Questions and More Questions

[kmmcnabb]

All,

I have been working on my swing for about 8 months now, but have only been chipping and pitching around a football field near my home. I have been working on feeling the rt forefinger and keeping the flat left wrist and bent right. Things that I love, PureSwing (love the feel of the rod touching my left forearm), the Tac-Tic, chipping one handed (right and left).

I changed my grip (per Brian Manzella forum, neutral grip, Go Texas Longhorns rt). Basically puts the left thumb just aft on the shaft which is good. Right forefinger top segment in line with thumb on aft side (great support).

The upshot of all this is that my chipping and pitching are much much better. Hitting down, and taking divots for the first time EVER.

Here is the rub, haven't been hitting long ball at all. Well, my worst fears came try. Asked to play in a tourney with some friends. Played Friday and Monday.

Friday I hit everything fairly well but the driver was not as long as usual (of course I have lost about 40 pounds on Atkins so no big deal). I was suprised that most of my drives were straight and a few were pushed or pulled a but but still straight. My 25 year slice was nowhere to be seen which I found to be amazing. A friend even commented on how staight my shots were generally (aim was off and could not seem to figure out why).

I tried to tilt away from the ball a bit more on the downswing yesterday and don't know if I was successful or not. I do know that my mid irons were not near "down" enough (and they were short so I suspect flipping).

On my driver, at the end, I found that at the top, I tried to feel as though I was pulling the handle straight back (target line parallel, away from direction of flight) and down before I began to turn (which produced a straight drive but not as long as before weight loss). Is this the feeling you get on downswing, back and down? Not sure if it is right but it sure feels different than before.

My real question is what now? I plan to go back to pitches and chips to get the lag feel but lose it as soon as I begin to hit full shots. Should I go pound some drivers? Should I film myself and cry? (rhetorical).

What now? I can say that for a guy that only played twice last year and once this year (with only chipping practice) I was much better than when I practiced at the range two or three times per week. I think if I can find some time to practice my full swing, I might actually get good.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.