Ball Striking

Can't stress enough the importance of ball striking. Especially with amateurs like me, how much of a difference it makes when you make flush contact with the middle of the clubface. For me, I hit it square maybe two to three times a round. Which is pretty depressing considering I usually end up with no less than 95 strokes a round. But, man, it is a fantastic sensation when solid contact is made, you can feel the ball compress against the clubface and then explode off into the distance. What is tough for me and most amateurs is judging our clubs by distance. From my experience, I somewhat know how far I can hit each club. I'm around where I should be, but I know It's based on my satisfactory mis-hits. When I do happen to smack a crisp shot, the ball seems to fly an extra 20 yds than expected. It can be frustrating at times, when you've hit a drive in the fairway and have a 100 yd approach shot, and you hit your PW flush and over shoot the green by 20 yds. I've done that a few times this season, which unfortunately has resulted in OB penalties. NOTE: IMPROVE BALL-STRIKING

Dreams of playing in the spotlight

I think we all have our moments, when we dream of competing in the professional spotlight. Since watching this year's major championships, I can't help but fantasize about being on the big screen. The classic scenario of coming down the stretch on a Sunday, ahead by 1 stroke, with two holes to play...

Putting Quotes: Part 1

"As for trying to two putt: When Michael Jordan got outside of 15 feet, was he just trying to hit the backboard?"
–Dr. Bob Rotella

"You can only read putts and develop touch by putting a lot. There’s no shortcut.”
–Hank Haney

"Visualize a tiny tack sticking out of the back of the ball–then just drive the tack into the ball with the sweet spot.”
–Bobby Jones

"Read greens by imagining where the water would run off”
–Hale Irwin

"Look at the hole when you make your practice stroke.”
–Dave Stockton

"Keep your eyes down until you hear the ball with your left ear drop into the cup.”
–Butch Harmon

"If you’re gonna miss ‘em, miss ‘em quick”
–Sam Snead

Round: Rockland Golf Course

2 Players (Me and Erik)
Pre-round practice: 5 min. putting

Par 3 / 18 holes
60 degree weather in mid-November! Felt nice and loose compared to the last few rounds playing in 45 degree weather. Started off with tee shots to the right again. The swing sequence feels great, but its the clubface that's open at impact. So, I added more grip pressure with my bottom three fingers on my left hand. This would enable me to secure the angle of the club, all the way through impact. This tweak proved to be beneficial, and I began hitting the ball straight and at the flags. I ended up having three birdie putts, all unconverted, four pars, and mostly bogeys. Didn't keep score, but probably my best round at Rockland.

Notables
Solid ball-striking. Online 200 yd. tee shots with fairway metals.

Practice
Chipping around the green.

Hole #7 - 1 of 3 birdie looks. None converted :(

Round: Braintree Municipal

4 Players (Me, Erik, two Weymouth residents)
Pre-round practice: 15 min. chipping/putting

45 degrees weather on Veteran's Day. Managed to squeeze in 16 holes before complete darkness. Hit the ball solid, but left many to the right. This has been an issue in the last few rounds. It seems my clubface is slightly open at impact. This is destroying my score especially at Braintree, because of such narrow fairways. Almost every hole is out-of-bounds to the left and right side of the fairways. Managed to complete GIR on all four par 3s. Played the first 5 holes well, pars and bogeys. Mid-round resulted in errant tee shots and multiple OB penalties. Began to get frustrated which surely affected most of my following shots. Fun round overall.

Notables
Solid Par 3 tee shots. 50 yd. approach shots w/ sand wedge. Putting

Practice
Left wrist suppination at impact.