Hi All,

If you want to skip my life story (I got a bit carried away) skip to the second post where I outline where I am now and what I’m working on.

First I’ll start with a bit of back ground about me and my golf. I first learnt to play golf when I was 11, my Dad gave me my grandmother’s old 5 iron and a few balls and stuck a post in a paddock. I was an only child living on a farm in England and I think he just wanted me out of his hair over the holidays. I used to just to make up my own courses and hacked around the farm. When I was 12 I moved to Australia (Upper Beaconsfield in Victoria). At the time I was big into Squash (I had been ranked 3rd in U12 in the UK), and rugby, golf wasn’t really on my radar, I was far to hyper active to stay interested in a golf for more than 1 hour. My parents joined my up to Beacon Hills who had a decent number of juniors to help me make a few friends in a new area. I quite enjoyed the junior clinics they had, but got bored playing pretty quickly. We moved to Ballarat a year later and I then I only played in the school holidays a couple of times. I was still big into squash which took up 99% of my life until I gave up dreaming of going pro when I was 16, I was just over it big time.

It wasn’t until I went to uni that I started to play a bit more golf. I had a friend who was pretty handy (he was in the Vic Country squad as a junior) who I started playing with every Thursday arvo at Yarra Bend. I really started to enjoy the game, but really couldn’t afford to join a club and was playing soccer and cricket for Melb Uni so didn’t have much time. I did learn a lot from my friend though.

I did end up joining Mansfield GC (my parents retired up there) as it was only $200 for me. I got my first handicap over the 2004/05 summer which was 26. By the end of that summer I was pretty much hooked and my handicap was down to 14. Once back at uni I was only playing once or twice a month, and my hc stayed around there for a couple of years.

4 years ago I moved to Cranbourne South with my now wife and joined the Amstel GC (I was still 24 so it was pretty cheap). I was only 5 minutes from the course and started to go to the course a few times during the week in the summer after work. I got my handicap down to 11 that summer, then didn’t really play much over winter.

The next summer I was really determined to get to single figures. Soon as daylight saving kicked in I went to the course most evenings and hit balls mindlessly on the range and did a little bit of short game work. I didn’t improve as fast as I had hoped and seemed to be stuck so I thought I’d get some lessons. In that November I got a 5 lesson pack with the pro at Amstel, and did all the drills he prescribed. It really didn’t work for me though, I totally lost my rhythm and I went from 10 to 14 (on the old system where you only went out .1 each round). I was totally demoralised by the end of December and gave up golf for two months. I started to play again in March and just worked on trying to get my rhythm back. I seemed to work and soon I reached my goal on 9.

Pretty much soon as I got to 9 daylight savings was over and I couldn’t practise in the evenings any more. My hc stuck around 8-9 over winter which I was pretty happy with. Again when daylight savings kicked back in the next summer I was really looking forward to trying to get down to 6 (my next goal). I started to do a lot more practise on my short game and it really did pay off, but my ball striking ball still pretty terrible for a single figure golfer. I got down to my goal, and then aimed for 4, but got totally suck at 6. Then again winter came around again I didn’t really play at all, the weather was terrible and the course was closed for over a month.

Next summer I set my goal to get into the Pennant team. For that I really needed to get down to 3 or 4. I worked pretty hard again but my bunker play really let me down. I was so scared of getting into a bunker I would miss greens by 20m the other side. I decided after trying to teach myself bunker play and failing, that it was time to have a lesson on it. I ended up having 3 lessons in December with the Amstel pro and made a huge improvement. I started to get up and down from bunker quite a bit, and it totally changed my game. I was more willing to attack pins and subsequently started to make more birdies. I got down to 4 by the start of the pennant session but was 8th out of a team of 7 for the first 3 rounds. I got my chance in the 4th round and had a good win, I was totally pumped and really worked hard on my game for the rest of the session. I ended up winning 3 and lost 1 playing at #1 so I was pretty happy with myself. Again I didn’t play much over winter, though a bit more than other years.

Looking forward to your journey!

That brings me round to this summer. Again I’ve been working pretty hard, I set my goal to get to 2 by the end of February and reached that with about 3 weeks to spare. My ball striking still isn’t anywhere near where I want it to be, I hit a large number of thin shots which I’ve worked out is mostly due to by shallow angle of attack, which is in turn is due to a large hip slide I have which means I lean away from the target on the down swing. After spending ages trying to work on this myself, and with only wear marks on the hossles of my clubs I thought it was time to get some more coaching.

I put a post on this forum asking it anyone knew a coach in the Cranbourne/Frankston area that did lessons indoors so I could work on my game over winter in the evenings. Zenstb responded to the post saying he was a “coach” in the area. I gave him an email and worked out that he was attached to a program called Zenolink. It all looked very interesting to me, and as I’d had a bad experience working with a traditional pro I thought I’d give it a go.

I lined up to see Scott a couple of weeks ago. He was based out of a gym where I used to play a lot of squash which I found a bit nostalgic and quite sad as I now play squash for the club that used to be based out of those courts. As a very basic outline of Zenolink they take a couple of videos of your swing with high speed cameras from two angles. That then gets sent to the US to be processed. About a week later get back a load of graphs and animations looking at your hip, shoulder, arm, and club movement though the swing. Its incredibly detailed and if you were just given that it would be double Dutch. You also get a personalised PST (I think it stands for Progressive Skills Training) program which is kind of like a golf focused gym workout aimed at fixes whatever issues the Zenolink output picks up.

In the first session my Scott I expected to just say hi, talk a little about myself and my game, then hit a few shots for the video and that would be it. I allowed 30 minutes for it in my mind. Scott spent a lot more time with me than that. We went over a lot of the concepts of the Zenolink system, he showed me a few examples of the outputs and the PST training that people get. He also got me to get a golfing specific personality test done through Clear Key golf so that he could tailor the way he worked with me to my personality. The results were pretty interesting and I didn’t think I would be in the group I ended up in, but the more I think about it the more I do fit there. I ended up spending over 2 hours with Scott.

Anyway when the results of the Zenolink came in I went to see Scott again. This time I was expecting to maybe take an hour going over the results and the PST workout. First we went over the results and he explained what I all meant and when I need to improve on, and as I kind of expected it was all about my lower body mechanics (or lack of anyway). I got 7 different exercises to do, with 10 reps of each in order and done 3 times a week. Scott took me through each on, and made sure I was clear on them before we would move on. If you’ve seen much of Scott’s other posts about ground forces he also went through that we me as its what I’m lacking. I ended up spending 3 hours with Scott, but was pretty clear on what I have to work on.

Before I played on Saturday I thought I’d do a workout, but realised after one set that if I did 2 more I would be exhausted. I played pretty well for the first 9 (1 over), but was pretty much physically spent by the 12th hole, I need to really build up some strength in my legs and core. I ended up with only 11 stableford points on the back nine, which was disappointing, but I was overall encouraged that I was been able to play the front 9 ok. I think the big benefit for me is that you don’t do the training on the range as much as you do it in a gym (or shed for me), it doesn’t mess with my mind as much.

I did my first full PST session yesterday and felt I was finally starting to understand the movements, though they are still very much conscious thoughts rather than being natural automatic movement which is then end goal. I know it isn’t going to be a quick fix, that’s not really the selling point for Zenolink. I won’t really be able to qualify any results of it until I’ve done at least my first 6 week program. I’m keeping a lot of stats now (at Scott’s orders) which will also hopefully show an improvement in my GIR and proximity the hole. I’m also going to be keeping a journal of all my rounds with the intention of being able to see thought, mood, playing style etc patterns in my game.

Scott also mentions that if he does seem a negative pattern in my journal or stats that he will help me with it, or point me to someone that can. He is very good is saying that he doesn’t know everything and if he thinks I need help in a specific area that he can’t really help me with, he will point me to someone how me believes would be the best to help me with it. It’s refreshing to see that and makes me feel a bit more confident in having him as a hub in my game.

Smilesy. Welcome to the Zenolink Family. I myself just did my Clear Key profile the other night. its a real eye opener.

Smilesy,
I’ll be watching your posts with interest. I am in the UK, and have decided to start Zenolink after my playing season, maybe in Sep/Oct, so that I can spend next winter working on it.

Best of luck with it, keep up the posts!

Good luck I’ll be watching your posts with interest…..

i will be watching
the costs
none yet

Welcome Smilesy – interested to hear what your experience is in trying to get to plus

Yesterday evening I went to see Scott again to make sure I was doing my PST correctly and also to look at a gym workout. Firstly we started in the gym and Scott gave me a pretty comprehensive program, that it mainly aimed at increasing my mobility and flexibility. I hadn’t realised I was as bad as I am in that regard, especially my shoulders which really hunch forward. I really can’t get into a correct address position do to it. Loads of shoulder and pec stretching to be done. I also have to do a few core strengthening exercises to do, and a load of exercises to try and get my glutes activated.

After that we went back into the room (it’s a converted squash court with a hitting net in it with loads of space) and went over my PST exercises to make sure I’m doing them correctly. He was pretty happy with my progress there, but did have a few things to fix up. He took videos when I first did the exercises and there was a noticeable difference already when I did them. I’m starting to see where we are aiming for, though I know it will take me a while to transfer it into an automatic movement in my golf swing.

Again I spent another two hours going through it all. Scott definitely doesn’t short change you time wise which is nice change from your average coach who tends to be pretty strict time wise.

He also has me reading a book call The Double Connexion by Dr Carey Mumford. It’s an interesting read, though a bit dry, but the points made in it make perfect sense. There is an old post on this forum about it if you’re interested. The end goal of it is to make you swing in an automatic mode and not have to think about the mechanics of the swing while your swinging. There are some strategies in the book for practise that will hopefully help me in that field.

Over the last couple of weeks I’ve been working pretty hard on my PST exercises and also doing the stretching and leg exercises that Scott has me doing. I’ve pretty much had to halve the number reps he wants me doing, I’m just so weak.
Anyway I thought I was starting to get the hang of it all, then I played Saturday and got a bit of a rude awakening. I played like a total dog, I had no idea how to swing the club at all and ended up with 28 points. You know the sort of day where everything feels totally unnatural it was one of those. I was quite demoralised by it, I know it is going to take a while for the changes I’m trying to make to really give me any benefit, but it’s just not fun to play crap.

In the arvo Scott gave me a call to see how I went (no one can say he doesn’t give you enough support). Anyway halve way through taking with him I worked out what I’d been doing. One of the main things I’m working on is core separation, allowing the upper body to rotate back while the lower body doesn’t move too much. I worked out what I had been doing was just not moving my upper or lower body, and just swinging with my arms. After that revelation I hit a few balls in our back paddock, it was a bit of eureka moment. I could finally sort of feel what I was aiming for, and know when I had done something different.

I also played Sunday on a course I’d never played before (Peninsula North, I thought it was a great layout), going in expecting to play pretty poorly but not focusing on the score more on the process. I ended up 6 over, so not great but considering I lost 5 shots due to terrible bunker shots on 2 holes, I was really happy. I hit some great shots that just didn’t do quite what I expected (I’ve been hitting a 5-10m draw for a couple of years and I seem to be hitting it much straighter when I do the right thing) and put me into trouble, but I was really happy with them

So after being very down about it all on Saturday, I’m now really confident that I’m going in the right direction, I just have to be patient with it all.

Smilesy,
keep going. Great to see not only that you are making progress, but it also helps me keep going when other people struggle and lose it along the way as well.

You are well ahead of me in all of this, but I do feel sure about 1 thing: if you turn pivot ideas into swing thoughts, you are stuffed.

The only way is to feel the difference, then you go with the feel. You described that very well.

Great posts, I really hope you get there.

I had a almost great round on Tuesday at Keysborough, ended up 5 over, but hit the ball as well as I ever have. For the first time since starting my Zenolink program my swing felt natural again. I had a good chat with Scott on the phone Saturday on the way to range and think it really helped.

Anyway I started birdie birdie, both pretty much tap ins, then on the next hole I pushed my tee shot on a par 4 a little bit and it plugged in a bunker, I mean really plugged, I couldn’t find it straight away. Ended up with a double there. I then lipped out for birdie on the next hole which I was really pretty happy with, after bad luck I sometimes implode a bit. I then made another double, but one I wasn’t too unhappy with as strange as that sounds. I hit a great drive straight down the middle and had just over 150m in, hit a smooth 7i and pured it. The pin was in roughly the middle of the green and the back edge was about 165m, I was posing on it, thinking short birdie putt again, but to my shock I airmailed the green. I have never hit a 7i over 160, this must have been closer to 170. The same thing happened on the 9th (my 18th). I also 3 putted a couple of par 5’s when being a bit aggressive with the first putt.

I’m now itching for the weekend, and hoping it wasn’t just one of those great ball striking rounds, but that my swing is actually getting better. Its just the sort of thing I needed to keep me really motivated and believing that I’m moving the right way. Now I just need to try and find some time for some putting practise.

The Zenolink must be kicking if you are getting that much extra distance, kind of annoying and awesome at the same time. Keep it up.

Yeah, just need to get recalibrated now. With winter coming the ball won’t travel as far, so there may not be a huge difference over winter which might help me

In the last month I’ve played some of my best and worst golf, all in the same rounds. I’ve had some shoulder issues that have really hampered any training, but I’ve finally got that sorted (I need to sit properly at work) and I’m now hitting the exercises from Zenolink again. The last two comp rounds I’ve played I’ve started birdie birdie, then blown out (at least a double) on the 3rd or 4th hole, its so annoying when you get your hopes up then they get crushed.

I haven’t been able to do much short game work now that its dark after work which has been reflected been strongly on the course. I can’t buy and up and down, and my putting has been pretty hit and miss. I seem to dropping some great putts, then the next hole I’ll 3 putt from 4m. I just need to spend some good session practising it all.

Starting the Zenolink program I really had two goals, to improve my ball striking with my irons, and to improve my consistency. After 2 months my ball striking has defiantly improved, I’m hitting 8/10 shots pure, which is a massive improvement for me. I’m also hitting down on the ball more than I used to and picking up a couple of extra metres which is nice bonus. My consistency on the other hand has gone down the drain. It doesn’t matter is you flush the ball if it’s a push slice (which is happening more than I’d like). I’m pretty sure the consistency will come with more practise and trust in my swing, its not automatic at the moment, I really have to think about it, and there is generally a bit too much doubt about shots.

The biggest issue I have in my game at the moment is my driver, I just can’t get any consistency with it. I had a really good session with Scott yesterday on the range, and now think I understand how to sort it out, and also what to do if things start going pair shaped on the course.

Anyway hopefully I’ll be a member of club again in a few weeks which should also help the golf, and also give me a big motivation boost.

Hey Smilesy,

I’m playing Amstel for the first time tomorrow, wondering how you rate it? Or how difficult it is. I’m about a mid 90’s on average pushing breaking 90. Challenging course for that sort of scorer? Anyone who has knowledge tips and comments would be great! Prob left it to late to ask though..

Sorry missed your post. How’d you get on?

Hey Smilesy,

I’m playing Amstel for the first time tomorrow, wondering how you rate it? Or how difficult it is. I’m about a mid 90’s on average pushing breaking 90. Challenging course for that sort of scorer? Anyone who has knowledge tips and comments would be great! Prob left it to late to ask though..

Ok Special’........your own opinion would be interesting as I played Ranfurlie (Amstel) last week.

Hi Smilesy,
Here is a video for you on your improvements in 3D, I’ll do some more video’s explaining the lower body mechanics and ground forces, Upper Body and Muscular loading.
Smilesy

I would like to say to thank you to Smilsey for the great effort. His results he gained from his own effort of putting in the time and dedication to train. We provided him the drills, it was up to him to apply himself to get the results he has gained so far.

Smisley trained himself how to improve his body movements by doing the drills we provided him. Basically I guided him in the right direction Smilsey did all the hard yards well done mate:)