A frustrating 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.