It is hard to admit, but RyJ was right. I am in the process of working with my instructor on changing to more conventional methods of hitting the ball. Getting used to a new swing takes a lot of concentration and the swing MUST be slowed down until such a time that it becomes more natural. I think the instructor makes all the difference in the world. I have had several in the past that really, in hindsight, were not that great. This particular pro tells me what to do, I do it, and it works.
I have definitely lost some distance, but the ball is in the fairway a lot more and I am shaving points off my game.

To the poster that was asking about lessons, they can be a blessing or a curse. Just make sure the guy teaching you knows what he is talking about.

Hey...and I haven't even charged you. YET. You'll get my bill. And when I have gas, I know who to call, because you are THE gas-doc. Right??

DLIII wrote about a drill he'd do on the range. He'd take a 4-iron that, for a fairly accomplished player is ordinarily about a 190 - 200 yard club with a full swing. He'd start hitting the ball the 200 yards, and would then use the same swing and try to hit it 190...and then 180...and then 170...all the way to 100 yards. And when you can intentionally hit a 4-iron with a full swing only 100 yards, you have learned how to control your swing. Don't put the brakes on in mid-swing, either, because that "negative acceleration" or deceleration as some call it, defeats the purpose and gives rise to new bad habits. Full swing...just more and more controlled.

But DEFINITELY slow everything down, make a nice shoulder turn, don't overswing, and let the loft of the club and the kick of the shaft do the work...stay on plane, and firm up the front side of your body so that, when you swing, the club goes around you and you don't slide forward.

Think of a centrifuge. If the center were to move back and forth as it spins, there would be wobble and it would not go as fast. It's when the center is still and everything spins around it that the greatest speed is achieved. Same with a golf swing...allow the club to swing around your body, and don't slide back and forth...keep a stable base.

Some good tips...but allow your pro to straighten you out. I can only imagine what your swing looked like and what it can be with a little work!! Keep at it.

PS: I've said this before but it bears repeating - I will admit that I was wrong. Once. It was that time I THOUGHT I was wrong.

Have you read "How I play Golf" by Tiger Woods? If so, what do you think? I just started it, and it seems to have some pretty good tips...Like, "practice putting with your eyes closed." This supposedly teaches better control with the putter. He gives step by step instructions with the book starting on the green and working it's way back to the tee. He says thats how his father taught him golf.

For those kind of tips I just watch Caddyshack again. Be...the...ball...Jock...Doc...the world needs ditch diggers, too.

I learn not only about "being" the ball, but about CHINCH BUGS and MANGANESE...I learn about ornamental horticulture and cross-breeding different grasses...I learn about PEST control, the United Nations, that candy bars can float...I learn about the amount of damage an anchor can do to a new sloop (or how much damage a new sloop can do to an anchor)...that being "late" does not necessarily involve pregnancy...that Maggie was also Pinto's date...and that some hats DO come with a bowl of soup. I also learned that the Lama was a BIG hitter...

So what? LET'S DANCE!!

Tiger Woods???? Stick to your pro...and learn to play like a real human being and not think you can be superman, too...

quote:

Originally posted by ryj7x47:

Tiger Woods???? Stick to your pro...and learn to play like a real human being and not think you can be superman, too...

But have you ever cross bred Kentucky Bluegrass, Featherbed Bench, and Northern California Sinsemilla?

Cannon ball coming...

So I have been a little slow on getting out on the course this year but I made it for the first time this last weekend. Did my normal thing and shot like crap (44 for 9 holes). I went back a after reading this post on slowing your swing and I tried it. First off I am a little guy so I normally hit the ball 150-7iron, 175-5iron, 200-3iron, you get the picture. On the 120yd shots I used an easy 9 vice a wedge, 150 an easy 6 vice seven and so on. Shockingly I scored a 39 by taking the muscle out of my shot. I can honestly say that this works. It makes you feel like a sissy though when your buddy says that it looks like a 9 iron and you pull out a 7; look at the score card in the end biatch!!

Two philosophies...one, swing as hard as you can and hope for the best...and two, take another club and score!