up up and 160 yards away.

Today was one of those rare landmark days as far as I’m concerned. I finally got the “okay” from Christopher to break out the 6-iron. It’s not for course use yet, (that will come once my scores are a little lower with the 8-iron) but it’s to get a feel for the club on the driving range and to keep things interesting for the time being. The idea is that I’m close enough to using it on the course, so might as well get used to hitting it now.

Here’s the beauty:

and for the record, it’s amazing to have fresh grooves on a club. Speaking of fresh grooves: next Thursday I’m heading down to see the Nike club builders in Tigard to get fit for the next few clubs as well as get some new wedges because mine are almost completely shot. I’m not getting any spin back, even with a well-struck fully-swung 56 degree loft wedge. The ones I have are almost smooth after the past 8 months of use, and not getting much grip on the ball.

As the week went on, my morale improved and my game started to head back in the right direction. It’s amazing how cyclical golf is. At this point, I’m very aware that the down times will pass, but it never makes them any easier. That said, this time I knew good times were around the corner, walked away frustrated Wednesday night but found my mojo on the course Thursday and ran with it. What it took was simply going out and playing nine holes without any expectations and basically just for fun. I hit some great shots, remembered my swing, made good putts and was back on track. I even shot my first birdie on a par 5 which consisted of 3 140 yard 8-iron shots and a 60 foot birdie putt. Not the prettiest or easiest way to get it done, but you don’t draw pictures on the scorecard. I’ve hit a birdie on plenty of par 3s and a handful of par 4s, but never on a full-length on par 5. Hopefully this is a new trend in the world of Dan Plan golfing.

Here’s a sunset self portrait from the week:

And one more shot.. I read through the complete rule book for the PGA, but didn’t see anything about a train hazard:

Other news: I’m talking with an Italian writer tomorrow for a story in La Repubblica newspaper. Will let you know when that runs. I’m very curious as to what she will ask as well as how she heard about what I am doing here in Oregon. I also had a photo shoot for Bloomberg Business week this past week and will post something when that runs. It was a fun shoot where we went out and played “Urban Golf” which is a game that my neighbor and I created to play in the evenings where we take a 56 degree loft wedge and aim at different trees and picnic tables around the neighborhood, quite fun. Urban golfing is definitely not included in the 10,000 hours of deliberate practice, though.

I’m supposed to be “off” tomorrow, but feeling as good as I do now I will probably be back out there hitting some, hopefully, crisp 6-irons. This next week will bring some good par chances from 140, and I want to get a jump start on it.

14 Responses to "up up and 160 yards away."

Linda says:

July 16, 2011 at 10:21 am

Maybe Urban golfing will be the next “futsal” for golf? who knows – it could very well be an important part of the 10,000 hours of deliberate practice.
sorry – I haven’t read too much of your blog yet – but I’m assuming you’ve also read “Bounce” – by Matthew Syed too? If not, it’s a must read!
Best of luck!
dan says:

July 16, 2011 at 11:00 am

Hello again, I haven’t read Bounce, but it’s often recommended so perhaps I’ll pick it up this weekend
Tony says:

July 17, 2011 at 12:23 pm

It’s a big jump from a 8 iron to a 6 … I find the 6 much harder to hit. Let us know how it goes.
dan says:

July 17, 2011 at 1:43 pm

Hi Tony,

There’s definitely a difference between those clubs. So far, I’ve hit the 6 more consistently than the 8. Not sure if this is due to higher concentration or if the club fits my swing better, but whatever the reason I’m quite enjoying it!
Logan says:

July 18, 2011 at 3:56 am

Out of curiosity how far are you hitting the 6 iron?

I myself am also looking to really ramp up my golf game and start dedicating some serious time to it (not as hardcore as you are) but like 15 hours a week or so. Its difficult to devote more time than that right now due to my anesthesia residency (two years remaining). My other question to you was, what made you go with chris as your golf instructor? Did you get referred by a friend, associate? Or did you simply interview a few of them and liked Chris the best? Im curious because i am in that process now and not sure the best way to go about locating a golf instructor. I did a swing eval at golftec but i fear with the swing evaluation i may develop paralysis by analysis. Anyways, what you are doing is awesome and is something to be applauded. I’m rooting for you and will be very curious to see what you will be shooting once you get a full set of clubs mastered!
Tom says:

July 18, 2011 at 10:11 am

I read a really interesting article last week on Golf.Com about the kid in the British Open, Lewis. (The Amateur). In the Article, his father, who I think was a Pro a Par 3 course said that he would not allow his son to play the course growing up. Instead, he insisted that he only play a longer and more challenging proper course. His reasoning was that the kids who grew up playing the easier course would not progress beyond that level because they did not have the practice and experience hitting a driver. A fact which apparently was true in their case.

I have no idea which approach is correct but it was interesting to me. I was always taught that the swing should be similar as you progress through the clubs so I also struggle with the logic behind your instructors desire to limit your exposure to various clubs.

Just curious about your thoughts.

Tom
Darren says:

July 18, 2011 at 11:49 am

As an avid follower (and having only started golf a year ago myself), I’m curious to know if your 8 iron and wedges were fitted for you. If they were, did you get to hit an off-the-shelf version of the same club beforehand for comparison? I’m wondering if a fitting would make a difference in accuracy, though I suppose I could just bite the bullet and go get a fitted 6 or 8 and see for myself, but would be curious to hear your opinion either way.

Keep up the hard work!
dan says:

July 19, 2011 at 9:10 am

Logan,

Picking a coach that you respect and get along with is crucial for learning. Christopher and I met through a mutual friend of a friend type situation. I had looked at a few other coaches, but liked Christopher’s coaching style as well as his attitude towards the project and his willingness to think outside of the box and approach learning a bit differently. Not sure where you live, but I would definitely check out a few coaches and see who you get along with and then give that person enough time to prove their teaching style. Stick with them for at least a few months to see if what they are teaching really works, because changes are never immediate. Long story short, try and find someone that you like to work with, just make sure they are credible and you put in the work that they ask.

Thanks for reading and the comment!
dan says:

July 19, 2011 at 9:20 am

Hello Tom,

It’s hard to say which approach is correct, but I think that as long as you continue to improve and keep an open mind either way can pan out for any golfer. There are examples of pros who started on little chip and putts and only after years of experience moved on to larger courses, then there are people like Seve Ballesteros who started with only a 5-iron. I’m certain that there are plenty of pros who grew up on long difficult tracks and learned that way with all 14 clubs.

Christopher and I have talked a good bit about when to introduce the driver and it won’t be this summer, but sometime soon we will start using it on the range to get the mechanics down well before we introduce it to the course. Lots to work on and learn in the time being, though.

Thanks for the comment!
Dan
dan says:

July 19, 2011 at 9:28 am

Darren,

Thanks for the comment and for following along! The wedges I currently use were not fit for me, they are a stock 8-iron, PW and 56 degree. I’ve built my swing with these wedges. Seems to me that you would want to wait until you have a consistent contact and swing down before having your clubs fit. That said, I am heading for a club fitting this Thursday and am super excited about it. I, more or less, have developed the swing that I will have through the irons and am going to see what the fellows at Nike say about adjusting the clubs accordingly. If you feel comfortable in how you swing, perhaps it’s time to get fitted too.

Let me know if you get fitted and if it makes a difference and I’ll do the same.

Cheers!
Dan
Tony says:

July 19, 2011 at 6:49 pm

I can see why you’d hold off adding Driver, but maybe a 5 Wood would be a good place to start. It’s a similar swing but will give you something to get 200 off the tee and isn’t a hard club to hit (compared to a driver).

When i started I wasnt “allowed” to buy a 3 wood or driver until I had maxed out with the 5 wood. Turned out well and the strongest part of my game is my driver now.
dan says:

July 20, 2011 at 9:55 pm

Hi Tony,

I think the five wood will come soon. First thing first, get my full swing in a comfortable zone with the 8-iron and 6-iron and then perhaps a four hybrid. After that, it very well be a five wood. Hard to say right now, but that makes sense to me too..

Thanks!
Tim Halberg says:

August 1, 2011 at 5:53 pm

still in spiring me man! keep it up!

also inspiring me to head out and focus on one club at a time in some sort of way/fashion for myself….

oh… and urban golf, I’ve heard of guys doing cross country golf through fields or connecting holes, or even connecting different golf courses… but I’m LOVING the idea of taking out my spare wedge and going cross country, gonna have to try that with a buddy soon!
dan says:

August 3, 2011 at 8:18 am

Hey Tim,

Urban golf is a great time. Just get that lob wedge out and aim for whatever is around that’s non-breakable.. Usually trash cans, picnic tables, trees, baseball fields, water fountains, etc… Could be a whole new sport!

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