What/How Did You Practice Today?

[Syks7]

For the last three days I've been going out for race against the sun practice rounds to work on my course management, club selection, and just general thought process on course.  I just haven't been feeling sitting at the range to work on swing mechanics like I have been over the last month.  The good news after all the swing work, my swing feels and looks better though it's still not as good as it is on the range.  Old habits die hard.  It's been fun being out on course with zero pressure, trying things, getting used to my new to me irons, and generally just taking a break from grinding and having fun.  I've also been playing two courses with different grasses on fairway and green.  I finally got the answer to why my home course is so sticky (Kikuyu) -- which is also why it burns out when the clay soil gets hard in the summer and you get the Woodley roll from the fairways.  This is Vs. Burmuda and Bent grass on the other course I played.  It's been pretty eye opening to play them in successive days practicing with wedges and seeing the difference on short approach.  I've also noticed my putting is way, way, way better when I'm relaxed and I think I've developed a pre-shot routine on the green that will help me find that 'happy' place.  

I did have an almost oh no moment the other day.  I was on a 205 yard par 3 trying a couple different clubs and shots.  I hit a 5 iron low draw for fun (normally my 185 ish carry club) and watched it bound up onto the green toward the pin.  I've never shouted at a ball to not go in before on a par 3  but I was screaming at the thing before I lost sight of it.  I picked up the bag and hustled on down the fairway to find to my relief (weird) that it had not gone in.  I really did not want to have a hole in 1 with the mother of all asterisks.  In the end it looks like it might have rolled just by the hole to 5'.  I did, however, collect my asterisk birdie.    

I also messed around recording the first stretch of Woodley the other day to see what my tendencies were and I was surprised to see how negative I am towards myself.  I know that I can be hard on myself, but solid shots are met with a meh, that's okay and bad shots are met with a lot of negativity.  Even though I end up +1 through 4 holes!!!!  I think I found a sneaky reason for eventual blowup holes.  That kind of negativity breeds into a self fulfilling prophecy and makes it really hard to have the ideal short term 'let it go' memory a golfer should have.  I've got a new thing to practice, being positive to myself after ever shot. 

Apologies for any plumbers crack in this video.  This guy probably should wear suspenders since I've turned into my dad.  Big tummy, little butt.  No belt can help me anymore.  

 

Edited February 24, 2023 by Syks7

[cksurfdude]

4 hours ago, Syks7 said:

...and I was surprised to see how negative I am towards myself.  I know that I can be hard on myself, but solid shots are met with a meh, that's okay and bad shots are met with a lot of negativity.  Even though I end up +1 through 4 holes!!!!  I think I found a sneaky reason for eventual blowup holes.  That kind of negativity breeds into a self fulfilling prophecy and makes it really have the ideal short term let it go memory a golfer should have.  I've got a new thing to practice, being positive to myself after ever shot. 

Yep, yep, yep and YEP!!!

That is way too much me also .. and am also committed this season to telling myself "Yeah, Dude!" on the good ones and "how can we learn from this and do better next time?" on those others 

[chisag]

4 hours ago, Syks7 said:

I also messed around recording the first stretch of Woodley the other day to see what my tendencies were and I was surprised to see how negative I am towards myself.  I know that I can be hard on myself, but solid shots are met with a meh, that's okay and bad shots are met with a lot of negativity.  Even though I end up +1 through 4 holes!!!!  I think I found a sneaky reason for eventual blowup holes.  That kind of negativity breeds into a self fulfilling prophecy and makes it really have the ideal short term let it go memory a golfer should have.  I've got a new thing to practice, being positive to myself after ever shot. 

... Love this ^ because success breeds success and failure breeds failure. This isn't physical it is mental. The body has no idea what kind of shot it produces and it really doesn't care. But the brain deals with the information you give it. Instruct it to fail and it will do it's best to accomplish that goal. A command of "meh" will produce more "meh". But a congratulations for a job well done and an actual smile after aiming for the middle of the green when you end up on the fringe for a 20 foot birdie attempt and it will say to itself "If my master is happy on the fringe, lets get to the middle and really make him happy!" 

... So do yourself a favor and watch this weeks LPGA event. Take a look at Nelly Korda, maybe the purest ball striker on the planet, miss greens entirely, hit a few bad drives and miss some very makable putts. If one of the best in the world hits bad shots, why wouldn't you? Accept the bad and bask in the good and your game with thank you. 

[202]

Spent an hour at the range hitting irons (5 - PW) only.

[Tom the Golf Nut]

Another 80 degree day here so I had to take a lunch break at the driving range. I wanted to try out my new TSi 1 three wood to see if it would take my SLDR out of rotation. The sound was definitely different but I got used to it. The results were very good. I didn't even have to make any adjustments. Nice straight ball flight, good trajectory and distance. We have a winner!

Then worked through the bag from Gap to Driver. Then 6 sand shots and back to work.

[Shapotomous]

We hit 75* yesterday and I was able to make some time for wedge practice in the backyard and get in some putting practice.  I've had thumb and wrist issues since Nov and at this point it seems it isn't going to get any better so I am experimenting for a grip and swing that works.  I think I found something that works for 1/2 swings with the wedge.  I will have to take it to the course and see if it is passable for full swings.

[Bang60]

10 hours ago, Shapotomous said:

We hit 75* yesterday and I was able to make some time for wedge practice in the backyard and get in some putting practice.  I've had thumb and wrist issues since Nov and at this point it seems it isn't going to get any better so I am experimenting for a grip and swing that works.  I think I found something that works for 1/2 swings with the wedge.  I will have to take it to the course and see if it is passable for full swings.

I’m wondering if you can 1/2 swing an 8 iron to get the distance of your wedge, I carry the even numbered 6-8-w-sandW irons to reduce the weight of my carry bag and when I use my bike. I’ve got used to that setup and now don’t need the rest except I’d add the gap wedge, my 5 wood and driver +putter are all I need but if playing a long course would add my 3wood…

[snicerz]

1 hour ago, Bang60 said:

I’m wondering if you can 1/2 swing an 8 iron to get the distance of your wedge, I carry the even numbered 6-8-w-sandW irons to reduce the weight of my carry bag and when I use my bike. I’ve got used to that setup and now don’t need the rest except I’d add the gap wedge, my 5 wood and driver +putter are all I need but if playing a long course would add my 3wood…

Had some shoulder injuries last year and still wanted to practice. Instructor was always encouraging me to practice stuff with half swings to get the feel anyways and decided to play a round with only half swings. Thinking hey, I can still work on stuff without overdoing it and no pain compared to trying a full swing. Found out that half swings and about 2 club lengths were the magic formula. i.e. I need a full 9i, instead grab a  7 and give it a half swing. It was definitely more of a punch shot with lower trajectory but worked out ok and was still fun trying to get around the course like that.

 

I'd say experiment with it a bit to find how much extra club you need for the half shot but it should be pretty consistent throughout the bag.

[Bang60]

32 minutes ago, snicerz said:

Had some shoulder injuries last year and still wanted to practice. Instructor was always encouraging me to practice stuff with half swings to get the feel anyways and decided to play a round with only half swings. Thinking hey, I can still work on stuff without overdoing it and no pain compared to trying a full swing. Found out that half swings and about 2 club lengths were the magic formula. i.e. I need a full 9i, instead grab a  7 and give it a half swing. It was definitely more of a punch shot with lower trajectory but worked out ok and was still fun trying to get around the course like that.

 

I'd say experiment with it a bit to find how much extra club you need for the half shot but it should be pretty consistent throughout the bag.

Yeah I found that worked out for me too, I try to keep my left arm at about 3 o'clock as I'm a right handed player. When I'm deciding if it's a 6iron or 8iron shot when distance is in the middle of those 2 clubs I look at where the most danger is and  that's how I decide which club I hit, the ONLY club I don't do that with is the Driver,...

[edingc]

After a crappy weather week with cold, snow and ice meant no garage time, I got to hit in the garage a bit yesterday after my Stack session but the highlight of my weekend was this morning's trip up to the heated range to see some actual ball flight again. Mid-30s and sunny meant for a nice session, minus a pretty strong left-to-right crosswind that I needed to account for.

Probably the best range session I've had in a while, indoors or out. Had a lot of fun trying to hit different shots, doing the 9-box/shot drill especially. Tried to get myself into more of an on course mindset than just hitting balls at a target. 

Big focus has been pressure and where it goes throughout the swing. I have been working hard at trying to not get stuck on my back foot, and for the most part I've come a long ways this offseason. It was really obvious when hitting some partial 54 wedges today at the 66 yard flag, my contact and dispersion were exactly what I want to see out of a partial wedge. If I can continue that on course I see no reason why I couldn't break par this year.

[Bangsuk]

Experimented with green side chips with two different wedge grinds to hit low/mid/high shots. 

[Bang60]

16 minutes ago, Bangsuk said:

Experimented with green side chips with two different wedge grinds to hit low/mid/high shots. 

Hey that’s smart mate, I’m going to try that. Cheers…

[berkeleybob]

First time out on the driving range since the fall. Oof, there’s work to be done. That nasty hook showed up again, so I’ve got review my past lessons, settle down my swing and ease back into the groove. Just reserved a tee time for Thursday, so I’ll be out again at the range tomorrow, looking to get things loose and ready to go (no pressure, Bob).

On the range, my new Sub 70 699-U V2 5 (23°) did not disappoint.

I hit a few balls, and it’s a nice ball flight. At the moment it’s filling my 170-yard gap with a manageable dispersion easily—almost too easily. I was reviewing my distances, and while it’s filling the gap well now. I wonder what the story will be when I hit my groove. I can’t wait to see what happens.

I wouldn’t be surprised if this club is my gateway to Sub 70 irons … I love it when my conscious mind catches up with my subconscious intentions.

It’s going to be an interesting week, to say the least. 

[GolfSpy_APH]

34 minutes ago, berkeleybob said:

First time out on the driving range since the fall. Oof, there’s work to be done. That nasty hook showed up again, so I’ve got review my past lessons, settle down my swing and ease back into the groove. Just reserved a tee time for Thursday, so I’ll be out again at the range tomorrow, looking to get things loose and ready to go (no pressure, Bob).

On the range, my new Sub 70 699-U V2 5 (23°) did not disappoint.

I hit a few balls, and it’s a nice ball flight. At the moment it’s filling my 170-yard gap with a manageable dispersion easily—almost too easily. I was reviewing my distances, and while it’s filling the gap well now. I wonder what the story will be when I hit my groove. I can’t wait to see what happens.

I wouldn’t be surprised if this club is my gateway to Sub 70 irons … I love it when my conscious mind catches up with my subconscious intentions.

It’s going to be an interesting week, to say the least. 

Looking forward to hearing how it all works out for you! Best of luck on Thursday as well, hope it's a fun opening round to the season. 

[Merlin1313]

12 hours ago, berkeleybob said:

First time out on the driving range since the fall. Oof, there’s work to be done. That nasty hook showed up again, so I’ve got review my past lessons, settle down my swing and ease back into the groove. Just reserved a tee time for Thursday, so I’ll be out again at the range tomorrow, looking to get things loose and ready to go (no pressure, Bob).

On the range, my new Sub 70 699-U V2 5 (23°) did not disappoint.

I hit a few balls, and it’s a nice ball flight. At the moment it’s filling my 170-yard gap with a manageable dispersion easily—almost too easily. I was reviewing my distances, and while it’s filling the gap well now. I wonder what the story will be when I hit my groove. I can’t wait to see what happens.

I wouldn’t be surprised if this club is my gateway to Sub 70 irons … I love it when my conscious mind catches up with my subconscious intentions.

It’s going to be an interesting week, to say the least. 

Good Luck with that and may the force be with you. I know that I usually watch my Jim Hardy DVDs and work with a SHORT weighted training device in the basement during the winter so I can kinda keep my collective stuff together, and don't lose my swing. They're also really good refreshers to break bad habits before they become permanent issues. 

[berkeleybob]

46 minutes ago, Merlin1313 said:

Good Luck with that and may the force be with you. I know that I usually watch my Jim Hardy DVDs and work with a SHORT weighted training device in the basement during the winter so I can kinda keep my collective stuff together, and don't lose my swing. They're also really good refreshers to break bad habits before they become permanent issues. 

That’s a great idea, the short weighted training device. I’m plagued with short ceilings everywhere. All I can do is putt. 

[Merlin1313]

1 hour ago, berkeleybob said:

That’s a great idea, the short weighted training device. I’m plagued with short ceilings everywhere. All I can do is putt. 

I've seen them around- they're about 30" long w a training grip(comes off pretty easy) and a weighted cylinder at the end of the shaft with a removable plug(at least it was on mine) at the end

[Merlin1313]

So- I was ATTEMPTING to do some chipping on a baseball field near where I work. A gentleman came up and told me I wasn't allowed to play golf or hit balls on the field. I told him him if he'd been watching me, he would've seen that I'd been doing neither . He kinda chuckled and informed that it was clearly stated on the signage and I would have to stop. Been doing that (weather permitting) for the past 2 moths or so.......... oh well

[Rickp]

51 minutes ago, Merlin1313 said:

So- I was ATTEMPTING to do some chipping on a baseball field near where I work. A gentleman came up and told me I wasn't allowed to play golf or hit balls on the field. I told him him if he'd been watching me, he would've seen that I'd been doing neither . He kinda chuckled and informed that it was clearly stated on the signage and I would have to stop. Been doing that (weather permitting) for the past 2 moths or so.......... oh well

Yup, I got kicked off a Softball Field probably 30 years ago around corner from home, it’s OK if I didn’t pickup all balls a kid could have gotten hurt.

[chisag]

2 minutes ago, Rickp said:

Yup, I got kicked off a Softball Field probably 30 years ago around corner from home, it’s OK if I didn’t pickup all balls a kid could have gotten hurt.

 

... And while I would assume any MGS member would be careful about not taking any divots, when I coached my sons baseball team through high school it was clear some moron was gouging huge chunks from of the outfield. 

[Rickp]

1 minute ago, chisag said:

 

... And while I would assume any MGS member would be careful about not taking any divots, when I coached my sons baseball team through high school it was clear some moron was gouging huge chunks from of the outfield. 

Yup, sure don’t want any kids injured.  

[Mr. Mushball]

After a post by @snicerz, I decided to give some lessons at GolfTec a try.  Have only done the swing analysis so far, but even the advice and feedback given then I have gotten some useful advice and corrections to my swing.  We started by tackling my takeaway, and now even with a half (maybe three quarter swing) I'm getting improved distance with my mid irons.  Lots of work an training yet to do, but I think I'm going to wind up with a much more consistent strike very soon, as well as more distance and a better flight path.

My current swing is rather steep and while it works well for now I tend to come over the top a lot leaving myself open to mishits and slices with the longer clubs.  The first correction was to adjust my takeaway so that my shoulder and hip rotation was in sync, and letting the rotation take the club away instead of the other way around.  With that correction using a half swing I was able to hit just a few yards off target and get the same distance with my former swing.

What I'm practicing from this is:  Slow controlled takeaway to "halfway".  Do this three times while watching arms and club path/angles.  Then do a follow through swing starting wit a takeaway looking at a ghost ball and follow through at normal speed with acceleration through the ball.  Do this for 15 reps.

[Merlin1313]

2 hours ago, chisag said:

 

... And while I would assume any MGS member would be careful about not taking any divots, when I coached my sons baseball team through high school it was clear some moron was gouging huge chunks from of the outfield. 

I COMPLETELY understand that but this was NOWHERE close to ANY of the diamonds and I think it's actually used as the the sideline/spectator area for IM/Junior soccer games. Oh well- just have to scout out another area

[chisag]

4 minutes ago, Merlin1313 said:

I COMPLETELY understand that but this was NOWHERE close to ANY of the diamonds and I think it's actually used as the the sideline/spectator area for IM/Junior soccer games. Oh well- just have to scout out another area

 

... I figured that from your post but it is the morons that ruin it for everyone else. And of course there are always Barney Fife's out there just itching to take the bullet out of their shirt pocket! 

[snicerz]

2 hours ago, Mr. Mushball said:

After a post by @snicerz, I decided to give some lessons at GolfTec a try.  Have only done the swing analysis so far, but even the advice and feedback given then I have gotten some useful advice and corrections to my swing.  We started by tackling my takeaway, and now even with a half (maybe three quarter swing) I'm getting improved distance with my mid irons.  Lots of work an training yet to do, but I think I'm going to wind up with a much more consistent strike very soon, as well as more distance and a better flight path.

My current swing is rather steep and while it works well for now I tend to come over the top a lot leaving myself open to mishits and slices with the longer clubs.  The first correction was to adjust my takeaway so that my shoulder and hip rotation was in sync, and letting the rotation take the club away instead of the other way around.  With that correction using a half swing I was able to hit just a few yards off target and get the same distance with my former swing.

What I'm practicing from this is:  Slow controlled takeaway to "halfway".  Do this three times while watching arms and club path/angles.  Then do a follow through swing starting wit a takeaway looking at a ghost ball and follow through at normal speed with acceleration through the ball.  Do this for 15 reps.

Hey I'm excited for you. I hope you get as much out of the lessons as I have. Just remember that lessons are only part of it. You have to put in the time to ingrain what you are learning. Changes will take time but with enough time and effort, you can realize some pretty incredible results.

[Bang60]

Practicing today with sand and gap wedges, hitting gap from 80metres and sw from 70 which I Big stepped out lol. The pic shows one club was really good with 5 out of 5 shots on the green, and it’s the oldest one and my favourite. Think I might try bending  my pw which matches the sw out to 49deg from 46, I can’t play with these irons as I’m missing the 9iron sad  

[Mr. Mushball]

37 minutes ago, snicerz said:

Hey I'm excited for you. I hope you get as much out of the lessons as I have. Just remember that lessons are only part of it. You have to put in the time to ingrain what you are learning. Changes will take time but with enough time and effort, you can realize some pretty incredible results.

I'm ready for the work, have never shied away from it.  I've been working on what I've been trying to learn on my own (rightly or wrongly) as much as I can, but as it's mostly been wrongly need help to get back on track. 

I've also been working with a really great trainer (DC and neuropathologist) to help me get out of the rut of training in a 30 year old injury.  This is a quality of life change; not golf related, but it's helping there too.  Big life changes that all take incremental but dedicated practice.  I live by the the philosophy of it's better to practice something slowly and deliberately a few times often than practicing with long sessions infrequently.

[berkeleybob]

Today I practiced realigning expectations.

Apart from being a little stiff, the temperature has dropped, the wind has blown in and the clouds brought a little wrinkle to today’s range session.

Out there is melted hail—as in:

Hail Mary, please bring a little more sunshine to the course tomorrow.

Looking at my clubs’ carry yardage results (because practice balls can’t part the wind or roll on water), it’s clear, come tee time I’m just going to focus on my swing more than ever. The course won’t be this bad—it can’t be this bad—but I just have to forget distance and keep to the fairway as much as possible.

All I need to do is channel Dory and just keep swimming, just keep swi—wrong mantra … just keep stretching, just keep stretching, just keep stretching …

[sirchunksalot]

I got out after work today and took a trip to the range. I was a bit concerned that rain was going to come in and actually, it was showing up on the radar. I sat around the house for a few minutes and then headed out. 

I've been working on my swing in the yard and doing some club less drills in an attempt to rid myself of my habit of pulling down on the club with my trail arm.

I hit some short wedges to one of warm my body up and to feel a little ball on club action. I couldn't do too many because a small bucket is SMALL.

I hit some full shots starting out with my set GW. I'll say it was pretty good, albeit a little on the heel side.

Moved on to the 8 iron, flushed the first one and was a little less consistent as I went on.

The 6 iron was up next and I'll say the picture isn't great but the contact is showing improvement.

I hit my first shot with my 5 wood good and then consistently hit extremely low heel. 

Driver was consistent, consistently toey. Well, except the first shot that hit off the crown of the club. 

I finished up on the chipping green and by getting some practice in putting. I'm really happy with how things went today. Hopefully I'll be able to get out on the course soon.

[Kenny B]

2 hours ago, Bang60 said:

Think I might try bending  my pw which matches the sw out to 49deg from 46, I can’t play with these irons as I’m missing the 9iron sad  

3º is a big change for a wedge, even a forged wedge and probably not recommended for a cast wedge.  I wouldn't go more than 2º.  You are also changing how it interacts with the turf and affecting the offset.