What/How Did You Practice Today?

[SteddyGolf]

With a tremendous storm bearing down on Oahu there is no golf nor practice happening anywhere on island. Unless of course you are in my back yard. Chipping balls for two hours into the wind and rain off my pride and joy. That pride and joy being the Callaway FT Launch Zone hitting mat. The best $34 I've ever spent.

 

The mat is small enough to fit in one of your golf bag side pockets and has an incredible soft feel. I use it in the back yard to practice chipping and pitching. I also take it to the range to practice full shots for the synthetic grass is much more club friendly than your average commercial driving range mat. I've even taken it to the golf course on extremely muddy days using it through out the practice round.

 

So adjusting to my surroundings as we brace for inevitable impact......... I practice by whatever means possible [emoji106]

 

 

 

 

 

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[PING Apologist #9]

With a tremendous storm bearing down on Oahu there is no golf nor practice happening anywhere on island. Unless of course you are in my back yard. Chipping balls for two hours into the wind and rain off my pride and joy. That pride and joy being the Callaway FT Launch Zone hitting mat. The best $34 I've ever spent.

 

The mat is small enough to fit in one of your golf bag side pockets and has an incredible soft feel. I use it in the back yard to practice chipping and pitching. I also take it to the range to practice full shots for the synthetic grass is much more club friendly than your average commercial driving range mat. I've even taken it to the golf course on extremely muddy days using it through out the practice round.

 

So adjusting to my surroundings as we brace for inevitable impact......... I practice by whatever means possible [emoji106]

 

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Stay safe over there!

[revkev]

 

I started here - with putting - especially 4 footers.

 

 

Then move to here - there were balls out and about - I just walked to them, interpreted the lie and alternated between the two pins - three inches of thick Bermuda I hit everything from growing into me to sitting on top to the trap - great practice.

 

 

Then to here - 3 full shots with each club to 3 wood - hit a bunch of those alternating pins on either side of the range and 3 woods between the Tour exotics and 3 HL SLDR. The Tour Exotics was the winner, easily better club head speed, higher trajectory only one that I would call a hook.

 

Finished with drivers from both sides of the range. I'm really trying to increase the club head speed. Hit 90 with the 3 wood and averaged 90 with the driver - that's getting there for me. My goal is 93 by October. That's LPGA average and where I was at as a sub 1 index.

 

Today was the first time in a long time where I felt as if my swing was automatic - I was hitting lots of shots that looked the same. All the irons were and also the Tour exotic 3 woods and most of the drivers. That's the goal. From there I can vary my trajectory - but not the shot shape unless I have to.

 

 

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[bardle]

With a tremendous storm bearing down on Oahu there is no golf nor practice happening anywhere on island. Unless of course you are in my back yard. Chipping balls for two hours into the wind and rain off my pride and joy. That pride and joy being the Callaway FT Launch Zone hitting mat. The best $34 I've ever spent.

 

The mat is small enough to fit in one of your golf bag side pockets and has an incredible soft feel. I use it in the back yard to practice chipping and pitching. I also take it to the range to practice full shots for the synthetic grass is much more club friendly than your average commercial driving range mat. I've even taken it to the golf course on extremely muddy days using it through out the practice round.

 

So adjusting to my surroundings as we brace for inevitable impact......... I practice by whatever means possible [emoji106]

 

IMG_0040.JPG

 

 

 

 

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I have that thing. Punch tees in the hanger part to keep it down and I take full swings at flat balls. That thing can take a beating. I've put probably 600 full swings on it with a 7 iron and no signs of it giving out yet. I love it.

 

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[RickyBobby_PR]

Been almost two weeks since I touched a club. Rhythm and weight transfer were off. Struggled with consistent contact and ball flight. Found a little bit of my swing near the end of the session. Definitely need to get more time at the range to get it figured out. Hopefully I can keep things smooth tomorrow on the course

[cksurfdude]

Played a practice 9 (this course has several temporary greens as they're being repaired/re-sod).

 

Decided to focus on using only the 4W off the tee .. hit 4 of 7 fairways with pretty good shots; and with no one right behind us re-tee'ed on two others and hit really good shots (classic, right? I mean: why can't you hit your second shot first!). On one of the Par 5s I topped the ball and just played it.

 

The two Par 3 shots were not great but both playable. First one short-right and the second was close to pin high and right. Chipped on ok both times, right on line but left both a bit short and could not sink either first putt but left them pretty close.

 

So making some good progress overall .... But... next area that needs work and improvement is second shots (on longer holes) and approach shots.

[dhartmann34]

I actually visited the range to hit a few balls today... But mostly to work on getting the club up and having a smoother transition.

 

I also wanted to work on keeping my head behind the ball and a little more weight on my right foot, to stop the big cut I've been seeing with my woods.

 

Was a good session with only 30 balls.

 

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[pulledabill]

Nothing gained? what happened? Exaggerating the fix always helps me the most then dialing it back down...I'm curious whats up here. Maybe some smarter than me folks can give you advice.

Just a horrible practice session...nothing went good.

[cksurfdude]

Here's an interesting drill I haven't seen nor heard of before - this gentleman was gripped down a bit on a driver and hitting balls tee'ed up really high.

 

If you zoom in you may be able to see he had two sets of super size tees set up; the 4 or 5 forward ones he set up a ball on each, just enough width apart to fit the driver head through!, and whack!-whack!-whack!

 

He seemed pretty intent on what he was working on so didn't want to interrupt him to ask about it (plus my wife and I really wanted to get to the bar for a nice cold refreshment!).

 

So, I "assume" this is a type of contact and/or plane + path awareness drill..??

 

Anyone do this, and can you explain more?

[No3PuttLaLa]

Today was a Great range day. Started with my 8i and worked my way up my bag. Hitting 4 balls at targets based on club distance. Was dead nuts today.

 

Hitting my driver 250 yards carry into back netting.

 

Finished with my wedges. Super happy with the practice sesh. Going to try and get out for an AM round Th.

 

 

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[JohnnyPenso]

I practice once or twice a week and play once a week most of the season, but a few times a year manage to squeeze in a few extra rounds on a small golf trip or vacation.  I'm still in the process of rebuilding my swing so I tend to run through my bag to ensure any changes I've made are working with all the clubs.  Not every club but typically Driver, fairway wood off the turf, 1 hybrid, 1 mid-iron, 1 short iron and then my 56 for different shots from 30-85 yards.  Lots of chipping and putting but we don't have a really good practice facility in one spot in this area to get in a variety of shots to a variety of green conditions.  One course has a good sized practice green but no flat spots on it at all so you are either putting up, down or sidehill and the green is elevated for the most part.  On another course that has a range it's a good sized green but either dead flat or with a hump in the middle, something you never actually see on course here.   Finding a bunker to practice out of that launches onto a green is nigh on impossible. 

[cksurfdude]

Had a great lesson this morning - he worked me hard on using the legs and body more, and on quieting the wrists and keeping the arms connected throughout the entire swing. When I can get it, I'm getting a nice high, straight and consistent ball flight (yea!).

 

One of the things he showed me .. and a lot of you guys may already know this .. was to take your setup position with your butt up against a tree (or wall or whatever is nearby) and take a slow backswing keeping your trail butt cheek against the tree .. and then a slow downswing with both butt cheeks touching the tree again .. and then the follow-through with your lead butt cheek still touching the tree.

 

Also worked on aim & alignment and tested it by going at various targets at various distances .. with varying success... ;-)

[Kenny B]

Had a great lesson this morning - he worked me hard on using the legs and body more, and on quieting the wrists and keeping the arms connected throughout the entire swing. When I can get it, I'm getting a nice high, straight and consistent ball flight (yea!).

 

One of the things he showed me .. and a lot of you guys may already know this .. was to take your setup position with your butt up against a tree (or wall or whatever is nearby) and take a slow backswing keeping your trail butt cheek against the tree .. and then a slow downswing with both butt cheeks touching the tree again .. and then the follow-through with your lead butt cheek still touching the tree.

 

Also worked on aim & alignment and tested it by going at various targets at various distances .. with varying success... ;-)

It's a good drill.  It's easy to slip out of your posture during the swing.  When you do, bad things tend to happen.

[Kenny B]

I'm not really sure where to post this, and I don't think it warrants a new thread.  Since I didn't really play tonight, it's not a How'd you play? post either.  So...

 

My wife and I went out tonight for a 9-hole practice session.  I wasn't feeling very well, and it showed on several shots.  However, I did hit a few good ones.  When we walked off #9 green, we looked over to the practice area.  On the pitching green, our asst. pro was giving a pitching lesson.  However, on the putting green there was a guy with a big white and gold Cadillac Championship staff bag with his name on it.  He had been chipping balls to a hole, maybe 30-40 balls, and they were all within 3 feet of the cup and the cup was full.  I told my wife that I want lessons from that guy!!  I thought I practiced those shots a lot and was a reasonably decent chipper.  Nope!  I have a lot more work to do!!

 

My wife is not shy, so she goes up to the guy.  I follow and we introduce ourselves.  His name is Vern Burns and played on the Nationwide Tour (now web.com tour) back in the early 1990's.  He took up golf at age 37, and he was on the cover of the 2006 African-American Golf Digest magazine.  He is from Los Angeles, and he met Earl Woods 3 weeks before Tiger won his third amateur championship.  He hung out with Tiger a lot.  He also got a few chipping tips from Kirk Triplett.  

 

He has been in town for a little over a week, and is going to be working here for the next 5 months.  He says he spends most of his time doing short game practice and hopefully, we will be seeing him here at my course.  He seems like a great guy.  Do a Google search on Vern Burns - professional golfer.

[MattF]

Actually going to the range this afternoon to work on the driver and see why I'm all of a sudden hooking.

[cnosil]

He has been in town for a little over a week, and is going to be working here for the next 5 months. He says he spends most of his time doing short game practice and hopefully, we will be seeing him here at my course. .

Are you just going to stalk him or are you going to try and get some tips? [emoji846]

[Kenny B]

Are you just going to stalk him or are you going to try and get some tips? [emoji846]

LOL.  It sounds like he might play a little with my wife and I; we'll see.  However, if he's hanging out in the short game area, then I'm sure we will be there together.  Hopefully, I can pick up some info like he did years ago from Triplett.  He did say that Triplett told him that chipping was done almost entirely with the lead arm.

[cnosil]

. He did say that Triplett told him that chipping was done almost entirely with the lead arm.

Well at least I am doing that part. I am lead arm dominant throughout the bag.

[Har in the Hat]

Went to the range to work on solidifying the swing changes adopted during yesterday's lesson. I'll tell you what, this swing really works for me and the way my coach talked about it really has set-in and corresponds to my feel! I was stoked afterward! I really have a feel for these changes. I'm excited. Here's a pic I sent my pro. This was after hitting TEN shots in the exact same spot on my 9 iron!

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isn't that a great feeling.

awesome work.

 

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[Kenny B]

Well at least I am doing that part. I am lead arm dominant throughout the bag.

That's part of my new swing change; trying to get there.  When everything gets synced up, it works beautifully.  However, there are days when I am halfway between my old swing and my new swing.  Not good.

[cksurfdude]

It's a good drill. It's easy to slip out of your posture during the swing. When you do, bad things tend to happen.

Oh yeah, don't I know that! Have (soon to be "had"??) a bad tendency (in golf) to get forward onto the balls of my feet.........

[Kenny B]

Oh yeah, don't I know that! Have (soon to be "had"??) a bad tendency (in golf) to get forward onto the balls of my feet.........

Getting onto the balls of your feet is a great athletic move IF you are going to move in any direction to react to a situation.  You don't want that type of move in golf, and basically you want a stable base.  

 

I can get out of balance too; I attribute it to old age.  We tend to fall a lot, at least according to the robo calls I get saying "...3 out of 4 people over the age of 65 falls every year.  Don't be a statistic."  Maybe I do need Life Alert.

[russtopherb]

Today was the first time I hit balls in at least 2 weeks. I felt it too for the first few balls. Once I settled in I just bounced around the bag, hitting everything but driver (can't track the ball during this time of day at the range I go to on my lunch break). Aside from one big nasty hook with my Heavenwood, ballflight was really good - my misses the past few times I've been out have been pushes, which I'm OK with. I really need to make sure my backswing finishes before I start down, as long as I don't rush I've been hitting the ball really well.

 

Crossing my fingers I can get out for a round either Sunday or Monday! 

[cksurfdude]

Getting onto the balls of your feet is a great athletic move IF you are going to move in any direction to react to a situation. You don't want that type of move in golf, and basically you want a stable base.

 

I can get out of balance too; I attribute it to old age. We tend to fall a lot, at least according to the robo calls I get saying "...3 out of 4 people over the age of 65 falls every year. Don't be a statistic." Maybe I do need Life Alert.

LOL'ing!!! Do they make a sport-specific "Golf Alert"..? [emoji12]

[BurkeAliciouS09]

What are some drills you guys use to engage your body correctly in your swing? I don't engage my body nearly enough (I like to use my arms too much) and I am looking to correct this. Any sweet drills?

[GB13]

What are some drills you guys use to engage your body correctly in your swing? I don't engage my body nearly enough (I like to use my arms too much) and I am looking to correct this. Any sweet drills?

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=fNgJEnbp8_0

[tommc23]

I worked on chipping last night and today I'm working on my kayaking skills

 

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[RickyBobby_PR]

After struggling on the range yesterday pre round then finding my swing thought and feeling on the course yetsteray I went to the range today to work on maintaining that feeling. It took me about 30 swings or so but it started coming back.

[GolfSpy MPR]

Spent some time banging balls in the garage, doing some work on wrist angles.

 

Learned that my left hand grip is much weaker than I thought it was (I thought it was pretty neutral). Crossfield had a good video this week analyzing Spieth's swing, and my left hand grip is like his (with my thumb down the top of the shaft).

 

Moved my left hand stronger and found that it encouraged a better hinge through transition. Picked up a little club speed as a result. Strike suffered a bit; my low point changes with this swing. Need to work on that.

 

[Note on club speed: the 94 mph is the goal. This is a bug in Zepp; it puts the goal rather than the result in the exported picture. My average 7 iron, according to Zepp, was actually 89 mph.]

 

And I'm still wondering why my tempo is so slow.

 

[DougC38]

Went to the range yesterday with my 4 year old son to finally get some practice in (it's been around 100* for the past week). Last time at the range was horrible but yesterday went amazing. It took about 10-15 shots before I felt good and everything was clicking after that. Ran through my irons from 9-2 hybrid, and they felt so good I decided to try my driver again. Out of about 10 drivers only 1 slice haha (before it was only 1 straight shot and 9 slices haha). I think I'm finally getting into my groove and it's feeling great!

 

Finished up the night with chipping in my front yard with plastic practice balls and mini putt with the family. Good day... good day