hey!

Don't want to make a mess in other topics so I start this one. I don't think its going to be a blog or something. Rather a place where I will look for many advices.
If it's against rules, pls close it.


Posted my story already in other topic, so just a cliff notes:
-live in Poland
-my english is not the best
-started playing golf last year
-haven't hit a driver/wood/hybrid yet
-got a coach in my local golf course, few lessons per month
-played only about 7 rounds last year, best round 112

This season is much diferent than last year. I feel like I'm obsessed with golf and hope to practise a lot this year (golf season lasts for about 7-8month/year).

After reading this forum, mostly thank to many dagolfdoc's advices- I wanted to set some goals.
My long term goal is easy- Would like to have a low single digit HC, make some good results in local tournaments. Because of lack of experience it's hard for me to set a time frame for this goal.


It was also hard for me to set hard but achievable goal for this season.
This week I went for a trip and was planning to play two rounds and based on results set the goal. But weather wasnt on my side. 5 degree, rain all the time. Played only 9 holes in heavy rain.
But anyway I set my goal:
break 90 and constantly play around that number.

Of course my first goal is to break 100 but at the end of this season I would like to play around 90.
My friend (who also plays golf) told me today that it is very unlikely for me to break 90 this season. What do you think ? Did I set the bar too high ?
I'm not sure how many time I will have to practise. I will be happy if I go to driving range/putting green 3-4 days a week and play 1 round every week or two.


I will use this topic mostly to gain some advices about my game, keep tracking my results- so I hope it will keep my motivation to reach my goal.
Although my swing sucks and got a coach who I work with, in a next week I will try to post video of my swing. Thank to this post:
peace,
LFC

Your english is fine.

If it makes you feel better, it took me about 1 year to go from never breaking 100 to consistently below 90, but there were a few factors that helped me:

1. Course we were members at was short (kinda balanced by the fact that I was 14 and didn't have any muscle at all, so naturally I didn't hit it long, I was happy with like a 210 yd drive).

2. I was playing at least 3-4 times a week.

So if you have the dedication it's pretty doable. I honestly think I never got better than that time period when I was playing a lot. I can hit better shots now that I'm older and more knowledgable, but I'm not nearly as consistent (especially in the short game) as I was then.

Work on your grip, posture and body alignment. Get your basics right first.

After that work on your swing with a big focus on transfering your weight correctly. Move your bodyweight in the same direction as the golf club.

Good luck.

thx for the replys

The more I think about breaking 90 the more unrealistic it seems. But I will stick to my plan and hope to make it

After playing just one front9 I think I have to focus on my swing now. Short game wasnt that bad. Made just one 3putt, had some 1 putts.

All my big scores were because of my weak long iron game. I usually hit it fat and left. Funny thing is that I know why I hit it left (bad follow through) but I was working with my coach on a backswing lately. step by step

weather is still bad here. hope to start playing again next week

I should definitely change the topic to „Road to break 100”, but let’s start from the beginning.

Yesterday I had a lesson with my coach, I hit some perfect shots on DR, we practice short game and than we decided to play 3 holes. (we played with the same clubs, so If I drove with 5iron he had to use the same club)
Par 5- perfect 5 iron about 190meters (207meters), than another good shot with 5 iron (about 180m), ~120 to green. 8iron and out of bounds, again 8 iron and again out of bounds. We skip this one because of the group behind us.

Par3 160m – iron 7, pin high but to the right. Not the best pitch, good distance but bad direction. Good first put and tap for bogey.

Par4 272m – perfect 5 iron and about 80m to the green. Hit it too far with my 50degree. Than again bad pitch, good 1st put and tap for bogey.

So was very optimistic after yesterday.
But today through whole 18 holes made maybe 4-5 good shots with my irons.
And it was so busy, not only because of the players, but almost on every hole there were workers cutting the grass, watering greens. Noise was everywhere. I couldn’t concentrate, was afraid of hitting them, there were everywhere.

On one hole I sliced it hard, couldn’t see the ball, but than strange noise and workers looking at me- so I know I hit their truck One of them was laughing that I hit and broke car mirror. The other told me I luckily hit a wheel. After the round when I was walking to the car lady from the office asked me: what’s with the mirror? I was like WTF ? I told the story but I’m not sure if she or manager believes me rather than workers who look like the drink mist of the time. And I’m the guy who worries about things like this. Funny thing is that if I really hit the mirror it would be gone and not barely broken.

So frustrating day.
So I made 117, (according to GolfShot 79 with my handicap)
Made only one par, 3 bogeys, 5 double bogeys. Only 4 fairways, 1 GIR, 40 putts. Had 9 out of bounds.
I believe that I cannot play any worse than today. I feel like I can easily play around 100.
Had to work on my swing hard.
Next time I’m gonna tee off around 2-3pm so the workers are gone. That will also help a lot.

One more thought:
For now, in the end it’s all about having fun, enjoying playing golf. Today I wasn’t there. I was always worrying about playing too slow, or hitting all the workers. Just didn’t feel comfortable at all

And that sucks hard

On the bright side...

Keep it in play (no OB) you save 18 strokes=99
Tighten up putting a lil save 4 strokes=95

Seems like the course you played was real busy. If its anything like northwest Ohio everyone is itching to get out and play, taking advantage of even the questionably nice days. If possible find a less crowded course or play in off peak hours. Nothing gets you mentally off like a bad shot witnessed by a couple other groups/workers. Happens every time someone lets me play thru.

Also about being pushed, I have the same problem. Some people at my course take pride in the fact that they can play 9 holes in an hour (with cart). I say to them why?? I go out to relax and playing speed golf like that just seems silly to me. Don't let people push you. You paid your fee just the same as they did take your time (within reason ofcourse).

Anyway, keep at it and don't get too discouraged.

I would definitely recommend you read this if you haven't already and apply it to your game, should definitely help you out: http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/93...ction-1005223/


Also really a good idea that you use 5 iron a lot for driving, if you're more consistent with it than your driver it's a great idea to use it. Fortunately I never had that problem when I first started as oddly enough the driver has for the most part my whole life been one of the best clubs in my game except for a year or two, but for most people it's the opposite. Sometimes pride can get in the way but you're not letting that happen. Keep it up

LFC, just remember that *everyone* struggles with bringing what they learned in their lessons and at the driving range to the course right away. I used to get so frustrated that I could practice something and then the next day playing not be able to repeat it, but now I just recognize it as a slow process and see the change occurring slowly but surely.

Exactly..

I know guys who are like 'I practiced my chipping for AN HOUR yesterday!!! and I'm still screwing up!!" if it all it took to be good at some aspect of golf was an hour, it would be an easy game.

I set goals for myself when I started playing golf. I started shooting 120's.
So I set goal of 100 for 18 holes. and now i'm shooting 90's , and I got my first birdie last year. Putting has a lot to do with cutting strokes.

Hahaha true
but I’m afraid it’s easier to say and harder to do.
It’s pretty similar on the green. After bad shot people are always like “ok, next time I will hit it better for sure” and from final score they often reject bad shots but they never think about incredible shots they made, which will be hard to repeat.

One more thing about people on the course: every time I watched people putting, it took them about 5-10seconds to make a shot. They didn’t even check the line. On fairways it was the same, few seconds and let’s go. Instant tilt

It’s more because I haven’t learnt to play driver yet. I said to myself: if you still suck with irons you shouldn’t play driver. But as dagolfdoc mentioned in other topic I should definitely start practicing it. Of course in the beginning I’m gonna use it only on wide fairways with no OB

Yep, it’s the most frustrating thing for me. But after those 3 holes with my coach I know that I can, just need more time.
I forgot to mention that on that 2 perfect drives I hit it about 10meters further than my coach! I drove it smoothly without much of effort. I know that they were probably lucky hits and my swing is horrendously inconsistent but it made me think that if I work hard enough I will be able to hit those shots.

Thanx for comments guys, really appreciate it

Went to the DR, made some videos.
Unfortunately my camera is too smart. Light was bad while taking DTL videos and camera kept turning off. Got only short one with my position.

Front view is also not the greatest quality and it looks like my camera wasn’t perfect horizontal
Anyway, uploaded two ‘decent’ swings. Added slow motion videos at the end (maybe it will help you).
I already see how I lift my left shoulder before the impact, how I take my hands inside right after impact, also I think that my backswing should be shorter. But it’s not me to judge.

First thing: what you feel is definitely not what you do.
I’m gonna take videos more often


DTL:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qj6-lYL_oTc

Front view, i7:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NSQBkLoF6g

Another front view, i7:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_96jfBmj4I

Is it really that bad that nobody willing to comment? Is it really irreparable? Don’t worry people, I can stand all the critic

One of many more things I noticed:
Dagolfdoc mentioned that he very often he uses Jin’s swing as a model positions in many spots (so I guess basic position as well).
Hips are bend too much ?

wow, you're overdoing good posture, which is the opposite probably to 99% of people..... didn't actually watch the videos but i will.

i am trying to break 80 once (have come close here and there). and have shot under 40 for 9 holes a reasonable number of times. occasionally way under 40 on a reasonable layout.

for me and probably you, it is a matter of consistency. as the person said, no penalty strokes and i'd add no completely wasted shots i.e. chunks, skulls. and i think i'm going to do this even if it means alot of 3-irons off the tee. good short game is obvious but even more important if i'm going to use more 3-irons off the tee. don't forget loren roberts led the masters a couple of times when he couldn't make all the par 4's in two.

good luck........ FYI, i'm taking a few lessons in the next month