Went out to see Christopher at Pumpkin Ridge today and it was unexpectedly cold out. Weather said it was supposed to hit 65, but there was a breeze out of the west that must have been in the low 40s. Made me think that I need to have a spare change of everything in my car just in case, would be a shame to get out to a course somewhere and have to stop playing because I forgot a raincoat, or to just have a miserable time because I didn’t have gloves or a coat..

That aside, we went over a lot of new material and answered some questions I had about putting.
First off, I wasn’t sure if when you are putting you are supposed to keep your legs still or swing them along with your upper body. Coach set me straight about that one and gave me a practice routine focussing on NOT moving anything below the waist. On a side note, he emphasized a few times that there is no “right” way of swinging, but rather there are a few proven methods that could accelerate my progress.
In that line of thought, we also examined the distance I was standing away from the ball and adjusted that to where I was bending my back a bit more. Also, he drew a red dot on the ball and wanted me to keep seeing that dot for at least half a second after I hit it, ie don’t turn my head until the swing is finished.
Between those three new approach techniques, I think I have my hands full this coming week just to get back to where I was as far as consistency. I went back out after our lesson and where I was hitting four of every six putts, I’m now just barely over three. But, I like this new challenge and realize that the next four years will be nothing without constant reassessments and adjustments.

Also met with Derrin Painter today and talked about his year-long course of cognitive development. Christopher is a big proponent of it and I must admit I am interested, but finding it a bit hard to bite the bullet and commit to it for a year. But, am going in tomorrow to have a two-hour long assessment of my brain where he will tell me how my brain works and how he can improve it. I’m very interested. About him: he used to be a professional distance runner with team USA and now works in sports psychology and brain development. He has clients from pro athletes to children and adults with attention or other mental difficulties. Not sure what to expect. Will know more tomorrow.

Outside if all of that, felt good today, only a bit of back soreness and fatigue, but all in all, it’s been a great first full week.

I think I love my new job. I say think because there’s bound to be some very trying times, but if there are a lot of days like today, I’m going to love this.

Not that today was especially good for any reason, it was rainy out and my putting was about where one would think it would be after just three days of practice, but because it is just me pushing me out there. If I do poorly, I can only blame myself, and if great things happen, it’s because I’ve practiced sufficiently. And, there is no “running late to work” or “skipping out early,” but instead I get to train as hard as I feel I can and call it a day before I start to make mistakes that would hinder my progress. It’s pretty much a perfect job, outside of the whole “pay” thing… But, that will come with success in The Plan, so the harder I train, the more likely I will be able to keep this up! Four years is the goal, but for now, just taking it day by day, then week by week, month by month, etc..

So, I think I love my new job, and did I mention that it rained on and off all day today?

This was the first week of foregoing my life as a commercial photographer and entering into the world of full-time golfer.  But, it wasn’t quite a full transition yet, because we didn’t start golfing until Thursday, so had the beginning of the week to get other things organized, which turned out to be a godsend, because I got the house finished and the inspector came and approved the year-long project of finishing my basement.  Now, with that finished and having quit my job, I am free to fully pursue golfing for the next four years.

So, week one was a success.  Along with the other stuff, I got to be out on the greens for about 13 hours this week and actually enjoyed every minute of it.  I do realize that my sense of excitement will wane over the months and years, but I just hope that I can remember these first days when I’m getting bogged down by the enormity of it all somewhere down the road.  I think the constant encouragement I am already getting from strangers will help (Can’t count the number of people who have said that this is either their dream or that they have always wanted to pursue something similar).  But, all in all, we’re just looking from day to day.  For today, I move into the new bedroom down in the basement and contact a friend of a friend who expressed interest in doing some of the filming for The Plan.

It’s also my first weekend, so I’m off to have a cup of tea and do a bit of relaxing..

Just got back from my first actual lesson with Christopher Smith (CS).  We met out at Pumpkin Ridge and went over a few tasks that I will be doing for the first few weeks/months of the plan.   All in all, I was definitely a beginner, but am really excited about getting started and changing that.  Even from the beginning of our lesson to the end I noticed a slight difference in my ability to aim and control the ball.

CS had me first putt from about 18″ away, placing the balls in a circle around the hole.  I missed two of the first six I attempted, but once I got a feel for the putter (was using one of his as a “loaner” until mine gets in, it’s still in the mail).  After that, I made 50 of 50 without too much of a hitch, although most of those were not hit dead center and I could tell that if it was from even two feet out I would have been missing left and right..

Next we decided to do an exercise that was suggested by Dr. Hill.  The point of this one, I think, is to gain control of distance and angle of putts.  We measured out a ten foot length of the putting green and placed a coin on both sides.  We putted ten balls from coin “A” and measured the distance the ball landed away from coin “B,” from both how far left or right the ball landed and how far in front or behind I hit it.  Then we did the same, except from “B” to “A.”  For future reference, we called this the “ten foot measurement pass.”  I was much better, for some unknown reason, hitting the ball from “B” to “A.”  I haven’t crunched the numbers yet, but I’d say I averaged 30″ behind the ball hitting from “A” to “B” and about 10″ the other direction.  as a distance left or right, from “A” to “B” I missed by an average of 8″ and only 4″ the other way.

We also did a guessing game where I hit the same distance and without looking where the ball went I tried to guess where it landed.  I was ok at guessing whether it landed to the left or right, but my feel for distance was pretty far off.

Finally, we marked off six spots around a hole that were three feet away and putted going around in a circle to see how consistent I could hit the ball.  CS was a bit stale himself at first when he tried, sinking 3 of 6 on the first round (in his defense he was using a brand new putter too..) but then got his rhythm and sunk the next 6 for 6.  I started off pretty well, sinking 10 of my first 12, then settled down to average 4 of 6 for the first 60.  Was going to do 100, but needed to get Peter, who was there shooting video, back to Portland and we were both hungry, so left Pumpkin Ridge for the day.

So, now I have a few games/exercises in my repertoire for the coming weeks.  Start small, there’s plenty of time!

CS and I meet next Thursday.  For now, it’s back out for a couple more hours today and then off to Kor tomorrow AM for workout number 2 with Donn.  (Guess it’s about time for another one, my muscles have had three nice days to be sore.)