Work in progress.....

Well it's amazing what a change of coach and sticking to a regime does.

March 07 I changed coaches. I found with my old one we were focusing on the same problem. Obviously whatever I was being told or shown was not working for me - it just din't click.

I changed coaches and wow......!

Anyway just thought I'd tell you that a few days ago I went and saw coach.

My swing is coming along nicely and it was great to sit down with coach and talk about goals and practice plans for 2009.

My goal this year is to shorten the backswing and hit fairways. There are a handful of tournaments I am going to focus on. Mental goal - I am not going to worry about the result.

It is always good to have a lesson, check where you are in relation to alterations and discuss plans and goals.

Now onto the next phase......

Good hitting

VP

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VP

sounds like you have things coming together nicely.. awesome stuff.

i need to work on my short game... 9i stuff and i'll start scoring better. just don't get the time anymore.

keep up the good work and keep us informed on your progress.

Hi vp,

Congratulations on the breakthrough. It's great when the game is going in the right direction and you look forward to the practice and play with a goal.

We wish you continued progress and success.

A good coach couple with a good student will do wonders for the student's game. It will do wonders for the swing coach's reputation also. It's all about communication skills, and how to get a point across. When I was struggling with my game I went to a swing coach, and spent a 1/2 hour with him. We were both new to each other (BTW, a 1/2 hour lesson back then was only $5) During the whole 1/2 hour we spent together, it was just one little swing tip that changed my game for the better. "...on the down swing act like you are swinging towards right field..." That little remark got rid of my slightly out to in swing, which was consistantly costing me distance, and accuracy. GJS

Thanks guys.

Snr I like your visual key about right field - being a softballer from way back.

My short game is coming along very nicely - considering it was already good. Last year it won me the club champs.

Now plodding along with the full swing. Just gotta be patient....

x

Well done Nickers, I like your dedication

I've recently started practicing long game on course. I found I was doing what was required on the range but when it came to comp, I had no idea.

What I am focusing on when practicing on course is knowing where I am thoughout the swing. I've found this to be most beneficial to my rythym.

I know one is not meant to think. Yet I reckon I got to. I am analytical by nature. When I go to lessons I am thinking constantly throughout. It goes pretty well. I leave the lesson pretty confident.

So why not apply this to my long game during competition.

My short game is very instinctive - I purely focus on the target.

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VP

Hi vp,

It's funny but I'm the same as you. Like you, I am extremely analytical.

In tournaments and matches, I usually excel beyond my normal performance, and that was because in those environments, I was able to focus on things I was supposed to do and carried them out. I think the intense focus made me forget about the pressure and nerves. It was however draining and I would be wasted afterwards.

Oddly enough, that describes my tournament experience as well.

I also tend to play better in tournaments for the same reason. The conditions of tournament play are more competitive, and therefore requires more focus. GJS