It's still something I am getting used to. When I do it correctly the results are very pleasing, when I don't...
I can relate completely to the club head catching up with the hands, this is where I get in trouble. I'm still have a tendency to swing to hard and ruin the coefficient of angular momentum. I "know" I don't have to swing hard to get good results, yet I don't know either.
It's that "steady rate" you referred to that I need to master. I do it pretty well with the short irons, but with the longer clubs I still struggle. For some reason I feel I have to hit the longer clubs harder, but at the same time I know I don't have to.
The chipping and putting exercises you described I have already incorporated in my routine, which is probably why my short game is the best part of my game. I love chipping, pitching, and putting. The problem however is that I've neglected my long game and the chickens are coming home to roost. Anything inside 100 yards and I'm confident. Give me a driver and I am lost.
Well the longer the club, the longer it takes to switch ends, making maintaining the steady rate of acceleration more problematic as the rate you establish in Startdown has to maintained longer to make it through the ball. Far more common a problem with a driver than a wedge for this reason. Its another counter intuitive golf logic thing in regards to the longer, further hitting clubs.
You can experiment with various slow backswings and slow startdowns to see which one allows you to achieve the best impact conditions. Camilo Villegas is crazy slow from the top and he hits it pretty good. Everyone is a little different maybe. But remember it isnt just about clubhead speed, solely. You could have a higher clubhead speed but one that is in the process of decelerating , or even accelerating but at a diminishing rate and not get the results you would from a heavier but slower clubhead speed.
Simply put, for maximum distance, try to have as heavy a feeling at the #3pp at impact as you can by trying to achieve the same at Both Arms Straight.....way after impact. With a driver it will seem like a very gradual build up of Lag Pressure.
I've been working extremely hard on my swing the past couple of years. I've taken lessons, I've read the books, I've studied the videos, and I've practiced...and practiced...and practiced.
I haven't seen any improvement except in my short game. I still average 200 yards off the tee and 140 yards with my 5-iron. Of course, I'm only 6'5", 225 pounds, flexible, and in fairly good shape. I am thinking of packing it in. I just feel all beat up.
Maybe there are some of us who just don't get it and never will.
I've been working extremely hard on my swing the past couple of years. I've taken lessons, I've read the books, I've studied the videos, and I've practiced...and practiced...and practiced.
I haven't seen any improvement except in my short game. I still average 200 yards off the tee and 140 yards with my 5-iron. Of course, I'm only 6'5", 225 pounds, flexible, and in fairly good shape. I am thinking of packing it in. I just feel all beat up.
Maybe there are some of us who just don't get it and never will.
Sean,
It was painful to read that! With your enthusiasm for TGM, there is no doubt in my mind that you can get there. It's tough on your own, even with the support of guys on a website. You need another set of eyes and some personal contact with a good teacher who is either an AI or understands Homer's work.
Where do you live? Let us help you find someone to work with. Don't give up!
I spent a year and a half studying before I was lucky enough to spend a day with YODA. That one day doubled my understanding as well as my confidence.
Kevin
__________________
I could be wrong. I have been before, and will be again.
Thanks for your support, Kevin. I live just south of Boston.
I was hoping to join an amateur tour here in the area, but the tees are from 6300 to 6600 yards, which is just too long for me. They are playing some great venues too, like TPC Boston.
According to Golf Digest (multiplying one's 5-iron carry distance by 36) I should be playing at about 5000 yards.
The irony is when I play executive courses I do okay. One memorable round last year on a par 60 I shot a 59, and hit 11 greens. But if I can't play a "real" golf course, where I struggle to break 90, what's the point?
I'm tired of hitting fairway woods into par 4's, or fairway woods and driver on par 3's (last season one guy laughed and told me I didn't use enough club when I hit driver short of the green...I ended up with par, but still...). And, if I play from the forward tees I get hassled for that.
I was really looking forward to playing on that amateur tour, which is run by the New England PGA. That's what pushed me over.
Thanks again for your kind words. You are a gentleman.
This gentleman is one of THE most respected contributors here. He knows TGM backwards and forwards, and from what I have heard from EVERYBODY, is an outstanding teacher. You can not only get some direction on your own swing, but learn TGM properly. As an added bonus, everybody here is on a similar page so you would have additional support between lessons.
Drew can tell you what you need to do for either swing, conditioning, or course management. Whatever you need. I have seen YODA endorse him. That's good enough for me!
Kevin
__________________
I could be wrong. I have been before, and will be again.
I've been working extremely hard on my swing the past couple of years. I've taken lessons, I've read the books, I've studied the videos, and I've practiced...and practiced...and practiced.
I haven't seen any improvement except in my short game. I still average 200 yards off the tee and 140 yards with my 5-iron. Of course, I'm only 6'5", 225 pounds, flexible, and in fairly good shape. I am thinking of packing it in. I just feel all beat up.
Maybe there are some of us who just don't get it and never will.
Doesn't seem fair.
What's your typical ball flight? high/low - draw/fade?? Ever been videotaped?
Sean you and Drew have a lot in common, he surfs the Multiuniverse. To say nothing of him giving Kim Jong Il a golf lesson prior to his 36 under par first game.
Ok Im exaggerating a little but Drew can fix you. You'll be playing off the Tiger tees and soon.
Sean you and Drew have a lot in common, he surfs the Multiuniverse. To say nothing of him giving Kim Jong Il a golf lesson prior to his 36 under par first game.
Ok Im exaggerating a little but Drew can fix you. You'll be playing off the Tiger tees and soon.
I read about Kim's round. Very impressive.
If Drew can fix me that would be...interdimensional. I think I've been playing on the wrong side of the multiverse.
I contacted Drew and we have to wait for Mother Nature to cooperate a bit.
Hybrid Mode
