A good practice on a beautiful afternoon
This afternoon after work, I practiced at the Golden Bear Golf Center on a cool, but sunny, afternoon. Only a slight breeze from the west was blowing.
I started off hitting gap wedges to the red flagged green. The first shot was slightly fat, but the next few shots were well-struck. I then got out the 7-iron and proceeded to hit high hooks well left of the blue-flagged green. A bit discouraged, I got out the driver and hit a high fade, followed by a high hook, and then a perfect drive right at the green flag. Now encouraged again, I got out the 5-wood and hit some shots. After two high fades, I started striking the ball perfectly straight and long. I then got out the hybrid, but never really hit it particularly well.
Next, I got out the 9-iron to work out my hooks. After a push, I hooked a couple of shots and then hit one very nicely. I then got out the 5-iron and again hit high hooks. I then alternated the driver, 5-wood and 5-iron, trying to get the hook out of my swing. I finally succeeded by letting my grip weaken a bit and swinging with a bit less tension. I then hit some very nice iron shots with the 9-, 7- and 5-irons. With the last few balls, I hit some more iron and hybrid shots, the irons well-struck but the hybrid shots were weak fades.
Next up, I went to the putting green to practice putting. I’ve been trying to swing more freely with minimal grip pressure. I ran the speed drill, putting the ball very cleanly, but a little longer past the hole than I prefer. I ended putting practice with some very nice putts from 30 ft, none of them more than 20″ from the hole.
A good practice on a beautiful afternoon; I was very pleased.