COMMUNITY

My final analysis of 2011 will be about myself, my swing, and what I need to work on in early 2011 to get me firing on all cylinders in the future.

First off, I would like to say thanks to everyone for making it a fun experience here on Stracka, and I look forward to seeing you all on here in 2012, or maybe even in person. Who knows?

In 2011, I went through a swing change, a shot shape change, and an improved all around short game.

My swing change, is what has got me where I am today. I had this over the top deal, that was very playable, but I couldn't set up properly. My former boss is the primary reason for my better success this year. I may not be hitting greens, but I am getting more accurate, I am starting to get that smooth swing back on track, and I am giving myself chances for pars around the greens.

My shot shape in 2010 was a fade, or sometimes a slice. This struck me strange, because in the late part of 2009 (when I started playing with an old iron set) I was hit a draw and a hook. I have heard this is rare for new golfers, and I see why it is. I am now hitting the draw with my shots, sometimes a hard draw. My driver I would love to be able to command both ways. I would love to command both ways on each club, but I will take the fade on a driver every day of the week. It is much easier to control. Some guys like Phil Mickelson only hit a draw when they have to. I understand he is a lefty, but either way it is easier to control.



There are some things in early 2012 that I have to grind down on:

- I spoke of the driver already.

- I've already spoken about controlling both shot shapes with each club.
   --- This also includes shot creativity.

- What I would like to do, is re learn my punch shots and roll outs. Today, I took a punch 8 and hit it exactly how far I wanted to. I judged it very well. I would like to get all of these figured out, but I already think I have the number in mind for each club. Just to give an example.. My full 8-iron shot is usually about a 150 - 155 carry. My punch shot ends up about 145, and carries about 135 (The maximum full carry of my PW, which will allow me to not get back spin on sloped greens with a punch shot.)

- Hard pan/crappy lies. I get these at a few of the courses I play. Not just me, but everyone. And I would love to be able to give myself a better chance at playing a good shot.

- My putting has really come on. A couple of pulls here and there, but that's golf. I am keeping my head down most times now, and I am pleased with that.

- I have figured out my yardages for inside 100 for the most part, but it still needs to be worked on, for consistency purposes.

- Continue working on getting more greens consistently. My alignment has improved very well with a pre-shot routine the past week or so.


The things I did well in 2011:

- I started being able to strike the ball consistently well.

- My bunker game has improved greatly.

- Learning ways to better my course management

- Minimizing my missed fairways, by not being too far out of the fairway.



I am looking for improvement, and I will work to do this. I can't wait to start off 2012, and I wish a very great 2012 year in golf, in health, and in life each and every one of you. God bless.