Early feel: rotation, tempo, passive hands
The feel system from the early phase of the game. Rotation-based, body leads, hands passive.
This is where the game was before the PB stretch. Recording it here because understanding the evolution matters.
Core feel at this stage
Rhythm over everything. The moment I tried to force speed or add something extra, consistency dropped. The swing worked when nothing was forced.
Key feels:
- Arms ahead of hands through impact
- Release happens through the ball, not before
- Body rotation controls direction
- Hands are passive. They do not hit, they release
Takeaway: Slow. Felt like dragging the clubhead through the grass to start the backswing. Promoted left shoulder rotation and proper sequencing.
Downswing: No conscious acceleration. Speed built from rotation naturally. Arms followed the body.
Miss pattern: Too fast meant loss of control. Early hand activation. Arms and body disconnecting.
Short game at this stage
Feel-based entirely. Three shot types:
- Bump and run: mid stance, hands behind arms, low spin and rollout
- High spinner: ball slightly forward, spooning feel through impact
- Standard 50-60 yard shot: slightly behind mid-stance, normal feel
The principle that defined this phase
Do not force it. Let it happen.
Note: This feel system produced consistent golf through the summer of 2025 including the first sub-80. The evolution toward a more hands-dominant, force-through-impact feel happened gradually through late 2025 into 2026. Both approaches produced good results. They are different phases of the same game developing.