The OS Golfer's Thread!

[Bighoff]

Re: The OS Golfer's Thread!

I've got to break the clubs out and start knocking the rust off my game. I've got a outting with my future Father In Law and his friends to Valhalla at the end of June start of July. I just want to be able to keep to under 3 balls lost in the round.

[Skyboxer]

Re: The OS Golfer's Thread!

2 "OK" rounds today. My putting let me down and I flubbed more than I'd like lol
However my driving was really good. I was hitting roughly 270-280 and on 1 par four I was about 10 yards short of driving it.
I missed a 4 or 5 fairways but all in play.

I ended round 1 at a 91 and even though the score was high I felt I made some strides. About 3 hours later we played round 2 and I shot and 86.
My game is so inconsistant where I could hit pure shots for 7 holes and then totally lose my irons the next 5. I have to get better at keeping my game in check.

Great, fun day and I know I'm improving so I feel good about that.

[gerg1234]

Re: The OS Golfer's Thread!

First round of the year Saturday...and I guess I could call it a success.

Front nine was terrible though. Hungover from my bday party the night before probably didn't help. I couldn't get off the tee box...i don't think I hit a GIR and I had 3 three puts. 44

Back nine my driver finally started working. I was averaging 270 with 0 roll (the course is still pretty wet from winter). Still flubbed a couple approach shots and never found a legit birdie chance. 39

So I'll take an 83 to start off the season (Par 72)...I'm hoping I get to play more this year than I did last year....I probably played 10 times all of last summer.

[st0rmb11]

Re: The OS Golfer's Thread!

Man that is huge. I wish I could do the same - it's so hard, but my weakness is worrying about other golfers and how they hit the ball. It's the reason why I've tried over 20 different golf methods in the span of 5 years, no joke.

I couldn't remember - but what was the grip change that resulted in less yardage? Is it more accurate?

I've started interlocking my left index finger with my right pinky. I was taught that I should do this many years ago, but never could. But, now I've started giving in a try, and I'm losing about 5 to 10 yards, on average, on all of my clubs, but my accuracy is MUCH improved, so it's worth the change.

[Skyboxer]

Re: The OS Golfer's Thread!

Was in market for new bag. I love my Callaway bag but its a few years old and VERY heavy. I'm happy.

Well just like if I have a bad experience with a restaurant I don't go back....

Got the bag all set up and went to play. Notices left side of ball holder was sagging and when going over bumps it would come partially open...
the left "rod" that is used as a spring to keep area closed was cracked/bent.

So I took it back and just paid a bit more and went ahead and got a new Callaway bag.
What I like about this one is the dividers are in a straight line and not in circle formation. Also like where the umbrella "storage" is.
Zipper ball holder, so no breaking/bending of the rod.. lol

[st0rmb11]

Re: The OS Golfer's Thread!

Rough round yesterday. Ended up with a 91, all thanks to my chipping and putting. I had several one putts, which were set up by some great chips. But, my shots off the tee were atrocious, and my iron game was non-existent, as my drives were always setting me up in the woods or in a position where I had no shot at the green.

My nasty slice returned yesterday, so I'll be going back out again tomorrow, to see if I can make some adjustments.

[Matt10]

Re: The OS Golfer's Thread!

Rough round yesterday. Ended up with a 91, all thanks to my chipping and putting. I had several one putts, which were set up by some great chips. But, my shots off the tee were atrocious, and my iron game was non-existent, as my drives were always setting me up in the woods or in a position where I had no shot at the green.

My nasty slice returned yesterday, so I'll be going back out again tomorrow, to see if I can make some adjustments.

What were your misses like? I would take a look at your grip, try to have the right hand more under (palm faces more towards the sky - wouldn't be able to see back of right hand at address). Also, set up your feet at a draw - so if you're right handed, pull your right foot back just a bit - naturally creates a inside out swing.

Glad your short game saved ya - I honestly honed mine well enough that I would strike the ball off the tee like a 30 handicap, but the short game would be like a scratch. This was a result of nothing but bump n runs (7-PW) from wherever I'd miss.

So next time out, work on the grip - and short game use a lot more bump n runs - even out of the thick stuff.

[st0rmb11]

Re: The OS Golfer's Thread!

What were your misses like? I would take a look at your grip, try to have the right hand more under (palm faces more towards the sky - wouldn't be able to see back of right hand at address). Also, set up your feet at a draw - so if you're right handed, pull your right foot back just a bit - naturally creates a inside out swing.

Glad your short game saved ya - I honestly honed mine well enough that I would strike the ball off the tee like a 30 handicap, but the short game would be like a scratch. This was a result of nothing but bump n runs (7-PW) from wherever I'd miss.

So next time out, work on the grip - and short game use a lot more bump n runs - even out of the thick stuff.

I don't think it's possible for me to use the bump and run approach any more. It's all I do around the green, unless I have to hit over a bunker or something. My 7 iron is my best friend around the green.

[Skyboxer]

Re: The OS Golfer's Thread!

From personal experience I'd like to chime in on the grip etc... The RH palm up is a good but IMO temporary fix... at least it was for me.
I, for a good while, used a LH strong grip and a RH under grip. I never did get consistant shots. Sure some were ok but then as quick as it came...it went.

Finally what I did was "reboot" myself.
I went to a less strong LH grip (seeing 2 knuckles) and a conventional RH grip.
Then I worked on my real problem..
Swing plane.

Once I started setting up properly and having a proper take-away and swing plane I'm now hitting fairways at probably an 85% clip. Most misses now are just aiming issues and I do not have a "slice" or "hook" any longer.

I spent many hours at range getting used to it and getting as much muscle memory as I could.
The only reason I'm saying all this is I was just so tired of having to remember to "Use this grip, put this hand here " etc.. and wanted a more relaxed natural setup.

Another important thing is you ahve to make sure your grip is light (holding a bird light) and SWING the club. Too many people are told to back off and "don't swing so hard" which hurts you more than help.
You need to have a good wrist action and release the club properly and when done with the correct swing plane, you'll be very happy. Good reference is to make sure the end of you shaft ,in backswing, is pointing at ball/line.
When set up correctly the club will do most of the work, if you let it.

As far as short game I probably work on it at range 70% more than anything else. Bumb run, flow, pitches etc... as you'll need most of them at one time or another.

Happy Golfing!

[Matt10]

Re: The OS Golfer's Thread!

From personal experience I'd like to chime in on the grip etc... The RH palm up is a good but IMO temporary fix... at least it was for me.
I, for a good while, used a LH strong grip and a RH under grip. I never did get consistant shots. Sure some were ok but then as quick as it came...it went.

Finally what I did was "reboot" myself.
I went to a less strong LH grip (seeing 2 knuckles) and a conventional RH grip.
Then I worked on my real problem..
Swing plane.

Once I started setting up properly and having a proper take-away and swing plane I'm now hitting fairways at probably an 85% clip. Most misses now are just aiming issues and I do not have a "slice" or "hook" any longer.

I spent many hours at range getting used to it and getting as much muscle memory as I could.
The only reason I'm saying all this is I was just so tired of having to remember to "Use this grip, put this hand here " etc.. and wanted a more relaxed natural setup.

Another important thing is you ahve to make sure your grip is light (holding a bird light) and SWING the club. Too many people are told to back off and "don't swing so hard" which hurts you more than help.
You need to have a good wrist action and release the club properly and when done with the correct swing plane, you'll be very happy. Good reference is to make sure the end of you shaft ,in backswing, is pointing at ball/line.
When set up correctly the club will do most of the work, if you let it.

As far as short game I probably work on it at range 70% more than anything else. Bumb run, flow, pitches etc... as you'll need most of them at one time or another.

Happy Golfing!

I agree with you for the most part, buddy. I'm glad you found where you needed to be for the grip to be successful - which in turn creates some consistency.

Here's the reason I use a right hand grip underneath. I only swing with my left side - my right side is completely passive. This means I do no weight shift, no over the top move. My shoulders are closed at address (pre-set rotation), so all I have to do is move my left arm and then swing back down. They key is, I keep my body very still - that is the concept.

Recently I have been mentored by a man named Jim Venetos, we trade emails daily - and he has been my guide away from the Mike Austin method that I had done earlier on in this thread. The consistency is there because I have less moving parts - so my yardage knowledge is consistent, my misses consistent.

Check him out - and send him a message if interested, he is by far the most knowledgeable person I've ever been in contact with in regards to finding the most efficient way to enjoy the game - so that when you're on the course, you're playing the course - not the swing.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/_w0RwlvQkZs" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Skyboxer]

Re: The OS Golfer's Thread!

I agree with you for the most part, buddy. I'm glad you found where you needed to be for the grip to be successful - which in turn creates some consistency.

Here's the reason I use a right hand grip underneath. I only swing with my left side - my right side is completely passive. This means I do no weight shift, no over the top move. My shoulders are closed at address (pre-set rotation), so all I have to do is move my left arm and then swing back down. They key is, I keep my body very still - that is the concept.

Recently I have been mentored by a man named Jim Venetos, we trade emails daily - and he has been my guide away from the Mike Austin method that I had done earlier on in this thread. The consistency is there because I have less moving parts - so my yardage knowledge is consistent, my misses consistent.

Check him out - and send him a message if interested, he is by far the most knowledgeable person I've ever been in contact with in regards to finding the most efficient way to enjoy the game - so that when you're on the course, you're playing the course - not the swing.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/_w0RwlvQkZs" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

That's cool man. Yeah whatever works for each person I guess isthe key. I for a while went with the stack and tilt which worked really well with consistant striking BUT left a lot to be desired in a distance standpoint IMO.

I usually try and have as little movement also other than getting good hip turn allowing me to stay longer on ball path. The main thing I fight (I have to talk to myself before hitting lol ) is the "Dip" down towards the ball. If I don't do that then everythings golden.
This is one great thing about golf.. you never beat it.. just survive it
I like Shawn Clement when needing some reference material/lessons. He's also a good place to get tips. Will check out Venetos ...

[Matt10]

Re: The OS Golfer's Thread!

That's cool man. Yeah whatever works for each person I guess isthe key. I for a while went with the stack and tilt which worked really well with consistant striking BUT left a lot to be desired in a distance standpoint IMO.

I usually try and have as little movement also other than getting good hip turn allowing me to stay longer on ball path. The main thing I fight (I have to talk to myself before hitting lol ) is the "Dip" down towards the ball. If I don't do that then everythings golden.
This is one great thing about golf.. you never beat it.. just survive it
I like Shawn Clement when needing some reference material/lessons. He's also a good place to get tips. Will check out Venetos ...

Big fan of Clement, one of my first youtube based instructors that made the best videos. Really nice person as well as he has responded to many of my messages.

Ah the dreaded dip, usually a result of not setting up with enough axis tilt away from the target. This was one of my big faults with the traditional swing.

[Skyboxer]

Re: The OS Golfer's Thread!

Big fan of Clement, one of my first youtube based instructors that made the best videos. Really nice person as well as he has responded to many of my messages.

Ah the dreaded dip, usually a result of not setting up with enough axis tilt away from the target. This was one of my big faults with the traditional swing.

Yep... exactly about the dip. When I focus and get good turn and get shaft pointing to ball/line I'm good. I just don't listen to myself enough lol

Yeah Clement has messaged me back with some good things also. Great guy.

I had an awesome session at range today and was striking the ball great. Tee off tomorrow at 11:00 am and a small (10-15) ball warmup session at 10:00.
Can't wait!

[Jr.]

Re: The OS Golfer's Thread!

I have my first actual lesson this Saturday. My grandad taught me how to play when I was 14, but since then I've always made my own adjustments and done my own research on improving my swing.

It's only a 1 hour lesson and I'm not doing a package or anything so I'm hoping the guy I'm working with just sees something he can fine tune rather than trying to re-work my swing. I'm excited though.

[Matt10]

Re: The OS Golfer's Thread!

I have my first actual lesson this Saturday. My grandad taught me how to play when I was 14, but since then I've always made my own adjustments and done my own research on improving my swing.

It's only a 1 hour lesson and I'm not doing a package or anything so I'm hoping the guy I'm working with just sees something he can fine tune rather than trying to re-work my swing. I'm excited though.

Nice - have fun, and be open minded. Hopefully you found a good instructor that works with your natural swing!

Yep... exactly about the dip. When I focus and get good turn and get shaft pointing to ball/line I'm good. I just don't listen to myself enough lol

Yeah Clement has messaged me back with some good things also. Great guy.

I had an awesome session at range today and was striking the ball great. Tee off tomorrow at 11:00 am and a small (10-15) ball warmup session at 10:00.
Can't wait!

So lucky - wish I could go golfing on fridays! I'll be hitting the range tomorrow - got some time today, but started raining. Tee time is saturday @ 815!

Btw - I wanted to follow up on my post way earlier this week, about posting our swings:

Heres mine before working with Jim Venetos

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/TZIVR4-jAQ8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

And this is after working with him, this is all in one week.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/1a7CJfL_mVI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

The compression is out of this world that I'm getting - and that's still not exactly where I want to be. Simple approach, consistency here I come.