Golf

[Izzy]

Really solid from Tiger. Plotted his way around like an old pro.

 

Cam Smith looking good despite doubling the 1st and 18th

 

DJ to be first round leader is my guess

[tom27111]

1 hour ago, Izzy said:

Really solid from Tiger. Plotted his way around like an old pro.

 

Cam Smith looking good despite doubling the 1st and 18th

 

DJ to be first round leader is my guess

 

I hope you just mean his golf game, unless you're growing a mullet and a bumfluff tache? 

[Smashing-Pumpkin]

10 hours ago, Nalis said:

Just picked up golf and still on the driving range but planning on working up to the par 3s and a full course during the year.

 

Who are good players to watch on tour in terms of technique to help with my own novice level? I'm a lefty. 

This is a good question, but a very difficult one to answer, because no one has seen you play or knows your tendencies. And there are many, many ways to play well (and badly!)

 

I would say in very general terms, which kind of swings appeal to your personality or natural way or doing things? If youre a laid back, easy going kind of guy, the tempos you see from the likes of Harris English, Louis Oosthuizen, Corey Conners for example might fit you well.

 

On the other hand, you have the upbeat tempos of the likes of Billy Horschel, Brooks Koepka, Ben Hogan from the past, who have quicker tempos, and quicker transitions from backswing to downswing.

 

In terms of technique too, what youll tend to see from a lot of good players nowadays on tour is a tendency to have a slightly stronger grip, and to square the clubface with body rotation.

 

The hallmark of this is that youll see players getting into a top of the backswing position with a flatter left wrist position. Think of the likes of Niemann, Woods, Dustin Johnson, Morikawa amongst others.

 

This has its advantages, and drawbacks. If youre someone with strong speed and a strong core, its a good way to play, as you can keep the clubface stable and you can keep the path of the swing neutral as it follows the body rotation. Under pressure too, its easier to rotate hard to hit the ball straight, it requires less feel, and usually such players hit a strong flighted fade as their natural shot.

 

The drawback is without strong body action, youll probably hit the ball low and left, and almost certainly lose potential power as you wont utilise the release of the club and arm speed, so youll lose swing speed.

 

So i would suggest trying to keep things very neutral at first.

 

If you can get the "V"s of your grip pointing between your chin and left shoulder (as youre left handed), thats pretty neutral, and puts the club in a good position.

 

Then, respond to the flight of the ball. Pay attention to where the ball takes off, and where it curves to.

 

The ball takes off where the face is pointing, and curves AWAY from the path.

 

So lets suppose you slice the ball. This would indicate that your clubface, relative to the target, is pointing to the right (for you as a lefty). But your path is EVEN MORE to the right, which causes the ball to curve with fade spin.

 

The opposite would be true for hooks.

 

Your swing will go into better positions, all things being equal, if your swing produces a draw. Not that its necessarily what youre looking for from your swing or would desire, but itll put your swing path into a better position to allow you to be versatile in the future in moving the ball.

 

Players to NOT copy, would be people who do things highly idiosyncratic to them, like the chicken wing follow through of Spieth for example. These players have these unique moves as compensations or results of other things they do in their swings that are unique to them.

[kingfox]

Bloody typical that I put Sungjae Im on my PGA Fantasy bench for R1 

[Nalis]

4 hours ago, Smashing-Pumpkin said:

This is a good question, but a very difficult one to answer, because no one has seen you play or knows your tendencies. And there are many, many ways to play well (and badly!)

 

I would say in very general terms, which kind of swings appeal to your personality or natural way or doing things? If youre a laid back, easy going kind of guy, the tempos you see from the likes of Harris English, Louis Oosthuizen, Corey Conners for example might fit you well.

 

On the other hand, you have the upbeat tempos of the likes of Billy Horschel, Brooks Koepka, Ben Hogan from the past, who have quicker tempos, and quicker transitions from backswing to downswing.

 

In terms of technique too, what youll tend to see from a lot of good players nowadays on tour is a tendency to have a slightly stronger grip, and to square the clubface with body rotation.

 

The hallmark of this is that youll see players getting into a top of the backswing position with a flatter left wrist position. Think of the likes of Niemann, Woods, Dustin Johnson, Morikawa amongst others.

 

This has its advantages, and drawbacks. If youre someone with strong speed and a strong core, its a good way to play, as you can keep the clubface stable and you can keep the path of the swing neutral as it follows the body rotation. Under pressure too, its easier to rotate hard to hit the ball straight, it requires less feel, and usually such players hit a strong flighted fade as their natural shot.

 

The drawback is without strong body action, youll probably hit the ball low and left, and almost certainly lose potential power as you wont utilise the release of the club and arm speed, so youll lose swing speed.

 

So i would suggest trying to keep things very neutral at first.

 

If you can get the "V"s of your grip pointing between your chin and left shoulder (as youre left handed), thats pretty neutral, and puts the club in a good position.

 

Then, respond to the flight of the ball. Pay attention to where the ball takes off, and where it curves to.

 

The ball takes off where the face is pointing, and curves AWAY from the path.

 

So lets suppose you slice the ball. This would indicate that your clubface, relative to the target, is pointing to the right (for you as a lefty). But your path is EVEN MORE to the right, which causes the ball to curve with fade spin.

 

The opposite would be true for hooks.

 

Your swing will go into better positions, all things being equal, if your swing produces a draw. Not that its necessarily what youre looking for from your swing or would desire, but itll put your swing path into a better position to allow you to be versatile in the future in moving the ball.

 

Players to NOT copy, would be people who do things highly idiosyncratic to them, like the chicken wing follow through of Spieth for example. These players have these unique moves as compensations or results of other things they do in their swings that are unique to them.

Wow thanks for all that, really good advice and very helpful!

 

My stance is quite tight rather than relaxed and backswing is quite quick.

 

I'll definitely bear the tips in mind though and see what works for me. So much to think about just to knock a little white ball around a field yet I'm finding it so addictive already. 

[Innovindil]

On 05/04/2022 at 22:30, Lako42 said:

Oh yes it's masters time, bring it on. 

 

New single malt on the way, loads of decent beer for the 4 days and finalising my bets. 

 

Still leaning towards Cameron Smith, his approach play is phenomenal. 

 

Bloody love it

Cheers for that. Whenever skybet do their hotshots offer I come in this thread and pick the last player the last poster mentions. £1 free bet for every birdie in the first round done well here. 

[Izzy]

7 hours ago, Nalis said:

So much to think about just to knock a little white ball around a field 

Just twat it 

[Izzy]

I'm so conflicted with Sky's golf coverage. 

 

On the plus side: great camera angles, extra coverage, loads of analysis, clever graphics etc, Radar is cool, Beamer is O.K, Ewan Murray is decent, and Butch is a good ol boy

 

On the down side: the constant adverts do my nut in, Coltarts broad Scottish accent is like nails down a chalkboard, McGinley bores me, Laura Davies makes too many errors, and Nick Doherty tries too hard

[goody2028]

14 minutes ago, Izzy said:

I'm so conflicted with Sky's golf coverage. 

 

On the plus side: great camera angles, extra coverage, loads of analysis, clever graphics etc, Radar is cool, Beamer is O.K, Ewan Murray is decent, and Butch is a good ol boy

 

On the down side: the constant adverts do my nut in, Coltarts broad Scottish accent is like nails down a chalkboard, McGinley bores me, Laura Davies makes too many errors, and Nick Doherty tries too hard

Wayne Riley and Ewan Murray are pretty much the only reason I like sky coverage

[The Bear]

The coverage is ok, but being a US feed they rim Tiger something rotten. Plenty of other good players out there who aren't questionable human beings to focus on, but that's the US. 

[kingfox]

Still got it 

Edited 8 April 2022 by kingfox

[tom27111]

2 minutes ago, kingfox said:

Still got it 

Reminds me of me on Monday 

[Smashing-Pumpkin]

16 minutes ago, kingfox said:

Still got it 

Was so blatantly a push, no one takes on a short side pin from 208 yards

[Smashing-Pumpkin]

2 hours ago, Izzy said:

I'm so conflicted with Sky's golf coverage. 

 

On the plus side: great camera angles, extra coverage, loads of analysis, clever graphics etc, Radar is cool, Beamer is O.K, Ewan Murray is decent, and Butch is a good ol boy

 

On the down side: the constant adverts do my nut in, Coltarts broad Scottish accent is like nails down a chalkboard, McGinley bores me, Laura Davies makes too many errors, and Nick Doherty tries too hard

Id have to say sky do a brilliant job to be honest you get great insight from the commentators, Rich Beem is the best announcer/on course commentator for insight by far

[The Bear]

Beem talks sense but something about him just irritates me. He looks like someone has dressed a beaver in a suit and trimmed his teeth. 

[Izzy]

Long ways to go but Scheffler in great shape with a 5 shot lead.

 

The boy is hot.

[Guest Lako42]

8 hours ago, Izzy said:

Long ways to go but Scheffler in great shape with a 5 shot lead.

 

The boy is hot.

Hoping he shanks a few into the water early doors. 

 

Don't want a runaway leader

[Guest Lako42]

12 hours ago, Lako42 said:

Hoping he shanks a few into the water early doors. 

 

Don't want a runaway leader

He's smashing it

[Smashing-Pumpkin]

There are some players who get the absolute most out of their game and scores reflect that.

 

Rory looks like hes in control with his swing and pound for pound probably the best driver of the ball in the game, but just cant put up the scores to challenge. Must frustrate the life out of him.

[goody2028]

Rahm +7 thru 54 holes is a shock as well. Come on Lowry. 

[Nalis]

Purely from his name and nationality, Cam Smith from Australia looks exactly as I pictured him. Also seems like a likeable chap in interviews.

[tom27111]

Cam Smith basically reminds me of the kid on this interview 

 

Hope he wins it.

 

Wish he'd get a haircut and have a shave though! 

 

 

[tom27111]

Hoping Tommy Fleetwood makes the top 8. A few quid each way at 45/1 

[goody2028]

Smith and Scottie’s drives on the 3rd was like watching me on a Sunday afternoon. Albeit 200 yards further  

[Izzy]

Rory in the zone and on a charge is one of the finest sights in golf. Sadly too little too late this time.