Yes, very obvious, but had to share.

[Bogey in The Woods]

First, let me say, been very busy with new job, so havent had a lot of time to get on the boards and really chat with you guys. 

 

However, as many of you know, and some have seen in person, I suffer from a very serious disease known as Slice-itis. It is terrible some days and mild on others. It has cost me tons on replacement equipment(balls).

 

Even though it has been said many a time here on the boards by a multitude of people, I never paid attention to you snake oil salesmen that tout the miracle cure known as "lessons"!

 

No my friends, i would not but into that hogwash, gobbledy gook, down right tom-foolery you claimed would result in this lesson stuff. 

 

However my friends, let me say I am now a convert. 

 

My wife signed me up for an extension course at UT. The course is taught by Barbara Puett. This is one of the main instructors out at the Barton Creek Golf Academy. You can read a bunch about her, but all I had to know was that she was a student of Harvey Penick, himself. That was all I had to know to look forward to this. 

 

The class had 20 students from all walks of life. Sadly, I was probably the most advanced of the students. The first class was spent putting, chipping and pitching. If you were a bad student, you had to go catch other students pitches (just kidding). I learned several simple things in that lesson that have streamlined my pre-shot routine and form in the short game. 

 

But at the end of lesson one (four lesson class), I felt a little empty. Sure, I honed some short game skills. But, as Brad Paisley says: "I'm still a Guy." So what does that mean? I want to hit it FAR!!!!!!!  My inner caveman was crying to hit little rock with big stick! 

 

So I said a little prayer to course marshal upstairs and hoped for the second lesson. Again, putting, chipping and pitching. The first hour and a half of the 2 hour lesson was short game. 

 

Finally at 30 minutes left we were directed to the driving range with our 8 irons. Again, more drills that led to half swings, and punch-type shots. After 30 minutes of that class was over. I walked back to my cart and grabbed my three wood and driver. We were invited to hit as much as we wanted until Barbara leaves.  At near 100 degrees, she quickly headed for her AC controlled office. I remained on the purgatory that was the range. 

 

Now all my drills I had learned were quickly working to eliminate my big flying elbow. So I was happy to a degree. Yet even with that, my disease flared up, and balls flew to the right. After about 25 more minutes on the range, the driver had come and gone through my hands. It's disappointing shots quickly sent it back to the rack in favor of my three wood. 

 

After 4 or 5 shots with the 3 wood, Barbara walks from her office out towards me and in her no nonsense voice tells me to hit a few for her. Again, my disease flares and balls are donated to the woodline on the right of the range. 

 

She watches my first offering and says, " do you like that?"

 

"No"

 

"Wanna keep hitting out there?"

 

"No ma'am."

 

"show me your back swing"

 

(slow-motion back swing). 

 

"good."

 

"show me your grip"

 

(turn towards her with basic grip)

 

"Well no WONDER!"

 

(grumbling from both student and teacher while my hands are manually being placed into a very weird feeling grip)

 

"Now hit a ball"

 

Now let me say that on a good day my three wood is around 200 yards. In fact my Game Golf stats have my avg at 204. So that is what I am expecting. 

 

Ya know that feeling  when you're 280-300 away from the green on that par five and your playing partner says I am gonna wait so I don't hit em? even though he has been worm burning them 80 yards all day. 

 

Well imagine if that was you and the stars align, the golf gods smile down upon you all is right in the world that for that one second, the golfing universe revolves around you. THAT was this shot. The contact was nice and solid. The ball blasted off the club in a manner that was really uncharacteristic of a range ball. STRAIGHT AS AN ARROW! The ball carried past the 250 flag. Couldn't see the roll out due to mounds on the range. 

 

I looked at Barbara in shock. 

 

"Wipe that dumb look off your face and do it again so you know I wasnt feedin you a line of trash"

 

The same results, with a slight draw.  As I turned to tell her how awesome that felt she says," now dont bother me unless you have a real problem" and walks off. 

 

 

Bottom line boys and girls: THE SNAKE OIL WORKS!!!!!!!

 

As the title implied......yes I know this was all obvious.......... but I never claimed to be real smart. So I needed a little push to drink the Kool Aid. 

 

[Kenny B]

It's always nice to start with the basics.  If the grip isn't good, then you introduce a whole lot of issues to try an compensate for a bad grip.  Glad you found the solution.

 

FYI, by working on the pitches you are also grooving a mini version of the full swing.  But start out with the correct fundamentals, please!

[Undershooter]

I'm guessing your grip was way to weak? And yea a good teacher can pick up on those things pretty quickly. I haven't taken a lesson yet but it isn't because I don't believe in them. I just haven't found a teacher in my area yet that I believe knows his stuff(I'm sure some do but I'm not going to shell out money to all of them until I find one I like). Plus I play a couple of the pros around here for money in wolf games and such and there is no chance I'm letting them tinker with my swing LOL

 

I'm glad you found a good one! Also glad your slice-itis is fixed! Congrats sir

[PlaidJacket]

Hey I got some news for ya Bogey. You're not going to be a 20 handicapper much longer my friend. Taking lessons is a good thing for everyone that wants to play better. Even better players like Undershooter will tell you.... there is always something to improve on or correct. I used to play a lot more when I was younger and could play my way into a good game. This year starting in March I decided to start taking lessons periodically to sharpen my game and lower my scores again. It's paying off already. For me I'd basically gotten lazy. So, my lessons are more like coaching along with a tip here and there. No big swing changes. Just sharpen it up a bit. My goal for this year/season was to shave 2 pts. off my handicap. I've dropped one already and I feel like could drop another within the next month hopefully. Who knows? Perhaps I'll go even lower. Now back to you...

 

Here's one of the best pieces of advice I can give you: Try to find some guys that are much better than you (like an Undershooter) to play with as often as you can. Yes, lessons are a good thing. But, when you can get your handicap down to say around a 12 (and you will quickly) you can play with anybody and not hold these good players back. Know what I mean? I was fortunate many years ago to have a good group to play with and learn from. Those guys taught me a lot. They wanted me to play better and I did. Good luck Bogey. 

[jbil8802]

Here's one of the best pieces of advice I can give you: Try to find some guys that are much better than you (like an Undershooter) to play with as often as you can. Yes, lessons are a good thing. But, when you can get your handicap down to say around a 12 (and you will quickly) you can play with anybody and not hold these good players back. Know what I mean? I was fortunate many years ago to have a good group to play with and learn from. Those guys taught me a lot. They wanted me to play better and I did. Good luck Bogey.

This is spot on. I got invited to play with a Wednesday group at my club. These guys are good. 4 scratch players that are the captains and a bunch of low single digit players. Then about 4 low double digits including myself. Last Wednesday was my first time playing with them. Our team teed off last and I'm sitting there watching everyone hit their tee shots and thinking, "What in the hell am I even doing here?" Once I got over the nerves I ended up shooting my best round there yet.

 

I had some embarassing moments, including a heart-pounding, hands-sweating 4 putt for a double on #1 and some god awful shots throughout the round.

 

My buddy that got me into the group owns our local driving range and is scratch, a former pro, instructor, etc etc. He knows how much time I put in at the range but he wanted me to play with them so that I would be playing competitively in some pressure situations. Some of the other guys commented that I would improve quickly by playing with them and I'm starting to see why he hounded me about it for so long.

[Undershooter]

I can't agree with what Plaid and Jbil8802 said enough. It's huge to play with people who are better than you. Even if I don't play well, I at least learn something. And odds are I will play well. Sadly I don't get to do this much although I'm always looking to play with a group of scratch or + handicaps

[Bogey in The Woods]

Thanks for all the comments guys. With the new job, I am hoping for a lot more time to practice and play in a regular weekend game. The wife insists that we are in a position to get me a membership at one of the local clubs. With the baby on the way, I want to wait a few more weeks to see how we will be sitting. 

 

I really am working to get out more with better players. Thats why I am always willing to try to get to a round anywhere with people who want to play. What I have learned from people on these boards and those few from MGS I have been fortunate enough to play with, or practice with have been worth their weight in gold.

 

Luckily, there is a big range about a mile from work that I am going to start hitting a few nights a week. Once the baby is here, I am hoping to get in a regular game.

 

I am always looking forward to my Sunday class now. After this UT class is over, I may see if I can scrounge enough dough together for a few private lessons with her.

 

So I am putting HULA ROCK on notice..........I am coming for you buddy.