From the mind of Roger Wyatt

I've been revamping my swing for a while now

Ever since I went to a practice round at the Masters in 2008, I have been revamping my swing to improve my distance. I had always been a relatively short hitter, having started playing late in life, but very accurate. However, I reached a point where no amount of improved accuracy would overcome the lack of distance off the tee and with my irons. I was hitting mid and long irons into too many greens which challenged me with getting close to the hole. Very rarely was I hitting wedge or 9-iron into a green. More common for me was 5-7 irons. The only time I hit 9 or wedge was on a par-5 - on my 3rd shot. I had my handicap down to 10 and was pretty happy about that fact considering I only took up the game 2 years earlier.

Ian Poulter Ruined My Golf Game

Okay, not entirely fair to Ian. My wife going on bedrest with my 3rd child ruined my game, but it was a video of Ian's swing that caused me to revamp my own swing. I discovered where Ian and other pro's get their incredible distance with such apparent minimal effort. Ian destroyed my swing by degrees - the angle between his forearm and the club. I put the video of his swing into V1Home and carefully measured the angles at different points in the swing. Then I put my own video in and did the same. I found that while I was accurate, I was not storing up enough energy in the clubhead properly. So I set out to rework my swing to gain more distance while keeping the accuracy.

Something Had To Give

I worked on growing my ability to let my wrists stay flexible throughout the swing. It meant that my forearm strength had to get better. You see, I realized the physics involved meant that the closer the clubhead (the heavy part) could stay to the center of rotation, the more whip I could generate in the club. Looking at my old video, the clubhead was leaving the center of rotation early and it meant that I was working way too hard. In no time, I gained 10yds with every club in my bag - and my swing was getting more and more effortless. That's the funny thing about golf, it's a game of opposites. Swing harder, hit shorter - swing easier, hit farther. I have kept working on it and now I am up to 20+ yds more with each club, but in the ensuing time my accuracy had dropped.

More Video Provided The Answer

I got sloppy in 2 areas - I started swaying my hips (see my 6 rules to hit the ball straight, and I started coming over the top. It was obvious and should have been obvious as my sloppiness increased, but since I was getting 20yds more with an easier swing I didn't really notice. I didn't notice until I looked at my divots. It was clear. So I had work to do. I went back to my 6 rules and added in my new ability to keep my clubhead under control and everything popped into place. My divots are now straight down the line, my distance picked up a few more yards, my accuracy came back, and I still can control the ball flight like I want. I am working on getting the accuracy back with the driver now before I get back to playing.

How Far I have Come

When I was a 10 handicap, I got there by being very accurate with every club in the bag, but I was not a long hitter. It put a lot of pressure on my short game so I had to be good chipping and putting to make par. Well, I also changed my game attitude which resulted in more birdies and less bogeys. I'll write about that later.

Here the chart with the old and new distances.
PW - 100 - 130
9i - 120 - 150
8i - 130 - 157
7i - 140 - 165
6i - 150 - 175
5i - 160 - 185
4i - 170 - 195
3hyrid - 180 - 210

I think I could still stretch the 8i a bit, don't know why it didn't move up more. I'm pleased with the PW and 9i having made the most jump in those clubs - probably because I work with them more. It is nice that I have extended my clubs and have been able to maintain my accuracy. Once I start playing regularly again, we'll see how it affects my handicap. I'm still not super long, but I'm comfortable with the results. It was a long road, but a fun one. The first time I hit 15 balls from 175 with a 6i and had 10 on the green (where I practice has a green to hit to) and I never felt like I was swinging hard was such a revelation. I knew then I was on the right track - I just needed to get it ingrained in my.

... and it's not too bad for a guy who has had 2 lessons and only been playing for 4 years

After a mile hike, they still had energy for the playground. Tynker is there somewhere.

It is too nice of an evening so Pacifico Clara beer on the water before heading home.

New sales cycle started off pretty good. Long day through S.C. making introductions. However, this business is about personal relationships and it's important to make those connections.

On another note, I got an amazing idea for a project while driving around. I'll be working on it soon after I do some more research. If the project is technically achievable, it will be something that is outrageously cool.

Well, the first day of getting the new software out in front of new people Had a great training day with Wallace Elementary Middle School. Now on to more accounts!

Tomorrow begins my 30 days of demos. Okay, it's not really a full 30 days, but after a year of R&D, and initial rollout at Marlboro County Schools, it's time to start getting this awesome software in front of people. So tomorrow, I say goodbye to my family for a few days and start meeting superintendents, headmasters, and college presidents. I'll be posting through my travels each week to let you know about my life on the road.

I'm also rolling out the new website for Tynken Interactive.