So you think you can golf?
All of us who golf would like to improve, no matter what level you play at. For those of you who are more serious about it, I have two questions:
1. Self-diagnosis or swing coach?: For many years, mostly when I was a kid and teenager, I had a swing coach (several different ones over the years). For the past seven or so years, I've been on my own (although once or twice I've taken a lesson). One of the things I don't like about finding a new swing coach is that sometimes the pro is not a good teacher, or, even worse, the guy has only one "style" of swing in mind and tries to get you to fit their one swing. I'm not a teenager or Tiger Woods, so I can't spend hours on the range totally revamping my swing. But I do see benefits in getting pro analysis now and then. I was just about to take a lesson this summer with a new guy, but the guy's number was not available at the range where I practice. So I decided that I'm smart enough to figure out why I hit some of my bad shots. Sure enough, after watching my ball flight, I did figure out my swing path was a little messed up. So far, the results have been pretty good.
My question is: do you have a swing coach or do you self-diagnose your own swing?
2. Range or course? I've always loved to practice on the range and beat balls, but maybe my problem is more on the course when I revert to old habits. How many of you practice more on the course or on the range?
Here's a funny story from Monty about how little he hits on the range: "I haven't worn out my body bashing balls," Montgomerie said last week in Ireland. "Actually, I can prolong my career longer than others because I haven't bashed myself up." Monty said he hits about 150 balls during a typical round -- assuming he shoots around 70. He said Sky Sports sent a reporter to count how many balls Vijay Singh hit in a typical day at the U.S. Open."Just short of 1,000 in the day," Montgomerie said. "That included 400 putts after he finished. He's older than me by four months. But he's unique. He is one end of the scale, and I am the other. That's a 700- or 800-ball difference in a day. You multiply that by six days' play in a week. He does very well."
4 Comments:
My first preference would be self diagnosis with a video camera. Since I don't have one of those, I will occasionally take a lesson if I can't get out of the funk I am in. All I really want is another set of eyes (since I can't use my own via video).
I take the occasion lesson but for the most part I am in the self diagnosis catagory. I read a lot of instructional books and also watch pro swing videos. If you go to Youtube.com, you can find some decent swings if you search on Swing Vision. There is an exceptional one of Tiger @ Torrey Pines. I need to start using my video camera more often, it is just painfull to actually watch what feels like a nice swing.
I hear what you are saying about pros being good or bad or only having one style. What I find important is how they get the info across. I am not much of a "how does this make you feel" kind of guy. I am more of a "listen you moron, do this instead". A teaching method that works for me is not going to work for Joe Average golfer and especially Mrs. Joe Average golfer. I am taking lessons from a pro I can relate to, the problem is his location and hours he works do not match up well for where I live and the hours I work.
Practice vs. play... I typically go to the range both Saturday and Sunday and putt and chip for close to 2 hours a day. Often I do not even hit a bucket. Also chip in my backyard somewhere around 100 balls a day on the weekends, less during the week and have my own practice net and a commercial grade range mat. The range I go to has a deal on Monday nights where it is unlimited balls for $12 for the last 4 hours. When I go, I usually hit around 600 balls. I have probably played at most 5 rounds this year. So I am going to go out on a limb and say I am a practice more than play golfer.
It's just a game and I'm just an amateur with only so much time. 16 - 20 hours a week is the max I can afford and 12 hours is most likely. I would rather spend that precious time actually playing, faults and all, and try and figure out the problems as I go.
I have fun trying to diagnose my own problems with my swing, and my shots. I take a lot from reading about peoples tips and swing theory ideas. I don't follow all i read, i just find the stuff that looks like it fits me. I do think a swing coach could be a very helpful thing. There are some things you're just never going to see easily on your own, even if you video tape yourself. A coach or lesson or course pro, might pick up on your problem in seconds, when it may take weeks on your own. I'd say a good hybrid of both is good. You have to do whats fun.
For the practice. Honestly if i had the time, i'd want to only ever play on a course. I don't have the time though .. I get out about once a month. To play like i want to play that one round a month, i have to go to the range. Plus going to the range is pretty fun. You can fix something right then, instead of waiting for your next shot, or the next drive to maybe fix what you did wrong before.
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