Feb
10
2008

Progress Update - February 10, 2008

Posted by Double Eagle in My Progress

Stack and Tilt Golf Swing Videos by Medicus Golf

It’s a little unbelievable how mild this winter has been. Sure, we’ve had some cold spells, and it’s not exactly warm out. However, I was quite surprised that I’d see weather that was perfect to get in 9 holes yesterday.

I mentioned previously that I’m quite interested in Jim Hardy’s one-plane swing concept. I read his Plane Truth and Plane Truth Master Class books, concentrating mostly on the one-plane parts, so as to not get confused at the range trying to separate the one-plane and two-plane fundamentals in my mind.

Last weekend, I got out to the driving range for the first time to try out the one-plane swing. As with any swing change, it felt really strange. The back swing felt very, very, very flat to me.

Weird feelings aside, I have to say, that I was rather happy with the consistency I was feeling in my ball striking. Keep in mind that it’s winter here and I can’t practice and play very often and don’t expect a range session at the beginning of February to be very solid. So, I wasn’t lighting the range on fire. At the same time, I was hitting some nice shots and their trajectories were fairly consistent.

It’s somewhat difficult to see how this swing has affected my distance because of the cold weather (don’t forget that shots fly shorter in cold weather). When it warms up in the spring, I’ll be able to see what my club distances are like compared to what I’m used to.

One thing I am seeing with the swing is a draw that’s somewhat heavier than I expect. It’s not a hook, but just a good amount of draw. I suspect that I might be addressing the ball with a slightly closed club face because the setup is a little different. Of course, I could have been doing that before and just didn’t notice and compensated for it some way.

I got out for 9 holes yesterday and felt pretty decent out there. I wasn’t keeping score because there isn’t much point getting wrapped up in score after a drastic swing change that I had only one range session to work on. I was definitely hitting some decent shots and am stroking the ball solidly with the putter.

I’m intrigued with the one-plane swing and am going to fully commit to it for this year.

Tweaks

If I can get a decent weekend weather day, I need to get out to the driving range and get myself on video hitting some balls with the one-plane swing. It’s critical to make sure I’m doing what I think I’m doing in the early stages of development, to maximize my one-plane swing potential.

As always, I’m trying to fit in more workouts. It’s not easy, but looking back, I’m not happy with what I’ve accomplished in the last couple of months.

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There are currently 4 responses to “Progress Update - February 10, 2008”

  1. 1

    Thecpa said:

    Shouldn’t you take your own advise and make an appointment with your golf pro? He can evaluate your swing change and give you immediate feedback. Then you can make any necessary tweaks to capitalize on the new swing.

    Just my two cents worth. And I’m loving the above average temperatures in February this year.

    Posted on February 10th, 2008 at 3:21 pm

  2. 2

    Double Eagle said:

    There are a couple of reasons I’m not visiting my pro right yet.

    First, I don’t want to go in the winter when I can’t spend an adequate amount of time working on whatever corrections and drills he gives me. If I go for a lesson next weekend and can’t practice for a few weeks after that, then there’s not much to gain.

    Second, many pros teach what they believe to be a ‘correct’ set of basic fundamentals. While they may be somewhat familiar with different kinds of swings, they may not be as experienced in teaching them. Plus, they may not accept that a particular swing has merit. Before I schedule a lesson, I need to informally discuss my plans with my pro and see if he is experienced with the one plane swing and whether he is amenable to teaching it to me. If not, then I need to start the process of finding a pro that is more prepared to help me adopt the swing.

    Posted on February 10th, 2008 at 3:41 pm

  3. 3

    David said:

    Hi there,

    Good to hear you’re trying out the one plane swing - I really believe it’s fundamentally better than the two plane for the average player simply because it has fewer moving parts and fewer timing issues, hence less maintenance through practice for normal people who have a life away from the driving range.

    Who knows, if you persevere you might take the ultimate step and come on board the S+T train ??!

    Posted on February 16th, 2008 at 3:44 pm

  4. 4

    Double Eagle said:

    Consistency is definitely what I’m going for, David.

    The Stack and Tilt is certainly going to remain in my mind this season. I was close to adopting it this year, but went with the one-plane swing instead. I’ll see how the one plane swing helps my consistency and ball striking and then reevaluate my future later in the year.

    Posted on February 16th, 2008 at 4:27 pm

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