To the mind and beyond

Continuing on with my progression, I have begun re-reading Zen Golf. My last range session went really well and I found the reason for that was what they call "empty mind" i was not concerned with all my swing thoughts, simply focusing on one move at a time for about 20 swings, then implementing a second move to focus on. By the end of the session I was feeling like I was swinging free and void of most destructive thoughts floating in my brain. Once the swing session was complete I moved over to the putting green and setup ten tees in a circle, each one three feet from the cup. I made a point to make sure the one motion I was focused on for the first ten minutes was to keep the head of the putter swinging online toward the cup. A lot of my issues with short putts come from pulling the putter head inside or trying to "force" the putt into the cup. As I continued this drill I found I was able to sink 20-25 in a row from three feet. Moving on, I then reset the tees to six feet and worked on pace with this next drill, all the while not even realizing I created a muscle memory thought during the first drill. While making 23\30 from six feet, I found the line of the putt stayed true and the roll was pure. After that I moved to lag putting from different locations on the green from over twenty five feet. The lag putting will need some more intense focus as I found my calibration off by quite a bit with regard to pace. The line chosen for the putt was correct and the strike and roll were pure but the pace was off.

Keeping a clear mind is going to be instrumental going forward in tournaments as they tend to create tension and anxiety. More focus on Zen Golf should help this quite a bit!

forward march!!

Greetings blog followers and Facebook friends! I come to you today with the latest blog holding very positive news. First I would like to send out a huge happy Valentines day to all my friends, may your lovers Dode upon you all the love and affection you deserve. Now onto the golf!

My latest tournament results showed much promise but some lack in basic mental approach. With regard to the complete swing, it is progressing about how I hoped it would. While still working on getting the entire body through the swing, I've been able to keep the ball in play(played the entire 18 with one ball) and I have a better understanding of which shot shape I'm going to hit most of the time. While being completely focused on my full swing I have given much neglect to my short game and it was glaringly obvious on Sunday. By my count I had 3-5 birdie putts from inside 8 feet and only made one of them and that was a tap in. My lag was average and my alignment on short putts was atrocious. In reflecting on the round I am very proud of the overall progress and pace with which my game is growing. On the downside my mental approach has to get better and quickly. I feel that is the easiest item on the list to correct as it involves no physical movement. Much range time is going to be had between now and March 6th when the next tournament is played at my home course, Tijeras Creek! Short game, Short game, Short game!!

Fairways and Greens!!

New Beginnings

Greetings fellow golfers! I come to you today with a bad news update. I regret to say that my relationship with my girlfriend has run it's course. Over the past year she has taught me quite a bit and I believe she will do fantastic things in the future. For us, we were not heading in the same direction and I believe she will find much happiness when she moves back home. Much love to you young lady for your support and patience with me.

Now onto the golf blog! As my progress continues to look more and more like the stock market lately with huge spikes and big valleys, I am left to spend the time in the valleys focusing on my mental state and persistence. Many days I've found myself being lazy, not putting in the required effort. Many excuses can be made and most would be very relevant. I refuse however to be subjugated to making excuses for not putting in 100% effort. All successful people I've spoken to have one thing in common, dedication to a final goal. I need to become better and finding solutions to unforeseen circumstances. Try to build in contingency plans for problems related to scheduling and finances. I like to think there is always a solution to any problem.

I spent about two hours at the driving range last night and it was very good quality time. I was able to work on my release through the golf shot and found some things to keep my swing more consistent. Some swing faults that are correctable now by feel! Very excited to see how this develops. Tournament this weekend at SCGA. Not sure I'm confident I have the game under control enough to win but I think I can put up a competitive score and let things play out. First major of the season is in one month so the goal is to get the swing grooved by then!

Fairways and Greens!