Great range session with NEW swing

[zaphod]

I just got back from the range today and had a great session. I have been working on my swing hitting into a net in my garage. (Hate winter) I wanted to see if the swing keys I was so diligently working on were reaping results. HAPPY DAYS ARE HERE AGAIN!!!!!

I still need to reinforce the muscle memory keys into my game so I do not have to think about these keys and become relaxed and confident with them. I have been struggling the last 6 months flip flopping between a solid game and then getting the shanks. ( It hurts even thinking about the "S" word).

I did hit the Renegade driver a couple of times. It felt solid but I will do a complete review later. The mat rubber tee in the bay I had was too short to allow a good evaluation of the driver.

Wi-Golfer and Fitz----I was at Vitense Golfland but did not get a chance to hit on the new mats. It was just too busy and the bays with the new mats seemed to be the bays of choice. With good reason. They looked to be far superior to the hard mat I was obligated to use.

I am so stoked.

[ezra76]

New Swing? Where can I order one of those?

Good job man. It's always nice to come out the gate hitting them well.

[Wi-Golfer]

it was fairly busy yesterday as well, I pretty much refused to play on the old mats & took a seat behind a guy on one of the new ones. A few of the older mats opened up & I let people who came after me take those as I had nothing but time to kill. Glad I waited because those new ones are a 10,000% improvement over the old worn out things.

I hera you about the shanks deal, having not played since Oct, when I played in Texas last month I sucked, was shanking all my iron shots. Can hit all the woods fine but the irons have me freaked out right now, just need to get back in the groove.

I drove past Pauquette Pines today hoping most of the snow would be gone & perhaps they will open next week. Looks promising as the snow cover is minimal now & with the upcoming week of upper 30's-low 40's the rest of this crap should be outta here. Wont be long & all of us will be back out on the links.

[Fitzpatrick]

I went out to Vitense today as well (around 11:00 or so), and the place was packed. I managed to get on some of the newer mats (the ones that have the alignment markers on them) outside of the heated bays. Actually, I didn't even see the new mats...were they on the far right of the heated bays, Wi-Golfer?

The heated bays had lines 2-3 deep on each bay, and the outside bays had no lines.

They even had the top level open and were clearing the far-left area for people.

I was working on a few things as well, mostly changing my angle of attack (waaaaaay too steep, I think...you all should see the ball marks on my irons...almost all of them are 3-4 grooves up). It only started working when I shortened my backswing. Before that, though, I caught the $hanks for a few swings. Why does this happen when I'm gearing up for the season? But I think I have things as figured out as much as I'm going to for now.


Wi-Golfer, Zaphod, would you guys fancy meeting up when the courses start opening to kick off the season?

[zaphod]

You have a great idea Fitz.I have not played The Legends and am itching to do so. But when any course opens up in Madison give me a shout. You both have less snow than we have up here. I have a free round coupon for Bridges (courtesy of Midwestgolfingmagazine.com). Even Tumbledown, Glenway, Traceway, or Monona would be better than no golf.

[Wi-Golfer]

Hell yes I am open to getting out with you guys & playing. I am betting within 2 weeks Tumbledown will be open....kinda funny this course got mentioned because I was just checking out their website about 20 minutes ago.

[Fitzpatrick]

Tumbledown isn't a bad course at all. I've only played it once, but it was nice. The Bridges is an excellent course, although my last round there was, what's the best way to put it, worse than trying to go in a toilet on the ceiling (lost about 12+ balls, couldn't buy a putt longer than 2', the straightest shot I hit went straight to the left with no curve whatsoever--just a dead straight yank....you get the idea). Nice course though

[Wi-Golfer]

Haven't played Bridges yet, 1 guy I play with says it's tough with a lot of long narrow fairways...but then he is really horrible at even the easy courses.

[Wi-Golfer]

Can't believe neither of you mentioned the mighty par 3 at Vitense

[eclark53520]

Let me let you guys in on a little secret about Vitense....

The BEST time to hit the vitense driving range is weekdays at about 2:30ish...there are usually at least about 2-3 bays open at all times AND the UW GIRLS GOLF TEAM IS THERE!

I dont even try on the weekends(mainly because i have several other ranges closer than vitense)

I dont mean to invite myself, but PM me when you guys want to get out and play in madison, i will meet up with you guys and play a round. I work not even 5 mins from bridges golf course and i get off at 2:30 every day, i'm sure its fairly calm at that time of day.

[warbirdlover]

NO FAIR practicing!!! sssmokin and I are leaving Friday for Kentucky and will be playing "cold turkey" with no practice. Yikes.

[sssmokin]

It won't be pretty. Kentucky will be obtaining a few Northern golf balls this weekend. Zaphod.............what was wrong with your swing? Seemed to work fine for you when we played last year.

[zaphod]

It won't be pretty. Kentucky will be obtaining a few Northern golf balls this weekend. Zaphod.............what was wrong with your swing? Seemed to work fine for you when we played last year.

You saw me when I was swinging well. Late Fall and winter golf= shanks and good shots. Very frustrating as did not know what was going to happen. Just like Wi-Golfer woods and hybrids were great but irons were inconsistent.

Worked on my pre shot routine addressing the ball at a consistent distance, less knee bend and repeatable spine angle.

Then looked at two positions of my swing. First at hip high making sure the toe was up, shaft parallel to target line, and not too close to body. 2nd position at the top making sure I was high enough (not flat) and maximize space between head and hands.

Finally a good turn back with the right shoulder and right hip "stacked" on turn leading to co-ordinated body parts turn with weight transfer slightly back and to the rear slightly but still inside the right foot.

A lot to remember but once the swing gets to the top the rest forward is on auto-pilot. I am getting much more consistent contact without working hard. Have also noticed the swoosh is louder so hopefully swing speed has picked up but will not know until I play for real.

I forgot about Vitense par 3. Or I could do the batting cages and mini golf route.

[warbirdlover]

zaphod... do you give lessons?

[zaphod]

zaphod... do you give lessons?

HOW TO HIT SHANKS???? Sure call me anytime.