After I posted that last video of my swing when I thought I had a real breakthrough, my swing coach, Jay Lim, left me some notes in the comments for things to work on. At first glance it seemed like a whole lot to think about and change and I felt a little overwhelmed. But when I started to implement it I realized it was pretty much all the same thing – setup. Nothing to feel deflated about. In fact, as soon as I took those ideas to the range and called Jay to clarify his meaning about tilt, it started working right away. In fact, it made the other things I was doing even easier to repeat. Brilliant. I continued practicing it throughout the week and, once again, was eager to go try it on a golf course.
On Friday afternoon I rushed to a local course and since I wanted a good chance of finishing my round before dark, I skipped my warm up. As a result, my first few holes were disastrous and it took a few more to really get the feel of my new swing anywhere near comfortable. (I also had some trouble holding onto the club – details at end of post if you’re interested – but as this is something I’m just going to have to deal with, it is not something that I will allow to account for a poor swing or score.) I played alone for the first 5 holes until another single jumped a foursome and joined me. My swing improved a bit but never really got in the groove. My new walking buddy was impressed but I felt down and frustrated as I posted my 102! (White tees, 6000 yards, ratings 75.6/132.) It’s the identical score to the last two times I played there earlier in the month. Where’s the improvement? Can’t even break 100? How long until 80 now???
Then I soothed my mind and body with a nice relaxing bubble bath and a couple giant martinis. I got my head right, found my smile and shook off any discouragement. I would play the next day and try again, but this time with the right kind of warm up for my swing and mental game. I decided to try the little executive course where I played my first 18 hole round when I took up golf. I figured it was a great place for me when I was just starting out and since I’m essentially doing that again, maybe I can recapture some of that mojo. I hadn’t been there in years. I was excited!
Getting Closer!
I stretched, hit a small bucket of balls and my swing was feeling good. Did a little chipping and some ninja putting drills and hit the course. I played the back tees, which are only 4961 yards (par 67, 68.4 CR/112 slope). I went to the first tee alone and could see the foursome approaching the green up ahead on this 293 yard par 4. My tee shot went straight up the middle and I waited in the fairway 70 yards from the flag while the 4 guys finished. I stuck the green and two putted from about 8 feet for a ho-hum par. That was the only green I hit on the front nine, but with 15 putts I salvaged a 41*, making me 6 over at the turn. A twosome joined me on the second hole and we ended up playing through those guys in front of us and joining another single on the back nine. On the back I had two doubles, 3 bogeys and finished with 4 pars, which felt great and totaled 40. I posted an 81. *After I got home I realized I had forgotten to give myself a penalty stroke for moving my ball off a tree root in an effort to save my wrist. I should have posted an 82.
If I had broken 80 that day, I would not have counted it as achieving my goal (though I would have awarded a prize to Billy D, who chose that date in my Break 80 pool). I want to achieve it from the white tees at a regular “grown up” course. However, my personal best score is an 82, the same I shot on Saturday, and it occurred to me  to look up the length and ratings on that course, since we played the red tees. Turns out it was only 4799 yards, par 71, 66.5/111 rating. I count that as my previous personal best! Should I? Should I reconsider allowing myself to feel like I accomplished this goal if I break 80 from the red tees? Does it matter? In golf, everything matters mentally, and you know I believe I can do whatever I think I can. The really good news is, I felt like I easily should have broken 80 on this course and shot my 82 with relative ease. Friday’s disaster and realization was merely the stumbling block I needed to make mental adjustments and try a different route. I am beyond encouraged. Nice try, Friday! (c:
Video Update
The video here includes a couple of my honey badger practice swings on the range on Thursday as well as my tee shots on the last two holes of this round (two of my pars – the par 3 17th (pitching wedge) and the par 4 18th). Sorry – it had a cool tune with it but was disabled for copyright snags. Maybe I can get Big Head Todd to approve it. Meanwhile, hope you enjoy the silent movie.
The details I promised about my grip
I think I have mentioned the aggravating pain in my hands and wrists that hasn’t really bothered me since I was a kid but has returned. It’s actually not always painful per se. Sometimes it’s just more of a discomfort with irritating spasms, locking up certain fingers and joints in odd positions and making it difficult to hold onto things. After the week of practice, my right hand was really getting frisky on Friday (in previous weeks it was more my left). My buddy Jay over at Jaysgolf.com has a better understanding of such challenges than I do and we joked together about the “death grip” we subsequently put on our golf clubs, tearing through gloves and creating callouses faster than rolling O’s.
I understand the more I keep exercising the joints in the manner that aggravates them, the less they will hurt over time. Kind of hard to believe the morning after I’ve played golf and I can’t even grip my toothbrush but golf is certainly better than no golf so you know I will find out if it’s true! Meanwhile, I’m primarily treating the pain by deciding not to feel it or care, along with over the counter and over the bar medicine, and trying to control the spasms with my ninja mind. I don’t have insurance.
August 2, 2011 at 7:14 pm
Congrats! I know that my friend just recently broke par, and it was the best feeling in the world for him!
August 2, 2011 at 7:19 pm
I am also trying to improve my score with a new swing and enjoy your blog and watching your journey. Waht compelled me to comment was Big Head Todd–what song did you have on the video? I spent time in Colorado and got to see them often. Also I am a dog lover and Goose looks like she was a beautiful baby.I love the pic of her.
August 2, 2011 at 7:46 pm
Hey Kevin,
Thanks for reading and deciding to comment! I’m from Boulder! (c: The song I used was “Turn the Light Out.” Play it with the video right from the beginning. Tempo works pretty well! Also, I plan to shoot “lights out” haha!
The Goose was awesome, thanks for that. My current baby is Don Vito (aka Nostradogus) and he’s a handsome guy! I have a category on here just for him. Click on “Vito” to the left if you’re interested.
Good luck with your swing & game. Feel free to share your thoughts and what’s working or not for you!
Kristen
August 2, 2011 at 11:31 pm
Nice write up, and thanks for the “plug” 😉
However to your point of not allowing the issues with your hands to be used as an excuse, i understand and feel the same. but remember to give yourself a break, figuratively speaking, as you literally did when you moved the ball from the tree root.
for instance, i learned the hard way, i just cannot play in extreme heat, my condition just wont “let” me. and all i’ll get out of it is a bad round, a lighter wallet, and risk me well being.
its a marathon, not a sprint baby!
Jay
August 3, 2011 at 2:01 am
Ever been to Hawthorn Woods, a Lake County golf course?
August 4, 2011 at 4:27 pm
Your swing looks way better than mine!
August 8, 2011 at 12:35 am
I think you should count your earlier 82 as your lowest regardless of tee and slope. It was an accomplishment and still stands as a point of measure against your new gains.
August 12, 2011 at 3:14 pm
If you break 80 before I do, I want your personal help with my game. I’ve been struggling with 80 for 36 years.
August 13, 2011 at 2:25 am
Can empathize. I’ve shot 37-43 and 45-36. No sub 80s though. You’ll get there with all the effort. Golf’s a high maintenance pastime.
August 16, 2011 at 2:19 pm
I can certainly empathize with your “quest”. Rest assured, once you break 80, the flood gates may open and you’ll be on your way to breaking par! Best of luck in your pursuit.
August 29, 2011 at 2:39 pm
Hi Kristin. You mind plays a HUGE role in this process. Most players who have your specific type of goal focus 90% of their attention on technique, alone.
On your way to 79, there will be a lot of par saves from around the green, which means your specific mindset when faced with these up-n-downs will dictate result.
Your thoughts & self-talk will ultimately be the determing factor.
GREAT JOB!
Dayne
September 3, 2011 at 4:51 am
Nice looking golf swing. I really like your finish position.
Look forward to watching your progress.
Cheers
September 6, 2011 at 2:35 am
I wish I could swing the driver like that. How do you get on with bunker play. I think they are the reason I have never broken 80
September 7, 2011 at 9:03 pm
That’s awesome!!!! Looking forward to watching your progress!!!
September 12, 2011 at 7:19 pm
Wow great swing!
September 27, 2011 at 12:41 am
Anytime I am preparing for tournament play I spend a lot of time on the short game. It is the fastest way to lower your score and rectify long game mistakes. Also, course management- turning bogeys into pars with well thought out decisions.
Stay focused and you will acheive your goal, you are probably closer than you realize. Good Luck!
September 28, 2011 at 10:39 am
The finishing position is great, I want to learn it myself.
October 5, 2011 at 7:18 am
Hi,
If you really want to practice a lot, use my swingbox ™.
World’s smallest indoor golf practice net type device.
http://www.facebook.com/myswingbox
October 19, 2011 at 8:33 am
You are a lucky dog by having so many people helping you and encouraging you. I am also trying to improve my swing with new moves. I will be reading you from on.
October 21, 2011 at 4:47 am
I wish I could swing the driver like that…… try diliat also blogs bali golf course for information on golf course in Bali.