Simulator Training Plan?

[ctjuniorffldcounty]

With the offseason (New England) approaching, how would you go about improving yourself over the winter if you had access to a simulator for up to 7 hours per week? I'm thinking:

 

2-3 hours of focused swing mechanic work

18-36 holes of sim golf

20 minute speed training 2-3x per week?

 

I'm a 12 handicap for reference.

[getitdaily]

I'd personally skip the 18-36 holes and instead use that time for skills challenges where you hit each club to a green. 

 

I'd spend more time on improvement.

 

I'd also move to where I can play all year.

[ctjuniorffldcounty]

Just now, getitdaily said:

I'd spend more time on improvement.

More total weekly hours you mean?

[getitdaily]

7 minutes ago, ctjuniorffldcounty said:

More total weekly hours you mean?

No, more time on swing improvement and less time on simulator golf rounds.

 

9-18 holes of sim rounds and more time working on key changes. If you want to improve.

[ctjuniorffldcounty]

9 minutes ago, getitdaily said:

No, more time on swing improvement and less time on simulator golf rounds.

 

9-18 holes of sim rounds and more time working on key changes. If you want to improve.

Thanks for the advice. Yes, I really want to improve after years of stagnation.

[snagy2000]

2 hours ago, getitdaily said:

I'd personally skip the 18-36 holes and instead use that time for skills challenges where you hit each club to a green. 

 

I'd spend more time on improvement.

 

I'd also move to where I can play all year.

Agree! 150 yds and in shots, plus wedges would be a focal point. Game becomes easier and a lot more fun once you get really good in those areas.

[ctjuniorffldcounty]

6 minutes ago, snagy2000 said:

Agree! 150 yds and in shots, plus wedges would be a focal point. Game becomes easier and a lot more fun once you get really good in those areas.

Ok I think this is good advice. I feel like the sim has a hard time with wedges though. My distances always seem short.

[Binson]

Depends what part(s) of your game you want/need to work on.

Are you a pretty long hitter already that loses strokes around the green? Or a short-ish hitter that specializes in shots 150 in?

 

Are you someone who struggles with delivering shaft lean on irons and wedges?  Is there a certain shot shape you want to hit more consistently?  The right simulator is great for proving/disproving your work to change your delivery dynamics.  

 

That to me is what a good simulator session is for from a delivery improvement perspective.  Playing a round on the sim could be good for course management or just keeping your swing warm over the break. 

[ctjuniorffldcounty]

1 minute ago, Binson said:

Depends what part(s) of your game you want/need to work on.

Are you a pretty long hitter already that loses strokes around the green? Or a short-ish hitter that specializes in shots 150 in?

 

Are you someone who struggles with delivering shaft lean on irons and wedges?  Is there a certain shot shape you want to hit more consistently?  The right simulator is great for proving/disproving your work to change your delivery dynamics.  

 

That to me is what a good simulator session is for from a delivery improvement perspective.  Playing a round on the sim could be good for course management or just keeping your swing warm over the break. 

Thanks. Like most mid-high handicappers it's all about consistency with me. I'm pretty long, about 270-280 off the tee. But I think an inconsistent takeaway/swing gives me a big miss and inconsistent contact.

[Binson]

4 minutes ago, ctjuniorffldcounty said:

Thanks. Like most mid-high handicappers it's all about consistency with me. I'm pretty long, about 270-280 off the tee. But I think an inconsistent takeaway/swing gives me a big miss and inconsistent contact.

I think that's what a good simulator (like Trackman or GC Quad) is great for. With a focus on the following variables, you can keep track of whether a particular change is taking you away from your baseline - improving them, worsening them, or maintaining them.  Once you find something that delivers more ideal numbers (possibly with an instructor), you can work on trying to maintain them. 

 

These are the basic ones I keep an eye on from a swing work perspective:

1. The normal Club Head Speed, Ball Speed, Smash Factor
2. Face Angle, Path (Face to Path determines curvature) The Face is the biggest decider of how a ball starts. The path will bend it. 
3. Spin - more for consistency
4. Dynamic Loft - by knowing the static loft of your 7i or PW for example, you'll know how much shaft lean you're delivering.  If you deliver excess and aren't improving via mechanics, club fitting may be of assistance.
5. Attack Angle - Are you hitting a little down on your irons, more neutral on woods, and a little up on your Driver?

From a club fitting perspective:

1. Land Angle (aka Angle of Descent):
   1. For clubs that you want to hold greens, you'd want 45-52 degrees. If it's not delivering that for you, you might want to look at other options via club fitting.
   2. For clubs that you want to roll out (like driver), you'd want something in the 30's.