The Swing Sequence

Yesterday I spent another very cold day on the range (yes, it was 20 degrees; yes, I realize that's crazy). Why am I telling you this? Well I brought my camera with me, and discovered that after taking video with it, I could then split the individual frames up to stills for a nice swing sequence:

I wasn't originally going to post any of this, but my brother encouraged me to. Here's his email analyzing it:

You do an amazing job of keeping your spine angle throughout, and your address angle is perfect. Even though it doesn't necessarily look like it, you have a swing that is closer to one-plane than two. Your take away is on plane the entire time (around your body), where as with a two plane swing the club immediately is above the address line (almost above your shoulders). You also have the wrist rotation in a clockwise fashion, like a one plane swinger. The only difference is (and is probably what to work on) is getting the downswing to match up. You are somewhere in between the two on the downswing. At contact, your club should have gotten back to the same address angle (45 rather than 55). It seems as though you are late getting into the appropriate slot on the way down.

He sounds like a pro, doesn't he? (He's not.)

Anyway, if anyone has any thoughts about how to get into the "appropriate slot" -- or any other thoughts on what I should be doing with my swing -- please feel free to leave suggestions in the comments section.

Until next time....

The Must Plays

I know what you're saying: "Wow! Two posts in two days, and it isn't even golf season!" I know. What can I say? I have golf on the mind.

I decided (a few days late) on my New Year's Resolutions -- specifically, what my must play courses of the year are, and also my must plays for the next 5 years. Here are the groundrules:

• "Must plays" for the year (or the next 5 years) cannot be courses that I played last year.
• "Must plays" for this year should all be fairly local so that it's realistic; must plays for the 5-year list can be a bit more extended.
• I want to be somewhat pragmatic (you'll see what I mean).

Here we go....

MUST PLAYS FOR 2009

1. Olde Marsh Country Club, Wells, ME. One of my favorite places in the world (Wells, site of my childhood vacations) is now home to #10 on golf.com's list of the Best New Courses You Can Play. That's incredible. If there has EVER been a "must play," then this is it.

2. Red Tail Golf Club, Devens, MA. I last played there in August 2007, so it makes the cut. Red Tail is consistently ranked one of the top public courses in the state, and this year it is hosting the U.S. Women's Amateur Public Links -- no small feat. I have to say, my experience is that it is a nice but not great course; I think I need to give it another chance.

3. Cyprian Keyes Golf Club, Boylston, MA. Another course that consistently scores highly in the supposed rankings that I have not played in some time. I need a refresher.

4. Fox Hopyard Golf Club, East Haddam, CT. My brother moved to New York. This is about 1/2 way in between Boston and NYC, and my dad raves about it's sister club (Crumpin-Fox in Bernardston, MA).

5. Presidents' Golf Course, Quincy, MA. This is the pragmatic entry. It's 9 holes, not that well rated, often crowded. But I drive right by it every day and never even think about playing it. Well that's stupid. I need to at least give it a chance before I quit on it entirely.

MUST PLAYS FOR 2009-2013

1. Chambers Bay, University Place, WA. #1 on virtually every single list for best new course last year. Already named the site of the 2015 U.S. Open. Peak season rates are just $139 with $69 for replay. Enough said.

2. Sunday River Golf Club (Bethel, ME) and
3. Sugarloaf Golf Club (Carrabassett Valley, ME). Sister courses based around ski resorts, and according to my uncle 2 of the most beautiful courses anywhere (and he would probably know).

4. The Golf Club at Mansion Ridge, Monroe, NY. Highly touted by my brother and his buddy Chris. I trust them.

5. Bretwood Golf Course (North Course), Keene, NH. Only one on the list that I have played. It remains my favorite layout of any course I've ever played. It's been too long since I've been there... I'll be back.

The New Video

I know, I know, it's been a long time. I could have blogged about my round on 10/13/08 at Butter Brook Golf Club -- which featured an eagle-birdie duo on 16 & 17 -- but I never really flirted with par (3-under on those 2 holes saved the round). I also could have blogged about my round at New York Country Club the day prior to my brother's wedding, but the wedding itself got in the way. Maybe some pictures from the event will do?

Bryan (the groom) on the driving range at sunrise.

Intimidating approach to the par-5 9th hole.

Looking back out from the 9th green; you can see the

NYC skyline in the distance (though not well in the picture).

Well-groomed course with beautiful October foliage.

Left-to-right: Scott, Phil, Bryan, Chris, and Bob.

This is what happens when you live in New England -- the golf season is all too short. Just yesterday, though, I went to the range with my brother to hit balls (because next year I am reaching even par), and we did a little video swing analysis of our own. We definitely have different swings:

Scott, back view, January 2009.

Bryan, back view, January 2009.

Scott, front view, January 2009.

Bryan, front view, January 2009.

My swing has definitely changed since I last did some home videos (see "The Mission"). My posture is definitely better, less hunched over. I also think I've gotten smoother, especially on the backswing, and there's less sway. These seem like good things. It keeps me hopeful.

While I'm here making a winter-time post, I wanted to pass along 2 books I received for Christmas that I'm enjoying:

World Atlas of Golf (Rowlinson) is a combination of golf history, course design, politics, and wonderful hole-by-hole walk-throughs of the best and most famous golf courses in the world. I saw it in Barnes and Noble and was engrossed for a good 20 minutes; then actually received it on X-mas day and have continued to be fascinated.

Follow the Roar (Smiley) is the story of the author's year spent tracking Tiger in every tournament he played in 2008 -- a brief but truly amazing year. So far I'm through the first 2-1/2 tournaments, and it's a good, quick read; entertaining and inciteful.

I suspect there will be another good-sized gap between posts, as the next time I expect to play is in April/May. Unless I end up in Arizona next weekend... doubtful, though.