GolfSpy AFG’s Speed & Swing Odyssey

[cksurfdude]

Sorry haven't followed the full journey to date .. just your very first and that prior post .. but....

I wouldn't get too down on myself for seeing a dip in one metric. In weightlifting, for example, is progress always linear .. or maybe sometimes you have to back down a bit in weight and/or number of reps .. before moving "up" again..??

Plus maybe consider - how have you been driving the ball? (...ex. more fairways, or not, vs 2-3 years ago? ..more playable balls if fairway missed, like just off the fairway and you have a good second shot, vs 2-3 years ago?) .. And is your overall game better now vs where you started?

Anyway hope you get some answers from your doctor

[GolfSpy AFG]

On 9/4/2023 at 1:10 PM, cksurfdude said:

Sorry haven't followed the full journey to date .. just your very first and that prior post .. but....

I wouldn't get too down on myself for seeing a dip in one metric. In weightlifting, for example, is progress always linear .. or maybe sometimes you have to back down a bit in weight and/or number of reps .. before moving "up" again..??

Plus maybe consider - how have you been driving the ball? (...ex. more fairways, or not, vs 2-3 years ago? ..more playable balls if fairway missed, like just off the fairway and you have a good second shot, vs 2-3 years ago?) .. And is your overall game better now vs where you started?

Anyway hope you get some answers from your doctor

Thanks Chuck.

I hear what you are saying, and I’m trying to stay positive and stay after it. I know swing speeds gains aren’t linear, but in my case this is about a 6-month fall off a cliff.  
If the blood tests and medical route don’t reveal anything helpful, the next route will be a complete shutdown of weight training beyond very light calisthenics and doing speed training only. I shouldn’t have to do that, but maybe that’s what’s necessary to kick start things.

They pulled 9 vials of blood out of me yesterday, and the doctors appointment is next Friday.  Hopefully answers are coming…

[BMart519]

1 hour ago, Getoffmylawn said:

Thanks Chuck.

I hear what you are saying, and I’m trying to stay positive and stay after it. I know swing speeds gains aren’t linear, but in my case this is about a 6-month fall off a cliff.  
If the blood tests and medical route don’t reveal anything helpful, the next route will be a complete shutdown of weight training beyond very light calisthenics and doing speed training only. I shouldn’t have to do that, but maybe that’s what’s necessary to kick start things.

They pulled 9 vials of blood out of me yesterday, and the doctors appointment is next Friday.  Hopefully answers are coming…

You can't completely shut down weight training, you need to determine a level of lifting for maintenance (likely 1-2x per week). Otherwise even if you do gain speed through better technique, sequencing, or the development and recruitment of fast twitch muscle fibres you will be losing strength to impart maximum force on the golf club. This will eventually cap your speed or drop it and the loss of physical conditioning will make it more likely to incur injury.

[cnosil]

2 hours ago, Getoffmylawn said:

They pulled 9 vials of blood out of me yesterday, and the doctors appointment is next Friday.  Hopefully answers are coming…

Sorry to hear about your issues;  going through some stuff myself for the last couple of months.  Only a couple of blood tests, but have had lots of other tests and more coming up.    You get kind of torn and while you don't want it to be anything serious,  you just wish they would figure things out.   

[GolfSpy AFG]

Doctor's appointment tomorrow morning.  Blood work came back, and my white blood cell count is low, neutrophils are low, lymphocytes are up.  I'm probably just going to get referred to some specialists, but frankly it's nice to know that something is actually going on rather than this just being a case of poor training or simply a plateau.  Now I'm just crossing-fingers it's not something really serious.  There's an intense history of cancer in my family, however outside of the fatigue I don't have any other symptoms that would indicate that, and my doctor doesn't seem alarmed at all.  We'll see.  I'll post an update once I have something meaningful to report. 

In the mean time, since I am not recovering at all like I used to, just bought this...

 

[GolfSpy AFG]

So, I'll try to keep this update brief.

1) After completing Full Speed Spectrum, I've picked up 2 mph, which puts me at 111 clubhead speed for driver.  Not great, and not where I was, but an improvement overall.  Next up per the AI recommendation will be another cycle through Full Speed Spectrum.

2) However, I'm going to spend the month of October doing one Cruiser workout a week.  I jumped whole hog into the Fit for Golf routine and added sets I maybe shouldn't have, and somewhere along the line I may have strained an abdominal muscle.  For whatever reason, my core isn't really every fully recovered going into the next workout.  I'm going to have do some rest until it is.

3) The other factor at work is my medical saga has taken a bit of a turn...my blood work came back with low white blood cells and heightened markers in other areas, consistent with some forms of cancer.  There is also an extensive history of cancer in my family (all four grandparents, my Dad, and my younger sister have passed from some form of it).  And, there is a growing lump on the back of my neck. 

4) That lump may very well be just a cyst, and outside of the intense fatigue and muscle weakness I've been complaining about I have no other real symptoms...my vital signs all say I'm in excellent shape.  In fact, my primary doctor feels I likely just have a mild case of sleep apnea and a muscle strain.  But, the lump has to come off and get biopsied.  And, I've been dealing with a thyroid issue for 10+ years, and an upcoming ultrasound will reveal if that has to come out too.

5) I'm going to be fine, better than fine, and fast again too.  But for now, I've got to deal with a few medical issues, rest, and I'm going to start an anti-inflammatory diet in the hopes of arresting the thyroid issues.

Fit for Golf workouts, with appropriate rest, and Cruiser Stack workouts along with an anti-inflammatory diet and copious use of the cold plunge pod are on the menu for October!

[cksurfdude]

26 minutes ago, Getoffmylawn said:

Fit for Golf workouts, with appropriate rest, and Cruiser Stack workouts along with an anti-inflammatory diet and copious use of the cold plunge pod are on the menu for October!

Sounds like you're doing everything right! Just leave a few minutes here and there for a little wife and kids time...

[GolfSpy_BEN]

Hang in there Hayes. Good thoughts and vibes for benign results being sent your way.

[snoopy79]

^^ This. Keep your recovery game strong so we can hit the course together somewhere along the road.

 

[GolfSpy AFG]

Been a long time since I've posted here, so I'll try to keep it brief:

- Swing speed is slowly returning, thanks to some medical interventions.  I'm focusing intensely on recovery, with a daily cold plunge added to my routine and a medical intervention increasing the quality and duration of my sleep.  It's working, slowly.  I won't post any specific swing speed Stack updates, yet, but suffice it to say I'm confident I'm on the right track.

- Took a lesson recently for a general assessment of what I should be working on over the offseason.  I struck the ball very well and at distances I was pleased with...regularly hit 162-165 8 irons, which is the distance I was gaming an 8 iron at before my speeds started falling off.  The main issue we identified was my wrist angle at impact and getting into extension, rather than neutral or a little flexion.  My ball flight was a draw that didn't start right enough, and ended up left of target a bit, so adding a little flexion at impact should be the ticket.

 

- Overall, the lesson was VERY positive and confidence inspiring.  The pro, using Golftec's software, measured my shoulder and hip turn and found them at or above tour pro averages, and it was great to get that feedback from a real teaching professional with the diagnostics to back up his assessment.  It was also confirmation that my Fit for Golf Daily Mobility and Golfflex workouts are paying off.  Big fan of FFG, as you can see.

All in all, lots to be excited and positive about going into this offseason and 2024.

[GolfSpy AFG]

I'm excited to see the speed slowly returning.  To hit this speed while in the very taxing Phase III of Full Speed Spectrum, and with more than a third of the program to go...I was pleased.  Again, really focusing on recovery.  More to follow...

[rkj427]

That is awesome news Hayes and hoping that both your recovery and speed gain goals get completed much sooner than later.

[GolfSpy AFG]

After completing Full Speed Spectrum I can say the speed is returning.  

I was able to accomplish this despite still having the occasional soreness from workouts…I’ve been doing Fit for Golf workouts focused on offseason mass that don’t necessarily comport with speed training.  VERY excited to get started on the next Stack program.

[cnosil]

5 minutes ago, Getoffmylawn said:

After completing Full Speed Spectrum I can say the speed is returning.  

 

 

I think you might be able to beat me when we play at Kingsmill

[rkj427]

30 minutes ago, Getoffmylawn said:

After completing Full Speed Spectrum I can say the speed is returning.  

I was able to accomplish this despite still having the occasional soreness from workouts…I’ve been doing Fit for Golf workouts focused on offseason mass that don’t necessarily comport with speed training.  VERY excited to get started on the next Stack program.

Great job Hayes.

Shows that making the commitment to the program really provides benefits.

[edingc]

17 hours ago, Getoffmylawn said:

After completing Full Speed Spectrum I can say the speed is returning.  

I was able to accomplish this despite still having the occasional soreness from workouts…I’ve been doing Fit for Golf workouts focused on offseason mass that don’t necessarily comport with speed training.  VERY excited to get started on the next Stack program.

Leapfrogged me here. Nice work!

[GolfSpy AFG]

I'm getting excited for the 2024 golf season.  A couple updates:

- I was fortunate enough to get picked up as a beta tester for the new Fit for Golf app, and I'm really excited about the new programming.  My hard head still has a difficult time letting go of training like a bodybuilder, but I've come to accept that if I want to train for speed I need to do that, with just maintenance of the beach muscles during the season.  So, I'm in a heavy strength phase now but come late March or early April, it will be lots of med balls, jumps, and bands.

- The cold plunge works baby.   That, along with some medical interventions, have me recovering much better.

- I went and got a club fitting that is ending with my reshafting my irons, and having them bent a degree flat.  The lie adjustment has me really confident my overcooked draws will be tamed.

- And, the speed is slowly returning.  I still don't always get as much sleep as I should, and that shows up in the workouts, but I'm almost back to where I was.  With better and smarter training in the gym and better recovery habits, I'm really hoping to get to some 120 swings this year. 

[GolfSpy AFG]

In a long overdue update, I’ll share quickly a few latest & greatest tidbits.  I have my first tee time of the year this coming Sunday, and I’m excited to get after it!

1) I just took a 3-week vacation and had some (probably needed) time away from the gym and the Stack.  As a result, I canceled the Neural Drive Stack workout I was in, and re-baselined.  My driver speed was a respectable 110, but certainly not where I need or want to be.  I’m allowing for some severe traveling fatigue and jet lag (I did this baseline at 4 AM), but I’m hoping to see big improvements on these numbers, and quickly.

 

2) A BIG emphasis going forward will be optimal timing of speed training.  I’ve done waaay too many sessions first thing in the wee hours of the morning and the speed always suffers. Whenever possible I’ll be slipping out of the office midday for a lunch hour workout, and will schedule the sessions for the latest possible time within the Stack recommended schedule.  Coupled with better sleep and dedicated cold plunge use, and I’m confident in optimized speed training as a result.

3) I did my first Fit for Golf “Velocity” workout (from the beta version of the app update) and it’s truly a transformation of how I’ve been training.  Even more reason to be excited about optimized training and speed results.

I could go on, to include re-shafted irons and a new custom-fit putter inbound, but suffice it to say I’m excited.  The goal: cut the handicap to 3.5 this year, and see 116+ driver clubhead speed.

[GolfSpy AFG]

For only my second session in, and with a little residual core/back soreness, I’m pretty happy with this and increasingly optimistic…

[GolfSpy AFG]

I did my third Full Speed Spectrum workout today, and I’m getting really optimistic for how much this could pay off.

This 195g speed is just 2 mph off of my highest achieved speed at my last Stack program.  To get that set speed after just 3 workouts (with a couple swings at 106) and after a month-long layoff has me really really motivated to see how fast I can get it after a full program.  I have to keep up with @edingcafter all!  

I know speed is not linear, this could dip some as the reps climb at first, but I really feel like I’ve finally solved some things and I’m ready to turn a corner.  My sleep deprivation issues are behind me, and thanks to the Fit for Golf Velocity program I’m finally training like an in-season golfer instead of a bodybuilder. Most importantly, recovery is getting my utmost attention. Instead of Stacking MWF before the gym, I’m waiting the maximum allowable time in the app without compromising my Grit score.  And, I’m Stacking midday when the ol’ CNS is wide awake.  And, cold plunging daily…more on that tomorrow.

Now to Phase 2 of Full Speed Spectrum.  Lots of overload swings; going to be tough, but I’m as fired up for this as ever!  Must destroy @GolfSpy BOSat Kingsmill after all.  (Better get Stacking Bryan!)

 

[GolfSpy_BOS]

6 minutes ago, GolfSpy AFG said:

I did my third Full Speed Spectrum workout today, and I’m getting really optimistic for how much this could pay off.

This 195g speed is just 2 mph off of my highest achieved speed at my last Stack program.  To get that set speed after just 3 workouts (with a couple swings at 106) and after a month-long layoff has me really really motivated to see how fast I can get it after a full program.  I have to keep up with @edingcafter all!  

I know speed is not linear, this could dip some as the reps climb at first, but I really feel like I’ve finally solved some things and I’m ready to turn a corner.  My sleep deprivation issues are behind me, and thanks to the Fit for Golf Velocity program I’m finally training like an in-season golfer instead of a bodybuilder. Most importantly, recovery is getting my utmost attention. Instead of Stacking MWF before the gym, I’m waiting the maximum allowable time in the app without compromising my Grit score.  And, I’m Stacking midday when the ol’ CNS is wide awake.  And, cold plunging daily…more on that tomorrow.

Now to Phase 2 of Full Speed Spectrum.  Lots of overload swings; going to be tough, but I’m as fired up for this as ever!  Must destroy @GolfSpy BOSat Kingsmill after all.  (Better get Stacking Bryan!)

 

Damn Hayes! That’s some good stuff.  The only thing I’ve been stacking lately is pizza slices, I guess it’s time to flip the switch! 
 

It’s on buddy! 

[GolfSpy AFG]

I’d say I’ve acclimated to the the overload swings.

One more Phase 2 workout and then into Phase 3.  I’m very very excited for the end results of this program; to consistently hit good set speeds after all those heavy swings has me very optimistic this will pay off big in the end.  We’ll see…

[GolfSpy AFG]

Phase 3 of Full Speed Spectrum is no joke.  I've been pretty happy to see my speeds stay pretty consistent through Phase 2 and 3; to my mind that means I'm primed to make a pretty healthy jump in Phase 4.  That said, today was not so good.  End of a week of less than ideal sleep is at fault, I think.  I'm about to travel for 5 days and won't be able to do a Stack workout until next Thursday, which will hurt my Grit score but honestly I think I'll benefit from the rest.  Hoping today was just an aberration, and with a lot of sleep I can hit next Thursday ready to set some new PBs.

[Thomas doyle]

My speed is from 102 to 110 I play off scratch and Love the game all I think about is when the next game is or range session to work on my speed 

[GolfSpy AFG]

Frustrated.

It's been a long damn time since I've updated this thread. Frankly, it feels like my own personal episode of Chasing Scratch. If you're familiar with that podcast, they've been chasing that number for 7 seasons now and are supremely dedicated, but they've yet to reach their goal. Same here.

I started this season by responding to an off-season goals thread saying I was going to cut my handicap in half. I started the season right at 7.0...I got it down to 6.9, only to watch several rounds in the 80's pull me right back up to 7.8. Still some time left, but it's not gone the direction I'd hoped.

Frustratingly, my ball-striking has improved, sometimes.  The lessons I've taken lately have paid dividends, and the PXG Gen 7's I'm now testing have been great...I'm regularly hitting 10-12 Greens in Regulation. However, driver has been an issue all summer, and putter has done little to save me.  My rounds continue to yo-yo between 76-78, and 82-84.

And then there's the speed thing. Those of you who know me know that I'm a pretty in-shape dude and take good care of myself, and have had speed on my brain for a while.  Honestly, I can't say that I'm any faster now than I was 2 years ago, and that's both embarrassing and deflating.  At my instructor's encouragement I've shelved speed training for a while, doing only once-a-week Flex workouts with the Stack, and I just last week shifted my weight training focus back to a mass-based program in Fit for Golf, effectively starting my offseason already. That's in large part due to some HUGE professional changes that have radically impacted my schedule and made practicing almost impossible, and playing damned hard to go do.

Very very frustrated.

[GolfSpy_BOS]

2 hours ago, GolfSpy AFG said:

Frustrated.

It's been a long damn time since I've updated this thread. Frankly, it feels like my own personal episode of Chasing Scratch. If you're familiar with that podcast, they've been chasing that number for 7 seasons now and are supremely dedicated, but they've yet to reach their goal. Same here.

I started this season by responding to an off-season goals thread saying I was going to cut my handicap in half. I started the season right at 7.0...I got it down to 6.9, only to watch several rounds in the 80's pull me right back up to 7.8. Still some time left, but it's not gone the direction I'd hoped.

Frustratingly, my ball-striking has improved, sometimes.  The lessons I've taken lately have paid dividends, and the PXG Gen 7's I'm now testing have been great...I'm regularly hitting 10-12 Greens in Regulation. However, driver has been an issue all summer, and putter has done little to save me.  My rounds continue to yo-yo between 76-78, and 82-84.

And then there's the speed thing. Those of you who know me know that I'm a pretty in-shape dude and take good care of myself, and have had speed on my brain for a while.  Honestly, I can't say that I'm any faster now than I was 2 years ago, and that's both embarrassing and deflating.  At my instructor's encouragement I've shelved speed training for a while, doing only once-a-week Flex workouts with the Stack, and I just last week shifted my weight training focus back to a mass-based program in Fit for Golf, effectively starting my offseason already. That's in large part due to some HUGE professional changes that have radically impacted my schedule and made practicing almost impossible, and playing damned hard to go do.

Very very frustrated.

keep grinding Hayes.  Remember progress isn't linear. 

[chisag]

2 hours ago, GolfSpy AFG said:

Frustrated.

It's been a long damn time since I've updated this thread. Frankly, it feels like my own personal episode of Chasing Scratch. If you're familiar with that podcast, they've been chasing that number for 7 seasons now and are supremely dedicated, but they've yet to reach their goal. Same here.

I started this season by responding to an off-season goals thread saying I was going to cut my handicap in half. I started the season right at 7.0...I got it down to 6.9, only to watch several rounds in the 80's pull me right back up to 7.8. Still some time left, but it's not gone the direction I'd hoped.

Frustratingly, my ball-striking has improved, sometimes.  The lessons I've taken lately have paid dividends, and the PXG Gen 7's I'm now testing have been great...I'm regularly hitting 10-12 Greens in Regulation. However, driver has been an issue all summer, and putter has done little to save me.  My rounds continue to yo-yo between 76-78, and 82-84.

And then there's the speed thing. Those of you who know me know that I'm a pretty in-shape dude and take good care of myself, and have had speed on my brain for a while.  Honestly, I can't say that I'm any faster now than I was 2 years ago, and that's both embarrassing and deflating.  At my instructor's encouragement I've shelved speed training for a while, doing only once-a-week Flex workouts with the Stack, and I just last week shifted my weight training focus back to a mass-based program in Fit for Golf, effectively starting my offseason already. That's in large part due to some HUGE professional changes that have radically impacted my schedule and made practicing almost impossible, and playing damned hard to go do.

Very very frustrated.

 

... You may remember my forray into Speed Training and it didn't go well. After so many years swinging at a certain speed, attempting to ramp it up caused a loss of my tempo and rhythm. It took a full month to purge it from my system. I have a smooth swing and generate more club head speed than it look like with a late release but at age 71 I am locked in around a 235yd carry. I think as opposed to a swinger, a hitter has a better chance of increasing speed, even later in their golfing life because they are already quick with their transition. And a young hitter is a perfect candidate. 

... Not trying to tell you how to go about accomplishing your goal and it isn't a universally accepted philosophy by all teachers, I think the more time spent on your short game the better. I think most chasing scratch would improve more completely skipping the range and just concentrating on their short game. Not every time you practice of course but some dedicated short game time is paramount to making that leap to scratch imo.  When driving poorly and missing greens, getting up and down is the cornerstone of a scratch player. When driving well and hitting greens, the short game including putting enables you to go low. A killer short game is just a huge bonus in any situation. Not to mention the added mental boost of hitting a poor iron shot and turning a difficult chip into a 1 foot tap in or rolling in a 15 footer to save par. Same with good shots as coming up short/right/left of a par 5 in two, getting up and down for a birdie is a momentum builder while a poor chip can result in a par or even a bogie and that is a round killer.  

[GolfSpy_BEN]

Hayes I know your schedule right now is bonkers, but here soon we’ll get together for a round and you can out drive me on every hole. It will make you feel infinitely better about the state of your game

[edingc]

On 9/6/2024 at 5:10 PM, GolfSpy BOS said:

keep grinding Hayes.  Remember progress isn't linear. 

And to quote my former coach from a text a few weeks ago:

"The beauty of golf is you will continue to get better but so will your expectations, so it never feels great."

Hayes, I applaud your dedication. I'm sure you'll start to see more progress, frustration is a natural part of that process.

[ILMgolfnut]

On 9/6/2024 at 5:41 PM, chisag said:

Not every time you practice of course but some dedicated short game time is paramount to making that leap to scratch imo.

Every part of my game needs improvement, obviously. I've focused on driving lately because I kept putting myself behind the 8 ball with a weak 150-yard slice off the tee. It feels nice to have a decent chance to be in the fairway and even hit some par 4s in regulation.

Problem I'm having is that short game practice opportunities are very limited around the Casa. There's one practice bunker next to a tiny chipping green at the resort where I do my range work. The local muni has no short game options at all. The NC State course in Raleigh has a great short game area, but it's not open to the public; it's reserved for the Wolfpack golf teams. And the public putting green at State has been closed since July. Supposedly when it reopens in November there will be other short game options, but for now, basically I have to play a round to get any short game practice. Even Pinehurst's short game options are limited; their range has been hitting into nets all year because of the Open, and I don't know when that will change. I play the par-3 Cradle there as much for short game practice as anything.