Going Back, Back Back, To Golf School. Week 2. At the Biltmore. From the other side of the range at the Jim McLean Golf School.
Part one. We focused on The Driver.
Between “Grip it and Rip it” are a few important steps. Every shot should start with a repeatable pre-shot routine. First, grip it. Ease the tension. Find a target. Trace it back to a closer point of reference. Line it up. Set the feet. Open the front foot a few degrees toward the target… then, finally, let it rip. The coach noticed I tend to stand up and hump my pelvis a bit. Long-term, I should keep trying to get my butt back. He suggested something I have tried but need to do more of — and that is the practice of swinging with my butt on a chair or up against a wall. I am hitting it ok, but to be better, this will help my consistency and reduce big misses.
2nd station was chipping.
About 15 yards out, there were Jim McLean Golf School-branded signs and landing spots. A few yards further, there were baskets placed with neatly crossed alignment sticks making x’s and holding them in place. The goal was pretty simple. Pick a landing spot and hit ‘em. Or get them in the baskets. The key here is to concentrate. I’m happy to report I got lost in the drill, going into a flow state and enjoying the mental exercise of being dialed in and giving it my full-on energy. My feel for the short game is solid, but there are always new things to learn. For me, the takeaway here was to make it a V-shaped swing path — rather than sweeping it, it’s ideal to be making crispy little pitches and precise contact.
Stop 3 was my favorite part of the day. The PreShot Routine.
Mitch, our instructor, gave us an anecdote about Jason Day… it was about how he observed pros at the range on tour. The difference was that they took their time. They’re not machine-gun-firing ball after ball. They go through the shot routine. Jason Day put the club back in the bag and pulled it out for each shot. He even took his golf glove off and went through the whole thing each time. I tried it too. Why not give it a go? I hit maybe 25 shots in the 40-minute session. I put the club back in the bag and started it over each time. When the glove was velcroed and latched up, I committed to zoning in. I did my best to block out the noise and commentary of the other players around me. Focus. Focus. Focus is the key. Preparing for the moments that matter on the course. Walking toward my shot, quieting thoughts, visualizing the flight, and what I knew I could do. My aim: take it right at the tall palm with the blue strap around the trunk. Land it within about 5-10 yards of that tree. Visualize and believe. Swing and execute. Feel fucking happy.
Check grip. Check clubface. Check tension. Check aim. Position the ball with your feet and don’t think…. stay locked in. And go. Time after time. Find that place with a clear head. Find that transcendental spot to focus. Mustering whatever ability you have. Whether it’s dancing, being funny, being with a friend, or playing golf… the best moments are when I’m lost in the moment. Just doing that one thing right here and right now.
Now the other thing is… I need to get back out there and practice some more.
