Finally broke 70!

[Jtgavigan]

3 hours ago, nvr3putt said:

Congrats!!

 

As a mid-high handicapper, I hope you don't mind if I ask a few questions.

1) How often do you practice and play a round per week?

2) How often do you get lessons?

3) Do you ever watch Youtube videos for the purpose of improving your swing/game?

4) Which is better, sex or shooting sub-70?

5) And most importantly, your WITB (sig) is mind-blowing! Can you describe how you got to your specs? Did you work with a fitter, instructor, or both?

 

Cheers

 

1.) I have played on and off for 39 years, so I have a good base to work from (started when I was 11, with lessons my first 2-3 years). For the last year and a half or so, I average 1-2 rounds per week. I practice hopefully 1-2 times per week, depending on time. I tend to work on whatever I am struggling with at the time. 

2.) I hadn't taken any lessons in years until last summer. I take one every few months now, depending on if I am struggling or want to change something. For instance, about 6 weeks ago, I went to him because I wanted to hit a draw more consistently. I have hit a hold off fade most of my years playing. My go to shot on a short iron approach is a little trap draw and can be deadly with it from 6i on down through PW. I like to move my 3w right to left, but have always struggled with driver. So, I went and showed him what I have done in the past, what I think about, etc. He gave me some mental/physical keys and so far so good. I really wanted to move it one way, and right to left since I like that shot in my scoring clubs.

3.) Yes, but I try not to do too much. Monte Schienblum (sp?) is great. His no turn-cast/broom force stuff has helped me with some of my flaws. I haven't bought the programs, but have seen enough that I get what he is doing I believe and how I can apply some of it. Usually, I am just looking for a feel as my swing is pretty sound. 

4.) No comment. LOL

5.) I have been building my own clubs for 19 years and did a lot of experimenting. So, I figured out what generally fits me. However, here are some specifics:
 

Driver - recently fitted by a local fitter, but we decided to try the Xcaliber shaft, since I had it in my SIM. He recommended a little more shaft tipping for stability. So far, so real good.

3 wood -  hit that plus TSI3 and SIM2 with my pro. Best dispersion was PING. So, bought one off the shelf and used a tipping suggestion from Brian at Xcaliber. I already owned the shaft prior to club purchase and liked it. I did have to extend the shaft to 43 1/2" because I was missing too much right at 43". I think it was the flat lie angle. At 43.5", the same lie angle plays more upright. So far, so good. 

2 iron - tried to hit the Avalon i9 graphite iron shaft. Didn't like it (too light for me, great shaft, just not for me). Did the Modus as an experiment and had a gut feel on the soft/hard step. Played with the loft until I hit the flight windows and distances I wanted. So far, so real good

Irons - Had been playing Snake Eyes 675B blades for a dozen years. I struggled with 5i and 6i. Bought a Maltby TS1 5 iron a year and a half ago and threw it in a shaft I had (Dynamic Gold Sensicore X100). Took two swings to convince me I needed the whole set. More forgiveness and liked the feel. I was playing the dynamic gold sensicore X100's since probably 2004, but wanted something different. Tried the soft stepped Modus 120 in the 4i first and loved it. So, bought a set of pulls and put the 6i shaft in the 7i, etc to soft step. Questioning it for the 7-pw. I may go straight in with those. I am consulting the fitter I used with my driver next week. I want to see some numbers. Just finding distance control not quite as good in my scoring clubs as with the sensicore. Long and mid irons have been awesome and I love the feel.

Hybrids - 18 deg. Had a ProLaunch red in it for years. Had the shaft currently in it laying around and decided to go straight in and trim to length. Works out good when I use it. 2i currently in the bag. 4H - bought as a club pak from Golfworks on a whim because I was struggling with my old Snake Eyes 675XC 4i. It works great when I put it in the bag. 4i TS1 in right now.

Wedges - not a lot to tell there, just a gapping thing

Putter - bought it on a whim at Dick's one day about 6 years ago because I was making tons of putts with it in the store and was struggling some with my putter. My pro bent it last year when he was giving me a putting lesson. I was launching long putts (skidding) and told him it felt too upright. 

 

So, lots of trial and error, some fittings, some whimsical stuff. It works for me. The 2 degree flat on irons started years ago. I am 5'8" and I struggle with the heel digging in with standard lies. Heavier swingweights I stumbled on by accident. My 675B's were D6. I am now at D4 pretty much everywhere until I get to wedges and they are a little heavier.

[Jtgavigan]

3 hours ago, eht8266 said:

Awesome achievement! Love to hear these success stories - and like others also interested in the details on how you got there. My goal last year was to get to a 7 - and with a couple of 77s and 75s etc. I finally have gotten there. Putting, tee ball, and getting up and down from off the green were key.

 

Something else that I was wondering though is that once we hit a milestone, we want to get to the next one. What is a realistic goal for the rest of us? I don't think scratch is my goal - but maybe shooting par could be obtainable. The lower you get, the tougher it is to make those incremental improvements. Any thoughts out there on the journey? Thx.

 

My journey has been a long and winding one. Played golf and baseball through high school. Played Spalding Executive woods and irons and Top-Flite, Ultra, Pinnacle, etc - whatever I could hit the farthest. Somehow, I was our #1 player, shot in the upper 70's to low 80's with crappy equipment and balls but made the state finals my senior year. I should have made it the other two years, but as was typical, I would have a bad hole and blow up in anger somewhere during the round and missed the cut by 1 stroke my sophomore and junior years.

 

Played in college (not for the college team, but while I was in college) until I discovered bowling. Got good at bowling and played golf some, but not as much. Shot 814 once and carried 214 and 215 until I hurt my wrist the second time in my mid 20s. I then ended up putting golf down for several years until my wife and I got married. Played a decent amount until our second son was born in 2004. Then, once they got involved in sports, it was much more sporadic. I did manage to improve as I worked a LOT on putting. I was HORRIBLE until I was 35 or so. We had a golf course 5 minutes away from 1999 through 2005 and I could sneak over there and putt for an hour when my kids would go down for naps. I went from bad to streaky to now a pretty darn good putter. Maybe even a strength? I didn't keep a handicap, but I was better than in high school or college. Didn't get as mad as often, kept it in play more (sometimes), and had better equipment and short game. Shot in the low 70s several times a year. 

 

Move to Florida in 2014. Played a lot with my boys when we moved here. Improved more - was more consistent. Lost my job and had to lay it down for a year or two (just fished mostly as a hobby). Then, when I opened my business 5 years ago, I played some, but money got tight and laid it down again for probably a year. Then I played again, then I just would rather fish than play golf and that lasted 2 years. Started back in May of 2020. Told my wife after 4 or 5 rounds that I wanted to finally break 70 before I turned 50. She kinda thought I was crazy until I shot 71 the next round on a 7,000 yard course with a course rating of 74. I three putted 18 from 35 feet for 71. I was on the cusp last year until I herniated a disc in my neck while shooting 73 on my birthday. I had changed the break 70 goal to the end of 2020. Well, that went away.

 

I started again back in February and ironically, hadn't shot under par this year for 18 at all until the 69. I have had a bunch of 73's, but nothing under. Both last year and this year, I often played up several tee boxes with my neighbors trying to break the mental barrier of 70. Shot 39-32 once and made 3 birdies and an eagle in the last 5 or 6 holes. Hit one in the hazard right on 18 and made bogey. Even still, I couldn't break the barrier. Finally, it clicked and I didn't want to waste the opportunity.

 

Here are my keys:

 

1. I am still working on the mental side, but I used to get mad if I didn't hit it near perfectly every shot when I was young. I was a total Word not allowed to play with.

2. I became a MUCH better putter

3. I think I have finally found a driver and a tempo that allows me to keep the ball in play at a good length (I probably average 270 carry off the tee at sea level with driver - 110ish speed on Trackman, 114-116 on GCQuad).

4. My equipment fits really well

5. I get up and down a lot more now

6. I am in Month 1 of DECADE. That is gonna help a ton with course management and mental approach

 

So, the bookends (driving and putting) and the 6 inches between my ears are the real keys for me. 

 

 

[mdmack]

Just popped in to say congrats. I used to break 70 a few times a year in high school/college then when i graduated college its like a switch flipped and i havnt been able to do it since. I dont get to play nearly as much bc of life (work, marriage, kids), but Im determined to do it again one day. The mental side of it is by far the hardest part for me. I start doubting putts and shot shapes and it always goes downhill from there, but like you im determined to get back there. 

[Jtgavigan]

3 minutes ago, mdmack said:

Just popped in to say congrats. I used to break 70 a few times a year in high school/college then when i graduated college its like a switch flipped and i havnt been able to do it since. I dont get to play nearly as much bc of life (work, marriage, kids), but Im determined to do it again one day. The mental side of it is by far the hardest part for me. I start doubting putts and shot shapes and it always goes downhill from there, but like you im determined to get back there. 

 

Thanks! Keep grinding and you will get there!