[Cathal Brennan]

Hi Rich, I wouldn’t get too down on yourself, I lose and find my swing every few rounds (9 index), it comes and goes to an alarming degree, you just need to have patience and keep working away at it, I’d say the same applies for all golfers in the 7-27 range.

You’re only a year playing, and probably made significant progress at the start, you need to accept that the next phase won’t be a straight line, it’ll zig-zag on the graph but hopefully the trend line will continue to improve.

It’s very unlikely that lesson destroyed your swing, it might just feel like it has. As Jonathan suggests, if you find a coach that will make incremental tweaks to “what you have already” rather than changing it completely you’ll be far better off.

To get back on track yourself, do some practice where the shot outcome is irrelevant, e.g. make a line in the practice bunker and try to hit that line for your ground contact (no ball) or use a divot board or go the beach. Use a dry erase maker to put a red dot on the ball and hit into a net to work on face contact. Stick an alignment rod in the ground a few yards in front of you on the range and try to start the ball left or right of it. Practice trying to hit hooks, slices, and thin shots so you know what the extremes feel like. In short, forget about the swing mechanics, ask your body to perform a task and then get your mind out of it’s way. You’ll find a swing that’s uniquely yours, and hopefully a coach that will make incremental improvements to that swing.

There’s lots of books I could recommend (really depends on what you’re into to): Adam Young https://www.adamyounggolf.com/the-strike-plan/ for ways to train for impact and strike issues, Jon Sherman The Four Foundations or Zen Golf for expectation management. Happy to have a chat with you sometime if it helps.

[Cathal Brennan]

That explains it, I’d be knackered for weeks after that long on the road. Hopefully he’s had a good rest over Christmas and will have the old twinkle back in his eye after a bit of sunshine in January. He’ll always be my favourite golfmate. It can’t be easy for any of ye golfing in the cold in October, so thanks for your efforts, it’s worth twice what we pay for it.

[Cathal Brennan]

Ya, I like the behind the scenes and the banter so long as its in good humour, it all seems too bitter lately, like you’ve told stevie to play up to the grumpy old man tag and he’s overdoing it. I think a man his age deserves a decent bed to kip in, might make him a little less of a whingebucket during the day, let the young lads have the camper.

[Cathal Brennan]

Well done Nicholas, great progress 👏

[Cathal Brennan]

I ordered Nov 6th Andrew and they emailed next day to say it would ship mid December, as its a special batch order. So same boat as you but should have it time for Christmas.

[Cathal Brennan]

Well done Nicolas, that’s great progress in 15 months. It’s good to have a handicap target but be careful not to let it affect your morale/enjoyment of the game. If you approach each round with the mindset of: I’m here to have fun, celebrate the good shots and learn from the bad ones, you’ll find you gradually improve in each area and find your level, whatever that might be.

[Cathal Brennan]

Thanks Christopher

[Cathal Brennan]

Hi, has anyone ordered fenix clothing delivered to Republic of Ireland, if so, were you hit with any extra charges for customs/vat?
I take XL (EU) in ping and footjoy t-shirt, am I safe enough getting XL in fenix also?
Thanks for advice
Cathal

[Cathal Brennan]

Hope he makes a good recovery so

[Cathal Brennan]

Hi Paul, there’s a book called “Hooked” by Kevin Markham which gives decent ratings and insight on most courses in Ireland.

If you’re looking at the east coast, I really enjoyed Killeen Castle and the Royal Curragh.

County Sligo is a good balance for value and great courses, you could play strandhill, enniscrone, and rosses point (or donegal murvagh), all links but can be very nice around May if you get lucky with the weather.

[Cathal Brennan]

I’d second the Cleveland CBX4 Zipcore, very forgiving, I play 52 and 56.

[Cathal Brennan]

It’s amazing isn’t it Brian, he must just have excellent hand eye coordination, that and the shorter backswing with no sway/height change means the low point is so consistent. I love how he smacks the ground just ahead of the ball with the practice swing then goes straight into the real swing without delay, no time for overthinking or getting stuck over the ball. As others have said, it would be great if one of the pros could talk through it with Pat demonstrating.

[Cathal Brennan]

That’s a lovely story to hear John

[Cathal Brennan]

Age:46
From: Galway Bay, Ireland
Started Golf: 2022
Current Handicap: 7 but like Liam, you wouldn’t think it if you saw me play
Best Course Played: Druids Glen
(Reasonable) Bucket List Course (UK): I’d like to tour the hidden gems in Scotland
(Reasonable) Bucket List Course (World): Plenty left to explore in Ireland
Best Score to Par on 18 holes: +4
Holes in one: Not even close
Favourite Golf Mate: The Doctor
Favourite Sports Team: Galway Hurlers, Connacht Rugby
Stroke Play or Match Play: Stroke
Flag In or Flag Out: In
Favourite Men’s Major: The Open

[Cathal Brennan]

Great idea about a video explaining the elements people can take from Pats swing, been trying to get my uncle to copy it for ages.

[Author]

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