Dave Stockton is a master of the putting game and I ordered this book as soon as it came out. The thesis of the book is all about trusting your unique putting stroke. In order to do that effectively, Dave teaches readers how to see the line and roll the ball consistently. The book essentially describes a process for accomplishing that.
I learned two very helpful things from this book:
1) A consistent routine for reading putts. Dave walks readers through a step-by-step process for reading greens that keeps the focus on the line, helping you never lose that connection to the line while you go through the rest of your putting routine.
2) How to "roll" the ball better. Chapter 4 is titled: "Roll Your Ball" and discusses how to have more finesse with your putting stoke so you roll putts and not hit them. There are a few drills in the book designed to help readers do this. My favorite is the one-handed stroke drill where you hold your left shoulder with your right hand and putt with your left hand only. Its amazing how well I putt when my right hand isn't fighting to take over! This has helped me on the course to keep my left hand dominant, which has increased my distance control significantly.
There were several concepts that I have incorporated into my putting since reading the book, but there were a couple that just didn't feel right. He is a big advocate of a quick routine that does not include a practice stroke nor much attention to the ball itself. I just could not incorporate these steps into my routine.
At exactly 90 pages, this book is a quick read. At full price on Amazon, this book is spendy at 30 cents/page. One other criticism I have of this book are his product endorsements. He devotes an entire chapter to equipment and is clearly paid to endorse TaylorMade.
Overall, I would recommend this book to any golfer interested in being a better putter. The book is very descriptive and contains several helpful drills. My favorite advice from the book is about attitude and confidence. He says: "The best putters step up and let it go easily because they believe they're capable of making every putt...You have to fake it before you make it. Your stroke and your results will not improve unless you visualize yourself successfully making putts."
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Losing my mind
Lately my mental game has been slipping. All year, I've been focusing (successfully) on staying in the present moment. I shot a 74 in a tournament this summer and I had no idea until I added my score up at the end. I was just focusing on the shot in front of me and forgot about the past (good and bad) and didn't think too much about the future (the result of the hole or the round).
My ability to stay in the present moment has dropped off a cliff in recent weeks. I spend too much time thinking about what my score will be on the hole and for the round.
The sad case in point: OGA Tour Championship @ Bandon Trails on October 22nd (more on Bandon, the American golf mecca, in a later post). It is the toughest of all four courses at Bandon Dunes. The layout is challenging, the greens are slick, bunkers are everywhere. Doubles and triples are good scores on some holes if you don't hit it perfectly. Last month I played in the OGA Tour Championship tournament there. The field was competitive. There were a couple scratch players and a handful of other competitors in the 2-3 handicap range. Despite the field, I knew I had a shot at winning a pretty trophy. The course is short from the ladies tees. When I played there in September, I shot a 75. The weather was good. I knew if I could shoot in the 70s I had a good shot.
I made several pars early and only a few bogeys. At the turn I was 3-over and feeling good. I was striking the ball well and my putter and I were getting along. I made bogey on 10 and hit my tee shot on #11 into a fairway bunker about 140 yards from the green. I hit my next shot on the green to 40 feet. The putt had a nasty break, but my caddie Jim gave me a good read, and it dropped in the side of the cup for a sandie birdie! "I'm back baby!!"
This hole was the turning point in the round. After 11 holes, I was only 3-over I knew I had a shot to win this thing if I could keep it together. I began to focus on my score and I began to worry. I was excited and started thinking about the results and that trophy I could put in my office. I started to play tight and careful. I flinched at missed putts, and the tempo on my drives quickened. The wind picked up, I caught a few bad breaks, and carded a couple doubles. I began to panic. I got angry and upset about why this was happening. Unfortunately, it got worse...a fuc*-this!-I'm-going-home-to-cry-now-quad-bogey on #18. When it was all over, I played the last 7 holes at 13-over par. My 87 was in the bottom half of my flight, and I spent the 5-hour drive home sulking and wondering how I could let that happen.
The worst part: 79 was the winning score. If I could have held it together mentally I could have had a chance. Today I was inspired to write about losing my mind because I finally realized why I screwed up so bad in the OGA tournament. I lost my swing because I lost my mind. I now realize that a strong mental game - with a present moment focus - is something I need to constantly work on and not take for granted. I think the ability to stay focused on the present is not something you can ever master. It may come easier but I always need to keep that focus in the front of my mind if I want to play well and win.
My ability to stay in the present moment has dropped off a cliff in recent weeks. I spend too much time thinking about what my score will be on the hole and for the round.
The sad case in point: OGA Tour Championship @ Bandon Trails on October 22nd (more on Bandon, the American golf mecca, in a later post). It is the toughest of all four courses at Bandon Dunes. The layout is challenging, the greens are slick, bunkers are everywhere. Doubles and triples are good scores on some holes if you don't hit it perfectly. Last month I played in the OGA Tour Championship tournament there. The field was competitive. There were a couple scratch players and a handful of other competitors in the 2-3 handicap range. Despite the field, I knew I had a shot at winning a pretty trophy. The course is short from the ladies tees. When I played there in September, I shot a 75. The weather was good. I knew if I could shoot in the 70s I had a good shot.
I made several pars early and only a few bogeys. At the turn I was 3-over and feeling good. I was striking the ball well and my putter and I were getting along. I made bogey on 10 and hit my tee shot on #11 into a fairway bunker about 140 yards from the green. I hit my next shot on the green to 40 feet. The putt had a nasty break, but my caddie Jim gave me a good read, and it dropped in the side of the cup for a sandie birdie! "I'm back baby!!"
This hole was the turning point in the round. After 11 holes, I was only 3-over I knew I had a shot to win this thing if I could keep it together. I began to focus on my score and I began to worry. I was excited and started thinking about the results and that trophy I could put in my office. I started to play tight and careful. I flinched at missed putts, and the tempo on my drives quickened. The wind picked up, I caught a few bad breaks, and carded a couple doubles. I began to panic. I got angry and upset about why this was happening. Unfortunately, it got worse...a fuc*-this!-I'm-going-home-to-cry-now-quad-bogey on #18. When it was all over, I played the last 7 holes at 13-over par. My 87 was in the bottom half of my flight, and I spent the 5-hour drive home sulking and wondering how I could let that happen.
The worst part: 79 was the winning score. If I could have held it together mentally I could have had a chance. Today I was inspired to write about losing my mind because I finally realized why I screwed up so bad in the OGA tournament. I lost my swing because I lost my mind. I now realize that a strong mental game - with a present moment focus - is something I need to constantly work on and not take for granted. I think the ability to stay focused on the present is not something you can ever master. It may come easier but I always need to keep that focus in the front of my mind if I want to play well and win.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Obsessed with 80
Last July I broke 80 for the first time. It was an out of body experience. I shot an even par 35 on the front side. 3 bogeys, 3 pars, and 3 birdies made for an exceptionally exciting even par score. I shot a 40 on the back nine, doing everything possible to try to hold together a round in the 70s.
Breaking 80 last year was a one time event. Going into this season I wanted to break 80, and as the season has gone on, I've become obsessed with it. I flirt with 79 contantly, shooting 80s and 81s on a regular basis, but I just couldn't crack 80. I'd get to the last couple holes needing to par or make a long putt to shatter the big, bad 80 barrier, and I couldn't quite pull it off.
Then, something magical happened on June 20th. I shot a 74. Four days later I followed it with another 74. The following week, 77. Two days after that, 75. Yesterday, a 76. I've played 10 rounds since my 74. Four of those rounds have been in the 70s.
The question is: Is this just a temporary hot streak or the beginning of more consistent lower scores? After I shot the second round in the 70s I started to believe that I could do it consistently. It wasn't just a freak event. I actually can do this. The surge in confidence that comes from breaking 80 has helped me stay focused. I don't stand fearful over putts, worried if I picked the right line or if I will have the right speed. I just look at it and think: "You can do this. Just drain it."
The bottom line is that I feel more confident in my ability to play well, but its a shaky confidence because I'm still in uncharted waters for my golf game. Let's hope I can keep it together!
Breaking 80 last year was a one time event. Going into this season I wanted to break 80, and as the season has gone on, I've become obsessed with it. I flirt with 79 contantly, shooting 80s and 81s on a regular basis, but I just couldn't crack 80. I'd get to the last couple holes needing to par or make a long putt to shatter the big, bad 80 barrier, and I couldn't quite pull it off.
Then, something magical happened on June 20th. I shot a 74. Four days later I followed it with another 74. The following week, 77. Two days after that, 75. Yesterday, a 76. I've played 10 rounds since my 74. Four of those rounds have been in the 70s.
The question is: Is this just a temporary hot streak or the beginning of more consistent lower scores? After I shot the second round in the 70s I started to believe that I could do it consistently. It wasn't just a freak event. I actually can do this. The surge in confidence that comes from breaking 80 has helped me stay focused. I don't stand fearful over putts, worried if I picked the right line or if I will have the right speed. I just look at it and think: "You can do this. Just drain it."
The bottom line is that I feel more confident in my ability to play well, but its a shaky confidence because I'm still in uncharted waters for my golf game. Let's hope I can keep it together!
Sunday, July 3, 2011
I defeated 46 men to take the title!
On June 24th, I competed in my 2nd OGA tournament of the year at Forest Hills in Cornelius, OR. I played a practice round the day before with 2 regulars. This helped me trememndously as I had never played the course before. I knew which clubs to select off the tee, where to aim my tee shots, and when to stay below the hole, which helped me develop a solid game plan for the tournament.
On tournament day, I started strong, with 2 birdies on the first 4 holes. I threw in a couple bogeys, but I remained even par through the first 14 holes. After that I followed a bogey with a double bogey. Then a birdie and another bogey and a finale par. 3-over 74 on a par 71.
I didn't add up my score until the end and I was shocked that I went that low. I tied my lowest score ever. The question was: Is that good enough for first place?! I never expected to contend for first place. My only goal was to play my best.
Our group was one of the last to turn in scorecards. I turned in my scorecard, looked at the board and saw a lot of scores in the 70s but nothing below a 75. As the last scores were written on the board and I saw that mine was the lowest, I was in shock. Complete shock. "Really, I just beat 46 other people - all men and several who are sub-5 handicaps - to win?!"
I've never won a golf tournament before, and I would have to say the highlight was beating 46 dudes. "Sorry guys, I know your ego is brusied." ;)
Check out the results here:
http://www.ghintpp.com/OREGONGA/TPPOnlineScoring/Results.aspx?id=90&archive=None&type=players
On tournament day, I started strong, with 2 birdies on the first 4 holes. I threw in a couple bogeys, but I remained even par through the first 14 holes. After that I followed a bogey with a double bogey. Then a birdie and another bogey and a finale par. 3-over 74 on a par 71.
I didn't add up my score until the end and I was shocked that I went that low. I tied my lowest score ever. The question was: Is that good enough for first place?! I never expected to contend for first place. My only goal was to play my best.
Our group was one of the last to turn in scorecards. I turned in my scorecard, looked at the board and saw a lot of scores in the 70s but nothing below a 75. As the last scores were written on the board and I saw that mine was the lowest, I was in shock. Complete shock. "Really, I just beat 46 other people - all men and several who are sub-5 handicaps - to win?!"
I've never won a golf tournament before, and I would have to say the highlight was beating 46 dudes. "Sorry guys, I know your ego is brusied." ;)
Check out the results here:
http://www.ghintpp.com/OREGONGA/TPPOnlineScoring/Results.aspx?id=90&archive=None&type=players
Friday, June 24, 2011
Golfing in Central Oregon
Day 1 - Aspen Lakes Golf Course - Sisters, Oregon
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Beautiful, Stormy Evening
Troy splashing out of one of Aspen Lakes' signature RED sand bunkers
Me trying to escape from the trees after an errant tee shot.
Finding your ball is easy here because the grass is so sparse.
Last Saturday we drove down to Central Oregon and hit our first stop, Aspen Lakes, for a 3:10 tee time. The forecast for the day was showers in the afternoon and a high of 65. Somehow, Aspen Lakes has it own weather system because the wind was whipping and it was COLD! We struggled to stay warm, especially my fiance,Troy, in his shorts and short sleeve shirt. The course was beautiful and well kept. I might consider playing again, but only if the weather cooperates. I managed to shoot a 90 which is my highest score in a while, so I was ready to get out of there, get to our condo, unpack, get some dinner, and down a couple glasses of wine.
Day 2 - Quail Run Golf Course - LaPine, Oregon
Hey, buddy! I'm talking to you. No slow play!
Beautiful views of several Cascade mountains
throughout the course
Another beautiful view
Hitting a shot into the green - see the ball in flight!?
Quail Run is probably the best value in Central Oregon. The course is in great shape, its challenging but not frustrating, the views are amazing, and you get all this for $35 after 2pm. I would play here again and I highly recommend it. The weather was perfect - 70-75 degrees with sun and a light breeze. I shot an 86 which was an improvement on the day before.
Day 3 - Crooked River Ranch - Crooked River, Oregon
Crooked River Canyon - tempted to hit a ball
down here but I resisted
The course was in good shape - its pretty short
but its a lot of fun!
Troy and me with the river canyon in the background
Its crazy to think that these canyons exist in Oregon, but they do and you can see the canyon throughout the course, particularly on hole #5, which is where the top picture was taken. This course was the highlight of the trip for 2 reasons:
1) I had my FIRST EAGLE EVER on hole #13. This is a short, straight par 4. I hit a 200 yard drive into the rough and had 103 yards to fly over the bunker to get close to the tucked, back pin. With my pin-seeking gap wedge I hit a draw into the green, the ball took two short hops and trickled into the cup for an EAGLE! I couldn't quite see the hole, but I knew it was close. So when I got up to the green and didn't see my ball, I ran up to the hole, looked in, and there it was!! Whoo hoo!!
2) I shot my lowest score to date - a 74!! Enough said...
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Low Net 68 @ Emerald Valley
Usually under competive pressure in golf, I crack and shoot much higher scores than normal. On April 30th at the OGA Tour event at Emerald Valley, something unusual and surprising happened. I was able to stay focused, keep my composure, putt well, and shoot an 80. I had one triple bogey, 1 birdie, several pars, and a few bogeys which resulted in a consistent round. 1 tournament down, 4 more to go this year. I now see that I really can play well under competitive pressure, so hopefully that will carry over into future tournaments...
Creswell, Ore. (April 30, 2011) -- A full field enjoyed the second OGA Tour Individual Series event at Emerald Valley on Saturday, April 30 with nice weather and a course in great condition. The conditions were perfect to see some low scores!
Flight 1 saw Brett Taylor of Camas, Wash. take the Low Gross prize with an even par 72, while Ethan Glaser of Salem, Ore. grabbed the Low Net title with a round of 68. Taylor’s even par round was the low gross round for the event.
Dean McKinney of Grants Pass, Ore. earned the low gross award in a card-off against Ivan Mombert of Eugene, Ore., both with rounds of 79 in Flight 2, with Ashley Wilson of Happy Valley, Ore. taking the Low Net title with a round of 68.
In Flight 3, the Low Gross went to Dan Matthews of Portland, Ore. with an 82, while Corey Fhuere of Coos Bay, Ore. was awarded the Low Net prize with a round of 68.
In addition to gross and net prizes in each of the three flights, the Wells Fargo Skills Contests including Longest Putt, Longest Drive and Closest to the Hole also had a number of winners.
Longest Putt
Flight 1, Ethan Galser 36’9”
Flight 2, Taylor Luzier 6’0”
Flight 3, Andy Merrill 18’11”
Flight 2, Taylor Luzier 6’0”
Flight 3, Andy Merrill 18’11”
Longest Drive
Flight 1, Brett Taylor
Flight 2, Ashley Wilson
Flight 2, Ashley Wilson
Flight 3, Michael Johnson
Closest to the Hole
Flight 1, Ryan Patterson 10’9”
Flight 2, Ivan Mombert 9’1”
Flight 3, Michael Smith 7’6”
Flight 2, Ivan Mombert 9’1”
Flight 3, Michael Smith 7’6”
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Mind Control
Friday was the first gorgeous, warm, dry day in a long time. I was excited to get out there and play 18 holes @ Royal Oaks CC in Vancouver, WA in the afternoon. I'm trying to work out all the winter kinks before my first tournament of the season next Saturday, so I put extra pressure on myself to play well. The front 9 was disappointing. I shot a 46 and was successfully stringing bogeys and doubles together. The triple bogey on hole #7 after hitting my tee shot within 60 yards of the hole was the icing on the cake.
I tried to stay focused and forget about my bad shots and my high score, but I couldn't get my head right. My negative thoughts and lack of confidence became cancerous and I couldn't shake it. At the turn, I was able to collect my thoughts and re-focus. I ended up shooting a 38 on the back 9. Not surprisingly, I was able to find that positive thinking and confidence that I didn't have on the front 9. It was a very creative way to shoot an 84.
What I can't quite discipline myself to do is to think positively regardless of the score I'm shooting. My thinking is dependent on how I'm playing, which is why its possible to shoot a 75 one day and a 91 the following day. I need to find a way to trick myself into thinking positively no matter how well or how poorly I might be playing. How do I remain positive even when I'm not playing as well as I would like?
I tried to stay focused and forget about my bad shots and my high score, but I couldn't get my head right. My negative thoughts and lack of confidence became cancerous and I couldn't shake it. At the turn, I was able to collect my thoughts and re-focus. I ended up shooting a 38 on the back 9. Not surprisingly, I was able to find that positive thinking and confidence that I didn't have on the front 9. It was a very creative way to shoot an 84.
What I can't quite discipline myself to do is to think positively regardless of the score I'm shooting. My thinking is dependent on how I'm playing, which is why its possible to shoot a 75 one day and a 91 the following day. I need to find a way to trick myself into thinking positively no matter how well or how poorly I might be playing. How do I remain positive even when I'm not playing as well as I would like?
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
New Gadgets
After nearly 10 years with the same irons, I have finally upgraded to a new set this year. I was fitted for the new Ping i15 irons and a new K15 3-wood. I've been playing with my new clubs for a couple months now and I absolutely love them. Not as forgiving as my old Callaways but I've picked up 20 yards on each club. I can't wait for warmer weather to see how far I can hit these babys. My previous distance with my 7 iron was 130 yards in the winter and 140 yards in the summer. With my new clubs I am now hitting my 7 iron 150 yards in cold weather. Can't wait to see what happens this summer!
I kept my trusty KZG 18 and 22 degree hybrids and I got my Ladies Callaway driver reshafted. I don't know what I was doing buying this driver in the first place. The loft is right for me (11 degrees) but the shaft was so flexible, it felt like I had a wet noodle in my hand.
I also got my first "techy" golf device this Spring - a Callaway rangefinder. It helps when I'm 2 fairways to the left and I have no idea what my yardage is to the pin!
Hopefully the equipment upgrade will result in lower scores!!
I kept my trusty KZG 18 and 22 degree hybrids and I got my Ladies Callaway driver reshafted. I don't know what I was doing buying this driver in the first place. The loft is right for me (11 degrees) but the shaft was so flexible, it felt like I had a wet noodle in my hand.
I also got my first "techy" golf device this Spring - a Callaway rangefinder. It helps when I'm 2 fairways to the left and I have no idea what my yardage is to the pin!
Hopefully the equipment upgrade will result in lower scores!!
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