Golf In the Kingdom

@jasonstoddard's pursuit to compete and the wisdom I learn along the way

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Jimmy Clay, Austin, Texas. Black Tees. 1:05pm tee time. Played just under 4 hours. Extremely hot and humid. Relatively calm winds until storm started pulling through on 16,17, 18. Course in great condition (Hats off to GolfATX, City of Austin).

31 putts. 10 of 14 fairways. 9 of 18 greens. 

Earlier in the day attended a casual, small-group short game clinic (on course instruction) at Grey Rock with Cole. Worked primarily on course management (playing to a number), decision matrix (club/shot selection) from +/-105 yards. 

Short game improving as I get closer to understanding misses, knowing my yardages with every club.  Goto is sandwedge from +/- 110 yards. 

Highlights: Finally birdied 3, though improbable... after my cut drive clipped the tree overhang (one of the hardest tee shots in Austin Muny golf as evidence that I hit the shot I envisioned and still got fucked), pured a 4 hybrid off a terrible lie, from 196 yards to 5 feet (all carry). Made the right-to-left putt. HItting all par 5′s (save #4) in 2.

Challenges: Tee shots on 3, 8, and 18, totally vex me. I know what to do, but executing those shots to get into a position to score feels “above my ability.” I step up to the tee with anxiety rather than looking forward to the opportunity. When the tee is back on 12, messes with my eye and while it looks/feels straight-away, aims you out left of the green... the pitch to recover is difficult as it is very fast, even on slow greens, and requires precision (feels like inevitable bogey).

Positives: Improved command scrambling, but far from perfect; focused on incremental improvement, here. Improved overall distance; I’m regularly hitting par 5′s in two (and absolutely love it when I have a 3 metal or x hybrid in my hand going after a green.) Pitching and flops improved greatly.

Negatives: Putting, putting, and more putting. To make 4 birdies (3 of which were 2 putt birdies), have no penalty shots, and still shoot 76 is very poor, despite 3 putt avoidance. #8 was a bit of a disaster... Good tee shot, slight pulled 7 iron approach AND 4 SHOTS to get in? Ugh. Who is this guy?

Attested by Rodney Thompson, John (RT’s friend), and John (paired with/ rode with).

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Morris Williams, ATX. Black Tees. Weather was both hot and humid, despite teeing off at 6:45am. Little to no wind all day. Unfortunately played behind the “regular” East Austin 5-some that is the slowest on the course. Waited every shot despite the fact that 3 of of foursome walked. 32 putts. 11 of 14 fairways. 12 of 18 greens. Ball striking is better than ever, especially approaches; finally at a place where I’m avoiding the big miss left and can shot-shape accordingly. As such, rarely short siding myself. Additionally, getting more comfortable playing difficult lies, especially downhill with mid-long irons and fairways metals. Very positive outcome! Proximity to hole also very good. I was the shortest off the tee, every hole, but still played my game (not easy when Big Garrett blasts it 60 yards passed you everytime). My short game remains atrocious, though chipping improving after Joe gave me some text pointers). While I avoided a 3 putt this round, I missed 8 putts inside of 10-12 feet. Couple this with poor chipping on the par 5′s (being slightly short or pin high of the green in 2), I’m not maximizing opportunities.  If I can convert a mere 40% of these putts and chips, no reason I can’t consistently shoot under par. 40% is not unreasonable on my worst day. Progress. Attested by Bret and Kyle Hutchens and Garrett White. 

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Russell Henley makes "short" work of a very difficult flop and run. Incredible shot making.

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Swing analysis: of Lucy Li at ANA Inspiration

Billy Kratzert, Jane Crafter and Tripp Isenhour break down the swing of 14-year-old amateur Lucy Li ahead of play at the ANA Inspiration.

I watch a great deal of televised golf. I also spend most of my drive time listening to PGATour radio os SiriusXM. While I learn a great deal from a variety of sources, Judy Rankin’s analysis always resonates.* I can’t stress it enough--most amateurs stand to learn the most and produce better outcomes emulating LPGA players. During this year’s LPGA ANA, Judy said something I’ll never forget discussing Lucy’s drive off the first tee: “Hogan taught that golf is played underhanded.” So true. It’s reflected, if not completely accentuated observing the diminutive Li. While only 14, weighing less than 100 pounds, underhanded, force from toes to the nose, she cranks it.

*Rankin does not comment here. I couldn’t find the recording online. Using this video to illustrate the point.

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[thejasonstoddard-blog]

32 putts. 6 of 13 fairways. 10 of 18 greens. Everything inside of 100 yards is poor. Insane to hit 7 of 9 greens on the front and turn even. Total driving better than fairways hit noted here, only missed most by a foot or two save on 14 and 18. Attested by Cole Huggins and David Foy.

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Rebuilding from Scratch

After the second straight year failing to qualify for the Firecracker Open, the longest running amateur golf tournament in Texas (since 1946!), it’s time to burn everything down and rebuild. 

In terms of instruction/ development, I’m focusing on the following (both in tandem and in parallel):

Set-up/ Address

Take-away

Setting the club

Down swing

Short game*

Headspace

*Emphasis on short game. 

I’m currently a weak 6 handicap. I estimate I lose 8 - 10 shots a round, 100 yards in. I’m not that guy! But the numbers don’t lie.

The greatest tension: as a player coming up (high school/ college), my short game and scrambling were, hands down, the best part of my game. Often, I feel I’m trying to find a ghost of my former self. 

Also, if I’m being real, I play with a lot of fear. I don’t think I’ve ever really played free. Given golf is what I love to do, this saddens me. As such, I’d like to change it and compete at a high level amongst my amateur peers.