The road (to scratch) goes on forever, and the party never ends!

[DataGolfer]

Hi, I am DataGolfer, and this is where I’ll be journaling my path to scratch. 
 

Like many, I got the bug in 2020, when my competitive bowling career abruptly came to a close during the pandemic.
 

Needing to scratch a competitive itch, I joined the local course, Compass Pointe, who were running a killer deal at the time ($60/month for unlimited range balls and $15 rounds with cart). Needless to say, I ate them out of house and home from June 2020 to January 2022, when the deal was discontinued. I totaled about 400 rounds, and what must have been a hundred thousand range balls.  

Combined with Planemate, in-person, and online lessons, I managed to scrape my way — thanks in very large part to Compass Pointe’s inaccurate 74/140 rating — down to a 2.6. 
 

And then… life went back to normal. And 10 rounds a week turned to 10 rounds in a year. And the predictable 74s turned to 92s.

 

But the itch has returned, and I’m back to practicing and playing obsessively… at East Potomac, mostly, and I am working with Mark Odenthal online while also working through Monte’s Efficient Swing and Gareth Raflewski’s short game site.

 

And despite my handle, an homage to my 9-5, I’m attempting to avoid data at all costs, and just get the damn ball into the hole. 
 

 

 

 

 

Edited September 5, 2023 by DataGolfer

[DataGolfer]

Last week, I joined the MSGA. I figure there’s only one way to do this, and it’s the right way. Playing East Potomac regularly means I’m going to have to learn to go low. A couple of shots under par is the bare minimum for 0.0 or better there, which is no easy feat. Gone are the days of being able to shoot 75-77 and game the system. I’ll need to credit “the data” a second here… it’s going to take about 13 GIR per round at a minimum to pull this off, which represents a fairly significant leap in terms of ballstriking prowess… 

 

Swing Progress: 

 

My goals this week are to continue to improve how I transfer weight to my lead side earlier in the swing, and use my pelvis/core/shoulder to “sling” my right arm off my chest into impact. My “big miss” is a massive push fade, which could be up to 100 yards left of target with Driver. More on that in a minute…

 

Current Handicap: 14.0

 

I’ve posted one round since joining GHIN. An 88 at Maryland National from the one-ups. Four shots into hazards and Two OB cost me 10 strokes. 

 

 

[DataGolfer]

[MonteScheinblum]

Swing looks pretty good. Shoulders wide open at address isn’t helping you.  Also hands pretty low at address.

[virtuoso]

Really nice action. Left hand too much on top of the grip contributing to open shoulders.

[getitdaily]

Pretty good motion. A lot of natural athletic ability.

 

Lead hand is really strong and trail hand is really weak. You have hands opposing each other rather than working with each other. Look up videos on proper grip and work to weaken tour lead hand and strengthen your trail hand. Lead hand needs to be turned more toward target, trail hand needs to be turned away from target. But this is an easy fix and probably 1000 videos available to show you what I'm trying to describe...

[Sean124]

She stepped into the alley with a single shot .410

 

I’m gonna have that song in my head all day. 

[SNIPERBBB]

The Road to Scratch goes on and on

Down from the "Fore!" where it began.

Now far ahead the ball has gone

and I must hit it if I can.

 

Pursuing it with eager feet

until it joins some larger fairway

Where many balls and golfers meet

And whither then?  I cannot say

 

[Chunkitgood]

All that is gold does not glitter.

 

Not all who wander are lost.

[CSagan]

Big club twirl guy. 😀

 

 

[DataGolfer]

204 balls tonight. East Potomac must be enjoying these $28.50 range sessions… I need to come up with a better solution. 
 

I’ll spare you the particulars — the club feels foreign with the new grip, but there is some light at the end of the tunnel… I saw “draw” with a diver for the first time. 
 

here’s a before (yesterday, gray hat) and after (today, red hat)of the set-up changes. Also squared up my shoulders per Monte’s advice. That feels like French, too. But I’m committed to making the motion — results will come. 

 

[Nard_S]

Nice rhythm.

[DataGolfer]

I need to hit the reset button.

 

We played "The Preserve" at Eisenhower on Saturday. Couldn't have asked for better weather. Conditions were mediocre. I had high hopes for the place -- the Andrew Green redesign is outstanding except for the hummocks -- I get it -- I get it. Last year, the story was... give it a year to grow in... this year, it's gotten worse, considerably so. When Billy Casper died, his management company was rebranded "Indigo" buy some Private Equity shmucks and sold off to Troon. The Anne Arundel County munis (Eisenhower, Compass Pointe) were under Billy Caper management for years, and were generally doing well. Of course, prices have gone up, deals for county residents have been gutted, and course conditions have suffered. On to the golf...

I notched my worst round in 3.5 years... a 122, with 17 lost balls and 33 penalty strokes. Something like a 43 differential, from the one ups. Par 71, around 6800 yards.

 

I lost 11/18 tee shots and 6 more from the fairway, typically already htting 4 after implementing the USGA's local rule for OB. 55, 67.

 

This sort of thing hasn't happened -- ever.

 

Going to reset.... from the red tees at East Potomac... No Turn Cast, only...

 

 

 

[getitdaily]

On 9/5/2023 at 10:45 PM, DataGolfer said:

204 balls tonight. East Potomac must be enjoying these $28.50 range sessions… I need to come up with a better solution. 
 

I’ll spare you the particulars — the club feels foreign with the new grip, but there is some light at the end of the tunnel… I saw “draw” with a diver for the first time. 
 

here’s a before (yesterday, gray hat) and after (today, red hat)of the set-up changes. Also squared up my shoulders per Monte’s advice. That feels like French, too. But I’m committed to making the motion — results will come. 

 

Grip is getting better.

 

Are you hitting a 46" 5i?

 

Don't give up on the changes. It'll take you 6 weeks, minimum, to get used to the feel. 

[DataGolfer]

A season low 77 yesterday.... I have now posted 88, 122, 77, for an interesting combination and a 10.3 handicap.

 

East Potomac is short and tame, and I played the front tees to find my Mojo as Austin Powers might say...

 

36(E) on the back with 3 birdies and 3 bogies -- couldn't miss down the stretch, including a 15 footer to save par on 17 when I had my only "Push slice" of the day.

 

My only swing thought was "No Turn, Cast" and it seems to have worked. Contact has moved a little to the toe, and flight has moved a little too fadey for my liking.

 

But my problem has always been start line, and that seems to have resolved instantaneously

[kobe123]

2 minutes ago, DataGolfer said:

A season low 77 yesterday.... I have now posted 88, 122, 77, for an interesting combination and a 10.3 handicap.

 

East Potomac is short and tame, and I played the front tees to find my Mojo as Austin Powers might say...

 

36(E) on the back with 3 birdies and 3 bogies -- couldn't miss down the stretch, including a 15 footer to save par on 17 when I had my only "Push slice" of the day.

 

My only swing thought was "No Turn, Cast" and it seems to have worked. Contact has moved a little to the toe, and flight has moved a little too fadey for my liking.

 

But my problem has always been start line, and that seems to have resolved instantaneously

 

Please tell us how you managed a 122? I don't see this swing producing a 122 ever.

[MPStrat]

1 hour ago, kobe123 said:

 

Please tell us how you managed a 122? I don't see this swing producing a 122 ever.

 

I pretty much agree. Its his grip that makes this possible IMO

[SNIPERBBB]

35 minutes ago, MPStrat said:

 

I pretty much agree. Its his grip that makes this possible IMO

A chronic visit to El Hosel City with lots of water or OB in play can always bring that number in play. Only so many things you can do to escape that city when they become chronic.

[MPStrat]

18 minutes ago, SNIPERBBB said:

A chronic visit to El Hosel City with lots of water or OB in play can always bring that number in play. Only so many things you can do to escape that city when they become chronic.

I could see that. I once stood at my ball in par 4 fairway in competition and watched a scratch player hosel 5 shots in a row into the drink from the drop zone after hitting his tee ball in the water. He was hitting 3 from the drop zone and then shanked 5 in a row.

[MK7Golf21]

2 hours ago, kobe123 said:

 

Please tell us how you managed a 122? I don't see this swing producing a 122 ever.

play with a guy who is athletic, 6’4” and has a beautiful swing, Adam Scott like. Has speed obviously and if he starts hitting hooks mid round, look out. He simply can’t correct it and with his speed they don’t stay in bounds, two way misses. Have made a ton of money off him. 

[DataGolfer]

4 hours ago, kobe123 said:

 

Please tell us how you managed a 122? I don't see this swing producing a 122 ever.

2 hours ago, SNIPERBBB said:

A chronic visit to El Hosel City with lots of water or OB in play can always bring that number in play. Only so many things you can do to escape that city when they become chronic.

 

When then club gets behind me, it can go 100 yards left or 100 yards right. And the hosel is back in play as I grind through the grip change.

 

I hit an 80 yard hook into a lost ball with an 8 iron in the middle of the fairway... the only fairway I hit.

 

Hence, "No Turn, cast." Can't really miss 2 ways that way.

Edited September 15, 2023 by DataGolfer