Improving your game

Hi everyone, I'm not sure if I speak for a large group of golfers, but I'm really passionate about improving my game.

My most recent games I've been playing in the 90s be it blue or white tee. I was really lucky, and got a 79 at palm villa white tee. Many first, including most birdies in one game, consecutive birdie, and lowest ever score. Thankfully.

It's kind of a vindication, where I think I have the potential but not the skills yet to progress and play lower scores more consistently.

I guess my question is, what is the next step really? How am I ever gonna improve? My lofty dreams says that being pro would be awesome, but realistically, I just wanna play to a level that best resembles someone who knows the game really well and numerically, a scratch golfer.

I did seek out a coach for intermediate lessons, but truth be told, I didn't manage to pick up much. So in this same thread, I would also like to seek opinion about local coaches (be they singaporeans or foreigners) who really can bring you to the next level.

Many thanks in advance for your advices. Thanks.

Hi Keith,
Great to know that you want to be a scratch golfer! Kudos to you on your goal!

I also share the same dream and have recently started to take lessons again to try to be more consistent with my game. My recent lessons were all on the course as doing it there allows my coach to see what are my weaknesses. He has identified them and we are addressing these areas now.

The changes to my swing has caused my scores to suffer but I have already anticipated that. I would rather suffer now than to still stay stagnant with my golf.

I would advice that you talk to a few coaches about your goal and seek their opinion on how they can help you achieve it. Understand what they expect of you and also tell them what you expect from them. After that, find out what their present and ex students say about the coach and decide which one suits you.

I personally have gone through quite a few pros. From those who are very technical to those who are more feel. There are dedicated ones and there are those who only talk to you during lessons.

As I do spend a lot of time practicing, I prefer one that is always at the range who is not stingy with imparting his knowledge. That is how my current coach is. He is always walking with the youth golfers and when I call him up and he has a slot for a walking lesson, he will ask me to join.

After the game, we will sit down and assess the game and Map out the training process.

I trust his dedication and commitment to improving my game, so I am OK that my game takes a dip now. He is always there to see if I am on the correct path.

The thing I learnt is what's get measured get improved

For me. I started doing that but it became too painful for my eyes.... Since then I kinda hentak kaki liao

Denmeister wrote:

...

I also share the same dream and have recently started to take lessons again to try to be more consistent with my game.
...

The changes to my swing has caused my scores to suffer but I have already anticipated that. I would rather suffer now than to still stay stagnant with my golf.
...

As I do spend a lot of time practicing, I prefer one that is always at the range ...

Brother Denmeister,

Welcome back to the range.

Lee36328 wrote:

Denmeister wrote:

...

I also share the same dream and have recently started to take lessons again to try to be more consistent with my game.
...

The changes to my swing has caused my scores to suffer but I have already anticipated that. I would rather suffer now than to still stay stagnant with my golf.
...

As I do spend a lot of time practicing, I prefer one that is always at the range ...

Brother Denmeister,

Welcome back to the range.

Yah lo .. Now got coach some more !! .. It is about time for our re-match .. I should had improve by now

@Keithlim - Thats a huge commitment you gotta make there bro... I concur what bro Denmeister wrote

Getting to improve the game to next level is like trying to attain nirvana....

I have had 180 deg swing change as of May this year ...

1. Gripping position change (weaker right hand grip as compared to my old)
2. Posture change (more athletic posture)
3. Ball positioning change
4. Take away and back swing change
5. Lower body more passive now than b4.

To sum it up the first 4-5 months was not fun... I hated playing golf at times. Scores of 110 were common and tops, shanks, duffs.. you name it I had it.

With the swing change, the equipment had to change to as they do not suit my old swing (give me an excuse to buy new stuff)

Still have my bad days perhaps 1 out of 3 games in average but I attribute it to more of the mental aspect of the game rather than the swing itself, while, the better games I had are looking better than I did b4 my swing change. So that gives a bit of a promise for more to come.

If you ask me if I would do it again? Sure, for the greater good... I would

Do I wanna be a scratch golfer? I doubt I ever will but I would love to be playing low 80s consistently.

Even with all these changes coming, I still try not to neglect my short game and putting as I do not drive long nor hit my woods a long way. So anything 50m and in.... I hope to get it on and close for makeable putt or max 2-putt... and thats my New Year's resolution..!

Thanks for the advices. I guess I will continue to work on my game and try to improve slowly. And in the meantime, look for a coach who can help me in the process. Good luck guys and carry on having fun golfing!

Denmeister wrote:

Hi Keith,
Great to know that you want to be a scratch golfer! Kudos to you on your goal!

I also share the same dream and have recently started to take lessons again to try to be more consistent with my game. My recent lessons were all on the course as doing it there allows my coach to see what are my weaknesses. He has identified them and we are addressing these areas now.

The changes to my swing has caused my scores to suffer but I have already anticipated that. I would rather suffer now than to still stay stagnant with my golf.

I would advice that you talk to a few coaches about your goal and seek their opinion on how they can help you achieve it. Understand what they expect of you and also tell them what you expect from them. After that, find out what their present and ex students say about the coach and decide which one suits you.

I personally have gone through quite a few pros. From those who are very technical to those who are more feel. There are dedicated ones and there are those who only talk to you during lessons.

As I do spend a lot of time practicing, I prefer one that is always at the range who is not stingy with imparting his knowledge. That is how my current coach is. He is always walking with the youth golfers and when I call him up and he has a slot for a walking lesson, he will ask me to join.

After the game, we will sit down and assess the game and Map out the training process.

I trust his dedication and commitment to improving my game, so I am OK that my game takes a dip now. He is always there to see if I am on the correct path.

can share the name of your coach? i'm looking to take intermediate lessons!

gnorij wrote:

Denmeister wrote:

Hi Keith,
Great to know that you want to be a scratch golfer! Kudos to you on your goal!

I also share the same dream and have recently started to take lessons again to try to be more consistent with my game. My recent lessons were all on the course as doing it there allows my coach to see what are my weaknesses. He has identified them and we are addressing these areas now.

The changes to my swing has caused my scores to suffer but I have already anticipated that. I would rather suffer now than to still stay stagnant with my golf.

I would advice that you talk to a few coaches about your goal and seek their opinion on how they can help you achieve it. Understand what they expect of you and also tell them what you expect from them. After that, find out what their present and ex students say about the coach and decide which one suits you.

I personally have gone through quite a few pros. From those who are very technical to those who are more feel. There are dedicated ones and there are those who only talk to you during lessons.

As I do spend a lot of time practicing, I prefer one that is always at the range who is not stingy with imparting his knowledge. That is how my current coach is. He is always walking with the youth golfers and when I call him up and he has a slot for a walking lesson, he will ask me to join.

After the game, we will sit down and assess the game and Map out the training process.

I trust his dedication and commitment to improving my game, so I am OK that my game takes a dip now. He is always there to see if I am on the correct path.

can share the name of your coach? i'm looking to take intermediate lessons!

Hi Bro,

Check you PM. I have sent you Bernard Tiong's contact number. I highly recommend him.

Lee36328 wrote:

Denmeister wrote:

...

I also share the same dream and have recently started to take lessons again to try to be more consistent with my game.
...

The changes to my swing has caused my scores to suffer but I have already anticipated that. I would rather suffer now than to still stay stagnant with my golf.
...

As I do spend a lot of time practicing, I prefer one that is always at the range ...

Brother Denmeister,

Welcome back to the range.

Bro Lee,
TQ! The range mats and balls missed me too. However, most of my lessons are actually conducted on the course as I have found that my range swings cannot be duplicated on the course. My coach, Bernard, actually gave me tips before I took up lessons with him. He commented that my swing looked really good when he observed me at the range. However, when we are on the course, it did a disappearing act.

After our first on course session, he saw the areas in my game that we needed to address in order to achieve my goal of playing to a strong single handicap.

The most glaring issue was my short game, which I thought was quite solid! Bernard shared with me that my current short game style was customized for my home course. A lot of low bump and runs, landing the ball before the green and rolling it in towards the pin. Such a strategy will not work in courses with thicker roughs and fast greens. I agreed with this finding as I could not scramble well at Horizon Hills where the conditions were as such.

Bernard is a short game wizard and I was extremely impressed with his repertoire of high lobs to downhill pins which land softly on the greens and trickle towards the hole, chips that check and release, and screw tarik pitches from 70 to 100 yards in. All of these were done with so little effort too!

He saw that my swing path was incorrect as I tend to swing left of my intended target which hurt my accuracy.

There were a lot of things that we needed to work on and he felt that my pulling tendency on all my shots was the main cause of my inconsistency. To correct this, he recommended that we focus on the short game first as the correction in the smaller movement of the short game will also help the full swing.

He taught me the correct swing path and also some drills which I practiced quite hard on. The first few sessions were both confusing and discouraging as I topped, duffed, thinned, shanked and pulled a lot of shots. Imagine that! Short game=Lesser movements and I am having difficulties already. However, I persevered and I can safely say that both of us saw improvements. Bernard was always available whenever I needed his help with my confusion. Why this? Why that? Am I doing it correctly? Why do I need to open up the clubface? Etc etc...

In the past, my chipping goal was to put it near pin. With the recent improvements, my goal is actually more aggressive, which is to chip in! This is only possible if I can chip to my intended target. I now know how to make the ball run/ check and release/ check and roll just a little. In the past, when the ball stops dead, it looks impressive but I wouldn't know how I did it. In other words, FLUKE!

He taught me how to read lies and when I can opt for a flop shot. This shot used to be limited to chipping greens when I get bored and wanted to fool around. Now, I know I can use it when the situation allows me to.

I am not saying that I have become a short game wiz........ yet....... but I do endeavor to become one as this is the area a strong single handicapper has to be good at in order to scramble well.

At this juncture, I have found out that the short game needs to be properly taught. By going through the path of self discovery, the journey is long and unnecessary. Having a Pro impart his short game skills is both effective and time saving. I strongly urge everyone to take up lessons on the short game as quickly as possible so that you can start enjoying the game even more!

During my game today, I am proud to say that I had a chip in Birdie and a few lip-outs from my chips. I am still working hard on my short game as the new method is still a work in progress as I have not grasp the roll distance of the various shots yet. However, I do see the light at the end of the tunnel.

With the progress of the short game, Bernard is also helping me rectify my full swing. Playing the game for more than 5 years without consistent coaching will lead to bad habits which I unknowingly develop.

There's a lot of things to work on in order to achieve my goal of playing to a strong single handicap. As I have said, going through these changes now will definitely hurt the scores and invite a lot of frustration into the rounds, but I just have to bear with it. The money that I have recently deposited into multiple fixed accounts will sooner or later be withdrawn.....hopefully with good interest returns......hahahhah

Slicer51 wrote:

Lee36328 wrote:

Denmeister wrote:

...

I also share the same dream and have recently started to take lessons again to try to be more consistent with my game.
...

The changes to my swing has caused my scores to suffer but I have already anticipated that. I would rather suffer now than to still stay stagnant with my golf.
...

As I do spend a lot of time practicing, I prefer one that is always at the range ...

Brother Denmeister,

Welcome back to the range.

Yah lo .. Now got coach some more !! .. It is about time for our re-match .. I should had improve by now

Pak,
I scared...........

Scared you don't invite me! Hahahahha

Let me know when you are coming to SG or JB. If you feel like walking, I can host you at RJCC. The caddies here don't wear bra........ooooooo..........

Time for Denis to give me strokes Liao.

Begbie][quote="Begbie wrote:

....

To sum it up the first 4-5 months was not fun... I hated playing golf at times. Scores of 110 were common and tops, shanks, duffs.. you name it I had it.

Bro Begbie,
I am also going through this stage too. Salute! You have been patient for 4-5months!!!! I don't know whether I can tahan that long.

This is the purging process that is painful but necessary. I am sure you agree with me that because we both saw the light at the end of the tunnel and that is why we are accepting this painful period.

Just to share with you, I play very often and am now playing to a handicap of 11. But I really don't understand how I achieved this level, let alone maintain it with my current swing. When Bernard saw my on course swing, he felt that I was not consistent due to too many technical thoughts in my head and also because I was seeking a perfect swing.

I agree with him. He commented that a swing takes less than one second to complete. By breaking down the swing into segments and focusing on these bits and pieces, I am just creating more tension. His philosophy is, a swing is free flowing, don't think, just whack that bloody ball.

Easier said than done. I have been too analytical and I am trying to get back this free flowing approach which my mind is still fighting. However, when I look back to the periods when I was playing well, I was actually not thinking too much. I was in a very calm and relaxed state and wasn't thinking whether I was cocking the wrist correctly, whether I have fully shifted my weight before the downswing etc etc.
.
Well, at least I have not given up yet. That means that I still have hope. hahaha!

Begbie][quote="Begbie wrote:

@

....

Still have my bad days perhaps 1 out of 3 games in average but I attribute it to more of the mental aspect of the game rather than the swing itself, while, the better games I had are looking better than I did b4 my swing change. So that gives a bit of a promise for more to come.

Going through a massive overhaul also presents an opportunity to train my mental game. When the going gets tough with shanks and duffs and any other ugly "only your mother can recognize" shots and repeating it shot after shot after shot, the mind just wants to explode! Well.... I exploded today. Will try not to explode tomorrow. hahaha.

It is during these times that a cool mental approach will help minimize the damage to the score. Although the swing is still not sound, there are still other aspects of the game that can save the score. Tee off bad, put it back to the fairway and try to 3 on. Can still bogey. But if pissed off by the tee off, and then venting all the frustration on the second shot, I get into more trouble. More anger builds up, resulting in more bad shots and maybe a broken club here and there.....

Again, I screwed up mentally today. Will try to stay cool tomorrow.

ChrisD wrote:

Time for Denis to give me strokes Liao.

Time for Dennis to siam ChrisD liao

Bro Den,

Very happy to hear of your detailed progress and how hard you are working on it.

You have made significant progress, playing at 11. I look forward to experiencing your skills in person soon. It would be an eye opener.

I have to say, statements like seeking the perfect swing, too analytical, too many thoughts in the head, etc. I chuckled as I read that because you'll understand what I mean when I say it sounds so familiar!

From the progress and amount of work being put in, am sure you will be a strong single in no time at all.

I do agree that picking up bad habits on the course without realising it, and playing with them over a period of time can create a tough problem to remove later.

Talking about changing a swing, as we know, took Tiger about 2 years plus to overlay his new Foley swing over the Haney swing until the old swing finally stopped coming out on course in the heat of competition. During that transition period, Tiger was flawless at the range with the new swing but often struggled on course during competition initially. More or less the same issue you are facing it would appear. Am sure you will conquer it in time.

Bro Den,

Not sure if i hv picked up any mental strength along the way but sure I do agree that with a new swing, confidence does dip quite a fair bit and we need to keep it afloat to get it going esp during a round of 18..

Perhaps this learning process will make u or even break u. After all its a process that we hv chose to go on with..

Anyway going back to the swing , my coach is now trying to get me to do the same swing for every club at the same time getting a Go-to shot with the various clubs. Simplifying one swing for all clubs can be as tricky as i used to hv different swings for woods , hybrids and irons.. Lets see .. Let u know again in some months.. Good luck bro

Begbie wrote:

Bro Den,

Not sure if i hv picked up any mental strength along the way but sure I do agree that with a new swing, confidence does dip quite a fair bit and we need to keep it afloat to get it going esp during a round of 18..

Perhaps this learning process will make u or even break u. After all its a process that we hv chose to go on with..

Anyway going back to the swing , my coach is now trying to get me to do the same swing for every club at the same time getting a Go-to shot with the various clubs. Simplifying one swing for all clubs can be as tricky as i used to hv different swings for woods , hybrids and irons.. Lets see .. Let u know again in some months.. Good luck bro

wow.. everyone going for lessons.. soooo scary...

Hi bro, care to share Bernard Tiong's contact? I'm seeking to improve my game on course as well! Thanks