tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2185205577530751959.post5706433228986382234..comments2023-10-28T07:15:01.449-07:00Comments on Golf Tips & Quips: 36 Holes At Western Skies Golf Club And A New Personal RecordDexter Francoishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04740748860140647097noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2185205577530751959.post-15968033071544465872011-07-21T13:18:00.456-07:002011-07-21T13:18:00.456-07:00;-) You and me both.;-) You and me both.Mikehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11719298227225074496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2185205577530751959.post-89458183709796962532011-07-21T11:26:53.788-07:002011-07-21T11:26:53.788-07:00It would be nice to have that kind of command on a...It would be nice to have that kind of command on any given shot like Jack Nicklaus did. I have a basic understanding of what I need to do to shape the ball, but like you said, I feel like I'm changing the way I swing the club. It usually never works out. <br /><br />Every now and again, I'll hit a nice draw, but I don't know how I did it. I don't mind playing boring golf right now though. Fairway, green in regulation, two-putt. I'll take it every time.Dexter Francoishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04740748860140647097noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2185205577530751959.post-87181376276137877012011-07-21T08:44:13.935-07:002011-07-21T08:44:13.935-07:00I'll see if I can come up with some simple dri...I'll see if I can come up with some simple drills to help you learn to shape your shots. Conceptually it's not hard to move the ball either way; the problem comes because we tend to change our swing unconsciously when we start thinking "shape."<br /><br />Obviously straight is working for you, so I wouldn't be in too big of a hurry. Looking at your scorecards, there are still other simple (and more important) ways to lower your score. You can work on them in the meantime.Mikehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11719298227225074496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2185205577530751959.post-16173007659630630242011-07-20T21:17:41.540-07:002011-07-20T21:17:41.540-07:00You nailed it. That was the game plan for the day....You nailed it. That was the game plan for the day. I kept telling myself, "just aim for the middle of the green." Even if I missed the green on my approach shots, I still gave myself a chance. <br /><br />In prior rounds, I would aim for the flag, and because in the back of my mind I knew I couldn't make the shot, I would end up way off the mark. Hitting the middle of the green is a lot less strenuous to think about. <br /><br />Now I have to work on learning how to work the ball from right to left and left to right...but I'm in no hurry. I like hitting it straight.Dexter Francoishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04740748860140647097noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2185205577530751959.post-42181263546292381632011-07-20T19:36:26.336-07:002011-07-20T19:36:26.336-07:00That confidence is just a matter of becoming more ...That confidence is just a matter of becoming more consistent with your swing. It's going to get even better as you go along.<br /><br />BTW, here's a little tidbit you may not know but that may help you on those days when you're tempted to make crazy shots under the illusion that you're just "being more aggressive":<br /><br />We normally think of Jack Nicklaus as a very aggressive player, someone who attacks pins all the time. We think that's how he won all those majors... but that's not what Jack says. I heard him talking on TV and he said most of the time he just played to the center of the green. If the pin was on the left, he played to the center with a little draw; if it was on the right, he played to the center with a little fade. That way, the ball moved toward the hole but with much less risk than if he went for a tough pin.<br /><br />Most of the time, playing the percentages is the way to go. It may not impress people, but it'll lower your score... and last time I checked, low scores are the goal of the game. ;-)Mikehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11719298227225074496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2185205577530751959.post-74593444621801177372011-07-20T18:52:27.698-07:002011-07-20T18:52:27.698-07:00Thanks Mike. You're right about my decision ma...Thanks Mike. You're right about my decision making. Taking a lot less risk and going with the shots I know I can make. Plus my ball striking is just better. G.I.R. is up. Still not at the magic "67" number, but definitely getting closer.<br /><br />I am also getting a lot more confident with my driver. While others in my group were using hybrid and 3-woods off the tee, which left them with mid to long iron shots. I had a lot of wedges into the green which makes it easier to score. You told me that as long as I am confident that I can use it whenever I want like Jim Furyk does. Makes a huge difference. <br /><br />I'm just happy that I'm giving myself an opportunity to score well. I know that I'm not going to birdie or par every hole(yet), but at least I'm giving myself a chance.Dexter Francoishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04740748860140647097noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2185205577530751959.post-64069715401002033412011-07-20T13:07:16.034-07:002011-07-20T13:07:16.034-07:00Congratulations, Dex! And yes, I am proud. You'...Congratulations, Dex! And yes, I <i>am</i> proud. You're really starting to think about what you're doing and make choices based on what gives you the best chance to score, not just making the same bad choices everybody else tends to make.<br /><br />You should be proud too. ;-)Mikehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11719298227225074496noreply@blogger.com