In lesson six, Scott Oxley used some of his teaching gadgets and skills at the J Whitaker Golf fitting centre, to identify where some of my problems had been coming from.
Balance and posture were identified as two key areas which can prevent the misdemeanours in my downswing and from watching it back on the down-the-line camera Scott was able to highlight where I need to improve.
Scott took me through a posture drill which helped me push my pelvis back and create a bit more room for my arms to swing through.
Previously I had a bit too much knee flex and then straightened my back a bit too much which left my arms far too close to my body.
I didn’t play my best and I definitely had one of my worst putting rounds in a while” I then need to feel like my weight is going back slightly towards my heels rather than being on the balls of my feet and get a nice solid base. I have had a tendency to fall forwards during and after my swing which had caused me to bring the club “over the top” rather than keeping on the inside.
The posture drill has really helped me and it’s something I can continually practice. I can do it at home in front of the mirror or when stood in the kitchen. It drives the missus mad but I know this is such a crucial area and it’s not something which Scott can simply give me. It requires practice to get the muscle memory.
So I took my new posture and improved balance out onto the course for 18 holes at Puckrup Hall in Tewkesbury for my annual Christmas golf day with friends.
My round started off quite poorly with some errant drives but my irons and chipping were ok. My driver finally showed up on the back nine and I came home with 18 stableford points on the back nine having managed 14 on the front.
So that was 32 points playing off an 18 handicap. I didn’t play my best and I definitely had one of my worst putting rounds in a while. Frozen greens didn’t help but I didn’t feel confident with the five and six footers.
That brings us nicely on to lesson seven where Scott takes a look at my putting stroke and my (non-existent) putting practice routines.
Despite the weather, we headed out to the practice area at Moor Allerton.