31 December 2022|Golfing with gratitude
Grip and setup are the two key changes I continue to work on. They sound like minor things but they've got a major impact and are taking a bit of getting used to. The theory behind the grip change is that it should also allow me to improve my rotation and strike as well. More below.
Setup change: this has been the easiest thing to correct. It really applied more to driver and woods than my irons. Basically, I was playing the ball too far forwards - almost outside my left foot which left me prone to topping it or hitting it very high. I was also getting very inconsistent. It's been a strange year or two with the driver as this used to be my most consistent club and it's rather deserted me as I've been working on my irons and my swing speed. Greater confidence off the tee and more balls in play will be a key aspect of lowering my scores.
Grip: this was actually identified during the second lesson. My weak grip was having significant implications for my downswing and how I delivered the club at impact. The takeaway was fine but the downswing was inconsistent resulting in a two-way miss. When Sandy demonstrated the impact of my current grip at transition it was easy to see how it was producing the inconsistent delivery.
The stronger left-hand position feels odd still but actually makes my right hand feel more comfortable than before. I need to work on a consistent hand placing as part of my setup routine. Both during my lesson and in subsequent practice sessions I have noticed a considerable improvement in strike with my irons. My shot shape is now more consistent (straight to slight draw) and the big miss is a hook than a slice. I've seen longer average carry distances at the range and on the course - even in the current very cold weather. On the course, I've seen the biggest improvement with my short game/wedge play. I must be making better contact and using the bounce better as I've actually managed to get some spin on the ball and seen it stop! I'm not having as much success transferring everything to my driver yet and need to keep working on it.
Transition: the grip change seems to be helping the transition issue. I've historically been a bit slow with my hips and a bit too upper-body reliant. This was getting me a bit trapped and causing that inconsistent strike. The grip change almost forces me into more shaft lean at impact and improved rotation in order to square the face to the path. It's taking a bit of getting used to but improved strike is well worth the work. My shot shape is now straight or a slight draw, with my miss generally being left. If I miss right I think it's usually due to a bad swing where I've not rotated properly, blocking it off to the right - it's not the big fade/slice I used to get though and is usually just straight right.
Driver and 3 wood - I'm still struggling to translate the good iron play to my driver and 3 wood. I can't quite figure out what is wrong here so will focus on it more over coming practice sessions and rounds. I've still managed to score reasonably well over the last three rounds but that's been down to good recovery play and strong pitching/putting. Missing the fairway has definitely cost me shots. The dominant miss with woods is a hook. I feel that I'm struggling with the grip change here more than with the rest of the bag with the club looking closed at address. I don't know if my rhythm/tempo is also out a bit with the longer clubs so I will continue to work on that. It doesn't feel far away.
Fitting - Sandy has recommended I get my club specs checked, so I have booked in with SGGT for a full bag review on Dec 19th. I'll also use this as a chance to try out thinner grips as that is an option that SGGT can provide. A prime reason for the review is that Sandy is concerned that my long irons are not spinning enough. I also discovered that the swing weight of my wedges is very different (6 points heavier) than my irons. I've been concerned for a while that there is not enough gapping between my PW, 50 and 54 and the Vokeys have felt very different to swing too. Hopefully, they will be able to make the required tweaks to the clubs I have and get them performing better throughout the bag, although I'm not resistant to change if I can see a benefit. The aim is to start 2023 with a settled bag and resist the temptation to chop and change clubs so much (especially driver).
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