Chris Lebiedz – LPGA Pro
June 13, 2006
Started working with Chris today…
We chatted quite a bit - I guess to feel each other out - and I think we both decided (I know I did) that this was going to prove to be a good working relationship. I was very impressed with her knowledge (especially of more “timely” topics) and I think she appreciated all that I knew as well and all that I had been through…
- Hit a few shots and Chris videotaped me – decided it was best to stick with the “two plane” swing I’ve used since day one.
- She noticed several things right away – I mainly needed work on the “transition” area of my swing – my footwork and hip action were not correct (on the downswing) and it was causing me to come a little over the top and occasionally get the club stuck behind me.
- She also had me get my head just slightly behind the ball – creating a slight spine tilt (which I knew I needed) and we worked a little on the halfway back position – club outside the foot line and parallel to target line.
- My swings on video didn’t look horrible – but I knew there was work to be done.
June 20, 2006
Second lesson today…
Reviewed what we talked about in the first lesson and once again she videotaped me. We were really focusing on the hip/foot action today (transition) and Chris had me do some drills to get the feeling right…
- Chris was trying to get me to “hit the board” with my left butt cheek – basically, my core or center was coming out over the ball – I was almost straightening up – pushing my center forward – in other words, not maintaining my spine angle
- She squatted behind me and would pull my left, rear pants pocket back to get the correct feeling (or hold an umbrella there so I would hit it).
- spoke about the board that her mentor uses that sits just behind your rear at address – the idea is to hit the board with your left butt cheek (but without spinning out the right hip).
- I know she has me going in the right direction.
June 27, 2006
Third lesson…
Reviewed everything so far…
- Chris taped me – realized that I needed to get my backswing a little more in check – keep the elbows level at the top of the swing – my extra “turn” that I had been doing was doing nothing for me except hurting me – as Chris said – “once you turn the shoulders and chest and set the club – what else is there – anything else is just excess baggage”.
- spent most of the lesson on that and my lower body action through impact - “SPINE ANGLE” is what it’s all about – my “old” swing caused me to lose that important angle – and therefore, make too many compensations to get the club rerouted correctly.
June 27th continued…
- Chris had several drills for me to do – make a rehearsal impact – left hip back, right foot “rolling” to the inside and not just lifting – hold the position and hit half shots (throw the club towards the target).
- Rehearse the position mentioned above, go back to normal setup and then swing – half swings at first and then full swings – have got to “roll” on the inside of right foot – not merely lift it which causes my right hip to come up and out – MY BIGGEST FAULT…
- Worked on all of this when I got home – this is my area of focus – KEEP THE BACKSWING UNDER CONTROL, MAINTAIN SPINE ANGLE AND ROLL ONTO THE INSIDE OF RIGHT FOOT – YOU CAN DO THIS NICK!!!
Chris L. notes
