This is a quick video of the Maple Leaf Pub in Houston where me and a couple friends made our way to cheer on the Men's Olympic Team. What a game it was, and so good to be able to do this when out numbered by Americans in the bar... I will say Canada has huge support here in Houston. Such a great game and so proud to be Canadian !
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Work In Progress
This is what I have been working on these last couple days. By using video during a range session I have assessed some flaws in my swing that have come over the time off. I then try to remedy the problem and ensure it's corrected by again using the video. This is all done quickly as I sit on the range on one of these gorgeous days we are now getting and progressively getting better.
In the first video you will see that the club is in a weird position at the top of my swing which means I have to reroute the club on the way down to have a solid strike. In the second video I will show you how I have tried to feel like I am swinging a little bit "flatter" to get the club more online. The club's shaft (in my mind) should be on an angle towards the ball if you were to draw a line. I'm trying to get my swing in the position that I try in a pre swing before I hit the ball in second video So here we go.
In the first video you will see that the club is in a weird position at the top of my swing which means I have to reroute the club on the way down to have a solid strike. In the second video I will show you how I have tried to feel like I am swinging a little bit "flatter" to get the club more online. The club's shaft (in my mind) should be on an angle towards the ball if you were to draw a line. I'm trying to get my swing in the position that I try in a pre swing before I hit the ball in second video So here we go.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
SUN SUN SUN
Well it finally looks like the weather is going to turn around. After a good week of windy, cold, rainy weather the forecast shows the next 6 days full of sun and warming temperatures. I’ve still been “braving” the conditions to wear this rust off and yesterday showed some signs of tempo. The hardest thing I find when returning after a long break is to regain your tempo or some sort of rhythm with your swing. Tee shots with long irons or drivers are out of sync and shorter shots are missed due to deceleration in the swing. It’s just an inconsistent trend when trying to back in fine form. I’ve been experiencing this very same thing in my game as I try to find form, and it’s been tough due to the lies you find out here on Bermuda grass and wet lies. The ball always seems to be in contact with the ground and never sitting up, or on a firm lie to use the bounce of the club which in essence makes it easier (in theory) to hit.
The last few days I have been practicing with a guy who will be playing on the Canadian Tour (Roger Sloan – Canadian) and a friend of his, past #3 junior in his country (Travis O’Connell – New Zealand). It’s been nice getting to meet these guys and even better after playing with them, Travis, found flaw in my short game and offered some advice to improve the part of my game. This is what I am presently working on:
If you look at my previous post (the video) you can notice as I make contact with the ball my clubface is open as in not square with the target. You can notice that because the butt end of my club runs past my body and my hands end up in front of my left hip. This is creating an inconsistent strike. I get away with it (most of the time) because I have strong hand eye coordination. This also means that I am using the left hand/arm to swing this shot which is from what I have come to understand is the opposite goal. Travis had to opportunity to have an hour lesson with (forget name ... maybe Jim Connor - AUS) who was then considered to have the best short game in the world. His theory is amateurs always hit chip/pitch shots with an open face trying to spin the ball by coming across it. In actuality you want to hit the ball as square as possible (certainly now with the V grooves – lower spin rate) so you catch the ball on the grooves as solid as possible instead of letting it slide off the club. The other thing with hitting the ball like this means that you also will have a consistent back spinning ball over and over again.
To do this, the shot must be hit with the right arm/hand and bigger muscles (shoulders). In doing so the club will come back to square every time creating a more consistent strike. You can see you’re doing this correctly by observing the butt end of the club. It should be pointed to your belly button at contact and through the shot as you roll your right hand and arm over through the shot. I began to practice this shot by setting up closed to my target (shoulders square with my hips and feet), drawing the club back inside and trying to hook the ball even with a sand wedge. This is a tough thing for me to do because I have swung with my left side for so long but I think I can get it … after a good 1000+ shots over a few weeks.
I will definitely put in the work and get the most out of the good weather that is upon us.
Video of the swing to come.
JS
The last few days I have been practicing with a guy who will be playing on the Canadian Tour (Roger Sloan – Canadian) and a friend of his, past #3 junior in his country (Travis O’Connell – New Zealand). It’s been nice getting to meet these guys and even better after playing with them, Travis, found flaw in my short game and offered some advice to improve the part of my game. This is what I am presently working on:
If you look at my previous post (the video) you can notice as I make contact with the ball my clubface is open as in not square with the target. You can notice that because the butt end of my club runs past my body and my hands end up in front of my left hip. This is creating an inconsistent strike. I get away with it (most of the time) because I have strong hand eye coordination. This also means that I am using the left hand/arm to swing this shot which is from what I have come to understand is the opposite goal. Travis had to opportunity to have an hour lesson with (forget name ... maybe Jim Connor - AUS) who was then considered to have the best short game in the world. His theory is amateurs always hit chip/pitch shots with an open face trying to spin the ball by coming across it. In actuality you want to hit the ball as square as possible (certainly now with the V grooves – lower spin rate) so you catch the ball on the grooves as solid as possible instead of letting it slide off the club. The other thing with hitting the ball like this means that you also will have a consistent back spinning ball over and over again.
To do this, the shot must be hit with the right arm/hand and bigger muscles (shoulders). In doing so the club will come back to square every time creating a more consistent strike. You can see you’re doing this correctly by observing the butt end of the club. It should be pointed to your belly button at contact and through the shot as you roll your right hand and arm over through the shot. I began to practice this shot by setting up closed to my target (shoulders square with my hips and feet), drawing the club back inside and trying to hook the ball even with a sand wedge. This is a tough thing for me to do because I have swung with my left side for so long but I think I can get it … after a good 1000+ shots over a few weeks.
I will definitely put in the work and get the most out of the good weather that is upon us.
Video of the swing to come.
JS
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Pitching @ Cypresswood
Today was a really nice day ... it's still a bit soggy on the golf course but I'm getting some good practice in. I decided to shoot a quick video of my swing while pitching the ball at the practice green at Cypresswood . Here is what it looks like... remember, I'm still getting that rust off, it is only day 2 after all. I'm using the new Titleist Vokey Spin Milled Gold's 62 degree and these are the wedges that are conforming with USGA & R&A starting this year.
JS
JS
Thursday, February 4, 2010
2010 Houston Arrival
Well I have finally reached Houston. A 30 some odd hours on the road and a few packs of gum later I am away from snow and ready to start my preparation for this season. Unfortunately upon my arrival it was pouring rain, the kind of rain that reduces the courses to puddles. Tomorrow there is supposed to be sun and stay for the next 5 days so hopefully I will be able to get some good practice in this week. It won't be "practice" as much as shaking the cob webs out. It's been a while since my last round of golf as I took the winter months to focus on my fund raising and weight training, which is going well I might add. I plan on using the Redstone facility which is where the Shell Houston Open is played. They have a world class practice area which includes brand new Titleist range balls and a very nice surface to hit off of. Certainly with all this rain it will be the best place to get some swings in tomorrow. I can't wait to try my new Titleist AP 2 irons that were fitted in October and I have to start playing around with the new Titleist Vokey (Gold) wedges as they have the V groove and will respond differently to the square grooves I used in the past. Some of the guys on tour are using the only square groove wedge "allowed" on the PGA Tour at this moment, the 1980 PING i2 wedge I believe. Only because of a lawsuit this club is on the good list for clubs allowed to play on the PGA Tour however it certainly does not conform because of its grooves. Many have weighed in on the debate whether the grooves even help... remember this is a 20 + year old club. As far as I'm concerned the old PING i2 or any PING club made back then weren't even a good looking club, and perhaps the grooves have worn down some over the 20 years lifespan its had (if you can even find one used or unused... they aren't making any new ones). I'm sure there won't be much of difference when it comes to these grooves and the TV commentators are blowing it well out of proportion. Either way I will weigh in on that after i get a chance to try them.
Be sure to follow me at www.twitter.com/scr1ven for daily updates.
JS
Be sure to follow me at www.twitter.com/scr1ven for daily updates.
JS
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