Josh Nahm

My actual instructor is named Josh Nahm. That's right, I actually have an instructor - a physical one - one that I actually went to visit with and got actual lessons with - consistently. Josh and I e-mail on occasion, and I even bought his online lessons to further improve myself when I cannot make it down to see him in Topeka, KS.

As a member on GolfWrx for a number of years, in 2013 - I decided to post up my swing for some constructive criticism: http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/830719-i-hate-my-swing-so-much-help-needed/

Here is my before video:

And here is my after video after a couple months of working with Josh Nahm:

So as you can see, there is some definite improvement - but still plenty of room for improvement.

Follow along as I'm also going to start Vlogging on my golf progress. It's December, so the golf season is pretty much over - but it's still definitely on my brain! Hope to be much more involved on this blog :)

The Aperfectswing - the final choice

It's been almost 7 years since I picked up this stupid game. Throughout my posts, I've included all the different methods - and all the equal failures. I vehemently state that the problem was not in the method, but in the student - me. I am someone who has been looking for distance and accuracy through each endeavor of these golf theories.

Aperfectswing is my last and final swing choice. It is the most natural and repeatable golf swing. Truth is I tried it, based on the Mike Austin swing, a couple years ago. I am a terrible student, remember? I had the pivot all wrong, the hands were too low at address - just a complete mess from the start - I should have put more work into it at the time.

Aperfectswing is based on Dan Shauger (a direct source of Mike Austin, not to mention one of Austin's closest friends) and it is a very simple and repeatable swing method. The focus is on keeping the face square to the plane the entire time - rather than opening and closing the face like the traditional method. The pivot is a hip bump from left to right - then down to the left again as the wrists throw and right arm straightens.

I believe I have a bit of a hybrid - and the sooner I have a video up, the sooner it will be shown how high my hands are at address. Basically I set up with my wrist completely uncocked (downcocked) - and from there, kick in my right knee a bit and then grab with my right hand - which aligns me perfectly to my target line.

What has solidified my decision to commit to this swing model is the incredible distance. Never in my life have I thought about driving greens. On Saturday, I did just that. Every short par 4 felt like I could drive it easily. I hit a 300 yard drive for the first time in my life, and the only reason it didn't go on the green is because it flew into a bunker. Before committing to this swing, I was only hitting my drives at a bust of 250 at the most. Now, my shortest is in the 260 range - and highest was 311. I have skycaddie and skydroid to use as GPS and then track distances. I do not lie about my distance, if I did - I wouldn't be constantly pursuing another swing method.

I have a smile on my face because of this. It's amazing what distance and accuracy can bring to your game. I can finally truly focus on just the short game - the inside 100 yards game. I shot a 83, and putted/chipped terribly. This is all I have to do now - just work on the short game - all the time.

Finally. Here's to a great 2012 season and the celebration of one of the catalyst to SCRATCH.

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.

I turned 25 a couple weeks ago, and it made me realize that I have been played by this game for almost 4 years now. The reason I say I'm being played is because ... it's true.

This entire facade has been me seeking every answer imaginable to a swing concept. I have tried so many different types, and have found success in some - but not consistency.

So this past winter, I just decided to not even think about golf - which I did well. I was actually ready to hang up the "serious" clubs, and just leave it for the weekends with the Pops - yeah, I do not mind being dubbed a "weekend hacker".

However, something happened. One of my best friends picked up the game. He went all out and bought a set of golf clubs (on a very limited bank roll) used, and started playing pretty good. He has a baseball swing that needs to be grounded - and with a bit of practice on the Par 3 course, he started playing pretty well - even drained a 35 footer.

His thirst for the game has ignited my passion again. I think it showed too, because the combination of Stan Utley (short game) and Hips restrained (semi my own for long game) has been working. I shot a 33 (+6) par 27 for the par 3 course.

Just yesterday, my Dad and I played a round, both of us played good, had one or two blow up holes due to poor decision making. My swing was on target, only one fat shot and one thin shot the whole round. The driver was not up to par - and put me in trouble more than I would have liked.

In the end, I finished with an 83 (par 71) - and my Dad finished with an 85. Not too bad for the first round of the season. If the weather holds up, I will definitely be trying to play a little bit more. The work schedule of 12p-830p is unfortunate because it only allows me to play the Par 3 - but then again, could actually be more beneficial.

This post was my first in a while, I'm not sure if I have an audience - which is okay if not, I just want to review and state that my passion is back, and I'm not expecting to shoot in the 70's by next week, but I'm just going to keep playing my best.

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.

****************

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.

get on dem heels!

Shanked everything this evening after work. Thought I'd take advantage of the beautiful weather we had and go to the range - awesome. Picked up a medium bucket and proceeded to shank every single shot. Not one or two or ten - nope, every single damn one.

I couldn't figure it out until I got home and did some research. It was already 9pm when I decided to get back out to the range (an hour before the lights go out) and picked up a large bucket this time.

Money well spent. Setup with most weight on my heels and downswing with a bit of a squat. Beautiful crisp iron shots and pounded the driver with some significant force than usual - still have to work on the driver though as the trajectory is still too high for my liking.

I am getting back in shape too - been doing resistance workouts on my gravity force trainer and doing cardio (soccer, volleyball, golf) almost everyday. Can't wait to play a round - Friday is the day I'm aiming for unless the lady has something to say about it!

Coming along

My game is starting to come along - had so much fun playing with my dad and two friends on Friday - shot an 85, my dad shot an 82 - his best that I've ever seen.

I will admit that at the start of the day, at the range, I was applying Slicefixer's method - however I was thinning the ball all over the place - so I figured I would go back to IGS and I'm glad I did for that day. I did apply SF's method when driving the ball and missed about two fairways all day - really solid driving day.

My putting was on key as well - using the 'topspin' blade method (where you try to put topspin on the ball), this keeps the ball on line much longer than the regular way and I feel very controlled when doing this.

Had my first birdie of the year on a Par 5 that always seems to get me. 517-yard Par 5, drive down the middle, second shot 3-wood baby slice to the right rough. Branch hanging over my aim, only 120 yards away - easy pitching wedge to 5 feet; right to lefter - dunked it.

I also had a great birdie chance on the hardest Par 3 I have always played. It is a 175-yard par 3, that has water on the right in front of the green - with bunker on the left - basically my bailout is to the left. Yesterday I hit a pure 5-iron and the ball drew to the edge of the green (I thought water for a second) and the ball landed about 8 feet from the pin. I misread the putt though - but a par on that hole is like a birdie.

My misses were mainly blow up holes. Had one on #5 in which my drive went way left - behind a tree, tried a nice and easy punch hook-out with the 5-iron, shanked it off the toe and skipped into the woods. The next shot was an attempt for another punch hook-out with the 7-iron this time, but I pulled it at impact and the ball slammed dead into a tree and came back at me with force. 4th shot was from the woods - bout 125-yards out, high pitching wedge came up 10-feet short of the pin, edged the hole lipped-out, chalked up a 7.

So it's safe to say I need to work on punch outs.

I'm starting to feel very good about this IGS swing - might need to re-watch some of the videos, all i know is that it is full of great information and my handicap is going to plummet very soon.

By the way - my handicap is now an 11.3 - at the end of last year it was a 14. I'm hoping to play a couple different courses than just 4 or 5, hopefully money won't be a problem.

Nothing new

I think I am driving the ball better - I've tapped into the IGS System by Craig Johnson - it's idea is a concept I used in the past before I had even heard of the system - and I had much success with it.

Took it to the course on Friday and shot an unofficial 87. Played with a buddy of mine who I have been 'grooming' lately. He has the baseball swing down - but definitely not the golf swing just yet. I think I made the game a bit more complicated than it should be - so I gave him a great birthday present - the Nail It Book - which just describes how to hit that damn ball :P

I've e-mailed John this week and hopefully we can get a lesson in this coming weekend, I seriously can't wait - everytime we miss a chance to meet up for lessons - is another week I try something else.

I have no idea why I can't stay committed to a swing. Hopefully the lessons go well so I can get committed and continue my scratch goal.

Swing to Swing again

Shot an 84 (par 70). Which is accurate for my handicap of last year which was a 14.

Drove the ball okay, there is something missing - and speaking of misses, it's a case of the rights lately.

Using a device called the SwingSpeed has really helped me on distances. Last year my 150 club was my 7 or sometimes 6 iron. This year, my 150 club is my 8 iron, really has made a big difference because I hit the ball dead straight with that club.

I have decided that I will not to commit to a swing style unless I get instruction on it. So I had to delete the foundation post about Slice's swing method, because it just didn't feel right - that's not saying it's the swing, it's me unable to see my own faults.

I am hoping to get lessons with John Enslow Jr. who is an instructor for Dan Shauger's method, sometime soon. I think I need a bit more power in my game if I want to take this to the next level.

I will be a scratch golfer in 2008.

Which reminds me - I need to get back to my putter.

Weather

Weather is starting to pick up - finally. It's about 60 degrees outside and I'm thinking about hitting the range for a bit of a session.

Much like the weather, I've started to change my selected golf swing. I dedicated all of Saturday's range session to the Morad teaching from dana dalquist website. The videos he has posted are really helpful and when I tried most of the swing - ball contact was pure, and irons were about 5 yards longer than before.

The idea was to have a good backswing, right elbow inside the body, weight on left side, head down, from there downswing begins with the lower body - something I can do considering I'm a soccer player first.

Still have to work on the driver though. Bought a troybar on Saturday night, 6lbs, should help out to increase my swing speed -which is currently at 85mph.

Started watching calories today as well - did it last year and lost 30 pounds - seeing my weight increase this year again though, so here we go. Trying to take it off and keep it off - gotta get back in shape.

Jump Rope - Cardio
GeForce Trainer - Muscle gain and fast twitch muscles, not to mention abs need work - too much belly.

This weekend's weather: Sat - 48, Sun - 50 - if there are courses open, I'm in.

Restart.

So it's been a while since I've posted - I forgot about the blog to be honest.

I have recently been going through some swing changes lately and mostly it's because I want more power and accuracy in my game. Towards the end of the season, I played a round with my dad in which I shot an 85 at St. Andrews Golf Course (par 70). I played that round with the idea of Shawn Clement, who is a Canadian instructor - mostly seen on youtube, and had reasonable success - especially driving the ball.

Now I do not drive the ball all that far, but straight - sometimes a draw - 230 yards carry; nothing too great, but consistent.

Which leads me to a change:

Dan Shauger's 21st Century Golf Swing.

I've never dedicated my entire golf experience to just one swing. But from here on out, I am. And I'm going to learn from John Enslow Jr. , who is an 21st Century instructor in the Wichita area. My goal is to become stretch by the end of the season. It hasn't started yet, so the minute we get great weather like this weekend again, we'll get a lesson set up.