Hitting it good
This morning, I ventured into the blustery Texas sunshine to hit some balls at Golden Bear Golf Center. The wind was very strong from the south, blowing in at 2 or 3 clubs.
I warmed up with some 7-iron shots, striking the ball pretty well. I then moved on to my now usual 3-, 6- and 9-iron drill, hitting balls with alternating clubs. Today, since I was hitting the ball into the wind, any spin at all was exaggerated. Most of my shots today were drawing, probably more due to the strong wind, as any side spin at all keeps the ball from going straight. About 2/3 of my non-straight shots were drawing, the rest fades. After that drill, I added in the 3-metal and 21-degree hybrid clubs. I’ve not hit either club much in the past few weeks, but started to hit them pretty good today. My predominate shot with the hybrid is still a fade, but I was also able to draw a shot or two with the club. I also hit the 3-metal a lot better than I have in the last few weeks. I’m thinking it is time to go back to Hank Haney and play that tough nine-hole course again.
After those drills, I went pin-hunting, using a variety of clubs. This drill didn’t go as well as yesterday, as I caught a case of the hooks with the longer clubs, and also tending to pull the shorter ones.
Next up, with about 8 balls left in the bucket, I decided to see if I could develop a low shot to use into the wind. I tried it first with the 8-iron, using a 3/4 swing and reduced follow-through, ball back in my stance. The first few shots were hit fat, but I hit one or two nice ones with the 8-iron and also one with the 6-iron. I will see if I can add this shot to my repertoire.
I spent a few minutes chipping, but didn’t get my touch to work today, and, as time ran short, I headed home.