hooha!

This may be the most underwhelming "bragging" post on record, but everything's relative, right? I just shot 112! In case you think that's pitiful, keep in mind that I usually score 120. Moreover, it's not so much the score that has me excited as how I did it.

I've been working on my swing, using the McLellan video and practicing every day, not hitting balls, just swinging. I videotaped my swing and went from there.

I carry a Knight "rippa" hybrid 3 iron that I got at Walmart for $20. When I could connect with it, I'd get a nice shot, but prior to today I couldn't connect more than 10-15% of the time. The rest would be short toppers. But today...I was hitting the ball with that club and getting 180-200 yds off the fairway--and straight! What a feeling!

I thought I'd try using it off the tee. I got more loft with a tee, so I'd get 200-210 yds, nice and straight. Keep in mind that with my driver I'd get 230-250, usually with a nasty slice. I was happy with the straighter shorter shot. Then later I tried teeing it lower, as if I were playing an iron, and putting it a tad farther back in my setup. 230! Straight! A cheapo hybrid 3 iron!

So with all these great shots, why didn't I at least break 100?

Well, with my changed swing I'm hitting all my wedges farther, so I overshot greens that I didn't expect to. Before, 50 yds was the limit with my lob wedge, but today it was going 70. And my putting is still rubbish.

Nevertheless I'm excited because today's round felt a lot like...golf!

__________________
Todd
Philadelphia, PA
USA

The reason the pro tells you to keep your head down is so you can't see him laughing. ~Phyllis Diller

Congrats and keep working to get into double digits

Thanks. The way I see it, it's important to have short-term goals. I think golf *begins* with being able to strike the ball reliably. So my first goal is to play 18 holes without actually duffing any shots. I figure that'll get me to about 100. Then it's about figuring out the *right* shot, improving accuracy and distance control, etc. But now I'm still in the pre-golf phase. Hoping to graduate soon.

It was 6 August when I posted the original "boast" of 112. Since then I've continued to work hard on my swing, and my scores have been inching down. 104 today, which is about what I've been playing lately. So since the beginning of the season I've dropped about 15 strokes. 104 may still be rubbish, but I'm proud of it anyway.

A satisfying thing is happening. I'm developing a repeatable golf swing. I hardly top the ball anymore, or shank it. My distances are getting more consistent. My aim is still variable, but improving. I have more confidence when I step up to the ball.

I 3-putted at least 8 holes today, maybe 10 (don't remember), so ic obviously dump a lot of strokes right there. I can work on that all winter.

__________________
Todd
Philadelphia, PA
USA

The reason the pro tells you to keep your head down is so you can't see him laughing. ~Phyllis Diller

Keep up the good work, you be breaking the 100 mark soon. It was only 18 months ago when I first broke the 100, today I am in the low 80s. I have had a couble of rounds in the 70s. I am now focusing on my short game that is where I go over par.