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Hey all,

Over the winter I've dedicated to rebuild my swing from scratch. Starting with the grip, set-up, stance, etc.

I'm approaching it as if I've never played the game. No expectations, no getting miffed at bad shots, just working on a complete rebuild until I get it right.

Right now everything feels extremely awkward. But, if I want to get better I have to stick with it. I have to be patient, and no going back to old habits.

We'll see what happens...

Well good for you for committing yourself to that! Just a few things, are you going to be working with a coach to do this? I think that would probably help you a lot. Just saying this because we don't want another David Duval incident.

You are looking at it in the right way though, not any really high expectations, no getting mad at bad shots...

Good luck

Thats a big commitment to make and i wish you luck with it,it took me long enough to get ysed to a slight change in my grip,cant imagine more or less starting from scratch.

Golf is mental, physical, and technique.

You are only rebuilding the technique part. I personally think you should rebuild your physical condition first, then mental, and then swing last. It sounds like you have started with the swing or technique first. Your words about rebuilding your swing are correct, but as a betting man, I think people can talk the talk, and not walk the walk. It's like when a politician talks about their plans to help the middle class. I just don't believe it.

Your mind still remembers the old swing and your past. I even think the mind is more important than the other 2 components. You may gain in confidence with your rebuilt swing, but it can go the other way too, and in a hurry. I hope not.

Your physical condition is the same as before, so your body can only perform what your muscles allow us to do. We all do not have the flexibility of Tiger, so why try to swing like him. Maybe your hips cannot turn so much. Either way, you have physical limitations that a rebuilt swing by itself cannot overcome.

I wish you the best of luck with the rebuilt swing and hope you stick with it longer than a set of clubs. It will take a lot to achieve this rebuild.

Best of luck.

Thanks for your kind comments. I've been working out regularly, stretching, and for 52 am in good shape. As far as the mental approach goes I am ready for this commitment, so I've thrown everything out...though they sometimes have a way of creeping back in.

I went to the range today to try things out for the first time (gap wedge and 7-iron). While it felt very awkward the ball was at least going straight more often than not. I just focused on the grip, set-up, etc., and really didn't worry about where the ball went. I hit some shots that went very straight with some distance. Yes, I hit plenty of bad shots, but I hit enough good ones to know this works for me. I just need to be patient. It was in the low 20s and the balls were a bit hard.

With regards to a coach, I am doing this on my own, along with a book. I've had so many lessons, read so many articles, watched so many videos I'm just trying to tailor make something for me. My backswing is so much shorter (feels very strange and I have to stop myself from overswinging), but when I do it right I make solid contact and the ball goes straight and farther than normal, which for me hasn't been all that far. This is only stage one. I still have a loooooong way to go. I didn't hit a ton of balls as I was just trying to get a feel for the grip, stance, takeaway, etc. Tomorrow my son has a golf lesson so I'll bring some more clubs and see what happens.

The most difficult things for me to get right are:

• Lateral weight shift on downswing (the hips will rotate automatically if I do this correctly)
• Allowing my legs and hips drive the club, not my arms and/or hands (when I do it correctly my arms naturally drop into the "slot" and a lot of lag is created).

The grip feels better, it just takes me longer to get my hands on the club, and the takeaway, while still awkward is getting there. I have my checkpoints to verify if I am doing this correctly.

The weather is going to warm up next week so I am hoping to play 18 and see what happens. I'll probably play from the mid-front set of tees so I don't get caught up in distance, but rather focus on execution.

I'm sticking with it. If I want to get better I have to change. No shortcuts and I just have to deal with the weirdness of it all.

That is totally awesome news! Just stay committed. Nothing comes easy and hard work can pay off.

Thanks, Andy. The key for me is keeping frustration at bay, staying patient, and sticking with it. I'm a bit intimidated, but excited as well.

Sounds great! Though I still think I'd use something as a target so that you get used to lining up the new "you".

Avatar: Best of luck with your endeavor!

I started a swing overhaul a few years ago, and it is starting to pay off, though not as fast as I would have liked. My best swings are now beautiful swings, that I could not possibly have accidentally stumbled upon without the work I put in. I am now capable of executing perfect shots (don't get me wrong: these are a rarity, but they now are at least a possibility, when they weren't before).

A quick comment on the quote from your post: Regarding the grip (and also setup-alignment): Don't stand over the ball too long on the course or the range tensing up while trying to get this right! That would make a good swing nearly impossible. I find it helpful to practice the 'fundamentals' (as well as the backswing) at home, with the help of some mirrors, clubs on the floor etc.. That will help you execute more quickly (and more tension-free) when hitting balls for real.

Thanks, SS! I keep loose over the ball, for the very reason you state. In addition I do work on the grip, set-up at home. Can't swing though as the ceilings are too low.

How's the game coming after the rebuild? Have you been able to keep your new swing?