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flopper
Sweden
320 Posts |
 Posted - March 10 2009 : 2:16:07 PM
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As some might know, my game is much improved however I have also some physical issues to get tired when I do physical work.
A recap of the last season,
won my class in the club age 45+, failed to win the championchip all classes due to tiredness.(shot 38 out,43in=81 first day) 3 doublebogeys on the way in.(chipping broke down.)
Had to pack my bags early summer more or less due to becoming to tired to play.
Started to re-work my game for 2009.
1. Physical fitness. (weight is going down) 90kilos atm.
2. Eating habits continue as they done for last year.
3. Swing changes, none, except stance.
4. Mental practice.
1 and 2. I am at 90kilos, which is high for me, as I went ill 9 years ago, I gained a lot.
I used to be 70-75 and been down to 63kilo at 20 years of age.
So, I am aiming to get down to under 80 this spring.
Continue to do small workouts, and eat small but fat rich food, bacon, eggs, and such.
3. Not happy with my stance, going to go more open with left foot.
Putting weight on right leg/kneee, will let me swing as fast I can.
If this will become my stance I dont know, it just feels better open it up.
Working to be on plane, as I had a way flat swing, which was due to some old habits.
Working on speed, and more speed, to get the distances I want.
4. Elicit the wanted feel/sensation I wanna have when swinging which is based upon feeling "nothing" as the swing will feel like, it just rips trough.
When it felt like this, those been my longest shots.
As I have that experience, I can swing my arms/shoulders and whip trough the area as this then is all I need to do.
Working to identify the sensation of hitting the ball low on chip shots to get maximum backspin and then establish that distinction as the way to hit those shots. (based upon how a pro does those)
When I have those experiences, and can replicate the ballflight of what it suppose to look like and have the distance/acuracy which would be in the 300 yards area with driver then I can solidify that within the context of the game.
Mentally, what I do is this,
first, decide what I want to be able to do.
EX: Distance and acuracy.
I then use a future consideration, so, if I did hit the ball as I wanted to, what is that like for me?
For me this means I elicit the sensation I have when I just ripped trough the ball area and the swing was effortless.
I elicit this feeling/sensation, and find what its like to have and what it does for my focus of attention when I am about to swing having this feeling/sensation.
If the result is what I consider, the same as I had when swinging my best golf shots (distance wanted), this then becomes my main practice to isolate this and to be keept track of that when I go and swing.
I used the same approach playing online fps games.
I doubled my K/D ratio from 2-1 to 4-1.
This I did by keeping track of when I aimed directly to the head and hit. Elicited that and then practiced that for 3 weeks.
The swing will be checked for distance first, checked agaisnt the distance wanted. Then, the acuracy will be checked.
Arm speed/core shoulder is enough which is verified from the pro golfer who always states its not fast enough, this time, he almost fell backwards when it was really fast.
(october 2008)
/Rob
From 11hcp to tourpro level 2009?
Using the new improved mental game with a year under the belt practice
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flopper
Sweden
320 Posts |
 Posted - April 16 2009 : 08:21:48 AM
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Pre-season:
working out using the crossfit system.
Cant follow the regimen fully but doing it as I am able to when not to tired.
Goal is to build all around physical fitness to withstand the summer golf.
Eating habits are consistent as been last year, and trying to even follow it a bit more to enhance the wight-loss that should follow when golf is doable here.
3 to 4 weeks before range opens up, so still got time to enhance the physical fitness.
Still haven't lost any weight, however, fat levels is going down so I am getting thinner, just not lighter.
From 11hcp to tourpro level 2009?
Using the new improved mental game with a year under the belt practice |
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flopper
Sweden
320 Posts |
Posted - April 23 2009 : 7:04:13 PM
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Practice the putting indoor.
One month away before the courses opens up here but at least the ranges starting to get out of the cold.
Going there saturday with sisters kids to test run the swing.
All the practice indoor has worked well, went out on the backside at the house with some chipping and pitching which worked really well.
Putting is really much improved with the symple putter.
I still have some small extra movements but the putting is progressing well.
I think I finally are able to swing according the system and all the kinks are flushed out.
Been working on positions with left hand and backswing position as I have old tendency to go flat in the backswing.
I am able to stay behind swinging indoors but since the roof is low, I dont know how this transfer to the range with full swings.
I find out saturday.
It feels good, everything is on track in what I can conclude that I be able to shoot the scores I want this year.
As playing scratch golf and do well in my outcomes are high goals this year they are as far in reach.
Working on making sure I do the stuff according to Joe and Mike´s ideas. Changed grip preassure, working on position backswing, left hip pivot point, all and all, it feels good now.
a Month to go to play.
From 11hcp to tourpro level 2009?
Using the new improved mental game with a year under the belt practice |
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flopper
Sweden
320 Posts |
Posted - April 27 2009 : 04:47:26 AM
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Driving range proved to be as good I belived it to be based upon the feeling at home.
I could test each position, and started to hit straigt shots.
Good ball flights.
Worked on, left wrist straight, then proper backswing, then left shoulder pull and light grip almost dropping club.
Woke up next day and finnaly understood how to create speed with the bracing into the leg. That can be tested next time on the range.
Points to reinforce,
1. keep same grip tension trough the whole swing without tensing up at impact.
2. Make sure the left shoulder/back pulls the swing and that any conflicting right hand influences are sorted out so they are seperated.
3. Check and maintain good form, with left wrist etc..
4. Start working on speed and a powerful pull down to the left leg bracing and holding on.
Points made last 2 weeks:
1. Hitting all shots straight with the thumb grip, pure genius grip idea if anyone ask me. Take away all pressure to tense up and you can just swing away with a flat wrist.
This alone builds such a great feeling that all square to the target is already done.
2. New putter is the best buy I made in years. I be removing 5 putts each round due to how good it is.
Compared my home made one and its no where near this one.
3. Chipping and pitching is 1000% better than last year.
All due to lighter grip, left arm pulling. Some sorting issues to right hand is still needed but its improving fast.
4. Doing the instructions and following them to the letter exactly made a huge difference and also, looking for the feeling when I am doing it right and proper.
This allowed me to understand the swing motion and internalize it.
I didnt do this last year and was way off in how its suppose to be.
The game now feels easy and simple.
I know I got the motion down, and that will allow me to shoot new personal records and let me play my game as I want it.
In many aspects this is like having the feeling of greatness.
I just know I be shooting good scores as the swing will hold up to do what I want to do.
In my whole golfing time sicne my friend brought me along back in 89 and I played one year in 95, and then did a break again to 2004 this is the first time I understand the what to do in the golfswing.
/Rob
From 11hcp to tourpro level 2009?
Got it how to swing Symple. Same swing with superb puttning. Low 70 scores here I come! |
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flopper
Sweden
320 Posts |
Posted - April 30 2009 : 10:35:16 AM
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Range today.
Acuracy is off the chart, never been more acurate with irons.
at 50 yards the dispersion pattern is like half a yard heh.
Overall felt good, straight shots worked on speed.
Still not comfortable fully with longer shots, going to work on that tomorow.
/rob
From 11hcp to tourpro level 2009?
Got it how to swing Symple. Same swing with superb puttning. Low 70 scores here I come! |
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flopper
Sweden
320 Posts |
Posted - May 03 2009 : 11:57:04 AM
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Driving range.
Made progress.
I most likely need to add 10% more power and speed then I be set for summer.
Acuracy is good, distance is a little better than last year.
I figure I with the shorter clubs are one club better or so.
52 degree wedge is like 20 yards longer than last year.
I am not able to put the same improved distances to driver and the longer clubs yet.
They are a little longer, but I figure I be able to add the last distances the coming 3 weeks before the season opens up here.
I never been more straight tho.
Feels like I be nailing every pin this year.
I wouldnt be suprised if I shoot around par the first rounds.
Its improving each range session.
From 11hcp to tourpro level 2009?
Got it how to swing Symple. Same swing with superb puttning. Low 70 scores here I come! |
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flopper
Sweden
320 Posts |
Posted - May 05 2009 : 06:44:02 AM
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Sometimes I just hate that I was brought into golf.
Yesterday I sliced all clubs.
So, I figure I bring the video camera and shoot and then see what is going on.
Today I pulled everything!
Looking at the video showed a pretty decent swing, but I noticed some upright posture, so I braced and leaned away from target and suddenly, I swinged straight shots.
Straight with nice trajectory.
I had good distance, not great but having solved the mystery of all over the field that initself was a nice improvement.
I hit the driver around 10 yards longer than last year.
However, there is more speed to get so I should be able to improve this during the coming weeks.
Speed is now doable and possible to work on as I can hit the damn ball straight
The iron game will be much better than last year as its feels like I will nail the pin with each shot.
From 11hcp to tourpro level 2009?
Got it how to swing Symple. Same swing with superb puttning. Low 70 scores here I come! |
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SATTHMNS
121 Posts |
Posted - May 05 2009 : 1:39:56 PM
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I always enjoy your posts flopper. Thank you for posting and keeping everyone up dated !!
I have not played much golf yet this year. I have not even hit many balls . i had hurt my neck and couldn't';t do much. I did play Friday night I was trying some other new swing and not having much success. so I decided to try SS on the last par 5. I had not hit any balls with SS since last fall. So I hit a Drive straight and at least 300 yards. I was only out 160 yards on the par 5. I pulled my next shot, but hit a 56 wedge high over a tree right next to the pin. (first time using SS with Driver, or short shots) I am excited about getting out and hitting balls and playing now that I am back into it and my neck and shoulder are feeling better. I pulled out
"the Own Your Swing DVD and have been watching that lately to make sure I am doing things right. Maybe i should watch the playing lessons DVD's too. |
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flopper
Sweden
320 Posts |
Posted - May 05 2009 : 2:23:07 PM
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Hehe, just keep it up.
I re-worked everything according to the instructions which has helped me move along nicely.
I have great acuracy with irons, and my game will be much interesting to view from playing a round.
Its like 3 weeks away here but I might go south as the golfer I coach might get a tournament in middle of may, and if he gets in I go caddie and find some course to play on one day there.
If the weather allows I go to the range tomorow and confirm the set up and swing feelings as it felt really good today.
Working on identifying the feeling and distinction as I do it right.
Golf seems to be easy this year, finnaly
From 11hcp to tourpro level 2009?
Got it how to swing Symple. Same swing with superb puttning. Low 70 scores here I come! |
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SATTHMNS
121 Posts |
Posted - May 05 2009 : 2:46:52 PM
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| Flopper What part of Sweden do you live in? My cousin is moving there. His company is sending him there this spring. Hey maybe I'll copme over and visit him and play golf with you. |
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flopper
Sweden
320 Posts |
Posted - May 05 2009 : 3:43:41 PM
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north, upper half.
outside Umeå.
From 11hcp to tourpro level 2009?
Got it how to swing Symple. Same swing with superb puttning. Low 70 scores here I come! |
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flopper
Sweden
320 Posts |
Posted - May 06 2009 : 11:39:04 AM
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Driving range 2 hours.
Hit all clubs well and good except driver.
Did carry my 3wood as far as driver and couldnt figure out why.
However, I never been as acurate as I am this year.
Its uncanny how the shots just go straight.
Drank some coffe, with cream, started to analyze the driver, what am I doing with the driver that I am not doing with the other clubs?
Finally I figured that I was pulling all clubs with left shoulder/arm but when I switched to driver I was hitting with right side.
So, started working on that doing the same with driver as with the other clubs and then, straight shots.
Worked on pulling with left shoulder, bracing left leg, stay behind the ball with head and worked on rhytm/tempo.
Doing this allowed crisp shots with uncanny acuracy.
Felt really good, memorized the position, and will do some follow up tomorow.
I am going to smoke the home course this year.
I be at least 15 shots better and my personal best at 78 will vanish.
From 11hcp to tourpro level 2009?
Got it how to swing Symple. Same swing with superb puttning. Low 70 scores here I come! |
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SATTHMNS
121 Posts |
Posted - May 06 2009 : 12:17:31 PM
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those are some good thiongs to hear. Two of my problems keeping my head back and left side. (I really tend to kget my head moving forward to fast )
Playing tonight in our first day of Mens league !!!
Really looking forward to it !!! |
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flopper
Sweden
320 Posts |
Posted - May 07 2009 : 10:20:15 AM
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driving range hour and half.
felt the power thumb for first time.
swing starts to make sense.
worked on pulling with left shoulder and keep head/body back.
still have a few old flaws to sort trough and clear up.
But as it is now its pretty decent.
Just hope I can start working on speed soon.
From 11hcp to tourpro level 2009?
Got it how to swing Symple. Same swing with superb puttning. Low 70 scores here I come! |
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flopper
Sweden
320 Posts |
Posted - May 08 2009 : 12:34:46 PM
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Driving range 2 hours with sisters kids.
They are getting better and Simon is now able to consistently hit the ball somewhat good.(took him 4 sessions to sort and clear up most swing flaws)
For me, I find that I am done with the range now.
All shots straight over the pin.
Boring actually.
No matter the club, trajectory is where I want it to be.
Now , next phase, increase distance.
Sunday will be a workout range day. I will do the swoosh drill, and work on maximising speed and see if I can gain 20 yards with clubs.
If I can do that, I be pro material this summer.
I nevr felt better regarding golf and play.
Now, its 2 weeks to go for courses to open up and see where I stand.
From 11hcp to tourpro level 2009?
Got it how to swing Symple. Same swing with superb puttning. Low 70 scores here I come! |
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SATTHMNS
121 Posts |
Posted - May 08 2009 : 1:45:33 PM
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Good for you Flopper !!!
I went to the range last night, but I am not hitting the ball straight at all. Some are for sure, but really scattering them all over. I seem to be getting power, i even hit one of my 7 iron shots over a tree about 190 to the edge of the green. (I was going to hit a 7 wood because my GPS showed it was 198 yards to the green, but I decided to use my 7 iron and lay up instead I hit the edge of the green with my 7 iron)
I played 18 on Wed. and I was pushing many Drives, which surprised me. I usually always had a pull or hook problem.
My short chips i was blading (topping ) some, leaving them way short, Or chilly, not good crisp shots. I did work on the chips quite a bit last night at the range just trying to get good crisp shots and they were much better. |
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flopper
Sweden
320 Posts |
Posted - May 11 2009 : 07:27:39 AM
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Its been a good week.
I learned how to produce straight shots and have acuracy and consistency with irons that simply is astounding.
However, the driver eluds me.
I spent almost 3 hours yesterday, hitting balls, woke up and one rib was soar.
So, I went outside to figure out what is going one as I cant smack the driver.
So, I check all alignments, I check feel how this feels with irons and then driver, I test using doing a lefty< and pulling with right hand.
I found I tried to put left elbow to the target line but it was already pointed in that direction "before" I was going to correct it.
(DUH)
So, fighting that was one thing.
I also made a too wide motion in the downswing which forces the downswing way out and it also put strain on my ribs.
Swinging lefty felt better and also showed a different position in the impact zone.
So, back to correction, keep left elbow as it is.
Check what muscle drag/pulls the club, and this started to make sense and feel better and the best was that it didnt involve the soar ribcage.
I swung my driver as far as my 3w and even shorter from time to time with no good impact at all which I found strange as every other club worked just fine.(being outdriven by 50-70 yards isnt normal if u ask me)
This motion is a bad swing flaw I have had for years, it comes from being to flat and without having proper instruction have built a motion that simply is straining my ribs.
For me this is a good thing that I am doing this, as I have re-worked all SS instructions and following them to the letter and having my experience when I do the shots with acuracy and power have allowed me to identify an old habit.
Identifying motions and then re-train them goes fast as I can notice everything else I done this spring has improved at a rate that simply is amazing.
The motion was accelerated as I wanted more power but as I went for more power, the motion become bigger and made me shorter and shorter in distance.
Doing irons at a consistent distance is one thing but having the driver 80 yards short isnt going to cut it if I want to qualify and lessen my handicap to scratch.
My overall structure or strategy to do this are the following,
1. know and define what you want to be there.
In my case, 280 yard drives and acuracy to greens with irons (pro) level.
2. Keep the target and outcome and then start to build the foundation to get there.
Skills, attributs, as workouts, gym, eating, etc..
3. Identify anything that prevents the outcome to happen, sort out what is NOT going to be there and identify what is there.
I want to play scratch golf, this also means I need to have some way to measure my progress to attain the skills I need and attributs I need to be able to play like this as I practice.
As I practice on the range, I work on doing the instructions by Joe and Mike. Measure, acuracy and distance. If something isnt working as it should, find and identify what is the cause of the lack of progress.
When identified and tested, sort out and re-train what is needed.
My mistake last year, was to not to follow the instructions to the letter and identify my lack of distance properly.
As I wanted more distance, the swing motion simply become worse.
Good for club competition but not for my outcome.
I am confident that I to some degree have identified the driver issue, and lack of distance, and now needs to re-train my body to a proper SS motion where I can get my 280 yards+. That alone would fix my concerns for scratch and pro level play.
/Rob
From 11hcp to tourpro level 2009?
Got it how to swing Symple. Same swing with superb puttning. Low 70 scores here I come! |
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SATTHMNS
121 Posts |
Posted - May 11 2009 : 09:31:17 AM
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Rob
Nice to see Henrik Stenson from Sweden wining the Players championship. I'm sure it is big there, where is he from anywhere near you? |
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flopper
Sweden
320 Posts |
Posted - May 11 2009 : 09:57:54 AM
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well in the golf circle its kinda big but not much elsewhere.
and no golfer has come from the north here as the season is to short.
Oscar bergman is the exception at the nationwide tour.
Stensson has been a complainer a long time.
seems he grown up.
From 11hcp to tourpro level 2009?
Got it how to swing Symple. Same swing with superb puttning. Low 70 scores here I come! |
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flopper
Sweden
320 Posts |
Posted - May 12 2009 : 12:27:12 PM
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So as I been pleased with my acuracy and found I hit good shots I thought it be time to go for power.
I been a short hitter, and I never been able to hit it far.
I did using a Natural golf driver 15 years or so ago, where I hit it around 50 yards longer than I can do today.
Still have it, and boy is that head small or what.
Now, I know I am about to be frustrated, irritated, angry even, and might think dart or such is maybe a sport I should start to do instead as I know how it is like when trying to do soemthing you cant atm.
spent hour and half, was about to breake my clubs so i went and visit my sister.
went back and spent 2 hours trying to find the source, the secret, the holy grail of distance and power.
SLICEEEE
So, started to work on grip, checking, make more comapct swing, find anything at all that could help me become aligned, but its a no go, I simply cant transfer and make solid good contact using the driver as I hit my 3w as far.
Then seeing people outdrive me with 10-20 yards using 3w, is not so good for my ego or mood.
I most likely will beat them playing a round as I am straight and have good short game, but who cares, I want my 30 yards!
I had to leave the range as my body couldnt take it anymore.
I wished I could take a lesson but that isnt doable so I continue this quest for distance and power.
From 11hcp to tourpro level 2009?
Got it how to swing Symple. Same swing with superb puttning. Low 70 scores here I come! |
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SATTHMNS
121 Posts |
Posted - May 12 2009 : 3:17:22 PM
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I don't have a problem with distance just accuracy. I probably hit one of my longest drives ever already not long ago. Well over 300 yards.(maybe much more as i was only 160 yards out on a long
Par 5) I hit my 7 iron over 190 yards last week. (I am 53 years old so it is not like I am in my early 20's or something)
Flopper I wish I had your accuracy !!! |
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Preparing season 2009.
