Allowing Time to Enjoy Myself

Over the last few weeks I've managed to play a few rounds with friends and family sandwiched in between good ole fashioned range work. In the process, two red flags have since surfaced.

To start with, a fellow golfing friend pointed out that perhaps my focus primarily on accumulating hours of practice - instead of concentrating on perfecting aspects of my swing - may be misguided.

Ironically, days before this advice I caught myself driving to the range, feeling as though I was "going through the motions." So with both the experience of beginning to believe the hours were taking over my quest, as opposed to quality golf, and my friend's observation that that they actually were, a recommitment to my swing was in order.

Now admittedly, this rededication to my game has yet to begin. The reason being red flag No. 2: an utter inability to play in the moment. Rather than staying present in the fact that a game was being played - one in which I adore - or enjoying the company of people I respect, golf was being taken way too seriously.

There have been a handful of times that I can recall feeling completely disconnected from what I've been, or should be, trying to accomplish. Basically, instead of striving for quality over quantity, I was doing just the opposite.  And due to this, my time on the course was suffering. 

I realize this blog sometimes feels like a broken record. And if so, I apologize for that. But it seems my swing is getting away from where I've wanted it to go: more compact yet free swinging.

Here's what I've felt and, after video taping myself, noticed with my swing:

• my front arm was bending upon my backswing
• my club plane was breaking the line parallel to the ground at the top of my swing
• I was not hitting down on the ball and as a result "thinning" a lot of shots
• my left hip was swaying back rather than coiling (still)

Finally, and again while I write this now, it hit me like a ton of bricks. Stop being so damn analytical and go out and enjoy this remarkable game. Sure, we should definitely aim to better our own and by improving personal mechanics, will certainly do so.

But a line should be drawn dividing where we expect to take our game for the long-term, and realistically where it's capable of heading now.

Look, as much as you may be tired of reading about it, I'm tired of writing it. My game isn't in a good place right now, but like us all, there are glimmers of hope that allow us to press on.  Every so often during a round a crisp shot will surface, and when it does, the feeling that all the hard work being put forth may actually be paying dividends.  But like a buddy and I were talking about this week, it's all about the consistency. 

In two weeks I'm putting my game up to a major test. Some high school friends and I are spending a weekend dedicated to tournament golf. I'm not looking to shoot the lights out, but I do plan to commit these next two weeks on fine tuning a few specifics.

By the time June 17th rolls around, the little details being ironed out will hopefully be ingrained into my swing. I'm not expecting perfection, just a reason to enjoy myself.

Hours of practice: 557

Comments

[CK]

As a single handicap golfer, I have been blessed learning the game from very talented and experienced instructors. I agree with the author's realization that hours alone is not the indicator or barometer of good practice. It's actually "proper practice." One method that will never go out of style is "Practicing Like a Pro." You can Google Arnold Palmer's or similar versions online. When I go to the range, I like to "go through the bag." Start with your wedges, hit 5 or so, and then move to your 8 or 9 iron, hit 5 or so...etc etc. I like to hit the same number, sticking to a routine increasing your focus. More importantly, I mix it up. With each club, I won't hit the same shot twice. I'll hit one to the left green 3/4, then a full shot to the right green and then a 1/2 punch straight...etc etc. Mixing it up adds a level of challenge to your range session, like on the golf course, one never hits the same shot two times in a row. Johnny Miller once said that "if you can hit 9 different shots with a club, you might as well go to the first tee." Miller was referring to hitting 9 different balls with the same club: short left, middle left, long left, short right, middle right, and long right, short straight, middle straight and finally long straight. Short vs Middle vs Long are distances; Left vs Straight vs Right are spins, directions (fade or draw). Both methods imply the same conclusion: when you mix it up, you're challenging yourself by creating/imagining potential shots and increasing your focus. Many times, golfers go to the range and beat their brains in because a certain club is not working in a certain way. In that case, STOP, walk away, get some water, come back in a few minutes and start with your bread and butter club. A golfer should feel good about him or herself when he or she leaves the range. Sometimes, the driver is just not working that day. It happens to every golfer. But the good golfer knows how to manage this frustration, and take a poor range session and turn it into a good one. Mixing it up is also fun. Having fun on the range will lead to more fun on the course!

[JB]

Great comment CK & great perspective RM. At the end of day, as you both gentleman shated, this is a game, for which needs focus.