New moves

Work and chores have really taken my time away these past few weeks, but I have had chance to hit the range a few times. To be honest I’m spraying the ball all over the shop whenever I get to hit a few. Working on technique changes is not easy at the best of times, but when you’re not that good in the first place it can be especially demoralising. On the odd time that I got to the range I have been working on a variety of things probably too many things to be honest, but there are occasional signs that some of it is starting to stick.

Yesterday I managed an hour and 50 balls which while it does not sound much was quite a feat because I was hitting into an arctic cold feeling rain shower and head wind that blew straight into the driving range bay from the east and left my hands stinging the way they would if I had just hit a thin with a blade.

I persevered because I was trying a new move and while I did not hit too many balls that great, when I did get it right I was encouraged enough to try again next time.
I have always had an over the top move from the top of my back swing. In an attempt to fix this I spent some time the other day with a mirror and swinging in slow motion. This was after reading somewhere about feeling like your back stays pointing towards the target for as long as possible in the transition/downswing. This has the effect of your weight shifting a touch before your shoulders turn and routes the club on an inside path without you having to lean back. In essence I think I ‘may’ have found the true way of approaching from the inside whilst still getting my weight through the ball.

When I nailed one I had the satisfying result of seeing a baby draw or a baby push fade depending on how I was aligned. The one caveat of all this for me is that it only works when my transition and tempo is silky smooth. I suspect that there will need to be a lot of practice before I can take this with any success to the course.

Whilst I have not been able to get as much practice time as I may have wished lately, hanging around in airports and hotels does give you plenty of thinking time, I have been using some of this to work on the mental side of the game. I think it’s true to say that most everyone plays there best golf in a relaxed yet focused state, evidence the good scores whilst playing a few holes after work on a pleasant summers evening. For me I will be trying hard to replicate that feeling of being chilled positive and not rushing. This means a new warm up routine, new pre shot routine and a lot of work in letting go of bad shots and bad holes. Time will tell if this staying chilled out is achievable!