I think it just comes down to the individual, the gym might work for some but not for others and the same with lessons

Hi Richard.

Great post by the way.

Nothing wrong with getting fitter in the gym. Overall you will feel the benefits in life in general and yeah working on certain things may help the swing and power of the tee etc.

Regarding the lesson I agree these will benefit you 100%. As long as you see the results and transformation from what your being shown by the pro.

Are you getting onto the course and putting the lessons into practice yet? As if not that maybe a little issue having so many lessons and having some much info your head you may start to forget a few things. Keep a little black book in your pocket and right one lined tips you can remember when your walking to your next shot or putt. Keeps the mind active and not a hundred different things saying do this then that etc etc.

I hope it all works out for you tho, keep us updated on your scores and handicap movement

Richard,

Looks like you've really set some goals for 2020. Agree with the think like a pro comment if not a pro a low handicapper.

Did your fitness programme include nutrition and on course refuelling?

This winter I'm concentrating on the the fitness and wellbeing front. I started swimming back in September as I was having neck an nerve problems in my right arm. It's been years since I swam so breaststroke only and I'm noticing a lot more strength in my back and shoulders, and physio on the neck problems looks to have worked.

On the TT UK FB page there was a 6 Day Golf Performance challenge set up by a personal trainer which I followed as fitness and nutrition were covered. I'm back on the resistance bands at home working on upper body and more importantly hip flexibility which is also going well.

My goal is to increase my driver swing speed by 5 mph this year so the fitness and speed training are key. This will hopefully help reduce my handicap by minimum of 3 shots before the WHS comes in.

No lessons but I'm thinking of getting some time with a pro to give my game an MOT so I can work on a few things if necessary. I find this time of year short game practice isn't great as the greens are slow and too receptive so it's just pre-round practice and on course practice for now (weather permitting).

Best of luck getting to single figures.

Ant

Hi there thanks for the reply. I started lessons in August and was just hitting gym and practising at the range with playing a few rounds, but then it all clicked after 5 lessons and turned my slice into a nice draw. Took it onto the Wales National course at the Vale and played the best 8 holes of my life and then lost a ball in rough at 9 that must of plugged but was really happy. Then played 18 holes at Cottrell park in a comp and again hit 14 fairways and 10 greens, but putting and chipping wasn’t up to standard but again still really good. Then sadly this weather has hit for last 3 months or so and courses have been closed or to wet to get good contact. So haven’t been able to progress any further as it’s just range work and home putting.

It’s really frustrating as know come summer it’s going to really good and hopefully lower handicap and maybe win a few comps, but then again it never works like that. Got a good coach and he’s doesn’t fill your head with to many swing thoughts or ideas just keeping it simple.

Have you played much or been able to get onto the course lately? Has anyone’s course been open? Wettest winter ever I think. I will be on here so let’s see if a new set of Titleist clubs and lessons and gym all help.

Hi Richard/All the various posts on here, really interesting to read and great that you're all working so hard at your games. If I can offer any tips/advice, if you can find yourself a TPI certified golf coach or fitness trainer in your area, it's always good to get a golf specific screening done before taking lessons or starting a gym programme because it means you can work on some simple exercises on a fitness front that can have a knock on effect with your golf swing.

It can also have the side benefit of increasing motivation to do your fitness work because you can see/feel a direct correlation to the golf swing improvements you are trying to make with your coach.

Keep up the good work guys!

Hi John, your right it does give increase motivation and help you keep going, knowing that when spring/summer is here you fitness is not going to be an issue and hopefully gain more yardage and strength to hit it out of the rough. Also not be tired during the round and eating healthy during all helps keep the concentration.

I’m going to Titleist Thursday event next week for a full bag fitting and hopefully purchase a new set of clubs which would def help. Will have to look into finding a TPI coach in my area or fitness coach. Do you think amateurs should take it to this level for fitness/ club fitting and make sure everything is worked on? Making sure nothing is left to chance or should we just relax and play socially?

I completely agree that putting the work in the winter will play dividends in the summer. I started working with my coach in October and have already seen a huge change in the way my game is. Already I've dropped a shot this year with many more to come. It's definitely something that I would recommend to anyone

Hi there Ant. Yea working on nutrition and on course snacks and food so concentration and no loss of energy or fatigue. Things like cutting out coffee and chocolate before or during the round. Having a breakfast that gives you energy and keeps the brain going. Eating healthier and working out at the gym with consuming more protein for muscle gain. Trying to go more golf type movements in the gym to increase power and strength. I don't need anymore length of the tee as regular drives around 280 yards but with lessons reining it back to get it in the fairway more only sacrificing a few yards.

What’s your handicap now? I read the other day golf is about marginal gains, every little thing that you do to help plan the game better. Like eating right, fitness, fitting for putters and irons, right practice and it all adds to lower scores and better play. My coach couldn’t believe how many things I was going to change and he asked did I want a quick fix or long term goals. My response was I’m in now rush and if it takes 2-3 years then so be it.

I could be taking it to far and I believe when you get to a certain level it’s good to take it serious. I play off 15, but used to play off 6 about 10 years ago but gave up for a while and then had accident at work damaging my right hand so badly it has taken 4-5 years to fully recover.

I think short game practice is the key to reducing everyone’s handicap , so next month or 2 is focusing on that. I’m sure you will get there this year and achieve your goals.

I got down to 7 a few years ago, but now up to 9. I think short game practice is definitely key to reducing the handicap. I have done a fair bit of work on the long game since November, but have largely neglected the short game as a consequence. Couple that with almost 2 months without a hame because of the weather and the chipping and putting are not good.

It’s something you need to keep working at to maintain a level of consistency. I occasionally play with a few older guys, all at a similar handicap (between 8 and 11). They are retired and play three times a week. I’m lucky to play once a fortnight. I might hit the ball 50 yards past them off the tee, but they get it up and down from everywhere and I’ll three putt from 25 feet!

It’s the age old thing. Practice, practice, practice. I was the same - hitting bombs off the tee (somewhat consistently) but then struggle with either getting up and down when missing the greens or 3 putting as I wasn’t dialled in and leaving too many long putts.

Short game is the key to low scores and getting the time in to practice whenever possible along with a good warmup routine before a round - not just rocking up and smashing a driver down the first!

I agree with you, I spend hours on long game and only 20% on short game. I’ve bought a putt out mat and pressure trainer thing to practice Indoors. Our short game or area has been closed all winter so can’t practice there. I will start practising the short game more now in next few weeks and try and reduce handicap that way. Putting and chipping and within 10O yards is the secret to lower scores.