Florida Senior Golfer

DEFICIENCIES

Practice and play over the last week has demonstrated two major deficiencies in my game which will need to be corrected to become competitive in the arena I have chosen to compete.

1. My drives which average 190-200 yards are inconsistent in direction.  I average 7/14 fairways hits with my most consistent misses being pull hooks to the left.

2. Because I lack distance in driving, I need to cover the remaining distance with my 3 and 5 woods and 3, 4, and 5 hybids on the longer Par 4′s and set up my third shots on Par 5′s. This will require significant work since these clubs were not required from the senior tees.

Updates on my progress for the early part of 2012.

Handicap index as you might have noticed has increased. This is to be expected as I have moved back in my tee selection to add additional yardage to the courses I am playing. This will bring me more in line with what will be presented at the qualifying rounds. I have observed yardage from 6400-6800 yards for qualifying and championship rounds. In adding additional yardage, glaring deficiencies were noted in my long game which will need to be corrected.

Important dates to remember:

Wednesday, August 15, 2012. Deadline for USGA Senior Amateur Qualifying Entry. Handicap index of 7.4 required to submit application

Monday, September 10, 2012. Amelia National Golf Club, Site of US Senior Amateur Qualifying Round

The amount of practice time has increased as we have been blessed with great weather in NE Florida this winter thus far. Hopefully, this will remain as practice will be essential if I am to achieve my goals.

This year promises to be my break through year for golf. I am recommitted to practicing, exercising, learning new techniques, maximizing my equipment and playing as often as I can to give myself the best shot at becoming a single digit handicap index golfer.

Andy, chipper of the month, Gardella and I played Champions Club at Julington Creek today.

We played the green tees (senior) at approximately 5000 yards.

I shot a 92, 46 and 46.

My first time playing 18 holes in over two weeks.

I would rate my game today as average.

Driving: fair

Approach shots: poor

Short Game: good

Putting: good

Will add yardage next week since I will be back playing on a regular basis.

Looking forward to playing TPC Sawgrass in a little over three weeks as part of my brother’s 60th birthday celebration.

Wednesday evening, the ladies and I attended the second clinic.

The previous week Mary had been able with minimal effort to show me that I had much work to do to be a better putter.

Tonight’s clinic was about the short game, specifically shots between 20-50 years. Our goal was to land the ball near specific targets. We were do do this with a variety of clubs including a SW, PW and 8-iron.

This was an outstanding clinic with a tremendous amount of great information regarding technique.

My biggest fault was my inability to start my downswing with hip rotation rather than my standard shoulder rotation. Her recommendation was for extensive stretching exercises.

The ladies in the clinic were outstanding as usual soaking up the teaching of Mary Hafeman and actively applying it to their swing.