Dedicating to a Swing

I'm not going to bother with the archive (a few post) of my many experiences with all the swing styles out there. If you can name a swing style, I probably tried it. From TGM, Slicefixer to the new Martinez method (Most Powerful Move). It's just odd how none of them have been the right swing for me. Ha - I'm kidding, it just comes down to the fact that I am a terrible, terrible student.

Being a student of dedication is what I want to be this year. I've dedicated to losing weight - it's on my mind about 80% of the time; honestly - and then there's golf which takes up about 5%, after that we have my second love - soccer. Since tearing my ACL however, soccer is in the background - and unfortunately (as I'm learning to deal) it might stay there for a while. With that said, dedication comes as a facet of maturity - and I think I've arrived at that realization, typically, so very late.

**i've removed the part about Shawn Clement, after yesterday's round - my teacher is my in person teacher, Bob Maher of Overland Park golf club***

I jump into the segway of what I am going to dedicate to - and that is the traditional swing, with pure focus on the short game - where I will definitely get to scratch sooner rather than later.

As of yesterday's round, my handicap is at 13.3 - there is so much room for improvement.

I will dedicate another post to Bob Maher's lesson he provided for me today - I think it deserves it's own after all, the man keeps it so simple - and the consistency will come at full force with me soon.

The importance of a preshot routine

Amidst all the weather we have been having, a day that was Wednesday broke out with 55 degrees of pure heavenly warmth. My buddy and I did not hesitate, a round of golf at a challenging 18-hole course, 3066 yards (no par 5s).

My buddy, who is the same one I spoke about in Last Round of 2010 struggled on the first tee, topping/shanking his tee shot shot on the par 3, 100 yards hole.

It seemed it would be another day where I would play great, he would play frustrated. However, today was different. At the 7th hole, a par 3, 140 yard flat green in front. I told him that he needed to develop a preshot routine. He is a very stubborn athlete, but for once, he listened, and asked "how"?

- Step back behind the ball

- Pick his landing target

- Pick a spot on the ground 2-3 inches in front of the ball that aligns to that target

- Set up, just to the side or behind - execute a practice swing

- Step up, picture the shot, EXECUTE the shot

There was no need for a swing mechanic lesson (like I'm the one to tell him), he performed the preshot routine the rest of the round - and produced one of his great scores in a long time, an 85 (par 60); including a chip in on the 18th for a par.

What a difference a preshot routine makes.

Last Round of 2010

My last round of 2010 was yesterday, Sunday November 7th. Good friend and I played 18 holes at Smiley's, a short par 60 course.

I played well, turning in a 82 (+12), could have been a lot lower (imagine that) but short game was off. This was my first round since end of September, so was naturally going to struggle. I was quite content with how my long game was - no mishits really, just focused on getting my body involved as best I could due to a torn ACL - which is why it's my last round.

When I look back on this year's escapade of golf, I'm happy. I didn't get to improve my hcp (14) too much, currently sitting at a 12.3, due to money and injuries. As I get older, I realize that there is a lot of time to second guess the methods of the swing - it's enlightening, it's downright fun actually. The problem is, it's no way to go through this beautiful game. Sometimes I think to myself if I was a great golfer, and could shoot 60 every round - would I truly enjoy it?

It's the struggle of this game that allows me to look back, content. I bid 2010 farewell because I have surgery on my right knee this Thursday. I'll be out of athletics for at least another 6 months. It definitely has the potential to be depressing - but once I see the snow hit here in Kansas, I'll be fine knowing I'm not missing out. Besides, the mental game is something you can never stop practicing.

Looking forward to 2011.

Quick mistakes

It's never easy when you go through a moment, relive it in your head, and wish you can go back in time. Yesterday, I was finally having a decent round - 3 birdies, and several pars - the long awaited 70's could be in my grasp.

However, on the par 4, 16th hole, I crumbled. After settling for par on the previous 545 par 5 (in which I drove the ball 310 yards, sky caddied), the wind was directly in my face on the next tee shot.

The aim was to just scoot it into the middle of the fairway, maybe even more left than right because the wind was pushing hard from the left. Instead, on my backswing, I felt the 30 mph breeze hit me hard (remember I have a bum knee right now) and lost my balance, but unfortunately tried to swing through - and grazed the side of the ball with my driver face, thus scooting it hard right into the trees.

The problem was the next shot - that is what I want to relive.

Left with more than 280 yards, into the wind, my ball ended up on the far right of the cart path - with a tree directly in my path. Instead of just punching the ball back into the fiarway, I opted to take a big swing, hoping for a low "stinger" escque cut shot.

The result was a complete flub top - the ball squirted 20 yards down the tree line - and into the back of another tree, leaving me zero chance to advance it.

After 4 more pathetic swings - I was laying 6 on the green, putted to 5 feet, and finished the hole with an 8.

From there, it was bogey-bogey to finish off the round.

I had made some great plays, some good birdies - and adequate pars, my game is starting to come together, I just have to take a just bit more time in between shots. My mind was strong up until that hole - so I'm content with how I played, but I really can't seem to let that hole go yet.

New Focus - torn meniscus, possible ACL

So I received some terrible news yesterday. My meniscus has been tore, and possibly my ACL in my right knee. The injury was sustained when I stumbled awkwardly a month ago during a soccer game for my men's rec team.

The injury has not kept me away from golf at all though. I've been trying to get out as much as I can - still trying to find a consistency - it's amazing how much the game mimics this life.

My handicap has dropped from 14.9 to a 12.9 in the last 4 months, so that is reassuring that I'm headed in the right direction. My putting has improved, as has my chipping and pitching. My full swing needs help and of course I'm still soaking in information, trying my best not to overthink.

I'm not going to post a new method I'm trying or anything like that, I just wanted to post because it's been a while, and that's all. Was hoping to get a round in today, but rain might prevent that.

Tomorrow I found out through MRI if my ACL is torn - if so, my soccer stint could be finalized, especially because I know damn well I can't afford it.

Listen to It Drop

Yeah, it's been said before in many of those quick tips. Primarily the golf channel has covered this little tidbit - but oddly enough, it falls upon deaf ears.

The tip is of course to listen to your putts drop. Lately I have been working on focusing on a spot before the stroke for the ball to roll over, after that I just keep it in my mind - make the stroke, and wait for the putt to drop.

It's an incredible feeling when you hear the ball roll into the cup.

On the putting greens, just practice this from 2 feet, 5 feet then 10 feet, dont' worry about making the putt - just wait for the sound. Oh, and I advise taking out the flag first - the sound of the ball actually dropping directly into the hole is an incredible "solid" sound.

Soon enough, I know this will help improve my game. My full swing is on target and Slicefixer's style of swing doesn't need too much modification, and at the very least - any consistent practice, especially with the budget I have that is geared for playing rounds to help the HCP.

I'm sure if I continue to follow my own advice, the cap will start dropping - finally I feel like elements of my scoring are starting to take shape.

Resisting change

<---- Charles Barkely, I do not want to get that bad!

I'm trying my best to resist the change of swings. This has been such a bad habit since I picked up this game. In my search for the most powerful and most consistent swing - I have been through it all. I have seen my handicap raise so high - I'm just tired of the ordeal.

Preshot routine will be simply the undersleeve of my right side (armpit) will be pulled under, to feel some kind of tension there - this will be a reminder that I need to keep my right arm close to my side on the backswing.

From there, it's just turn...turn.

Still working hard on the mental game. Hoping to play a round this week/end.