Discussion
Hammersia said:
The aim is symmetry, that it gets the shoulders perfectly level so hopefully reducing the tendency to push (right hand low) or pull (left hand low) putts. Alignment should be easier as well, and it feels very secure. Not many tour players using it however.
This one is pretty wild if you have a longer putter:
Hmmm interesting - I use the conventional grip but do have a tendancy to push the odd short putt so I may experiment on my putting mat. I've got the 140cc TourSNSR grip on my putter so should hopefully be wide enough. This one is pretty wild if you have a longer putter:
No idea what's going on that second one though! I thought the pencil/claw looked a bit weird - albeit very effective from short range - that's just unfathomable what he's doing there.....
bodhi said:
I suspect it's my usual inability to describe what I'm trying to do properly 
I'm more of a feel player than a technical one - the first time anyone mentioned P1, P2 etc to me I had the look on my face as if someone was talking Greek to me until they demonstrated what they meant....anyway I'll have another go 
I have a tendancy to get very handsy on the downswing, both kicking the downswing off then stopping my body turn at impact and letting the hands take over, then trying to keep the clubface straight with timing/co-ordination. Great when my timing is working, but very wild when it isn't. So we're trying to get my body to turn more 'as one' on the downswing, then continue turning through impact. When it works I'm getting a far better contact - driving through the ball more for a lower and more penetrating flight.
The feeling I'm going for is more starting the downswing by turning my shoulders rather than throwing my hands at it, covering the ball through impact and not releasing the hands until I've hit the ball. Makes sense to me anway
Had another lesson this morning and coach seemed impressed with progress - and also impressed I hadn't regressed on any of the stuff we were working on, other than a slight tendancy to get a little hunched on set up so need to keep an eye on that. My new drill to build on the half swing drill is a more extreme version - so a quarter swing drill, just to get the feeling of turning through impact and keeping the hands quiet.
I may even post a video of all that above for people's amusement when coach uploads today's videos to Skillest - which is a bloody brilliant app for anyone having lessons btw. I normally get before videos, ones of the drills and an after video to track changes - very useful when heading to the range.
I definitely don't want to interfere with your coach's drills when they're working, all sounds very sensible, and you clearly realise it takes a lot of dedication and repetition to make a change. I'm more of a feel player than a technical one - the first time anyone mentioned P1, P2 etc to me I had the look on my face as if someone was talking Greek to me until they demonstrated what they meant....anyway I'll have another go I have a tendancy to get very handsy on the downswing, both kicking the downswing off then stopping my body turn at impact and letting the hands take over, then trying to keep the clubface straight with timing/co-ordination. Great when my timing is working, but very wild when it isn't. So we're trying to get my body to turn more 'as one' on the downswing, then continue turning through impact. When it works I'm getting a far better contact - driving through the ball more for a lower and more penetrating flight.
The feeling I'm going for is more starting the downswing by turning my shoulders rather than throwing my hands at it, covering the ball through impact and not releasing the hands until I've hit the ball. Makes sense to me anway
Had another lesson this morning and coach seemed impressed with progress - and also impressed I hadn't regressed on any of the stuff we were working on, other than a slight tendancy to get a little hunched on set up so need to keep an eye on that. My new drill to build on the half swing drill is a more extreme version - so a quarter swing drill, just to get the feeling of turning through impact and keeping the hands quiet.
I may even post a video of all that above for people's amusement when coach uploads today's videos to Skillest - which is a bloody brilliant app for anyone having lessons btw. I normally get before videos, ones of the drills and an after video to track changes - very useful when heading to the range.
For others benefit - and not to bang on about Fleetwood too much - but his stiff arm drill / windmill drill is an excellent move for synching everything up:
https://golf.com/news/tournaments/tommy-fleetwood-...
I did a little experiment the other day and addressed the club to the inside of the ball so that the toe was about 1" away from the ball and hit 10 shots, they were all shots that matched to my level and variation of strike, I then proceeded to address the club around the ball clockwise from 12 through to 8, so 18 shots with a 6 iron, I then hit the next 18 addressing the ball normally, there was no discernible difference to the strike or quality of the shots on average.
Just a bit of fun, but the body is incredible in the way it will react to the need to strike the ball, yet there is me getting all tense about addressing the ball when I'm out on the course (doing more damage than good to my swing). There is a lot to be said for just swinging the clubhead.
Hammersia said:
I definitely don't want to interfere with your coach's drills when they're working, all sounds very sensible, and you clearly realise it takes a lot of dedication and repetition to make a change.
For others benefit - and not to bang on about Fleetwood too much - but his stiff arm drill / windmill drill is an excellent move for synching everything up:
https://golf.com/news/tournaments/tommy-fleetwood-...
I think the only way you've interfered is - going by a comment he made this morning - you've told me one of the drills we'll be looking at in a couple of lessons time For others benefit - and not to bang on about Fleetwood too much - but his stiff arm drill / windmill drill is an excellent move for synching everything up:
https://golf.com/news/tournaments/tommy-fleetwood-...
I'll stick with doing the foundation work for now however before getting carried away. Greenie said:
fat80b said:
Have booked a cheeky trip to Vilamoura in Portugal in a couple of weeks' time.
Now need to book some golf - does anyone have any recommendations as to which courses to book. There are 3 of us looking for 2 rounds (Friday and Saturday)
The options seem to be one of the Quinta de lago ones, and/or one of the Dom Pedro ones, but it's hard to tell which one to pick. - Anyone have any local knowledge?
Can’t put up with this bloody weather anymore - rain never seems to stop! Going to book trip to Algarve next week. Would like to play a new course whilst I’m there - has anyone played Ombria? What did you think of it?Now need to book some golf - does anyone have any recommendations as to which courses to book. There are 3 of us looking for 2 rounds (Friday and Saturday)
The options seem to be one of the Quinta de lago ones, and/or one of the Dom Pedro ones, but it's hard to tell which one to pick. - Anyone have any local knowledge?
FWIW I played Vale do Lobo Ocean and Quinta Laranjal. Both were a much needed release after the summer / early-winter we've had! Ocean in particular was brilliant (ignoring the almost questionably short par 5's as being the very minor comment).
bodhi said:
milesgiles said:
Anyway.. just my understanding but again I’ll say you don’t want to start the ds by unwinding the hips. Your shoulders will follow and this will steepen the shaft which you don’t want.
Of the pro’s that appear to start with their legs (tiger, Rory, furyk maybe) they are physically able to hold their shoulders relatively closed at the same time. ie separation of hips and shoulder. This generates a lot of power and torque but I doubt many amateurs could replicate that.
First move down is with the arms. Only way to get that shaft shallow quickly
I suspect it's my usual inability to describe what I'm trying to do properly Of the pro’s that appear to start with their legs (tiger, Rory, furyk maybe) they are physically able to hold their shoulders relatively closed at the same time. ie separation of hips and shoulder. This generates a lot of power and torque but I doubt many amateurs could replicate that.
First move down is with the arms. Only way to get that shaft shallow quickly
I'm more of a feel player than a technical one - the first time anyone mentioned P1, P2 etc to me I had the look on my face as if someone was talking Greek to me until they demonstrated what they meant....anyway I'll have another go I have a tendancy to get very handsy on the downswing, both kicking the downswing off then stopping my body turn at impact and letting the hands take over, then trying to keep the clubface straight with timing/co-ordination. Great when my timing is working, but very wild when it isn't. So we're trying to get my body to turn more 'as one' on the downswing, then continue turning through impact. When it works I'm getting a far better contact - driving through the ball more for a lower and more penetrating flight.
The feeling I'm going for is more starting the downswing by turning my shoulders rather than throwing my hands at it, covering the ball through impact and not releasing the hands until I've hit the ball. Makes sense to me anway
Had another lesson this morning and coach seemed impressed with progress - and also impressed I hadn't regressed on any of the stuff we were working on, other than a slight tendancy to get a little hunched on set up so need to keep an eye on that. My new drill to build on the half swing drill is a more extreme version - so a quarter swing drill, just to get the feeling of turning through impact and keeping the hands quiet.
I may even post a video of all that above for people's amusement when coach uploads today's videos to Skillest - which is a bloody brilliant app for anyone having lessons btw. I normally get before videos, ones of the drills and an after video to track changes - very useful when heading to the range.
Might have to re-assess yardages..
Greenie said:
Can’t put up with this bloody weather anymore - rain never seems to stop! Going to book trip to Algarve next week. Would like to play a new course whilst I’m there - has anyone played Ombria? What did you think of it?
I haven't - But I have just booked two of the Dom Pedro courses for next weekend We are playing the Millenium and Pinhal - All courses I looked at looked really good and the weather for next couple of weeks looks great! s94wht said:
It's definitely a confidence thing, combined with the fact that you can't get away with hitting a shot even slightly fat in the winter.
Just got to keep on truckin - Played 9 this morning at Heydon which is still remarkably dry underfoot - It rained reasonably heavily during the round as a squall came across. This made it interesting especially as I refuse to wear a coat as I find it a bit too restrictive. Spent most of the round hiding under my Trolley Brolly which does a remarkably good job - (A clicgear 4 with a brolly extender piece). Rather comically, my PP's trolley kept getting blown over in the wind so I was slightly smug about my trolley choice (His was a Cube something or other which seems way less robust imho)
Bizarrely (perhaps), I played better when the weather was at its worst and kept a score going holes 2-8...... Would have been fine if it wasn't for the two Par 5's (first and last hole) which I did manage to stuff up despite hitting the fairway well on both.
Super annoying but seems to be my thing at the moment. i.e. to hit 3 pretty great shots on a par 5 only to somehow walk off with an 8 or a 9......
fat80b said:
Just got to keep on truckin - Played 9 this morning at Heydon which is still remarkably dry underfoot - It rained reasonably heavily during the round as a squall came across. This made it interesting especially as I refuse to wear a coat as I find it a bit too restrictive.
Spent most of the round hiding under my Trolley Brolly which does a remarkably good job - (A clicgear 4 with a brolly extender piece). Rather comically, my PP's trolley kept getting blown over in the wind so I was slightly smug about my trolley choice (His was a Cube something or other which seems way less robust imho)
Bizarrely (perhaps), I played better when the weather was at its worst and kept a score going holes 2-8...... Would have been fine if it wasn't for the two Par 5's (first and last hole) which I did manage to stuff up despite hitting the fairway well on both.
Super annoying but seems to be my thing at the moment. i.e. to hit 3 pretty great shots on a par 5 only to somehow walk off with an 8 or a 9......
That was one of the reasons I ditched my Cube - how unstable it was in wind, especially if you had the brolly attachment, that was instantly on its side with a gust of wind. Well that and the fact the handbrake wore out and Motocaddy didn't do replacements, so I registered my disgust by spending nearly a grand on an electric one....with Motocaddy. Spent most of the round hiding under my Trolley Brolly which does a remarkably good job - (A clicgear 4 with a brolly extender piece). Rather comically, my PP's trolley kept getting blown over in the wind so I was slightly smug about my trolley choice (His was a Cube something or other which seems way less robust imho)
Bizarrely (perhaps), I played better when the weather was at its worst and kept a score going holes 2-8...... Would have been fine if it wasn't for the two Par 5's (first and last hole) which I did manage to stuff up despite hitting the fairway well on both.
Super annoying but seems to be my thing at the moment. i.e. to hit 3 pretty great shots on a par 5 only to somehow walk off with an 8 or a 9......
Interesting you say you played best when the weather was worst - I've found that at times, almost like you have less time to think about stuff due to the weather. Might be something in that....
RayDonovan said:
Videos would be useful as we're both working on exactly the same thing! 100% about the contact/compression when you get it right, I did 9 holes on Sunday and when the contact and swing was right, I air-mailed the green
Might have to re-assess yardages..
I noticed the same in Saturday, although our place is that wet there isn't much to compress a ball against, but did fly a couple of greens when I had a dry enough lie. Might have to re-assess yardages..
Anyway, some videos.
Swing from the start of the session - quite pleased at how short my backswing was and how impact position has improved.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/L2x3Kn9Hps8vKgCh6
Half swing drill I've been working on - my idea of half a swing is a little different from most
https://photos.app.goo.gl/HmPN3xTsua2Navyy8
New drill, without a ball so I could save the position I'm looking to get into for future reference.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/L9xfJ1xeKxKJuAKg9
Biggest challenge I've found with the new drill is not trying to play a cricket shot, but spent some time after the lesson working on it and saw some progress.
bodhi said:
I noticed the same in Saturday, although our place is that wet there isn't much to compress a ball against, but did fly a couple of greens when I had a dry enough lie.
Anyway, some videos.
Swing from the start of the session - quite pleased at how short my backswing was and how impact position has improved.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/L2x3Kn9Hps8vKgCh6
Half swing drill I've been working on - my idea of half a swing is a little different from most
https://photos.app.goo.gl/HmPN3xTsua2Navyy8
New drill, without a ball so I could save the position I'm looking to get into for future reference.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/L9xfJ1xeKxKJuAKg9
Biggest challenge I've found with the new drill is not trying to play a cricket shot, but spent some time after the lesson working on it and saw some progress.
Looking good, definitely see improvements, and the beard! Anyway, some videos.
Swing from the start of the session - quite pleased at how short my backswing was and how impact position has improved.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/L2x3Kn9Hps8vKgCh6
Half swing drill I've been working on - my idea of half a swing is a little different from most
https://photos.app.goo.gl/HmPN3xTsua2Navyy8
New drill, without a ball so I could save the position I'm looking to get into for future reference.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/L9xfJ1xeKxKJuAKg9
Biggest challenge I've found with the new drill is not trying to play a cricket shot, but spent some time after the lesson working on it and saw some progress.
bodhi said:
RayDonovan said:
Videos would be useful as we're both working on exactly the same thing! 100% about the contact/compression when you get it right, I did 9 holes on Sunday and when the contact and swing was right, I air-mailed the green
Might have to re-assess yardages..
I noticed the same in Saturday, although our place is that wet there isn't much to compress a ball against, but did fly a couple of greens when I had a dry enough lie. Might have to re-assess yardages..
Anyway, some videos.
Swing from the start of the session - quite pleased at how short my backswing was and how impact position has improved.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/L2x3Kn9Hps8vKgCh6
Half swing drill I've been working on - my idea of half a swing is a little different from most
https://photos.app.goo.gl/HmPN3xTsua2Navyy8
New drill, without a ball so I could save the position I'm looking to get into for future reference.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/L9xfJ1xeKxKJuAKg9
Biggest challenge I've found with the new drill is not trying to play a cricket shot, but spent some time after the lesson working on it and saw some progress.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/ExbrGoDKxpgAjLJ68
From earlier this year, I play very little golf, once last year, twice the year before.
I'll get an updated one soon because I've worked on a few things since, happy enough considering I don't really play anymore!
From earlier this year, I play very little golf, once last year, twice the year before.
I'll get an updated one soon because I've worked on a few things since, happy enough considering I don't really play anymore!
Bodhi, your backswing is seriously good now, and a clear improvement from your overswing vid (post lessons).
You still steepen the shaft as your first move down, not sure how bothered you are with that, if you're seeing good results, certainly works for Hovland.
It's a bloody good swing, and the half swing drill looked great, 1/4 looked more challenging!
You still steepen the shaft as your first move down, not sure how bothered you are with that, if you're seeing good results, certainly works for Hovland.
It's a bloody good swing, and the half swing drill looked great, 1/4 looked more challenging!
Thanks for that buddy - it's been fairly satisfying watching the swing videos from lesson to lesson watching the backswing improve - even better when it's noticed
The steepening on the downswing you noticed is still a slight concern for me - not so much with the irons, but it's still more pronounced with my woods meaning 3 or 4 tee shots a round will go right. Considering that's where the trouble is at our place it is costing me shots. I have been shown a drill similar to the water bottle drill but with a strategically placed drill stick, but have been focusing on the irons at the moment and will look at the long game in the New Year.
The quarter swing drill will take some getting used to, but I've figured out I have enough space in my home office to rehearse it (slowly) so will give me something to do on boring conference calls
Nice and compact with a great turn through the ball.
The steepening on the downswing you noticed is still a slight concern for me - not so much with the irons, but it's still more pronounced with my woods meaning 3 or 4 tee shots a round will go right. Considering that's where the trouble is at our place it is costing me shots. I have been shown a drill similar to the water bottle drill but with a strategically placed drill stick, but have been focusing on the irons at the moment and will look at the long game in the New Year.
The quarter swing drill will take some getting used to, but I've figured out I have enough space in my home office to rehearse it (slowly) so will give me something to do on boring conference calls
DuncanM said:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/ExbrGoDKxpgAjLJ68
From earlier this year, I play very little golf, once last year, twice the year before.
I'll get an updated one soon because I've worked on a few things since, happy enough considering I don't really play anymore!
I do struggle to look at left handed swings - for some reason LH backswings always look inside the line to me, even when watching MacIntyre, Mickelson etc - however all I'll say is it looks criminal if you're only playing a couple of times a year with a swing like that From earlier this year, I play very little golf, once last year, twice the year before.
I'll get an updated one soon because I've worked on a few things since, happy enough considering I don't really play anymore!
Nice and compact with a great turn through the ball. RayDonovan said:
Lovely, nothing much wrong there at all. I'll post a video of mine in the future when I've gone full Fleetwood
Thanks also sir - shall look forward to the Tommy Lad videos in due course bodhi said:
I noticed the same in Saturday, although our place is that wet there isn't much to compress a ball against, but did fly a couple of greens when I had a dry enough lie.
Anyway, some videos.
Swing from the start of the session - quite pleased at how short my backswing was and how impact position has improved.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/L2x3Kn9Hps8vKgCh6
Half swing drill I've been working on - my idea of half a swing is a little different from most
https://photos.app.goo.gl/HmPN3xTsua2Navyy8
New drill, without a ball so I could save the position I'm looking to get into for future reference.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/L9xfJ1xeKxKJuAKg9
Biggest challenge I've found with the new drill is not trying to play a cricket shot, but spent some time after the lesson working on it and saw some progress.
Lovely swing mate, looks really good and smooth.Anyway, some videos.
Swing from the start of the session - quite pleased at how short my backswing was and how impact position has improved.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/L2x3Kn9Hps8vKgCh6
Half swing drill I've been working on - my idea of half a swing is a little different from most
https://photos.app.goo.gl/HmPN3xTsua2Navyy8
New drill, without a ball so I could save the position I'm looking to get into for future reference.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/L9xfJ1xeKxKJuAKg9
Biggest challenge I've found with the new drill is not trying to play a cricket shot, but spent some time after the lesson working on it and saw some progress.
bodhi said:
Thanks for that buddy - it's been fairly satisfying watching the swing videos from lesson to lesson watching the backswing improve - even better when it's noticed
The steepening on the downswing you noticed is still a slight concern for me - not so much with the irons, but it's still more pronounced with my woods meaning 3 or 4 tee shots a round will go right. Considering that's where the trouble is at our place it is costing me shots. I have been shown a drill similar to the water bottle drill but with a strategically placed drill stick, but have been focusing on the irons at the moment and will look at the long game in the New Year.
The quarter swing drill will take some getting used to, but I've figured out I have enough space in my home office to rehearse it (slowly) so will give me something to do on boring conference calls
You hit brilliant positions on your backswing, honestly textbook good. On the way down, I'd look at doing the Sergio drill, and getting the club back onto the forearm plane as quickly as possible (easily practiced in mirror/patio window). I'm surprised your pro hasn't picked up on it, you will either leave the face open and miss right, or close and miss left with a steep downswing, something I've struggled with my whole golfing life The steepening on the downswing you noticed is still a slight concern for me - not so much with the irons, but it's still more pronounced with my woods meaning 3 or 4 tee shots a round will go right. Considering that's where the trouble is at our place it is costing me shots. I have been shown a drill similar to the water bottle drill but with a strategically placed drill stick, but have been focusing on the irons at the moment and will look at the long game in the New Year.
The quarter swing drill will take some getting used to, but I've figured out I have enough space in my home office to rehearse it (slowly) so will give me something to do on boring conference calls
bodhi said:
... all I'll say is it looks criminal if you're only playing a couple of times a year with a swing like that Nice and compact with a great turn through the ball.
Nice and compact with a great turn through the ball. Thank you, I love golf, and enjoy swing theory a lot, keeps me good enough to still play to an ok standard (10ish).
DuncanM said:
bodhi said:
Thanks for that buddy - it's been fairly satisfying watching the swing videos from lesson to lesson watching the backswing improve - even better when it's noticed
The steepening on the downswing you noticed is still a slight concern for me - not so much with the irons, but it's still more pronounced with my woods meaning 3 or 4 tee shots a round will go right. Considering that's where the trouble is at our place it is costing me shots. I have been shown a drill similar to the water bottle drill but with a strategically placed drill stick, but have been focusing on the irons at the moment and will look at the long game in the New Year.
The quarter swing drill will take some getting used to, but I've figured out I have enough space in my home office to rehearse it (slowly) so will give me something to do on boring conference calls
You hit brilliant positions on your backswing, honestly textbook good. On the way down, I'd look at doing the Sergio drill, and getting the club back onto the forearm plane as quickly as possible (easily practiced in mirror/patio window). I'm surprised your pro hasn't picked up on it, you will either leave the face open and miss right, or close and miss left with a steep downswing, something I've struggled with my whole golfing life The steepening on the downswing you noticed is still a slight concern for me - not so much with the irons, but it's still more pronounced with my woods meaning 3 or 4 tee shots a round will go right. Considering that's where the trouble is at our place it is costing me shots. I have been shown a drill similar to the water bottle drill but with a strategically placed drill stick, but have been focusing on the irons at the moment and will look at the long game in the New Year.
The quarter swing drill will take some getting used to, but I've figured out I have enough space in my home office to rehearse it (slowly) so will give me something to do on boring conference calls
bodhi said:
... all I'll say is it looks criminal if you're only playing a couple of times a year with a swing like that Nice and compact with a great turn through the ball.
Nice and compact with a great turn through the ball. Thank you, I love golf, and enjoy swing theory a lot, keeps me good enough to still play to an ok standard (10ish).
Holy grail is more consistency off the tee to stop giving away silly shots with OOBs..
Got to say playing to 10 with how little you mentioned you play is mighty impressive, even after a couple of weeks off it takes me a couple of rounds to get my eye in again. Plus from memory don't you use blades?
bodhi said:
He's picked up on it, especially with my Driver, but as I was combining the steep downswing with overactive hands at contact we're working on the contact portion first as it was causing me issues elsewhere (punching out of trees, keeping the ball down in the wind etc), then we'll try shallowing out the downswing. It's one thing I do like about this chap I'm working with is that he's identified a few things I could do better, but we only ever work on one thing, and now I'm a year into the course I can really see how all the drills compliment each other, so am happy with how things are going.
Holy grail is more consistency off the tee to stop giving away silly shots with OOBs..
Got to say playing to 10 with how little you mentioned you play is mighty impressive, even after a couple of weeks off it takes me a couple of rounds to get my eye in again. Plus from memory don't you use blades?
It sounds like you have a good pro, the improvement in the backswing is obvious, going in the right direction for sure Holy grail is more consistency off the tee to stop giving away silly shots with OOBs..
Got to say playing to 10 with how little you mentioned you play is mighty impressive, even after a couple of weeks off it takes me a couple of rounds to get my eye in again. Plus from memory don't you use blades?
.Yes, blades like ye! I love them, get a little tempted to go back to a players cavity on occasion, but playing for the fun of it means enjoyment, which = blades.
Thank you for the kind words, hoping to play more next year, and I think it would be great to meet up with some pistonhead golferers for a game
. Won our first round of club winter Fourball knockout. Driving well and, astoundingly, managing to flush my irons. The only change I’ve made is not setting up the club head behind the ball before backswing, but instead almost a full club head closer to me.
No idea why that is working, but it has ironically produced a completely unexpected and annoyingly unwanted consequence of major backspin on the greens!
Short game and putting still crap however…
No idea why that is working, but it has ironically produced a completely unexpected and annoyingly unwanted consequence of major backspin on the greens!
Short game and putting still crap however…
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