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**RayFairhurst** · 06-21-2010, 08:26 AM

Okay, golf trip in a week. Here are my goals.

1. Retire the 3 and 4 iron. I can't hit them, so I am just gonna stop trying. Going to replace with a 3h
2. Keep even tempo. I am so bad about this on a course. on the range I am fine, but the second I get on the fairway I let my rythem go to hell. I get out of my backswing way too fast, catch it either really fat or really thin, or I hook or slice, or any number of other things that would make an instructor clutch their side in pain. So, nice... even... tempo...
3. Dont try to hurt the ball off the tee. I am a teenager, so it is a natural instinct to wan't to wail on the ball. I just have to swing with about the same force as I do a midiron, and the ball flies further and straighter.
4. Pre-shot routine. I am bad about rushing to the tee and just taking a swipe at the ball. I will go through a simple pre-shot routine before my shots.
5. Observe. I will take notes on the way to the next hole. GIR's, fairways hit, total putts, all of this must be recorded.
6. Analysis. I must study above notes after round. I will probably post statistics on this thread for your insight, if you wouldn't mind offering it, and look to see where I am struggling te most, and what I can do to improve it.
7. Course upkeep. I have to admit, I am bad on this. I realize that care for the course is an essential part of the enjoyment of the game because it not only leaves the course in beter condition for me, but for my fellow players. Now that I know how to properly repair ball marks, I will buy a divot tool and repair not only my own, but I will teach my partner, who is new to the game, how to do it also. I got him into the game, and I was negligent in teaching him course care, which should have been the first thing I told him about.

I think that if I follow these goals, I will post somewhere just above 100. I am striking the ball with much more confidence now. I am driving better tan I ever have in my life, I practice wedge play for an hour a day, and have expanded my short game repetiore to include a variety over 'situational' shots, because I manage to find some interesting lies. I also have found a golf ball that seems to fit my playing style very well, and I believe it has helped me improve both distance off the irons as well as feel around the greens. In other words, I have a better chance of breaking 100 now than I ever have. Wish me luck guys, and I would appreciate any tips before I go.

Really good points to concentrate on. I agree with you wholeheartedly that bad tempo and trying to kill the ball is the death of many a tee shot. And a repeatable preshot routine gets your mind and body in a good place to perform.

Also agree that all but the best golfers should never hit a 3 iron, and 4 irons aren't much better. I myself have replaced those clubs with hybrids and it was probably the best equipment decision I ever made. As we speak, I'm thinking of ditching my 5iron for a 3rd hybrid too, they are that much easier to hit for me.

Good luck with your round this week, but don't be frustrated if the score doesn't match your expectations... it may take some time.

06-21-2010, 08:26 AM	#2
RayFairhurst Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 496 Senior Member	Okay, golf trip in a week. Here are my goals. 1. Retire the 3 and 4 iron. I can't hit them, so I am just gonna stop trying. Going to replace with a 3h 2. Keep even tempo. I am so bad about this on a course. on the range I am fine, but the second I get on the fairway I let my rythem go to hell. I get out of my backswing way too fast, catch it either really fat or really thin, or I hook or slice, or any number of other things that would make an instructor clutch their side in pain. So, nice... even... tempo... 3. Dont try to hurt the ball off the tee. I am a teenager, so it is a natural instinct to wan't to wail on the ball. I just have to swing with about the same force as I do a midiron, and the ball flies further and straighter. 4. Pre-shot routine. I am bad about rushing to the tee and just taking a swipe at the ball. I will go through a simple pre-shot routine before my shots. 5. Observe. I will take notes on the way to the next hole. GIR's, fairways hit, total putts, all of this must be recorded. 6. Analysis. I must study above notes after round. I will probably post statistics on this thread for your insight, if you wouldn't mind offering it, and look to see where I am struggling te most, and what I can do to improve it. 7. Course upkeep. I have to admit, I am bad on this. I realize that care for the course is an essential part of the enjoyment of the game because it not only leaves the course in beter condition for me, but for my fellow players. Now that I know how to properly repair ball marks, I will buy a divot tool and repair not only my own, but I will teach my partner, who is new to the game, how to do it also. I got him into the game, and I was negligent in teaching him course care, which should have been the first thing I told him about. I think that if I follow these goals, I will post somewhere just above 100. I am striking the ball with much more confidence now. I am driving better tan I ever have in my life, I practice wedge play for an hour a day, and have expanded my short game repetiore to include a variety over 'situational' shots, because I manage to find some interesting lies. I also have found a golf ball that seems to fit my playing style very well, and I believe it has helped me improve both distance off the irons as well as feel around the greens. In other words, I have a better chance of breaking 100 now than I ever have. Wish me luck guys, and I would appreciate any tips before I go. Really good points to concentrate on. I agree with you wholeheartedly that bad tempo and trying to kill the ball is the death of many a tee shot. And a repeatable preshot routine gets your mind and body in a good place to perform. Also agree that all but the best golfers should never hit a 3 iron, and 4 irons aren't much better. I myself have replaced those clubs with hybrids and it was probably the best equipment decision I ever made. As we speak, I'm thinking of ditching my 5iron for a 3rd hybrid too, they are that much easier to hit for me. Good luck with your round this week, but don't be frustrated if the score doesn't match your expectations... it may take some time.
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