Long Winter

The last couple months have been pretty much a complete bust. I've played very poorly of late, and I've been struggling to figure it out. I seem to be getting things back on track, but I ran out of time. I wasn't on top of my game for the most important part of the season, making things tough heading into winter.

I started to hit some good shots at 1^st stage, which made the week all the more frustrating. I just couldn't get anything going, leaving myself a huge hole the last day. I still felt good, but the smallest mistake was going to leave me no chance. I felt like I was going to make it. I didn't take advantage of a few early opportunities, then had a couple of three-putts. I was still fighting, but then picked a poor club, picked a too aggressive line, and hit it in the water. Double. 4 over after 5 is a pretty deep hole when you need to shoot a low score. The rest of the round was just a grind to try to make birdie on every hole. Didn't do it.

So now I have to figure out a way to get through the winter while still keeping my game in shape. I've got a nice place to play next year, very nice. Winter's are always tough on a mini-tour pro. There just aren't enough opportunities to make money. The goal is to go into the off-season with a cushion, but making almost no money for two months isn't the way to build a cushion.

Where my game needs to improve this off-season:

--Driving. Usually a strong part of my game, but it's been lagging of late. The driver has been solid, but I've been very weak with the 3 wood. Need to work that out.

--Putting. Pretty strong all summer, but fell off a little towards the end of the year. Not super worried here, but being able to count on the putter helps the whole game.

--Wedge play. My distance control has been very poor late in the year with my wedge play from 90-130 yards. This seemed to improve quite a bit during the last couple weeks, but some work is still needed.

I'll work hard on it, and hopefully get to play a few tournaments in the meantime.

Luke Swilor

No Good

I got the weather I needed yesterday, I just didn't take advantage. I hit a few in the water on my front nine to leave me too far out.

It's a long wait 'til next year.

Luke

1st Stage Round 3

I made a late charge today to shoot 71, leaving me at -2 for the week. I'm still way off the qualifying number. My full recap will be out at mvn.com/golf or at armchairgolfblog.blogspot.com tomorrow morning.

It was weird today. I didn't get nervous 'til it looked like I was going to blow it. After that, I played great. Maybe that's a good sign for tomorrow.

I've made myself a tough climb, but a really good score will still do it. Do or die time now.

Luke

Better...

I hit my irons great today. Quite a relief after the last little bit. I didn't make all of the putts I needed to, but it was a solid round of golf. 70 today puts me at -1, still in the game.

I feel good about things. I've made some big steps towards playing some really good golf. This course has some scary shots, but I've handled them very well. I'm doing good mentally, and that is a big part of this week.

Need some good ones this weekend. I know they're in my bag.

Luke

07 Tour School Round One

I just didn't make enough birdies today. With greens this good, that won't do. The greens are pretty firm, so it's not that easy to get it close to the hole. Still, one birdie isn't enough.

I hit A LOT of good putts, but I wasn't ever close enough to expect to make them. I just need to get it closer to the hole. The long game is coming around, though, so I'm looking forward to the next three days. The short game seems to be there, a very good thing.

I grinded my butt off. Things could have gotten out of hand, but I hung in. 73 today, FAR from out of it.

Leaderboard can be found by clicking here.

I'm also doing a recap at mvn.com/golf (Down the Middle) and at the Armchairgolfblog.

Luke Swilor

I'll mention it again...

A lot of my coverage will be over at mvn.com/golf or armchairgolfblog.blogspot.com. My day before tour school posts are up now.

Getting out of my car right now to shoot a low score.

Luke

Here We Go

Big day tomorrow. I'm feeling pretty good. As long as I eliminate the mistakes I should be good. Follow along at pgatour.com/qschool.

Luke

Dayton Valley Practice

I made my way up to Carson City without a problem. It was a pretty cool drive from San Diego, too. A LOT of western movies were filmed along that drive, and you could surely see why. There is a lot of unused land. It was a nice little drive. Google maps was off by around 3 hours, so that was good, too.

Got in a practice round today, and I played really good. I had some good control of my ball for once, so the things I've been working on seem to be falling into place. The course is in GREAT shape, hard and fast. That is how I like it. Quite the change from Carlton Oaks (a course I really like), which was soft and slow. I don't envy those guys this week. This course is in tournament condition, which should showcase the better players.

So I feel really good. I'm feeling comfortable once again, and I'm actually looking forward to the pressure. Sometimes you need big stakes to get up, and the stakes are definitely big. As I said, I'm doing some entries over at mvn.com/golf and the armchair golf blog. There could be a little overlap, but be sure to check it out.

Thanks to everyone who reads for all the support.

Luke Swilor

Now it Really Counts

I'll be doing a little tour school diary over at mvn.com/golf and armchairgolfblog.blogspot.com. Neil, who writes these columns, has become a good friend so be sure to check it out.

I struggled again in the two day Golden State tour event, but I seem to have figured a lot of things out. I'm almost up to Carson city, so I'll get in 3.5 good days of work on my game.

Luke

1-Day Event

73 today. Didn't drive it as good as I have been, BUT I did start to hit my irons better. Good sign.

I feel good. This is a very tough course, so it wasn't a terrible score. Better on Wednesday.

Luke

Getting Pumped

I'm playing a one-day Golden State Tour event Monday, but I am amped up. My game hasn't shown any results lately, but I feel like my old self tonight. I feel like I'm ready to be a world beater, and that is a good place to be. Next week is what matters; it doesn't matter what I do this week. Still, I think this week is going to be a good one.

I'm in Barstow, CA, almost down to SoCal and sunny San Diego. Anxiety has been high lately, but I think I'm ready to turn that into GOOD SCORES. Getting in this mood can be tough sometimes; I'm there. I'm so excited about the next two weeks, I just think good things are on the way.

Stay tuned for some pretty comprehensive PGA Tour School coverage.

Luke Swilor

Ready to Play Some Golf

I'm heading back on the road tomorrow for what looks to be a lot of golf. I definitely play my best when I'm playing a lot (to a point), so that's the plan.

I'll get to San Diego Sunday for a practice round, play a one day event Monday, another practice round Tuesday, a two day event Wednesday/Thursday, and finally head up to Reno to prepare for 1st stage. Saturday, Sunday, and Monday will be practice days. Tuesday-Friday are tournament days.

I should be posting a lot the next two weeks, and there's a chance I'll be doing something with another site as well. Details if/when I get them.

Luke Swilor

Stop Whining

My car seems to be running good again. I'm sorry about all of the cry-baby posts last week. Had nothing better to talk about, but that gets old.

It's that time of the year again. Crunch time. I've got some good back up plans for next year (Canadian Tour card), but it's really all about the next couple months. Getting hot now will set me up big time, and I want to take advantage of that.

I've been in a little rut on the course lately. I've been working hard to change that, and I'm starting to see some results. My swing is feeling more like my own again. I didn't know where the clubhead was at, just couldn't feel it. I didn't know where my misses would go, and I wasn't making solid contact. A lot of range balls later, I feel like I have control back. The short game is getting sharp, too.

So I'll be working on things at home this week. Next week I'm going to a couple of small events in San Diego to keep sharp. A check there would be nice, too, as a new clutch and hydraulic system isn't cheap (sorry, more whining). From there it is straight up to Dayton Valley, NV (near Reno), for first stage.

I'm really excited right now. Things haven't been great the last few months, but this game has a funny way of changing overnight. I'm thinking that change is due, and I feel good.

Luke Swilor

On the Road

I'm heading out of town with a light wallet. Cross your fingers that I get home. All should be good, but...

13 hour drive to go.

Luke

Stuck

Didn't make it out of town today. Maybe not tomorrow either. Car stuff sucks, and there's no way to budget such a huge expense. I just hope I make it home.

I am being saved this week by my hosts Bob and Nora. Things would be really bleak without them helping me out.

Hopefully I'll get home soon. I'm looking forward to working on the things I need to do to improve.

Luke