Erin has given me the green light to sign up for the World Am tournament in Myrtle Beach, SC. It's the largest amateur golf tournament in the country with nearly 4,000 golfers. It's 4 days of net handicap play all leading to a 5th day championship for all flight winners. There is also an International Pairs contest that pairs you up with another player and allows you to compete against other pairs to win the right to represent the U.S. in a world competition in St. Andrews, Scotland.
More info about the event can be seen here:
http://www.worldamgolf.com/
I put in some net time this evening in the back yard to see if I could figure out why I've been topping/thinning shots lately. Turns out, it's all in the right leg.
First off, I'm really focusing on a good shoulder swing so I don't get too "arms-y". Second, I'm working on getting a good weight transfer and hip turn. The final piece of the puzzle is my right leg. I took some super slow motion swings and found that I was actually straightening my right leg on the down swing which pulls me up out of the shot. What I really need to work on is getting my right knee moving toward the target when I start my hip turn. I can best accomplish this by feeling like my hips are directly attached to my right knee and pulling it with them. This gets me down into the shot.
If I overcook this idea I start hitting fat, but at least I'm staying down.
Well, I've hit a bit of a plateau with my game. My HCP stayed at a 16.8 for the end of the season. I'm still having too many rounds in the high 90's due to my being inconsistent. I have some things to work on, so rest assured, I'll be practicing all winter long and see if I can't get a few things ironed out for the next year.
My goal for spring of 2009 is to get enrolled in a mini tour like The Golf Channel Amateur Tour. I want to get into competing regularly so I can get accustomed to playing under some pressure.
More updates as progress warrants...
