A Short and Valuable Lesson (No. 40)

As I practiced on the range and played a practice round of nine holes today, one idea kept running through my mind. I kept thinking how interesting it was that things I learned last year were helping me to perfect my swing today! For most beginners and maybe most experienced golfers luck plays a big part in their game.

My five year (actually 20 year) endeavor has been based on the idea that luck is not enough.We have seen many winning pros fade to the back (leaderboard) when they strive to improve. Something has to change when we try to get better. The changes make the road a bit rocky, at first.

My putting continues to be markedly better, reliable and specifically a better line. Honestly, the idea that improved my putting was not new. I had used it before. I was comfortable coming back to it. It is so good I would have to sell it.

My fairway wood shots (TaylorMade-3 Wood) were spectacular, straight and long. I made another 20 ft. putt for a par. On No. 18 (I played the back nine) I miss hit driver on a short par five and from 270 yards out on a dog leg right I hit 3 iron roughly 200 yds on line. I didn't expect to hit so far and went through the dog leg to trees on the left. It required a draw around the tall tree; well hit to the green (around the tall tree branches). Mission accomplished even if it did roll to a bunker back with flag back. Hitting good 8 iron draw shots, 6/7 fairways, putting reliably well and hitting respectable three woods from the fairway can improve your luck considerably.

I am still missing too many greens but my memory flash backs are helping me to regain my iron play accuracy from last year. I have incorporated a far more relaxed posture with emphasis on my total orientation into the back swing. The relaxed posture is supposed to improve my balance through the swing. My follow through is vastly improved. It was the poor follow through that made me take stock and rework my entire golf swing.

After hitting several good iron shots I wondered if readers of my Golf Journal realize how much of the body (muscles) must be orientated for the back swing. I replied to myself, "Damn near every one (muscle) I have is going into my back swing." I had to relate the fact because I was hitting good irons and drivers during my round (6/7 fairways). It is not too difficult but it is a comprehensive matter that requires thought process and total orientation. Only with luck can I step up and hit a very good shot. More often I have things to do, thoughts to have, orientations to achieve, before I take a back swing. My first target is into the back swing. My address sends the ball on line toward the fairway or the green. I never take the back swing for granted. Never.

Good luck!

Richard