Thoughts and Non Thoughts

The key swing thoughts that made a difference for me lately 1. Revisiting my grip. I realized I was gripping too loosely! Making sure there is pressure between thumbs and forefingers and right lifeline over left thumb as well as right pinkie on left hand -- now I feel my hands are more unitized. 2. Reverse K set-up. Simplifying the backswing to make sure it is on plane starting from the first 2 inches. Clubhead pointing up with shaft at waist high. Bring the club back to the same slot at the top. 3. Consciously following an inside out path on the downswing. This resulted in some drawn balls and even hooks but much better than slices. 4. Bumping the left hip on the downswing actually helps keep the spine angle constant throughout the downswing and follow through. It also helps keep the left leg solid. Turning the right hip to the target is key for the body to control the club. The whole left side (leg, club, arm) stacked during impact.

Scored 98, 48 on the front 9. It was a nice round, had a great feeling. I've waited so long for this (a year and a month). It didn't come like a dramatic moment. More like finally coming together. A lot of hard work, chipping away the number of strokes with each round. Been very close to this several times-- scoring 100 in the previous game, and 45 in a 9-hole round (par 33 course). And going to the driving range 3 times in the last 7 days. I guess one thing I learned is that golf is really about hard work and practice. But no, I don't think I've got it figured out. I guess I got a bit of luck today too. But at least I was ready when luck smiled. Of course I may score 120 next time on the course, but hopefully I would score below 100 more often than above.

Bring your hands to the slot and swing on plane. The trick is that the plane changes depending on the club length. What's important is that you bring them to the same place at the top of the backswing.

Reverse K. Keep your weight on your right foot during the backswing. Bump your left hip a split second before the downswing. Then turn your right hip to the target. Realized how key this move is on the downswing. This keeps your left side solid and prevents your upper body weight going beyond your left leg before impact. This also helps keep your hands ahead of the ball at impact. Just have to remember (not the brain, the body) during every iron shot.

Played 9 holes and shot a 45. :-) Have to learn not to be rushed by flightmates. That one disaster hole was due to loss of concentration. Otherwise, not a bad day at all...

Super Tuesday ended in a draw. It will be another week or so, or even longer, before the final Democratic candidate is chosen. From an outsider perspective, it looks like Hillary is better for America at this point in its history. Imagine the next four years -- what's the best thing for the US to do? Pull out of Iraq, while avoiding total disaster in the Middle East. Focus on the economy while not letting up on security and terrorist concerns. Avoiding a recession while resisting protectionist urges. These are tasks for someone who can get down and get the job done. Maybe for two people who can get it done. Those would be Hillary and Bill. Obama will be a great President one day. Perhaps he can bring America to the next level after Hillary does the clean up job. But first things first. And that would be the First Lady turned President.

Had to remind myself at the driving range today...

Looks like another 6-month wait...

Taken with a Nokia N95