Here we go 'round

Happy with the Jimmy Ballard golf swing and the way I'm hitting the ball. Nothing is perfect of course, but I'm now feeling that everything is simpler, less technical. For example, I now know that it's OK for me to hit hard with my right side and hand, provided I set up, coil and transfer my weight properly.

I'm basically hitting the ball straight with a tendency to hit a draw with fairway woods and hybrids, and slight fades with my driver. Irons are a bit more uncertain as I still haven't quite got my timing right. I think that takes more time with this more right-sided technique. I'm pulling a few short iron shots also, so I know that I need to work on my follow through.

The biggest change for me in a very short space of time is reversion to my old ten finger grip, not only for full shots, but for putting. I'm actually putting conventionally with right hand low (right-hander), but tucking my elbows in tight for the short putts to limit putter movement. This tight feeling adds stability to the club face and restricts the backswing, so is only for inside six feet or so.

The reason for this putting change is that I've realised I am a pretty good feel putter for the longer ranges and a reasonable green reader - so there's no reason to adopt a special grip. For short putts, I can miss them with any grip, so why bother doing anything other than keep myself as stable as possible.

The elbows-in tip came to me many years ago from the late Richard Norman, a social golfer like me at the time. I don't know why I neglected this method for so long because it works - at least it works for me as well as anything will.

Anyhow, I'm going along reasonably well at the moment with these new ideas, but let's see what comes up 'round the corner.