Brian Shubrook: Ultimate Game Makeover
It's week two of Brian Shubrook's ultimate game makeover and good things are beginning to happen
My second week started with James Ellis at Soho.He is concentrating on the short game .HELP!
He introduced me to a set of dynamic warm up exercises prior to any golf game & encouraged me not to practice too close to any game,but just RELAX! It's different but I can clearly see the strategy.
We then went onto stage 1 of my first lesson. I was asked to forget anything I have previously been taught or read,and begin afresh - not too difficult as my mind on this aspect is totally garbled.
James quickly established a new process of 4 distinct routines ; 1) set up club behind ball 2) setting the body and feet position 3) adjusting my weight 4) keep the club moving through the ball.
I practised this same process for about 30 minutes,never once trying to look up at the target. It all felt very comfortable, but there are nagging thoughts of`does it work on the course?`James then conducted a short chipping test of 10 shots to around 20 yards,in order to put me under a bit more pressure.
I went behind the target to align the shot,and then into my 4 process routine 1,2,3 and 4 hitting the chip.The results were too good to be true - my chips were ending up an average of 4ft from the pin. Last week they were finishing around 20ft away! James's approach is very different to anything I have seen before,but I'm already starting to feel a bit of confidence in my short game. It must be working and I cannot wait for next session!
Later in the week I worked with Steve Smith on my swing.
He concentrated on my initial set up and routine,and this was quickly established:
1.Find the feeling of my swing,especially on the forward motion with a practise swing or `free go`.
2.Begin each routine from behind the ball.Look at the target and establish a `focus point`some -10 feet in front of the ball,in line with the target.
3.Set up to the ball,relax,looking at the focus point.
4.Hit the shot,trying not to react too strongly to either a poor or very good shot.
Steve reaffirmed that I need to continue the same routine for each shot,trying to keep within roughly the same time frame,not rushing or taking too long.
Then consistency will come
He has set a goal of 7/10 shots on the green at 160 yds with a 6 iron. There's room for improvement at the moment!
I have had only 2 weeks to date of lessons,but I'm already feeling very bullish regarding the eventual outcome!