Dave Sheldon – Sportstalk Weekend Host
It’s been nearly two months since the Player’s Academy Project began. To recap, at the end of last season, I had an index of 8.3 and for the second consecutive year I had lowered my index. I was happy with my game, but also wanted to get better. After speaking with Fraser Mulholland about what I was looking to do, we embarked on this program.
I knew that I had holes in my game and I found myself getting frustrated that I could have myself a great game, post a good score in the mid to high seventies, but not consistently remain there. My sand game was spotty at best, and when my accuracy was off, I was prone to go anywhere on the course.
If you have been following my progress on this blog and CKNW with Sportstalk Weekend, you will know that Fraser and the crew at the Player’s Academy have adjusted my swing, my thought process and my fitness to create a better golfer. What I am looking for now would be results. I have played 3 ½ rounds of golf this year and actually scored worse on the golf course each time! Nine holes for 43 at Hazelmere, and three rounds in the 90’s at Belmont, Vancouver and King’s Links had me a little worried.
It should be noted that with the exception of the Hazelmere nine hole round that the other three rounds were in extreme conditions. It rained for most of the round at Belmont, the monsoon winds were up at Vancouver, knocking down trees and branches all over the golf course, and the round at King’s Links made the round at Vancouver look like a pleasant summer day. Unbelievable wind, rain and extreme cold made the course a bear and the scores throughout the field proved that, not just my scorecard!
We went at it hard at the Player’s Academy, adding blocks every week. But any of you that have had lessons know like I do now, the results may take a little while to appear. Fraser added a number of changes to my swing…nothing dramatic, but enough to take what had been my habits that I had developed from years of playing golf, and turning them a little sideways while I tried to adapt to the new ways. Add to that the unpleasant conditions on the golf course and the scores speak for themselves.
I have been able to put a few weeks of good practice to good use and after my latest session at Seymour Creek with Fraser this past week, the game looks to be rounding into form. I will head out to McCleery weather permitting on Sunday and hopefully if the weather and work schedule accommodates; I will head out to Ledgeview on Tuesday for the VGT Winter Championship.
My goal is simple, play each shot as its own and don’t over-think out on the course. I have been given the tools to succeed. I look forward to reporting my progress next week.
