjoyed every moment of the process and will without doubt hit the ball better, I am as always impatient but will keep working and enjoying.


I can still flick at the ball, I can still come over the top and I can still leave my weight behind but these things only come now when I go at it or get tired. The HUGE hole in my game is now my chipping and putting, this seems like a mountain to climb and like anything that seems insurmountable I have done very little about it to this point.

 

[FairwayDodger]

Not sure my swing changes quite qualify as a complete rebuild.

However, back end of last year I was stuck at handicap 10, breaking 80 often enough (Par 69 at my place) but unable to hit low 70s.

A series of lessons over the winter with my club pro who identified various issues which resulted in significant changes. Got these bedded in over the winter and early part of the season - I am playing huge amounts of golf so maybe got used to it quicker than others.

Anyway, started scoring low seventies regularly and got handicap down to 7, with scope to go lower, I hope!

Very glad I did it!

 

[CMAC]

Got to single figs self taught, could do most things with the ball, but when it went wrong I didnt really know why plus it would go really wrong!

So embarked on getting a better posture, grip, and most importantly swing plane. Things get worse before better, now when it goes wrong I know why and the handicap funnily enough gets better then worse, so not much improvement but I cant practice as much which might be the answer.

 

[User 105]

Some interesting comments about the quality of strike.

What I thought was a great strike about a year ago when I was off 12 isn't even close to a great strike now.

At the time I thought I hit the ball pretty well.

But now, it's worlds apart. Just the feel and the sound off the face. Completely different.

Amazing what happens when you attack the ball from the right angle

 

[Alex1975]

Amazing what happens when you attack the ball from the right angle

!!!!!!!!

 

[USER1999]

I am still very undecided about this.

I started a swing rebuild in January. Intitially it was pretty terrible, but gradually I have seen some improvement.

However, I still have little confidence in it. During a lesson, I have never hit the ball better, but on the course it comes and goes. If the point of the exercise was to obtain a more repeatable swing, it hasn't worked. Yet.

I have not had a lesson for about 8 weeks, and I think this is a mistake. I have another one tomorrow to see what I have changed, as it's bound to be something.

I think a big issue for me is yardage. I have added a lot of distance with my irons, but am not yet happy pulling the right club. I know I can hit 170 ish with a 7i, but when I pull a 7i from the bag I try to hit it hard (why? but probably because I think I need to to get the distance). My swing then falls apart, I thin it or hook it, and then lose a bit of confidence that my swing works. If I just swing easy at it, 170 is well within my range. Stupid really.

Was I happy with my old swing? No.
Am I happy with my current swing? No.

Luckily there are not enough comps left this year to do too much damage to my handicap.

 

[Curls]

You need to see Fundy hit the ball...... that'll open your eyes I've seen scratch golfers that don't hit it as well.

Its funny because I played against a 5 and 6 h/c in a foursomes match and neither of them hit the ball any better than I did, they both had short swings and used their strength but the flight, spin etc was nothing to write home about. Straight enough to stay out of trouble and handy around the greens, but neither had a game I'd aspire to. This guy hit it like a dream, the control on his mid irons was a different level and I consider myself not a small hitter but he out drove me by a mile. I got the better of him around and on the greens but he had the kind of shot making ability I'd love, question is am I willing to take the hit of playing crap while I learn it?!

 

[JustOne]

Its funny because I played against a 5 and 6 h/c in a foursomes match and neither of them hit the ball any better than I did

In general I'd say you don't really see decent ball strikers (or even decent swings) until someone gets to play off approx 3 h/cap. I've seen lots of really ropey 5 h/capper swings where the scoring is held together purely by their short game. Fundy is an exception as he canes it... but then he was lower h/cap when he was a yoof

 

[Alex1975]

In general I'd say you don't really see decent ball strikers (or even decent swings) until someone gets to play off approx 3 h/cap. I've seen lots of really ropey 5 h/capper swings where the scoring is held together purely by their short game. Fundy is an exception as he canes it... but then he was lower h/cap when he was a yoof

What does this tell you about his short game, don't get me wrong, I would take it but that man is a ball strikers ball striker. He was talking to me on the phone the other day about a move to S&T, I scoffed, not cos its S&T or course but because its not something he needs to be looking at....

 

[Curls]

In general I'd say you don't really see decent ball strikers (or even decent swings) until someone gets to play off approx 3 h/cap.

This guy was coming back down, think he'd concentrated on footie for a while, used to be Cat 1, he shot 2 over gross in the club championships last weekend and is a club B team player making his way back into the A team where he was for years, his ball striking was exceptional, just a little wayward off the tee at times (fatal the way out rough is now) and not as clinical around the greens as he should be hence the 7. I've really enjoyed my golf this year and its involved minimal effort really (I dont consider playing 2 or 3 times a week effort!), as in Ive hardly hit the range and not had lessons etc, I know to strike the ball to that standard will take a lot of work and I'm wondering if I'm willing to do it when golf is one of the few things that keeps me sane in a busy job. If I wasn't enjoying it Id go spare. Decisions decisions.

 

[JustOne]

What does this tell you about his short game, don't get me wrong, I would take it but that man is a ball strikers ball striker. He was talking to me on the phone the other day about a move to S&T, I scoffed, not cos its S&T or course but because its not something he needs to be looking at....

Fundy's short game probably lets him down, but then it does for ALL of us, even Westwood can't putt, apparently!

Don't see an issue with Fundy going to S&T, he'd be able to mash it no matter what pattern he uses and S&T is far easier on the body. Not something that should be entered into half heartedly though, if you're going to do it.... do it.

 

[Alex1975]

Fundy's short game probably lets him down, but then it does for ALL of us, even Westwood can't putt, apparently!

Don't see an issue with Fundy going to S&T, he'd be able to mash it no matter what pattern he uses and S&T is far easier on the body. Not something that should be entered into half heartedly though, if you're going to do it.... do it.

I had a conversation in my head with you last night while practising but still cant mentally commit to actually having the conversation.