GO GET A PROFESSIONAL FITTING ... 9 January 2015

You should get a professional fitting from a Club Champion location because you will learn more than you can imagine about your golf swing, existing equipment and new equipment available. Drive up to 4 hours to a location or make a weekend trip out of it or during a golf vaction.  The fitter advised the best time to go is at the END of a season where you have grooved a swing (not like me half way through winter while making swing changes).  I'm taking advantage of the 1/2 off the normal $350 FULL BAG fitting cost.

What I learned about my current set alone makes a huge difference... example, you can't just go into ANY golf store and pick ANY grip as it could affect the accuracy and feel of your clubs.  New grips could affect the swing weight as it did to my clubs when I regripped them myself with some leftovers from the basement.

Why I went? I tend to buy and hold clubs for like 5 to 8 years or longer.  

• This time I want the clubs to be personalized because I can afford it (sold my Motorcycle) 
• I've had standard fittings from the 'fitting cart' and wanted to have ALL of the shaft and ALL of the head options available to pick the best club/shaft combination for me.
• I've learned about "acceptable tolerances" manufactures use to release clubs
• Read This from True Temper... if "Tour Issue are + or - .5 grams what are the "non-tour issue shafts" and THIS for the weight sorted Tour Issue Wedge Shaft... 
• Club companies know that they are selling shafts with up to 3 gram difference between each
• I want my shafts PURED because I've learned about irregularities in golf shaft manufacturing.
• Learned that the heads also have + or - differences from the manufacture specs. Club Champion orders multiple sets and weighs to match to original specs and sends back the clubs that do not match those numbers.
• The right shaft, head, weight, consistent stiffness and pured to remove as many variables as possible

FITTING

Ended up there for 3 hours just doing irons. My coach arrived after we had started and the fitter went back over the fitting to that point.  I ended up hitting like 110 balls. Between 1st swing at 91MPH and last swing at 84MPH fatigue plays a big part so we stopped and I’ll reschedule the woods, wedges and putter fitting.

Semi-scientifically… (meaning me being the human is the variable - machine is calibrated nightly)

** Buddha measured my 6 iron (club choice of fitting) and checked swing weight, length, lie angle

NOTE CURRENT SET PROBLEMS I LEARNED:

• The GENIUS “PGA Professional" at Golf Galaxy did not accurately adjust my lie angles on ANY of the clubs.  There is a standard angle for all manufactures clubs. He said he would set it back to that numbe (and looked it up).  Execution was the problem... mine were a mix of higher and lower than that standard (upright or flat). Lie angle of shaft/hosel angle into clubhead: 0 degrees is flat, 90 degrees is straight upright)
• My re-gripping myself (with heavier extra grips  I had in the basement) changed the swing weight on my irons to an undesirable number (D0) “D Zero”.  While my shaft is very heavy (same one that Tiger uses) the club head “feels" light and doesn't provide a solid feel at impact.  It affected consistency of my clubs (explains allot actually)
• My swing revealed I do not hit down on the ball enough and I’m approaching too far from the inside… sweeping the ball it reduces necessary spin for height and carry distance for the swing speed I have. 

PICK SHAFT 1st

• $35,000 “Trackman” launch monitor retains all launch conditions (club head speed, ball speed, launch angle, club head path, side spin, height, flight distance, total distance)

• One ball matching my brand (Prov1x)
• Warm up
• Software marks dispersion of where shots finished in different colored circles

• Hit 6 shots with my club
• He noted my ball spin was low (~4300rpm’s) and would consider this in clubhead choice
• He picked a clubhead Similiar to mine as the “control” club head for different shafts
• He hands me different shafts with same club head and the machine charts all shots
• Review dispersion to identify most consistent 2 shafts

“Pick which shaft you like/feel better with between the two based on the shot dispersion on screen for those 2 shafts” For me these two selections were similar groupings so I went with 'feel'. I chose the NIPPON 1150 in xflex over the NIPON Modus. I'm going from my x100 at 130 grams down to a 125 gram xflex.

PICK CLUBHEAD USING THAT SHAFT

• My shaft choice is then hit in a variety of different club heads
• Shot dispersion with each head is recorded in different colored circles
• He gave me heads that seeked to increase the spin to an optimal number
• Then we throw out the worst dispersion down to the two most consistent
• Last 2 were Mizuno MP-64 ($125 a head) and Miura CB57 (1957 Anniversary Limited Edition at $275 a head from online research)
• I looked at the dispersion and the MP-64 was tighter but 5/6 were left of the center line w/ similar distance.  Miura had 3 on each side of the center line and were all consistent in distance. 
• Also I liked the way the miura set on the ground and the almost non-existent offset was easy to align which I think made the difference in accuracy for my swing.
• Final decision (mine) was the Miura based on the sole grind. It is slightly wider, less bounce but has a pre-worn leading edge I prefer.  The MP-64, if hit a little fat, would dig more and doesn't provide any turf relief like

ADJUSTMENTS: Lie angle and length to get center of face impact

• Hit balls w/ Impact tape
• Hit balls on launch monitor for ball flight

BUDGET?
The fitting is pricey, but so is golf - save up and do it.  The purchase? That's where the budget comes in...  I want irons, wedges and a driver.  I'll get fit to the 3 wood but not sure I'm going to have cash to buy now.  Depends.  The Miura's are throwing a curve into the situation with their cost.  I'm considering switching to the MP-64 for cost reasons but I don't want to.  I may be asking my wife for a driver for my birthday...  hope I can still fit in the golf trip or will she ask me to pick... DRIVER OR TRIP?... "Both?"

Mush Round at Renditions 1-4-2015

Wow, who can shoot a 78 after not playing or hitting any balls for 3 months?  I can.  It coulda/shoulda/woulda been a 72 but you count every stroke for the conditions you play.

It was a soggy round at Renditions on Sunday because it had rained tons. Greens were slow and I didn't adjust quickly enough (1st hole 3 putt) However, if the weather gives you 60 degrees on January 9th for $35 YOU TAKE IT AND RUN! 

The "swing check" my coach provided and subsequent quick routine fix to get closer was amazingly insightful.  I feel pretty funny doing the move to get the right distance from the ball but MAN does it work.  I’m super excited at the prospect of how well I can play if I can get comfortable with that setup in my routine

Haven’t played in months and right out the box I shoot a 78 and that includes:

1. Three putting 3 times (slow mushy greens) 
2. 3 low light induced bogey’s on the last 3 holes.    
3. I was +2 through 13 holes and missed two birdie attempts inside 10 feet.  
4. Wind picked up and I made a double on hole 14, the mock Sawgrass #17

Also, I got to hit the Callaway blades and LOVED them.  Looking forward to Friday Fitting!

COMING SOON: Professional Fitting at Club Champion Golf of Rockville .... 9 January 2015

I've booked a FULL BAG FITTING at Club Champion Golf (#clubchampiongolf) on 9 January 2015.  I am buying (at a minimum) a set of irons and a driver and shafts for a couple wedge heads I bought from a friend.  At most I will receive a recommendation on what new wedges, irons, hybrids, a 3 wood and driver to buy with which shafts.  I haven't bought new clubs in 8 years since my Mizuno MP-57's I've been gaming for the last season w/ x100 shafts.

On top of the new set I'm planning on getting ALL of the shafts SST Pured.  Club Champion also, I've heard, orders 3 sets of the iron heads to weigh club and select the 8 heads that most closely match each other in weight. So I could end up with:

• New Similiarly Weighted Iron heads by a major manufacturers
• Frequency matched Tour Issue SST Pured shafts
• New Driver ... Titleiest 915D3? Callaway Double Black Diamond? Other?
• Dynamic Gold TI Onyx S400 wedge shafts in my "Fourteen Golf" RM-11 wedges
• Fitted golf ball for my swing
• Putter Analysis and modification

Hoping it's all that everyone has said it is.  Buddah, location manager, has great reviews.

They offer the following manufacturers.  They said come with an open mind... The green I'm open to but I'm kinda closed to the red companies below (noting I don't know much about Score or Scratch golf but I'd consider them depending on the cost while I'm concerned about playability on the course.

• Titleist
• TaylorMade
• Ping
• Callaway
• Nike
• Mizuno
• Miura
• Fourteen Golf
• Epon
• Cleveland
• Adams Golf
• Tour Edge
• Score Golf
• Scratch Golf

Swing Check Today - 1 January 2015

Long break but that's real life right? Work and family with holidays and health.  December was all about being sick, shopping, end of year projects and setting up for Christmas.  November was similar for Thanksgiving. BUT I never stopped thinking about golf and doing my drills.  

My October post was all I worked on every time I passed a golf club and todays checkup proved it was worth it. The backswing position checked out according to the coach.  However, my historic problem with distance from the ball cropped up again... turns out it's the reason I was there...

I went to the range 27 December 2014. I was at Golfsmith in Tyson's the week before that and was there again today before my mini checkup... I have been KING of the hook.  Balls starting on line and hooking left of the target by a little or alot! 

Cause?  At golfsmith, SMALL GRIPS + too far from the ball. At the range, too far from the ball. Result?  That extra inch away has my reaching a little. Brendan says it leads to me basically over releasing - toe closes and ZIP... hook/draw.  Also my body stops rotating so armsy swing...

FIX: Better routine getting into the setup position with posture closer to the ball and taller chest w/ arms hanging.  It allows me to get back to the ball without reaching.  

The 2nd problem of not continuing my rotation led to stepping out of the swing ... off balance led to little pushes. If I keep my core turning I striped it. Later I will write up the steps I need to follow to get into that good setup position.  

I think this is going to be the KEY to my 2015 season.  If I can get closer and comfortable and get that rotation I'll swing in better balance and improve balls striking.

200 balls...

Working on the "new move" from Brendan today.  Trying to do a couple things and actually one went well. After the Wednesday 15 October 2014 lesson I was still laying the club open on the backswing. As you can see in the video below at Fort Belvoir during lunch.  If I made a casual enough swing of about 80% I could feel a delayed release.  However, my backswing was my nemisis ...wagging the club open leading to a stuck right elbow:

However, today?  I figured out how to hinge the club withot laying it off.  It's the left hands job to cock the wrist/club up into a set position with a flat left wrist.  I am using the heal pad of my left hand to push down on the end of the grip as I get outside my right thigh.  That motion will get the club up at a 90 degree angle to my forearm but still allow good arm extension and my right elbow folding properly up instead of the club being pulled inside and into a laid off position.

I found a video that matches what I felt today.  I discovered the below method of "Hinge with the left hand" by "pressing down on the butt of the club" today at the range but he explains it well.

15 October 2014 - Had another lesson with Brendan Horton today. Was supposed to be a fitting for some kick ass MP-4's but decided to wait.  I'm gonna hit more irons through the spring and see what I really want. Current leader is the Cobra Amp Cell Pro's.  Unfortunately the new 2015 Cobra blades will be renamed to FLY-Z... yeah, great name (not)!

Anyway... the lesson.  Posture over the ball looked awesome.  Problems:

1. My grips are probably too small. He wants the pad of my left thumb a SMIDGE longer to get more fo the pad on the club.  Also just right of center so the center line comes up to the left edge of my thumb. Right hand the thumb was a bit more in contact with the grip (felt bad)
2. Stepping into the ball I need to flex knee and not lean so far in
3. Shoulders get open to the line. Stay tall with shoulders and keep them square, that's where you tend to get open shoulders
4. Club face was open.  It's perspective but it's open. He got it square. I can see it better when I lean it WAY forward to 1 iron loft to see that bottom line is straight away from me, not open
5. At the start of the swing I have a slight right hip bump and hands push away move that gets me away from the ball and then I push off right side and hit the ball.  
6. Backswing drills with more shoulder tilt is REALLY GOOD
7. REAL backswing the right elbow folds quick and the face fans open. I think slower backswings allow you to feel the deeper left shoulder 
8. Downswing I need to get the right shoulder pushing the elbow in front of the right hip but keep my arm stretched across my shoulder line - MY HABIT is to drop the hands as I turn getting stuck behind the hip
9. This leads to me being WAY off the right foot.  I need to get more rotation out of that first move down and keep that right foot flat.

Brendan gave me Ben Hogan as a model for right shoulder move   

Hunter Mayhan, he said, is a decent example of modern day golfer but not his release through the ball
I'm asking him if Martin Kaymer is doing it also.

It's been a great month... My project from hell has nearly ended, I've played another tournament and shot my all time "in competition" low score  (+1) to win $315 in prizes (I'm an amatuer remember) and I'm being patient on what irons and driver to buy.

The lower body move by itself wasn't the answer. Jonas Blixt... THAT'S THE ANSWER:  He and I have the same problem so I fixed my swing with his advice... My shoulders turn too flat and I get my right elbow behind me and stuck.  The ensuing downswing I'd fold my right side before turning.  I needed to combine the below tip with my earlier blog on my knee movement to create a VERY consistent shot shape of either straight or a slight draw. My miss is now a hook if my body stops turning on the downswing

http://www.golfdigest.com/golf-instruction/2014-09/jonas-blixt-longer-tee-shots#slide=1

":I used to make a flatter shoulder turn and get the club laid off at the top (pointing well left of the target). Then I'd have to re-route the club coming down to hit a solid shot. Now I turn my shoulders on a steeper plane, which makes my downswing easier to repeat. 
Tip: The feeling is that my left shoulder moves down and back and my left wrist is flat at the top. Your body turn should be consistent and efficient—don't rely on hand action to square the clubface."

Remember that feel... steeper with left shoulder going back

The KEY: TEMPO! With the better turn there's a pause to get set into the right hip and then the left knee moves and sets up unwinding hips and shoulders at the same time.

LASTLY: Love that free release feeling with NO FEAR of hook or slice.  Keep the body moving and hands finishing high to hit it square with smoot power and consistent distance

3 Weeks of the WORST Project EVER - The US Gov't Owes me $....

2 Tough tournaments, a GREAT lesson, 2 hours of practice and a 4 under par round on an easy course... I figure entry fees, time and expenses that adds up to $500 the government owes me.  Plus they have royally screwed my golf schedule... I wanted to play Bulle Rock "the only 5 star course in Maryland" Saturday, not with this ragged game I have.

I have worked 55 hours a week for the last 3 weeks on a project only for them to ditch the entire design and start over.  In that time I got in ZERO practice on the lower body move that will revolutionize my golf game.  Staggering improvement in my wedge game and effortless drives where I had to work hard for the distance and accuracy I achieved before.  SO... back to the drawing board.

That's the bad news.  The good news is ai have the cash for new equipment (minus a weekend getaway for my wife)... An unexpectedly short sale of my Triumph Sprint ST... 12 year old motorcycle - I have the check for $2250 in hand.  I have ordered the title and am waiting for a lawyer to send me the lein release (that I can't find for my own negligent filing practices.



The questions is what to get?  So far I've only hit the new Titleist 714 AP2's that my cousin bought and they are SWEET!  The sole grind really released from the turf well as described.  I might be crazy but it seems like they were a half to full club longer than my current AP2's (Generation 2).  I am also curious about the CB's from Titleist, the Calaway's and I should hit Ricky Fowler's Cobra's just to see if the muscle back blade feels as good as it looks w/ a little color flair!

MD Open was tough.  As I was concerned, time spent on full swing impacted preparedness for short game.  However, the fix Brendan put in place led to excellent tee shots, very straight. Felt very confident on the tee on tight tee shots.  Iron shots were hot and cold but I never felt real confident over them for direction or distance.  In the end I decided to shoot at pins with those shaky irons and made bogeys on 5 of the 7 holes I had left to play.  Inflated my final round score.


STROKES LOST: 23

PUTTING: 2 three putts

SAND: 7 (7,11,13,18)

CHIPPING: 6 (3,4,5,8,15,17)

PITCHING: 3 (8,1,15)

TEE SHOTS (Par 4's & 5's): 5 (7,8,9,11)

PLAN OF ACTION:

• Get back involved with a coach, Brendan Horton. 
• Come up with a project plan for improvement
• Get fit (core) to increase consistency, distance and reduce fatigue
• Get new equipment
• Roll all learned into our book to help others 

Quick Note for MD Open Final 8 holes

Maintain your height in the back swing.  Maintain good tempo!

Also, found way to get wood aligned... Feet together club in left hand and club head to left of feet lean forward and see direction of arrow.

I'm BACK! Thanks to Brendan Horton out of Olney Golf Park

SOOOO!  Taking Brendan's advice literally as well as a borrowed 3 Wood I played  Cross Creek Tuesday, 8 July 2014.  Maybe jumping out of the car and going straight to the 1st tee wasn't such a smart idea but weather was coming through in 3 hours so I had to play ahead of it...

Although I struggled a bit on the 1st two holes with no warm up by the 2nd shot on hole 3 I had developed a feel and hit the ball solidly.  The real turning point was the tee shot on 4.  I hit my Taylormade 4 hybrid perfectly with the better setup position and wow.   220 dead straight leaving me 150 to the hole.  8 iron was tracking  and left me 12 feet ... good stroke but made par.  Hole 5 I got it to the left side of the green for from 210 from the elevated tee.  For the next several holes tee shots felt free and went straight at my targets.l

In particular was the tee shot on 8. I hit the Titleist 910 FD and it felt great releasing through the ball.  Like an arrow it struck the center of the fairway.  The approach, with the better club alignment, was dead straight but a hair long.  The real fun was hole 9.  Again with the perfectly struck 3 wood.  From 119 my 52 degree wedge landed within a foot of the hole and checked up at 6 feet.... made the birdie.

Each hole after I hit shots online and solidly. When I didn't they were barely offline but on the green.  Hole 13 I hit a driver down wind and caught the hill for a 350 yard drive (again, wind and hill aided but I hit it solid).  Birdie.

STATS: Simple

10 fairways
15 greens
Even Par (+1 front, -1 back)

Now I just need to focus on shortgame to get up and down more consistently in prep for the MD Open st5arting 14 July 2014

GOAL: TOP 40 and make the cut.  It will require smart play, good choices and great putting. I'm confident though, I put on a Super Stroke putter grip and it feels great on the course.  When using the line on the ball my setup feels more solid and the stroke rolls the ball online each time.

Brendan Horton to the Rescue

Been a while again - had something going well and then I lost it, bad.  Was hooking the ball off the planet and I can't take that into Lakewood.  Texted Brendan and he said he'd take a look today (7/7/14)

I played yesterday and kinda figured out at least one problem, was coming over the top a bit and as he suggested my body was slowing causing my hands to take over.

At the range he looked at me hitting a few wedges and then an 8 iron and amazingly zeroed in on the problem quickly and made astute simple suggestions. I spent some time asking more questions to ensure I could retain what he explained.  The result is below...

1. Tempo. He had me hit 52 degree wedges. A club you wouldn't swing fast. I hit standard shots - you know - to your number
2. Then he handed me an 8 iron, told me to swing with same tempo.  
3. Then he observed my setup
1. I sole the club toward the back third of the sole with the grip pointed at my center and the face lays open slighty. Then I adjust hands, spine angle and other wiggles.
2. I then get comfortable including setting my spine angle to the right which further adjusts the face of the club unknowingly w/ that "sitting in"and shoulders opening
3. Then in the swing, with so much tilt to the right and shoulder angle my takeaway of the club is going back outside the ball and dragged inside
4. Swing
1. I was still dropping my elbow straight down and then sweeping the ball
2. Not bad if I do it consistently but it won't work with my current setup and takeaway

FIX:

1. Sole the club in the center with the face square and pinch with left hand
1. Longer irons will set to not get the leading edge too close to ground
2. Wedges will setup with leading edge naturally close to ground
2. Then grip and address the club with both hands with it properly soled
3. The V between my left and right hands is centered at my chest
4. The shaft points up my left arm (he stuck a orange pole in the grip and it went right up my left arm under my elbow and behind my shoulder joint)
5. Don't tilit or move spine angle
6. Widen feet to ensure shoulders stay square to feet/hips/club

SWING:  

1. From there I swung the club back with current backswing but better tempo... 
2. He said not too slow - good rythme back and down at same pace
3. Gotta be sure to let the backswing finish before starting down
4. With the adjustments the ball started more online and had some fade due to me or the wind but playable if I aim at center of green.

BALL POSITION

1. Be conscious of position of 3,4,5... 6...7,8... 9,W,52,58
2. 3W was further up and it produced a much better shot when not too far back compared to 2H

Up and down... up and down. I've taken the last 30 days to explore finding a key to my inconsistency.  With just barely over 2 weeks to the MD Open I'm experimenting with my swing to eliminate the fixes and inconsistency, probably not smart but its the most interested in golf I've ever been.

I've had flashes like playing with my cousin at Bretton Woods Country Club... 4 holes of trying a good backswing and transition/turn through the ball ... +4.  14 holes of just step up, aim and hit it with good tempo... +4 (poor putting)  I hit my drives and irons shots online with power.

One day at Cross Creek driving range I found something, the next I was unable to find the green.  I lost 4 days to a family vacation in Virginia Beach Virginia but not before I snuck in a practice.  I fooled around with a tip from Martin Kaymer where you make backswings with a tennis ball between your forearms.  Kept me connected, added width.  I stripped the ball.

25 June 2014 I return from Virginia Beach I go to MD but the range is closed.  A visit to the county owned Paint Branch driving range revealed heavily worn mats. I stuck it out though and again, being very mechanical produced horrible shots...

Today, 26 June 2014 I again go to MD University.  I luck up and find about 40 balls in various bays at the range. I collect them up and proceed to hit 140 balls.  I decided to not get mechanical and focus on two simple things

1. A square setup 
2. Athletic out toward balls of feet
3. Turning my head to see down the line to the target
4. Slow tempo
5. 3/4 backswing - basically getting my back to the target but not turning so far that I get my right elbow behind me
6. Release the club.  My hold on swing basically is a trap shot.

Wow.  All the wedges and 9 iron were MONEY!  I hit a few poorly but largely I hit them full distance with about 80% effort and they felt SOLID.  I did have problems if I didn't align the mat with the target.  However, once straight I had to be conscious of my shoulder alignnent.

I was most impressed by the 210 yd 3 iron.  Straight 3 irons were low and hot.  I needed height.  I setup aimed left of the green and slightly opened the face.  I swung through and it faded to the flag!  4 iron, same.. getting square I could it it very solid and 200yds (190 is usual 4 iron)

3/4 swing isn't really 3/4 - just feels that way. No mechanical thoughts of setting right hip or backswing.   Just slow takeaway and transition with full release of the club - no holding back!

THIS IS MY SWING UNTIL 17 JULY 2014. Now its all about shortgame ... wedge distance control, chipping, pitching and putting.

Tomorrow I will schedule my practice round on "Lakewood Country Club!"

28 May 2014

 Last night I subscribed to a new YouTube channel from Adam Huyck

I think this is what I need to increase my distance and consistency late in rounds.  Discovered my mobility and balance was inconsistent from one side of my body (left to right) than the other.  Check out his videos especially Thoracic Rotation and other rotational movements!

 

24 May 2014 - I Think I Figured out for Me "How to Fade The Ball or How to Draw The Ball"

I've struggled with fading the ball and drawing it has been impossible but today i think I found an easy way to do it with my current swing - no changes in setup.  Key is you gotta trust it and swing at that target not at the flag.

FADE:

1. Grip the club as you would normally to hit the ball straight
2. Pick a target LEFT of where you want the ball to go. (i.e. left edge of the green beside the flag)
3. Aim at that left target as if you were going to hit it straight at that target
4. Step into the shot fully aligned at that left target and ready to hit
5. Then, loosen your grip enough to use your fingers to twist the club in your grip to turn the club and point the face at the flag (opening the club face)
6. You might need to move a BIT closer to the ball
7. Swing - focusing on the same swing you'd make to hit it straight at that left target

DRAW: 

1. Grip the club as you would normally to hit the ball straight
2. Pick a target RIGHT of where you want the ball to go. (i.e. right edge of the green beside the flag)
3. Aim at that right target as if you were going to hit it straight at that target
4. Step into the shot fully aligned at that right target and ready to hit
5. Then, loosen your grip enough to use your fingers to twist the club in your grip to turn the club and point the face at the flag (opening the club face)
6. You might need to move a BIT closer to the ball
7. Swing - focusing on the same swing you'd make to hit it straight at that right target

24 May 2014 - Think I Figured it Out, no more high blocks or low hooks

Consistency is based on fundamentals... 

I have a lack of consistency in that I occassionally hit a high block and then over compensate and hit a low pull hook.  Funny thing is the solution was something my coach tried to teach me long ago that's part of a good setup routine.  Went to the range today and worked on this.

Problem: Once you grip the club and get it connected to your upper torso at the back of your biceps you are ready to step into the ball.  For me I was sitting the club down for just a second as I was stepping in. Then before really being set I was waggling while adjusting my feet and it lead to inconsistent posture for high/low hands, spine tilt, alignment and how tall I was at the start of the swing.  My wife, funny enough, suggested "you need to find a way to get ready to hit so your are setup the same every time, not high or low hands but just right"

Solution: Today I recalled what my coach was teaching me during several of our many lessons... Brendan Horton said Once you place the club behind the ball leave it there until your feet are set. Then you can pick it up and waggle if you need to."

Setting the club down, while staying very tall - with slight flex in the knees but not hunching or bending too much at the waist.  A properly fitted club will help you find that posture.

• The club is grounded with the sole flat on the ground but JUST BARELY touching the ground.  
• Then while leaving the club in place, especially the height-position of my hands, as I step in square to the ball.  
• When setting my feet I feel the weight on both feet is 50/50 w/ a slight 'bounce' of the knees
• I also ensure I have spine tilt. 

Four smooth steps, less fidgeting before the shot. That series of steps sets me up for a square strike.  Now I just need to make this a permanent habit!

21 May 2014 - Qualifying for MD Open and MD Amateur at Joint Base Andrews AFB Golf Course

I pulled it off today with less than stellar play... I qualified for the Maryland Open (July 14-16 at Lakewood CC) and MD Amateur (June 5-8 at Baltimore CC)

Unlike the other 3 MD Open's I have qualified for in years past I'm disappointed. First time I qualified in 2007 at Rattlewood I shot +5 and was excited.  Same situation in 2010 qualifier at Andrews AFB and 2011 at the University of Maryland with +4, I was excited.  This time?  Correct! Disappointed. This +4 should have been EVEN or much better.  Mental mistakes on holes 2, 6, 7, 10, 17 cost me bogey's that should have been avoided. Poor decisions on 1 and 18 cost me birdie opportunities.

The Good, The Bad and the Ugly

GOOD: With all the UGLY listed below I shot +4. Putting didn't save me, hitting shots when needed did.

1. I was nervous but stroked the opening Tee Shot at my target
2. Still on my 2nd hole I hit a flare into the trees on the right side.  However, I hit a clutch 7 iron 3/4 punch to 8 feet from the flag under trees from the right side. <sadly under read the break>
3. Great speed on the greens aside from my 15th hole three putt (hole 6).  16 of 18 holes where I had a leave it was short.
4. I chipped pretty well in several clutch moments to keep streaks going. Twice I nearly chipped in for birdie
5. I figured out why I hit several hook drives and corrected on course (hands were too low)
6. I played quickly, no penalty strokes, no sand traps and no lost balls
7. I managed emotions well and didn't let anything get me down
8. Interacted with playing partners, looked for balls, talked to my wife (she caddied for me) and didn't get distracted
9. How about that putt 
1. on 17 to save par.  Perfect roll just didn't turn into the hole but it peeked
2. on 8 for birdie to get to +3... just needed one extra roll to drop
3. on 3 for birdie
4. on 2 for par
5. on 1 from the fringe for par!
10. That 195 yard 5 iron showed me I have alot of stored distance.  Not a hard swing and I flew the 185 yard flag to the back of the green - should have been tight or even in the hole.

BAD: Green Reading and Speed For Birdie Putts

1. I had 7 birdie opportunities inside 15 feet and converted ONE!  
1. Two of those were from ~6 feet
2. Two of the 12 footers were due to poor approaches on Par 5's
3. Several burned edges
4. The key was the 5 footer on my 18th hole... needed it to get to +3 and guarantee qualifying and I under read the break

UGLY: Mental Game

1. 1st hole of the competition with the ball below my feet I took dead aim instead of 15 feet left of the hole.  Ended up 15 feet RIGHT of the hole.  Easily could have been a birdie putt I ened up with a chip and putt and what?  Bogey'ed the 1st.  
2. How about the 11th hole (my second) where I flaired my drive to the right
3. The hook drive on hole 17 (hole 8 for me).  Then I hit the provisional under a bush... good thing I didn't need that.
4. The 4 hybrid where I tried to fade the ball to the green from 218 when I clearly decided NO FADES.  I made the right choice to not try and clear the trees but the fade was more of a block toward the trees.  It cleared but ticked a limb (lucky) and still finished near the green
5. The chip from in front of green on 18 (my 9th green) wasn't to the right to use the slope leaving me 12 feet (i.e. be on the high side and the ball wil roll toward the hole not the low side or the break will roll the ball AWAY from the hole)
6. Wow - that low pull 2H on 2 got lucky and filtered to the end of the  tree line with a clear shot to the green from dirt lie
7. Worse - trying to hit a 58 degree wedge from the dirt and you  delofted the face flying the green from 93 yards.  Under a pine tree for a poor 6 iron bump into the hill
8. On 6 I got so wrapped up in the line I barely hit the ball leaving 6 feet for par
9. 7 I felt the wind come up and should have reset to a different shot.  Instead I slacked on the downswing and hung back, pulling to the left of the green and making bogey

20 May 2014 - Last Range Session Before Tomorrow's Tournament

I planned to hit balls today to build confidence going into the tournament.  Hoped I would forget the 4 or 5 SHANKS I hit at yesterdays practice.

NOPE!

Hit all my clubs well except my 7 iron. Managed to hit too many balls, practice poorly and undermine my confidence.

Will let you know how it goes tomorrow!

19 May 2014 Two Days Before Tournament Day

The MD Open/MD Amateur (both events) is 21 May 2014 at Joint Base Andrews AFB Golf Course.

• Quality Ball Striking - CHECK
• Driving Ball Long and Straight - CHECK
• Putting Confidently for Speed and Line - CHECK
• Short Game for missed greens - SHAKY

Went over to Olney Golf Park, short game area.  Gotta get my chipping around the green closer to the hole. Olney has a VERY large putting green and a green that you can hit pitches to from up to 70 yards.  I spent 60 minutes dedicated to various distances around the pitching green.

Excellent progress in a short period of time.  Using Tiger's trajectory method I became pretty consistent hitting a spot and releasing to the hole.  Just need to figure out green speed and choose the right trajectory to release the ball close to the hole!

16 May 2014 - Couple Weeks of Good Practice

21 May 2014 the Qualifier for the Maryland Open and the Maryland Amatuer will be played at Andrews Airforce Base on the East course (where I shot my first under par round).  For the last couple weeks I have been focused on getting my ball flight more consistent.  During a couple practice rounds I found some fades and draws slipping in unexpectedly. Turns out I had slipped into a couple bad habits like slouching a bit in my posture and shutting the face a bit at address.

Also looked at my recent stats and noticed that I'm making pars on birdie holes because I'm too far from the hole on approach shots. Also leaking a few strokes within 20 yards of the green.  So I've spent the last 2 weeks working on distance control with wedges from the fairway and around the green.

At this old golf clinic with Tiger Woods and Anthony Kim, Tiger explained how he controls distance with trajectory and it made sense to me... He turns back full and swings through at a consistent pace to different lengths of follow through.  Waist high, chest high, shoulder high each goes a consistent different distance.

I applied the above to chipping and found that it works.  For consistency, unless the fringe is very flat, I usually carry the ball onto the green with the right loft for the distance I need.  The key to a crisp strike and consistent distance is not slowing down through the strike and stopping the club on the follow through at a point to create a certain carry distance.  Watch this video of tiger and notice how consistent his pace is and where he stops his hands to control the distance.

I paced off 24 paces from the hole back to my chipping point.  I then paced off 12 paces to find the middle and placed a tee.   This also worked for shorter distances... 12 yard target so I pace off 6 yards and placed a tee.  Then, using my 58 degree wedge I used the above chipping technique tiger is using to chip balls to that mid point tee and it released perfectly to the 24 foot hole or 12 foot hole.  Obviously it's flat so a downhill I would need a little less air time, up hill a little more.

I was able to focus my eyes on the mid point tee as my target and then bounce the ball next to that tee to get the distance I want.  If you change to a wedge, 9 iron or higher club your aim point moves closer to you as it will roll more.  58 degree wedge - fly 50% - roll 50%.  52 degree - fly 45% - roll 55%,  PW - fly 40% - roll 60% and so on. Calibrate at each course for their green speeds.