Hackabilly Posted July 8, 2017 Share Posted July 8, 2017 What was that moment, idea, thought, or maybe routine that moved your game from one level to the next? If you remember what you changed each time, that lowered your handicap, that would be great too. I'm about a year and a half in to playing more often and actually trying to get better, but haven't found that thing that has helped me turn the corner yet. There are tons of articles out there that give tips for breaking 100, 90 or even par but I'm hoping (as usual) the MGS community can bring a "real life" spin to this. Plus you folks can be pretty dang entertaining to boot, I look forward to hearing your stories! -Will just starting to build my set irons: Adams pro A12 3-pw KBS tour woods: zenith orbiter 3 and 5 driver: Bombtech Grenade 9* Stiff wedges: tour edge 56* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shankster Posted July 8, 2017 Share Posted July 8, 2017 Stronger grip, saved my life. Or at least my golf game. And hours upon hours of wedge game practice. I now need hours upon hours of fairway metal practice, and this game will get easier. Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenny B Posted July 8, 2017 Share Posted July 8, 2017 I have Ah-ha moments all the time, but they are quickly followed by Ah-sh!t moments. But that's golf. I think we all go through days where everything clicks, but it doesn't last. When things started coming together for me was when I gave up trying to develop my own swing, following tips from magazines then later when videos became common. I picked the type of swing I was looking for and found a teacher and golf school to show me how that golf swing was supposed to feel. Refreshers are needed because I find that I slip into a bad habit by inadvertently listening to someone telling me a good way to gain more yards using a swing that isn't mine. “We don’t stop playing the game because we get old; we get old because we stop playing the game.” Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dadivots Posted July 8, 2017 Share Posted July 8, 2017 All there for me. Stronger grip. Big difference was that finally a flat left wrist and square club face throughout were just part of my swing. All the toe up or rotate this or that was gone. Went and found out what the pros really do, not what some minolta swing vision dude said they do. I think what KennyB says is awesome. Its common thought that you cant do what the pros do and have to have all these bandaids for your swing just to get close. Then more bandaids. Not true. With THE correct ideas and swing mechanics playing to your best ability is quite possible. And the changes are usually quick and quite surprising. Then comes the work and un-learning with real results. A case in point has alwasy been the short guys like Pavin or Leonard who had big success. They did it different, and were therefore shorter, than the truly greats who had distance to begin with. Short was 270+- and 300 is nothing new. Whats new is joe blow can do it. When some guy next to you on the range weighing a buck twenty five can hit it 300 down the pipe it just proves that the technology is in your hands too, and the skies the limit for all of us. And a change in thinking or approach is usually not done until the clubs are almost on the curb waiting for the trashman. Which is why KennyB is really on to something...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cnosil Posted July 8, 2017 Share Posted July 8, 2017 My aha moment was taking lessons. I know people have the ability to learn how to play on their own; we hear about self taught pros all the time. My guess is that the self teaching took many hours of dedicated practice. I would avoid all magazine and TV tips on how to improve your swing. If you don't apply the right fix, you won't fix your problem and could make things worse. As Kenny said, Aha moments quickly become ah-s*** moments. If you want to read tips, read about how to do course management or develop mental strength. In my opinion, find a pro and work on the basic fundamentals or grip and setup. Driver: G400 Max 9* w/ KBS Tour Driven Fairway: TS3 15* w/Project X Hzardous Smoke Hybrids: 915H 21* w/KBS Tour Graphite Hybrid Prototype 915H 24* w/KBS Tour Graphite Hybrid Prototype Irons: TR20V 6-11 w/Vizard TR20-85 Graphite Wedge: 54/12D, 60/8M w/:Accra iWedge 90 Graphite Putter: TM-180 Testing: Backups: Milled Collection RSX 2, mFGP2, Futura 5W Member: MGS Hitsquad since 2017 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Golfspy_CG2 Posted July 8, 2017 Share Posted July 8, 2017 I think Kenny said it best. There have been many occasions where I thought I found the key to my swing. Only to not be able to find it again. I will say I finally got it through my thick head last year that a really good short game is one of the quickest ways to drop strokes. While I don't claim that mine is really good. Its much more consistent this year than anytime in my golf life. Sent from my LG-D850 using MyGolfSpy mobile app G430 Max 10K TSiR1 15.0 Aldlia Ascent 60g TSR2 18.0 PX Aldila Ascent 6og TSi1 20 Aldila Ascent Shafts R T350 5-GW SteelFiber I80 SM10 48F/54M and58K S159 48S/52S/56W/60B Select 5.5 Flowback 35" ProV1 Play number 12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kansas King Posted July 8, 2017 Share Posted July 8, 2017 In high school my pro taught me the method of Manuel de la Torre. 7 years later I haven't changed and have been a single handicap since. Read "Understanding the Golf Swing" by Manuel de la Torre if you want a natural way to play the game. Warning: it is profoundly simple. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kansas King Posted July 8, 2017 Share Posted July 8, 2017 I guess my advice would be to follow the swing principles of one method. Don't try to combine 300 different tips into one swing. Watching Michael Breed for one hour has the power to ruin your golf swing for weeks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hackabilly Posted July 8, 2017 Author Share Posted July 8, 2017 I guess my advice would be to follow the swing principles of one method. Don't try to combine 300 different tips into one swing. Watching Michael Breed for one hour has the power to ruin your golf swing for weeks.Haha that last sentence makes so much sense! just starting to build my set irons: Adams pro A12 3-pw KBS tour woods: zenith orbiter 3 and 5 driver: Bombtech Grenade 9* Stiff wedges: tour edge 56* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PlaidJacket Posted July 8, 2017 Share Posted July 8, 2017 I guess my advice would be to follow the swing principles of one method. Don't try to combine 300 different tips into one swing. Watching Michael Breed for one hour has the power to ruin your golf swing for weeks. I'm not so sure about that. I've been playing a long time. 40+ years with a few short breaks or disruptions along the way. My swing isn't a model of any one method or personality. I have taken bits and pieces of good solid fundamental advice along the way and made a game of it. A tip here and there and some good instruction has worked well for me. Everyone is different. So, I can't become Ben Hogan, or Adam Scott, or even Jim Furyk for that matter. What works for these guys works for them. As everyone knows; the moment of truth as the clubface meets the ball is all that really matters anyway. Everything you do before that is your business. My Sun Mountain bag currently includes: 771CSI 5i - PW and PFC Micro Tour-c 52°, 56°, 60 wedges EXS 10.5*, 929-HS FW4 16.5* Willimette w/GolfPride Contour Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDHolmes Posted July 10, 2017 Share Posted July 10, 2017 Ah ha moment was when i decided to actually think about course management and where i wanted to hit my second shot from. Another...dont hit a trap. Another...there are very very few miraculous revovery shots...quit thinking par and shoot bogey if youre in the woods. Sent from my SM-G920V using MyGolfSpy mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TBT Posted July 10, 2017 Share Posted July 10, 2017 I think Kenny said it best. There have been many occasions where I thought I found the key to my swing. Only to not be able to find it again. I will say I finally got it through my thick head last year that a really good short game is one of the quickest ways to drop strokes. While I don't claim that mine is really good. Its much more consistent this year than anytime in my golf life. Sent from my LG-D850 using MyGolfSpy mobile app I can't tell you the number of times something's has "clicked" and I'm suddenly flushing every club in the bag and I think "Holy Crap! This is what I've been looking for!" Only to go out the very next day do exactly the same thing and can't swing my way out of a wet paper bag! XR Driver Matrix Ozik 8m3 Black Tie Shaft King F7 3W UST Mamiya Chrome Elements 7F4 Shaft King F7 5W UST Mamiya Chrome Elements 7F4 Shaft King F7 4 Hybrid Graphite Designs Tour AD-HY 95 Shaft PXG 0211 DC 5-PW Mitsubishi MMT 80 Shafts RTX ZIPCORE 50*,54*,58* UST Mamiya Recoil 95 Shafts Metal X Milled #7 with SuperStroke 2.0 grip MTB Twitter: @timldotson Instagram: timldotson Facebook: TimDotson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenny B Posted July 11, 2017 Share Posted July 11, 2017 I can't tell you the number of times something's has "clicked" and I'm suddenly flushing every club in the bag and I think "Holy Crap! This is what I've been looking for!" Only to go out the very next day do exactly the same thing and can't swing my way out of a wet paper bag! The golf gods got you for thinking like that. “We don’t stop playing the game because we get old; we get old because we stop playing the game.” Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Golfspy_CG2 Posted July 11, 2017 Share Posted July 11, 2017 The golf gods got you for thinking like that. So true. They don't let us get big heads for very long at all G430 Max 10K TSiR1 15.0 Aldlia Ascent 60g TSR2 18.0 PX Aldila Ascent 6og TSi1 20 Aldila Ascent Shafts R T350 5-GW SteelFiber I80 SM10 48F/54M and58K S159 48S/52S/56W/60B Select 5.5 Flowback 35" ProV1 Play number 12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Honest Wes Posted August 2, 2017 Share Posted August 2, 2017 I have Ah-ha moments all the time, but they are quickly followed by Ah-sh!t moments. But that's golf. I think we all go through days where everything clicks, but it doesn't last. When things started coming together for me was when I gave up trying to develop my own swing, following tips from magazines then later when videos became common. I picked the type of swing I was looking for and found a teacher and golf school to show me how that golf swing was supposed to feel. Refreshers are needed because I find that I slip into a bad habit by inadvertently listening to someone telling me a good way to gain more yards using a swing that isn't mine. Johnny Miller called those wood solutions, works only one day. Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flipper554 Posted August 27, 2017 Share Posted August 27, 2017 What was that moment, idea, thought, or maybe routine that moved your game from one level to the next? If you remember what you changed each time, that lowered your handicap, that would be great too. I'm about a year and a half in to playing more often and actually trying to get better, but haven't found that thing that has helped me turn the corner yet. There are tons of articles out there that give tips for breaking 100, 90 or even par but I'm hoping (as usual) the MGS community can bring a "real life" spin to this. Plus you folks can be pretty dang entertaining to boot, I look forward to hearing your stories! -Will just starting to build my set irons: Adams pro A12 3-pw KBS tour woods: zenith orbiter 3 and 5 driver: Bombtech Grenade 9* Stiff wedges: tour edge 56* Never really had a moment that comes to mind. I worked at a golf course when I was a kid and never thought about playing, it was just a job. When I joined the Airforce some friends convinced me to play and I shot 94 the first time out. Didn't know at the time that it was a good score but I beat two of three guys. After that I was hooked, there was no driving range in the area and even if there was I was poor as dirt at the time. Where I lived there was a large courtyard with a little tree about 30 yards from my side yard. So I would spend hours chipping and pitching balls at that poor little tree. When I went to the course I would chip and putt as much as could. After about 5 years of doing this my cap was down to three. My thought process at the time was I could get near any green in regulation and if I up and down consistently I would score well. It has served me well over the years, I may not be the best ball striker but inside 100 yards I feel very confident that I'm getting up and down. So I guess without knowing any better I taught myself to score. Driver: Cobra F8 Tour length 3W: Cobra King F7 3/4 Wood 5W: Cobra King F7 5/6 Wood Hybrid 3/4: Cobra F7 20.5* Irons: 5 to PW Taylormade P790 A Wedge: 48* Vokey SM6 F grind S Wedge: 54* Vokey SM6 M grind L Wedge: 58* Vokey SM6 M grind Putter: Rife Two Bar Hybrid 35" P2 Aware Tour grip Ball: Taylormade TP 5X Bag: Hot Z Canadian flag 🇨🇦 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GolfSpy_APH Posted August 27, 2017 Share Posted August 27, 2017 Week to week I find small but important things in my game to tweak and change that I would consider ah-ha moments. The biggest thing two things I found this season are a) 7 iron bump and runs. Not great for all courses but definitely helped my short game. getting myself to my comfortable yardage for shots into the green. For so long I always tried just to hit it far and get as close as I could regardless. Now I like being really anywhere from 90-135 yards and feel extremely comfortable with those shots in. Often on shorter par 4s rather then using driver/3 wood to get as close as possible I will take 5 iron to get me to my comfortable yardage. Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy as of Nov 6, 2023 (Past WITB) Driver: Paradym TD w/ GD ADDI 6X Driver Shootout! Wood: F7 3 wood 14.5* w/ Motore F1 Shaft Irons: T Series - T200 5 Iron T150 6-9 Iron T100 PW/GW Wedge: Toura Golf - A Spec 53,37,61 degree Putter: Mezz Max! Balls: Vice Pro Plus Drip (Blue/Orange) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tony@CIC Posted August 27, 2017 Share Posted August 27, 2017 Week to week I find small but important things in my game to tweak and change that I would consider ah-ha moments. The biggest thing two things I found this season are a) 7 iron bump and runs. Not great for all courses but definitely helped my short game. getting myself to my comfortable yardage for shots into the green. For so long I always tried just to hit it far and get as close as I could regardless. Now I like being really anywhere from 90-135 yards and feel extremely comfortable with those shots in. Often on shorter par 4s rather then using driver/3 wood to get as close as possible I will take 5 iron to get me to my comfortable yardage. Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy Danbrook I just discovered the 8 iron (in my case) 'bump and run'. I always had a inconsistent short chip shot. More a function of yips rather than technique. Played with someone a month ago that used an 8 iron for 'bump and run' This definitely improved my game Sent from my iPad using MyGolfSpy Left Hand orientation SIM 2 D Max with Fujikura Air Speeder Shaft Cobra Radspeed 3W/RIptide Shaft 410 Hybrids 22*, 26* Cobra Speed Zone 6-GP/Recoil ESX 460 F3 Shafts SM7 54* Wedge Glide 3.0 60* Wedge O Works putter V3 NX9-HD - 4 Wheel EZGO TXT 48v cart - too many shoes to list and so many to buy And BAG Boy Golf Balls: Vice Pro Plus 2020 Official Tester Beginning Driver Speed - 78 2019 Official Tester 410 Driver 2018 Official Tester C300 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STUDque Posted August 27, 2017 Share Posted August 27, 2017 Danbrook I just discovered the 8 iron (in my case) 'bump and run'. I always had a inconsistent short chip shot. More a function of yips rather than technique. Played with someone a month ago that used an 8 iron for 'bump and run' This definitely improved my game Sent from my iPad using MyGolfSpy Once I discovered the 8 iron bump, my mind was opened. Up until that point I just assumed you use a sand wedge for everything around the green. Ever since then I've been able to be more creative around the dance floor. Sent from carrier pigeon using MyGolfSpy In my Pisa, riding on a 3.5+ G410+ EXS 5W King F7 Hy i500 5-GW Equalizer 56/60 Heppler Ketsch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rtracymog Posted August 28, 2017 Share Posted August 28, 2017 I realized that when I hinged my backswing, I didn't really get a full hinge. In my practice swing I now take a half swing with a hinge and regrip before I take my shot. A little more power and much more consistent flight and ball striking. Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy Cortex w/MGS Motore X F1 7X tipped 1" F5 17 degree hybrid w/Rogue Black 85X C300 Forged 3-5 w/C-Taper 130X FG Tour V6 5-6 w/C-Taper 130X Staff Model Blade 7-PW w/C-Taper 130X RTX4 52, 56, 60 w/S400 Tour Issue ER7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty1885 Posted September 13, 2017 Share Posted September 13, 2017 Get out of your way. There are too many things that's going on in a golf swing. From weight shift to storing up torque, hip turns, shoulder turns, completing double pendulum and achieving optimum shaft lean angle for particular shots plus a whole host of other things. Your conscious brain can't even do a simple multiple and subtraction simultaneously what are the chance that it can properly control your 125 yard knock down shot with a 10 yard draw to a pin set on the top tier at the back of the green. Yet if you get out of the way it'd do just that. Drawing from all of the shots data you have gathered from practicing and executing it to the best way your body can. It's easier said than done but what do you think happens when you are in the "zone". Your subconscious mind takes over and you go blank. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wedgie Posted September 13, 2017 Share Posted September 13, 2017 My ah ha moment was getting fit for iron shafts. No more fat or thin shots at all. Granted, I'm not always straight but I never practice so finding clubs that work with what I've got changed everything for me. Sent from my iPad using MyGolfSpy Wedgie Driver - XXIO X Driver 9.5 - Launcher Turbo 2 hybrid - F9 One Length 3-L - ER 1.2 Top Flite Gamer Play Right Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sixcat Posted September 13, 2017 Share Posted September 13, 2017 My "ah-ha moment" came shortly after my first child was born. She was born July 13th, 2005 and we watched Tiger blister St. Andrews the following four days while getting used to our "new normal". Somehow, golf didn't seem so important anymore. At least not to the degree I had made it prior to becoming a father. For whatever reason, when I stopped caring, I started shooting significantly better scores. I played in my club championship later that summer. Entering the tournament, I had never broken 80 with a personal best of 84 once. I was 31 years old and had been playing since I was 13. I shot 77-76-78 and haven't given two shits about a score since. Golf is a strange game! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big money Posted September 22, 2017 Share Posted September 22, 2017 My recent ah ha moment has been letting the club do the work.Just swing and keep my head down.Misses have all been playable.Never felt so relaxed just thinking swing and nothing else but Keep it in the short stuff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MDGolfHacker Posted September 22, 2017 Share Posted September 22, 2017 I'm still waiting for my Ah Ha! moment. Plenty of oh sh*t and @#!#@$!F#$% this game moments though...too many...ha ha ha.... I did reach my goal of breaking into the 70s at one point in my golfing life, but it's been downhill from there. I'm lucky to break 90 now a days... MDGolfHacker TSssWhat's In This Lefty's Bag? Driver: TSR2 11° Project X HZRDUS Black 4G 60g 5.5 Flex Fairway Woods: F8 3W Project X Even Flow Blue 75g shaft Fairway Woods: Hybrid: TSR2 18° Graphite Design Tour AD DI-85 Shaft Irons: 2021 T200's 4-GW AMT RED shafts Regular Flex Wedge: Tour Satin RTX 4 Wedges in 52° and 56° 2 Dot Putter: Gray Matter TDP 2.2 32.75" Bag: Three 5 Ball: PRO V1 / Z*Star RangeFinder: In search of new range finder Social Media: Facebook: MD Golfhacker Twitter: @mdgolfhacker Instagram: mdgolfhacker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chisag Posted September 22, 2017 Share Posted September 22, 2017 ... When I was tying to break into single digits I played with a satellite tour guy and he told me to take more club. When tour pro's are not pin high, they are long 50% of the time and short 50% of the time. Amateur's are short 99% of the time. Depending on the pin and what trouble is over the green always take enough club to get past the pin. I began hitting more shots closer to the pin and more shots past the pin than I ever had before and my scores immediately improved. ... Obviously there are times whether it's trouble long you want to avoid or pin placements you want to stay below, but for normal stock shots only take your ideal club yardage if it is perfect. You hit your 8 iron 145 and the pins 146, hit a 7 iron. If there is even a gentle wind in your face hit a 7 iron. If it is a little uphill hit a 7 iron. Now if it is quite a bit uphill or you have a good wind in your face hit a 6 iron. I can pretty much guarantee if you take more iron than you think you need you will be surprised at your results. In fact I would suggest playing a round taking one more club than you normally would for every shot and it will be an eye opening experience for most. Driver: Qi10 10.5* ... Ventus Red Velocore 5R Fairway: Aerojet 3/5 ... Kai'li Blue 60R Hybrids: 430 Hybrid 22*... Steelfiber 780Hy DHy #4 ... Diamana LTD 65r Irons: '23 T200 5-Pw ... Steelfiber i95r Wedges: Vokey 50*/54*/58* ... Steelfiber i95r Putter: Sport-60 33" Ball: Maxfli Maxfli Tour Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STUDque Posted September 22, 2017 Share Posted September 22, 2017 ... When I was tying to break into single digits I played with a satellite tour guy and he told me to take more club. When tour pro's are not pin high, they are long 50% of the time and short 50% of the time. Amateur's are short 99% of the time. Depending on the pin and what trouble is over the green always take enough club to get past the pin. I began hitting more shots closer to the pin and more shots past the pin than I ever had before and my scores immediately improved. ... Obviously there are times whether is trouble long you want to avoid or pin placements you want to be below, but for normal stock shots only take your ideal club yardage if it is perfect. You hit your 8 iron 145 and the pins 146, hit a 7 iron. If there is even a gentle wind in your face hit a 7 iron. If it is a little uphill hit a 7 iron. Now if it is quite a bit uphill or you have a good wind in your face hit a 6 iron. I can pretty much guarantee if you take more iron than you think you need you will be surprised at your results. In fact I would suggest playing a round taking one more club than you normally would for every shot and it will be an eye opening experience for most. +1 to this. Very great points. I've adopted this approach this season and it's been great for my game. The only time I take that 8 iron now is if the wind is helping. Sent from carrier pigeon using MyGolfSpy In my Pisa, riding on a 3.5+ G410+ EXS 5W King F7 Hy i500 5-GW Equalizer 56/60 Heppler Ketsch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hackabilly Posted September 23, 2017 Author Share Posted September 23, 2017 ... When I was tying to break into single digits I played with a satellite tour guy and he told me to take more club. When tour pro's are not pin high, they are long 50% of the time and short 50% of the time. Amateur's are short 99% of the time. Depending on the pin and what trouble is over the green always take enough club to get past the pin. I began hitting more shots closer to the pin and more shots past the pin than I ever had before and my scores immediately improved. ... Obviously there are times whether it's trouble long you want to avoid or pin placements you want to be below, but for normal stock shots only take your ideal club yardage if it is perfect. You hit your 8 iron 145 and the pins 146, hit a 7 iron. If there is even a gentle wind in your face hit a 7 iron. If it is a little uphill hit a 7 iron. Now if it is quite a bit uphill or you have a good wind in your face hit a 6 iron. I can pretty much guarantee if you take more iron than you think you need you will be surprised at your results. In fact I would suggest playing a round taking one more club than you normally would for every shot and it will be an eye opening experience for most. This is very interesting advice, thanks for the tip chisag! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ole gray Posted September 23, 2017 Share Posted September 23, 2017 When I went from Jack Daniels to Miller Lite it made a world of difference. Other than that I'm still looking for that Ah Ha moment. One thing that may lead to a few ah ha moments for me is when I swing more up right instead of flatter than a mouse under a corn bin door. Ping G430 Max Driver 10.5 Degree Titleist TSR1 4, 5, & 6 Hybrids Titleist T350 Irons 7 - W48 Cleveland CBX ZipCore 52 56 & 60 Degree Wedges LAB Mezz Max Broomstick Putter / TPT Shaft (Platinum @ 45/78) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hackabilly Posted September 23, 2017 Author Share Posted September 23, 2017 When I went from Jack Daniels to Miller Lite it made a world of difference. Other than that I'm still looking for that Ah Ha moment. One thing that may lead to a few ah ha moments for me is when I swing more up right instead of flatter than a mouse under a corn bin door.Can always count on ole gray for a solid one liner, or two. Lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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