perseveringgolfer Posted January 26, 2019 Share Posted January 26, 2019 21 hours ago, GolfSpy MPR said: Did my first work with foot spray powder this evening. Turns out that the swing changes I've begin to implement have resulted in a very consistent toe strike on full swings. Good to know, and another thing to dial in. Also, I compress the snot out of foam practice balls: (For those saying, "I thought you said you had a toe strike pattern?", this picture was from three pitch swings. At least I'm finding the center with those.) when I first saw this picture I thought WTF is the size of ball you are using Read on to see its a foam ball.......phew! Quote Driver Awaiting NEW Driver (after 10 yrs) 4 Wood Callaway Big Bertha Steelhead plus 4+ Callaway shaft in 'Firm' flex Hybrid Titleist 910H 19* Diamana ahina 'flower' shaft in 'S' Irons Mizuno MP18SC 4-PW N.S Pro Modus3 Tour 105 in 'S' Wedges Callaway Mack Daddy forged in black 50* and 54* KBS Tour in 'R' Putter 'YES' Tracy 11 C groove 34.5" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
romeopapazulu Posted January 26, 2019 Share Posted January 26, 2019 Did my first work with foot spray powder this evening. Turns out that the swing changes I've begin to implement have resulted in a very consistent toe strike on full swings. Good to know, and another thing to dial in. Also, I compress the snot out of foam practice balls: (For those saying, "I thought you said you had a toe strike pattern?", this picture was from three pitch swings. At least I'm finding the center with those.)I was expecting you to be a brand ambassador for SuperSpeed no later than 10am on Monday. Then I saw “foam ball”Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy GolfSpy MPR, MaxEntropy, MattF and 1 other 3 1 Quote G400 LST 8.5 Ping Tour 65 Stiff Adams XTD Ti 18 deg 3Hy Ben Hogan PTx 22-46 Ben Hogan TK15 50, 54, 58 deg wedges Futura 5.5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GolfSpy MPR Posted February 9, 2019 Author Share Posted February 9, 2019 Still subzero temps here, which discourages garage work. But I'm enjoying chipping with with SkyTrak. This morning, I set a new personal best: six 10-yard chips that finished a total of 12' 2" from the hole. I'll absolutely take that every time. null, Angry Yeti, cksurfdude and 1 other 2 2 Quote TS3 9.5°, Tensei Blue CBX T3 15°, Project X HZRDUS Black Epic Super Hybrid 18°, Aerotech Steel Fiber FC HYB S C722 21°, Ventus Blue 8S CBX Iron-Wood 25°, Project X HZRDUS Black 6.0 639 CB, Aldila NV 95 Graphite, 6–PW CBX 48° T22 54° and 60° EAS 4.0, Garsen G-Pro grip TP5x and Tour Response Full WITB with pictures Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
null Posted February 9, 2019 Share Posted February 9, 2019 Have you considered doing an online lesson or two in order to get a trained set of eyes on your swing? I have been following Larry Cheung on Instagram and Youtube and I love his coaching style and thoughts on the swing. https://larrycheunggolf.com/ If I didn't have a local pro, I would definitely opt for online lessons with him. Shankster and GolfSpy MPR 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GolfSpy MPR Posted February 9, 2019 Author Share Posted February 9, 2019 Have you considered doing an online lesson or two in order to get a trained set of eyes on your swing? I have been following Larry Cheung on Instagram and Youtube and I love his coaching style and thoughts on the swing. https://larrycheunggolf.com/ If I didn't have a local pro, I would definitely opt for online lessons with him.Good question. My answer is somewhere between "the thought has crossed my mind" and "I've seriously looked into it."If I were to do it, I'd almost certainly set something up with the coach I've mentioned who's about an hour away. I really like his approach to the game, and I want him to end up as Kirke's coach. If I were to do it, I'd probably aim for some package of a combination of an in-person lesson at the beginning and end, with online lessons in between. null 1 Quote TS3 9.5°, Tensei Blue CBX T3 15°, Project X HZRDUS Black Epic Super Hybrid 18°, Aerotech Steel Fiber FC HYB S C722 21°, Ventus Blue 8S CBX Iron-Wood 25°, Project X HZRDUS Black 6.0 639 CB, Aldila NV 95 Graphite, 6–PW CBX 48° T22 54° and 60° EAS 4.0, Garsen G-Pro grip TP5x and Tour Response Full WITB with pictures Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
null Posted February 9, 2019 Share Posted February 9, 2019 21 minutes ago, GolfSpy MPR said: Good question. My answer is somewhere between "the thought has crossed my mind" and "I've seriously looked into it." If I were to do it, I'd almost certainly set something up with the coach I've mentioned who's about an hour away. I really like his approach to the game, and I want him to end up as Kirke's coach. If I were to do it, I'd probably aim for some package of a combination of an in-person lesson at the beginning and end, with online lessons in between. I really admire the work you're doing on your own. However, I think working with a coach, even just for a little bit, will help you build your personal toolkit to self diagnose and fix. JohnSmalls, cksurfdude and GolfSpy MPR 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edingc Posted February 10, 2019 Share Posted February 10, 2019 On 1/15/2019 at 10:59 AM, JohnSmalls said: Just want to raise and hand and shout reverend. This has helped me out tremendously off the tee. Not sure if it's due to playing off the rack or not. Definitely not saying it will help you @GolfSpy MPR, but I am a firm believer in ball placement for my own game. Looking forward in following your journey this year! If you poke around the Be Better Golf YouTube channel, one of the teachers he meets with advocated this as well. Especially if you want to hit up on the ball. GolfSpy MPR and JohnSmalls 2 Quote Unofficial WHS Handicap: 7.5 / Anti-Cap: 13.0 (Last Updated Feb. 19, 2024) Driver: Callaway Paradym TD (10.5°, -1/N), 45.75", Fujikura Motore X F1 6X | Fitting Post 3 Wood: Cobra RadSpeed Big Tour (14.5°), 43", Fujikura Motore X F1 7X 20° Hybrid: PXG 0211 (2020 Model), 40.25", Mitsubishi Tensei AV RAW White 90X 4 Utility: Cobra KING Utility (2020 Model), 38.5", Aerotech SteelFiber i110cw Stiff 5-PW: Ben Hogan PTx Pro, 37" 7 Iron, Aerotech SteelFiber i125cw Stiff | Club Champion Fitting 50°, 54°, 58°: Edel SMS, V Grind, Nippon Modus 125 Wedge| Official Review Thread Putter: L.A.B. Golf DF 2.1, 36", 68°, Black with Custom Sightlines, BGT Stability Tour, L.A.B. Press II 3° | Unofficial Review Grips: Star Sidewinder, Undersized with Custom Tape Build-Up Ball: Snell MTB-X Optic Yellow Tracked By: Shot Scope H4 Bag: Personalized 2020 Sun Mountain Sync Riding On: Bag Boy Nitron | Official Review Thread WITB? | 2022 Reviewer Edel SMS Wedges | 2021 Reviewer Maxfli Tour and Tour X Balls | 2020 Participant #CobraConnect Challenge | 2019 Reviewer Callaway Epic Flash Driver Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GolfSpy MPR Posted February 12, 2019 Author Share Posted February 12, 2019 We're still a long (long, long) way from golf in these parts, but I want to add something to my goals this year. The No Laying Up guys have a season-long challenge at their local muni that everyone in their group has to birdie each hole on the course during the season, or else they end up paying up in a bet. I'm no betting man, but I like the goal. So on my checklist for the season: birdie each hole at my local course once this season. GB13, Shankster, sirchunksalot and 2 others 5 Quote TS3 9.5°, Tensei Blue CBX T3 15°, Project X HZRDUS Black Epic Super Hybrid 18°, Aerotech Steel Fiber FC HYB S C722 21°, Ventus Blue 8S CBX Iron-Wood 25°, Project X HZRDUS Black 6.0 639 CB, Aldila NV 95 Graphite, 6–PW CBX 48° T22 54° and 60° EAS 4.0, Garsen G-Pro grip TP5x and Tour Response Full WITB with pictures Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TR1PTIK Posted February 12, 2019 Share Posted February 12, 2019 12 minutes ago, GolfSpy MPR said: We're still a long (long, long) way from golf in these parts, but I want to add something to my goals this year. The No Laying Up guys have a season-long challenge at their local muni that everyone in their group has to birdie each hole on the course during the season, or else they end up paying up in a bet. I'm no betting man, but I like the goal. So on my checklist for the season: birdie each hole at my local course once this season. I listened to that NLU podcast and thought that would make a good goal. I had forgot about it though so I'm glad you mentioned it. GolfSpy MPR 1 Quote Driver: ST190 9.5* Fujikura Atmos Blue 5S Fairway Wood: ST190 15* Fujikura Atmos Blue 6S Hybrid: CLK 17* Fujikura Speeder EVO HB Irons: J40 CB (3-PW) Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 Wedges: Milled Grind 2 54* & 58* Dynamic Gold S200 Putter: Tri-Hot 5k Two 34" Bag: Players 5 Stand Bag Ball: Maxfli Tour Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juspoole Posted February 13, 2019 Share Posted February 13, 2019 (edited) 18 hours ago, TR1PTIK said: I listened to that NLU podcast and thought that would make a good goal. I had forgot about it though so I'm glad you mentioned it. Another good podcast to help ease you in your journey on the difficulty this can be is Chasing Scratch. I know you have difficulty getting to a range or course, but within the podcast they found an interesting approach that I believe came from College golf teams. It seems like it puts more focus on your practice as well as pressure, which most don't seem to have when they are just hitting one ball after another or not giving much thought to their putts on a practice green. Scratch Golf Practice Schedule.xlsx Edited February 13, 2019 by juspoole cksurfdude, GolfSpy MPR and bardle 3 Quote Driver: Mavrik Sub Zero 9* (Set to 10) Ventus Blue 6X 2 Hybrid: TSI3 Hybrid Tensei Blue 80 X (17.25*) 3 Hybrid 818 H2 Hybrid Hzrdus RDX Black 6.5 (20.5*) 4 Iron - T200 4 Iron Graphite Design Tour AD IZ X Hybrid Shaft Irons 5-PW: T100-S 5 - GW KBS Tour 130 X Gap/Sand Wedge: Vokey SM6 49* SM8 54* Lob Wedge: Jaws 5 Wedge 58* DG Tour Issue Stiff Putter: Phantom 5.5 34" Pro Platinum Newport 2 35" Taylormade Tour Black Spider 34" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bardle Posted February 13, 2019 Share Posted February 13, 2019 I'm late to this thread but I'm intrigued. I'm also planning for this year to be a huge improvement year for my game. I found a club about 5 minutes from my work and 10 minutes from my house that I have a meeting with this week to take a tour. If it works out I plan to take my lunch break and go hit balls whenever I don't have lunch meetings. Hopefully 3 times a week. I would love to get to a 15 handicap and break 90 a couple of times this year. Anything better than that is just gravy. Maybe I too will start a thread if I commit to joining this club. cksurfdude, edingc and GolfSpy MPR 3 Quote RH: Driver: F9 9.0º - 14g Low - Evenflow White T1100 75G X Woods: F9 3W - Evenflow White T1100 75G X Hybrids: F9 3H - Aldila Green X Irons: F9 One Length 4-PW - Modus3 Tour 105 S Wedges: King Wedges 50º/54º/58º Versatile Putter: Sigma G Tyne 35" Ball: Srixon Z Star XV #cobraconnect19 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edingc Posted February 14, 2019 Share Posted February 14, 2019 7 hours ago, bardle said: I'm late to this thread but I'm intrigued. I'm also planning for this year to be a huge improvement year for my game. I found a club about 5 minutes from my work and 10 minutes from my house that I have a meeting with this week to take a tour. If it works out I plan to take my lunch break and go hit balls whenever I don't have lunch meetings. Hopefully 3 times a week. I would love to get to a 15 handicap and break 90 a couple of times this year. Anything better than that is just gravy. Maybe I too will start a thread if I commit to joining this club. Yeah, this thread has me inspired as well. I spent so much of last summer completely lost in regards to my swing. Didn't get started down the right track until nearly middle of September, and then I only had four weeks of OK weather to play with. I'm lucky to have a driving range, putting green and sand trap/chipping practice area about a minute's drive from where I park at work. My hope this summer is to hit balls twice a week and chip/putt another two days. I'm trying to swing taking some vacation time every Tuesday morning throughout the summer as well to sneak in nine holes before work. cksurfdude and GolfSpy MPR 2 Quote Unofficial WHS Handicap: 7.5 / Anti-Cap: 13.0 (Last Updated Feb. 19, 2024) Driver: Callaway Paradym TD (10.5°, -1/N), 45.75", Fujikura Motore X F1 6X | Fitting Post 3 Wood: Cobra RadSpeed Big Tour (14.5°), 43", Fujikura Motore X F1 7X 20° Hybrid: PXG 0211 (2020 Model), 40.25", Mitsubishi Tensei AV RAW White 90X 4 Utility: Cobra KING Utility (2020 Model), 38.5", Aerotech SteelFiber i110cw Stiff 5-PW: Ben Hogan PTx Pro, 37" 7 Iron, Aerotech SteelFiber i125cw Stiff | Club Champion Fitting 50°, 54°, 58°: Edel SMS, V Grind, Nippon Modus 125 Wedge| Official Review Thread Putter: L.A.B. Golf DF 2.1, 36", 68°, Black with Custom Sightlines, BGT Stability Tour, L.A.B. Press II 3° | Unofficial Review Grips: Star Sidewinder, Undersized with Custom Tape Build-Up Ball: Snell MTB-X Optic Yellow Tracked By: Shot Scope H4 Bag: Personalized 2020 Sun Mountain Sync Riding On: Bag Boy Nitron | Official Review Thread WITB? | 2022 Reviewer Edel SMS Wedges | 2021 Reviewer Maxfli Tour and Tour X Balls | 2020 Participant #CobraConnect Challenge | 2019 Reviewer Callaway Epic Flash Driver Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GolfSpy MPR Posted February 14, 2019 Author Share Posted February 14, 2019 I was doing some putting work last night. I aim for a straight-back-straight-through stroke, and as is common with that method, my prevailing tendency is a backstroke outside the line, and through stroke that cuts across the ball. Inspired by the new putting mirror from PuttOut, I decided to hack together a putter gate. I have a mirror, so I drilled some holes in it that would hold my Balls of Steel (actual product name). Viola! I think I posted about this some time before, but one thing I've been trying to figure out is how to accurately see the putting line. I use a laser level to align my putting mirror, so I know with certainty that it is aimed at the middle of the cup. And yet, when I stand over a put, it always looks like it's aimed left of the hole. And I can't find any way of standing (outside of straddling the line, Sam Snead-style) that eliminates this illusion for me. I wanted to experiment with this more, to see if I could figure something out. So I set up my one-foot-more-than-a-yardstick right up to the hole: Here's how bad this is for me: when I set up over this putt with the ruler, it can't possibly be the case that the line is left. And with the edge of the ruler right behind the ball, I know exactly how to set my putter square to that line. Yet everything in me tells me to aim my putter a couple degrees open to that line, because it somehow looks left to me. Further evidence of this: I attached my SwingByte to my putter. Now, a SwingByte has no idea where you should aim; it bases all its data on a comparison to your address position. After playing with my aim for a while, I just went back to doing my normal putt. This is a typical SwingByte analysis: There are good things here. I like the tempo and the upward attack angle (though the shaft lean should be forward at impact). But the path cuts across the ball. I'm opening the face to the path, but it is still closed relative to my address position. What I've learned to do, apparently, is aim slightly to the right of the correct line, and then adjust at impact to close the face and start the ball on my intended line. I'm pretty close to resigning myself to this being just how I putt. I'm not a poor putter (though there's room for improvement). But because I can't find any stance that makes the correct line look correct, and since I'm clearly making the compensation for my odd vision, I'm probably just going to work on dialing in the method I've got, rather than fighting it. TR1PTIK and cksurfdude 2 Quote TS3 9.5°, Tensei Blue CBX T3 15°, Project X HZRDUS Black Epic Super Hybrid 18°, Aerotech Steel Fiber FC HYB S C722 21°, Ventus Blue 8S CBX Iron-Wood 25°, Project X HZRDUS Black 6.0 639 CB, Aldila NV 95 Graphite, 6–PW CBX 48° T22 54° and 60° EAS 4.0, Garsen G-Pro grip TP5x and Tour Response Full WITB with pictures Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GolfSpy MPR Posted February 14, 2019 Author Share Posted February 14, 2019 And now to post right over top of myself: I might also have learned something about my full swing. I recently acquired a version of the Smart Ball (essentially, an inflatable ball with a lanyard to keep it from getting away). When I got into my golf posture and attempted to grab the ball with my forearms, I found that the ball naturally hangs quite a bit more away from my body than my forearms want to hang. Especially with short irons, I think, my hand position is a bit too close to me. My hunch is that that address position constricts the room for the club to return back shallowly through impact, contributing to my tendency to stand the shaft up. So here was an attempt to purposefully set up with my hands a bit more away from myself, imagining that I was grabbing the ball with my forearms during setup. I'm using a hickory-shafted niblick that was a gift from a church member, a club I keep in my office. I'm happy with a lot of things here. It isn't much of a backswing, but the club is wedge-length. I'd like to see the club come even a bit more down through transition before it starts coming around. But it is (for me) not a steep angle for the shaft at impact. Progress. Shankster, toehold57, cksurfdude and 1 other 4 Quote TS3 9.5°, Tensei Blue CBX T3 15°, Project X HZRDUS Black Epic Super Hybrid 18°, Aerotech Steel Fiber FC HYB S C722 21°, Ventus Blue 8S CBX Iron-Wood 25°, Project X HZRDUS Black 6.0 639 CB, Aldila NV 95 Graphite, 6–PW CBX 48° T22 54° and 60° EAS 4.0, Garsen G-Pro grip TP5x and Tour Response Full WITB with pictures Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
null Posted February 14, 2019 Share Posted February 14, 2019 ^^^^^^^^ That's a good looking swing right there. I was impressed with the lower body movement more than anything else. GolfSpy MPR 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GolfSpy MPR Posted February 14, 2019 Author Share Posted February 14, 2019 Just now, jlukes said: ^^^^^^^^ That's a good looking swing right there. I was impressed with the lower body movement more than anything else. Thanks, @jlukes. That means a lot to me. On the lower body movement: I've really been picking up a lot of useful information from your thread, so I want to thank you again for that. I likely need to get a face-on shot of my swing at some point. null and cksurfdude 2 Quote TS3 9.5°, Tensei Blue CBX T3 15°, Project X HZRDUS Black Epic Super Hybrid 18°, Aerotech Steel Fiber FC HYB S C722 21°, Ventus Blue 8S CBX Iron-Wood 25°, Project X HZRDUS Black 6.0 639 CB, Aldila NV 95 Graphite, 6–PW CBX 48° T22 54° and 60° EAS 4.0, Garsen G-Pro grip TP5x and Tour Response Full WITB with pictures Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
romeopapazulu Posted February 14, 2019 Share Posted February 14, 2019 I found that I had to do a head cock to get the alignment look right. It's a slight left eyebrow away from the target and chin towards it. Is that Evnroll face balanced? Are your tendencies the same I'd you did the same thing with more toe hang?You also have quite the assortment of putters. Do they all line up the same way to you? I've always wondered how the alignment lines on a putter influence where you aim. Is that something Edel does in a fitting?Sent from my SM-A600A using MyGolfSpy mobile app GolfSpy MPR 1 Quote G400 LST 8.5 Ping Tour 65 Stiff Adams XTD Ti 18 deg 3Hy Ben Hogan PTx 22-46 Ben Hogan TK15 50, 54, 58 deg wedges Futura 5.5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GolfSpy MPR Posted February 14, 2019 Author Share Posted February 14, 2019 9 minutes ago, romeopapazulu said: I found that I had to do a head cock to get the alignment look right. It's a slight left eyebrow away from the target and chin towards it. Is that Evnroll face balanced? Are your tendencies the same I'd you did the same thing with more toe hang? You also have quite the assortment of putters. Do they all line up the same way to you? I've always wondered how the alignment lines on a putter influence where you aim. Is that something Edel does in a fitting? Sent from my SM-A600A using MyGolfSpy mobile app Great questions. I think I've moved in just about every possible position, to no avail. I'll probably keep experimenting from time to time. As for the putters: I need to try this again with the MLA. If any putter has a chance to help, it would seem like that one would. And I'm very intrigued by the Edel fitting. Probably wouldn't be able to justify the cost of both of the fitting and the custom putter, but I have to imagine the fitting itself would be very informative. The only thing that makes me skeptical that a particular alignment setup would fix the problem is that the line (whether mirror, ruler, or laser) will look left even before I have a putter in hand, just taking my stance. Quote TS3 9.5°, Tensei Blue CBX T3 15°, Project X HZRDUS Black Epic Super Hybrid 18°, Aerotech Steel Fiber FC HYB S C722 21°, Ventus Blue 8S CBX Iron-Wood 25°, Project X HZRDUS Black 6.0 639 CB, Aldila NV 95 Graphite, 6–PW CBX 48° T22 54° and 60° EAS 4.0, Garsen G-Pro grip TP5x and Tour Response Full WITB with pictures Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cnosil Posted February 15, 2019 Share Posted February 15, 2019 6 hours ago, GolfSpy MPR said: I was doing some putting work last night. I aim for a straight-back-straight-through stroke, and as is common with that method, my prevailing tendency is a backstroke outside the line, and through stroke that cuts across the ball. I think I posted about this some time before, but one thing I've been trying to figure out is how to accurately see the putting line. I use a laser level to align my putting mirror, so I know with certainty that it is aimed at the middle of the cup. And yet, when I stand over a put, it always looks like it's aimed left of the hole. While I know you are trying to do SBST, it really isn't possible without some manipulation. If you turn your shoulders the putter has to come inside the target line. To accomplish SBST you would have to move your hands away from your body as you make the turn. I also have a tendency to move my putter outside the line. A couple of things you can try is to put an object, like a sleeve of balls, outside your putters path on the backstroke. Either you stay on the line/come inside or you hit the box. The other think that may work is to hover your putter before the backstroke, it engages the muscles and will keep the putter on the right path. Seeing the line accurately is in my mind an important part of putting. Your doubt will potentially cause you to manipulate the stroke to correct what you are seeing. You can find a position that allow you to see the line correctly. For me that is upright posture and off the ball. Without a putter, setup to your line and adjust your posture up and down, move forward and back from the ball, lift and lower your head, and tilt your head right and left. You CAN find a position, the question is are you willing to accept that position. If so, practice getting into that posture without a putter until you can do it repeatedly. cksurfdude, STUDque and romeopapazulu 3 Quote Driver: G400 Max 9* w/ KBS Tour Driven Fairway: XCG7 Beta 15* w/Fujikura Fuel 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: Sacks Parente MC 3 Stripe Backup Putters: Milled Collection RSX 2, mFGP2, Futura 5W, TM-180 Member: MGS Hitsquad since 2017 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GolfSpy MPR Posted February 15, 2019 Author Share Posted February 15, 2019 11 hours ago, cnosil said: Seeing the line accurately is in my mind an important part of putting. Your doubt will potentially cause you to manipulate the stroke to correct what you are seeing. You can find a position that allow you to see the line correctly. For me that is upright posture and off the ball. Without a putter, setup to your line and adjust your posture up and down, move forward and back from the ball, lift and lower your head, and tilt your head right and left. You CAN find a position, the question is are you willing to accept that position. If so, practice getting into that posture without a putter until you can do it repeatedly. Definitely appreciate the advice, and the confidence that I can see the line. Trust me when I say that I'm trying. I have no expertise in vision, but I will note that I had glasses from the time I was five: the extra-thick, nerdy kind. I have always been massively near-sighted. After college, I got laser surgery. That gave me almost a decade of living without glasses, but my vision regressed, and by my late 20s, I was in glasses again. I have no idea if this is relevant at all, but it wouldn't surprise me if the extent of my poor vision might have some impact on my ability to align correctly. I worked at this again last night. Once again, I used my laser to make sure everything was exactly in line. I aligned the 4-foot-stick to the hole, but this time, I backed the ball up to the 8-foot mark. I wanted to stand over the ball and get myself in a position where it looked like I should roll the ball over the ruler to make the putt. The best I could do was moving my eyes in line with the ball, but leaning so my head was a foot-and-a-half behind the ball. I can't make a serious putting stroke from that position. I came back upstairs, explaining my problem to my wife (she's patient). And she gave me an idea: what about standing over the putt on the left-handed side. I immediately went back downstairs, telling my wife she was going to regret this because I was going to have to start assembling a lefty putter collection. Sure enough: if I stand over the ball left-handed, the line looks correct to me. I then grabbed my Spider (which has a flattish back side) and rolled some putts left-handed. Since I ordinarily putt left-hand-low, the grip was normal. I kept forward pressing backwards . But I surprised myself at how many I was able to make from that side. I'm probably not going to switch to putting left-handed this season. I mean, I'm crazy, but that crazy? (But if any lefties here have a decent mallet that's exiled to a closet....) sirchunksalot, romeopapazulu, Thin2win and 2 others 4 1 Quote TS3 9.5°, Tensei Blue CBX T3 15°, Project X HZRDUS Black Epic Super Hybrid 18°, Aerotech Steel Fiber FC HYB S C722 21°, Ventus Blue 8S CBX Iron-Wood 25°, Project X HZRDUS Black 6.0 639 CB, Aldila NV 95 Graphite, 6–PW CBX 48° T22 54° and 60° EAS 4.0, Garsen G-Pro grip TP5x and Tour Response Full WITB with pictures Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fixyurdivot Posted February 15, 2019 Share Posted February 15, 2019 Looks like a fun project. As another point of reference, I'm NOT self taught. I started out as a yute having lessons and many have commented that I have great fundamentals/swing. Decades later, I made another attempt at lessons and reaching your same goal but still could not crack the single digit code. At my iron fitting this past summer, the fitter told me "you make a really nice move on the ball". I replied thanks, but sure wished that translated into lower scoring. I thought for sure he would say "buy the G400's and that will get it done", but instead just said that, more than anything, I really just need drills aimed at ball strike consistency. This makes sense when I compare myself to the guys I've played with who are single digit players - they just make fewer mis-strikes. But you have one advantage I didn't have back then... MGS . Look forward to reading about your progress and success. Good luck! MattF, cksurfdude and GolfSpy MPR 3 Quote G410 Plus, 9 Degree Driver G400 SFT, 16 Degree 3w G400 SFT, 19 Degree 5w ZX5 Irons 4-AW Glide 2.0 56 Degree SW (removed from double secret probation ) ER5v Putter (Official Review) AI-One Milled Seven T CH (Official Review) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cnosil Posted February 15, 2019 Share Posted February 15, 2019 Definitely appreciate the advice, and the confidence that I can see the line. Trust me when I say that I'm trying. I have no expertise in vision, but I will note that I had glasses from the time I was five: the extra-thick, nerdy kind. I have always been massively near-sighted. After college, I got laser surgery. That gave me almost a decade of living without glasses, but my vision regressed, and by my late 20s, I was in glasses again. I have no idea if this is relevant at all, but it wouldn't surprise me if the extent of my poor vision might have some impact on my ability to align correctly. I worked at this again last night. Once again, I used my laser to make sure everything was exactly in line. I aligned the 4-foot-stick to the hole, but this time, I backed the ball up to the 8-foot mark. I wanted to stand over the ball and get myself in a position where it looked like I should roll the ball over the ruler to make the putt. The best I could do was moving my eyes in line with the ball, but leaning so my head was a foot-and-a-half behind the ball. I can't make a serious putting stroke from that position. I came back upstairs, explaining my problem to my wife (she's patient). And she gave me an idea: what about standing over the putt on the left-handed side. I immediately went back downstairs, telling my wife she was going to regret this because I was going to have to start assembling a lefty putter collection. Sure enough: if I stand over the ball left-handed, the line looks correct to me. I then grabbed my Spider (which has a flattish back side) and rolled some putts left-handed. Since I ordinarily putt left-hand-low, the grip was normal. I kept forward pressing backwards . But I surprised myself at how many I was able to make from that side. I'm probably not going to switch to putting left-handed this season. I mean, I'm crazy, but that crazy? (But if any lefties here have a decent mallet that's exiled to a closet....)Sounds like eye dominance may be in play. Move the ball/ruler forward and back in your stance. It may also help if the ball is in front of the ruler instead of behind. Basically imagine the line you setup to is behind the ball. If you visualize this, it may also help you avoid going outside the line on the backswing. Putting is about decisions and understanding the impact of those decisions. What works best for you is the right way! Wish I was closer, we could have some great discussions on this topic. cksurfdude and GolfSpy MPR 2 Quote Driver: G400 Max 9* w/ KBS Tour Driven Fairway: XCG7 Beta 15* w/Fujikura Fuel 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: Sacks Parente MC 3 Stripe Backup Putters: Milled Collection RSX 2, mFGP2, Futura 5W, TM-180 Member: MGS Hitsquad since 2017 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GolfSpy MPR Posted February 16, 2019 Author Share Posted February 16, 2019 Planning to get in the garage for some full swing practice today (it's a beautiful 24° day!), but did some short game with in the basement this morning. I've been doing a lot of random practice from 10–20 yards. So today I put that to the test: a skills assessment, with three shots each from 10, 15, and 20 yards.Turns out, practice helps:I'll obviously be interested in how this translates to the course, but my short game (according to Game Golf) was one of the weakest parts of my game. If I can turn that into a strength, that'll go a long way to my reaching my goal here. cnosil, cksurfdude, edingc and 1 other 3 1 Quote TS3 9.5°, Tensei Blue CBX T3 15°, Project X HZRDUS Black Epic Super Hybrid 18°, Aerotech Steel Fiber FC HYB S C722 21°, Ventus Blue 8S CBX Iron-Wood 25°, Project X HZRDUS Black 6.0 639 CB, Aldila NV 95 Graphite, 6–PW CBX 48° T22 54° and 60° EAS 4.0, Garsen G-Pro grip TP5x and Tour Response Full WITB with pictures Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GolfSpy MPR Posted February 21, 2019 Author Share Posted February 21, 2019 Because I've mentioned it on a couple occasions, here my combo high-tech/low-tech indoor short game practice setup: I turned the screen toward the camera to show the SkyTrak display (though it's small). It's asking for a 12 yard shot, which I hit. The question: how many takes were needed to make this video? TSauer, sirchunksalot, GB13 and 2 others 5 Quote TS3 9.5°, Tensei Blue CBX T3 15°, Project X HZRDUS Black Epic Super Hybrid 18°, Aerotech Steel Fiber FC HYB S C722 21°, Ventus Blue 8S CBX Iron-Wood 25°, Project X HZRDUS Black 6.0 639 CB, Aldila NV 95 Graphite, 6–PW CBX 48° T22 54° and 60° EAS 4.0, Garsen G-Pro grip TP5x and Tour Response Full WITB with pictures Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TR1PTIK Posted February 21, 2019 Share Posted February 21, 2019 (edited) On 2/14/2019 at 1:33 PM, GolfSpy MPR said: I was doing some putting work last night. I aim for a straight-back-straight-through stroke, and as is common with that method, my prevailing tendency is a backstroke outside the line, and through stroke that cuts across the ball. Inspired by the new putting mirror from PuttOut, I decided to hack together a putter gate. I have a mirror, so I drilled some holes in it that would hold my Balls of Steel (actual product name). Viola! Depending on how strong your stance is on the SBST putting stroke, I think you'll see some good improvement after reading/working through the book I recommended to you yesterday. It changed my thoughts for sure, and I'd definitely argue that I'm a much better putter than I used to be. Great idea on the putting mirror! I have the balls of steel as well and have never really liked them for their intended use. This seems like a much more practical use for those paper weights and I don't even have to drill holes on the mirror I have. Can't believe I never thought of that before lol. Edited February 21, 2019 by TR1PTIK typos GolfSpy MPR 1 Quote Driver: ST190 9.5* Fujikura Atmos Blue 5S Fairway Wood: ST190 15* Fujikura Atmos Blue 6S Hybrid: CLK 17* Fujikura Speeder EVO HB Irons: J40 CB (3-PW) Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 Wedges: Milled Grind 2 54* & 58* Dynamic Gold S200 Putter: Tri-Hot 5k Two 34" Bag: Players 5 Stand Bag Ball: Maxfli Tour Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
null Posted February 21, 2019 Share Posted February 21, 2019 9 hours ago, GolfSpy MPR said: Because I've mentioned it on a couple occasions, here my combo high-tech/low-tech indoor short game practice setup: I turned the screen toward the camera to show the SkyTrak display (though it's small). It's asking for a 12 yard shot, which I hit. The question: how many takes were needed to make this video? I would seriously suggest getting a board or mat to put under your feet to give yourself an even lie. Right now you are practicing chipping with the ball consistently one inch above your feet which could cause some bad habits when you get to some neutral lies. cksurfdude, juspoole, edingc and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GolfSpy MPR Posted February 21, 2019 Author Share Posted February 21, 2019 2 hours ago, jlukes said: I would seriously suggest getting a board or mat to put under your feet to give yourself an even lie. Right now you are practicing chipping with the ball consistently one inch above your feet which could cause some bad habits when you get to some neutral lies. Good call. I've tended to mix it up: I've done a lot of shots without the mat at all. Just trying to avoid making a wear spot in my green. But you've given me an idea: I'll probably also do some practice standing on the mat and hitting off the green, to work on ball below my feet lies. cksurfdude 1 Quote TS3 9.5°, Tensei Blue CBX T3 15°, Project X HZRDUS Black Epic Super Hybrid 18°, Aerotech Steel Fiber FC HYB S C722 21°, Ventus Blue 8S CBX Iron-Wood 25°, Project X HZRDUS Black 6.0 639 CB, Aldila NV 95 Graphite, 6–PW CBX 48° T22 54° and 60° EAS 4.0, Garsen G-Pro grip TP5x and Tour Response Full WITB with pictures Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TSauer Posted February 21, 2019 Share Posted February 21, 2019 Because I've mentioned it on a couple occasions, here my combo high-tech/low-tech indoor short game practice setup: I turned the screen toward the camera to show the SkyTrak display (though it's small). It's asking for a 12 yard shot, which I hit. The question: how many takes were needed to make this video? Got freaked out for a second when I saw the dude in the upper right corner peeking through your window, until I realized it was just a reflection. HardcoreLooper, MattF, TR1PTIK and 2 others 2 3 Quote Driver: Aerojet 9* | Hzrdus Black Gen 4 Fairway: G410 3W 13* | Alta CB 65 Hybrid: TS2 18* | Tensei AV Blue 70 S Hybrid: iCrossover 20* | Kai'li White 80 Irons: P790 5-PW | DG S300 Wedges: Vokey SM9 | 52, 56, 60 | DG S200 Putter: Link.1 | Accra x LAB --- LAB Golf Link.1 Review --- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cksurfdude Posted February 22, 2019 Share Posted February 22, 2019 MPR, just an FYI on a few things on putting that have worked for me - obviously may or may *not* work for you... 1. I usually wear my progressives when I play, and there is DEFINITELY a pronounced curvature in the peripheral vision. If you have thick lenses it may be more pronounced for you, and thus have an effect when you're standing over a putt and then looking sideways towards the hole. 2. I keep my grip pressure as loose as possible, just shy of letting the putterhead twist in my hands on impact; more fingertip pressure vs in the hands. 3. Once set up, I think of "locking out" my wrists and elbows to try and encourage a more rocking the shoulders movement. 4. I either pick a spot in front of the ball that I want to roll the ball over - ie. my starting line - or I align the reference line on the ball to my intended putting line. * Either way once I've picked my line - from behind the ball - I square up the putter to that line and then I use it. Once I decided to trust the line and make my putt along it, I started making more putts and getting the rest much closer. If i second-guess myself when i set up to a putt then I'll step out, step behind the ball and double-check my line. Hope maybe something in there helps... GolfSpy MPR 1 Quote WITB of an "aspiring" play-ah ... Driver...Callaway Paradym (Aldila Ascent PL Blue 40/A) 5W...Callaway Great Big Bertha (MCA Kai'Li Red 50/R) 7W...Tour Edge Exotics EXS (Tensei CK Blue 50/R) 4H...Callaway Epic Super Hybrid (Recoil ZT9 F3) 5H...Callaway Big Bertha ('19) (Recoil 460 ESX F3) 6i-GW...Sub 70 699 V2 (Recoil 660 F3) 54°, 60°...Cleveland CBX2, CBX 60 (Rotex graphite) Putter...EvnRoll ER5 or MLA Tour XDream (P2 Reflex grips) ...all in a Datrek bag on an MGI Zip Navigator electric cart. Ball often, not always, MaxFli Tour. Forum Member tester for the Paradym X driver (2023) Forum Member tester for the ExPutt Putting Simulator (2020) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
romeopapazulu Posted February 22, 2019 Share Posted February 22, 2019 1 hour ago, cksurfdude said: Once I decided to trust the line and make my putt along it, I started making more putts and getting the rest much closer. If i second-guess myself when i set up to a putt then I'll step out, step behind the ball and double-check my line. I had too much second guessing last year. It was really often enough that it should have struck me as a problem. I finally discovered I can't line my alignment line on the ball up correctly. I suppose if that makes it into my top five hardest things about golf, the outlook isn't so bright. I've been practicing Eric Kaplan's body locks (vid posted below). i have yet to shovel snow off a real green to try them out in the real world, but am hopeful they will allow for some big improvements this year. When I do use the line on the ball, I find I can roll the line end over end pretty well. That might be a solution to having trouble seeing the line over the ball. As long as you don't suck at aiming the line on the ball (so embarrassing), and you can put a stroke on it to roll it end over end, some good speed control should lead to the sound of putts dropping. I tried the SBST, but agree that there are some weird manipulations unless I get in some positions that are uncomfortable after a short time. So now I am content with whatever curved path I get from the body locks. Some impact tape has shown that it is working quite well. The problem with this is I am thinking about a putter with some toe hang and that HB SOFT 11 is whispering in my ear. Like the kind that gives you shivers. cksurfdude and GolfSpy MPR 2 Quote G400 LST 8.5 Ping Tour 65 Stiff Adams XTD Ti 18 deg 3Hy Ben Hogan PTx 22-46 Ben Hogan TK15 50, 54, 58 deg wedges Futura 5.5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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