Who am I kidding? had to share.....

[CMAC]

Went to the range at the weekend and a tour player was there (he shall remain nameless)....

Now we all want to improve and we all can hit the occasional 'oustanding' shot like the pro's......can't we?
Well I thought I could, and strive to do so, but watching the iron shots being struck crisply with an ever rising flight path to that parabolic arc just made me realise I'm not playing in the same game as these guys

Then he pulled out the driver and I don't think I'll forget the flightpath and distance of every one of his drives, they were so good I felt quite depressed at how massive the gap is in ball striking.

On a positive note its made me want to work much much harder and develop proper ball striking and not accept my current mediocre level

 

[Piece]

Come on, who was it?!

And yes, they do play a different game...

 

[Hobbit]

I have the pleasure of playing with a pro on a regular basis, and it is a very different game they play. We pride ourselves with our scoring at times but to see them do it on perhaps our low stroke index holes like we do it on our easy holes... and then they go and do it on a course that measures over 7000 yds under the sort of pressure we only experience when we've got a good card going in a board comp maybe once in a blue moon.

Yep, they're a different breed.

My abiding memory of just how good they can be, and of the differences at their level, was of watching Seve in a practice round for the British Open at Turnberry with 3 other Spaniards. My first time seeing real tour pro's playing. The other 3 teed off first, wow, and then Seve teed off, WOW!!!

 

[StrangelyBrown]

I've been to two tour events this year and watching a pro golfer hit balls is a joy to watch.

 

[HRC99]

It's the same at any sport. The difference in levels is colossal.

I was a pretty handy squash player - playing to a decent level - and, via a friend of mine, got the chance to play with an England U21 player. We knocked up and he said that he wanted to get me thinking more about my shot placement and that, if I hit a shot with thought then he'd keep the rally going and, if I hit a thoughtless shot, he'd finish the rally.

I thought "You cheeky sod, thinking you can finish the rally whenever you like. I'll show you." Well, after about 45 seconds, it was clear that he could win the point instantly. It was a very chastening experience.

Just good to hear it has inspired you though.

 

[CliveW]

Then he pulled out the driver and I don't think I'll forget the flightpath and distance of every one of his drives, they were so good I felt quite depressed at how massive the gap is in ball striking.
[/QUOTE

That puts paid to the old argument that range balls are crap then!

 

[thecraw]

They can really step it up when they want. Watching a pro hit balls can really open your eyes.

 

[Khamelion]

Then he pulled out the driver and I don't think I'll forget the flightpath and distance of every one of his drives, they were so good I felt quite depressed at how massive the gap is in ball striking.

That puts paid to the old argument that range balls are crap then!

I think it all depends on the range. If you go to a large public range, the balls tends to be 'cheaper' in look and feel, where as if you go to a country club style range that has an associated pro linked to it, the balls tend to be of a lot better quality.

 

[SonicBoom]

Then again I guess we would all strike the ball considerably better if it was all we had done since the age of 10!
I read recently that some of them will hit 2000 a day in practice.

 

[sev112]

i've played cricket with 2 ENgland players and once Sussex first teamer.

The Sussex guy was a very medium pacer, but the only way you could play him in the nets was to get on your front foot really early - he used to hate itm because in a match yoyu would just chuck in a short one, but it was hard to do that to your own team in practice.

Adam Holioake did say "great shot" to me after hitting a really nice pull sweep for 6.


(Name dropper i know )

 

[sev112]

Pros do appear to be quite good, but my abiding memory from my first trip to Wentworth for the PGA god knows how many years ago, was how many duffs, sclaffs, tops, thins and shanks the pros hit - and also how few putts actually go in.

Watch Sky or BBC and you know that most putts go in teh hole, and that if Sky show an iron shot then it goes in the hole

 

[HomerJSimpson]

The top pros are different class even from good club pros in terms of the ball striking. I think the OP Needs to name names though

 

[CMAC]

this wasnt a top pro (that I know of) and I've seen many many top pro's and this guy hit it as well as them.

 

[Flarkey]

Playing at the Thetford forum meet with bobmac really opened my eyes, and he's just a club pro*!

*no offence bob!

 

[Mark_Aged_42]

i think its the same with any sport. I used to know some Southend United footballers years ago, and we would ocaissionally have a kick about in the park - yes, really. Even a Division 4, as it was back then, professional had balance and timing that seemed to be from another planet. So much time on the ball because their first touch was so good it was instantly under control, and in the correct place relative to their feet for the next touch. But when I had possession...oh dear!