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Follow the Progress here! So I am sure some of you have seen my discussion in the “random thread” but wanted to start a longer discussion as I am sure some folks are interested in this. Guess I will start with me. I am not a small guy at 5’11” 203 lbs. I can eat let’s put it that way....and enjoy food of all types. I have tried pretty much anything and everything. Recently looking into just cleaner eating my wife and I decided to go down this road and fully commit. She will be prepping a majority of the meals as I am more of a griller. The reason we decided to do this is we have been eating out a lot more recently on top of not getting as much exercise as we normally would we have just felt ehhhh. On top of that there is a lot of research and proof that several diseases can be prevented and if not reversed by a clean plant based diet. I will be logging daily meals we eat, not all but ones I think are pretty good and appealing to eat. I will also be tracking my weight loss if any weekly. With that I want to make sure A) I feel better but B) see if there is any improvement in my golf game as well specifically making sure my SS stays up With weight loss I’ll be tracking to make sure my swing speed doesn’t dip. Last time out my SS dropped pretty drastically and I think was because I was tired after an indoor simulator day. I want to see if I can keep my swing speed up and my overall energy up. This will be pretty subjective energy wise so I will use a 1-10 scale most likely. For the first month I’ll be pretty dedicated to making sure I’m only eating clean. I will most likely start incorporating the occasional steak down the road but for now it will be strictly clean. if anyone is interested in seeing something specific let me know will be glad to Incorporate. *Also taking suggestions on title name*

I'm not playing today due our first real cold front of the season. Windy too. So, I've been thinking about this past year and my golf game specifically. What did I accomplish? Where did I fail? What can I do differently in 2016 to better my game, etc, etc. Thinking, thinking. In January 2015 I decided I'd make a real effort to improve my game. How was I going to do this you ask? Three ways that I figured would certainly help. 1. Start taking lessons/coaching - more focused practice. 2. Drop a few pounds and improve my diet. 3. Start and maintain a weekly stretching program. Lessons/coaching - In February I took my first of 6 lessons so far this year. I worked with a local PGA Pro and occasional Champions Tour player. From the start we discussed what my objectives were and how we'd get there. In a nut shell I didn't need to make any drastic swing changes. I already had/have a decent swing. We worked more on some fundamentals and minor changes. Such as... ball position, alignment, where on the handle I grip the club (I know what you're thinking*), shot shaping, short game, etc, etc. I'll rate my lesson/coaching experience as a 10. Did it improve my ball striking and scoring? Yes. Defiantly and rather quickly. I'm now thinking of stepping things up for 2016. Right now I'd like to explore working with my Pro twice a week through the first 6 months of 2016 then once a month thereafter. Diet/weight control - Last January 2014 I went on the Eat Less by Plaid diet and dropped 15 pounds. I've continued to practice my method pretty much but gained back 5 pounds in 2015. I'll refocus starting in January 2016 and shave those 5 pounds quickly. I rate my success this year a 7.5. Stretching program - In 2014 I purchased a golf specific stretching program by Roger Fredericks. I've got to tell you; I've been pretty much a complete failure for two years with the program. The best I did was in 2014 when I worked it for 3 months and quit. Just as results were starting to show. Dumb. So... once again beginning in 2016 I start again. Let me say, it's not the program it's me. The program is very good and simple. And it doesn't take much time to go through each day. At home. Perhaps 20 minutes? But it will work. I'm determined to get stretched out this year. I believe this alone will do wonders for my game. Your game too. I rate my stretching as a failure. 0. So there you have it guys. My goal this year was to get my handicap down to a 5 or less. I don't think I'm going to make it unless I get to practice/play more before year end. Hopefully, I'll maintain my current 6. *my instructor at my first lesson had me grip down on the club. I now grip/hold the club with my left hand about1” to 1.5” below the butt end. (I play right-handed) I used to hold the club with the butt slightly resting on the meat portion inside my left palm. Now the butt extends slightly past my hand when gripped properly. My instructor said, “This is how pros hold the club.” Well that's for me. Take a look on TV sometime and you'll notice it. This alone made more noticeable and immediate improvement in ball striking than most any other thing we worked on all summer. Try it.