All in the mind

Guys,

Has anyone got any thoughts about returning to the course after weeks at the range over winter working on your swing.

What is the best way to get rid of those driving range swing thoughts?????????


Do your best


Ian.

Not sure what you are getting at Ian - I use the range as a tool to work on swing flaws and keep my swing in good shape - why would I want to erase those thoughts?

When at the range you shouldn't just be whacking balls - each shot should be aimed at a specific target with a specific ball flight and distance in mind. If you are out on the range because it's winter and you can't golf try this:

After you are warmed up, play 'a round' on the range. Take a scorecard and play 18 holes. Imagine the fairway for each hole and where you need to hit the ball. Ex. - #1, Par 4, 370 yards, straight with a bunker on the right starting at 270 off the tee. The pin is at the back right of the green. I would probably start with my 3 wood and play a draw so I had a good approach to the green. Depending on the distance I hit my 'drive' I then play my second shot from the remaining distance. If I duff my drive, I have a long way into the pin. If I hit the 3W on the screws I am probably looking at a SW to get tight to the pin. Keep moving through the scorecard playing holes and using course management. I usually just assume a 2 putt for the greens and for shots that are WAY off target I add another stroke for a recovery shot.

__________________
Gord

Quote of the month:
"It's easy to see golf not as a game at all but as some whey-faced, nineteenth-century Presbyterian minister's fever dream of exorcism achieved through ritual and self-mortification." ~Bruce McCall

Sorry Gord,

I have been working on some swing changes for the first time in a few years and my pro says if I am to get down to 5 next year I must swing on a better plane for more consistancy.

The problem is I am getting so tied up with swing thoughts, when I get to the course (hopefully Sunday if it doesn't snow or freeze) I'm worried that I won't stop thinking of the new swing, instead of just playing the game.


Ian.

Here is a question:

You mentioned a while back you are trying to get higher in your backswing - is this still what you are working on? Keeping this thought on your brain shouldn't affect your game too much.

Otherwise, here is my general opinion:

If you don't think about your swing changes will you be able to maintain the new swing? You may find that you will revert back to the old swing unconsciously and ruin months of work/practice.... Don't worry about your score for the first few rounds out with a new swing. Distances will change and your flight pattern will also be different. Go out, keep the swing changes at the front of your brain. Until the swing is completely natural this is the best way to approach it (once again - just my opinion).

__________________
Gord

Quote of the month:
"It's easy to see golf not as a game at all but as some whey-faced, nineteenth-century Presbyterian minister's fever dream of exorcism achieved through ritual and self-mortification." ~Bruce McCall

Thanks Gord,

You are correct I was a bit flat on the backswing and I am still working on my new more on plane backswing, which I do still question if it was a good idea in the first place because impact was perfect on video.

I don't feel 100% confident with the new swing even though I have put alot of work in, I am still pushing 1- 20 and pulling or hanging on to the shot 1-20.

I'm just debaiting when to risk a round, I have not played for four weeks due to the range work on the new swing.

Thanks

Ian.

You may need to play a round to show where your swing really is and build some confidence in the new technique. Four weeks straight at the range should be more than enough to groove the swing nicely. 1 bad round shouldn't affect your handicap anyway and you better get as many rounds in as you can while the weather permits!

Thanks Gord,

I'll risk it!!!!!


Ian.