Putting Woes

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After my switch to the long putter and using Dave Stockton’s method from Unconscious Putting a few things have happened.

  • I have had a few rounds and glimpses of excellence where every putt under 30 ft. could drop. I am able to see the line, hold the visual and stroke it.  These putts are gorgeous
  • I have become deathly afraid of putts under 5 ft. on the course and on the range.  I am unable to see the line on putts under 8 ft. as I can on long putts.

I may have had a breakthrough.  I putted with a 34″ STX Envision putter which is center shafted and center balanced.  It is ugly as sin and for some reason I was putting unbelievable with it.  My grip was finger tips and lightened my grip pressure was about a 1/10. Impact had a gorgeous feel and revitalized my putting. I am going to buy the putter and take it on the course in effort to restore the magic wand.

Maintaining your Spine Angle through Ball Positioning

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Early extension is a swing flaw that I have had for 17 years and am closing in on correcting this problem.  Golfers that early extend tend to get to close to the ball which makes it impossible to maintain your spine angle through impact. If you are too close and maintain your spine angle you would shank the ball so your body will naturally thrust the hips forward to give your hand space.

To find your ideal ball location practice 3 Tai Chi swings without a ball and stop at impact.  This position will tell you where your ball should be at address position to allow you to maintain your spine angle through impact.

For me, I have to move the ball 2″ further away from my body.  To learn more about this concept, refer to Jim Hardy’s book The Plane Truth.  Jim will explain why 1 plane swingers should position the ball further away from them.

William Reilly PGA: How to Make a Full Shoulder Turn

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Les Duer PGA apprentice, WIllam Reilly from Carlsbad Golf Center (CGC) reviews a fantastic drill that ensures you have made a complete shoulder turn.

Often times, you may feel or hear people tell you that you are swinging too hard or rushing the downswing.  Most likely the solution is not to simply “slow down” your swing, but to maximize your swing elasticity (coil).  When you are efficiently coiled, your body will effortlessly unwind and create tremendous power.

This simple drill is designed to give you maximum coil with minimal energy expenditure on the downswing.  As you take your backswing let your left shoulder turn back, over top of the ball, and then turn past the ball.  At this point you will look down and see the ball and your shoulder will be to the right of the ball.  Your backswing is complete.

 

There is no such thing as a birdie, par, bogie, or eagle!

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If you are anything like me, you do not play well when you know that hitting a particular shot carries more weight than another one.  For example, a 3 foot eagle putt is more stressful than a 3 foot par putt.  Teeing off on a par 5 with the goal of getting on in 2 often can produce a bad miss. Finally, knowing that if you par 18 you shoot even on the backside will often produce a bogie or worse.

We all hear that playing great golf is playing shot for shot, but what does this mean and how can we all play like that.  First, we need to look at a round of golf as an accumulation of individual shots, or “clicks”.  There are no birdies or bogies, and there is no 2 over par or 1 under pars.  There are just……shots.  There are 300 yard shots, 60 yard shots, 3 foot shots, and 2 inch shots.  These shots just accumulate hole to hole.  After you make a 2 inch shot, it is time to tee up and hit a 300 yard shot.  There is no point to trying to bunch the previous 3 shots and calling it a birdie or adding the previous 7 shots and calling it a double bogie.  Each of these scenarios distracts you from your goal, which is simply to hit a shot and focus on the next.  Every shot is just a “click”, and you can look at the total number of clicks after the round.  To add up these clicks I just ordered a cool new tool called ScoreBand.  Scoreband is a rubber bracelet to wear with a built in digital counter.  Simply “click” the button and it adds 1 to your score (video below).

Applying this method will prove to be liberating by naturally controlling emotions by minimizing fabricated stress placed on certain shots and also minimizing distractions caused from thinking in terms of individual holes and trying to score well to “save par”.  A shot is a “click” on the watch.  Each shot should be executed to the best of your ability and if you do that, the outcome is unimportant.

Liberate by letting go.

La Costa Champions Course Round Analysis

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I played a round today at La Costa Champions course from the back tees today and was bittersweet and also a great learning experience.

I started off even par after 6 holes.  My putting on the first 5 holes was outrageous.  I lipped out 2 birdie putts and grazed an edge on a 40 foot birdie putt on the first 3 holes and had possibly one of my best birdies. (read previous article about where to put your focus while putting)  I pushed a drive into the mulch and had 175 into the wind uphill bunker in front of the green.  I had a tree limb 10 feet high about 20 yards in front of me.  I three-quartered a 5iron under the branch with backspin.  The ball rose up and stopped 15 feet from the hole.  I was so focused on the line and target it had no choice but to go in.

I got caught up in score and slipped for the next 9 holes and also completely lost focus.  After hitting one of the worst 70 yard 5 irons into a tree I grabbed my bag and walked into the woods.  On the way there I used an old technique that has worked in the past and am convinced it is an essential tool.  “Mike, play this fucking game”,  “Get your ass up there and hit the shot!”, “Are you listening to me?!! This is your game, now play it!” I absolutely corner myself and end up creating great energy and focus.  I followed up with an ESPN highlight shot.  I had 230 yards to the pin, my ball was completely buried in dead-straw grass and twigs with a 80 ft. tree in front of me. I visualized the attack angle hit down and lost the ball. Nobody saw the shot.  The ball ended up just on the fringe in front of the green.  Nobody knows how that shot carried that far.  I played much improved golf after that.

My score high score of 89 is only a reflection of my 9 holes in the middle of the round when I was too focused on score and then actually gave up (in my mind).  I learned that “feeling the shot” is improved if you can visualize the exact attack angle as the clubhead attacks the ball.  I feel great and caught a glimpse of my potential on the first 6 holes along with my recovery at the end where I brought myself back into the game and finished confident.

What to work on?

  • Short Putts (probably missed 6 putts under 6 feet) My current method of seeing the line and hitting to the line is most effective on putts over 15 feet.
  • Distance wedges (50-80yards)
  • Grip (discomfort in the grip mid round created uncertainty)
  • Continue working hard on external thinking while putting

Putting: Where to put your focus

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After reading Dave Stockton’s “Unconscious Putting” and meeting recently with my golf mental coach, Tom O’Stasic Jr., I have been putting my focus in entirely the wrong place when putting.

Both Tom and Dave want you to simply see the line and putt on that line. Internal thinking and feeling can happen in your pre-shot routine but neither of them stress the internal focus.  All focus is external, on hitting the ball on that line, all while freeing yourself from any outcomes.  Some of my best putting (which was never that great) has been myself focusing on making a smooth stroke or something else internal (within my body).  Making the external shift requires some training and I found a great game that helps with putts over 10 feet.

Throwing Putts

1) Begin with 5 balls in your hand and using a bowling technique to roll your putts (no club) towards a distant hole.

  • Roll a dozen balls and ask yourself “what was I focusing on?”.  If you are anything like myself, you see the line and the hole and can see the anticipated line of the putt before you roll.

2) With a ball in your right hand, pick a hole and setup like you would as if you are putting towards it.

  • Look up at the target, look down and roll the ball towards the hole
  • Notice your tendencies.  How soon do you roll the ball after you look down? If you are anything like myself you want to roll the ball the very second you look down while the line is fresh in your mind.
  • What were you focusing on?  Personally some putts I saw both the line and the hole at the same time in my mind.  Other times I saw the peak of the break and that is where my mind was focused.
  • This game also is FUN FUN FUN which is a nice thing to remind yourself when on the course

3) Reflection

  • What did not matter? When you are focused so much on what is in front of your suddenly technique, tempo, and results.

Big Changes Uplift Game and Spirit

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In regards to my last article my game has not been improving on the course.  On the range I am more versatile and educated about the game than ever.  However, on the course I become anxious, rushed, and am playing to a 14 handicap.

The last 3 rounds I have made some huge changes, mentally and physically, which have brought my game very close to its peak in 2008.  I feel fantastic about my game and very optimistic about the future.

  • GRIP This is the biggest change that turned the tables.  The second I went back to long thumb I knew this was a missing piece and immediately began searching for tournaments to play in through the SCGA. I committed to changing my left hand grip in June to more of a Ben Hogan style, which was more in the fingers (short thumb).  I did not know this at the time but I had lost distance, lost control of mishits and severely decreased my ball striking (I have always been a great iron player).  I switched to an even more exaggerated version of my old grip which basically runs perpendicular to my fingers and is all palm, similar to legendary ball striker, Mo Norman.  The switch is called “long thumb” and it lets my left hand control the shot and give me superior stability at impact.  My right hand grip is a bit too high and I plan to lower it (unify) in the future. See Mo Norman’s long left thumb grip (first below) compared to a short thumb grip (image 2)
  • CONNECTION TO CENTER OF GRAVITY Keeping the butt of the club handle pointed at your naval (center of gravity) as long as possible throughout your entire swing makes contact extremely crisp, especially with all irons and half wedges.  The most important part of this is the first few feet of takeaway. The increase in confidence at impact is profound and game changing.  This move also helps me with my push which is currently my number one plague on the golf course.  Every miss, driver or wedge, is a push and costs me a lot of strokes.  My right upper body does not fire through impact and if I keep the butt of the club pointed at my naval through impact it keeps me connected and helps control my push. See below that on takeaway and through impact the red line points near the COG, which is close to the naval. 
  • CALMNESS AND SHOT PREPARATION   This one is huge.  When I can load my body up on relaxants such as St. John’s Wort, Calm-ease, and keep my excitation level at a maximum of 4/10 my scores drop by 5-7 strokes.  Today, I was able to achieve this state naturally and it felt great.  I woke up late and stayed relaxed all the way through the round instead of doing things like speeding, becoming emotional, and moving at a rushed pace.  I am also improving and will stay committed to mastering the process and not the result.  The process includes visualizing the ideal shot, feeling it (needs improvement), and trusting it (needs improvement).
  • THE LONG PUTTER My first time even taking the long putter on a real green (other than my carpet) was yesterday and I played 18 holes with no practice putts at Shadowridge and had zero three putts.  I hit everything under 5 feet and a few outside of 8 feet.  Today I hit a gorgeous 60ft. eagle putt.  I had a couple three putts but those were only because of second guessing my original line.  This putter is my future and it an absolute blast to use.  I grew up playing billiards and enjoy the similar right arm action as used in pool.
  • RIGHT HEAD ROTATION AT ADDRESS  Ken Green and I have been working on this issue for a while and I commit to consciously hitting 100 golf balls a week focusing solely on this.  This problem is 100% improving and will be within normal limits and operating subconsciously within 3 months. See Nicklaus below.  His head is already rotated 15degrees right at address which gives his body room to rotate underneath his head.

Book Review: “Unconscious Putting” by Dave Stockton

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When a resurgent Phil Mickelson won the Tour Championship in September 2009, he was quick to credit a series of simple putting lessons from veteran golf champion and instructor Dave Stockton. As a top coach, Stockton has taught a long list of pro players-including Annika Sorenstam, Yani Tseng (winner of four LPGA tournaments), Adam Scott (Texas Open champion), Hunter Mahan (Phoenix Open champion), and Morgan Pressel (World Ladies Championship of Japan winner)-the putting strategies that finessed their game.

Dave Stockton is quite the putting guru on tour right now and has the credibility with two major wins in the 70′s. Dave’s book is simply about developing a repeatable mental routine that helps you see the line and roll the putt on that line with as few distractions and unnecessary steps as possible.  Below are bullets and highlights from the book:

Pre-Shot Routine (goal is to disconnect from consequences and focus on the process)

  1. Get a general view of the green on your approach to the green looking at breaks, elevations, and hazards
  2. Stand behind the ball and get a look at the break of the putt.  Break longer putts into 3 sections and read each one individually from low side
  3. Get behind the ball and see exactly at what angle you would like the ball to enter the hole
  4. See the line and do not lose sight of that line
  5. Approach the ball staring at line making practice strokes with your right hand (not on the club)
  6. Set up stand while visualizing ball rolling down target line.  Become obsessed with the line.
  7. Once you set up imagine that unless you roll the putt, the ball will disappear in 5 seconds
  8. Return eyes to spot 2″ in front of ball and stroke the putt without looking at the ball

Putting Mechanics (see line – forward press – swing back of left hand towards target)

  1. Thumbs pointed down the grip
  2. Pressure equivalent to holding a baby bird from getting out but not killing it
  3. Cover the entire grip with your fingers
  4. Keep putter head low to ground
  5. Left hand is direction hand and should lead stroke.  Simply push the back of the left wrist towards your target.  Back of left wrist is guide
  6. begin stroke with forward press

Other bullets

  • Most people use several unnecessary steps in their pre-shot routine which makes them lose connection with the line
  • Take your first impression of the putt and go with it!  You will be looser.  Taking more time to do anything in the subconscious is never good.
  • Your putting stroke can vary slightly day to day, just go with it
  • Putting is all about speed
  • Pressure comes from no game plan and a poor routine
  • If you are pointing your club handle away from the target, you may need more loft
  • Rolling a putt- feeling of keeping clubface in contact with the ball for as long as possible
  • Goal of practice is (1) fine tuning the “feel” in your fingers (2) understanding green conditions.
  • Pre-round putting routine is (1) 8 minutes rolling ball over contours (2) 3 minutes of short putts
  • Identifying your specific miss is the first step to improving
  • The farther you are from the ball the lower your hands are and subsequently the more arc is in your stroke
  • CALIBRATION.  Adjusting your putts right and left is like adjusting the water in your shower; you have a warm and cold nozzle.  If you miss left: lift hands away from the body and scoot closer to the ball.  If you miss right: lower hands and move farther from ball.

 

When Anxiety and Expectation Umbrellas Your Round

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I am having a big problem.  This problem costs me about 10 strokes per round.  From a pessimistic view 10 strokes is a monster number that seems in-conquerable.  From an optimistic view, removing this anxiety umbrella that occurs when I step up to the first tee will be the most dramatic game changer to date and will improve all aspects of the game.

In 2007-2009 I improved for a 12-4.5 index all alone.  I had no instruction and my improvements were all based on feel.  From mid 2009 to mid 2012 I only golfed maybe 6 times and practiced just about the same amount.  I re-committed in May 2012 to a complete swing overhaul.  I never liked at all how my old 4.5 index swing looked.  I was two-planed, lost my spine angle, swayed, and slid through impact. I have spend hundreds of hours this year building a swing that is more technically sound and educating myself by reading dozens of golf improvement books.  The “new me” is much more educated and understands golf 20x of what I did before and have a swing that is much more sound.  On paper, I am a much better golfer. On the range, I will hit hundreds of accurate golf shots, step on the course and play like a 15 handicap player.

However, my game has gotten worse.  My scores are not coming down and quite frankly have no confidence on the course with any shot. My average round seems to be in the high 80′s.  Am I getting used to my new swing?  Did I change my old swing of 17 years so drastically that is beyond function? Am I a less confident person in general?  Do I have stress/anxiety issues that are affecting my golf game?  These questions are difficult to answer but I do have some insight.

I have been recovering from a mild heart arrhythmia and was given xanax to take as needed.  I played Los Angeles Country Club (LACC) a few months back.   LACC is challenging, playing a 74.6 and 139 on the card.  I shot a 51 on the front 9.  on hole 6 or so I took a xanax and fired a 38 on the back 9.  This has stood out to me over the past few months.  My belief when using drugs is to use them for a short time to feel the effects and then find natural ways to achieve similar results.  I did this with ritalin and also with andro (a former legal anabolic steroid).

This Saturday I played The Crossings and shot an 88 and then Twin Oaks the next day, also shooting and 88.  After my Twin Oaks round I was so frustrated and upset I questioned why I play this game.  I had to lose 5-7 golf balls.  I will top, shank, hit fat shots, and miss very short putts.  These scores are terrible and do not represent me as a player.  These scores are also embarrassing.

I was yelling at myself and decided I was taking two weeks off of this horrible sport. As I was winding up and throwing my shoes in my trunk like a fastball,a friend asked me if I wanted to play more golf.  I said “Great, let me just put my shoes back on”.   I decided I would take another xanax and see what happened, I figure the second 18 would be a great gauge of the impact of anxiety.

It is difficult to say what I shot because I played 11 holes with all of my clubs and then match play where I only used a 6 iron against him.  I can say that on the front 9 I had a blast.  I was calm and able to focus on subtle body movements that allowed me to be pinpoint accurate. I arguably hit the best shot of my life where the ball was outside the  fairway bunker, but on the edge, and I had to put my left foot about 2 ft. into the deep bunker which put the ball 2ft. above me stance.  I had 179yds to the hole and had to immediately clear 15ft trees and get over traps in front of a green to a front pin position.  I stuck it to 12 ft..  I had no double bogies and 1 birdie. I would guess I played equivalent to a 7 handicap.  I did not even lose a golf ball the entire round.  Golf was enjoyable.  I even played the last 7 holes at 8 over par with only a 6 iron!  I had a 6ft. (6iron) putt on 18 to save bogie and to half the match and I drained it!

This is great news.  This tells me that if I can take my overall energy level from a 9.9-2 I will start playing some great golf. I am also assuming this energy level is affecting my entire life.  But how can I do this?  My first thought is to start yoga & meditation. My second thought is to find a more natural alternative to xanax.  My final thought it to take the drug for 90 days and see how it affects the rest of my life and then make adjustments.  When I was 18 years old I took ritalin for 9 months which was one of the top 3 most dramatic life changers to date.  I went from almost flunking out of college to a 4.0 student…..overnight!  Eventually I felt the drug was not working anymore or I had figured out how to duplicate those effects, naturally.  I have never had ritalin since that day.

Finally, I decided to take a xanax before my round today at Camp Pendleton course and once again, totally relaxed and focused. My mind was calm and I was making some great golf shots.  I only shot an 82 but this was a 13 shot differential from last time I played this course just the week before.  Also having to do with the improved round was my monumental grip change I made yesterday (see the next blog topic).

Update.  I spoke with my good friend, Dr. Michelle Wolford, a Naturopathic doctor and she gave me recommendations which I will follow.  She recommends I take the herbal supplement Calm-gen combined with a naturally occurring lithium as an alternative to xanax.  I will keep you updated!  Take a look at her site, she is a fascinating woman.  http://www.lifeinmotionmed.com/about-2/dr-michelle-wolford/