Big Question?
What motivates you to keep going? Keep striving?
Feels
My feeling this week is one of patience.
A super busy week with work has left me short on midweek practice. The horrendous weather prevented me from getting a round in at the weekend, presenting me with an opportunity to hit the range. I met with Ryan to discuss the next month and to go through my analysis. I have a clear path to improvement laid out in front of me. All I need to do is commit to showing up and putting in the work methodically and strategically. Let’s go, let’s go!
Practice
I have squeezed in 2 range sessions this week. The first one was my last session with the PRGR for a while (loaner device). After a good warm-up (it was freezing) I took the opportunity to smash a few drivers and had a 1mph decrease at the top end; 107mph club head speed. Interestingly, Mike Carroll suggested that the range balls would affect the smash factor. All of mine were in the 1.30’s the previous week so I tried hitting some real balls. Sure enough, the smash factor went up to 1.43 at the top end, with my driver. The smash factor helped get the distance up to 257y of carry.
On Saturday the course was closed, so it presented another opportunity to practice. I also needed to record another swing for Ryan to check in with. I hit the TopTracer range for the first time in 6 weeks and spent the first 30 minutes or so rehearsing the flexed lead wrist position. I hit a ball every 5-6 swings. It is a simple change but it has substantially changed my ball flight and distance.
Quick anatomy lesson
Flexion refers to the decrease in the angle at a joint. The image below shows some of the positions of the wrist (it also adducts and abducts, sometimes referred to as radial and ulnar deviation). My lead wrist was extended throughout and at the top of the swing, leading to an open club face. I would suggest you go and get a club. Get to the top of your backswing and feel the flexed position versus the extended position. Note its’ impact on the club face.*
More flexed = more closed, more extended = more open.
It is grip dependent and individual for everyone but I would encourage some exploration, in your swing. *Please don’t take this as swing advice. It is intended to enable you to feel what I am feeling.
Anyway, back to the practice session. I was amazed by the impact of the flexed wrist on my ball flight and distance. I hit some 8 irons to begin some distance exploration and record my swing for Ryan. I hit a few and noticed an increase in distance from my last session at the Top Tracer range. I checked the app, this was the result;
Things to note;
17 yards extra total distance
lower overall peak height
Dispersion
The dispersion was tighter and has a slight left-of-target tendency versus the right-of-target tendency. See the images below for the mapping.
This continued throughout the bag. I’ll show you one more example below, 7-iron this time;
The 7 iron showed a tighter dispersion with a left-of-target tendency. This is only one session and a few balls but has given me confidence in the change and has immediately impacted my ball fight and distance.
I finished by hitting some wedge shots to different targets and exploring the range of distances I can hit with each club. I plan to have a gapping session and map out my wedge game, using a 1/2, 3/4 and full shot with each club. This is a must! After several months of technical work, I will hopefully be ready to carry out a gapping analysis to prepare me for the season ahead.
Lesson and initial meeting
So what will we be working on for the foreseeable future?
Having met with Ryan to discuss my past, present and future, we have a couple of things to be working on;
Set-up (pelvis position (more tucked), spine angle (away from the target slightly) and hip position (lead pocket more towards the target)
Hand plane (steepening to be more over the trail shoulder, currently a little flat)
Footwork (trail leg currently works towards the ball, with minimal banking in the trail foot)
I will practice the set-up and hand plane drill every day in the house, garden etc, without a ball to start with. In each subsequent practice session, I will spend the first part focussing on one of the technical changes, incorporating the set-up tweaks with purpose. I am aware that I must be cautious about how much I tackle in a short period. There is a good expression that fits nicely with the situation;
‘The man who chases two rabbits, catches neither’
If it becomes too much to consider, we can discuss priorities and stick with one element of the technical changes, moving forward. I must remember that this is a long-term project. It is not a race. Things don’t happen overnight. Be patient!
Range sessions will continue to blend the technical stuff with some games and variable practice, taking guidance from Ryan.
I will post a video of the next lesson and subsequent swings and you can see if you can spot any tweaks. I will upload them to my YouTube channel. The button below will subscribe you!
Reflective questions
Do you value hitting the fairway?
What is your miss?
How do you balance your practice with your work/life?
Great post! To answer your questions
1. I like hitting the fairway but most rough where I play is manageable.
2. Pull or pull draw
3. Get creative with my practice. Hit the range for 30 minutes after dropping off my daughter at daycare or before. Maybe a 30 minute short game session at lunch.