The Golf Thread - 2016!
Discussion
Sounds like you've got an outside-to-inside swing path, slightly cutting across the back of the back of the ball and giving you the slice. Standing a bit shut compensates for it, you're still swinging the same but moving your body round means the club is now going towards the target through the ball which is why it feels like a more solid connection.
Whether you stick with it or work at changing it depends on your outlook on the game....... If you're not overly bothered about the technical side or going to the effort of changing your swing, then it's a simple way of getting the best from your game. On the other hand, if you're keen to get your swing as technically good as possible then work at changing it. Lay a club on the ground as a guide toward the target to ensure your feet are square, then swing with a thought of hitting 'away' from yourself so the ball goes right of target. Once you've got that, work at getting a better release through the ball which will bring the shot back to the target.
Hope that all makes sense!
Whether you stick with it or work at changing it depends on your outlook on the game....... If you're not overly bothered about the technical side or going to the effort of changing your swing, then it's a simple way of getting the best from your game. On the other hand, if you're keen to get your swing as technically good as possible then work at changing it. Lay a club on the ground as a guide toward the target to ensure your feet are square, then swing with a thought of hitting 'away' from yourself so the ball goes right of target. Once you've got that, work at getting a better release through the ball which will bring the shot back to the target.
Hope that all makes sense!
Thought last night was brilliant viewing, all you can wish for on the last round of a major is that it's close..... the days when Tiger was 10 clear at the turn were so dull!! It came to life when Spieth ballooned his tee shot on 12, even more so when he chunked his chip! When he birdied 15 I thought he was still in with a shout but the putt on 16 was key, if he sunk that it was game on but needing to birdie the last 2 was too much. Great result, and to see so many English players in the top 10.
And is it just me, or does anybody else think Rory's Nike golf shoes look feckin' awfull!!??
And is it just me, or does anybody else think Rory's Nike golf shoes look feckin' awfull!!??
DuncanM said:
Noodle1982 said:
Deviating away from the Masters and back into the real world of the everyday golfer i have a query...
I'm getting fairly decent distance with a driver but it's prone to the regular slice right. It's improved massively over the last few months but i still find myself hitting the wayward drives too often.
I decided to treat myself to 4 baskets at the driving range today and have a good mess around with stances, angles, swing path, club face etc. While having a go at hitting draws (this would come in handy on my local course which has one hole with a slight dog leg left which leads into a downhill run) i found that if i didn't close the club face my drives were perfectly straight with a nice flight path and a decent distance with what feels like much more solid contact. My stance wasnt square, right foot about 3 inches behind my left, and felt a bit unorthodox but the result was some of the best drives ive hit.
I've tried googling to see if this approach is worth 'fixing' or just to run with it and put up with looking a bit odd at the tee but with a resulting straight drive. Anyone got any advice or criticism regarding this?
What you're doing is spot on, Google D plane, and check out Ben Hogan regarding stance with Driver v Irons I'm getting fairly decent distance with a driver but it's prone to the regular slice right. It's improved massively over the last few months but i still find myself hitting the wayward drives too often.
I decided to treat myself to 4 baskets at the driving range today and have a good mess around with stances, angles, swing path, club face etc. While having a go at hitting draws (this would come in handy on my local course which has one hole with a slight dog leg left which leads into a downhill run) i found that if i didn't close the club face my drives were perfectly straight with a nice flight path and a decent distance with what feels like much more solid contact. My stance wasnt square, right foot about 3 inches behind my left, and felt a bit unorthodox but the result was some of the best drives ive hit.
I've tried googling to see if this approach is worth 'fixing' or just to run with it and put up with looking a bit odd at the tee but with a resulting straight drive. Anyone got any advice or criticism regarding this?
Grobag said:
Sounds like you've got an outside-to-inside swing path, slightly cutting across the back of the back of the ball and giving you the slice. Standing a bit shut compensates for it, you're still swinging the same but moving your body round means the club is now going towards the target through the ball which is why it feels like a more solid connection.
Whether you stick with it or work at changing it depends on your outlook on the game....... If you're not overly bothered about the technical side or going to the effort of changing your swing, then it's a simple way of getting the best from your game. On the other hand, if you're keen to get your swing as technically good as possible then work at changing it. Lay a club on the ground as a guide toward the target to ensure your feet are square, then swing with a thought of hitting 'away' from yourself so the ball goes right of target. Once you've got that, work at getting a better release through the ball which will bring the shot back to the target.
Hope that all makes sense!
Yeah that makes perfect sense, thanks. I think for now i'm going to continue with the offset stance. Experiment a bit more with it, understand it more then may look at working on changing it as and when the time comes.Whether you stick with it or work at changing it depends on your outlook on the game....... If you're not overly bothered about the technical side or going to the effort of changing your swing, then it's a simple way of getting the best from your game. On the other hand, if you're keen to get your swing as technically good as possible then work at changing it. Lay a club on the ground as a guide toward the target to ensure your feet are square, then swing with a thought of hitting 'away' from yourself so the ball goes right of target. Once you've got that, work at getting a better release through the ball which will bring the shot back to the target.
Hope that all makes sense!
Grobag said:
Thought last night was brilliant viewing, all you can wish for on the last round of a major is that it's close..... the days when Tiger was 10 clear at the turn were so dull!! It came to life when Spieth ballooned his tee shot on 12, even more so when he chunked his chip! When he birdied 15 I thought he was still in with a shout but the putt on 16 was key, if he sunk that it was game on but needing to birdie the last 2 was too much. Great result, and to see so many English players in the top 10.
And is it just me, or does anybody else think Rory's Nike golf shoes look feckin' awfull!!??
I admire the fact that he's into his weight training and is pretty ripped these days but walking around like a Marvel comic hero on his day off looks a bit weird somehow too.And is it just me, or does anybody else think Rory's Nike golf shoes look feckin' awfull!!??
I wonder if Rory has over trained?
at a time where he needed to be relaxed and at ease, being so conditioned might have counted against him. tightening up, not being able to free himself from the physical aspect of his frame perhaps...I get that he needs to be conditioned to get the power, torsion and control but you also need finesse and guile..
golfers aren't renowned for overt athleticism but they also need to be comfortable in their own skin....
at a time where he needed to be relaxed and at ease, being so conditioned might have counted against him. tightening up, not being able to free himself from the physical aspect of his frame perhaps...I get that he needs to be conditioned to get the power, torsion and control but you also need finesse and guile..
golfers aren't renowned for overt athleticism but they also need to be comfortable in their own skin....
I'm not on Twitter, so missed this going out live but Danny Willett's brother's live commentary was very funny...
http://mashable.com/2016/04/11/danny-willett-broth...
http://mashable.com/2016/04/11/danny-willett-broth...
Noodle1982 said:
Deviating away from the Masters and back into the real world of the everyday golfer i have a query...
I'm getting fairly decent distance with a driver but it's prone to the regular slice right. It's improved massively over the last few months but i still find myself hitting the wayward drives too often.
I decided to treat myself to 4 baskets at the driving range today and have a good mess around with stances, angles, swing path, club face etc. While having a go at hitting draws (this would come in handy on my local course which has one hole with a slight dog leg left which leads into a downhill run) i found that if i didn't close the club face my drives were perfectly straight with a nice flight path and a decent distance with what feels like much more solid contact. My stance wasnt square, right foot about 3 inches behind my left, and felt a bit unorthodox but the result was some of the best drives ive hit.
I've tried googling to see if this approach is worth 'fixing' or just to run with it and put up with looking a bit odd at the tee but with a resulting straight drive. Anyone got any advice or criticism regarding this?
If it feels right and produces the goods then keep doing it. Who cares what it looks like. I'm getting fairly decent distance with a driver but it's prone to the regular slice right. It's improved massively over the last few months but i still find myself hitting the wayward drives too often.
I decided to treat myself to 4 baskets at the driving range today and have a good mess around with stances, angles, swing path, club face etc. While having a go at hitting draws (this would come in handy on my local course which has one hole with a slight dog leg left which leads into a downhill run) i found that if i didn't close the club face my drives were perfectly straight with a nice flight path and a decent distance with what feels like much more solid contact. My stance wasnt square, right foot about 3 inches behind my left, and felt a bit unorthodox but the result was some of the best drives ive hit.
I've tried googling to see if this approach is worth 'fixing' or just to run with it and put up with looking a bit odd at the tee but with a resulting straight drive. Anyone got any advice or criticism regarding this?
It probably feels strange because it's new. It'll feel like second nature after a while, if you keep doing it.
A committee rant
The t
ts have finally gone and done it
Our club committee members are, in general, a soporific bunch, lacking dynamic fresh ideas and forward thinking but at this months greens committee meeting one of them went too far, falsely, and confrontationally accusing our amazing green keepers of not mowing for a particular ladies tournament.
She went onto say that the greens were "In awful condition" (22 days after the deepest coring they've ever had). The head green keeper eventually walked out of the meeting and tended his resignation, our other green keeper followed suit.
We're lucky to have the most experienced green keeper in the country, 48 years in the industry, a fully qualified agronomist and a craftsman, his offsider is also an incredible worker. We're based in a very low population area so replacing them will be very difficult, the working conditions are very poor, they don't get paid overtime despite working every Saturday and, despite their expertise, their basic pay is pitiful (£7.00 an hour after tax)
They've created an amazing course over the last 12 years and worked with humbling integrity, diligence and pride. Rather than chastising them we should be grovelling for them to stay and offering profuse apologies, so are they doing that? Are they fk, they're advertising for a 'sole charge' green keeper, in essence one man to maintain 110 manicured acres, carry out all machinery servicing, clear the rivers, take out old trees, carry out all planting, regular course wide fertilising, installing new irrigation, coordinating with Captains and Presidents, carry out twice annual coring and mow his absolute tits off 8 hours a day for 7 quid an hour.
There's an adage in golf, never let a good green keeper go, we've got the best their is and the fking idiots on high have gone and blown it
We're fked 
The t
ts have finally gone and done itOur club committee members are, in general, a soporific bunch, lacking dynamic fresh ideas and forward thinking but at this months greens committee meeting one of them went too far, falsely, and confrontationally accusing our amazing green keepers of not mowing for a particular ladies tournament.
She went onto say that the greens were "In awful condition" (22 days after the deepest coring they've ever had). The head green keeper eventually walked out of the meeting and tended his resignation, our other green keeper followed suit.
We're lucky to have the most experienced green keeper in the country, 48 years in the industry, a fully qualified agronomist and a craftsman, his offsider is also an incredible worker. We're based in a very low population area so replacing them will be very difficult, the working conditions are very poor, they don't get paid overtime despite working every Saturday and, despite their expertise, their basic pay is pitiful (£7.00 an hour after tax)
They've created an amazing course over the last 12 years and worked with humbling integrity, diligence and pride. Rather than chastising them we should be grovelling for them to stay and offering profuse apologies, so are they doing that? Are they f
k, they're advertising for a 'sole charge' green keeper, in essence one man to maintain 110 manicured acres, carry out all machinery servicing, clear the rivers, take out old trees, carry out all planting, regular course wide fertilising, installing new irrigation, coordinating with Captains and Presidents, carry out twice annual coring and mow his absolute tits off 8 hours a day for 7 quid an hour. There's an adage in golf, never let a good green keeper go, we've got the best their is and the f
king idiots on high have gone and blown itWe're f
ked 
cheddar said:
A committee rant
The tts have finally gone and done it
Our club committee members are, in general, a soporific bunch, lacking dynamic fresh ideas and forward thinking but at this months greens committee meeting one of them went too far, falsely, and confrontationally accusing our amazing green keepers of not mowing for a particular ladies tournament.
She went onto say that the greens were "In awful condition" (22 days after the deepest coring they've ever had). The head green keeper eventually walked out of the meeting and tended his resignation, our other green keeper followed suit.
We're lucky to have the most experienced green keeper in the country, 48 years in the industry, a fully qualified agronomist and a craftsman, his offsider is also an incredible worker. We're based in a very low population area so replacing them will be very difficult, the working conditions are very poor, they don't get paid overtime despite working every Saturday and, despite their expertise, their basic pay is pitiful (£7.00 an hour after tax)
They've created an amazing course over the last 12 years and worked with humbling integrity, diligence and pride. Rather than chastising them we should be grovelling for them to stay and offering profuse apologies, so are they doing that? Are they fk, they're advertising for a 'sole charge' green keeper, in essence one man to maintain 110 manicured acres, carry out all machinery servicing, clear the rivers, take out old trees, carry out all planting, regular course wide fertilising, installing new irrigation, coordinating with Captains and Presidents, carry out twice annual coring and mow his absolute tits off 8 hours a day for 7 quid an hour.
There's an adage in golf, never let a good green keeper go, we've got the best their is and the fking idiots on high have gone and blown it
We're fked
Oh dear. Mind you, 48 years in the business - he was probably up for retirement anyway. You never know, some young up and coming greenkeeper with new ideas might be just around the corner!The t
ts have finally gone and done itOur club committee members are, in general, a soporific bunch, lacking dynamic fresh ideas and forward thinking but at this months greens committee meeting one of them went too far, falsely, and confrontationally accusing our amazing green keepers of not mowing for a particular ladies tournament.
She went onto say that the greens were "In awful condition" (22 days after the deepest coring they've ever had). The head green keeper eventually walked out of the meeting and tended his resignation, our other green keeper followed suit.
We're lucky to have the most experienced green keeper in the country, 48 years in the industry, a fully qualified agronomist and a craftsman, his offsider is also an incredible worker. We're based in a very low population area so replacing them will be very difficult, the working conditions are very poor, they don't get paid overtime despite working every Saturday and, despite their expertise, their basic pay is pitiful (£7.00 an hour after tax)
They've created an amazing course over the last 12 years and worked with humbling integrity, diligence and pride. Rather than chastising them we should be grovelling for them to stay and offering profuse apologies, so are they doing that? Are they f
k, they're advertising for a 'sole charge' green keeper, in essence one man to maintain 110 manicured acres, carry out all machinery servicing, clear the rivers, take out old trees, carry out all planting, regular course wide fertilising, installing new irrigation, coordinating with Captains and Presidents, carry out twice annual coring and mow his absolute tits off 8 hours a day for 7 quid an hour. There's an adage in golf, never let a good green keeper go, we've got the best their is and the f
king idiots on high have gone and blown itWe're f
ked There isn't many committees that really know what they are doing.
If you don't like how things are going at your club, vote with your feet. This is exactly what I did a year ago, got fed up with the uselessness of everyone at the club (bar the pro, who is still a good friend now) and left. I'm now settled in at my new club and couldn't be happier, found a really really nice bunch of people to play with and haven't looked back once.
If you don't like how things are going at your club, vote with your feet. This is exactly what I did a year ago, got fed up with the uselessness of everyone at the club (bar the pro, who is still a good friend now) and left. I'm now settled in at my new club and couldn't be happier, found a really really nice bunch of people to play with and haven't looked back once.
Rosscow said:
Oh dear. Mind you, 48 years in the business - he was probably up for retirement anyway.
Yep, he's getting on but his mind is sharp and we need his ongoing input and assistance to source and become a consultant with a future replacementRichB said:
Which club is this? I take it you're not in NZ?
Yes, in NZJamesNotJim said:
Vote with your feet
I love the course too much James, if you played it you'd see why, plus I live 20 metres from it and I work and coach there. Great course, st clubRosscow said:
Get yourself on committee
But.......
I got a call last night, the head green keeper and the main trouble maker are going for mediation today with the ex President, I understand that he'll receive an apology and they'll try to find a way forwards, I've arranged to meet him beforehand so that he doesn't go in with all guns blazing
Thanks for all your input golf chaps of PH, I'll let you know how it goes, stay out of the rough in the meantime, Cheddar
After a frustrating basket at the driving range today i decided to have a lesson. The instructor had a slot for this afternoon so made the most of that.
After watching back some video footage from various angles of my swing my path was clearly, as some had mentioned on here already, an out to in. It was also pointed out that my right arm was too straight and my right elbow seemed to have a mind of it's own on the down swing.
The instructor implemented a couple of drills to combat these issues and the results were clear straight away. Now it's just a case of getting used to the new swing and making it a habit.
I have always been reluctant to have lessons but it has been, by far, the best money i've spent on golf so far.
After watching back some video footage from various angles of my swing my path was clearly, as some had mentioned on here already, an out to in. It was also pointed out that my right arm was too straight and my right elbow seemed to have a mind of it's own on the down swing.
The instructor implemented a couple of drills to combat these issues and the results were clear straight away. Now it's just a case of getting used to the new swing and making it a habit.
I have always been reluctant to have lessons but it has been, by far, the best money i've spent on golf so far.
Played yesterday and the results have just been posted. Shot a gross 69 (par71) for a nett 63. Second time in 3 weeks I've shot sub par. Had a nice little cut (0.9, and cut to 4.6), so finally heading in the right direction again after a iffy start to the year.
Got a tigers knockout match tonight and its set to heave it down. JOY!
Got a tigers knockout match tonight and its set to heave it down. JOY!
I've not swung a club in 6 years and prior to that only played a little, a few 9 holes and driving range, maybe 18 holes twice on stag weekends. I also had the concern that after finger surgery (football injury that exploded the joint on my right pinky and left it crooked with minimal movement) that I would either struggle to grip the club or the feeling on impact would be uncomfortable. I picked up the old clubs I had from my parents in the week as they had sat there since my last house move and went to the driving range today. Thankfully no negative effects from the finger so I think I will make a more concerted effort to play.
When I started playing tennis again this last year after about 15 years I had a couple of lessons to get back in to the groove and that did wonders to iron out the wrinkles, having never had any instruction with golf would it be worth a couple of lessons to get some of the basics of the swing and stance and some pointers on what to work on? I would probably like a few more trips to the range before I take on a nine hole, definitely some more practice before I try 18 holes.
Wedge and short irons were OK, all things being relative as I'm very much a beginner, longer irons somewhat inconsistent and woods the same. Woods I find the hardest and that's the one that sets up the hole, I find it similar to the serve in tennis as that's the one that dictates the point.
Any hints of where to look for a bit more information and how to start off? The clubs I have are old and not great but there's no point me getting anything too top end as it would be a waste. I don't mind investing in a few bits to get me started.
I realise that golf can be an infuriating sport, you forget about the 5 duff hits after you hit that 1 ball sweetly.
When I started playing tennis again this last year after about 15 years I had a couple of lessons to get back in to the groove and that did wonders to iron out the wrinkles, having never had any instruction with golf would it be worth a couple of lessons to get some of the basics of the swing and stance and some pointers on what to work on? I would probably like a few more trips to the range before I take on a nine hole, definitely some more practice before I try 18 holes.
Wedge and short irons were OK, all things being relative as I'm very much a beginner, longer irons somewhat inconsistent and woods the same. Woods I find the hardest and that's the one that sets up the hole, I find it similar to the serve in tennis as that's the one that dictates the point.
Any hints of where to look for a bit more information and how to start off? The clubs I have are old and not great but there's no point me getting anything too top end as it would be a waste. I don't mind investing in a few bits to get me started.
I realise that golf can be an infuriating sport, you forget about the 5 duff hits after you hit that 1 ball sweetly.
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