Easing Into the Spring Season

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By Rick V., Team Titleist Staff

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  • 15 Replies
  1. Rick V., Team Titleist Staff

    Rick V., Team Titleist Staff
    Duxbury, MA

    Team Titleist Staff

    Hey, everyone.

    The Masters is my favorite tournament of the year, but it's always a little frustrating, too. Watching it makes me want to get out and play so badly, but here in New England, the weather is not always cooperative. In years past I'd gut it out and suffer through a few cold, ugly, out-of-shape rounds, but this year, I'm forcing myself not to rush back. I'm trying to ease into the spring season, chipping and hitting some balls into a backyard net. I'm hoping that this slow re-entry will better prepare me for those first few rounds, when the ego and confidence are still very fragile.

    How about you? How do you set yourself up for success in the early part of the season? Do you spend more time on the range, getting your swing back into shape? Or do you like to hit the golf course running, squeezing as many spring rounds in as you can? Thanks in advance for sharing your advice in the comments below.

    • • •

    Speaking of advice, let me pass along one thing I'm working on that definitely helped me strike the ball better last spring - face contact.

    For many years I struggled with toey hits and the weak, high right shots that usually resulted from not striking the ball out of the center of the club face. My swing is still a work in progress, but I have to say that my game really started to turn around after August 29, 2019.

    How can I pinpoint the date so precisely, you may ask? Because on that date, I was in Wisconsin, at the TT Invitational at Kohler Resort. Our good friend, Titleist staff member Cameron McCormick, gave a clinic at Black Wolf Run that I will never forget. He talked about the importance of prioritizing "SKILLS OVER STYLE" and he spoke at length about developing the crucial skill of center face contact. When I returned home I immediately incorporated his Low Point Laneway and Jump the Fence drills into my own practice and I haven't looked back since.

    This weekend I revisited those drills and I'm happy to report that last year's skill-building has stuck. A little Dr. Scholl's on the club face showed that I'm still able to find the heel side of the face again – something that would have been unimaginable to me a few years ago. Give it a try and let me know if it helps your ball-striking, too. And for more details on these great drills, please visit this article that Cam put together for us and check out his other great tips on the Titleist Instruction Center.

    Thanks!

  2. John M

    John M
    Aiken, SC Lakewood, NY

    Great post Rick!! Living in SC, we don’t have much of an off season. In fact, I just posted my 100th round in 2021!! [Note: Some may think this is bit obsessive, but golf is a key part of my exercise regime.]. That said, there’s still an ‘off-season’ when just walking the course (quickly I may add) is more important than scoring. I try some shots that I normally wouldn’t and work on flighting the ball; at least to the extent a guy with a 13 index can! The Dr. Scholls tip is a good one. My son uses it often when he’s hitting into his net. His pattern is a lot like yours. Mine, on the other hand, is quite broad; I won’t be wear out the sweet spot anytime soon!
  3. Speedy

    Speedy
    East Coast, NH

    Thanks! Exactly what I need. Dealing with heel shots at the moment so gotta get that worked out. Thanks for sharing.
  4. Abdon M

    Abdon M
    Northern California (because it's a big state)

    I like the reminder of the importance of face contact over swing style. We get stuck with getting our swings to mirror the "ideal" swing. I find that I will never have the flexibility that I should but I can succeed with making sure my face impact is where it needs to be.
  5. Dale V

    Dale V
    Surprise AZ

    Agree, that was a great clinic. Even when the rain chased us inside, he continued to give us some really good and helpful advise.
  6. Jim C

    Jim C
    Duxbury, MA

    I dive right in, which as noted can be a bit challenging in cold, windy conditions. I've already posted five scores since our handicap season opened on 4/1 ... my goal is 100 rounds this year, not in 3+ months like John!

    That being said, like all of us, just happy to be playing so early in the season unlike last year when courses in MA were closed longer than any other state due to COVID.
  7. Darryl M

    Darryl M
    Wichita, KS

    Usually it's more range time mixed with some golf time. I have the issue of hanging back at times so I need to make sure I go forward at impact & I rotate on my right leg & not sway in the backswing..............

    So this year I am playing more golf & less range time as I am sporting new T200 Irons with a stiff shaft VS my 716 Ap1's that had a regular flex shaft. I only got 8 rounds in last year with them.

    I am also using a new TSi2 driver with stiff shaft. Had to replace my vokey wedges, Hybrids with a stiff shaft. I did opt for (ordered last week) a U510 - 2 Iron instead of a fairway wood.

    So those things have made me opt for more paying time so I can start knowing my distances before things really get going. I've played 7 rounds in 25mph winds & 55 degrees just so I can see how things go. Usually those are range days.

    So far so good with my swing, few mis-hits (Pull Draw shot OMG!!!) during each round but contact is so much better this year.


    I've gone to the instruction part of this site & picked up some great tips & drills for 2021


    DM
  8. Chuck Z

    Chuck Z
    Mt Pleasant, SC

    Military
    After a year's lay off from surgery, it has been a bit of a struggle. Sometimes you just wonder, is it worth it.
    The weather along the coast of SC has been cooperative even though we have had a couple of cold weeks. Working on tempo, alignment and making solid contact. My goal of shooting in the 80s was realistic and am making more birdies and even a couple of eagles over the past week. I can see improvement but just need to do away with the high numbers and that includes the three putts. My pro has helped with my short game. Just taking it one day at a time always seeing some form of improvement. About all my body can handle is three to four rounds a week.
  9. Guy W

    Guy W
    Statesville, NC

    Unless the temps get below 40 I'm trying to get in at least a round a week. Nice to live in the south. Sounds like I'm in the same boat with many. I struggle with consistent contact with my irons though most of my misses are off the heel. Work in progress. Hopefully I'll get it figured out in time for the TTI.
  10. Alex N

    Alex N
    Florida

    Military
    Thanks for sharing! I’m a good ball striker but can always improve so I’ll certainly check out those drills. For me, I spend the early season months practicing my short game but that’s really an all year round thing I do. I’ve also spent some time speed training and checking my numbers on Trackman. I’m ready to get after the new season and go low!
  11. Brock L

    Brock L
    Fort Myers, FL

    The only off-season here is when there's a hurricane. Arguably though, it can be more difficult to play consistently throughout the entire year, as the body and mind don't get a break. It can be frustrating at times and you do have to pace yourself to keep from burning out.
  12. Rick D

    Rick D
    Weston, WI

    We've had an early spring here in NC Wisconsin. Our course has been open now 1-1/2 weeks. I've got 3 rounds in.

    After hitting balls indoors during the winter, going to the range early season I work on solid contact with short-mid irons. Just trying to get the feel back and groove the swing. I'm not worried about distance, working the ball, etc., at this time.

    Of course, to go play a round, I need to go through more of the bag and get warmed up, with a feel for those longer clubs, etc.. I've also spent time at our short game practice area working on chipping and short pitches. That's already paid off.

    With soft, fairly bumpy spring greens, the putting is a bit tougher. But the winter work on my birdieball putting matt has also paid off. The putting stroke feels pretty good right now. The putts will start dropping once the greens get mowed, etc., a few more times.

    No outdoor practice this week yet. We woke up to a white ground yesterday morning. I had to pull the winter jacket back out of the closet the last several days. The good news is 50's forecasted for the weekend.
  13. ADeLucia

    ADeLucia
    Clayton NC

    I will always remember that clinic! He provided such simple and easy-to-apply drills that you can work on anytime and anywhere.
  14. Erich F

    Erich F
    NY

    Throughout the year I try to stay in shape and stretch regularly so I don't shock the system when I start to swing. I like to start with grip, stance and alignment, all of these are crucial for consistency, and I can do these in a mirror while it is cold outside here in NY.
    The next step is hitting the range a few times and chipping in the back yard. Then off to the course. Working so far this year the first round dropped my index by .4.
  15. Rick V., Team Titleist Staff

    Rick V., Team Titleist Staff
    Duxbury, MA

    Team Titleist Staff
    Thanks for all the great responses! Sounds like a good mix of practice and rounds played is the way to go. Good luck everyone!
  16. Mike M

    Mike M
    Marblehead MA

    I play at a nine hole muni with no practice area aside from a putting green.I generally head straight to the tee without the benefit of hitting a few balls, which is tough for most of us. That said I've been playing there forever so I'm used to it.

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