A Quick Thank You!
A warm welcome to 22 new subscribers this week. Thank you for joining me on this journey! It is a privilege to be sharing it with you. I’d love you to support my work by sharing it with friends, family and your social networks! Share using the green button below!
I am always happy to answer questions so comment here or on Twitter @scratch_journey
Big Question?
What is in your golfing DNA?
Feels
My feeling this week is one of focus.
After 2 more check-ins with Ryan, feedback on drills and three practice sessions, it has served me with a large scoop of focus. I am more focused when setting up and conducting my latest drills. I am more focussed when planning my variable and competitive practice blocks. I am naturally taking more care during practice, giving it my maximum attention. I know I have so far to go but feel enthused by the last 3 weeks of practice and my current sense of direction!
Lessons and Practice
You may recall from last week that Ryan identified that ‘higher hands’ would help support an improvement to my swing plane. I spent last week against the fence, practising ‘too flat’, ‘too high’ and a ‘just right’ position for my hands. (Thanks Goldilocks)
Ryan was eventually happy with my approach to the drill and to the changes made during the swing. He provided some feedback for me, posted as my day 10 review:
With the positive feedback and minor improvements made to my hand plane and takeaway, it was time for the next stage; lower body movement.
Reflection 1: When I started this journey, I thought improving at golf as a beginner would be like building a house. Build the foundations, add some structure and then craft some features and details. I was wrong and I was naive! Building a house is linear, it has obvious milestones and an endpoint. My experience so far is more like climbing a mountain made of quicksand. One step forward, two steps back, drown a little, three steps forward, left leg is stuck, two backward.
Ryan identified an issue with my trail leg straightening which causes some issues with my downswing and weight transfer. Basically, I would need some flex in my trail knee to be able to press into the lead side. He also identified a huge gap between my legs post-impact, where my trail leg had travelled more toward the ball (image below).
Ryan’s explanation of the drill and feedback are linked on the green button below!
The drill took some setting up but provided me with some immediate feedback. My shot pattern was poor, particularly my first 5 or 6 shots. This must be very common unless you are working through swing changes designed for YOU. You may decide not to stick with the drill or the change in the long term. Everything I have worked on this week is ‘present’ but the work is for my future self. Keeping that in mind is important!
I was at the Top Tracer range which gave me the shot pattern and dispersion (below).
Reflection 2: After posting this image on Twitter, Ryan made a thought-provoking comment. ‘Quick tip buddy, you should delete these shanks when sharing on social media!'. Now, the comment was ‘tongue in check’ but it helped me with a reflection. Everything I share with you is the reality of what happened. I will give thoughts on my performance. Some weeks will be blind struggling, some may be 'successful'. The highs and lows are all part of our journeys and will continue to be. Some of these ‘highs’ may support you with your golf. My hunch is the ‘lows’ will provide you with more examples of how difficult it is to get better and how to stay on track despite these challenges.
I recorded some swings completing the drill and forwarded them to Ryan for feedback. What came back was eye-opening and a great reminder of how to approach swing changes. Ryan was happy with the set-up and execution of the drill. This was great! BUT…… what he wanted to focus on next was the exact same thing as he started with during my free swing analysis. The clubface and its relationship to my lead wrist.
Ryan explained that every player has a ‘DNA’ to their swing. Things that we will always need to check in with. Things we will always need to work on and manage. I am learning about my DNA as I go but the better players/coaches out there that have seen my swing could list them. Golf terms such as wrist flexion, early extension, casting, over the top, etc, are all classic amateur issues.
Ryan’s explanation of my DNA is linked on the green button below!
What I now understand better than before is that improving at golf is not a checklist. You don’t tick things off. It takes work. Constant work that will cycle and return time and time again. My next cycle of work is working through my lead wrist to make a stronger club face. Monitoring my footwork and my hand plane will be a focus during my practice too.
What excites me most is this series of drills are designed for MY swing issues. If they are given maximum attention and done consistently, I can be sure I will see improvements to my swing and therefore my golf game.
Reflective questions
Is the last drill you tried designed for YOU and your swing faults?
What excites you about your golf game?
What reflections are you having on your golf improvement journey?