The Golf Thread

[RC Vikings]

9 holes
8 GIRs
1 HRITN
1 birdie
1 bogey
Even

I'm pretty sure I can't put 18 together but it felt good for nine tonight.

[byu71]

9 holes
8 GIRs
1 HRITN
1 birdie
1 bogey
Even

I'm pretty sure I can't put 18 together but it felt good for nine tonight.

SWEET Have you shot in the 70's. Sounds like if you can do that, you have.

Some people reading this must wonder about us getting a kick about fellow golfers conquering the course.

[RC Vikings]

SWEET Have you shot in the 70's. Sounds like if you can do that, you have.

Some people reading this must wonder about us getting a kick about fellow golfers conquering the course.

Twenty years ago I played to a 7 hcp but between cycling more and getting the chipping yips I kind of got away from it. I would still get out but not near as often. I want to play well again and with the kids grown I've got more time to play.

[byu71]

Twenty years ago I played to a 7 hcp but between cycling more and getting the chipping yips I kind of got away from it. I would still get out but not near as often. I want to play well again and with the kids grown I've got more time to play.

I got all my big goals late in my 50's and first two years of my sixties. Got a hole in one. Shot par, shot under par, got a round of 69. Got to a 5 handicap 2 years ago and then it all went down hill.

I would love to get one more run.

[Art Vandelay]

Since my Vegas misadventures, I've spent some time on the range and a lot of time on the putting and chipping greens. I think it is starting to pay dividends. I left work early today and was able to get in 9 holes; I shot a 38. I think that tied is the second lowest 9 I've ever shot (I believe I shot a 1 over 37, one time). I've shot 39 several times, but what was different today was how easy it was. I wasn't making long putts or chipping in, but was hitting most of the GIR, and lag putting really well...for me. By far the biggest change from my usual game is the distance and accuracy off the tee. I've played this course >100 times and today I hit two drives to spots I've never come close to reaching before. I was a full club longer with all my irons, as well.

Why the sudden power surge? It was actually the result of a picture and a video my playing partner took in Vegas. In my backswing I start flat then go way too high, with my hands. In my downswing, I lead with my left arm (breaking the triangle), and try and generate power by throwing my right shoulder around - resulting in cutting across the ball and losing the majority of my power. This past week, I've really focused on keeping my right shoulder back and making sure the center of my chest is pointed behind the ball at impact, instead of in front (as is obvious with the video). So far it seems like a magic elixir. I'm sure it will disappear as quickly as it came and I will be back to hacking away, but I'm hoping to ride this lucky train as long as it lasts.

The other major difference is I've changed to crosshanded putting (donut can attest to how horrific my putter has been the last two times we've played). This again seems to help my shoulders stay in line, instead of my natural tendency to bring my right shoulder around. I also feel very confident inside 5 feet, which greatly improves my first putt - I'm not leaving everything short, because I'm scared of going by the cup by 2 or 3 feet.

I play a beautiful championship course on Friday, Wine Valley in Walla Walla. I tried playing there three weeks ago, but the rain was way too intense and cold. Much like Thanksgiving Pointe, it is long and has gigantic greens. I'll be playing with a couple friends who always like to wager a few dollars, so no mulligans or gimmees. I'm hoping to be under 85, and for the first time in a long time, I feel I can do it.

Hands way too high, and not enough shoulder turn. Impossible to generate much power, or not come over the top, from this position.



Start the swing too flat, and then lose all power and control by throwing my right shoulder forward.
[YOUTUBE]kOYCUPRs79U[/YOUTUBE]

[byu71]

Since my Vegas misadventures, I've spent some time on the range and a lot of time on the putting and chipping greens. I think it is starting to pay dividends. I left work early today and was able to get in 9 holes; I shot a 38. I think that tied is the second lowest 9 I've ever shot (I believe I shot a 1 over 37, one time). I've shot 39 several times, but what was different today was how easy it was. I wasn't making long putts or chipping in, but was hitting most of the GIR, and lag putting really well...for me. By far the biggest change from my usual game is the distance and accuracy off the tee. I've played this course >100 times and today I hit two drives to spots I've never come close to reaching before. I was a full club longer with all my irons, as well.

Why the sudden power surge? It was actually the result of a picture and a video my playing partner took in Vegas. In my backswing I start flat then go way too high, with my hands. In my downswing, I lead with my left arm (breaking the triangle), and try and generate power by throwing my right shoulder around - resulting in cutting across the ball and losing the majority of my power. This past week, I've really focused on keeping my right shoulder back and making sure the center of my chest is pointed behind the ball at impact, instead of in front (as is obvious with the video). So far it seems like a magic elixir. I'm sure it will disappear as quickly as it came and I will be back to hacking away, but I'm hoping to ride this lucky train as long as it lasts.

The other major difference is I've changed to crosshanded putting (donut can attest to how horrific my putter has been the last two times we've played). This again seems to help my shoulders stay in line, instead of my natural tendency to bring my right shoulder around. I also feel very confident inside 5 feet, which greatly improves my first putt - I'm not leaving everything short, because I'm scared of going by the cup by 2 or 3 feet.

I play a beautiful championship course on Friday, Wine Valley in Walla Walla. I tried playing there three weeks ago, but the rain was way too intense and cold. Much like Thanksgiving Pointe, it is long and has gigantic greens. I'll be playing with a couple friends who always like to wager a few dollars, so no mulligans or gimmees. I'm hoping to be under 85, and for the first time in a long time, I feel I can do it.

Hands way too high, and not enough shoulder turn. Impossible to generate much power, or not come over the top, from this position.



Start the swing too flat, and then lose all power and control by throwing my right shoulder forward.
[YOUTUBE]kOYCUPRs79U[/YOUTUBE]

What course is that?

Interesting, I have been trying to get my hands higher and pausing at the top. I actually have been hitting longer drives. Your swing looks like what I was trying to accomplish.

[Art Vandelay]

What course is that?

Interesting, I have been trying to get my hands higher and pausing at the top. I actually have been hitting longer drives. Your swing looks like what I was trying to accomplish.

Actually, it isn't so much my hand height, as it is the angle. I'm really trying to flatten my hands, putting the club more on my shoulder line and pointing at the target versus pointing way right of the target.

The top picture was at Legacy in Henderson. The video was taken on the Concorde course at The Revere.

[byu71]

Actually, it isn't so much my hand height, as it is the angle. I'm really trying to flatten my hands, putting the club more on my shoulder line and pointing at the target versus pointing way right of the target.

The top picture was at Legacy in Henderson. The video was taken on the Concorde course at The Revere.

Both fun courses. I think the Revere was the one my brother and I played with Shaka and his bud while we were there for a MWC tournament.

[Donuthole]

You weren't satisfied with your birdie on that hole, eh?

[HuskyFreeNorthwest]

You weren't satisfied with your birdie on that hole, eh?

Greatness is never satisfied.

[Art Vandelay]

You weren't satisfied with your birdie on that hole, eh?

My sole birdie, wasn't from the drive. If I have to rely on sticking hybrids from 190 (on par 4s) I'm going to be in for a long round, which was definitely the case that day. At least, you have witnessed that I can actually hit the ball...occasionally. Unfortunately, it is generally with my 3 wood from the fairway and not off the tee. Even, when I'm seemingly crushing the ball, like today, I'm certainly much shorter than when you get a hold of one, like you did on #17. I failed to mention the picture of you at impact, with your weight back, and chest behind the ball was also a good visual reminder of what m swing should look like.

I wish RC would post a pic or video of his swing. From what I saw last fall at the cuf get together, it looked very Roryesque- relaxed and sneaky long. He definitely has the game to regularly shoot in the 70s.

[clackamascoug]

I watched the video - and this is what I noticed.

High or Flat is ok, as long as the plane is stable. The video showed a classic loop at the top and the plane was off by as much as a foot. Going from flat to high will create a classic cutting motion across the ball, and the cutting motion restricts the wrists as you try to square the hands at impact. Now the hands are trying to "get back" to the right position and you lose about 20% of the power of the swing because of restriction.

A flat plane is OK. (Matt Kucher anyone?) A high hand plane is OK. The key is to allow your hands to "come through" at impact. Notice during the loop that your torso and shoulders lose direction to the left. This is another cause of a cut swing and resulting slice.

With a flat swing on plane, and a inside/out path, you have to flip your wrists to square the club at the point of impact, this flipping motion is the opposite of a cutting move, and it will free up that extra 20% of distance you're losing. That's why hook shots will always fly farther than a fade. In fact, that is my current problem, the trap hook with my new clubs. As a tweener between good and fair, I hit the ball too pure sometimes, and the little sucker will fly 15 yards farther than it should. I need to decide if I want to be a trap hook player, or a sweeper and stick with it.

Also, if you gained about 30 pounds you would be more stable during the swing when it's a little windy.

[HuskyFreeNorthwest]

46-47 for back to back 93s. Today could have been the day I broke 90. I had 4, 3 putt bogeys. Today made me happier than Saturday as I wasn't driving many fairways, I played well enough to scramble for bogeys instead of just blowing up when the tee shot was in a bad spot.

[jay santos]

9 holes
8 GIRs
1 HRITN
1 birdie
1 bogey
Even

I'm pretty sure I can't put 18 together but it felt good for nine tonight.

I just googled HRITN and didn't find anything, googled "HRITN golf" and this thread was first hit.

[Shaka]

I just googled HRITN and didn't find anything, googled "HRITN golf" and this thread was first hit.

We need a glossary.