I figured out a visualization technique today. It was a method for the putting greens (not sure if it works for chipping or the full swing yet) that I had used a couple years ago when I first started playing (2004).

The method was what I am now officially dubbing "ghost putting".

The approach is what I will be using for my routine from here on out.

Okay, so basically what I do is stand behind the ball - then see myself over the putt (so I am looking at a 'ghost' of myself in a down the line view). I see the putt the ball, the break, and the ball going into the hole - then my ghost celebrates with his arms in the air.

So after this I step up to the ball immediately - no hesitation - Raymond Floyd says 'quiet confidence' on the greens - so I listen. As soon as I step up to the putt, I look at the hole, then I look back at the ball. This next part is key - while looking at the ball, I visualize the putter moving backwards, then striking the ball, then seeing it roll towards the hole...and in. I have to make sure not to get lazy with this visualization, see the ball go IN.

After that - simple, execute the putt.

Results were fantastic today on the putting green, I really was nailing every putt I saw. No, I'm not going to say that I was making all of them - but I was doing a lot better than before - that is for sure.

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At this point in time, things are really starting to shape up nicely. I decided to keep my clubs in my trunk just in case I get off work one of these days to play a round (or two). Before, I had planned on only keeping my putter, wedges,9-iron and 7-iron in my car so that I wouldn't be tempted to work on anything else but the short-game.

Going to Florida this Saturday - will be back the following Sunday. CANNOT WAIT. Sick of this Kansas weather of 20-50 degrees, hello Cocoa Beach here I Come!

Change for the sake of changing?

I was doing a search on WRX today - just now actually - and I found some posted topics by me there (Matt10). What I found was a great response by the man himself, Slicefixer, on whether or not I should just say "screw it" and just swing the damn club (arm swinging essentially).

His response:

There is NOTHING wrong with swinging the club more with the arms........however, you'll find that most "arm swingers" swing this way because the arms were in control of the swing in the backswing so, therefore, they are in control in the downswing......in fact, the arms MUST be in control or you'll NEVER consistently square the clubface........your whole golf swing is "timed" with your arms so to change it something else must be "put in charge of the parade" and substantial changes would need to take place from the "get go"........If your satisfied with your ballstriking as is then I'd NEVER recommend any dramatic swing changes.......I'd recommend that you work EXTRA hard on your short game, putting, and course management........."change for the sake of changing" is rarely a good thing.......IMOP.......

I think this is what has been the problem with the SMG (swing machine golf) method I've been attempting this year. The ARMS need to be IN CONTROL. If I think about not using them, then expecting to use my lower body - while keeping the upper body passive - I can get out of synch (actually I'm sure I will).

I should be working extra hard on my short-game, I'm actually starting to feel good about it since switching back to my 'claw' grip for putting. SMG (paul wilson) short-game DVD series has been one of the best DVDs in a while. I love it. ALthough I'm not too sure right now about the long-game.

Maybe I'm going about this new change the wrong way. Maybe I was intending on changing it for the sake of change - not because it was necessary. I lowered my handicap significantly over the years (only been playing for 4 years, down to a 13) - I must have been doing something right before all this.

Letting it go

I keep telling myself I need to stick to a swing...stick to a swing.

So I have. I purchased Paul Wilson's SwingMachineGolf and it should be arriving Monday. I like the way Paul teaches, his book seems to be one of the best ones out there - I wonder what the DVDs are going to be like.

I've been reading on his blog about powerless arms. To me this makes me think "Let it go", just hang loose - and let it all go.

I hit some good drives in one of my rounds, but it is the iron game that is really starting to get to me - I'm hooking everything with this 'no arm' swing.

I have a round with my dad this coming Saturday - and lord knows I'm going to try my best to stick to the SMG method, but the hooking is really going to get to me sooner than later. I'm going to try to e-mail Paul and ask him whats going on.

Will I finally follow through?

Things just don't work out sometimes right? Is that because they are out of my hands or is it because I'm just giving up too early and too easily?

Probably the latter.

I think it's time to really put my foot down. I've started a new, great job, and I think all my past demons are starting to vanish. We have to wonder sometimes why we do the things we do. I think I did the things I did at the previous job was lack of motivation - heck, I wasn't going anywhere, why should I go to work? Was it really work when you were soon to be replaced by people who 'mattered'.

Anyway, what does this have to do with golf? Everything.

My mentality has to change, like I said I'm putting my foot down on everything. I mean seriously, I'm getting in shape with the Ten-Minute Trainer, and I'm getting back to basics in my golf swing. I'm about 190lbs and only 5'7 -- that is not a good weight to be at. I'm tired of looking at myself and seeing this out of shape ex-soccer player.

I don't follow through on anything - not even my golf swing. The time is now, I'm tired of letting myself down and putting things off.

I started this blog because I felt like I needed to get things out and I needed to track my journey to becoming scratch. I think 'scratch' is going to be applied to everything - not just golf this year.