[okie]

I will have a stab at this one. A key for me is seperating training from play. TGM has helped imeasurably to this end. Mechanics to feel is developed off-premises. Feel reproducing the mechanics is for the golfing sanctuary of your choice! I have gone a little further than most in that I do not even work on mechanics on the driving range. I play golf on the range and this is helping me to take it to the first tee. This is very difficult for me to do! Like many out there I used to hit a ton of range balls. Nowadays (always pressed for time) I may only hit 25 balls during the course of a range session. Each shot is selected in terms of starting direction, divergence, and trajectory. I am trying really hard to go through my pre-shot routine (which I have modified a great deal) on EVERY shot. I guess in order to make the longest walk in golf from the practice tee to the first tee the two need to somewhat resemble each other. I have played "swing" for too long. Golf is a lot more fun!

so my pre-shot routine looks something like this on an approach shot:

1. Assess the shot within 40 yards of approaching my ball (I do my best not to ride carts)
2. Figure yardage etc.
3. Pull the club
4. Stand behind the ball. I use the shaft of the club to etablish the target line. I look for an intermediate target a couple of feet ahead of the ball.
5. Based on my shot selection I aim the clubface based on where I want to start the ball (say 5 yards right for a push - draw.) I aim the face with just my right hand (right forearm on plane of course). I also set the amount of shaft lean as well as handle height. For this shot my hands are pretty high...the clubface aiming very slightly right of the target line.
6. I now focus ONLY on the alignment of the leading edge once properly aimed. I now draw a straight plane line slightly closed to the clubface alignment.
7. I take my stance relative to the plane line, although I am not overly precise on this Example: I hit nice fades from a closed to the plane line stance...so did Hogan!
8. I add my left hand to the motionless club.
9. I track my eyes down the plane line (for this shot maybe 10 yards right of the flagstick...I do my best not to lock on with the flag stick. I ignore the target line at this point.
10. I waggle once over the ball, tracing the plane line...then I trace it for real!

Note: I find it a lot easier to draw a straight plane line perpendicular to the leading edge of the club face, and trace it, than I do creating a divergence! Does that mean hitting it straight is not that difficult? I guess is a lot easier to recognize a 90 degree relationship, that it is say a 86 degree relationship!