For the last nine months, the goal has been a repeatable golf swing. I played golf for almost twenty years, ever since I was 18, but only took it seriously the last year.
Fast forward to yesterday- simply, it was a make or break day. I felt I was so, so close, but frustrated once again. I felt like I should see better results for what has been an admirable and consistent effort of perseverance.
I must say, as an aside, that it was this forum, and Brian's video specifically, that cured me of my shanks which plagued me almost from the first moment I resolved to get better. Unfortunately, it took nearly four months for me to find this amazing site, but once I saw Brian's incredible commitment to the furtherance of everyone's game, I was hooked (pun intended). I've not posted much, but the reading on this forum is like a PHD in esoteric golf instruction that I should never ponder, nor know about, nor read. Yet, I can't help myself and I would like to thank those who have posted on the most excruciating and inane details of the correct golf swing. You've made even NASA proud.
And I would like to thank Brian for posting as often as he does, always managing to clear things up and beg further questions. I marvel at Brian's ability to challenge and teach.
Anyway, back to the story at hand which is one of a frustrated, sold-out, foamie hitting, obsessed wanna-be. Last night and for most of the morning, the pity party was at hand. I am not used to failing at anything athletically. All sports have always come easy, thank the good Lord (this ensures my inability to watch the Bravo channel).
I had never felt so defeated before in sports. I was ready to give up. But the voice of Napoleon Hill kept clanging in my head that often, success is one step beyond where most people quit. By the end of the work day, I had worked myself into one more chance. I was so close. I could feel it. Hogan, Manzella, Pelz, Gunn- all the instruction that I have come to rely on seemed to converge on my mind and as I pulled next to the practice green, I felt eerily calm.
Ironically, however, the weather in Mt. Dora, Florida at about 5 pm was decidedly dark and gloomy. Spot showers came and chased me under a tree a couple of times early on in my practice. Now, you must understand that this practice hole is a gorgeous piece of old Florida golf course. The original Mt. Dora Country Club is a hilly wonder compared to most of Florida golf. Their short game practice hole is about 170 yards long and about 40 yards wide, with a dipping fairway and an elevated green. Both sides of the hole are bordered with massive oaks and adjacent fairways. It really is a piece of practice heaven because you can stretch out so far on the short game.
With today's weather and the hour of the day, I knew I would have the course to myself. And, I did. Nobody else as nutty as him is what I kept thinking. At first, I hit SW from about 70 yards. I hit about 20 balls at a time, so I hit a couple rounds from that spot. I was starting to hit really well. In fact, I was starting to feel a sense of repeatability, a sense of total control, a sense of relief.
But, oh, how I have been fooled before. Who hasn't? The golf swing is so dissimilar to the riding a bike because even after 20 years, you can get on a bike, instantly find your center of gravity and take off. Not so with a golf swing.
So I started to really test the swing. And the more I hit, the more I started to hear all of the instruction. Like comets in the sky I started to understand the facets of the golf swing- from setup to follow through. And I hit, and I hit, and I hit. I pulled out pitching wedge, walked back to 130 and absolutely smoked balls into the green. Folks, I can't tell you the joy. Hogan said in his book that our game is one to be enjoyed, to be easily played by everyone. And that is how I felt- at total ease.
And as it became too dark to see anymore, I picked up my balls and started to ponder on the most amazing hour I have ever had on the golf course. And this is what I came up with.
You know you have a grooved swing when you can:
1. Swing without effort and absolutely crush the ball.
2. Be so patient at the top.
3. Set up to the ball and look like Brian, complete with straight left arm and required axis tilt.
4. When your backswing becomes filled with anticipation, not anxiety.
5. When your ball hits the green, it spins out within 5 feet.
6. When you are in complete and full balance from start to stop.
7. When you have no doubt that your left wrist is supinated at impact and you feel like you could hit it with three right hands and still be in control.
8. When your ball goes straight and true.
I have little doubt now that I have persevered and have been rewarded with a life long gift- the ability to hit the golf ball pretty damn good.
Thank you Brian Manzella and all the posters. Keep up the great work.
Fast forward to yesterday- simply, it was a make or break day. I felt I was so, so close, but frustrated once again. I felt like I should see better results for what has been an admirable and consistent effort of perseverance.
I must say, as an aside, that it was this forum, and Brian's video specifically, that cured me of my shanks which plagued me almost from the first moment I resolved to get better. Unfortunately, it took nearly four months for me to find this amazing site, but once I saw Brian's incredible commitment to the furtherance of everyone's game, I was hooked (pun intended). I've not posted much, but the reading on this forum is like a PHD in esoteric golf instruction that I should never ponder, nor know about, nor read. Yet, I can't help myself and I would like to thank those who have posted on the most excruciating and inane details of the correct golf swing. You've made even NASA proud.
And I would like to thank Brian for posting as often as he does, always managing to clear things up and beg further questions. I marvel at Brian's ability to challenge and teach.
Anyway, back to the story at hand which is one of a frustrated, sold-out, foamie hitting, obsessed wanna-be. Last night and for most of the morning, the pity party was at hand. I am not used to failing at anything athletically. All sports have always come easy, thank the good Lord (this ensures my inability to watch the Bravo channel).
I had never felt so defeated before in sports. I was ready to give up. But the voice of Napoleon Hill kept clanging in my head that often, success is one step beyond where most people quit. By the end of the work day, I had worked myself into one more chance. I was so close. I could feel it. Hogan, Manzella, Pelz, Gunn- all the instruction that I have come to rely on seemed to converge on my mind and as I pulled next to the practice green, I felt eerily calm.
Ironically, however, the weather in Mt. Dora, Florida at about 5 pm was decidedly dark and gloomy. Spot showers came and chased me under a tree a couple of times early on in my practice. Now, you must understand that this practice hole is a gorgeous piece of old Florida golf course. The original Mt. Dora Country Club is a hilly wonder compared to most of Florida golf. Their short game practice hole is about 170 yards long and about 40 yards wide, with a dipping fairway and an elevated green. Both sides of the hole are bordered with massive oaks and adjacent fairways. It really is a piece of practice heaven because you can stretch out so far on the short game.
With today's weather and the hour of the day, I knew I would have the course to myself. And, I did. Nobody else as nutty as him is what I kept thinking. At first, I hit SW from about 70 yards. I hit about 20 balls at a time, so I hit a couple rounds from that spot. I was starting to hit really well. In fact, I was starting to feel a sense of repeatability, a sense of total control, a sense of relief.
But, oh, how I have been fooled before. Who hasn't? The golf swing is so dissimilar to the riding a bike because even after 20 years, you can get on a bike, instantly find your center of gravity and take off. Not so with a golf swing.
So I started to really test the swing. And the more I hit, the more I started to hear all of the instruction. Like comets in the sky I started to understand the facets of the golf swing- from setup to follow through. And I hit, and I hit, and I hit. I pulled out pitching wedge, walked back to 130 and absolutely smoked balls into the green. Folks, I can't tell you the joy. Hogan said in his book that our game is one to be enjoyed, to be easily played by everyone. And that is how I felt- at total ease.
And as it became too dark to see anymore, I picked up my balls and started to ponder on the most amazing hour I have ever had on the golf course. And this is what I came up with.
You know you have a grooved swing when you can:
1. Swing without effort and absolutely crush the ball.
2. Be so patient at the top.
3. Set up to the ball and look like Brian, complete with straight left arm and required axis tilt.
4. When your backswing becomes filled with anticipation, not anxiety.
5. When your ball hits the green, it spins out within 5 feet.
6. When you are in complete and full balance from start to stop.
7. When you have no doubt that your left wrist is supinated at impact and you feel like you could hit it with three right hands and still be in control.
8. When your ball goes straight and true.
I have little doubt now that I have persevered and have been rewarded with a life long gift- the ability to hit the golf ball pretty damn good.
Thank you Brian Manzella and all the posters. Keep up the great work.