I am not sure if any of you have been forced to take time away from your game, but I experienced 4 months of force rest. During this period I tried to keep up with my game, but it was evident I was unsuccessful in my efforts. In my time back, I realized that I forgot how to play golf. During the 6 or 7 rounds I played, I had some good shots and many poor shots; but yesterday I seemed to grasp a fundamental lost in the back of my mind. What a difference it made and I am so glad that it is back.
It seems like a very little thing to remember one part of my swing, but it was the key to so many parts. At the start of my return, I was just happy to be able to swing a club. As things progressed, I started raise my expectations to a point where the start of my round yesterday, I actually started to keep score. Well, that lasted about five holes and my frustration level started to rise because I could not hit a fairway if I was standing on it.
As I walked around the sixth rough looking for my ball, I started to analyze what was wrong with my swing. I checked my stance, grip, ball position and it all looked normal. I was puzzled as to what was causing duck hooks, slices, fat shots, and thin tops. I was quite perplexed.
Finally on the 14th hole the magic happened. After hitting my second shot fat, I hit my 9 iron to within 5 feet. It was a magical shot from 135 yards or at least on that I am used to hitting. After my ball came to rest I thought about what was different and then it dawned on me: I kept my head still!
It was nothing more complicated than keeping my head in the same position throughout my entire swing. I was surprised that I never thought of it earlier, but that as the fix I was seeking. After finding the missing link to my swing, the rest of my round went extremely well. I was hitting my ball on line and, although I needed an extra club or two because of wind and cold, I was hitting to distance. All thanks to keeping my head still!
It was an amazing feeling that I was able to remember how to play golf. It is funny that it took weeks and many shots get on the right track. With only a few weeks left in the season, it is never too late to remember how to play golf. With a core fundamental fixed, I can focus on other aspects of my game before the snow flies.
Have you ever forgotten how to play golf?
I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!
The Grateful Golfer 
Hey Jim,
I am just glad to hear you are back on the course! I know this was posted a while back (Beth and I were in Spain for a few weeks so I got behind on my reading/blogging!) so hopefully things are continuing to improve.
My only forced times away from the game, fortunately, are because of winter. So from that perspective I know the feeling of trying to swing for the first time after a layoff and it feeling foreign, or not being able to come up with a swing thought….but I’m sure this was magnified for you after your treatments. It’ll all come back in due time!
Hope your health and strength are still on the right track.
Cheers
Josh
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Josh
Great to hear from you. I am getting stronger every day and well on the road to recovery. I hope you have enjoyed Spain, sometimes a change is as good as a rest.
Cheers Jim
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Gone through it many times and it always comes back. You’ll get it back. In 35 years of golfing, the one thing that helps the game more than anything is simply playing a lot of golf. The secret is in the dirt, said Ben Hogan.
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JJ
You are right there. Who am I to argue with Mr. Hogan!
Cheers Jim
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Jim, I’m so glad to hear you’re back playing! Like riding a bike for you, my friend! I had a two-week stretch last summer where I was facing golfers elbow and it was tough to give up even that brief a stint in peak season. I am sure your gratitude to be back is at an all time high, and rightfully so!
Cheers, Mike
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Mike,
Thanks. I am very grateful to be playing. I just need a few more weeks of warm, dry weather so I can get a few more rounds in. Regardless, I am heading in the right direction. I hope you are still enjoying the links!
Cheers Jim
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Jim, I have never forgotten how to play and neither have you. 🙂. I think you just stumbled on a timely WOOD band-aid. Glad to hear you are playing well.
Brian
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Brian
Fair enough. It just seemed that way. After being off for so long during the heart of the season, it seems like the rust is unshakable. However, I am positive and will continue to strive forward. Thanks for the encouragement!
Cheers Jim
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I’ve forgotten how I used to play golf. Just two years ago, I was lamenting the fact that I couldn’t stop putting too much draw into my swing. How, if trees ran up the right hand side too close to the tee box, that I was doomed because that big draw was all I had. I wanted to be able to hit a fade too. And hit it dead straight. Today, I seem to have two of the three, which is better than just the one I had before, but still not quite what I want. I find it both a little frustrating, and hugely funny that the one thing I can’t seem to be able to do today is to hit a draw on demand. I hit one or two every now and then since I started trying to again, but when I do, it’s a fluke, not intentional.
I played today with no epiphany’s. But the course did have brand new tiff-eagle greens. Hard and fast. Just the way I like them. 6 foot putts only needed three inches of movement from the putter to bang the back of the cup. I just love that.
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Kevin
Our games seem to be always evolving. I hope you find that draw, but one you can control. It will add another dimension to your game for sure.
Tiff-eagle greens, never heard of them. I will have to look the up. Thanks.
Cheers Jim
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