i used the 3 skills and nailed it!

[BrianW]

Re: i used the 3 skills and nailed it!

Told you it would take me longer ; tried adjusting my grip as Kevin suggested in order to promote closing the club. Just 3 words to describe my swing, "gone to pieces", and four more, "what the feck was that".

All over the place; either hooking or pushing really wildly every so often though a little glimpse of what happens when you get it right - so perseverence Robin, perseverence!

Mind you as my old Gran used to say "if at first you don't succeed take up another game".

Robin,

Sounds like you are trying too hard. If you are OK with SK2 and can hit the ball slightly out right consistently then you only need a gentle closing of the clubface through impact, sounds like you are being a bit aggressive at this stage. Just imagine the toe of the club moving past the heel as you come through the ball, don't concentrate on the wrists or hands.

[bdbl]

Re: i used the 3 skills and nailed it!

been to the range tonight practicing the 3sk*lls just going to say 2 words "feckin marvelous" and another 2 "effortless power"

Told you it would take me longer ; tried adjusting my grip as Kevin suggested in order to promote closing the club. Just 3 words to describe my swing, "gone to pieces", and four more, "what the feck was that".

All over the place; either hooking or pushing really wildly every so often though a little glimpse of what happens when you get it right - so perseverence Robin, perseverence!

Mind you as my old Gran used to say "if at first you don't succeed take up another game".

[Ian Hancock]

Re: i used the 3 skills and nailed it!

No worries Slats,

we are comping until 6th October, I'll arrange with you after that.

Hopefully, you will knock a fair few more shots off by then.

I am going to the Belfry in two weeks to watch the masters, may stand on the range talking out loud about 3skills, then hopefully pass it off as my idea and sign some tour players up under my tuition.

THUMP.............

Fell out off bed.

Ian.

[slater170]

Re: i used the 3 skills and nailed it!

Hi Slats,

Me and Liam are free for a Knock this Saturday morning around 9.00am, Liam has a lesson with Staffordshire after so we may have to shoot off after a quick pint., if this is a bit short notice or you would like a game with all three maybe another week, I try and sort before the weather changes to much.

Sounds like Brian is slowly being converted, like any change you need to let go after a while and hit the ball, I certainly pushed a few at first, and a few hooks.......................it soon settles down with the confidence it brings.

I'll catch up at home just leaving work now.

Ian.

hi ian
got a comp on sat morn!
ive got a free day on sunday the 23rd if that is any good?
been to the range tonight practicing the 3sk*lls just going to say 2 words "feckin marvelous" and another 2 "effortless power"

[Ian Hancock]

Re: i used the 3 skills and nailed it!

ill take you up on that offer if i ever want my confidence smashed into oblivion!
seriously just give me the nod ian

Hi Slats,

Me and Liam are free for a Knock this Saturday morning around 9.00am, Liam has a lesson with Staffordshire after so we may have to shoot off after a quick pint., if this is a bit short notice or you would like a game with all three maybe another week, I try and sort before the weather changes to much.

Sounds like Brian is slowly being converted, like any change you need to let go after a while and hit the ball, I certainly pushed a few at first, and a few hooks.......................it soon settles down with the confidence it brings.

I'll catch up at home just leaving work now.

Ian.

[bill reed]

Re: i used the 3 skills and nailed it!

sounds good Brian.

[BrianW]

Re: i used the 3 skills and nailed it!

hi Brian
if your coming in on a flatter plane you may be catching the ball a little bit lower on the face of the driver too, maybe try and tee it up maybe 1/8 off an inch to 1/4 of a inch and see it you get the height back but still that solid flat approach into the ball. put some talcum power on the face of the driver and see where your making contact. i know when i hit my driver off the fairway with no tee it fly's low and i always catch it about 1/4 of an inch below the sweet spot but its great for hitting under the wind like that on the long par 5s.
bill

Bill,

I have some impact spray for checking where I hit the ball. It's not a problem Bill, I am working through the 3Skills drills and have been deliberately following the instructions from the book. The reason for the slightly less driving distance is due to me not giving it my normal freewheeling blow as I try the exercises and also freeing my mind of any considerations of what my body does, just focusing on the clubface through impact. I fully expect that distance will improve as I work more on these skills, it really is not a problem at this time.

[bill reed]

Re: i used the 3 skills and nailed it!

hi Brian
if your coming in on a flatter plane you may be catching the ball a little bit lower on the face of the driver too, maybe try and tee it up maybe 1/8 off an inch to 1/4 of a inch and see it you get the hight back but still that solid flat approach into the ball. put some talcum power on the face of the driver and see where your making contact. i know when i hit my driver off the fairway with no tee it fly's low and i always catch it about 1/4 of an inch below the sweet spot but its great for hitting under the wind like that on the long par 5s.
bill

[BrianW]

Re: i used the 3 skills and nailed it!

hi Brian
you said you were not hitting your driver as far but were you getting the flight you wanted and was it going where you aimed.
bill

Bill,

I was getting slightly lower flight as I was working on a more horizontal hit with the driver as the book suggests, rather than the more upward sweep that I normally use. I believe this was a factor of shorter distance compounded with me slowing it down to concentrate on the skills. Direction was fine, a small draw shape but that is my normal anyway.

[slater170]

Re: i used the 3 skills and nailed it!

Hi Slats,

Yeh I can sort us a knock at my place one weekend soon if your up for it, my mates off +3 and about 40 yds longer than me and my son will play too, so if your still up for it let me know.

I think if your pushing drives out right then your on the right track, just needs a bit of time for you mind to tell your body to rotate more to bring it back, hence don't worry out right is a good sign............


Later

Ian.

ill take you up on that offer if i ever want my confidence smashed into oblivion!
seriously just give me the nod ian

[bill reed]

Re: i used the 3 skills and nailed it!

hi Brian
you said you were not hitting your driver as far but were you getting the flight you wanted and was it going where you aimed.
bill

[BrianW]

Re: i used the 3 skills and nailed it!

Progress report:

I have made two range practice sessions and played a round at club night using only the 3 skills method. I have tried to stay true to Joe Hagan's precepts and concentrated only on the 3 skills with all other swing thoughts out of my head.

Initial range results were that I was creating some beautiful draws with my irons and making some very impressive contact with my recovery clubs. I felt a certain loss of power and distance with my driver but made great strikes with my 3 wood. I think the driver was due to me focusing on the clubface through the ball rather than letting it freewheel so nothing concerning there.

Based on this I played a round at the club and again tried to keep focused on the skills, I decided to leave the driver and use the 3 wood. Well! not the best round I have ever played but not bad either, the 3 wood gave me some nice distances, I did push a couple of them but that was due to over focus on path and forgetting to turn the clubface properly. My iron play and especially wedges were singing though, made a few great approaches from around 60 yards with my SW that dropped and stopped within a few feet of the pin. I will need to reconsider clubs for chips and short pitches though due to the amount of spin I am generating.

All in all a very satisfying start. Watch this space for further episodes

[keith_mufc]

Re: i used the 3 skills and nailed it!

AT LAST
Well I finally managed to get to the range Wednesday, short irons went extremely well, long irons hooked left too much. Drives were pretty good. This is all after reading the book 5 or 6 times and 30 mins practice on the range.
I have always had a prob hooking long irons though.

Took it to the course Thursday and it was the same as the range, until i stood slightly open when using long irons which straightened them out. I then stood square but adjusted my grip slightly moving my right hand over a bit more and gripping slightly looser, it worked also.
Played 13 holes (didnt want to exert my back too much) went round in 3 over gross (easy course though and i play it regular).
Just need the range to keep this new grip in my head, I also put the 3 skills to my putting ( the hammer the visualisation ) I putted really well got 3 up n down par saves from around 25 to 50 yards.

Cheers Kev it does work

[Ian Hancock]

Re: i used the 3 skills and nailed it!

Hi Slats,

Yeh I can sort us a knock at my place one weekend soon if your up for it, my mates off +3 and about 40 yds longer than me and my son will play too, so if your still up for it let me know.

I think if your pushing drives out right then your on the right track, just needs a bit of time for you mind to tell your body to rotate more to bring it back, hence don't worry out right is a good sign............


Later

Ian.

[slater170]

Re: i used the 3 skills and nailed it!

my ball striking with irons has been spot on but ive been hitting a few drives out to the right.
doing the basball swing is a great visual aid to actually see the club face turning through impact,i use it in my preshot routine and have been hitting some nice draws