What/How Did You Practice Today?

[GolfSpy_APH]

Had a better range session today. It was cold and the ball certainly wasn't flying very far, but I was at least able to get into the covered bay and see some flights as well as use top tracer to get some base ish numbers. 

Still working on the swing and trying to make sure it isn't too long. I will say that when I slowed down things a bit I found I was getting stuck and pushing things off left. 

Also will have an update for my Otto Phlex... short version... not for me. Or at least not as comfortable and prefer my other shaft. Still working on and getting comfortable with a higher tee. The tee in the range was max height so there is that to consider, but I didn't sky any! 

[Bang60]

4 hours ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

Had a better range session today. It was cold and the ball certainly wasn't flying very far, but I was at least able to get into the covered bay and see some flights as well as use top tracer to get some base ish numbers. 

Still working on the swing and trying to make sure it isn't too long. I will say that when I slowed down things a bit I found I was getting stuck and pushing things off left. 

Also will have an update for my Otto Phlex... short version... not for me. Or at least not as comfortable and prefer my other shaft. Still working on and getting comfortable with a higher tee. The tee in the range was max height so there is that to consider, but I didn't sky any! 

Hmmm I went from one extreme to the other a sky with my 5wood and air swing with the driver, I was not happy and really just smashed the ball around. Even then I hit some good shots, I can't believe I'd been removed from my booked time and had to play alone thinking I tell them where to stick it...

[GaryF]

Cloudy with forecast of rain all day today, but so far none.  When sun peaked out early afternoon I made my way to the range and had another good session.  Really concentrating on increasing my spine tilt (iron shots) to allow room for my hands on the downswing.  It’s definitely making a difference - I don’t have a launch monitor but trying to fix my hands from redirecting resulting with out-to-in path, causing pull with strong draws.  (The OTT was confirmed during a fitting, with avg -3.5* path annd -1 closed face).  The increase of spine tilt is giving me much straighter shots (on target) with slight draw.  

Am applying the same theory with my driver but I don’t have any data.  I do fight mild OTT resulting in some pulls, pull fades, and mild slices.  Then again, some straight and slight draws.  I’m not too far off with 83% FIR.

What I have noticed with the driver and also 7w setup, with the ball placed forward (inside lead heel), I’ve discovered my left shoulder is a bit open.  I think this skews my physical orientation from my mental orientation (target line).  If I orient with my hands slightly ahead of the club head, I seemed to get started in line with the target.  Another maneuver that seems to help close the shoulder is to start with the club head about 4” behind the ball.   Anyways, this worked a few days ago when I played 9 and also today.  
 

 

[Jim Shaw]

good session on the range today, medium bucket, started with 4o yd shots, went to 60 yards, then worked on some "full" swings with 4 hybrid, driver, trying to get back into it... 4 weeks post surgery and feeling good, then putted for about 30 minutes, started to rain so came home to watch the 'big boys" on the TV...

[GaryF]

1 hour ago, GaryF said:

What I have noticed with the driver and also 7w setup, with the ball placed forward (inside lead heel), I’ve discovered my left shoulder is a bit open.  I think this skews my physical orientation from my mental orientation (target line).  If I orient with my hands slightly ahead of the club head, I seemed to get started in line with the target.  Another maneuver that seems to help close the shoulder is to start with the club head about 4” behind the ball.   Anyways, this worked a few days ago when I played 9 and also today.  
 

 

It just occurred to me that not only would my lead shoulder be slightly open, I think my hips are too.  Taking a few seconds to make sure my hips are parallel with the target line might be the ultimate adjustment. 

[GolfSpy_APH]

Going for another range session. Going to try and lock in some of the swing mechanics I have been working on. 

Easy to say the PGA event this weekend has me hyped for making those improvements ... don't know why, but always watching those guys and how good they are does really make me want to get better!

[David Wolk]

Getting the club to bottom out in front of the ball, minimize/eliminate swaying, maintain good posture:
In all the following, 50/50 weight (or close) on both feet through entire sequence.
Iron to first parallel. Stop. Swing/rotate to finish position only moving forward.
Then, arms to 2nd parallel. Stop. Swing/rotate to finish position without any windup, only moving forward.
I hit balls with strong grip and early set of wrists. Little or no hands after that. 
The rotation accentuates left bend then right bend maintaining posture in hitting area as the swing gets longer.

[cksurfdude]

On 2/8/2023 at 10:31 AM, Kenny B said:

.. working on getting my feel back on our grass

No kidding - one, actually ½, round in Fla and yep I was stabbing the leading edge of the wedge into the Bermuda ...

..in hindsight I shudda tried a Hybrid or 3W putt from where I was

[cksurfdude]

On 2/9/2023 at 6:07 PM, sirchunksalot said:

I've been working this week on dry swings out in the yard where I slowly get to the top, pause, let the club drop, and then rotate. I'm also doing those swings in the house without a club in order to work on not pulling the club down and letting my hands get separated in the downswing. When I pull it off, it's fascinating how I can also get my weight shifted to my left heel in my follow through. That's something that has eluded me forever. 

Sounds great!! Keep at it

Also sounds a bit like Monte NTC .. which I've been reviewing and working on; been really really helpful for me!

[chisag]

3 minutes ago, cksurfdude said:

I was stabbing the leading edge of the wedge into the Bermuda

 

... When you are used to Bent grass, Bermuda can be a killer. I never had a wedge literally stop dead isn the grass like it hit a soft brick wall until I tried a flop shot into some Bermuda grain. 

[Kenny B]

22 minutes ago, cksurfdude said:

No kidding - one, actually ½, round in Fla and yep I was stabbing the leading edge of the wedge into the Bermuda ...

..in hindsight I shudda tried a Hybrid or 3W putt from where I was

Didn't Monte show you that shot at the clinic?  I hit that shot reasonably well

[Rickp]

59 minutes ago, chisag said:

 

... When you are used to Bent grass, Bermuda can be a killer. I never had a wedge literally stop dead isn the grass like it hit a soft brick wall until I tried a flop shot into some Bermuda grain. 

 

59 minutes ago, chisag said:

 

... When you are used to Bent grass, Bermuda can be a killer. I never had a wedge literally stop dead isn the grass like it hit a soft brick wall until I tried a flop shot into some Bermuda grain. 

Bermuda is not my friend…

[sirchunksalot]

1 hour ago, cksurfdude said:

Sounds great!! Keep at it

Also sounds a bit like Monte NTC .. which I've been reviewing and working on; been really really helpful for me!

That's what I'm kind of working with, but with a little variation. I'm working slowly on the backswing portion until I get to the top of the swing where I'll do the cast part, then aggressively rotating to get the feel for getting to the heel of my left foot. I've never been good at this, probably due to my extreme lack of mobility in my left foot. It's feeling good so far and I'm annoy to head outside and work on it. 

[chisag]

8 minutes ago, Rickp said:

Bermuda is not my friend…

 

 

... Is it anyones? 

[cksurfdude]

1 hour ago, Kenny B said:

Didn't Monte show you that shot at the clinic?  I hit that shot reasonably well

Yeah, and I've seen it before also .. just, you know, in the heat of the moment I was not thinking my way through the shot...

(..where I had a chance at an up and down on a Par 3 .. which somehow I pulled off a tougher one on an earlier Par 3..)

[Rickp]

1 hour ago, chisag said:

 

 

... Is it anyones? 

Nobody I know……

[edingc]

Last couple of sessions I've been really trying to get my posture more athletic, getting weight/pressure out of my heels and more toward my toes. Fun to see how different feels impact club path and shot.

Last night I really felt my pressure towards my toes in both feet throughout the swing and it was crazy to see my path get solidly more left. Basically started hitting really nice controlled fades but with great launch and speed. Something to continue to play around with, although last night I couldn't draw the ball to save my life so maybe it was just my swing for the day? 

Dispersion keeps getting tighter and that has me really excited for this season.

[cnosil]

52 minutes ago, edingc said:

Last night I really felt my pressure towards my toes in both feet throughout the swing and it was crazy to see my path get solidly more left. Basically started hitting really nice controlled fades but with great launch and speed. Something to continue to play around with, although last night I couldn't draw the ball to save my life so maybe it was just my swing for the day? 

From everything I read, the body tries to balance itself during the swing if you are out on your toes, you will move back toward your heels and as you saw more out to in and ball stroke more toward the toe.  If you are too far on heels you will go toward your toes and in to out  and ball strike toward the heel.  

 this is what I see when I move my weight around.  

[edingc]

5 minutes ago, cnosil said:

From everything I read, the body tries to balance itself during the swing if you are out on your toes, you will move back toward your heels and as you saw more out to in and ball stroke more toward the toe.  If you are too far on heels you will go toward your toes and in to out  and ball strike toward the heel.  

 this is what I see when I move my weight around.  

Yeah, generally that's been my thought as well. I think for me, the "out on toes" feeling is more of balls of the feet rather than heels. It just feels way out on the toes because I've always been so far in my heel. 

Makes sense given every instructor and fitter I've ever spent much time with has said I need to "stretch out" further, which was them trying to explain I was too cramped and back on my heels. Just finally finding some good feels with it.

[cnosil]

I described this in the Devil Ball testing thread but I have a station setup that I am us8mg to work on face control on putts.   essentially I have a putting template and use the Devil ball to help ensure I have good face angle at impact.  Whenever I take a break I hit a few putts which helps me with path and face angle.  I’ve been doing this for about a week and a half.  I only hit 5 or 6 putts at a time, but part of my goal is being able to get the face square on the first or second putt and. It have to make adjustments to get the face square.  Essentially building feels from the mechanics to make it repeatable.  I think the process is working pretty well; saw significantly improved short putting performance during my last round.   
 

 

[RickyBobby_PR]

1 hour ago, edingc said:

Yeah, generally that's been my thought as well. I think for me, the "out on toes" feeling is more of balls of the feet rather than heels. It just feels way out on the toes because I've always been so far in my heel. 

Makes sense given every instructor and fitter I've ever spent much time with has said I need to "stretch out" further, which was them trying to explain I was too cramped and back on my heels. Just finally finding some good feels with it.

Do you get into your heels at all during the swing?

[sirchunksalot]

It's a beautiful day today, temps in the mid 60's. I thought about going to the range, but its Tuesday and that's usually my really tired day. Monday I think my body goes into shock from waking up at 3 in the morning, Tuesday my body rebels against the horror that is waking up and makes me pay for my transgressions.

I decided to skip the range and instead get out in the yard and work on slow motion swings. I spent about 15-20 minutes out there going through the motions with a wedge in my hands. There's a positive forecast for the weekend and I'm planning on hitting the range then. I'm hoping to get out a couple of other days this week and do more slow motion work. 

[Jim Shaw]

Pretty nice today in Victoria BC. 7 degrees celcius in the sun. I am coming up to week 5 post hernia surgery and getting anxious to get back out and play... went to the range and worked on 5 balls per club, made it to the 8 iron then worked on a new 4 hybrid I just put in my bag, then driver a bit with full swings, then back to 40-60 yard shots, that was enough, hung out with some guys on the range and talked golf and what they were working on for this year. One guy at the range looked pretty good, he was from calgary Alberta just out to the west coast for a week working on his swing, still a couple of months before they get out in Calgary.....

[JohnSmalls]

First bit of golf for the year amounted to a quick 4 hole sprint before the sun went down.  Managed to scramble 2 pars for the evening due to a hot putter and great wedges. The other two were a nightmare.  Game is a sandbox of guesses right now.  All in all, so nice to be digging in the dirt again!

[ArizonaLogan]

Temperature is not to bad here in Southern AZ, USA. But the wind is about 15-20 mph not including gusts. I only hit with 7 iron, PW, and driver.

[edingc]

22 hours ago, RickyBobby_PR said:

Do you get into your heels at all during the swing?

Definitely a feel vs. real thing, I'm not avoiding turning into my right heel and I still finish balanced. But my habit has been too much pressure over my ankles at setup, which for me leads to bad things in the swing.

Ironically, Monte just posted something that is applicable for me: https://www.instagram.com/reel/Con2nuXjc39/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Being more "in the toes" helps me to avoid the exact thing he is calling out there.

[RickyBobby_PR]

33 minutes ago, edingc said:

Definitely a feel vs. real thing, I'm not avoiding turning into my right heel and I still finish balanced. But my habit has been too much pressure over my ankles at setup, which for me leads to bad things in the swing.

Ironically, Monte just posted something that is applicable for me: https://www.instagram.com/reel/Con2nuXjc39/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Being more "in the toes" helps me to avoid the exact thing he is calling out there.

That’s a good video. It’s very common and something I have a tendency to do as well. The other is that many get into the trail heel too early which causes similar issues as those who use lead hip vs trail hip.

That was a big part of my lesson with Dan carraher a few years back. Talking to him and then when I was part of a group with Porzak Golf they both talk about getting into the trail heel and being able to lift the toes on the trail foot at the top of the swing and feeling lead heel off the ground(something Monte talks about too) then how that shifts towards the trail toes in transition and lead foot goes from toes to heel.

Was asking if you got into the heels at all during the swing because if not it will cause issues with the turn 

[cksurfdude]

Had what felt like a fairly productive practice sesh this afternoon in a pretty strong right-to-left wind (I'm RH'ed). Working on, as always, better turn back .. better movement in transition .. better weight shift forward .. better structure in the arms coming into and through impact.

You know: the basic stuff

Mixed it up between clubs, distances and targets and put down an alignment aid, inline with the ball, to stay conscious of my body position relative to the ball - one of my (too many) bad tendencies is to turn the upper body "back" away from the target in the backswing and then hang back behind the ball.

Got in some solid strikes with each club I used - including the driver!!! - and also spent a fair amount of the time with one wedge going at various 20-30ish yd targets.

C'mon Spring!

[Bang60]

6 hours ago, edingc said:

Definitely a feel vs. real thing, I'm not avoiding turning into my right heel and I still finish balanced. But my habit has been too much pressure over my ankles at setup, which for me leads to bad things in the swing.

Ironically, Monte just posted something that is applicable for me: https://www.instagram.com/reel/Con2nuXjc39/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Being more "in the toes" helps me to avoid the exact thing he is calling out there.

I try to just keep my balance so not sure how I do that lol...

[Jim Shaw]

Played 4 holes today, full shots were good, knock down needed some work