Feeling Optimistic

Last week, I had the pleasure of playing at the stunning Twin Peaks Golf Course just outside Denver, Colorado. The 12-hour drive gave me ample time to dive into the Audible version of Ben Hogan’s “Five Lessons.” Listening to it this time, rather than reading, was a refreshing experience. If you’re considering using it as a training guide, I recommend both the audio and text versions. Each edition costs around $5 USD and offers unique benefits. The visuals in the book are invaluable for the first read, but listening to it helped me catch new details and mentally reinforce the lessons.

My grip felt steady, and the waggle and backswing were second nature by now. However, the stance and the second part of the swing felt newly refreshed in my mind. But, as I soon discovered, visualizing a perfect swing and actually executing it are two very different things.

The Driving Range Challenge

When I arrived at the driving range, I was greeted with an all-grass setup. The previous player had left a mess of divots, making it challenging to find a clean spot. If you’ve never used an all-grass range, it’s easy to get wrong the first time. Personally, I’m more accustomed to mat tees at my home course. Do you prefer grass or mat tees? Leave a comment below and share your thoughts!

A Day of Mental Tests

Playing with old friends, whom I had been hyping up my game to all week, added to the pressure. Combine that with an unfamiliar course, and it was clear that I was in for a day of mental challenges. My drives were mostly hooks, my first fairway shots were duffed, and I struggled to get my wedge distances right. As they say, Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither is a consistent golf swing.

I also took the opportunity to test the 18 Birdies app, which added to the day’s stress as I encountered some issues with its functionality. Stay tuned for my full review of the app in the coming weeks.

The Scorecard

By the end of the day, I shot a 112—worse than usual. I hit only 4 fairways off the tee, reached the green in regulation on just one hole, and had six 3-putts, five of which were on the front nine. Improving my long game is crucial, as failing to hit the green in regulation consistently makes scoring well nearly impossible. Additionally, there’s a mental confidence that comes from hitting the ball well. Duffing it down the fairway erodes that confidence and breeds frustration.

One thing is for sure: it’s back to the lab for me! Follow me on Instagram for scorecards and practice tips. Let’s keep improving together!

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