MD/VA/DC Golfers - Ten Seconds or Less

[FAbb]

It's not a compliment, or a back-handed compliment. It's a

 

[siegel159]

It's not a compliment, or a back-handed compliment. It's a

 

 

 

[misplacedtexan83]

PQ..

 

The new Pennywise looks like a B#$#$

[tbowles411]

Hello peeps! What's good? And local tournaments that might be coming up?

[TheCityGame]

What do you guys pick as a target off the tee?

 

I've been reading Golf is Not a Game of Perfect, and the guy stresses picking the smallest target possible off the tee - a specific tree branch, a marking, whatever. Do you guys generally just pick a line, or have a very small, specific target in mind off the tee/any other shot?

To me, this is a very important part of playing well, especially relative to the amount of ink it gets. Funny how we just kind of do a drive-by on it.

 

These days, I do more of a "full shot visualization" than a specific target.

 

Take, for example, hole 1 at Worthington. I'm probably looking at the right edge of the left trap. I'm picturing a shot starting right at the edge, and fading back into the fairway off that line.

 

But, this is the important part for me. When I tee my ball, I'm finding an alignment aid ON THE TEE BOX that helps me start the ball on that line.

 

My favorite alignment aid on the tees these days is actually an old divot. I'll tee a ball up maybe 6 inches behind a divot and go, "all right, right side of that divot is too far right. Left side of that divot is too far left. I'm sending this right down the middle of the divot."

 

But, lining up with the divot is completely dependent on picking a good line in the first place, and picturing a proper ball flight on that line.

 

I do that process through the bag. . .tee shots, approach shots, chips, putts. I identify a line I want the ball to fly on/roll on and then find a point near my ball to start my ball on that line.

 

I think it's something you can play around with. Try hitting shots at a flag picturing a fade coming in, a draw coming in, a straight shot and see how your swing and your results change.

 

Very important part of the game, for me.

[FAbb]

Something I struggle with is identifying what line I should be taking in the first place, before I even look to pick a target on that line. Holes that dogleg, have you hit to the fairway from an angle, or have a lot of visual distraction make it tough for me to even figure out what line gives me the best chance of finding fairway at times.

[baddomes]

I've never looked at anything right in front of the ball to align, but that sounds like a good idea. Going to try it.

[thechief16]

Not withstanding the fact that I basically "black out" the moment I step on the tee box, I need to be better about picking a target. I basically just have an area in my mind, a la, "I'm going to hit it out in that direction."

[TheCityGame]

I've never looked at anything right in front of the ball to align, but that sounds like a good idea. Going to try it.

Sometimes on really nice fairways and/or greens, there's almost nothing to look at.

 

I've been doing a visualization on iron shots lately where I picture the divot in my mind. Before I hit the shot, I literally picture a dollar bill sized divot starting at the ball and pointing right at my target. It helps with contact and alignment.

 

I think people can find that it's amazing what they're capable of when they're trying to do the right thing. Like create a divot that starts after the ball and points at the target.

 

Sadly, this is the picture I have of most golfers in mind. . .

 

1) Pictures a divot like that.

2) Makes a perfect strike

3) Starts wondering if he set his wrists early enough.

[TheCityGame]

This is all you need to know about the golf swing. #slightHyperbole

 

 

/opinions subject to change

[Puppetmaster]

This is all you need to know about the golf swing. #slightHyperbole

 

 

/opinions subject to change

 

Thanks, City. I think that might work for me, but in my mind this is what will appear...

[misplacedtexan83]

Hello peeps! What's good? And local tournaments that might be coming up?

 

Whats up.. Sept 24th @ Blue Mash Stroke play with various flights

[vtnerf]

Something I struggle with is identifying what line I should be taking in the first place, before I even look to pick a target on that line. Holes that dogleg, have you hit to the fairway from an angle, or have a lot of visual distraction make it tough for me to even figure out what line gives me the best chance of finding fairway at times.

What's the problem? Just cut the corner.

[FAbb]

Funny how we just kind of do a drive-by on it.

 

It seems like most everything about actually playing the game of golf gets little more than a drive-by, compared to the coverage of the mechanics of the golf swing.

[SullGolf]

I need to figure out something that works better for me. I generally pick a target in the distance, then find an area on the ground that's nearby that's on that line. I've given up a bit on that being a specific divot or blade of grass, because like City said you may not have anything that is visually distinct. Lately it feels like I'm not comfortable with the line between my ground spot and the spot in the distance. I can't seem to mentally convince myself that they are the same line. I think I'm lining up decently on my line, but my brain thinks my line is more left, so I leave the face wide open to start it on what my brain things is the right line. Or I could have it entirely backward and my brain is correct and I'm just not line up properly. I've been trying to be a bigger user of the alignment sticks when I'm out practicing.

[TheCityGame]

I need to figure out something that works better for me. I generally pick a target in the distance, then find an area on the ground that's nearby that's on that line. I've given up a bit on that being a specific divot or blade of grass, because like City said you may not have anything that is visually distinct. Lately it feels like I'm not comfortable with the line between my ground spot and the spot in the distance. I can't seem to mentally convince myself that they are the same line. I think I'm lining up decently on my line, but my brain thinks my line is more left, so I leave the face wide open to start it on what my brain things is the right line. Or I could have it entirely backward and my brain is correct and I'm just not line up properly. I've been trying to be a bigger user of the alignment sticks when I'm out practicing.

For me, I don't think it's important if your brain is telling you "that's too far right" or "that's too far left".

 

It's important to acknowledge the difference and then get comfortable swinging on the right line.

 

Again, this is very personal over the ball. I think that some people are fine getting their body aligned correctly, and then swinging like a robot. Some don't care where they're aligned and just try to fire at the target. I never think it's a mistake to make the swing "more athletic" though.

 

I was worried about alignment once with an old teacher and he goes, "you don't hit the ball with your feet."

[dagoose383]

Contest Time!

 

Do you like golf?

Do you think fighter jets and other military aircraft are cool?

Do you want to know the satisfaction of draining birdie putt while a jet flies low overhead and rumbles your insides?

 

If you answered yes to these questions then this is the contest for you!

 

To enter send me a PM with the phrase “I’m In!”

 

This contest is open to Hive members and friends of the club in good standing!

 

Please only enter if you are able to claim your prize! What prize you ask?

 

The GRAND Prize is a (no expenses paid) round of golf in picturesque Southern Maryland at the Prestigious Cedar Point Golf Course located on the grounds of the Patuxent River NAS on the morning of Friday September 8, 2017! That’s not all! You will have the opportunity to play with Hive members such as Dagoose383 and Misplacedtexan83!!

 

Round-Trip Chauffeured transportation from Lusby, MD to Cedar Point is available!

 

There can be up to 4 winners!!

 

Don’t miss this chance to play one of the Navy’s best courses in the State of Maryland!

[FAbb]

For me, I don't think it's important if your brain is telling you "that's too far right" or "that's too far left".

 

It's important to acknowledge the difference and then get comfortable swinging on the right line.

 

Bingo. I think anytime you're using something static to align yourself that you know is correct (line on the ball, intermediate spot, whatever), you just have to ignore that your visual system wasn't built to stand astride of something and aim properly. It doesn't matter if you it looks like you can't possibly be lined up correctly. You've just gotta trust that you are, and go with it.

[SullGolf]

Did he say this to Eagle on the first tee?

 

After you get your tee time and pay, they give you a receipt that you bring to the starter, who then asks for your name and writes it on the tee sheet. Starter on the Red when we were there was a crusty old New Yorker. So I get up and say my name, and though it's a pretty standard name he's quizzing me on how to spell it, like he has no clue. We figure that out, and Stix comes up and does the same. Stix also doesn't have a difficult name, and the starter is having some real trouble with it. At this point, I'm starting to crack a grin, because I know what's coming. Eagle steps up, and says his name. The starter gave him such a what-kind-of-name-is-that-and-why-are-you-in-my-country look. Nothing like some good crotchety old white guy casual racism to start off the trip.

[thechief16]

For me, I don't think it's important if your brain is telling you "that's too far right" or "that's too far left".

 

It's important to acknowledge the difference and then get comfortable swinging on the right line.

 

Bingo. I think anytime you're using something static to align yourself that you know is correct (line on the ball, intermediate spot, whatever), you just have to ignore that your visual system wasn't built to stand astride of something and aim properly. It doesn't matter if you it looks like you can't possibly be lined up correctly. You've just gotta trust that you are, and go with it.

 

Even more true with putting, I find. I stand directly behind my line, use the line on my ball to aim, and when I go to stand over the ball, I'd say 50% of the time, I can't believe that is the right line. It always is. The line on the ball doesn't lie.

[SullGolf]

I'm curious now: I know of people who use the line on the ball for putting, but never seen anyone use it for the tee shot. Does anyone do that?

[thechief16]

Yes. Even at the range.

[TheCityGame]

I'm curious now: I know of people who use the line on the ball for putting, but never seen anyone use it for the tee shot. Does anyone do that?

I used to do that and NOT use it for putting.

[gregh729]

I'm curious now: I know of people who use the line on the ball for putting, but never seen anyone use it for the tee shot. Does anyone do that?

 

interesting concept. I've never seen anyone do that

[FAbb]

I stand directly behind my line, use the line on my ball to aim, and when I go to stand over the ball, I'd say 50% of the time, I can't believe that is the right line.

 

Yup, this is why I had to ditch it on shorter putts, inside ~10ft or so. I just mentally couldn't cope with trusting the line at that distance, so I'd be flinching or subconsciously pulling or pushing putts when I hit them. I'm better without the line in the shorter range. At long range, I've got no issues just trusting the line and hitting my putt.

[FAbb]

This is all you need to know about the golf swing. #slightHyperbole

 

 

/opinions subject to change

 

 

 

I think that's all you need to know to get the best possible ball striking out of the golf swing you have.

 

At some point you're going to hit a ceiling with the swing you've got, though, and improving your mechanics are the only way you improve from there.

[TheCityGame]

So, I'm going to get about $450 at Global Golf, I think,

 

They didn't take the R11s because it was missing the weights in the sole. I didn't even think about that. I probably have them somewhere.

 

Also, I de-badged the Ping TR putter and they wouldn't take that either.

 

So, keep that in mind if you're ever sending anything in. Pretty happy with the process overall. And I got rid of a lot of junk.

[Gmen1204]

I'm curious now: I know of people who use the line on the ball for putting, but never seen anyone use it for the tee shot. Does anyone do that?

A couple of weeks ago on pga live they were talking about some pros using the line on the tee box just can't remember who they were.

[dagoose383]

Uh oh did I catch the FabbDomes disease or have there really been no posts since 2:14?

[thechief16]

you're good. slow afternoon.