Upstarts?

Rickie Fowler and...

My *quiet* co-blogger, LeagueIslander, has broken out. His game has been on fire, all year long.

I asked, and he answered:

As for the golf swing, I must admit, this has been about my best ever year of golf. Especially since I have just 17 rounds in the handicap system since last September. Carrying a 3-handicap playing 1.5 times/month? That's pretty good.

I think two things have really helped me this year. One - starting in February - I have hit wedges almost exclusively when I've gone to the range. I usually keep a towel or glove under my left arm pit (so that I stay connected on the backswing and follow through), and try to cluster balls in groups at all different distances - up to about 120 yards. My primary focus is making a good, rhythmic swing, staying in a good posture, and getting my lower body started before my upper body at the start of my downswing. And of course, I try to figure out the swing length and speed that creates shots that fly 50, 60, 75, 85, and 100 yards. If I can cluster balls to those distances, I know I'm in good shape. If I can't, it sort of doesn't matter how well I drive it. I'll probably shoot 80.

The second thing: I have decided (discovered) that most of my missed shots are due to poor timing, or the sequence of body movements during the swing. When I miss, it's usually because my legs were too far out in front of my body, arms don't catch up, and bad timing through impact (ball usually goes right). Or, my arms and hands start before my lower body from the top of the swing, club closes on the way down, timing is bad at impact - ball goes left (or a wild push to right trying to make a last minute compensation). So when I hit wedges or other shots on the range, I think primarily of getting my lower body started from the top of the swing before my arms and hands. In fact, I will take practice swings by swinging back with my feet together, then stepping towards the target with my left foot to start the downswing (like a baseball player planting his front foot during the swing). This gives me the feeling of having the lower body lead the upper body.

This seems and sounds simplistic, but seriously, most of the time I spend on the range is dedicated to these two things: connection and control with the wedges; timing of the swing and letting the lower body lead. Of course I make sure that my grip is good, my alignment is correct, and posture is sound - but I hardly ever think about club position or anything else.

These thoughts have also helped while I play. When I make a few bad swings during the round (I always do), I simply make a few practice swings with a glove under my arm - getting my legs going before my arms and hands. I have gotten to a place - psychologically - where I believe that I do these two simple things properly, I'll hit good shots.

You see, LeagueIslander already had a picture perfect swing; he just needed to cure his inconsistency - those couple of holes that always arrive and threaten to ruin otherwise good rounds.

Me, I too have had my best year ever. I pretty much get a little better each year. Nonetheless, I've made few inroads against my inconsistency.

Next year I'm going to break out - just you watch!

Remind me to try that *towel* thing.