Post by Richie3Jack on Jan 21, 2010 22:39:31 GMT -5
I've discussed this in the equipment folder, but I think hitting more difficult blades is a good way to practice because it helps develop motor skills and precision in the golf swing over the Game Improvement irons.
Recently I purchased some MacGregor 985 blades that were made back in the 70's. They go about 10 yards shorter, even when I catch them flush. Although I think that could change with a more modern day shaft. At my level of play, hitting pretty decent shots has not been a problem for me since hitting them.
However, when I am not quite surprise with the swing and mis-hit it a little, I'll wind up 20-30 yards short of where I'm supposed to be.
But again, it helps teaching better motor skill and precision than hitting a big 'shovel.'
I think this is so important to look at and research because golf is certainly not a sport where endurance, running speed, quickness, raw strength, etc. are major factors to the game.
Ben Hogan was in fantastic shape, but his swing and ballstriking actually improved *after* the accident which basically destroyed his entire left side. But I think once Hogan figured out how to eliminate his hook, his motor skill was so good that he was able to develop his great swing and repeat it like no other.
Moe Norman was in horrible shape. In fact, when asked why he spread his feet so far apart at address, Moe would often say 'because I'm a lard ass.' Yet, IMO...he was the greatest pure ballstriker ever because nobody could hit it as dead straight on command like Moe did. In fact, Moe said his best round ever wasn't when he shot 59 or the course records he shot, it was the time when he hit 6 flagsticks on approach shots in one round of golf.
Amazing.
You can even still see it today. Craig Stadler was a darn good player and ballstriker. Guy Boros could embarrass many of the flat bellies on Tour with his ballstriking. And there's countless other portly great ballstrikers the game has seen.
Now, that being said...I'm all for getting in great shape to play better golf. More flexibility can mean better ballstriking and more power. And if you have to walk, golf *can* be tiring. Not only the hot days, but the rain days where the rain gets on your clothes and feels like you just added 15 pounds to your frame. I also think if you develop proper leg strength with proper flexibility, you can great increase your power and help alleviate pain from the lower back. You would be shocked at how stretching your hamstrings and calfs can eliminate that issue.
However, we do very little to improve motor skill. In this thread I'll keep an update of how well I do on the 'hammer drills' and other stuff that comes from hammerman's book. And I would love to see others get involved with this as well and we can see how it improves our game.
3JACK
Recently I purchased some MacGregor 985 blades that were made back in the 70's. They go about 10 yards shorter, even when I catch them flush. Although I think that could change with a more modern day shaft. At my level of play, hitting pretty decent shots has not been a problem for me since hitting them.
However, when I am not quite surprise with the swing and mis-hit it a little, I'll wind up 20-30 yards short of where I'm supposed to be.
But again, it helps teaching better motor skill and precision than hitting a big 'shovel.'
I think this is so important to look at and research because golf is certainly not a sport where endurance, running speed, quickness, raw strength, etc. are major factors to the game.
Ben Hogan was in fantastic shape, but his swing and ballstriking actually improved *after* the accident which basically destroyed his entire left side. But I think once Hogan figured out how to eliminate his hook, his motor skill was so good that he was able to develop his great swing and repeat it like no other.
Moe Norman was in horrible shape. In fact, when asked why he spread his feet so far apart at address, Moe would often say 'because I'm a lard ass.' Yet, IMO...he was the greatest pure ballstriker ever because nobody could hit it as dead straight on command like Moe did. In fact, Moe said his best round ever wasn't when he shot 59 or the course records he shot, it was the time when he hit 6 flagsticks on approach shots in one round of golf.
Amazing.
You can even still see it today. Craig Stadler was a darn good player and ballstriker. Guy Boros could embarrass many of the flat bellies on Tour with his ballstriking. And there's countless other portly great ballstrikers the game has seen.
Now, that being said...I'm all for getting in great shape to play better golf. More flexibility can mean better ballstriking and more power. And if you have to walk, golf *can* be tiring. Not only the hot days, but the rain days where the rain gets on your clothes and feels like you just added 15 pounds to your frame. I also think if you develop proper leg strength with proper flexibility, you can great increase your power and help alleviate pain from the lower back. You would be shocked at how stretching your hamstrings and calfs can eliminate that issue.
However, we do very little to improve motor skill. In this thread I'll keep an update of how well I do on the 'hammer drills' and other stuff that comes from hammerman's book. And I would love to see others get involved with this as well and we can see how it improves our game.
3JACK