Games November 2022 - In Closing...

I'm really proud of the improvements I made with my swing last year, so thought I'd share.
Used to be a bit OTT, now consistently inside-out, which is nice.
I think my main weakness is a too-active lower body, which needs to get quieter.
Looking at widening my stance, as well as continuing to work with Monte's basket drill.
Main concern is losing pressure transfer, as I am distance-challenged.
Any other thoughts or comments are welcome!

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Update: Since I was directed to travel on business to Santa Ana, CA, Monte was able to fit me into his schedule for four hours of lessons and a 9-hole playing lesson March 16-19. I'm keeping the original posted video as a kind of benchmark.

I first attended a Monte clinic in 2014 as a reward for some weight loss, and I've been a fan ever since. That first year, he improved my swing just by adding some side tilt. Since then, I attended two more clinics. I skipped last year to just "dig it out of the dirt" and achieved my goal of learning to hit a draw. Was originally scheduled to attend Houston this year, but when this business trip came up I asked a few guys (thanks Hawkeye77 and parmark) about private lessons with Monte. Both highly recommended it.

I'll use this thread to document progress. Hopefully, Monte will chime in. Obligatory food porn will be provided. I'm not a very good golfer (will break 90 on a good day and have broken 85 a few times). I'm in my early 50s. Good flexibility, but somewhat weak for my size. Distance challenged (driver carry 220, 7-iron 140-145). I have always felt part of my problem is I'm left-handed playing golf right-handed, and I don't involve my right hand/arm enough in the swing. We will see! I just know I'm going to the right guy, and regardless of how much or little I improve, it won't be the instructor's fault.

Looking forward to the reports - should be a great experience! Looks good so will be interesting to see where the "power leaks" are or gains in efficiency may be found - and no way you shouldn't be shooting 85 or better (there is some pressure for the season!).

Tell us more about the side tilt and how you added it to your swing.

Tell us more about the side tilt and how you added it to your swing.

Monte Chicago 2014 - Due to some weight loss surgery, I lost about 80 pounds in about five months and was about 275#. I get up in front of the group to swing. Monte asks the group "What does he need?" Pretty much everyone said more lateral tilt at setup. I never realized it was that obvious. It was really the only thing I worked on that weekend.

What made it difficult to implement was the view of the ball was so different. At the time of the clinic, I was fairly OTT, but the added secondary tilt really set me on the road to improvement as it made it easier to "make room" for a correct swing. Frankly, as I look at the video above, I could probably stand to add a little secondary tilt right now...

Thoughts and prayers Monte. :taunt:

Thoughts and prayers Monte. :taunt:

No kidding. Monte goes on a rant about three separate acts of stupidity he sees at his golf course within five minutes. He obviously forgot the level of stupidity I can achieve by myself in the span of a 1-second golf swing.

I'm in beautiful Southern California at the Wyndham Irvine airport. Really nice hotel, BTW. Getting ready to pick up the rental car and go visit Monte. Too late last night for real food (ended up with Domino's mediocre pizza for late dinner and breakfast). Here's what I'm bagging on the trip:

Driver: Adams XTD Ti 12* set to 10.5* with stock Matrix Red Tie 6X3 R

FW: Adams XTD Ti 15* and 18* with stock Matrix Red Tie 7X3 R

Hybrids: Adams XTD Ti 20* and 23* w Matrix Red Tie Hx3 R

Irons: Maltby MMB Black 5-GW w DG AMT S300

Wedges: Maltby MG Grind 56* and 60* w Score LT Firm

Putter: Top Flite Tour 5.0

I say "on the trip" because just before leaving I picked up a set of Maltby DBM 6-SW from the same seller I originally bought the MMBs from. Sold to me as a low torque, 85g reportedly made for an OEM. I suspect Maltby bought some overstock and rebadged as a hybrid shaft. These are "blank" black with no logo and look great with the Maltby DBM heads!

Have fun. Give us a full report

If there is some dork hitting in Monte's spot, kick him the heck out! ;-)

If there is some dork hitting in Monte's spot, kick him the heck out! ;-)

Decent swing, pressure trace as bad as my dancing skills.

I'm in beautiful Southern California at the Wyndham Irvine airport. Really nice hotel, BTW. Getting ready to pick up the rental car and go visit Monte. Too late last night for real food (ended up with Domino's mediocre pizza for late dinner and breakfast). Here's what I'm bagging on the trip:

 

Driver: Adams XTD Ti 12* set to 10.5* with stock Matrix Red Tie 6X3 R

FW: Adams XTD Ti 15* and 18* with stock Matrix Red Tie 7X3 R

Hybrids: Adams XTD Ti 20* and 23* w Matrix Red Tie Hx3 R

Irons: Maltby MMB Black 5-GW w DG AMT S300

Wedges: Maltby MG Grind 56* and 60* w Score LT Firm

Putter: Top Flite Tour 5.0

 

I say "on the trip" because just before leaving I picked up a set of Maltby DBM 6-SW from the same seller I originally bought the MMBs from. Sold to me as a low torque, 85g reportedly made for an OEM. I suspect Maltby bought some overstock and rebadged as a hybrid shaft. These are "blank" black with no logo and look great with the Maltby DBM heads!

I love a good California/Monte pilgrimage thread. Have fun while you’re out there.

The DBM’s are a pretty looking iron. Had a set for a hot minute. They launched INSANELY high for me, so i moved on.

Looking forward to reading about your experience.

Tiger winning Masters....9/1.

Pac-10 flaming out in March Madness .... 5/1.

Monte surviviing Games weekend ..... 180/1.

Calling my bookie.

Incredibly boring first lesson. As Monte already led on, lower body is a hot mess. Bottom line, two things to work on:

1. Old man setup - I was WAY too hunched over the ball. Needed to be more upright in Monte’s “old man” setup.

2. Too much sliding, not enough turning. Nailed it! Have to flex the lead knee, and not allow it to move laterally (toward/away from target).

Simple diagnosis, just need reps with baby swings to build on. The interesting thing is the old man setup to me feels like how Steve Stricker looks!

Gotta brag on Monte, a bit as I got to watch him practice. At 50, Monte is throwing up STUPID numbers on the Flightscope. 180 mph driver ball speed? 130 mph clubhead? Just silly.

We talked about the golf instruction industry and the new wave of “golf biomechanics.” I continually come away from sessions with Monte impressed with the level of intellect with which he approaches his craft. And unlike a lot of theoreticians, Monte has serious game. Even better, for slower learners like me, he can throw out alternate feels if the student can’t execute the first suggested thought. Gifted instructor. More musings to follow.

Tiger winning Masters....9/1.

Pac-10 flaming out in March Madness .... 5/1.

Monte surviviing Games weekend ..... 180/1.

 

Calling my bookie.

Monte’s survival increased exponentially with ID of yet another killer flaw. Effectively said “Get this Shiite fixed before I see you again on Sunday.” <end of lesson> LOL!

But here’s where he’s gifted. He knows five different “feels” that lead to the same fix. Everyone deals with each feel differently. From there he evaluates each students ability to process. For me, because he knows I’m hopeless, he said just pick the one that works best for you and leaves me alone <jk>

Then he proceeds to walk over to the other side of his practice area to nuke a KZG driver at 180 mph ballspeed!

To be fair, the 131 mph was a bad reading. Probably not more than 125-127, but I did have a 126/183.

I’m old and fat, but spry.

Check out Bosscat Kitchen and Libations, right near your hotel. Good cocktails. Fun food.

Check out Bosscat Kitchen and Libations, right near your hotel. Good cocktails. Fun food.

Gotta try Nate’s Korner for breakfast too! That was a JohnRobison suggestion to me on one of my trips. Dude knows his eateries!

After practice, I headed to the Oak Creek Cafe where I was just in tie for happy hour. A tall glass of a local IPA was $5 and a small order of wings was $6. I think the IPA was brewed by Artifex and it was a solid 4 of 5.

Since Saturday is on my own, I decided to call it a day. After a hot shower, I did the obligatory visit to In-N-Out. Ordered a double protein and animal fries. I'm not supposed to have a lot of carbs, but I'm glad I tried the animal fries! Was going to snap a pic, but the carnage in the tray was NSFW as it was littered with uneaten fries and torn off lettuce leaves.

 

I love a good California/Monte pilgrimage thread. Have fun while you're out there.

 

The DBM's are a pretty looking iron. Had a set for a hot minute. They launched INSANELY high for me, so i moved on.

 

Looking forward to reading about your experience.

If you like the look of the DBM but want lower flight, you could give the MMB a try.

In fact, I may be selling mine, and just going back to the DBM because of something Monte said yesterday.

As Monte knows, my miss is thin. He walks over to me and shows me one of his new insanely gorgeous KZG forgings with Steelfibers. He says I should consider them because the coating eliminates the "stinger" feeling from a thin shot. While I gave Monte a smart azz reply about deserving negative reinforcement after a bad shot, the truth is he's right. That stinger feeling is not fun... :vava:

After practice, I headed to the Oak Creek Cafe where I was just in tie for happy hour. A tall glass of a local IPA was $5 and a small order of wings was $6. I think the IPA was brewed by Artifex and it was a solid 4 of 5.

 

Since Saturday is on my own, I decided to call it a day. After a hot shower, I did the obligatory visit to In-N-Out. Ordered a double protein and animal fries. I'm not supposed to have a lot of carbs, but I'm glad I tried the animal fries! Was going to snap a pic, but the carnage in the tray was NSFW as it was littered with uneaten fries and torn off lettuce leaves.

Since you're avoiding a lot of carbs, I like LA Brisket in Costa Mesa. I order meat by the 1/2 lb with a side of slaw. Across the street from there is an excellent little restaurant, Old Vine Cafe. Their breakfast makes my OC top 5 list and I've been just about everywhere in the county for breakfast (my favoritist meal). They open at 9 - get there before 10 or there's a line. Also near you is Trade Food Hall. Lots of choices, along with a cocktail bar, but for low carb eaters, Two Birds is great. I get the 3-piece grilled breast with a side of slaw (I've never had it fried but that's what they're known for). PM me if you want any other recommendations (or just ask right here for future travelers' reference, I suppose). If there's anything specific you like (authentic Mex, pho, coffee, etc...), I can probably help out.

BTW... Schnee's not kidding about Nate's. That's one tasty burrito! And they'll make it in a bowl, if you prefer to forego the tortilla.

I love a good California/Monte pilgrimage thread. Have fun while you're out there.

 

The DBM's are a pretty looking iron. Had a set for a hot minute. They launched INSANELY high for me, so i moved on.

 

Looking forward to reading about your experience.

 

If you like the look of the DBM but want lower flight, you could give the MMB a try.

In fact, I may be selling mine, and just going back to the DBM because of something Monte said yesterday.

 

As Monte knows, my miss is thin. He walks over to me and shows me one of his new insanely gorgeous KZG forgings with Steelfibers. He says I should consider them because the coating eliminates the "stinger" feeling from a thin shot. While I gave Monte a smart azz reply about deserving negative reinforcement after a bad shot, the truth is he's right. That stinger feeling is not fun... :vava:

HaHa - Monte never hits them thin! ;-)

Hit 300 balls this morning. Took three progressive pictures of turf carnage.

Divots are deeper, fewer thin shots. Will post my 300 ball carve out shortly.

Right now, enjoying the Bosscat tap list. (So tell me again how a bar in Cali opens at 11am serving egg dishes is considered “breakfast?” I was up at 5am and at the course at 8am. I’m way too Midwest Lol.

Edit: Stopped at Barley Forge for a beer or three. Had a solid bratwurst straight out of MKE. Photo forthcoming.

Hit 300 balls this morning. Took three progressive pictures of turf carnage.

 

Divots are deeper, fewer thin shots. Will post my 300 ball carve out shortly.

 

Right now, enjoying the Bosscat tap list. (So tell me again how a bar in Cali opens at 11am serving egg dishes is considered “breakfast?” I was up at 5am and at the course at 8am. I’m way too Midwest Lol.

 

Edit: Stopped at Barley Forge for a beer or three. Had a solid bratwurst straight out of MKE. Photo forthcoming.

Solid choice! Ya, I feel you. I'm a 5AM-er too and my chief complaint about the the better breakfast spots we have is how late they all open. KIT Coffee opens at 6. Great coffee and a very respectable toast and soft scramble (tip: add bacon). Cross the street and splurge on the the best donuts in town. Sidecar

PS. Don't go back to Bosscat tomorrow. Their Sunday breakfast is obscene! You've been warned :)

Thoughts and prayers Monte. :taunt:

It's already 5:44 on the coast and no update - I'm worried about both!

Thoughts and prayers Monte. :taunt:

 

It's already 5:44 on the coast and no update - I'm worried about both!

I’ve heard from Monte, cannot report on the status of Games.

Thoughts and prayers Monte. :taunt:

 

It's already 5:44 on the coast and no update - I'm worried about both!

 

I've heard from Monte, cannot report on the status of Games.

LOL, me too - just had to get a reminder on a restaurant.

Hey, thanks for the concern! But I’m fine. Just a little tired and sore.

The real story of the trip is Monte. It’s good to see him healthy. And he’s just flat out crushing the ball. He’s got this bullet fade with his driver. Ball moves maybe five feet right then stops. And the ball just goes forever. He says he prefers a tight draw, but this little fade is a missile.

The other part of this story is Monte as an instructor. I never realized how much or how deeply he thinks about golf instruction. He gives a great deal of thought into what and how he communicates to his students. More to come shortly...

Shortly?

Right now, all I got is Bosscat’s burger (prepped Chef style w no lettuce or tomato) may be the best single burger I’ve had in my life.