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Now that the weather has finally shifted to be mostly spring-like, I’m able to get in a lot of work.  In fact, if I may say so, I’m working harder now on this quest than I have at any time in the previous two years.  I’m not sure why.

It probably has something to do with the fact that I’m being treated for sleep apnea and have more energy and increased concentration than I have had in years.  It’s so much easier to practice after work.  And it’s easier for me to practice a lot longer.  I’m not wiped out after hitting a basket of balls.  In fact, I did that yesterday.  Then hit a second basket.  Then went to the practice green for over an hour.

It probably also has something to do with the fact that I’m very unhappy with my progress so far.  I think I’ve realized that I’ve worked hard, but not even close to as hard as I could, or even should.  I also know – I know - that I’m capable of the things I want to achieve.  And frankly, not having made as much progress as I’d like, all the while posting about it, is simultaneously embarrassing and frustrating.

My knee injury last year was well covered, so if you’ve been reading you know all about it.  You’ll also know that over the injury layoff and into the winter, a lot of my swing tendencies reverted to what I had going on before working with my pro last summer.

I was anxious to get working again, so I went in for a lesson two weekends ago.  At that time, I was hitting the ball quite poorly.  I had a few flashes of good shots, but overall, I was not happy.

By the end of the lesson, I was hitting the ball very solidly.  It was like we clicked right back to last year.  I was very excited.  That all changed the next day when I went back to the range and struggled again.

I fought through it, though, and worked diligently on the things I knew I needed to fix:  feeling like taking my right hand straight back, keeping my eye on the ball a little longer through impact, and getting my weight shifted a little more to the right on the back swing.

Each range session since that lesson, I struggled.  But I noticed something significant:  I struggled a little less each time.

I had hoped – and anyone who has taken a lesson will identify – that things would just “click” and I would be fixed.  No, that’s not the way it works.  Sure, I made progress during my lesson, because my pro was there directing me.

Like Hogan said, I’m going to have to dig it out of the dirt.

Each time, I’m getting a little better.  I’ve been struggling hitting anything longer than my 5- or 6-iron and even with my trusty 7-iron, I’ll get into a groove when I’ll hit some great shots, then I’ll get into a groove where I can’t hit anything.  Lately, I’ve been hitting pretty much everything on the toe for a week or so.

But yesterday, after a hundred or so balls, I stopped trying to hit my 2-iron and 3-wood and just went back to my 7-iron.  And I hit it again and again and again and again.  Until I was catching it pure every time.  By the time I had hit another hundred balls, I was finally getting there.

I realized at that point, that next time I go out, I’m probably not going to hit it that well right away.  But I’ll get there faster.  And even if I do hit it great again, I’ll have problems with my longer irons.  But I’ll hit more of them pure than I did last time.  And I’ll hit even more quality shots the time after that.

And so it goes.  There are no quick fixes.  No little tweaks that will suddenly make me a good player.

I’ve heard that it takes thousands of balls to commit something to muscle memory.  I’ve heard a thousand, and I’ve heard ten thousand.  That’s thousands to fix my takeaway.  And thousands to fix my weight shift.  And thousands to fix whatever comes after fixing those things.

That’s OK, though, because I’m in it for the long haul.  I’ve given up on quick fixes because even though my pro irons me out each lesson, I’m just being given a recipe for practice.  Next time at the range, my muscles won’t remember.  It’s up to me to make them remember and I’m finding that it takes a lot of work.  A lot more than I’ve been putting in.

Every once in a while, we’re awakened to certain facts that change the way we approach things.  I’m at that point now, and I think it’s going to be a great year.

The poll in the sidebar asking for your most dreaded shots has been running for a while and as time goes on, I’m getting a much clearer picture of what kinds of golf shots you collectively don’t want to face.

Previously, I covered the tee shot on a tight driving hole, and the long carry over water.  Since then, the tight tee shot was overtaken by the delicate downhill pitch/chip over a bunker with the pin cut close, moving it to second place.

It’s very interesting to me that this shot is in second place behind the long carry over water.  The reason being that the delicate pitch or chip over a bunker downhill to a closely cut pin position is a virtually no-win situation.  The other two are almost completely mental challenges.

I would have expected the no-win situation to be more dreadful, but I suppose the things that cause those kinds of feelings are specific to the individual based on ability, experience, and the like.

If you can forget about the water or the trouble on the hole with OB, woods, water, etc. coming in to play on the tee shot, the shots themselves are completely routine.  If you have the ability to hit the ball to a reasonably sized target and carry it a reasonable distance most of the time, then those shots are psychological barriers.

In fact, in the delicate pitch/chip scenario, the bunker is really a mental challenge, as well.  I just threw that in there to add to the anxiety.  I know that many of us have trouble hitting delicate short game shots.  Some players have real trouble with skulling or chunking pitches and chips.  In that case, the bunker does come into play.  However, if you have a reasonably decent pitching or chipping stroke, the bunker shouldn’t even be a factor.

The real issue is, this shot is very difficult, even for a tour pro.

We need to consider our expectations around the greens.  As you probably know, our objective, when the ball is somewhere around the green, is to get the ball on the green and make the putt to save par.  To do that, we need to get our pitch or chip to stop reasonably close to the hole.  Dave Pelz calls that the “Golden Eight Feet”.  If we can get the ball to stop within 8-10 feet of the pin (or closer, obviously) we give ourselves the best chance to make the putt.  Further out, and the odds are heavily in favor of missing, even for a tour pro.

If you have to pitch the ball to a pin that is cut close to you with a severely downhill slope in the way, then the shot is nearly impossible, even if you manage to hit the hole or pin.  It doesn’t matter how much spin you can put on the ball or how adept you are at hitting the flop shot.  When the ball lands and its spin is expended, gravity will simply carry it well past the hole.  And, don’t forget the fact that if you’re forced to land the ball on the slope, the angle will propel the ball forward, giving the it zero chance of landing softly and rolling out.

Prevention is the Answer

Prevention is really why this shot is an issue of course management.  You should be doing everything in your power to manage your misses.  Don’t think for a second that the pros don’t know where the best miss is on every green they hit a shot at.  If their natural shot shape will have them flirting with disaster like that, you can bet that they’re either going to shape the shot differently to keep the ball in a safer area (which you may or may not have the ability to do), or they’re going to aim their shot at a spot that takes the danger out of play if they miss it (which we all have the ability to do).

If you hit the ball for the fattest part of the green, you have a good shot at getting down in two putts or maybe even making a long putt.  Even if you miss the green, you have a good chance of getting up and down.  If you get into a spot where you have that nasty downhill shot, you’re almost definitely looking at the pitch and two putts, and if you hit your pitch poorly and fail to get on, the outcome will be worse.

I Hate to Say “I Told Ya So”

OK, I did, but we both know that we’re all going to end up with shots like that at some point, despite the fact that we know we should try really hard to avoid it.  Even tour pros will find themselves in a spot like that on occasion.

The key is to manage your expectations at that point.  When I’m in that spot, I forget about making the shot or even getting it close.  My number one goal is to get it on the green.

When you start thinking about making it, the first instinct is to try and get cute and feather the ball up there and let it run out as slowly as possible to try and stop it close.  In some cases, if you can just barely get the ball started, you might be able to stop it close.  But I’ve been in situations where I could just set the ball down on the edge of the green and it would roll 10-15 feet past because of the severity of the slope.

When you get in that mindset of feathering it, you run the risk of forgetting your fundamentals and decelerating through the shot and hitting it fat (or just simply not hard enough).  Do that and you may not even reach the green.  That wastes a stroke and leaves you in essentially the exact same predicament.

The conservative  play is to just get the ball on the green so remember your chipping or pitching fundamentals and be sure to land the ball on the green and suffer with the run-out.

Depending on the area where the pin is located, you might want to consider the riskier cut lob (flop) shot.  If the spot around the pin gives you a fairly flat landing area, you might have success flying the ball to, or just past, the flag.  If you practice the flop shot and the lie is suitable, then it can be a decent option.  If you don’t practice the shot or the lie isn’t suitable, then you’re primed to either skull the ball over the opposite side of the green or to barely advance it.

Take YOUR Game into Consideration

The basic idea here is that this shot is nearly impossible to get close to the hole.  You need to give your own skill level realistic consideration and try your best to avoid it, and to limit the damage when you end up putting yourself in that difficult position.  Pick your shot carefully and play within your own comfort zone.  If that means accepting that the ball will have to be played well past the flag and that you’ll likely be two-putting, then so be it.  In the long run, accepting a little pain will prevent the big blowups that can come from situations like this.

A while back, I was contacted by someone from Forte Promotions, a company specializing in custom promotional products.  I was very interested to learn that they have a huge array of promotional golf products. The products can be customized with artwork such as logos and the like, to help you get the word out.

These products are perfect for a wide array of things, but especially for business or website promotion, tournaments, and other events.  They make great gifts, door prizes, or can can even be sold in a pro shop or at an event as souvenirs.

Forte sent me a few of their products  just to give an idea of what kinds of things they have available, so let me share those with you.

All in One Golfer’s Caddy

The All in One Golfer’s Caddy is just that.  It combines a lot of cool features in a single bag accessory. It holds your scorecard, includes a mesh panel for tees, “easy squeeze” golf ball dispenser, and an elastic pencil holder. It also comes with a handy carabiner to clip onto your bag.

One thing to be aware of is that the scorecard holder holds cards of a specific width.  The cards from the course that I belong to now fit in there perfectly (they’re the double-fold kind), but a card from the course I used to work at didn’t fit (the single-fold kind).  Not a huge limitation, but something to be aware of.

Click here for more information.

Key Chain Divot Tool

This sturdy piece is a combination key chain and divot tool.  It has room to have a logo laser engraved.  When you arrive at the course, the divot tool simply pops off the key chain.  The keys can be stowed while you just drop the divot tool in your pocket.

I should mention that the circular spot on the divot tool where the logo is engraved is not actually a ball mark.  That’s a typical feature on many divot tools so I didn’t want there to be any confusion.  Still a very attractive piece that would make a great tournament gift that would hopefully encourage participants to fix ball marks!

Click here for more information.

Golf Bag Water Cooler

Golfers need to stay hydrated!  This is a great product to help out with that.  It’s a water bottle cooler that includes tees and a divot tool.  It’s  shaped like a miniature golf bag.

Again, a cool golf accessory that makes an excellent giveaway – branded, of course.  As you can see, there’s a spot right on the front for logo graphics.  The tees and divot tool are also available for imprinting.

Click here for more information.

Ballzee Golf Ball Cleaner

The Ballzee golf ball cleaner was named the best new product at the 2005 PGA Merchandise Show.

To use it, you simply soak the inside with water, wring it out, and then put it in your pocket.  Your pocket says dry, but it gives you a moistened cleaner for your ball when you mark it on the green.  It’s a simple and effective way to get grass and dirt off before putting.

The top of the Ballzee is available for a logo.

Click here for more information.

These are just a few of the products that Forte offers.  They have a catalog with literally thousands of items available for personalization.  The items they sent me were great quality, cool, golf accessories.  While they don’t focus just on golf, their catalog of golf-specific items is impressive.  If you’re conducting a tournament, promoting a website, or just looking to promote your business within the realm of golf, then Forte Promotions is sure to have something to meet your needs.

You can reach Forte Promotions on the web at http://www.fortepromo.com or by telephone by calling 877-997-7799.

A couple of things have come through the publicity pipeline recently that I think you may be interested in.

“Class is In” at Faldo Golf Institute

For anyone who was thinking of attending a golf school this year, it looks like the Faldo Golf Institute has a great deal in store for you:

Now Golfers Can Book 2 & 3-Day Golf Schools At Faldo Golf Institute Locations In Orlando, FL And Palm Desert, CA, And Enjoy Complimentary Luxury Marriott Accommodations.

As the 2009 golf season tees off, “Class Is In” at the acclaimed Faldo Golf Institute (FGI), one of the nation’s leading golf schools, created by legendary 6-Time Major Champion Nick Faldo. Faldo Golf Institute today announced a golf school package promotion that will include complimentary “First-Class” Marriott Villas — throughout the duration of the golf school stay — for all golfers that book 2 & 3-Day Golf Schools before May 31, 2009.

“Class Is In” packages start at $955 for 3-Day Golf Schools and $635 for 2-Day Golf Schools. These packages are based on availability and cannot be combined with any other discount or promotion. For more information on FGI or to book a 2 or 3-Day Golf School at the Orlando, FL or Palm Desert, CA locations, please call (888) GO-FALDO (463-2536) or visit www.gofaldo.com.

That sounds like an awesome deal.  If you were planning on attending a golf school anyway, here’s a great chance to score some luxury accommodations for no extra charge.

Amateur Golfers Nationwide Begin Path to Pinehurst

If you’re an amateur golfer seeking a real tournament atmosphere, then the following might interest you:

Are you an amateur golfer looking for a serious national competition to play?  Local qualifying events are now underway for the 2009 Team McGladrey Championship between now and September.

The McGladrey Team Championship culminates with the National Championship — featuring 41 four-member PGA Section champion teams — which will take place Oct. 26-28, at the world renowned Pinehurst (N.C.) Resort.

The McGladrey Team Championship, the first nationwide grassroots best-ball amateur championship conducted by The PGA of America, will mark its third year with a new title and an enhancement to its format and a third consecutive return for the National Championship at Pinehurst (N.C.) Resort.

For more information, visit the McGladrey Team Championship page at the PGA of America website.  It sounds like a great event that will be a lot of fun.

Now that spring is here, for those of us in places with winter climates, it’s time to shake off the rust and get ready for another great season of golf.

Depending on the weather, you may have started up already.  If so, I’m hoping you didn’t just grab your clubs out of the garage and head to the first tee.  There are a number of things you can do to make this your best playing season ever.

Equipment

First and foremost, you should inspect all of your equipment and make sure it’s in good shape or you could find yourself wondering why you’re not scoring like you should.  Let’s take a look at some of the specifics.

• Spikes – if you play regularly, you should change your spikes regularly.  I change mine a few times per season.  Spikes help you keep your footing on wet or steep ground.  Having worn spikes can affect the quality of your footing and thus the quality of your shots.
• Grips – It’s a good idea to change your grips every year, especially if you play and practice a lot.  You might be one of those people who never changes grips and you probably don’t even know what you’re missing.  New grips can save you strokes by providing extra control and confidence.
• Grooves – You should inspect the grooves on your wedges, at a minimum, and optimally on all your irons.  As you know grooves help to provide spin, and thus stopping power, on your approach shots.  Hot Stix golf showed that worn grooves can cut your spin in half.  If your grooves are worn, you’re losing strokes.  Think about replacing any irons or wedges with worn grooves before the season starts.

Stock Up on the Essentials

In the world of golf, it is a fact of life that you’re going to expend balls, tees, gloves, and the like throughout the year.  Spring is a good time to stock up on these essentials.

It might not feel good to spend the cash to buy balls for the year all at once, but it’s better than showing up at the first tee with one ball in your bag, and you won’t have to worry about it again.  Buying in bulk has advantages, too.

Check with your pro-shop or golf specialty store to see if they might cut you a deal for buying balls in bulk quantities.  If you buy, say, ten dozen at once for the whole year, you might be able to save a nice chunk of money.  It might not feel good to put out that much money at once, but you’ll save in the long run.  Especially if you forget to stock up and end up having to pay exorbitant prices at pro-shops because you showed up for your tee time with no balls in your bag.

Even if you like to play “experienced” (used) balls, the same principle applies.  Retailers may cut you a deal for buying in bulk.

Stop by your favorite golf specialty store for the rest of the essentials like tees, ball markers, and so on.  You can get a big bag of your favorite kind of tees that will last a long, long time.  It’s better than hunting around on each tee for someone’s discarded scrap tees.

Plan for the Year

What are your goals for the year?  If you’re content with showing up to the course and hacking around with your buddies here and there, then it’s OK to not have any stated goals.  But if you’re trying to take your game to a new level, then it’s going to take some thought and a lot of work.

Define Your Goals

It’s not enough just to say you want to “play better” this year.  Of course you do.  We all do.  But that’s not an actionable goal.  You need to be more specific.  What do you want to improve?  Putting?  Finesse wedges?  Driving?  Hitting more fairways and greens?  Playing better from the sand?  Decide which parts of your game need improvement and then you can devise a plan of attack.

Devise a Plan

Now that you know what you want to accomplish with your golf game this year, you have to create a plan of attack.

The best first step is to schedule some regular lessons for the year.  Without a doubt, this is the single best thing you can do to improve your game.  If your spring golf checklist includes game improvement, this is the way to do it.  After you’ve noted down your improvement goals for the year, a pro will be able to help you achieve them.

The next step is to try and work in some regular practice time.  Set aside some time each week for practice.  Use the time to work on the things your pro has identified for you, or if you’re going it alone, work on the things you identified in your goals.

Commit to Fitness

If you’re serious about improving your game this year, then a commitment to fitness should probably be on your list.  If you’re allergic to the gym, then start with basic stretching to limber up all those muscles that are critical to the golf swing.  The Titleist Performance Institute is a great place to start looking for golf-centric stretches.

If you don’t mind hitting the gym on occasion, the next most important thing is cardio vascular fitness.  This will increase your stamina and allow you to play longer without fatiguing so much.  You can ride a recumbent bike, use an elliptical machine, do intense weight training, or run.

If you want to take the next step in golf fitness, then a golf-specific strength training program is what you’ll need.  You can also get a great start on that at the Titleist Performance Institute, as well as from several golf fitness experts you can find down below in my blogroll.

Put it All Together

These are the big things that you may need to do to get ready to have your best golf season ever.  You may not need to do all of them and your list might include things that I didn’t mention, like planning a golf vacation or attending a golf school.

The bottom line is, the best path to success by utilizing a plan and a checklist is the easiest way to capture that.  Tailor your checklist to the things you need or want to accomplish this year and you’ll be ready to hit the ground running now that spring is here and you’ll be embarking on your best season ever.