Hitting Better at the Driving Range

Went to the driving range last night and was so much better than at Mona Vale! I hit some crappy shots, but more really decent ones, that were going a lot further than they have before and straighter too. I even started hitting some hook ones. Now just need to make it so that I can control which direction it goes!

For next time:

• Relax! Especially my hands - I don't need to hold on to the club so tightly
• Set up close to the ball - then take another step even closer
• Stand a little taller, with knees still bent, but don't bend over so much at the waist
• Ensure the club end is pointing at my belly button (the club needs a steeper angle)
• Rotate wrists so back of left hand it pointing at the ground
• Give it a bit of effort to make the ball go further
• Relax!

Looking forward to the next time...

Northbridge & Mona Vale

From the tee on #5 at Northbridge

That little pink dot at the back of the green is my ball

This weekend we played 9 holes on Friday evening at Northbridge, went to the driving range on Saturday morning, and then played 18 holes at Mona Vale on Saturday afternoon.

I played pretty well at Northbridge. I hit so well off #5 that I was on the green (just) for one! Then proceeded to stuff up my putting and still haven't got a par :(

At Mona Vale however I played terribly. I think I just freaked myself out thinking that it would be too hard, and that I can't play golf and I'm not good enough. So stupid! I was topping almost every ball, and just getting so frustrated. My behaviour wasn't very good, and at one stage I even chucked a little tanty and threw my club! Luckily Greg was so patient and nice! At hole 15 I decided that I was giving up and I would go sit in the car and I hate golf. Then I hit the best ball of the day and proceeded to play ok from then.

So... points to remember:

• Don't freak out! 
• Relax, I can do this!
• Don't overthink it - just step up to the ball and hit it
• Stand closer to the ball than I think
• Keep arms (especially left) extended
• Keep head down and don't pull up
• Once I'm striking the ball nicely, then concentrate on rotating the wrist to stop the slice

Also just need to remember we're playing this for fun! It doesn't matter if I hit crap shots, cos the next one might be better (or worse) and it doesn't matter! Remember that I'm outside walking in the fresh air with my husband, sharing something we enjoy together in beautiful surroundings. We're lucky to be able to enjoy it, so best enjoy it while we can!

Greg teeing off on #3 at Northbridge with fuzzy ducklings watching on

Four Rounds in Five Days!

We've been playing quite a bit of golf recently and I'm loving it! Played Friday evening, Saturday morning (hung over), Sunday afternoon and Tuesday evening, all 9 holes at Lane Cove. I feel like we're getting to know the course quite well.

I've had some mixed success. Some shots are awesome, and others absolutely rubbish!

I need to keep the following things in mind:

• Relax!
• Get set up then take a tiny step closer to the ball
• At the beginning of the backswing, rotate wrists so back of left hand is towards ground 
• On follow through, keep my arms (left especially) extended
• Keep my head down until I've hit the ball
• Follow through with legs and stay balanced - don't pull back
• Relax!

Teeing off on #5

Our balls close to the #5 green
Mine (pink) after 2 shots, and Greg's after his awesome drive

Driving Range

Went to the driving range again last night, and ended up getting a little frustrated! I kept topping the ball, and didn't hit many shots cleanly. The good news is the ones I did hit mostly went straight! I think it was a combination of over-thinking it, being really tired, and also being so hot! It was still over 30 degrees at 9pm when we finished!

Had a bit of a go with the driver Ray lent us, and to begin with it was horrible! It did get a bit better though. Quite hard as the tees there are not high enough.

Some things for next time:

• Keep my head down
• Get set up, then take one tiny step forward (so I'm not reaching so far for the ball)
• Relax and try not to think too much!

Looking forward to playing tomorrow.

Lesson with Ray at Northbridge

Had a lesson this morning with Ray at Northbridge who is so lovely. I think I got quite a bit out of it. He changed my grip a little and also said my slice was due to me pulling up and looking after the ball too soon. Different than what we got from the YouTube videos but would rather have a correct swing than compensate with a changed grip or twisting my wrists.

So... here is what I need to think about next time:

• Swing shoulder to shoulder and don't look up until I have seen the ball fly off my club
• Stand a little closer to the ball so I'm not reaching
• Keep my arms straight on the follow through and don't pull them in too close to my body
• Complete the follow through with my legs and don't lean back - weight should be forward
• Right hand V should be straight down the center of the club
• Make my right index finger like a trigger finger to make my thumb not feel so long
• When chipping hit down on the back of the ball, don't try to scoop it up   

Ray also leant us a driver to use at the range. Yay! Looking forward to that tonight :) and he is going to give us a call about clubs next week when he gets new ones in. We bought gloves too. Almost real golf people now!

Fixing My Slice At The Driving Range

Went to the driving range last night after watching a few videos on how to correct my slice. Here's my check list of the things I need to think about next time...

Grip

• Ensure can see 2-3 knuckles on left hand
• Needs to be right at the end of the club 
• Club should be in the top of my palm

Swing

• Rotate wrists towards the ground on my backswing so the club is less open
• Ensure knees are bent and stay at same "bentness" throughout my swing, and my head stays down
• Follow all the way through and ensure not leaning too far back