Joey's Golf Bag

Yesterday, I practiced for the first time since June 17. I had managed to re-injure my back (not while golfing) the day after my last practice, so apart from some putting practice on the carpet, I’d not hit a ball since then. A few trips to the physical therapist and much stretching and exercising, I’m feeling good enough to go golfing again. Alas, the weather is simply terrible here in Dallas; it has been raining nearly every day for more than a month. It has rained so hard on occasion that the golf courses look more like swamps than fairways and greens.

I went to the Hank Haney Golf Ranch on a cloudy, humid day, dodging rain showers and mosquitos. I stretched, paying particular attention to my lower back, and then warmed up by hitting a few pitching wedges at the center green just over the pond. My first few shots were pitiful, but I soon warmed up and hit some decent shots, shorter than usual, and also high ball flight. I then went through the bag, hitting a couple of shots with a selection of clubs. The only clubs I hit well were the longer ones, but my distance was quite short. I didn’t really want to swing hard at the ball and my tempo was off all day. I also had the fats with the sand wedge and never really got over them. I limited myself to a small bucket as I didn’t want to overdo my first practice back from injury.

Next, I went to the green to practice putting. I wasn’t very pleased with my putting, being inconsistent with both direction and distance. Unlike my last practice, where my putting was very good, I never got the ball rolling consistently. I’d made the mistake of getting out my old putter and stroking a few balls; that seemed to throw off the beautiful stroke I’d developed since I built my Wishon S2R Model 3 putter. The old putter went back into the closet. I also practiced chipping, but it took a lot of chips before my touch and feel started returning.

Yesterday was a pretty poor practice, but I was happy to be mostly healthy again so that I can get back to regular practice and playing schedule. The only good thing about the injury is that I’ve been working out each day with stretches and exercises that should improve my golf as much as keep the back injuries away.

Yesterday afternoon, I finally felt good enough to go practice again at the Hank Haney Golf Ranch in Lewisville. The day was heavily overcast, no wind, and very humid from earlier heavy rain. I planned to hit some wedges and see if my back would hold out, and if it did, run through the bag and hit a few balls with my new clubs.

I started off hitting 3/4 swings with my new CX Micro gap wedge. I struck the ball pretty solidly, but the distance was a bit low at first, as I was swinging very softly to while I warmed up my back. The fat shot was missing except for a single shot, where I clearly got too quick with my tempo. Next, I hit a couple of pitching wedges, and distance was more normal with this club. Moving up, I used an 8-iron next, hitting fades mostly. I was pretty pleased that I was striking the ball pretty well; the only thing missing was a bit of distance from my month off recovering from my lower back injury. I moved on to the 6-iron, but didn’t strike the ball particularly well.

Next, I got out my Cleveland HALO 3i hybrid. Except for the first shot, a worm-burner, I struck this club well. I was pretty pleased, so I got out my new 949MC 4-wood and my new 525GRT driver. I hit only a couple of shots with each club, alternating between the hybrid, the 4-wood and the driver. I was striking the hybrid very well, although, again, my distance was a bit short. I didn’t hit the 4-wood particularly well, hitting low, but this was due to my long layoff and not the club. I can already see the potential. And the sound it makes is really nice. The driver I also didn’t hit well. Two of the shots were straight worm burners hit off the heel. The third one showed off the potential — I hit a powerful push-fade that cleared the right hand net and ended up just in front of the 2nd green. Oops! Got a bit quick on that one and left the clubface open, but the ball was struck perfectly in the center of the very hot clubface. When my swing gets tuned up, I’m really looking forward to using this club. I’d run out of balls, but not before hitting a couple of perfect shots with the hybrid.

Next, I went to the putting green to see if my new S2R putter and my extensive carpet putting practice would pay off on grass. In short, it did! In fact, I didn’t miss a single putt inside of 12 ft for the first dozen or so balls. I was very pleased with my putting speed, leaving only one or two balls short all day. One or two balls did get well past the hole when I was practicing long putts, but at least that nagging problem of leaving the ball short seems to have subsided. My practice beyond 30 ft still needs much work, but I’m very pleased with my new putter and my putting. Next, I worked on chipping with the 8-iron and pitching wedge and I was pleased that I got up and down 2/3rds of the time.

A really good practice today, considering how long I wasn’t able to practice. Following practice, I came home and went through all of my stretches and exercises that my physical therapist gave me. I felt fine afterward, no ill effects from the practice. I’ll continue to limit the number of balls I hit in the short term (I hit only a small bucket today) until my back is fully healed.

Ever since I went to the swing clinic, I’ve been unable to hit any golf balls due to my aching lower back. I’ve been to my physical therapist twice and my back is improving, so I hope to get back out on the course soon.

The only good thing about my back injury is my putting. I can still practice putting, as long as I practice only 10 minutes at a time. So, ever since I built my new S2R putter, I’ve been practicing my putting 3 or 4 times a day (on the carpet) and my putting stroke is really getting grooved.

I really, really can’t wait to get back out on the course.

This afternoon, after work, I had a spare 45 minutes to hit some balls at the Golden Bear Golf Center. The weather was partly cloudy with a breeze from the south.

I started off hitting sand wedges at the purple-flagged green, and had a really frustrating time with hitting the ball fat. Annoyingly fat. Instead of fighting it, I got out the driver and started to bust some balls. My first drive was a perfectly straight, but lower in trajectory than usual, bomb, right at my target green flag. I alternated hitting the driver with 9-iron shots, concentrating on keeping the reverse pivot out of my swing. About 60% of my drives were well hit; I did have a couple leak right, either pushes or one or two slices. Only one hook snuck in. I was pretty happy with the driver. Most of my 9-iron shots were straight as well, though it was hard to tell if distance was longer or shorter due to the incoming wind.

I also hit a few 5-wood shots, but never really got that club going at all, tending to hit the ball thin and low. I finished off practice with a couple of pitching wedge and lob wedges to the purple-flagged green. This time, they were pretty well struck and not hit fat. I ran out of time and wasn’t able to putt, chip or practice my short game.

A decent, but not great, practice.

This afternoon, after work, I practiced at the Golden Bear Golf Center. The day was warm and sunny with a breeze from the southeast.

I started off hitting lob wedges at the red flagged green. I had a mix of very good shots with some struck fat. I then got out the 9-iron and hit some shots at the blue flagged green. Again, I hit some very nice shots and also a fat shot or two. Next, I hit a couple of 6-irons at the white flagged green and wasn’t happy at all with my ball striking. That annoying reverse pivot kept coming back to haunt me. I couldn’t get the feel of the swing and was striking the ball poorly.

I got out the long clubs, which usually helps me get my tempo back. Today, I had a tough time getting the swing to work at all. I probably went through 20 or so balls before my tempo and swing began to come together again. I hit two or three very nicely struck balls with the driver and 5-wood, and, just as suddenly, the swing vanished again.

In desperation, I hit little chips with the wedges to get my feel back. I hit some pitching wedges from a chipping position, going from shorter to longer shots. This drill seemed to help get my feel back. With the last four balls, I hit the driver and 5-wood. I hit one stinker and one good shot with each club. After I ran out of balls, I went to the fairway bunker and hit two shots using a 7-iron. One I struck thin, but right at the target, the other, I hit pretty well, but it faded more than I anticipated.

Next, I went to the putting green and ran speed drills. I tended to run the ball long today, which is better than leaving the ball short. I finished up practice by chipping from the rough around the green. I was pretty happy with my chipping. I did well from good lies, and pretty good from difficult lies.

A very frustrating day, but I persevered through the bad spots and finished up with good short game and putting practice.

This afternoon, after work, I went to the Golden Bear Golf Center to practice putting. The sun had finally peeked out from the clouds and a stiff breeze was blowing from the south.

I had only an hour to practice, so I spent the time practicing putting. I first checked the roll of the ball, and found that to be fine. I followed that with the speed drill. Next, I putted several balls from 15, 21, 27, and 36 ft. If I left a ball short, I putted it again. I then took a short break and spent some time putting 2, 3, and 4 ft putts. I ended putting practice with a few more putting drills from 15 and 27 ft.

I putted pretty well today. One day I actually hope that I will putt as well on the course as I do on the practice green…

This afternoon, after work, Jarvis and I played nine at the North Texas Golf Center. The weather was cool but sunny, with a variable breeze from the north. We both hit some balls, hit some chips and pitches, but ran out of time to putt. That would cost me…

I hit only 3 greens in regulation all day. My only great shot of the day was my tee shot on the 8th hole, where I hit a pitching wedge to 6 ft and hit the putt for my only birdie of the day. The birdie brought me back to even with Jarvis, and we both played the ninth hole poorly. I hit an 8-iron over the green and left myself with a difficult chip; Jarvis pushed his shot pin-high, but right of the green. His pitch went long and left. We both missed our par putts, and went to the first hole to play sudden death. I chunked a 9-iron well short, left a chip just on the fringe, and missed my par putt. Jarvis hit his shot long into a puddle behind the green, got relief from casual water, hit a chip onto the green and made his putt. Mine missed and Jarvis won 1 up.

I’ve managed to slip in an hour or so of practice after work the last two days at the Golden Bear Golf Center. Yesterday, I had a miserable practice, just miserable. I hit the wedges fat, I hit hooks with the long irons, hit pushes with the short irons. Anything but straight. Yeech! I was so dejected that I skipped putting and chipping (the short game area is still closed; opens April 15).

Today, I was determined to have a good practice. The weather was sunny and warm, no breeze at all, very humid. I had just two swing thoughts: no reverse pivot, and slow & easy. It worked. I started off with the sand wedge hitting 1/2 to 3/4 shots at the purple-flagged green. While my distance control wasn’t perfect, at least I was making crisp contact with the ball. I hit only one fat shot out of about 15 balls. Next, I went through the bag, hitting shots until I hit a good shot with each club at a specific flag. I hit really nice pitching wedge shots at the white flagged green, and followed with some nice shots with the 9-iron. I then got out the 6-iron and hit shots at the red flagged green. I wasn’t hitting them on the right trajectory, so I got out the 7-iron and hit some nice high shots just right of the flag. I went back to the 6-iron and managed a good shot, though pulled slightly. I also hit the 5-iron at the blue flagged green, but wasn’t pleased with the low trajectory. I moved on to the 3-hybrid and hit fades with it. I then got out the driver and hit some balls, eventually getting nice draws well over the trees flanking the blue-flagged green.

With the remaining balls, I went back through the bag, hitting a good shot with every club, including even the 4-iron, though I used a tee. 😉 I hit some beautiful shots, and also noticed that my carry distance is improving, about half a club. At last, something to be excited about! My last two balls I hit the pitching wedge, and distance was much improved, but I pulled both shots.

Finally, I spent 20 minutes on the putting green chipping with the 8-iron. While not as good as my last chipping practice, still managed to get two-thirds of the chips within 3 ft. By now, the clouds had rolled in and a few drops of rain fell, so it was time to end my practice.

Ran out of time and wasn’t able to putt, but I was really relieved that my practice yesterday was just an anomaly.

This afternoon, after work, I had an hour in which to practice, so I went to the Golden Bear Golf Center. Heavy rain had fallen the previous evening, so it was mats only. I hate mats, so I hit only a small bucket of balls. I worked mainly on the longer clubs tonight. I used the four step Jim Flick drill to work on removing the reverse pivot. I’m still having a heck of a time getting that reverse pivot out of my swing; everytime I let my guard down, it comes right back, sending the ball on a long looping hook. I am seeing progress, but it is taking longer to show progress than I expected. I did manage to hit some good shots tonight, and some stinkers, and my misses tended to be pushes.

Next, I went to the putting green and worked on long putts. I hit several balls from 18, 24, 30 and 36 ft, and am happy to report that I hit at least one putt at each distance. I spent the remaining time chipping with the 8-iron from the rough around the putting green and saw significant improvement in my chipping.

I was very pleased with my putting and chipping tonight, and less pleased with my full swing, but I’m still seeing progress in getting the reverse pivot out of my swing.

This morning, I practiced and played nine at the North Texas Golf Center. The day was warm and heavily clouded with a breeze from the south.

I bought a medium bucket and proceeded to hit short wedge shots at the sand flags at the end of the range. My distance control was poor, due mostly to lack of practice, but direction was good without any tendencies. Next, I went to the range and practiced my Jim Flick reverse pivot correction drill using the 8-iron. Again, I had a lot of difficulty with reverse pivot; whenever I let my guard down, it reappears. I then hit short iron shots at the left white flag, tending to hit pushes. Distances were normal today.

Next, I got out the driver and worked on hitting drives at the right yellow flag, about 230 yds away. I hit a lot of pushes with the driver, but had little sidespin on most shots. I also hit a few shots with the 5-wood and hybrid, but didn’t hit these clubs well today.

I then spent some time figuring out distances with my wedges, and have found I hit the 52° gap wedge about 95 yd carry, and the 56° sand wedge about 85 yds. That’s pretty consistent with my Callaway wedges that have different lofts of 49° and 54°. I then worked on hitting low punch shots with the pitching wedge and 8-iron. With the final balls, I went through the bag trying to hit a good shot with each club, and succeeded, with the exception of the hybrid and the 4-iron.

I visited the putting green for a few minutes, working on speed. The putting green was very slow and I had some difficulty getting the speed up on my putts. I don’t really like putting on slow greens and the green was very slow today.

My score:

* Hit green in regulation.

Hole by hole:

• First hole. Hit a worm burner 9-iron well short of the green. Attempted a gap wedge chip, but hit it thin and 45 ft short of the hole, below the ridge that runs across the green. Hit my putt 12 ft long, missed the return putt and tapped in for double.
• Second hole. Pushed a 9-iron well right of the hole pin-high. Chipped with pitching wedge to 15 ft, missed the putt and tapped in for bogey.
• Third hole. Hooked a 9-iron (that reverse pivot came back) pin-high left of the bunker. Had a difficult down-hill lie, hit a lob wedge pitch 20 ft from the hole, missed the par putt and tapped in for bogey.
• Fourth hole. Pulled a pitching wedge into a grass bunker pin-high, hit a lob wedge chip from an up-hill lie to 12 ft, just missed the par putt and tapped in for bogey.
• Fifth hole. Hit a sand wedge 15 ft over the hole, just missed birdie putt and tapped in for par.
• Sixth hole. Hit a pitching wedge right of the green, chipped with the gap wedge to 20 ft, just missed the par putt and tapped in for bogey.
• Seventh hole. Hit a gap wedge long over the green, chipped with an 8-iron to 20 ft, missed par putt and tapped in for bogey.
• Eighth hole. Hit a sand wedge just right of the green, hit a beautiful chip with the pitching wedge to 6 inches and tapped in for par and my only up-and-down of the day.
• Ninth hole. Attempted to hit an 8-iron punch shot, but pushed it well right onto the 7th hole tee. Hit a lob wedge to 21 ft but left with a putt breaking 4 feet left. Hit the putt too long, leaving a 4 ft breaking putt, which I missed and tapped in for double.

Today wasn’t my best playing, obviously, but I needed to work on my short game, and I got in that work. I plan to spend the rest of the week doing exactly this same sort of practice, with more chipping practice. My putting speed was good except for the first and ninth holes and I was just unlucky that none of my par or birdie putts fell into the hole. Still, I felt a little better about my short game given my pathetic short-game performance in Cancun.