December 2011
1 post
Another post about the weather...
Today is officially the first day of winter, December 22, 2011, and it’s definitely a golf day at nearly 60 degrees. If I get a day or two like this next week, my decision not to travel to Florida or California to play golf will look pretty good.
November 2011
1 post
Global Warming
While global warming will ultimately lead to widespread flooding and species extinction, for now at least we can play more golf. Memories of Thanksgiving in New York from my adolescence are filled with cold and snow. However, I was able to play golf last Thanksgiving, and this Friday’s forecast looks even better. I’m all set to play after getting a chance to hit some balls last...
September 2011
1 post
August 2011
3 posts
I broke 80... on a par 67
I am happy to report I shot a 77 at Douglaston today, my best score ever. Though short, Douglaston is not necessarily and easy course. Par is 67, and 10 shots over is my best score in relation to par for 18 holes. Still, I can’t officially count this as breaking 80, but that goal seems more plausible today than after my last round.
Larry David in The New Yorker →
Larry David says it best: Finally, after years of pain and struggle, I had accepted the fact that I would never be a good golfer.
Back to basics
My golf game has imploded recently. The last few rounds have been brutal and have sapped my enthusiasm for the remaining golf season. Last week’s range session didn’t solve anything, so I was back on the range today.
Today’s focus was on two keys. The first key is something I was told at golf camp when I was 13 - the downswing must be initiated with the hips and lower body. ...
July 2011
3 posts
5 wood no good
For the past few rounds, every shot I’ve hit with my 5 wood has been a slice. Perhaps the club itself is flawed; it’s the only club in my bag with a regular shaft flex, and the lie angle is flatter than my other clubs. I really should stop using it, but I can’t resist when I’m lying right next the 200 marker.
Tomorrow, I’ll be taking my talents to Saxon Woods Golf...
Poll: Where should I play golf this weekend?
Where should I play golf this weekend?online survey
June 2011
2 posts
Tiny tweaks make a big difference
Last weekend’s round started out rough. I was continually slicing my drives (what else is new), which was leading to bogey after bogey. I know I shouldn’t make swing corrections during the round, but I was going to be miserable if I didn’t figure out what was wrong. I rehearsed my swing continuously over the first 10 holes and came to the conclusion that my left wrist was...
Just a little reprieve
Two weeks ago I lost my 6 iron, watch, and GPS in the span of two rounds. Since my mind clearly wasn’t right, I decided to take a weekend off from golf. Honestly, I didn’t really miss it or feel the desire to play. Maybe because it rained most of the weekend.
I’ll be back out there this weekend, fully recharged and ready to enjoy the day.
May 2011
3 posts
Swing key from this weekend's record tying round
I would estimate I’m in the bottom quartile of overall flexibility among my peers. I’ve learned to live with limitations like not being able to touch my toes without bending my knees. When I finally accept my lack of flexibility in my golf swing, I’ll become a much better player.
My key from yesterday’s round is directly related to my lack of flexibility- I need to lift...
For some reason this song got stuck in my head the...
6 tags
I was way off
Until I read this month’s Golf Digest, I presumed my shoulders needed to swing on a flat plane (parallel to the ground) to achieve a flat, inside-out swing arc. I’ve been working on this recently, but my swing hasn’t improved. Today, I learned Matt Kuchar greatly improved his consistency when he steepened his shoulder angle.
Being stubborn (what does a PGA pro know that I...
April 2011
2 posts
What's par on this hole?
The guy I played with hit his first two shots a total of 40 yards. As he approached his third, he asks me “What’s par on this hole?” What’s the difference to you, guy?
Turns out he wasn’t a terrible golfer, but that had me smiling.
Hands ahead of club
Two weeks ago, I worked on my short game at the range and pitch and putt. For short shots, I focused on to taking a shorter backswing, accelerating through impact, and keeping my hands in front of the clubhead at all times. I learned these tips from a pro at Golf Manhattan, and they are echoed in Phil Mickelson’s DVD. The practice paid off the next day when I firmly broke 90.
I...
March 2011
3 posts
Like a baseball swing
Last time on the course, I hit some amazing shots when I concentrated on my hip turn. Today, I went to the range intending to ingrain such a hip turn. My secondary goal (as usual) was to flatten my swing arc.
As I was nearing the end of my session, I was still a bit out of sync. I was working on my two keys when suddenly it hit me: a baseball swing is flat, and power comes from the hips and...
Is it the shoes?!
I’ve past the tipping point of wanting something badly enough and am about to place my order for TRUE shoes. They are spike-less, ultra-lightweight and supposedly crazy comfortable. For some reason, this excites me greatly and I’m about to shell out more money than I’ve spent on golf shoes in my lifetime combined.
Driver mishits: solved
Starting the middle of last year, I’ve occasionally been hitting annoying, short, rolling drives. They sound ok coming off the club, but die quickly and roll 100 yards (if I’m lucky).
What became obviously today is I’ve been hitting the ball off the bottom of the clubface. This part the of the face, about an inch below the sweet spot, is dead.
The solution? Tee the ball...
February 2011
7 posts
Golf Digest Tip: Stay grounded
In this month’s Golf Digest, one tip that stood out to me was using the ground for power. Throughout the swing, amateurs tend to reduce their ground force, whereas pros increase it. If they were standing on a scale, the pro’s weight would increase throughout the swing while the amateur’s would decrease.
I guess this is what people mean by “coming out of their...
Mixed emotions
My excitement over the impending golf season was abruptly curtailed today with thoughts of 7 hour rounds. I was looking for courses to play on Long Island, as those in Brooklyn and Queens are crowded and poorly maintained. Unfortunately, the few I found within an hour’s drive are just as crowded and poorly maintained as those in New York City. It seems I’m going to have to get a...
Even par?
I took advantage of President’s Day by playing a round of golf - virtually of course at Golf Manhattan. The simulator is a lot of fun and very worthwhile during the winter.
I should be encouraged that I finished even par after 12 holes. However, there’s no way I would have actually finished even par on a real course.
At least three of my shots were wicked slices. I’ve hit...
It might be time for a lesson
I went to the range yesterday with specific things to focus on. A few poor shots later, I made some adjustments started hitting better shots. Shortly thereafter, I decided something else was wrong and tried to fix that. And so it went until my large bucket was empty and I left the range confused and unimproved.
I haven’t played since November so I shouldn’t be surprised by erratic...
Does that say 50 degrees?
Yes, it does appear the weather will inch into the 50s later this week. A much welcomed trip to the range seems imminent during lunch hour.
It's a long offseason
Despite the lack of posts and the glut of snow cover, I have not forgotten about golf in the least. For now, I’m relegated to my monthly “Golf Digest” issue, continuous mailings from TGW.com, watching tournaments and “The Haney Project” on the Golf Channel, and taking practice swings in my bedroom. Unfortunately, none of this is going to help when I get back to...
October 2010
1 post
Shorten that backswing!
I teed off today in 38 degree weather. After scrambling through 10 mostly poor holes, I finally decided to stop messing around and shorten my backswing. When I’m not paying attention, I take my club back just a little too far, bend awkwardly, and ruin any chance I have of keeping the ball straight.
By hole 11 the temperature had reached 60. With my shorter backswing and perfect golf...
September 2010
4 posts
The "New" Ball Flight Laws
For countless years, I’ve assumed the cause of my driver slice was an open clubface. When the slice recently turned into a straight pull, I realized there was something else going on.
New research has modified some long held beliefs about ball flight. It is true that a slice is caused by an open clubface relative to the swing plane. However, the initial direction of the ball is caused...
Off the wagon
I am a golf addict. If my 20+ week streak of golfing doesn’t prove it, then my top 10 Google page rank for “golf addiction” sure as hell does. One bad round toward the end of the season isn’t going to keep me away for long.
On Monday, my first round back since “quitting,” everything was consistently 20-30 yards left of my target. If I wasn’t playing a...
Archives, visually
I was just looking through some of my old posts and remembered how cool the archive page is on this site. It’s kind of 00’s-ish, but it’s better than flipping through 14 pages of material to find an old post!
Kicking the habit
Not playing golf the last two weeks has been easier than expected. We’ve had some great weather, but the thought of 6 hour rounds and not being able to keep the ball on the course have turned me off.
That said, I’m scheduled to play in a scramble on Monday and am looking forward to it. My goal for the day is to keep my swing under control. I’ll try to shorten my backswing...
August 2010
4 posts
Golf and I are so over
I’ve been thinking about this post since shanking my first two drives, duffing a chip, and 3-putting my way to a 9 on the first hole yesterday. Though I only took one week off and managed to get to the range during that time, my game completely fell apart and I posted my worst score in probably 3 years.
Fortunately, we’re almost into September and getting close to the end of the season anyway. ...
Yet another tip to fix the driver slice
I’m starting to realize that controlling the ball flight on my driver is probably more art than science. Keeping the ball straight requires a number of factors to work together, and perhaps there is no elusive remedy that will straighten my driver for the rest of eternity. I’ve incorporated many “cures” over the years, yet on any given day I’m bound to slice the ball...
To putt is to score
I seem to be stuck in a scoring groove. Sometimes I think I’m playing well, and some days I can’t get anything going. I’ve played challenging courses and easy ones. But at the end of the round, I always end up in the mid-80s.
Last time out, I started off really poorly and finished with 37 putts. I had 6 three-putts and 5 one-putts. I’m pleased with 5 one-putts (not...
July 2010
5 posts
New 3 wood
Back in high school, one of my teammates had a Callaway Steelhead 3 wood and used to crush it off the tee. When I saw it selling for 25 bucks about 5 years ago, I jumped on it. I’ve been hitting it very well lately, and it’s a fine substitute for a driver on tight or short holes.
Since I’ve been using the club often and hitting it so well, it only makes sense to replace it...
Sidehill lies
It seems like every time I hit the fairway these days I end up on a sidehill lie. Usually, the slope is from right to left, and the ball ends up above my feet.
I’ve missed A LOT of greens left from these lies. I know the ball is supposed to start left and draw further left, but I have no real concept of how drastic this effect is going to be. For me, the ball usually starts way left and...
Golf trip mindset
Today is the start of my weekend escape to Pinehurst, NC. Although my friends are probably looking forward to beer, barbeque, and brotherhood, I’m all about the golf.
Before we hit the road tomorrow, I’m going to spend some time at the range. I’ll be focusing primarily on shifting my weight back to the inside of my right food (not getting too far behind the ball), which should...
Mid-seaon form
With the start of July, I can safely say it’s mid-season, and this year I’m in mid-season form. Although I don’t practice as frequently, I feel like I can hop on the course any time and shoot in the 80s. And yes, my 14 week golfing streak is still alive.
I don’t have much time for golf this holiday weekend. I’ll try to get in a quick 18 on Monday afternoon. ...
June 2010
4 posts
What do you get when I shoot my best round ever, during which I nailed a 45 foot downhill putt and didn’t incur any penalty strokes? Disappointment, because I didn’t break 80. Such will be my life for the rest of this season until I shoot below the elusive number.
Next stop: 80?
This season, I’ve seen enough improvement in my game that breaking 80 is a realistic goal. Last round, I shot 86 which included two shots out of bounds (+4) and putting a ball in the water (+1) trying to reach a par 4 with a huge drive. As I like to think, I was closer to 80 than 90. Maybe next round could be the one?
Putting the driver away
Ever since hitting back to back tee shots out of bounds and ruining a decent score a few weeks ago, I’ve been a lot more selective about using my driver. Unless there is a chance of reaching the green, the goal of your tee shot is to put you in the best possible position for your second shot - not to hit the ball as far as possible.
My best positions are 100, 130 yards, and 165 yards. ...
PM golf
Last Monday I left for golf at 9:15 and didn’t get back until 5 pm. It only took 45 minutes of total driving, which means I spent 7 hours at the course. An hour was spent waiting to tee off (tee times appear to be approximations), and the round itself clocked in at six hours. One guy left after three holes (3!) and the other two left after hole 14.
Though I played the front nine...
May 2010
11 posts
Tips for the mental game from Dr. Bob Rotella
Just finished reading Golf is Not a Game of Perfect. Unlike mechanical tips that could throw your swing off, mental tips can only help.
The crux of the book is that once you step on the golf course, you must trust the swing you have. There can be no teaching or correcting on the course. When you are preparing to hit a shot, your focus has to be only on the target, not on any mechanical parts...
Getting out of the bunker →
This link really helped my bunker play. It’s amazing how knowing how and why a certain shot is supposed to be hit makes it a hell of a lot easier to hit that shot. Human intuition takes over from there.
For a bunker shot, the club is supposed to enter the sand a few inches behind the ball and leave the sand a few inches in front of the ball, taking a shallow divot along the way. The...
9 in a row (and counting)
My consecutive weeks playing golf streak is up to 9. It’s not quite as impressive as my 100 straight day blog post streak from last year, but maybe by the end of August it will be. Yesterday the forecast called for rain starting at about 2, but I chanced it and got on the course at 10:30. It didn’t rain all day!
A.J. Bonar's Golf Secret
If you watch the golf channel for more than 6 hours at a time, you’re bound to come across the “A.J. Reveals the Truth About Golf” infomercial. You can learn the secret for about 90 bucks (or get the DVDs used for much cheaper).
Although 90 dollars is a lot to pay, A.J. has indeed learned the secret of golf: to properly control a golf shot, the clubhead must be delivered as it...
Keeping score
For the past few weeks, my goal has been to get a 5 or better on every hole. If I do this, I’ll shoot a 90 or better. Additionally, it’s easy to add up scores in relation to 5. If I shoot a 6 on one hole and a 4 on the next hole, I’m even to 5. It’s faster than adding each score individually, and more rewarding than counting in relationship to par.
My past 3 scores...