a quest to become a scratch golf player

Behind the scene

2012-02-05T04:17:00.000-08:00

A golfer is having internal sensations, which we cant watch on video.
There is a mismatch between what a golfer feel and what we see on video more often than not.

Using the Mike Austin MCS 2.0 swing system allows me now to freely swing and I benefited a lot during this but I also built experience swinging and testing things to build a memory bank of usefulness.

I find the post by DJ Watts about Mickey wright be an eyeopener, suddenly I understood that with that move I cant turn behind my back in the swing, the arms must stop there and then its all about swinging down whipping it trough.
Its moments like this I want to have, when I understand why this happens as I also have the sensation for it, so I can do this one or the other one.
I spent 24 years, basically not being able to have a functional unit or a swing, then I applied everything I learned over the years to take a look at this mechanics and find out what its all about.

This week I do a indoor session to hit a few balls to check for impact and ball take off. Its not a optimal test ground but better than swinging at home. Putting is improved also.

I find myself early on prepared to shoot under 70 this year consistently.
I focus on tempo, then add the technique inside that, then keeping that tempo, turn into the right hip, swish it trough.
If I am able to be straight then I be long and accurate this year in a way I never been able to, I be able to have a pro level game even in the long swing game.
The best part is to work the approach shots which the tempo is made for, to make more greens as I do that I will score low due to being a good putter.

I fully expect a reduction from current 8.2 index to a scratch game and under 3 this year.

I arrived finnaly.

Golfing learning

2012-02-05T03:22:00.000-08:00

When you can do it, its always easy.

If we take a look at golf instruction there is no correlation between how the body reacts to a trow in the golf swing as so few schools of golf teach that. I assumed when being taught that a direct check to end up in a position and being able to do it athletically.
For example, Mike Austin tells you that the trow is important, and display and shows it, to understand what he means without being able to do it due to lacking key distinctions where your body parts has to be in space in any given time during the swing motion and how to correlate those towards the desired trow motion. That kind of instructions is seldom present.

The pro golfer is aware of their internal sensation which allows them to correlate their position and motion during the swing and adjust accordingly, like turning the thumb more or less for a fade or draw. Which if you ask me isnt doable for many at all due to them lack the awareness what their hands are doing in the swing. It might be better to ask, how would you adress the set up to make sure its a fade or a draw from the start?
Instead of trying to learn a highly advanced sensation as Mike had, one use its own and learn to do that instead.

I gone down to basics, to focus doing the proper tempo, to make it revolving around the tempo allows me to find out how my body moves from setup to the top to the impact, and I am currently just working the basic drop and weight shift. As I established that, then I do small variations, a little faster a little slower, focus on what my body does as it turns to the top what happens when I am getting into impact. This is all checked agaisnt desired body motion and proper tempo. I figured I need to do this to come prepared for the season so I can focus on the game, go low and never have to do much adjustment during the season at all once I built enough references in my swing.

Tempo is key here, once the timing is based upon the leverage and body drop with weight shift, the sequence of joints and when to apply power or more correctly speed starts to happen. The pivot with leverage and proper sequence then happens every time. Consistency appears. Then golf becomes easy. My goal isnt 400 yard drives its long and consistent.

I thought about this a little, if I am consistent then the tempo has to be perfect, and then if the tempo is perfect can I then add the technical aspects and re-train and solidify the proper mechanics if I do so and if I do does it allow me to become the level of golfer I desired to be?
I done the tempo and leverage for a week or two now.
Every day I try new variations, little faster, slower, focus on different muscles and what the body is doing during the swing. I figure this builds me awareness to then assist me when I later on want to start shaping the ball for draw and fade.

Changed the back swing

2012-01-21T13:29:00.000-08:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1iMPoE85R8

Spent 70 balls from the tempo to organzie the new action into the swing.
The above is from the end of session.

When I felt good at the end, I also took note my set up was a little to open in hips, adjusted, and then did pretty good the last few swings.

I hit the ball straight, with some power.
I assume a few more sessions this will work pretty good.
This year I have a pro swing down.

Next step

2012-01-20T11:35:00.000-08:00

Identified I move the club back in the swing using shoulder/middle of back muscles.
Started to work to lift the club into back top position using right arm.

To lift it works, it also allows me a better position into the backswing, so I am now changing it big time to make it functioning into a unit.
However, this drastically alters the way I started my swing.

Good that I identified the tempo and markers of that.
I must do this due to I will have to fight my driver swing and getting tired will surely drop shots for me.
No way out.

Go forward.

Step one done

2012-01-20T07:50:00.000-08:00

Tempo identified and performed.

Now, time to fix the back swing and the top position with left arm.
Then when that is done improve release.

However happy with current swing progress, hitting it straight and with some kick.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WAg6nL0TXY

2012-01-10T10:28:00.001-08:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXEyNRG_HMg

Finnaly I solved it

2012-01-09T06:20:00.000-08:00

I spent the last month thinking about the golf swing.
I understood the leverage and pivot.
I tested it on the range the 15 and 26 of dec.

One thing that eluded me was, why am I so flat in the backswing?
I searched the net and found some drills by Dan Shauger.
Looking at them and tried them.

I dry trained at home, and then finnaly it hit me.
For some unknown reason I turned the left arm/shoulder out and up.
I then understood why I have been so flat in the backswing and none had seen why or even myself asked why.

Then as I checked why I was so long with irons, it was due to with those clubs I did a much less wrong turn with the left shoulder, and I got why I was so short with the driver. Swinging at home, it feels great now, checking my position in the back swing now is naturally and proper.

I can now turn the engine up, power the swing into the downswing and rip it.
I now own my swing.
Already a lot of what I have struggled with is coming into its resting place.
I feel good.

This year is now the year I be taking my game where it should be.
Pro level game with results of shooting scores I am capable of now when I am finnaly able to be consistent.

A good month.
Now waiting time for summer begins.

Tired but hopeful

2011-12-06T09:22:00.000-08:00

I stopped playing early augusty.
I became tired and hooking the ball didnt help.

The last sunday in nov I thought about going to the range as I had developed a new understanding, and I was smoking the ball in the cold, with pro impact and the ball flight was good.
I had these moments in early april, when I was able to in may hit my pw 170 yards, and for me those shots required not much but I wasnt able to consistently do it due to flaws and errors in my swing.

One huge one is the backswing, I simply can drop it so low that I swing around my body and then the hook happens. Obviously.
The other was to turn a little to early which make the ball go way right.

So as I pondered this leverage thing in the mike austin swing on dj watts page, it finnaly hit me, and I thought it made sense, so I went and hit balls for an hour.

I was able to not only do the pro level impact, I did so with elss effort and I could replicate it. I then did my RBIm thing and added a few adjustments and was smoking the ball. I need to bring the driver next time even as snow has started to fall to find out if the same thing applies with a bit longer clubs as I hit my Pw and 7i only.

for me it felt like coming home to be able to consistently do it.

I be checking if it still is consistent, then do more and remove the old flaws and see where it brings me this summer.

shot new personal best

2011-06-27T08:45:00.000-07:00

75 twice the same week, new index 7.7.

got issues the last few days with the swing, fixed it on the range identified what it was, looking forward competition Thursday.

range

2011-05-28T11:02:00.001-07:00

Range, smoke the ball.
braced left leg and its effortless power.
the upcoming week will be interesting.

18 today

2011-05-25T13:49:00.001-07:00

18 holes.

made one mistake on each hole shot +17.
hit a 9i tailwind 170 yards and flew the green.
Unreal.

did some shots that was absolutly superb and then some that wasnt so good but only 3 bad ones but those cost me a lot.
figure out to swing properly, and to adjust the chipping due to greens never slow ball down, to long grass and uneven.

18 tomorow should be a lot better.

todays range and play

2011-05-24T07:54:00.001-07:00

hit a bucket, and played 9 holes.

swing is getting better, played the five first holes dead on, mananged to 4 putt on the third, 3 gir but still +2 but it happens.
hit over the green on nr4, and hit a 8i into 10f on five.
then it was a mix of bad and good.

Hit a 52w over green at 7, 3 clubs longer than last year gee.
hit good tee shot on 8.
hit a sweet drive on nine, 280yard into the wind.
best drive whole week.

Identified why I hook irons.
Identified what to do to get the ball straight and skip the hooks.
identified when I do good approach shots I bring into awarness where the ball should go on the green, when I hit a bad shot over green its all about the mehcanical aspect of tempo and proper club.

Tomorow I likely play 18, and I am feeling pretty good about my game, I make mistakes but now those are often more about attention and focus, not technique.
Easier to fix and do it right there.

still need more solid swing, but its getting really good as it is.

Is the local pro tour possible?

2011-05-22T23:31:00.000-07:00

At 47, at a 9 handicap (current 2011-05-23) am I able to get down to 3, and able to qualify for the tour in september?

I wasnt able last year, due to my technique wasnt good.
I worked that for 6 months now and its getting there.

I know what I need to have, and I almsot can check off the marks, I got the putting, the chipping, the pitching, and I got the distance.
Now, I lack consistency but that is expected at this point as I am still working my technique.
Hitting 3 irons longer mess with my shotmaking a lot.
I was hitting the so long this weekend that it was nuts, 8i 180 yards? I got so disturbed that I had a hard time choosing the proper club.

Now, I understand why, my technique is better, and then I swing better and this makes it longer, so the enxt weeks I work to dial in irons, make the technique more consistent so driver and such is straight and long also.
I do well at the range, I am 280 yard shots there with ease.

To this date, I am happy with the last 5 days progress, I gone from bad and worse to real good.

I belive the next few weeks my game is going to improve immensly.
Since I can focus on playing the game, adjusting and dial in the shots, instead of working the technique so much this goes into a more shotmaking and ballstriking approach with some technique, basically a 180 turr aorund.

first competition today

2011-05-22T07:01:00.000-07:00

shot 86.
4gir.
was playing well, 29putts.
was off with iron distances, started to carry them absurb distances, 165yard carry for the 9i.
2+clubs since last year.

gonna dial in irons shots this coming week and work the driver swing a little more, as it isnt stable yet.
but had good and ok drives today tho

range some play

2011-05-21T10:23:00.000-07:00

did some range practice, worked betetr.
did play a few holes, and smoked the ball with driver one one hole.
distance is good.

I feel fine, worked tempo and experience.
feels I am ready for tomorows competition and even got a caddie.

early in season but game is as good it ever been.
time for consistency practice the coming weeks.

range practice

2011-05-20T11:02:00.001-07:00

did practice today, felt good.
I swing better, stillw ork to do but I am as long as I should be, and now time to improve details, backswing, tempo and impact.

consistency is the nr1 key to wrok on now.
to get there, I need a better backswing,
proper tempo, and experience, as the dsitance is enough, ballstriking is now the main focus.

happy.

Getting there

2011-05-19T14:26:00.000-07:00

finnaly made progress, braced into left leg and now I am able to smoke the ball.
still got timing with all the proper sync but was able to have 240-280 yard drives today.

I am also able to hit approach shots good and solid.
now to improve this and to have a proper inside out path.

competition sunday.
something to look forward.

moving on

2011-05-18T07:14:00.000-07:00

as I ponder the days result, the swing and distinctions, I find myself thinking I am on the right path, the ideas that I got pouring out is nice, and range tomorow to find out how they work.

todays round

2011-05-18T06:12:00.000-07:00

+30
lost 4 balls
6gir.
290yard drive on nine.
5 pars

swing all over the place.
some really good solid shots, some great appraoch shots and then cant even swing properly, feels like 10 different swings when I just need one.

gonna compete on sunday, it be a good test drive to where I stand.

the over the top move is getting silly now.
when I swing good, its so good its great.
when I hardly can make contact in the next shot its just horrible.

developed new distinctions today whcih was good.
now, I will practice those on range and see if I get improvment.

todays round

2011-05-17T05:10:00.000-07:00

5gir.
+18.
bad greens, but swing was all over the place, from really good to shit.
expected but sucks.

the good side is, approach shots is really good, unless I hit a to long club of course.
set up the ball within/around 12feet 7 times today.
Lost 3 balls with old swing moves.

chipping is A class just pure good.
almost sank 4 chips but only one went into the cup.
Putting is good as usual.bad greens atm tho.

hit 8i on hole 11 around 140 yards over the green.
Gee, did hit a 9i on hole 5 over the green into the forest, also.
really need to tune in the swing later on as such shots even if pure just cost to many shots.

I seems to change swing on course, not so much inside as I should and then I become inconsistent. In comparison to last year, I am however really improved and feels like I can shoot par or better now every round.

Played 11 holes as I should play them, the rest was a combination between bad tee shots and bad judgement.
I had 6 bad tee shots, 2 cost me a ball.
I can go from suepr swing to shit from one hole to the enxt, and I be working on the half arc circle inside idea to most likely become more consistent, and to fix the driver distance to go for it more.

I had a few drives around 240yard mark, but they wasnt even good solid strikes.
hope lives.

solved driver.

2011-05-15T08:47:00.000-07:00

Lesson, fixed the issue to even hit it.
now working to solidify it and also to adjust the backswing as its to flat still.

gonna rest now for 2 days or so, totally exhausted atm.

18holes

2011-05-14T10:12:00.001-07:00

swing was lost again.

the issue with the driver is making me nuts.
can swing any other club really well but the driver is just not working.

had a good round, several good solid shots, finished off real well, had a 2hybrid iron that I smoked down the fairway on 17 and 18, and the pitch shots was dead on the flag, but due to greens, no birdie.

I hit the hybrid better than the driver by a mile, if I was able to do the same with driver I hit it 300 yards.

feels a lot better than last year, straighter, better distance control, and pitching and chipping is up to pro level.
approach shots is getting there also.

lesson tomorow for driver.

Finnaly progress

2011-05-14T00:29:00.000-07:00

played 9 holes twice.
first nine, I had bad shots and all over. +8 1gir

hit half a bucket, found the motion, played nine more +3
5gir.
all good shots.
two small misses, which then with the newly open course didnt help, bad slow greens, bouncy and jumpy, but I got to practice the swing and approach shots.
the misses was close to green,
in retrospect, much likely my best ever ballstriking round.

I am getting there and I am hitting it straight even with driver

time to play today also, and I shot some video of the swing as I go.

Lesson

2011-05-09T10:51:00.001-07:00

ball

impact

after

Saturday, went to my Local pro Tomas, he fixed the OTT move.
10min job.

spent a few days doing the new motions.
identified the back swing take away needs to be fixed.

todays range felt good.
still some work to do, but now I got a playable swing, still lacking distance with driver but at least its going straight, most of times.

Happy.

Range practice

2011-04-28T00:14:00.000-07:00

Today is range practice.
My hand feels better, shifted the grip a little, and today I be hitting the driver and other clubs hopefully without pain.

Swing motion feels almost done and closed but some things to get right still.

resting day

2011-04-27T03:23:00.000-07:00

Today is a day off.

I am seeing the doctor for my eyes, so I figure all golf practice is off for today.

I got a sour hand, seems the gaming on the PC and the swing put some stress on the hand tendons, and it hurts a little, so the rest comes at a good point.

Gonna set down and fix the hand first and foremost, so golf is now put on rest maybe even more than a day.

afternoon session

2011-04-25T08:04:00.001-07:00

worked on the same

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDV6EBWAaAU

25 april

2011-04-25T02:42:00.000-07:00

same as yesterday, worked the pivot and added to identify the proper release and impact.
Made progress and felt comfortable at the end with the new pivot.
video is from start of practice, not showing improvment.
shot a video of this tomorow or when I practice enxt time.

Impact good, accuracy better, 135y carry pw, when struck solid, felt good about this progress.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5E7jxZ7fcR0

24 april

2011-04-24T04:49:00.000-07:00

worked the tilt hip motion.
to remove the OTT move

Hit the ball solid, straight and higher, still need work but now I getting the hip to go where it should.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1mIcXzEo64

Lot of work but its getting there.

Progress

2011-04-23T08:48:00.000-07:00

I made progress today, solid ballstriking.
Now I need to fix my OTT, to do so requries a new hip motion, and downswing, and I be focused on that the coming days.
building a new motion.

getting better, today I had a playable swing.
tempo makes a huge difference.

Golf practice today.

2011-04-23T01:52:00.001-07:00

same place, still no car to get me to the range.
However, hitting a few balls on the grass is good also ;)

Change

2011-04-22T07:18:00.001-07:00

I am getting closer to the criteria and have a swing that works.
Working on the downswing ha shown to get the things on track without a OTT move.

This in turn creates new problems due to now I need to check what I do differently but that is when I am satisfied with the new downswing.

This day was a good one.
Tomorow I try this out on the field again

Day 2

2011-04-22T02:05:00.000-07:00

OTT move identified, first adjustment, changed the backswing.
Improved contact, improved motion, and better ball contact overall.

test run worked fine today.
I still have a OTT but now its fits within the motion to get to impact, now to adjust the pivot and hit the backpocket which should be todays practice.

Follow instructions

2011-04-21T08:50:00.001-07:00

I bought the MCS DJ Watts pachage 1.0 and its a Mike Austin system as basis, now as I seen the video and did read it, has taken me, 3 weeks to finnaly follow instructions, and check if I did those right.

Now, I do a right side connection in the backswing, I get in and up right, gee 3 weeks, then its down and out.
at home it starts to make sense and I am able to do the proper action as far I can tell.

Video is good to a point, I now just check if I am at the proper position which I was at the top but I didnt get there by go in and up I got there as a modern PGA style follow the targetline.
Did start doing a in and up move, and suddenly I could go down and out.
Lightbulb moment.

This been a sorting out day.
I am getting closer and closer to a great swing.
I look forward tomorow as I am likely to visit the football field again for some testing with pw and balls.

Pivot

2011-04-21T05:45:00.000-07:00

Identified the OTT reason, now to ingrain a new downswing with proper compound pivot.
Gee, will this ever end ;)

Pictures with new and old downswing, upper one old, with jacket new.

grass

2011-04-21T04:39:00.000-07:00

well another try round at the football place.

PW, 120 carry, no power, worked the motion, and inside out swing, better trajectory today and less bad shots.

need range practice now badly.

52 wedge

2011-04-20T03:14:00.001-07:00

No range yet.
went out on the football field close by, hit my 52 wedge for fun, with proper tempo around 100-110 yard carry. (98mph or so swing speed)
That felt totally easy and effortless.

Still need to work the forward pivot, it dosnt kick in yet.
I got the motion down, now time to do tempo and tempo and then work the additions during the spring and summer.
It can only be better now.

Now I solved it

2011-04-18T12:28:00.001-07:00

I been doing a Mike Austin swing as noted, and today I finnaly clicked and could just do it.

With the aid of hitlonger.com and the mcs website from dj watts, I been working to get that action, as I never liked the modern swing planed heel or setup.
I knew I need distance and load of it and then accuracy with it, and I need it effortlessly.

Today felt good, I now know how to do it.
Now, time for range work, and I never been as excited to get down and hit balls as its now to confirm the ball impact, to find out how far it goes and how it sounds so, I am really finding this spring the breaktrough I worked for the last 3 months.

Exciting times.

/Robert

Update 2011

2011-04-18T00:04:00.000-07:00

I had to change my swing in June last year, the thing I had done didn't work.
I went to the local pro, shifted and spent 2 months working the swing and played.
I used my RBIm system to map the learning motion, and as I done so, I became longer but also had no consistency, and as I did that I also knew, last year wouldn't cut it where I wanted to go.

In January I spent a lesson learning the tempo, and what a lesson, I hit balls for an hour the same tempo a Swiss clock. The pro got goosebumps watching me.
In March I went to Spain and worked the game and also did some caddie work.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AceiRXESJ28
The pro I coach said I hit the ball better than his 3 handicap buddies.

I came home and worked the swing motion and now, I am happy about it, since I now have a motion I know can deliver tremendous power to the motion but also allow cruising speed with consistency. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Db7p0C0XtE
I am now moving on to the next step, hitting balls on the range.
To get my handicap down to 3 or better, I must be able to consistently hit balls the same way time after time. I did use my RBIm technology to map the motion, this then with tempo becomes my basic foundation, this is what I build my swing and golf on.
Then as I move on, then I do range work for the following,
1. pro impact (ball before ground)
2.Distance control.
Later on I will work the up and down approach club distance, so I building a small but efficient approach due to time constraints. I don't have time to expand and work my game in every area, so I got to focus on the essentials.
Tempo for timing.
Motion for accuracy and power.
Distance control for approach shots.

This should allow me to drop my handicap and make a solid game during this summer.

going and going

2010-07-28T08:03:00.000-07:00

well, game is good.

shot 83 with the swing working fine but my short game was off.
3 three putts, and lost a ball from a bunker.

Hit my 7i at the range 185 yards carry.
on course it was a little lower and around 165 yards.

driver was straight or slightly pushed but in game all day.

Felt I could had 8 shots better score without any fuss.
had the wrong distances a few holes and some bad putts and I didnt putt well today.

One birdie putt which was 30feet or so.
but missed all short ones.

great game, best ever for me in spite of the result.

upcoming clubchampionchip looks promising.

/Robert

Found something

2010-07-26T13:24:00.000-07:00

As I played today I worked on my game, short gamne is now efficient.
I feel comfortable to make shots around the green close to hole.

Swing starts to get there, drove the range today, and hit my 7i 175 yards carry with rangeballs.
So, I now know how its like hitting pro level distance effortlessly.

good day.

Now to keep getting it down into habit, that be fun heh.
If it works as far as everything else the last 4 weeks, it should be a week or less to make it be more or less consistent.

I work on this tomorow and then I play for my club a foursome and 18 holes matchplay that be a good test run.

shot 83

2010-07-25T09:54:00.000-07:00

cold, rain and windy, and came in third in my class.
wasnt happy with the score, made to many errors on the approach shots and should have been 76 or so.

Good, swing is long, still need a few tweaks but I was playing really well under the conditions.

Third best brutto score for the day.

My game is however the best ever and I feel I can soon play real low competitve golf.

/Robert Johansson

76 yesterday

2010-07-21T11:58:00.000-07:00

shot 76 yesterday.

My game has transformed with the new swing change, I am hitting the ball longer and straighter than ever.

Was +4 after first nine holes, did play ok without any extra.
started last nine with birdie, made a 250yard 4i hybrid which set up a 52 wedge, hit the pin.

made par, and another par and then made birdie again.
Did miss two short par putts on the last few holes but +1 for the last nine was ok.
should been better, but as anyone states, I get them the enxt time.

I am swinging traditonally, never as far understood the complicated hardness of timing yet as I find the swing easy to do.
I am hitting my irons 3 to 4 clubs longer now.

Still need to get the driver on line but its getting there slowly, as I am hitting it great on the range so I need to make that the same on course which differs a little to much but is much improved.

Happy

/R

shoot 79

2010-07-13T11:34:00.001-07:00

Competition today.

Had a ok day, shot 79 and played well but become tired at the end and lost 5 shots in 3 holes due to errors not thinking straight.

was 3 over after 13 holes with a three putt and solid play, no birdies.
did doublebogey after making 4 from foregreen, made double after a bad tee shot on 16, made a bogey after a good tee shot but ended up in a bad spot.

finished off with 2 pars, didnt make the birdie putts.

Game was good, solid without that extra with approach shots and putting was a little off, didnt made many long ones.
lot of easy pars tho.
12gir which is good.
driver still not long enoygh but I was hitting it much better.

getting there.

/Robert

Lessons

2010-07-12T08:09:00.001-07:00

I took the local pro up for a challenge, and have taken 3 lessons, now I hit all irons basically as a pro.
The driver still eluds me, if I hit the driver as I did the irons I be 300 yards of the tee.

I am happy with the local pro, I now feel I can play golf, still need to get the driver for it but at least I now can play solid golf.

Competition tomorow, aiming to go low.

/Robert

straight

2010-06-13T08:48:00.000-07:00

Think I found how to make it straight with the driver.
tomorow I be going for a personal best.

/Robert Johansson

Shift

2010-06-11T07:51:00.000-07:00

Shifting the swing system allows new course of direction, I am now happy with how I hit all shorter irons, and up to 4i, its all basically solid.

Now, I need to solve the driver issue, which always been somewhat of a constant reminder, I hit those short.

I know from the range, I can hit the ball a long way now, further than I ever done.
But the slice keep coming back and I dont feel comfortable yet.

So I do some range session tomorow, working on the driver, what I will test is some changes to stance, and check my grip I might have a to loose grip and losing the integrity which then opens the face big time.

After 4 days of the shift, it feels pretty good.
played today, and all clubs works except the tee shots with driver and 3w.
using those, I cant even hit the ball any good at all.

I am confident this will be solved pretty soon, as it isnt that much I need to get right before it just works.
If so, I made more progress using this system than symple swing that I tried for over a year. heh.

I shot 86 today, lost 3 balls due to some misshit and lost a few shots due to the bad condition on the greens the last nine holes.
Felt good and confident out there all day though, now if I solve my technical things, I be scoring like a mad man!

/Robert Johansson

Progress

2010-06-10T07:44:00.001-07:00

Range yesterday was spot on.

Today I played a round.
I had maybe some of my best shots ever, and also the worst shots ever.

I can note, shorter irons I am hitting really well.
Started badly, 2 double bogeys but then, bogey, missed 3 footer for par, had a bad driver and made a bogey,
then had 4 straight holes I made gir, and made 1 under.
Had a good ninth hole until green when I made an error and a doublebogey.
However, shot 43 with 3 doublebogeys.
last nine started well, had birdie putts the first 3 holes.
made a bogey on third hole, and the rest of the round was a mess.

Adding to this, I had a headache from my chest area in the neck, which didnt help.

I can note, the swing change I made, works better for me,
now I can hit all irons basically good, still struggle with the pivot, but I know how it should feel like as I done it, now its about getting it down into the flow of the swing, so I can do it out there.

I had shots today in a stretch that felt way good.
However, started badly and ended badly, but there is hope now.

I play again tomorow.

/Robert johansson

Mike austin

2010-06-09T11:48:00.000-07:00

I changed to a Mike austin swing.

Tuesday, short and slice.
19 over after 6 holes, but was on par the last 3 holes after birdie, par and a bogey.
went home, did eat, sleep and went to play tuesday golf,
shot 8 over, but was longer, little bit straighter but still had bad shots with slice.

today, played 9 holes, didnt work that well.
came home, watch the blog I follow and he posted about his iron swing and no lateral movement, and finnaly it hit me, so went and hit a few balls on the range,
and
finnaly, longer, straight and pounding the ball much better, no issues with release and it felt good, easy and simple.

I hit my driver 4 or so shots way beyond what I done before, and my bad shots was also consistently longer.
Also hit all shots straight except a few drives with slice, however the old motions are going away..

Tomorow I lawn the grass and then go play.

Feels good.

/Robert Johansson

83

2010-06-02T09:37:00.001-07:00

Today I shot 83.
I used 13 putts the first nine holes, had lip outs on 3, and only had 2greens in reg.
shot 39.
however, as I wasnt able to pull the swing properly, I was loosing distance, still my short game is now up at a level where I want it to be.

In total I had 28 putts.
It was all short returns, last putt was always within a foot.
I ddint do all great on chipping, only had one tap in, but seldom left them way off, so I am improving the short game at a good rate, that is now at a pro level.

Since I changed the swing, I had better shots, where I felt good about the impact, and I still need to learn and do some range work to achive a proper release.

Fixing the release will be my first priority when I get back from my trip.
I teaching a class in the RBIm system, so it be good fun and some time off from golf.
5 days on the road be good.

I belive I will solve my distance issues next week, and be power it up a lot more.
Its so simple, I cant even belive it which is a good thing.

Change

2010-06-01T14:57:00.000-07:00

I tried for over a year and then the last 2 months, but today I got enough.
I today shifted my swing to a different one, a Mike Austin based on, with new grip and new principles.

Range session was inspiring, I expected hooks, slices and all over, instead I was straight and I was also able to really power it up.
I need distance, I need power, and as I havent got it yet, then I changed.

I still got some work to do, but now, I feel good.

I played this evening, nine holes our tuesday game, for a lunch.
I won.

I started out, making par, then another par and then one more, and then I made green but 3 putted which sucked but made green again and made par.
so, one over after 5 holes, after a 3 putt and one saved up and down.

I felt good about the game.
Then I had 3 bad shots from tee, sliced the ball out, however, the shots I made after was all good.
I lost 2 balls, one was an error I made the shot I wanted, just didnt aim where I belived the green was, so it went into the woods heh.

I made a bogey on 7, due to hitting my 8i over the green, at least a club longer than when I played during the day.
I just hit the ball so much better this way.

So, I changed.

I hit the range tomorow, work on this and then I play 18.
I be going away this upcoming weekend as I am doing a workshop.

There be no golf the coming 5 days, but that be good, I had a lot of that for a time so a few days off, makes it good.

I am happy with the change I made, I now feel I can power things up and be longer and then its all about streamlining it when I got it down.
so tired to be a short hitter.

Finnaly hope is there.

change is good.

Range session

2010-05-25T05:39:00.000-07:00

I have good range sessions in fact they are basically perfect.

I am not however able yet to do all that on the course due to old swing flaws I am working trough to get where I want to be this can be frustrating from time to time.

I went to the range today, worked on balance from toe to head, legs, arms and all.
Mapped every tension I might have in the setup, stood in balance and swinged in balance, hit good solid shots.

fixed the left arm elbow tendency I had to turn it, found that I focused on right elbow and pulling that back with the forward hand press at set up took care of my tendency to put the club in the ground in the start sequence of the backswing.

Good range session, raining today, but I hit the course tomorow.
Trying to do what I did today.

let see if I can score now

/Robert Johansson

Experts

2010-05-19T11:11:00.000-07:00

I hate experts especially those that dont know what to teach and how to do it.

I spent 3 days now or so figuring, I need to stop listening to any advice and just dig deep within myself and figure out how to deliver the clubhead to the ball consistently and straight with power.

I did that today, spent 150 balls on the range, and did manage to hit all shots good with irons and hybrids, BUT the driver and 3w, no go.
all slice.

Spent an hour or so at home, reading some and working the swing on the balcony.
I think I figured out why I cant hit driver straight, and with no power.
Its due to a swing flaw I had, which I never figured out how to sense and fix.

Now, working to deliver the clubhead to the ball, brought me to this, and as I did that, I had to keep sensing my right elbow, folding into the ribs, into the backswing, and then finding the angle for a underhand right hand toss.

If I had a stone and would skip the water, I would hit it perfectly every time.
I got power, posting into the left leg, all this is going on if I trow the stone.

So, to the club, and working this, and I started to find out how it feels like, and tomorow I hit the range again and work on this.

I belive this will solve all my problems I had with the golf swing and deliver awesome power.

Its a simple toss!

I expect shorter clubs will be good, straight and longer, and hybrids also, and the driver and 3w should be straight and longer.

Tomorow I find out.

/Robert Johansson
soon maybe tour pro.

4 days

2010-05-17T08:27:00.000-07:00

Played 4 days.
every day I focused on something, specific, first day, played like shit, shot 93.
second day shot 102 played bad.
third day, started good, had some bad middle and ended ok shot 86.
last day tired but still played badly, shot 97.

As I played, I become aware of, this isnt going to cut it for me, I can play pretty good golf doing this, I have on this golf course always felt short, but this time, every hole felt short.
I do hit the ball longer.

Just not good and long enough.

I lack 60 yards, its not good.
No matter how I done this, I cant get my body down the distance.

I am happy with the short game, still got some tempo issues but its getting there to get the consistency perfect I need some more time.

Distance from tee isnt good tho.

I decided to rework my approach,
I will do some swings using ideas from Mike Austin, at least I am able to bring my body into the swing, more fluid and efficiently as I felt akward and restricted as far in my previous set up.

This is a gamble, if it pays off, I should be able to add more power with the risk of getting more timing to happen in the swing, but I consider that a risk worth taking at this point.

I cant calculate my current progress as any good, its to short.
I use the same grip, with some more leverage and body motion, which in my first range session worked pretty ok.
I made the same distances, with less effort.

I be working on this the coming week, and play on friday as my home course opens then.
finnaly.

/Robert Johansson
soon tour pro

Travel time

2010-05-12T12:17:00.001-07:00

Going south for practice and play.
visiting a friend for a few days as I wait for my own courses to open up seemed like a good idea.

Feel good about my swing and game.

now time to find out where I stand.

/Robert Johansson
soon tour pro

Getting there at last

2010-05-11T05:33:00.000-07:00

Range today confirmed, I am solid ballstriking, still some issues with old habits but I was consistently, longer and straight with a draw as a flaw now.
which is improvement for me, as I never been a drawer hitting the ball.

I have a better impact and it feels solid most of the time.
I can use any club and they be good shots.

I got a net pw to 7i set on the way in the mail.
I decided to test a new shorter club set as I been using beginers clubs for years.
Hopefully the new clubs feels good.
I might get them this week.

dynacraft irons

If they feel fine, I might get the rest of the set.
I figure I give my old clubs to my sisters kid.

now waiting for summer and open courses here.

/Robert Johansson
Tour pro is coming along

Understanding

2010-05-10T08:07:00.000-07:00

3 days on the range, 9 hours.

I am starting to find some solid shotmaking, but distance eluds me.

I feel fine about the shortgame and approach shots, feels like I can hit a 4i where I want it straight.
Shifting to the new stance, left foot flared out, right foot flared inwards, allowed me to feel the backturn and swing and impact better.
It also makes me understand the swingmotion better which I hope will start to opay off in a better impact delivery down the line.

If I can be accurate with irons, I can score good, I wont make the tour with the distance, but I should be able to solve the distance during the summer when I play to measure if I have enough or must redo the swing.

I am confident I be able to increase GIR to 80% from 40% the last seasons, which shows how good I feel about the shorter clubs and game I got.

So, I am happy with the current consistency, where I feel I can make most of the time a solid hit.
That was one of my goals, to make accuracy and precision in that area.
That goal is close to be met.

I belive I must understand how to arrive at impact with a syncronized motion, which would increase the speed and distance, to the degree where I feel I can play good golf everywhere.

I feel good about the work I done as far and I gain more understanding and trust in what I am able to do currently.
Solid straight shots most of the time, will be good to have with me out there as the courses opens up.

I be shooting under 80 without any issues without any struggle as my game has improved so much this year.

If it be enough where I wanna be in 6 months, I dont know but I work at it.

/RObert Johansson
Soon tour pro

Testing my patience

2010-05-09T09:55:00.000-07:00

Every eyar since 2003 I tried to increase distance.
every time I done so, all things gone to hell.

Spent 3 hours on the range, working trough speed.
no go.
I felt cramped, limited and my hips and my body didnt wanna make this work.

after 2 hours, I finally tried a wider set stance, left foot flared, left leg straight, bend right knee, and then suddenly distance was increased.
I had one drive that was 10 yard longer carry that I never have had at that range.

The stance is like the power set stance, except its more like a baseball swinger for the home run.
So, I looked at baseball and sure enough, the stance is a copy.
Now, I might be able to increase speed, and gain distance and hopefully a good rotation around left hip.

At least I was able to consistently, be longer doing this.
Not there yet, hope lives again though.

2 weeks before courses opens up here.

/Robert Johansson
Tour pro.

Its getting along

2010-05-07T08:53:00.000-07:00

Spent the time at the range, now I feel confident about making shots I like to do consistently.

I feel like I can make the same shot and then again, so, I decided its time to focus on speed now.
I be working trough a drill from the DVD I got and do first at home and then on the range and measure how well I do.

If the range is any measurement I be longer this year, last year I was around 220-260 yards. I guess I be longer but also more consistent in my distance, and if I am that, I be able to play shorter courses really well.

After have had the chance to play longer from back tee, I also know I must be at least 40meter longer or else I get to hard a game to play.
If I can make a 230-240 yard carry, then I can optimize that along the season, if so I am well ok even if not super long, I be doing fine.

Currently, I belive I got game to shot well under 70 in my home course (personal best is currently 75).
That will go away this year.

I am better in every aspect, My putting is deadly, my wedge game is strong, my approach shots are now really strong also.
So, all in all, I be making great improvements this year in my scoring which of course will be fun to show my clubmates.

Now, they might not like it, but hey, it aint pretty but good ;)

Then I need pro level impact, and distance.
I guess I got time to get that in the coming months.

First task, power DVD drills.

/Robert Johansson
soon tour pro

Getting there

2010-05-05T09:11:00.000-07:00

Spent a few bucks on the range, worked on the latest to hit all clubs the same, had a driver, 7i and a 56w with me.

Solid shots with wedge, solid shot with 7i and good solid shots with driver.

I finnaly found a new sensation swinging the driver, and managed to swing so the club actually pulled over my left ear.
That is a world first for me.
Now, I understand, aha that is how its like swinging the club and achiving that.

I dont carry long enough though (210 yards), and I still isnt swinging the 7i and wedge enough as I did the driver.
Without any optimized technique, this however shows me real progress, I feel good about making a good shot every time, now I need to focus to improve this what I got currently, work it trough and then, find more speed.

In many ways, I started over playing golf this year, now with my goal, with my set experience playing golf my way, I feel really good about the game, and being able to play it with consistency has been my aim a long time.

I was so confunded last year when I had a 9i or wedge and missed the green, and I coulndt understand how I made such a bad shot.
I can understand why today, after working trough my technique, I was having so many extra moves and motions, from all kinds of bad habits I developed trough the years.

This last 5 or so weeks, have been cumbersome, I been tired but also been rewarding when my shotmaking is coming along new and refreshed.
I am starting to feel my position and how my body must move to support the motion.

I still got plenty of work to do, more distance, more speed and even better judgement of distance control and accuracy, but its getting there.
I am as far, pleased with the progress as I initially assumed It would take longer.

The current level I assumed I be at the end of august or so.
I guess setting such a high goal allowed me with my own system I work with elite athletes also worked for me.

I be doing a few days at home, swinging at the balcony, work trough the latest sensations and spend time in my backyard with chip shots.

Hopefully the heat is coming soon so the grass can grow here.
still 3 weeks at least before courses open up here.

late spring, cold and still snow, what is going on?

I am like a cow, waiting to get out.

/Robert Johansson
Hopeful

Almost

2010-05-01T10:02:00.001-07:00

Hitting all shots straight.
Soon I can move on to get a pro level hit and work on more distance.

Struggled with the driver, hit all shots with slice.
Finnaly figure out, hit the driver as a wedge, and straight shots ensured.
Next phase, solidify and then move on to more optimizing and distance.
Even my sisters kid noted that I am more straight than last year.

As far, I am on the right track.

/Robert Johansson
soon tour pro

stance

2010-04-30T07:26:00.001-07:00

It works!

so happy.

Range again tomorow with my sister son, it be fun

/Robert Johansson
soon tour pro

Range

2010-04-29T13:29:00.000-07:00

I decided to go to the range tomorow, I am excited to test the new stance out so I cant wait to saturday.

Hopefully it allows me to power it up and hit those drives down the line.

Swinging on my balcony it feels good, but balls and hitting them is what counts.

/Robert Johansson
Soon tour pro

Upcoming

2010-04-28T09:51:00.001-07:00

I got a new stance to try out, coming saturday I be testing it out, the founder of the swing system have found a better way to stablize the motion.

At home on the balcony, it feels good, solid, stable and I am able to generate a good motion, but feedback from the range is now what counts.

I feel fine about putting, my wedge game from 80 yards and in and short irons.

can I solve the distance and accuracy with the longer clubs, I be shooting low 60 at my home course this summer.

Hope is there again.

/Robert Johansson
soon tour pro

feedback

2010-04-27T23:18:00.000-07:00

Playing for 3 days from back tee showed me,
I am a short hitter, and need some groove to gain distance.
At least by playing back tee, i now know what is required.

My short game has improved.
putting is up a lot.
wedges is sharper and the short game approach shots are getting really good.

Distance as far, eludes me, but I got plans to find more distance.

scoring was high,
110+ first day, 95 second day and 92 third day.
Didnt help I was dead tired all days also due to my sickness.
made a lot of single putts, and had good wedges.
That is stuff I take with me to the coming weeks of range sessions.

/Robert Johansson

The angle of Hogan

2010-04-21T04:30:00.000-07:00

I found a little bit of information as I was reading trough some golf forums.
It was about Ben Hogans angle.

For me, it made sense.

So, I decided to test this the coming weekend as it ties nicely into what I was looking for.

Currently at the home balcony, I can swing as I like, and it feels great, but as always, proper feedback is what counts.

Tomorow I travel down south.
Play back tee, hard courses but I be playing and practice and coaching.

It be great!

/Robert Johansson
soon tour pro

Back pain

2010-04-20T11:42:00.001-07:00

The issue of playing games on the computer brought me backpain in the chest cage, fixed it today.

No issue with golf or workouts but games heh.

I also identified the why I was not hitting the ball well on the range, old swing flaw found and now practice to start a new motion properly is the main focus before thursday when I go down south to play golf on green grass.

3 days of great golf courses, and back tee.
saw one had a par 3 at 250yards?
LOL
It be fun

/Robert Johansson
soon tour pro

Aftermath

2010-04-19T12:20:00.001-07:00

Worked on the feedback.
identified a flaw, one bringing the club way outside, forcing a spin out.

When it goes properly, I have increased swingspeeed and also balance.
Now, knowing what to fix is all about ingrain a new motion, I never work to fix the old one, just ingrain a new one.

At least I can go to sleep knowing what to do the coming days.

/Robert Johansson
soon tour pro

Range

2010-04-19T08:24:00.001-07:00

Well today I went to the range, and I got feedback.

Now, what I did 10 days ago is now gone, no more pro impact, in fact I was like a beginer out there that couldnt hit the ball.

Now, I was working on left side pulling which somehow left my right side out of it, this combined with some stuff going on in the downswing really make it shitty.

I am working on the technique, to make it as good as it can be.
This now brought my attention to syncing between left side and right side as I belive if I get a good syncronized motion I be hitting them long and straight every time.

So, my experience is to uncover everything that I havent done right before, and this cause some anoyment down the line as it dosnt work right and properly but will down the line.

So it is in line with the technique practice and improvement but also its easy to get mad as it just dosnt work right.

So, I will practice left arm and right arm drills swinging with one arm at the time and then bring them togheter.
This will fix the issue I had today.

I know I am on the proper set up, the proper backswing so the flaws is showing up in the downswing.
I hit 100 balls, and 4 of them was good impact.
Contrast that with the last session where I had 80 balls good impact.

This day brught me attention to sync the left and right side, and I will do that and travel down south thursday and play golf friday.
I got 3 days to work this out and that should be plenty of time to do so.

Cant say I dont have things to work on.

/Robert Johansson
soon tour pro

Exposed

2010-04-18T05:00:00.000-07:00

Every one that do things knows this, if you going make sure to prepare first.

In the race to the south pole the englishman Scott rely on new technology.
They all died.
New technology is good but not if it aint tested in harsh enviroments.

If I am to qualify at the tour, I need to know how its like before I lower my handicap.
Now, I also need to get down to 3 or lower idnex but that aside, if I qualify, I play from back tee.

so this april, I go down south and will play though courses from back tee with a golf pro who has +2 index.
Then I know how my game stands currently, goal is to shot around par or lower.
If so, I plan to arrive home at a new set index at 6 or lower.

Now, many never test their skills, their ability they are afriad of looking like a fool.
They feel ashamed, afriad, silly or whatever, but the key thing to success, is to fail and fail big.

I write here about what I plan to do, if I succeed or not isnt important, what is important is to test my skills and ability under the harsh conditions those I shall play at later on.
So, I play the qualification these 3 days, 3 rounds here is for me the qualification that I play in october.

I will go out and play as it is qualification, I give it all.
Then I get evidence back, is my skills enough, do I have the distance, the accuracy, the control, the short game, the ability to handle long holes etc...

I am naked, exposed to the enviroment, to find out what my game is made of and to get a true test of current ability I posess playing golf.

It be mighty fun.

/Robert Johansson
soon tour pro

The Feeling of Greatness!

2010-04-17T02:49:00.000-07:00

Once there was a boy and one day he got this golf set and started to practice.
Now, he didnt have any teachers so he was teaching himself to do it.

His name?

Moe Norman.

One day after 5 years of his enduring practice, he knew he had it, the best feeling in the world, the feeling of greatness as he knew he always would hit the ball where he wanted.

Now, I never seen people talk about how he did it much, I found scraps here and there and pusssled this togheter and formulated a theory from that and later one I started to re-build my swing, and in 3 weeks I have fully rebuild it.

Now, according to myth and golf trainers, the so called professionals, that isnt possible.
It isnt doable to do so in 3 weeks, so what I have done is, impossible.

I got 5 days before my south trip to play courses the pro´s play, and I got the game for it already, now, its all about mapping the feedback I get from playing there what I need to work on, as I have as far done everything I can at home.

I am still doing some practice but it is no point soon as it is just the same and more of it.

So, I need real time ball hitting, some range session and playing time to find out where my strength is and my weak spots are.
I do know I be playing so much better the question is, how much and is it good enough to play scratch golf?

I know I need to have everything down into the May month, as this is the time I got to refine and tweak aspects, and if needed re-work some technical aspect of my technique if it is fully out of wack.

However currently it just feeels great.

I am excited to go out and play now, to find out how does this work, it is better but how much?

Is it good enough for my scratch qeust or do I need to re-work or just focus on some weak spots to bring them up a notch and play according to my strengths will that be enough?

I am now in a transition phase, the practice is done, I done the homework, now, its time for real feedback.

I go to the range on monday, its still snow and cold here, but it be good to map how it stands for me at least it will give an indicator where I am in skills and levels.

Robert Johansson
soon tour pro

What is golf?

2010-04-16T01:47:00.000-07:00

The importance of any sport is important to find the key needed criteria that allows the performance.

In golf that is consistency.

Now, consistency allows the player to be able to shoot basically the same scores since there will be a similiar performance each and every time.
Now, golf, people tells me is hard, and it is if you use the traditional swing as it has several timning issues associated with it.

To play consistently I need a good teachnique, which I am working on and I am pleased with the progress even if I got some more work to do, the worst is done already.
Now, I need to find the consistency in what I currently do so every shot becomes the same.

To meet my goals I need to make it simple, in every aspect of the game.
I dont have the time to re-work everything it just has to work.

So, then I can just lay that aside and do something else as this works like this, then I got that and can do that and then if needed I can come back to it later and improve it if needed.

To lower my handicap with 4.5 shots during June, I need to make at least 70-80% or so greens in regulation.
I know my home course is easier, but still that means I need three things, distance, control and accuracy.
I need to make sure the drives from tee is long enough and when those are that then I work on control of distance and accuracy on approach shots.

That will be checked during the april trip to note how I do on those 3 main areas, distance, control and accuracy.
If they are in the level I need them to be I can focus on improving the short game a notch.
Then tweak the swing if needed later.

I also need to find and set my reference point in how to organize my game around playing.
I think I done that but I need some range sessions and actual playing some to check if its properly identified.

This will allow me to play consistently and I can play to my strengths, and make the game, simple.

/Robert Johansson
soon tour pro

How much can I improve from last year?

2010-04-15T02:47:00.000-07:00

I am facing a new experience.

In everything we do, we tend to have a reference a memory in how we have done before, and I know what I did last year isnt going to be to any use for me.

Its due that I now have a golf game of the utmost precision.
Now, this also creates some thinking about that as I cant rely on what I have done before due to me being so much better already.

I started to find my reference distinction in what to organize the golf game around, and if true, then improvement will be massive during the summer.
I must then start to adjust to this, adapt but then again, I dont need to do that, as the organization and the level of play will take care of itself, as it has done for me in Bf2 playing computer games.

I will find out traveling south next week, how my game holds up.
I will also improve massivly during these 3 days and it will be interesting to play back tees, as that will held a good challenge for me.

I know I got work to do, but now, I need feedback from the range, from playing, and then go back to the range and practice those things that I still need to do.
Now, I would guess I dont need much practice, as I know that has been true for me playing other things, that the skills take care of themselves and I can focus on one thing and then play the best I can.

Normally people use memory references, this also creates a particular reality in how well and good they play this also will reach a platue for people doing that, they will end up becoming limited without even realizing that.
The way I set this up will allow me to raise the bar again and again without any limitation and I be reaching a higher level of performance and skills doing so.

Now, I got ideas, I got practice to do, and I got the phsycial worksouts and the flexibility practice but those all goes to plan.

The level of scoring is the level I am interested to find out, if I do this, follow my plan, organize around this, then how will I play then?

I plan to shot a few shots under par playing back tee courses that is pro level long.
And my personal best has been 75 on my short home course.

I guess my game is much improved this year.
Or that I got big balls.

/Robert Johansson

The secret of Ben hogan and Moe Norman

2010-04-14T08:06:00.000-07:00

In many legends there is often a tale of mystical proportions, someone did something so great it become a legend and when you could witness such action, then its even more magical.

Ben Hogan has in golf been regarded as the best ballstriker there is.
Now, Moe Norman also was regarded as such ballstriker.

Now, every since they did what they did, people have tried to find the secret in how they did it.
Now, many ideas is there, if you follow the golfwrx forum there is a section only for Ben Hogan fans.

They all dont have the secret.

Now, How do I know?

None of them can play like Ben or Moe.
NONE!

I did discover something this year, I think I got a hunch about that secret and how to do it and replicate it.
If I am right, I be the only one who can teach it in the world.
I also be the only one except one another that also can do it.

But that is how it is, for me the evidence is in being able to replicate it.
If I cant have the similar ballstriking they had in competition then, it isnt the secret but if I can, well then my man, then things get really interesting

And no, the secret isnt in their swings.

More on this subject another day

/Robert Johansson
Soon tour pro

Requirements

2010-04-14T01:29:00.000-07:00

Golf isnt about swinging the ball far and long even it it does helps, golf is all about consistency.

In every aspect when I am about to do this I know one thing, I need to have the distance and then I need the accuracy to be able to play consistently.

My aim is to make this simple, get the distance and then work on distance and most of all, have measured my club distance how much I carry the ball.

If we look at stats we can note, the best scores are done from people who are able to put it really close to the hole on their approach shot, consistently and have a good short game with putting.

Now, from tee to green, there isnt much difference, and if we look at putts, the pro´s has a 90+ from 5f and in, then it drops from 10feet and up dramatically even on those flat smooth greens they play.

As I work my plan, I know my focus is, get the distance, and then work everything to get accuracy, know every club and the average distance I carry the ball and work on replicating that.

Now, that dosnt sound like fun, to play consistently but that is where the scoring is located and most importantly, its all about shooting low scores.

To play consistently, I know I need to make it simple, I look at hitting the driver a particular distance, then hitting those fairways, and make smart course management, then have a deadly iron play.
Now, I dont care about shot making to shape the curve of the ball, I dont have time to add variables in my game, first, hit the ball straight this will allow me to be more consistent and if I can do that and trust my tee shot, then having a good deadly iron game where I know my distances I carry the ball, then we talk business.

Consistency is the nr1 scoring criteria, if I know I make 70% fairways or more, if I know I have a 80% GIR then the game become much easier, then I will make 15 GIR in every round or more.
Now, I dont assume that on every course but I should be able to make that at my home course.
Its easier and a good practice for rounds of GIR.
Missing GIR makes a 50% or more scrambling which allows me to make maybe 2 bogies a round if I miss the scrambling.
I got putting in a level of the best, and that I can rely on and improve my lag putting to make sure, I dont have any 3 putts at all.

So, my practice will be,
1. distance from tee, consistently a particular distance, then I can rely on making that every time. Aiming for 280 yard average.
2. practice 3 clubs for approach shots(7i,9i,52w), to know the distances I carry those, that allows me to know how the ball will behave when I approach a green.
3. lag putting, from 30f or so and make the 2 putt.

Now, that will be my focus, for the time I start in April, May and June.
The range opens late April maybe May here.
The course opens up in late May/early June.

I think that if I meet that practice and can do that will allow me to be consistent out there. I need to drop my current index of 9 to 4.5 shots in 30 days.
I belive I already have enough data to do that without any further practice.

I based that on, I have a better ball contact, I hit the ball much straighter this year and I hit it longer. This is all due to smart practice my technique, which have allowed me to increase speed and consistency.
I averaged 220-240 yard last year, and I should be able to do atm 240-260 without any further enhancements.
It might be even longer but as its cold here its hard to tell yet.

I also got stability now, I just know, if I do this then the ball goes straight and long.
Last year I did drop 2 shots from working on swing plane but I also didnt have a short game with approach shots that was consistent.
Even when I did shoot 75, I didnt make more than 9 or so gir.

Also, I didnt have precision in my approach shots last year.
I could have a wedge or a pw or a 9i in my hand and missing a green that is 20f deep and 80f wide.
Now, I know why today, and have adjusted my practice to really bring this up to a level of consistency.

I had 2 major flaws in my golf game last year,
distance from tee 220-240 yard average, but more importantly, lacking consistency of my iron game, only 40% gir.

Now, my focus obviosuly, is to re-work my technique, that is done and then tests with feedback on the cold range has shown I increased my ball impact and distance and also accuracy.
So, I already know I will do better this year.

But better isnt good enough, I need to meet the requirements and get consistency at a level I never had before.

For me that is fun, to make sure I can make the shot, to get the ball straight to judge the distance well, and then to execute that shot over and over, that will be a challenge but a fun one.

First test will be the 23 of april with 3 days of playing and practice with the golfer I coach down south.
Then I have better feedback and raw data what I need to work on or even shift priority if stuff is up to my requirements.

/Robert Johansson
soon tour pro.

What are my reasons?

2010-04-13T02:30:00.000-07:00

So, I set a goal and made a plan, so what are my reasons, motivations to do this?
Maybe I am nuts, maybe I just had a day of bad judgement?

I like a challenge, I also like to apply what I do and find during my curious investigations.

Now, I know I got a good system behind me, not just one but two such systems, but then those are part of the reason, there is more,
I also wanted to loose weight, as I gained a lot since I fell ill, I thought this be a good thing to do also, then I wanted to find out how far I could take this RBIm technology in conjuction with the symple swing.

This dont tell the whole story, I also always wanted to play the game of golf as it was meant to be played, as scratch, play the golf course on par or better, as it is designed to do.

Just beacuse I never could play, dosnt mean I cant learn to play it.

Now, I did read a swedish editor writing about the age people have entering the golf tour qualifications, beliving they can play golf at their age is so fruitful and will never be done.
Some people are never satisfied playing out there, and watching the nr1 player in the world cant put the ball on a fairway and that screams and shouts how he suck, I mean he is a good rolemodel, right?
His wife was having birth and the few days before that he slept with a porn star or a model, well he got laid,
now, I asked myself, cool dude, why not ask your wife for a handjob or a blow job or even do it yourself?
No, he went out and fucked another girl, why? beacuse he bought the myth of himself, taking things as life for granted?
I guess his dad is turning in his grave.

Now, being a role model for young people, dosnt mean we shall be perfect, nor that we can be perfect, but when we are a role-model, we then have a responsability to upheld a standard, if he wasnt married and had kids, I wouldnt lift an eyebrow to his behaviour, he can fuck anyone he wants.

Now, I aint nor anything perfect, I just upheld my own standard in the way I teach and educate people about stuff I gained over the years.

So, some of my reasons is to, ok how good can I be, applying this swing and the skills and knowledge I have about the brain and body, and I can do that with other people but how would I use this for myself?

That is my challenge, I wanted to know as I am curious, how good can I be?

I knew I had a good system of golf, I also knew I had a technology that rocks in how the brain does things, and as I used that for PC gaming of BF2 I wanted to find out what would happen if I used this on my golf game.

So, I set goals that was high even impossible.
Now, I do that as I know when we set our mind to things, we can move mountains.
But we need a good plan, a practice layout a feedback loop of measuring our progress, as many seldom do that and if they do they measure things wrong.

So, I knew first,
I need to re-work my golf technique, it has to be as good as it can be, so I can drop the attention to that and just play.
Now, I had a plan and a practice set out, and I found an idea out there I thought, geee, that sounds nice, lets try that on this.

Now, maybe I wouldnt have found it, if I never set the goal, and even if I did, maybe I never realized its potential for sports and skill enhancements?
So, that is another reason, to find out how things works for me and I also find new things when I do this as it helps me further enhance my knowledge and skills about the brain.

I also shared this goal and people obviously tells me, I suck, it cant be done, I need to become realistic.

Now, I dont care if I succeed or not, I dont do this for such reasons, I do this to learn more about how stuff works.
Its fun for me, its not that fun doing everything with this obviosuly, I am so tired sometimes, and I dont want to work out, and I dont want to do things.
My body holds me back and I need to listen to it, I cant just run agaisnt it, I must rest more, work out less but I do it to the limit, and then back down a little.
I knew the phsycial bit would be the worst for me, skills, technical advancement is easy but getting the body to get in such a shape I knew would be the real challenge.

So, I set a goal for my weight, I exluded candy, sugar, carbos as rise, potato and such to first of June.
I lost around 7 pounds as far.
23 pounds to go.

As I did my 2 weeks smart practice with the my swing technique, I suddenly got a breaktrough there, I arrived at a higher level of understanding and suddenly knew, its basically done.
For me, that was a suprise, it was much faster than my early calculations and this has grown even faster and better than I expected.

Now, that is also reasons for doing things as you find new things you never would have found elsewhere, its a new experience, and I continue doing this.

I also write this to show my progress, thinking and a lot of other things as its a way to document what I do.

I am 46 years old, I am trying to get scratch golf down in 3 months and currently at a 9 handicap.

So, what did you wake up to do today?

/Robert Johansson
soon tour pro

It starts with a good plan

2010-04-12T04:28:00.000-07:00

I set a goal earlier this year, I be qualifying for the national tour here.

Now, at current index 9, and have had 11 and drop 2 shots last year, this seems well impossible.
My stats are like 40% GIR and 34 putts a round over 2009 season.
I had a 220-240 yard driver distance at average.

Now, to get where I want to go you need to set a goal, its starts a direction and organizing around.
Then, the hard part comes,
working out and the practice.

Now, at age 46, people tells me, it aint doable, forget it.
Then just look at your stats and how your body is like.

So, I started out at a disadvantage, I am 46 years old, I am overweight, I am not that flexible and the golf at the level of scratch is to hard.
Adding to this, I have been ill for the last 10 years.

Now, I need a good plan.
I started work on my flexibility in January doing that every day.
I added workout to the extent to my energy and how tired I get which I often sucumb to.
I use a easier and better swing system called Symple swing.
Its requrie less timing than the conventional golf system and still have enough distance, and also has a great putting system.
I also have a mental system I developed trough modeling.
I also added smart practice trough embodied practice.

Now, the last month I dropped 7 pounds, from 91 to around 88kilogram.
I have increased my flexibility a lot.
I added some strength trough the workouts.

I practice intense focused session with my technique, the goal was to have a swing that I just can use.
I didnt want to mix and think and tweak the swing during the season due to bad technique.
This is a practice I tested with the idea that if we have intense focus in the movement it should allow me to learn faster.

Using this practice for 2 weeks, suddenly has brought my swing, my awareness of my body during the swing to a level that I myself have trouble beliving.
This took me two weeks to bring a new techncial level, where I soon just can swing and be done with it.
This will allow me to score well as I can focus on the shot alone, and not anything with the swing.

Now, the last few days, I tested this on the range, even if its winter here, this have allowed me to note, I hit the ball better, I hit it longer, and I hit it straighter than last year, the question is, are the improvements long and good enough for tour pro play?
I am going to test this later this april.

Now, I set some criteria,
I need to make 4.5 in handicap before end of June and a 3 in July to become eligible for the qualification in october.
I need to have a 260-280 driving distance from tee at average.
If I get 260 its ok, it be enough and I can work on more speed later during the season.
Statistical I need,
improve GIR from 40% to 80% at my home course.
I need to improve putting to 30 or less at average.
I need to imporve my scrambling from 40% to 60%.

In this early of the season, without any chance to play, it feels really good.
I know from range, I hit longer, and more straight.
I know from indoor putting I putt better than last year.
I know I have identified the proper practice I need to do to get it done.

Judge from this early I say,
1. Technical, around 90% is done there.
2. Physical, around 70% done.
3. Mental/emotinal, 95% done.

I must be twice as good then I been the last few years and I must be doing that and done that before end of June which leaves me with a month of play to get it done.
No pressure.

I would assume scoring wise, I be 10 shots better than my personal best was last year, which was a 75.
During the last 4 years I been under 80, around 8 times.
That is on my home course.

Now, I also know why I never been able to play well, due to really bad technique, not on plane, stiff in hips, bad flexibility and even if I have had a good short game, distance and accuracy has been my achilles heel in the game.

Now, I worked the distance out, I hit every shot straight and accurate and I know how to repeat that.
Now, as the season takes place I must have it all in order as I cant afford the time to re-work everything during the summer.

I continiously check my plan as a ongoing feedback.
1. is my distance enough?(need to add 40-60 yards) if not, add speed training, check technique.(Priority 1)
2. is my accuarcy there? (40% to 80%) If not, check alignment and technique.
3. Is my short game on? (40% to 60%) If not, practice the important shots more.
4. Is my flexibility enough? If not, keep doing it mroe.
5. is my working out going along and am I loosing enough weight? (7 pounds as far, need 30 off)if not, keep doing it change eating even more to leaner cusine.
6. How is my stats after every round? If they aint at the level I need, check for weak spots and make a game plan to avoide to have those shots out there.
7. Improve distance control. Work 3 clubs for precision on approach shots.(Priority 2)

Now, I have a lot to do, but I got a good plan.
The idea is to improve to a level I know works for pro level scoring, if that is there I can shift practice and work on some other area of my game, and hopefully in July I be able to tweak and adjust only small portions to have a a game on for the qualification.

Ah well, its a good plan at least.
Enough for now.

/Robert Johansson
soon tour pro