I first met my new swing coach, Jay Lim, a week ago yesterday. I have have been practicing my new swing dutifully since then, with mixed results. I was told it will get worse before it gets better and that certainly has proven true so far. However, yesterday I tweeted this to him from the range: “Hey coach! Last week my 7iron was my 135 club. Now it seems to be my 155! (c: This is so fun! @jaylimgolf” Yes, it seems I have picked up an extra 20 yards with my new swing. That is, when I hit it.  It’s not all puppy dogs and rainbows, unicorns and glitter.
So far I have had one beautiful day when something clicked and I was executing every shot well, striking the ball like never before and drove home with tears of joy in my eyes. It was magical. That was two days ago. Yesterday I had some of that and noticed the gain in yardage but then something unraveled and I could no longer make good contact.
My practice sessions have been quite up and down like that. I have had terribly frustrating days when I think I’m never going to get it and just feel like crying. Those are the times I really have to be mentally strong in this process. I have to stick with the commitment to this swing and not give in to the temptation of reverting to my old one just to make some decent contact and assure myself (and anyone watching) that I can.
Jay and I are still working out how best to approach this long distance method. Well, he knows how he wants me to do it – he’s a professional. I’m making things difficult – I’m somewhat professional at that. His process and manual takes 13 weeks. Granted, not starting completely from scratch so that can probably be accelerated a bit, but when I called Jay in my frustrated misery he said I shouldn’t even really be swinging yet and told me to stop. Of course I hadn’t been following his instructions because I wanted my swing to be at least somewhat course-ready by Monday – yes, tomorrow. My friend Peacha (you may remember me mentioning her in Mesquite) belongs to a country club in Burbank and invited me out to play there and I couldn’t say no. I may literally tear up the course with my swing the way it is but I will definitely be out there. And my old swing – Stella – will NOT be making an appearance no matter how ugly it gets.
It just may end up with us like this… again.
Anyway, after tomorrow I’ll be able to crack down and do things more the “proper” way according to Jay. Not exactly, I’m sure, because I’m a rebel like that, but I do trust him and want to succeed so I won’t be foolish about it.
Also, people are asking what I am changing – specifically – and of course I will get into that. Plenty of information to come! Meanwhile, just know I’m already sore in new and exciting places, and the hard work has only just begun. And now that the US Open is over and I have been extremely inspired by Rory McIlroy, I’m off to the range for tonight’s practice session. Hoping it’s a good tune up for tomorrow’s round!
Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there, especially the best one I know – my daddy. (c:
June 20, 2011 at 2:26 am
That is the kind of stage I am at also. Getting worse before you get better. It is nice to know there are others going through the same thing.
June 21, 2011 at 1:16 am
Congrats on the new swing. you are right in describing it as a roller coaster, but you sound like you are on the right track.
June 21, 2011 at 6:09 pm
Congrats on that new swing of yours. I have been taught by 5 pros and carry a little of each in my swing so I am not to sure which one will show up on any given Sunday, hence the flask in the golf bag. Maybe one year the putting coach will show up for Mesquite, but I think my putting Pro liked to party to much