A practice swing is part of my pre-shot routine. I learned long ago that without it, my game suffers. In addition to the physical benefits, it also helps set up my mental preparation for my shot. Interestingly, I have two pre-shot routines that involve my “practice swing”. It is because of this I wonder what am actually practicing during my pre-shot routine. There seems to be a quandary that needs discussing! Continue reading
club selection
Do You Club Up and Swing Easy?
On my road to recovery, I am not a physically strong as normal. This is a by-product of my treatments and something I cope with every day. My fatigue and weaker state has not stopped me from playing golf, however I have modified club selection to account for my inability to crush the ball! Continuing to play into the fall, I realize that I am clubbing up more often than not to achieve the same mid-summer distances. After some thought, I realize that changing clubs to adjust for conditions is a fact of golf most amateurs likely avoid. Continue reading
In Between Clubs – Is This a Real Problem?
During the BMW Championship, I overheard several caddies talking to the player about yardage and how to adjust the grip on the club to ensure that they can make a full swing. This adjustment indicates that the player was in-between clubs for the yardage they wanted to hit. As I thought about my game compared to theirs, I rarely feel that I am in between clubs and the yardages I assess are plus or minus 5 yards anyway. So I ask, is being in between clubs a real problem for amateurs or is it something at only professionals need to be concerned with? Continue reading
Making an Early Shot Call
Early club selection could cause unseen challenges to my golf game.
Golf is about making decisions. What club to hit, where to aim, how hard to swing or whether to play safe are just a few examples. Some times my decisions are successful and other times I wish I could rethink the shot again. But, making decisions is a part of the game and one that I enjoy as I loop the course. Unfortunately, I have a tendency to call my shot early and this gets me in trouble from time to time. Continue reading
Indecision Hurts the Golf Swing
I have played rounds of golf where every decision was quick. I was in a groove, played each shot as designed and, for the most part, everything worked out very well. I have played rounds where I did not think at all and went through the motions. Those rounds were less successful.
Then, there were rounds where I had to think my way around the course. I am talking about those rounds of golf where everything is going well, but course management is critical to success. They are fun rounds and I enjoy these the most. However, I have found that during these rounds, indecision really hurts the bottom line. The number I write on my scorecard is a direct reflection on my level of confidence at that time. Does this happen to you? Continue reading
The Grateful Golfer 