According to me anyway I do a lot with my golf swing in the winter to keep the old bones going. I used to play all year round and set up camp south somewhere, but ...... well things change and Im just a hacker now. I hit balls indoors, swing simulators, computer stuff, watch video, launch pads, etc.... (technology is really cool these days). Anyway I was at the course yesterday getting things rolling trying to make it purdy for the opener. It was about 38 degrees, a nice stiff 20mph wind, rain/snow drizzly stuff, and swamped from the snow melting. So I figured what better time to break out the shag bag and hit some balls outside for the first time this year. I found the highest ground I could, grabbed my wedge and emptied the shag bag. Step back into my preshot routine (by the way for you hackers like myself IMO very important part of the golf swing). Visualize my intended target. Approach the ball. Set clubface square to target and step in aligning my feet and shoulders parellel to target line. Grip the club without excessive pressure and in a nuetral position. Establish good posture, spine angle and balance. All systems ready. Take the club back with a shoulder turn ala Freddy Couples/ Ernie Els combo package. Perfectly on plane with the clubhead pointing dead at target line at the top (i think anyway). Being cautious to not get too much weight on the outside of my right foot while maintaining knee flex (tendency). Start the transition into the downswing. Hips start to clear getting out of my own way for a lovely path to deliver a crisp strike at the ball. Posting up on the left side maintaining spine angle heading towards impact. Tremendous lag is being established. Clubhead arrives at ball striking it with a descending blow. Perfect impact position has been established. Clubhead releases flawlessly and takes me up and out of my swing to a wonderful full balanced follow through. Shoulders have rotated through and the finish looks like I could be placed on top of a trophy. Watching the ball travel perfectly towards the intended target until it arrives on planet Earth. Snow, rain, wind drilling me in the face as I watch the perfect ball flight that I created. Ahhhhhhhh nothing like it. Now just do it about 10,000 more times.
Never could understand the desire to whack your balls across a field to a near non-existent hole while dressed in knickers, checkered sweaters and a beanie. Glad you got out and enjoyed the outdoors. It's snowing here again. it's looking like summer will get here right around August.
I tried to never have more than one swing thought. Glad you got to hit some. I hope the urge hits me again, some day.
Reading all that makes my head hurt..... Hope you don't have to go through all that playing softball...
lol... yeah I got carried away there. I limit my swing thoughts to one or two as well. Usually what's troubling me or what I'm working on at the range. The rest is second nature really. Actually I try to have zero thoughts except targets when I'm playing around. Tinker on the range, leave the mechanics there and play the course when I'm playing a round.
Agreed. That's always a good "plan". I wish it always worked out that way! Being a teacher gives you advantages some players don't have. You can make repairs on the fly!
Yep. And there's a huge difference between playing golf and playing golf swing. I usually try to take what I have that day and go with it instead of trying to fix it during a round. If I seem to have a little cut or fade that day, I'll aim left and let it go (for that round) rather than try to correct it every swing while i;m trying to score. After the round go beat balls until you figure out how you want it to go. I love those rounds where you just take it back and hit it at your target without a doubt or thought in your brain. Dam it seems so easy sometimes. And others?....... errrrrrrr very humbling game is all i can say.
I work on my game a lot during the winter too. I think about golf once in a while, watch golf quite often and practice my 19th hole techniques daily. LOL I wonder where my golf clubs are anyway?
My favorite Robin Williams bit. Now if I could just get him to do one about the Games. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcnFbCCgTo4 (Bit o' strong language)
