Let me begin by saying that I have been reading this forum, GEA, TGM and Chuck Evans forum for months trying to absorb eveything I could, but nothing comes close to getting a lesson. Last week I had a lesson from Chuck Evans, since I live in Denver, and have family in Arizona it was a no brainer, time to get a lesson.
I had only a ½ day lesson, but would have easily done a full day. This just means I will have to go back later this summer.
This is the first time I have ever had a lesson, I basically taught myself to play, currently play to 17 handicap. I have been playing for about 18 years with a 4 – 5 year break when my kids were born.
I went to Chuck with an open mind and expectations that even though I hit the ball well enough to enjoy the game, I knew that there was LOTS of room for improvement. To say he lifted the fog would be an understatement, he pulled me out of the fog bank…
Chuck had me warm up with a few shots at the range, then he brought out the video camera.
He had me use a 6 iron to hit a 10 yard chip, 20 yard pitch then a full 6 iron shot with the camera filming the front view then a 6 iron shot down the line.
Let me tell you, the video camera is very humbling in what it shows you….very humbling…..
I was doing all of the classic no-no’s…too much weight on the right side…ball way too far forward…forward leaning shaft…bent left wrist…head behind the ball…(how many times have you read or have had your friends tell you keep your head behind the ball)…don’t do it….. bent left arm…. swing plane way too vertical…way too much wrist cock for a hitter going way past 90*……after viewing the video I was wondering how do I even hit the ball.
Then the work began, get rid of the wrist cock, keep the hands on plane, center the head over the body, put the ball further back in the stance….. I must have frustrated him to pieces, but he kept working at it and working at it…..and eventually it started to click…granted it took a while to click…. bad habits die hard….
The after vs before video is staggering….beyond belief… the difference is huge.
Still have work to do, but much much better….
We then worked on the drills that would allow me to keep these things in check and how to perform then properly, the video camera was running for this so I would have a reference at home, good stuff to have.
The end result was that we really simplified my swing, very few moving parts with much better results, much less effort.
I really look forward to this golfing season, breaking 90 on a consistent basis is my goal, this year I should get there.
The proof in the pudding as they say, came on Monday, I played the Talon course at Greyhawk…very nice course, The other players wanted to play from the next to last set of tee’s, which is about 6850 yards.
I only missed 3 fairways, the ones I missed were lost balls, hit 12 out of 18 greens, which I thought was very good, I ended up shooting a 96, with the back 9 played in 20 – 30 mph winds, now If I could putt and chip I would be able to get down in the 80’s, I 3 putted probably 10 times…one step at a time.
The bottom line, Money well spent, Time well spent…
Would do it again in a heartbeat and I will….
Hybrid Mode
