New Player Tips for a Wounded Warrior

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By Theresa B

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  1. I am a Wounded Warrior playing golf for 3 weeks solid now after being told to give up all contact sports. I am a petite female with range of motion (ROM) issues in my hips and lower back. Thanks to the WWP, UTEP Golf students and PGA PRO Lance Strickland I have gotten on a great path to this new sport. So far a 102 and a 111 after 18 holes which I am not ashamed of. I hit my first par today! The problem is finding what works. I use a men's regular box set that was custom shortened for me and now I am getting told all these things from tons of people use x,y,z ball.  However I love the PROV1 and PROV1X balls my main golf tutor uses but my ladies Precepts go farther I just don't seem to get them to fly as high. Both go straight so it is not right? If it is how can I fix it on the range with drills? What is the best Titleist ball for me if that is the issue?  Also, does anyone have any great driving range drills I can work on for the overall game? With my injury I am now allowed to go 5 days a week to the range instead of run. I miss marathon training but I am finding that golfing in a whole is a great sport. I just completed my first tournament and plan to do better then last place next time!   SGT Theresa Brownfield

  2. Tim Tiger

    Tim Tiger
    Tucson, AZ

    First of all thank you for your service and welcome to the Team Titleist forums.  Golf is a great lifelong passion as you will find out.  

    I would advise getting fitted for clubs that will fit your swing as well as get fitted for the proper ball. "Friendly advice"  is a blessing and a curse at times.  Try and stick to what your instructor has told you until you are comfortable with that swing.  He should be able to provide drills for you.  Also try going to the TPI site for golf specific stretches and drills.

    Happy Golfing

    TT

  3. Cath D.

    Cath D.
    Carlsbad, CA

    Theresa B said:

    I am a Wounded Warrior playing golf for 3 weeks solid now after being told to give up all contact sports. I am a petite female with range of motion (ROM) issues in my hips and lower back. Thanks to the WWP, UTEP Golf students and PGA PRO Lance Strickland I have gotten on a great path to this new sport. So far a 102 and a 111 after 18 holes which I am not ashamed of. I hit my first par today! The problem is finding what works. I use a men's regular box set that was custom shortened for me and now I am getting told all these things from tons of people use x,y,z ball.  However I love the PROV1 and PROV1X balls my main golf tutor uses but my ladies Precepts go farther I just don't seem to get them to fly as high. Both go straight so it is not right? If it is how can I fix it on the range with drills? What is the best Titleist ball for me if that is the issue?  Also, does anyone have any great driving range drills I can work on for the overall game? With my injury I am now allowed to go 5 days a week to the range instead of run. I miss marathon training but I am finding that golfing in a whole is a great sport. I just completed my first tournament and plan to do better then last place next time!   SGT Theresa Brownfield

     
    Welcome to the game and to the team!  When you look at golf balls, as a beginner, your priority may be hitting it as far as you can.  In that case, a lower spinning ball will be your first choice.  All things being equal, it will initially launch higher, and as it has less spin, it won't carry as far, but will roll out.  The good thing is that it rolls out, the bad thing is that as you get better, you will realize how important your short shots around the green are going to be to your score.  A low spin ball will be much harder to control - especially off the harder surfaces in Texas. Depending on your launch, speed and spin, the Pro v1 or the Pro V1x can work just fine for you. You will be able to develop a consistent short game both in chips and pitch shots as you will be able to control the distances with those two balls.  If you are looking for distance, you can try the NXT Tour, NXT S or even the Velocity (which is the lowest spinning of the 3). 
    As far as range drills, in the beginning it is important to get the basics down pat.  Consistent set up with feet, grip, and posture.  Alignment sticks are a great aid - you can get driveway markers for several dollars at your local home improvement warehouse or just put down a couple of clubs.  It sounds like you are taking lessons, so Lance should be able to help when you start to stray.  Look in a mirror and watch your positions.  Another thing is to watch the LPGA players with classic swings and your body type.  The LPGA ladies are usually very efficient in their motions so that they can maximize their distances.  Mimic someone with your body type that has a good swing and set up. 
    http://www.mytpi.com/exercises is a good place to get drills and exercises. 
  4. Keith M

    Keith M
    Acworth, GA

    I really don't have any tips for you, but I definitely wanted to thank you for your service. 

    Sounds like you're doing just fine with golf.  My scores are quite similar to yours, I'm a terrible golfer, but it doesn't stop me from playing.  From a ball perspective, I'd recommend the Pro V1x, little higher ball flight, less spin, great feel.  It's what I use.  Or I should say, lose.

  5. Don O

    Don O
    Madison, WI

    First of all, thank you for your service.

    102 after 3 weeks?  Oh, Lord, you're on track just the way you are.  It took me 2 years to get to the realization that I needed the right clubs and lessons to get to 102.  "My way" made a lot of money for Frank Sinatra - not so much for my golf game.

    I've read Cathi's comments and she had great wisdom for you.  TPI can benefit range of motion, hence scoring potential, when geared to your situation.

    I've used various distance balls to reduce loss through slicing with less spin.  As I've become more accomplished, NXT Tour and ProV1x have complimented my game, now, better than the others.  So you don't have to use a ball designed for whoever they market to and there are pro-quality balls you can use to benefit your game.  For now, your current ball is meeting your need.  Once you know your approach shot will be on target for the green, then you'll need to improve your short game to keep it on the green.

    Good luck on continued improvement.

  6. Jim A

    Jim A
    Winona, MN

    SGT,

    Thank you for your service and all you and others have done for all of us!!

    As for tips for you at the range, I would suggest that you work from the green back. The better your short game, the better you will score on the course. I am disabled, but not from the service. I work on my short game all the time. If you develop your short game (putting, chipping, bunker play, and shot to the green from 100 yards and in) you will find that you will break 90 in no time and have other players waiting in line to have you on their team.

    We all like to hit it long, but the game is so much more than hitting it long. That drive counts the same as a 2 foot putt. I can't hit it very far at all anymore, yet I can still score and be very competitive. You can do it and have a great time watching your progress. Never give up and never get discouraged. This is not an easy game, even for the completely healthy. So give it your all and enjoy this great game. You will be able to play this game for a long time and find great peace in doing so. One last piece I may add to this is, try to keep your mind clear when you play. The more clutter you allow in your mind as you play, the worse your game will be. Find a way to stay clear of all negative thoughts and block out the noise and clutter. If you can do that, you will never give up this game or anything else you choose to do.

    Good luck and keeps us posted.

    Jim

  7. Matt B

    Matt B
    Columbus, OH

    Thank you so much for your service & welcome to team Titleist. Since you have signed up for TT it's safe to say you have the same passion for this game as the rest of us no matter the score! I have been playing golf for 25+ years and have learned that there are no real shortcuts to playing better. Cathy is correct, for me its all about trying to perfect the basic swing fundamentals while building a solid short game. You may want to try the NXT S golf ball and see how it reacts for you around the greens, chipping, pitching & putting is the fastest way to lower scores and saving those rounds on days when your swing is off. Enjoy the game!

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