Driving Range 2.28.10

I'm still working on eliminating the sway. Today I could identify when I sway, and that is progress! However, I could not hit my 7i for shit. ugh. Trying to eliminate this sway is difficult! I hit the ball shorter, but it's going up higher. Whenever I try to accelerate through the downswing or think that I am going to accelerate through the downswing, I tend to sway.

I tried a new drill. Well it's kinda old, one that I did back in the day when I only had a 6i and a SW. It's called hit the tee. I place the ball 6 inches behind the tee and then hit the ball and hit the tee also. I could do this drill successfully up to my 9i (didn't try with 8i), but I had trouble with my 7i. I dunno what I was doing wrong with it, so I stopped with the 7i and worked on other things.

I didn't touch my woods today. :(  I hit them decently and I get enough practice on the course with them, so they got a break.

I've always had the same problem with my driver set up. And today we worked on it. First, I set up too close to the ball, so I had to play around and move back a bit. I think I found a better position, but I have to go to the range to experiment a bit more. Second, I was floating my driver which caused me to bottom out at the wrong spot. To correct it, I had to start with my driver on the ground, a few inches behind the ball. That was hard to correct because it's habit to start my driver like that. I am still fighting it, but my drives were a lot better. That's another thing to correct - where to start my driver. It has to start about almost a full head length back (about where it starts to taper). I dunno if that makes any sense, but that makes sense to me. I also don't rotate through. I tend to slide my hips instead of going around my body. Which is odd because in tennis, I rotate around. One drill that really helps my body feel the rotation of my hips is swinging the club with only my right hand. It helps to ingrain that muscle memory. I also swing with my left hand to get the club up in the right position because I take it low. So these two drills worked for me and I think I will be doing them on the course while waiting to tee off.

Big shoulder turn, hurry hard, and rotate through. That's what I have to think when I wield my driver. Hehe. The hurry hard was from curling, but it's to also get me to swing faster since nothing happens when I swing slow.  

Oh Flippy... there's this guy who doesn't look that good. I know I'm not the world's greatest golfer (I'm still trying to break 100), but I hate his advice. I've never seen him until a few weeks ago on the chipping green. After chipping for a bit, he come up to me and tells me that I should grip down further on my grip. I already grip down about 2 inches, but he told me to grip down all the way to the bottom of my grip because LPGA players do the same thing and it would give me better control. Today he also tried to give me the same tip, but I walked away and ignored him. Very unlike me because I will listen and be nice about it, but seriously? That pissed me off. I watch LPGA players and I don't see them with their hands all the way down there. They choke down like 2 inches at most. And Phil Mickelson says choking down is a matter of preference.  Also, if I choke down further, I have to hit the ball harder because of the physics of the club. So suck it Flippy. Oh and why do I call him Flippy? Because he flips at the ball when he chips. That's why ur ball doesn't check. One more reason I don't like Flippy. He smokes around the chipping green. I mean if ur gonna practice ur horrible game, please don't give me horrible lungs.

I hope that rant doesn't look like I don't accept tips. Because I do. I appreciate good tips from people that know (ie. prove and have the game) what they are doing.

I miss practicing in the bunkers. They are still wet from the rain. boo. I actually like practicing in the bunkers. It improves my tempo, gets me to think about my shoulder turn and I like practicing my short game.

Practiced chipping and putting. I lost in PIG, but I had some crazy putts to save myself from getting a letter. yay! Chipping was ok. I played around with the 58* wedge. It's heavy but it's better than my sand wedge.

Driving Range 2.25.10

Went to the driving range last night and got home in time to shower, get ready for bed and watch the final group of women's figure skating. Hehe. What a very productive evening.


Anyways...

I went to the range last night to work on a new swing. Anthony wanted to try something new with me to try to get more distance out of my driver. We worked on the one piece takeaway until the club was parallel to the ground. From there, I would hinge my hands to the top. So I have to kinda think, "throw the hands up there." On the downswing use my hips to initiate it and then have the club drop into the slot. This looked promising because I did it with his heavy wedge and with my wedges. However, things went bad from there. I couldn't really hit my 8, 7, 6 iron with the change. I tried it with my woods and they were kinda slicing 7 yards right. Then I tried to do it on the driver and everything went 10-20 yards right. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. He said I wasn't rotating through and I really wasn't. I think I stop my rotating once I make contact with the ball. Towards the end of the session, I was able to rotate more, but I still sliced it. Later on that night, we also figured out I was delaying my release. Fun. fun.

Cinnabar Hills Golf Club - 2.20.10

Wow it's already Thursday (2/25) and I have yet to write about my experience at Cinnabar Hills. Here I go...

So how did I shoot? I shot a 104 with a mulligan thrown in because Anthony forgot to bring my putter to the putting green. But that's a story for another day. So yea, I shot a 104. That isn't bad because I aimed to at least break 110 because it was my first time on the course, the greens were the fastest greens I've ever played on and slope was 120.

When we arrived at the course, we checked in and headed out to the range to warm up. I had fun because I finally got the chance to loosen up and focus on my driver swing. However, that did not help my driver swing at all. I had the driver yips, again... I really need to fix this stinking club. On some holes, I could hit it and it would go about 150 yards. On other holes, it would only go 70 yards. WTF. We also went to the range after the round (hey the practice facilities are really nice) and I found that my hands were too low on my take back. This made sense because high hands usually equal good drives for me. I also realize I need to swing through the ball and around my body. I think I swing through the ball and up. Ugh. Need to fix that. God I sound redundant, but it's always the same problem.

In addition to driving yips, my chipping was crappy. I decided to drop the specialty wedges and use my sand wedge for chipping. I need to really focus on accelerating my hands through the ball. If I don't do that, my ball goes nowhere. And I need my own wedge. My sand wedge gets stuck and it feels too light to chip with. However I did use it to get out of my one and only bunker. It was on the 18th hole, the sand was fluffy and I got it out and 2 putted for double bogey. yay! So all of my hard work this past week in the bunker has paid off.

My iron play was ok. We had gps carts and I had a better sense of my yardages.
5w - 130 yds
9w - 120 yds
6i - 100 yds
7i - 95 yds
8i - 80 yds with a tee, 75 without
9i - 70 yds
PW - 60-65
AW -
SW - 55 yds, 50 yds from rough with 2ft release.


Those are my yardages. I am a short hitter and this is why I am always hitting my woods. I did use my SW a lot on approach shots. So now I found my favorite approach distance. Good for me but kinda lame because my approach distance is somebody's pitching distance or half shot. haha. I really need to hit the ball harder on the downswing. When I attempt to hit harder on the downswing, I have trouble controlling my body. I think I need to take my normal take back instead of rushing.

Putting. I had one 1 putt (for par too!), a few 2 putts and a bunch of 3 putts. I had trouble reading the greens because they would slope left and then right. How the hell do you do that? Also, the ball would slide near the hole because it was a faster green. This made my comeback putt tougher. I also kept missing putts to the right which could be attributed to 1) not aligning properly and 2) not closing the face. Gotta work on that. But I did learn to slow my tempo down on a short putt and take the same short stroke. I am getting better using a shorter stroke. yay!

Overall I had fun and I scored better than I expected. I really need to work on my driver because I need that distance off the tee. And I need to work on chipping. I can't chip for shit anymore. :(

My "New" Phone

I got a new phone and I'm blogging from it right now!!! Hehe. Well it's not new because it's Anthony's old phone, but it's new to me. I still need to insert my SIM card, but this is really cool that I can connect to the internet via wifi. Ya.... I'm a dork.

Chi Chi Dango

I had to make chi chi dango to appease my craving. I thought I found it at a Japanese market, but it was filled with marshmallows and strawberry filling! Boo. I wanted it plain and simple.

Ingredients
1 box mochiko
2 1/2 cups of sugar
1 tsp baking powder
2 cups water
1 tsp vanilla
1 (13.5 or 14 oz) can of coconut milk

several drops red or green food coloring (optional)
Potato starch (for dusting)

Directions
1. Preheat oven 350 degrees. Grease 9 x 13 inch baking pan with butter
2. Mix together mochiko, sugar, and baking powder and set aside
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together coconut milk and water. Add vanilla and mix well.
4. Slowly whisk in dry ingredients and mix thoroughly.
5. Add few drops of food coloring. Tint to desired color. 
6. Pour batter into greased pan and cover tightly with foil. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour
7. Allow to cool completely (several hours to overnight).
8. Dust a surface with potato starch and turn mochi out. Cut into bite sized pieces using a plastic knife (plastic knife works best). Roll pieces in potato starch and dust off extra starch before serving

Store in an airtight container at ROOM TEMPERATURE (no refridgeration) for up to 3 days.

This was the first time I made chi chi dango. My mom would make it when I was younger, so I know the process. It's pretty easy to make, but it can be time consuming. The hardest part was cutting it and rolling it in potato starch. It took me over an hour to do that. I want to make layered mochi, but I think that's for another day.

Driving Range 2.18.10

Driving Range... again.... because we are playing Cinnabar on Saturday!!

Going into tonight's session, I really wanted to work on trying to keep my head still and eliminating my sway. That sorta worked. I think my proprioceptors are off or I have no idea what a correct swing is really supposed to feel like. Well I tried to work on keeping my head still and eliminating my sway, but that didn't work out so great. I tried to fix things as a whole instead of breaking it down. So I stopped working on that, and instead worked on my backswing. I know, I know where is the discipline?

Working on my backswing and takeback helped me realize what contributed to the sway. My right leg! On my takeback I lock my right knee instead of keeping it slightly flexed. I also didn't feel "stacked" at set up. My weight was distributed more on my toes instead of distributing the weight evenly over the balls and heels of my feet. I also worked on shortening my takeback so that I can be more aggressive on the downswing. Also, I realized I tilt instead of rotate around my core. Shortening my backswing helped me to get a sense of  rotating instead of tilting. 

I started to hit better once I thought "start takeback with left shoulder." I started to hit a lot better. Heck even my driver went about 150 yards (that's a HUGE accomplishment these days). I even got my six iron to go about 130 yards. =)  This also helped me to rotate instead of tilt.

But I still have so many things to fix. One thing at a time, one thing at a time.

The bunkers and pitching green were clear, so I got to practice that. Yay! I'm getting better at getting out of the bunker. I practices fluffy lies and hard packed lies. I still can't get the ball to stop rolling, but it's getting out and going towards my target. In the previous session (2.17.10), I learned the importance of tempo. If i rush my swing, things go awry. I tend to mishit and hit a bunch of sand. So I have to think one-two (and rotate with my left shoulder. 

Since nobody was around, I got to practice 40-60 yard shots. Normally, these would be pitches for the average person that hits their wedge around 100 degrees. I'm a short hitter and 60 yards equals my gap wedge and my sand wedge is about 50-55 yards. So guess who practices full shots from the rough? Me. hehe. That was fun and I learned to keep rotating through and not try to punch out the ball. The rough was thick, so i had to really work making good contact, keeping my wrists strong and rotating through.

I feel ready for Cinnabar, except for my chipping. I am having so much trouble chipping. I have neglected it and hopefully the next time I go to the range I will dedicate more time to this. I also haven't practiced my putting because the sun sets early. I think I'll be fine here and Anthony wants to go early so we can warm up. So, I'll have the chance to practice my putting and hopefully get some chipping in.

So I feel good. I get to play tees were the total yardage is under 5000 yards, but the slope is around 120. Which means it's still difficult, but the distance is a good distance for me. yay!

While playing at Cinnabar I will keep 2-3 swing thoughts.
1. Start swing with left shoulder
2. Shorten backswing
3. Left side flat at impact.

I need pictures. These entries look so boring with just words.

Driving Range 2.17.10

I went to the driving range to work on my driver. Failed on that. I can't keep my head still during my swing. Argg. This sway and head bobbing is KILLING ME. It's killing my swing. It's killing my game. I really need to work on it and fight it. I also dip at the ball in my downswing. I need to stop that. To remedy that, I did the feet together drill. I have to work on doing this drill properly.

Things finally clicked with me getting out of the sand. Yay! In the past, I would not swing along my body line. Instead, I would swing along the ball line. Last night, I finally learned how to swing along my body line. yay!! My divots were better. I still dig my club through the sand, but my divots aren't as deep. Good. Now I need to work on entering the club on the sand properly and also continuing to accelerate my hands through. I tend to stop swinging once I hit, but I have to remember to keep on going through.

I think I am in another slump. I need to fight thorugh it. And I will. I hate how I have so much pressure on myself to break 100. I have to break 100. I have to.

There are some days when I just want to quit golf. It's too freaking hard, but then I know I am not a quitter and that's not me. So gotta work through this.

But I still like tennis better. I can grunt when I hit the ball. I can take my anger out on the ball. But in golf... that stupid ball taunts me.

Handicap - 2.15.10

28.7

That's my new handicap! I went down from 29 to 28.7, so ya! Let's keep moving down. I don't want it to move up.

Driving Range 2.11.10

Anthony and I went to the range in preparation for Saturday's round of golf. I didn't hit well, but he helped me, especially with my driver.


First, we worked on my routine and applied it to all of my clubs. I stand over the ball way to long. So we worked on me taking my practice swing, setting up to the ball and hitting away. That helped alot. I started to hit better. If I stand over the ball, I start to have doubts and that ruins my confidence. So the next time we play, I have to take my practice swing as if the ball was there. Then I step up, make my small adjustments, take my rehersal takeback and then swing away.


Second, we worked on my driver. I had driver troubles.
- I took the driver back too low.
On my backswing, my hands ended up below my ear. To correct that, he had me swing my club with my left hand to the top of my swing. Where it ended up is where I should be. So we worked on getting me to that position.

- Get wide
I need to get wide to get more power out of my swing. I tend to take it too far inside. So gotta think, stay wide.

Speaking of thinking....

- Swing thoughts
I have no swing thoughts. Anthony asked me what I thought and I don't really think anything. I just think, get the ball high straight and far. Yep I have no swing thoughts. I need to think about my shoulder and upper arm. On the takeback, I need to think stay wide, hands high turn left shoulder. For the downswing and at impact I need to think left side flat at impact and rotate through. These thoughts helped me alot.


Third, he also touched on me rotating through. My hips were sliding and not really rotating around. He told me to think like my forehand, how I rotate through it. Once I got that feeling ingrained, I applied it to my driver and yay! problem solved.

These all helped me and on my final driver shot, I got it to go high, and about 150 yds. =D Glad I got to end on that.

Before he really focused on helping me, I had trouble getting my legs into my swing. So I used the one leg drill. That helped me to stay centered and stop my sway.

I can't hit out of the sand. I have the hardest time accelerating my hands through the ball and entering the sand 1/2 and inch before the ball. I need to practice more, and longer.

I also worked on my putting. I am getting a little better at shortening my backstroke. Now I need to apply it to the course. I still hit it a foot short, so that means I need to aim a little past the hole. Thats for flat shots. I gotta work on my downhill putts. It's really difficult to get the speed right, especially if the green starts to slope near the hole.

Anyways, this Saturday we are going to play 36 holes of golf! Yay! And we are playing it at my favorite course. So I have 2 chances to break 100 I know I can do it too. I know I can. Think positive. And Anthony's cousin is going to play with us, yay! I love playing with her.


So tomorrow at the tee box, I gotta remember what I learned.
-stay wide
-hands high
-rotate left shoulder
-left side flat at impact.

Progressive Gloves Project

Before I started the Toy Turtle, I started my Progressive Gloves project because I finished my sock project. I read that it's good for beginners (ie. me), and that I can tailor it to my gauge. So here it is on the needles:

I started it on 1.27.10, and ya... I haven't gotten that far. I need to work on these, especially if I want to use these before it warms up.

I *heart* Spam Musubi

I made spam musubi!!! YUMMY!! I have been craving this for along time. And I have a mold that I can put to use. It's really easy to make and there are so many ways to make it. Plus it's a lot cheaper to make than to spend $3-$4 on one.

Ingredients
1 can spam, sliced into 8-10 slices
3 cups calrose rice
2 T brown sugar
1 T Aloha Shoyu
Nori

Directions
1. In a shallow bowl, dissolve brown sugar into shoyu.
2. Slice spam into 8-10 slices.
3. Heat up a frying pan on medium-low heat.
4. Soak up spam in brown sugar shoyu mixture for a few minutes.
5. Cook spam until slightly crispy and the brown sugar shoyu mixture caramalizes.
6. Place nori on a plate. Place musubi mold on nori. Scoop rice into mold and press rice down. Place spam on top, remove mold
7. Wrap nori tightly and seal with some water.
8. Eat!

Driving Range 2.6.10 & 2.7.10

Saturdays at the range are interesting. After a few days of not golfing, I don't hit well. Sundays are usually better.

Driver
I can't hit this.

Woods
I did ok here. I was hitting my 9 wood pretty well. I had trouble with my 5 wood. I couldn't hit if off the ground. I kept hitting groundies until I figured out that I needed to hit it harder. That got it up into the air. On Sunday, I couldn't hit my 9 wood, but I could hit my 5 wood. Weird.

Irons
Pretty good. I still need to work on not swaying and keeping my head still.

Chipping
I am working on shortening my backswing, the hinge and hold, and accelerating through. It's hard shortening my backswing.

Bunker - Did not practice... there were puddles in the bunkers

Putting
I changed my stroke by shortening the backswing. This is a good change because I can now continue to accelerate through the ball. Now I don't take too long of a backswing and have to slow down through the ball.

I lost in pig. Again. I had a 2-0 lead (p-i lead?), but Anthony came back and won Jamba Juice. I always do that. I blow the lead. But I did sink a 10 footer to save myself at the beginning. That was pretty sweet.

Turtle Toy - Head and Neck

I started the toy turtle on 2.3.10. So far so good. I finally figured out how to single crochet in a round. I finally put a piece of yarn between the turning chain and the post of the first stitch to mark where the first stitch is. This is where i was having so much trouble. But now I don't. yay!

So here is the head. I read somewhere that I should be stuffing it as I go along, so I need to find some stuffing. I have some pillow stuffing lying around somewhere. I need to make my decreases a little tighter because there are some holes. Oh well, as long as the stuffing stays in, I am fine.

Now I am working on shaping the neck. Well it looks like the bottom of the head, but I trust the pattern that it's the neck.

Tennis on 2.1.10

Oy Oy Oy. Tennis is getting more difficult. So much to learn. It doesn't help that Anthony is getting better and honing in on his tennis skills. I just have to work harder. Today I learned how to do a windshield wiper forehand. I like it better than learning how to do a topspin forehand.

Things to remember..
- eastern forehand grip
- hit ball out in front
- see racket face
- finish low

It's soo much easier to hit and much more natural since I naturally finish my shot low. Also, there was more pace and topspin on my shots. yay!

Anthony also filmed my serve. I hate watching myself on camera, but the camera doesn't lie. So, I do something funky with my serve. I turn the racket face on the takeback instead of taking it straight back. I dunno how to explain it, but I know what's wrong. I also saw how I hit my serve... and I hit like a weakling. It also looks unnatural. I need to work on that too.

Turtle Toy Crochet Project

I love turtles and this toy turtle project is adorable. I'm gonna make it. I don't think I will use naturallycaron.com yarn because it's $5 per skein. I think I'll use my Red Heart Soft yarn. I need to use up my stash. I also want to learn how to single crochet in a round. I still don't get it, and hopefully I will finally learn.

This project meets 2 of my knit/crochet resolutions:
1) learn a new technique - Single Crochet in a round. I can single crochet, but I dunno how to do it in a round.
2) use up yarn stash - I'm gonna try to use up my leftover yarn from my scarf projects.

Got My Handicap....

29.0!!


hehe. time to get it down.

But first I must break 100.

Then I'll get it down.

Heaven Sent Blanket

I found this pattern at Michaels. I'm not making a baby blanket. I'm gonna make this for myself. It looks soft and I think it will take me a whole year to make. That's fine. It can be my on going project.