Well, ever since the heart attack, power has been right out the window as far as my game is concerned. I haven't posted here lately, as I've felt I was under rehab, and there was little I could add to anyone's game while I was busy rebuilding my own. Then the fun started.
Putting With A Purpose
I retooled with a new putter after checking my actual stroke on video vs. the stroke I thought I had. The ever faithful Nike Oz--always a good steady putter, if nothing absolutely fabulous, was replaced with a Scotty Cameron "Detour." I haven't had a 3 putt in over 3 months. So impressed was I that I bought another as back up. No--I'm not made of dough, but for some reason, the Big Clunky Detour Mallet has not proved to be as popular as other Scotty Models. Though it fits my semi-pendulum/semi-arc hybrid stroke perfectly, I guess there are others out there who just don't care for it's rather gargantuan, and seemingly unwieldy proportions. For that I am grateful, as the original MSRP of $1000 for both of mine, makes my less than $200 investment seem like an incredible bargain. As I said---I haven't 3 putted since.
Lesson 1----Tape your actual putting stroke and review it. It just might surprise you. Many tour pros who thought they were pure Pendulum Stroke Putters, with Pure Straight Back and Straight Through Piston-like strokes, have found that they are indeed Arc Stroke putters. Their latent cases of yips are actually being caused by the subliminal conflict of consciously attempting one technique while the unconscious mind is well aware of their actually utilizing another. Of course their subconscious tussles a bit with the conscious, their timing eventually becomes unglued, and the split second of hesitation grows longer and more frustrating with each failed attempt at birdie.---Don't do this to yourself----It ain't worth it! Tape it, laser it, do what you have to do, but take it from me---knowing that I'm off the green in two putts max takes a lot of pressure off my game.
Chipping Away At It
There was a time when I was incredibly proud of my 60 foot flop shot. Yeah that's right--60 FEET. Trouble was, this is a high maintenance shot, and most off the green chip shots don't grant you that extra fluffy lie that is so necessary for that mortar like lob that stops on a dime, or even backs it up on occasion. Nope, most off the green lies on Muni and even some of The High Priced Daily Fee Courses can be pretty scruffy. I needed a shot that I could pull off at lots of micro manageable distances, and I soon had it.
To get something consistent I went with a dead quiet lower body. No more slow hip turn and then timing the firing at the moment my hip turned my front knee. (It really works quite well--I promise--trouble is--due to timing issues--it is a high maintenance shot.) I found that by keeping the lower body absolutely quiet, and just focusing on keeping my weight slightly forward, I could take a nice slow and steady "dead hands" (as Dave Pelz would say) back swing to 9 o'clock, just before the wrists hinge, and do this time and again--even in my sleep. I soon found that by doing this at level playing fields, my wedges went 64*--30 feet, 58*--45 feet, 54*--60 feet, 50*--80 feet, PW 105 feet. The consistency was astounding.
Lesson 2---A consistent back swing leads to consistent distances. All I had to do was pace off the distances. Going uphill from uphill lies sawed a little off, and downhill shots required I club down roughly 1-- 1 1/2 clubs depending upon steepness of angle and green speeds. Armed with such knowledge, my game has become deadly accurate from off the green, and my up and down percentages have literally skyrocketed. Do yourself a favor---figure out a consistent back swing that you can repeat w/all your wedges.
Strength From A Neutral Party
So often the game of golf is counter intuitive. I had often fought a slice from having a slightly open shoulder position. Even though I eventually corrected my over the top move, my strong grip and closed face at impact compensations remained, unbeknownst to me, part and parcel of my swing. They were simply ingrained into my setup, to the point that I never really thought about it. I loved the draw I got off the tee box, but never quite connected it with the bad tendency I had at times of pulling my approach shots at critical points in my game. Hell--I was even pulling my Wedge Shots left, and just not connecting the dots. Fortunately, let's give credit where credit is due.
I read an article written by Jim Furyk, whose accuracy and consistency I have always admired. He was preaching about the fact that, " an overly strong grip can even be the root cause of a slice." I may never adapt his double overlap grip, but I will certainly stay with a more neutral grip from now on. As I said--power is no longer part of my game. This more neutral grip has me clocking it straight down the fairway time after time. I cannot thank Mr. Furyk enough. My more efficient drives, shooting from the short grass--even at the expense of a few yards, are so much more effective than hitting out of the rough. (Let's not even talk about hitting out of the trees, taking water drops, blasting out of fairway bunkers, etc....)
Lesson 3--- Check your grip! Just because last season's grip seemed to work, doesn't mean it doesn't need a tune up. Had I tuned mine annually I probably would have gradually weakened my grip instead of having to conduct a massive overhaul after this season's heart attack. Remember that Lord Byron took the grip to heart before embarking on his professional career. Ben Hogan had to change his grip in order to save his career. I doubt anyone reading this is better than either of those two. Hell--even Tiger has adapted a flatter swing more like Hogan's, and Lord Byron's consecutive wins record might be the only record Tiger never breaks. If these guys consider giving the grip an annual tune up as a vital part of the game---I'd listen to them.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Monday, August 3, 2009
After A Heart Attack My Bag and Game Get An Overhaul
Two weeks ago I got the surprise of my life. I had just finished the best 9 holes I have ever played at my local course--(there are 3 sets of 9 and this 15 capper played holes 18-27 at 2 over), and I was looking forward to both a good dinner, and a well earned good night's sleep. While driving back home across the local dam I blacked out (we would later find out it was a heart attack) and totaled my car. In a matter of minutes I was whisked away to the hospital where I spent the rest of the week and eventually had 2 stints put into my Left Circumflex (aka The Widow Maker) Artery. Needless to say, walking 27 in 100+ degree heat is not part and parcel of my current prescription, and the resultant weight loss has led to yet another swing shape. My old clubs, which I had been re-shuffling, and re-shafting already (in a desperate attempt to break 80 on at least a semi-regular basis) were definitely on the way out. I was soon going to have to slow down the swing and make it more compact. I did a lot of soul-searching and after re- reading many of my past reviews I eventually switched to the easiest clubs to hit I could find. The season that began as, "The Year to Become a Single Digit Handicapper ", (9 over looked so in the bag back in April) quickly evolved into, " The Year I Switched to Old Fart's Clubs. "
My OLD RELIABLE IRONS
I was proud of my TaylorMade R7 Xd's. These were incredible irons at the time they first came out. They were so far ahead of their time that TaylorMade actually ended up discontinuing them and splitting up the design into two separate models. The Super Hot Titanium Faces went to The New Burner Irons, while the Balance went to the latter day R7 Irons in various shapes and forms. I had one of the off mini-tour sets with the DG Shafts in them. From the time I had purchased these clubs my score dropped regularly. Eventually, this last season, they would be re-shafted with those very rare and hard to find "Blue Thunder" shafts. I was clocking those things but good, and I was actually able to work them both left and right. I had also become adept at opening up the face full bore as well as closing it off and hitting escape shots from almost anywhere with the 6 Iron. These were some of the best game improvement irons ever made. I had been trying Mizunos from time to time just because I thought I would eventually want a workable iron with that famous forged feel to get into single digit territory, but that purchase was to be at least another season or two down the road. I was going to wear those R7 XD's out. Alas, the forged fantasy was not to be.
DRIVER
Mating a driver to my swing has been a long involved process. I currently switch between 2 Drivers, as they tend to be clubs practically tailor made to my rather eclectic swing. On days when I really feel, "in the zone", and want to work one across the fairways I pull out my 9* Nickent 4 DX Tour Spec with a special Prototype Aldila NV Shaft. It is a tremendously lethal combination. I've hit some real screamers with that driver, and managed to steer some real game winners down narrow bottle necks, and around dog legs of both the left and right variety. Sadly, I sincerely doubt I have the oomph left to get the most out of this somewhat elitist set up. The shaft is now a little on the stiff side for me, and this particular head is more about working the club than it is about forgiveness. I will miss this mini tour weapon of mass destruction.
On days when my swing is not quite there, I reach for my 10* LaJolla 450 w/Purple Ice Shaft. The head on this club is very forgiving, and the shaft makes sure that I can rip it w/confidence. This is the club that lets me run with the pack even when I'm having issues with my swing on any given day. Heel and toe hits still go straight w/minimal distance loss. Sweet spot shots come roaring out of the gate and split fairways in half as if the ball were a cruise missile on a mission. Sadly, The Purple Ice Shaft is now, similar to the Aldila NV Prototype, just beyond the reach of my current swing speed.
Fortunately--the Nickent Arc Wedges and Nike Oz Putter remain constants in a bag full of variables, but that's only because they are already exceptionally easy clubs to hit. I'm amazed that neither of these ever really took off or received the recognition they so richly deserved. Meanwhile, what little workability I had worked so hard to obtain is going to prove to be hard to maintain. Let's not even talk about trying to step it up a notch and go to thinner weaker lofted forged irons. Getting a more slicked out driver that I can work both left and right and play with the trajectories on is also out of the question. So considering the tremendous hit that my budget is about to take thanks to heart surgery, I had to go to my local pro shop, call in some favours, and remind certain folks that the clubs they wanted to be first in line to purchase were now available. After all was said and done, I walked out devoid of the very irons and drivers I had worked so hard to build around my own personal swing, but I was now in possession of the absolute easiest clubs to hit known to mankind.
Wilson Di-9 Irons.
These are just incredibly easy to hit. My swing is slower and more compact but you'd never know it from the distance. Admittedly they aren't anywhere near what you would call workable. They're pretty easy to hit a draw with, but a high cut takes quite a bit of work. Still that's not what they're in my bag for. These have to be the highest,longest, and straightest irons I've ever hit. The urethane medallion on the back sure makes them feel good too. No they're not the Mizuno forged feel I dreamed about back in April, but they're a helluva lot more forgiving to my new swing. If you've ever gone through a swing change or two, much less a total overhaul, you know what a gift forgiveness can be. I'm already hitting these steel shafted behemoths longer and straighter than the R7 XD's ever went---even with the Blue Thunder Shafts. These are the best thing in game improvement clubs since the original Adams Idea irons. Anyone who is in need of distance, straight ball flight, and good feel needs to give these a serious look. I was so impressed I bought them. I just have to get used to the idea that maneuvering the ball is now more a matter of long and straight than it is about finessing it left and or right.
Nickent 3 DX Square Driver
I first hit this driver over a season and a half ago. It was The Dawn of the Block-Heads and I thought this was going to be another square headed wannabe. I was impressed with it back then, but I already had drivers I could hit that far, and work like a job, unlike this straight flying distance monster. Still--it impressed me. I never forgot how good it felt, or how long and straight it was. It had to be the easiest driver I had ever hit. Well--after the go round with my heart I decided --hey I could live with long and straight. I'm not getting any younger, and working the ball left and right can be a stressful situation when rebuilding a swing. These clubs can be had on the cheap too. If you can live with the aluminum baseball bat sound, they're the easiest long and straight driver in the business. I'll be hitting the course again tomorrow, and though I don't see myself working any left or right dog legs I see several fairways getting split straight down the middle. I'm gong to have to learn to milk all the extra distance this one can give me, as I'll no longer be hugging tree lines while steering it around the corners.
All in all, knowing that I can put it on auto pilot and go long and straight is going to be a bit of a relief after going through such a drastic swing change. I'm willing to bet that the time I've got invested in the wedges and putter will help me enough on the up and down front to achieve that single digit status. Fortunately easy long and straight paired with the familiarity of my short game clubs has a lot of promise. If you are in the market for a set of irons sporting one of the fairest prices in the business right now---don't overlook the Di-9's. They are the easiest hitting iron of all time. Between the low price, the extra distance, and the high and straight shot pattern, they truly remind me of the original Adams Idea set that re-ignited the hybrid craze as well as the games of many a weekend hacker. If you need a very good driver on the cheap--don't forget the Nickent 3DX Square--It is equipped with the UST V2 Shaft, and this thing hits it longer and straighter than just about anything else out there on the market. Considering the closeout pricing vs. the distance and quality of components --this one's like stealing.
My OLD RELIABLE IRONS
I was proud of my TaylorMade R7 Xd's. These were incredible irons at the time they first came out. They were so far ahead of their time that TaylorMade actually ended up discontinuing them and splitting up the design into two separate models. The Super Hot Titanium Faces went to The New Burner Irons, while the Balance went to the latter day R7 Irons in various shapes and forms. I had one of the off mini-tour sets with the DG Shafts in them. From the time I had purchased these clubs my score dropped regularly. Eventually, this last season, they would be re-shafted with those very rare and hard to find "Blue Thunder" shafts. I was clocking those things but good, and I was actually able to work them both left and right. I had also become adept at opening up the face full bore as well as closing it off and hitting escape shots from almost anywhere with the 6 Iron. These were some of the best game improvement irons ever made. I had been trying Mizunos from time to time just because I thought I would eventually want a workable iron with that famous forged feel to get into single digit territory, but that purchase was to be at least another season or two down the road. I was going to wear those R7 XD's out. Alas, the forged fantasy was not to be.
DRIVER
Mating a driver to my swing has been a long involved process. I currently switch between 2 Drivers, as they tend to be clubs practically tailor made to my rather eclectic swing. On days when I really feel, "in the zone", and want to work one across the fairways I pull out my 9* Nickent 4 DX Tour Spec with a special Prototype Aldila NV Shaft. It is a tremendously lethal combination. I've hit some real screamers with that driver, and managed to steer some real game winners down narrow bottle necks, and around dog legs of both the left and right variety. Sadly, I sincerely doubt I have the oomph left to get the most out of this somewhat elitist set up. The shaft is now a little on the stiff side for me, and this particular head is more about working the club than it is about forgiveness. I will miss this mini tour weapon of mass destruction.
On days when my swing is not quite there, I reach for my 10* LaJolla 450 w/Purple Ice Shaft. The head on this club is very forgiving, and the shaft makes sure that I can rip it w/confidence. This is the club that lets me run with the pack even when I'm having issues with my swing on any given day. Heel and toe hits still go straight w/minimal distance loss. Sweet spot shots come roaring out of the gate and split fairways in half as if the ball were a cruise missile on a mission. Sadly, The Purple Ice Shaft is now, similar to the Aldila NV Prototype, just beyond the reach of my current swing speed.
Fortunately--the Nickent Arc Wedges and Nike Oz Putter remain constants in a bag full of variables, but that's only because they are already exceptionally easy clubs to hit. I'm amazed that neither of these ever really took off or received the recognition they so richly deserved. Meanwhile, what little workability I had worked so hard to obtain is going to prove to be hard to maintain. Let's not even talk about trying to step it up a notch and go to thinner weaker lofted forged irons. Getting a more slicked out driver that I can work both left and right and play with the trajectories on is also out of the question. So considering the tremendous hit that my budget is about to take thanks to heart surgery, I had to go to my local pro shop, call in some favours, and remind certain folks that the clubs they wanted to be first in line to purchase were now available. After all was said and done, I walked out devoid of the very irons and drivers I had worked so hard to build around my own personal swing, but I was now in possession of the absolute easiest clubs to hit known to mankind.
Wilson Di-9 Irons.
These are just incredibly easy to hit. My swing is slower and more compact but you'd never know it from the distance. Admittedly they aren't anywhere near what you would call workable. They're pretty easy to hit a draw with, but a high cut takes quite a bit of work. Still that's not what they're in my bag for. These have to be the highest,longest, and straightest irons I've ever hit. The urethane medallion on the back sure makes them feel good too. No they're not the Mizuno forged feel I dreamed about back in April, but they're a helluva lot more forgiving to my new swing. If you've ever gone through a swing change or two, much less a total overhaul, you know what a gift forgiveness can be. I'm already hitting these steel shafted behemoths longer and straighter than the R7 XD's ever went---even with the Blue Thunder Shafts. These are the best thing in game improvement clubs since the original Adams Idea irons. Anyone who is in need of distance, straight ball flight, and good feel needs to give these a serious look. I was so impressed I bought them. I just have to get used to the idea that maneuvering the ball is now more a matter of long and straight than it is about finessing it left and or right.
Nickent 3 DX Square Driver
I first hit this driver over a season and a half ago. It was The Dawn of the Block-Heads and I thought this was going to be another square headed wannabe. I was impressed with it back then, but I already had drivers I could hit that far, and work like a job, unlike this straight flying distance monster. Still--it impressed me. I never forgot how good it felt, or how long and straight it was. It had to be the easiest driver I had ever hit. Well--after the go round with my heart I decided --hey I could live with long and straight. I'm not getting any younger, and working the ball left and right can be a stressful situation when rebuilding a swing. These clubs can be had on the cheap too. If you can live with the aluminum baseball bat sound, they're the easiest long and straight driver in the business. I'll be hitting the course again tomorrow, and though I don't see myself working any left or right dog legs I see several fairways getting split straight down the middle. I'm gong to have to learn to milk all the extra distance this one can give me, as I'll no longer be hugging tree lines while steering it around the corners.
All in all, knowing that I can put it on auto pilot and go long and straight is going to be a bit of a relief after going through such a drastic swing change. I'm willing to bet that the time I've got invested in the wedges and putter will help me enough on the up and down front to achieve that single digit status. Fortunately easy long and straight paired with the familiarity of my short game clubs has a lot of promise. If you are in the market for a set of irons sporting one of the fairest prices in the business right now---don't overlook the Di-9's. They are the easiest hitting iron of all time. Between the low price, the extra distance, and the high and straight shot pattern, they truly remind me of the original Adams Idea set that re-ignited the hybrid craze as well as the games of many a weekend hacker. If you need a very good driver on the cheap--don't forget the Nickent 3DX Square--It is equipped with the UST V2 Shaft, and this thing hits it longer and straighter than just about anything else out there on the market. Considering the closeout pricing vs. the distance and quality of components --this one's like stealing.
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