Dan Bradbury’s Travel Diary – Golf News

Dan Bradbury reflects on some frustrating summer swings at the DP World Tour in his latest issue in his exclusive column at Golfnews

It was a climax and low point story at this summer’s DP World Tour. When I look back at the competition I’m in, the results don’t tell the whole story.

On the surface, the four missed cuts in six events don’t look like the same form you’d like at this stage of the season, but then you’ve seen the top three at the Italian Open, the top 20 in the Masters, and a few really good golfing times in between, and it all starts to feel more positive.

Golf rarely runs straight – this summer, this is a good reminder.

After the Dutch Open in early June, I finished seventh there, and then Italy, and I really thought I had found a groove.

Both results were accompanied by good matches and quite a bit of frustration. In Italy, for example, I started to be popular – five holes out of seven holes in five starts – putting myself in trouble all week.

But even though my best scores have gone away for a long time, I am not completely satisfied. I made some bad decisions like hitting the conservative Seven-iron with a four-drivable four-shot percentage and managed to find the water.

On Sunday, I couldn’t buy putters on the back nine, but I was on the rankings and shook my head. That’s golf: Sometimes, even if it turns out to look good on paper, you won’t feel it.

What’s frustrating about this game is that when you play well, you have to take advantage of it.

Motivation is not always in trouble. Over the past few months or so, people like Kristoffer Rietan and Marco Penge have performed well, where everything can win, second, second, top ten – and a brief hot form can change the whole season and possibly change the direction of your career in the future.

This is the mindset: make hay when it’s sunny. I would love to bottle the Italian form and move it forward, but golf doesn’t work properly.

Midsummer charging

One thing that really made a difference this year is that after winning in France last year, I gave my card the freedom of the next season.

It changed the way I was able to handle the schedule. Often, if there is a big event on the calendar, you will force yourself to play even if you don’t like the course or the game that is not suitable for you because you need to rank.

This year, I was able to take a step back, skip the weird week, and believe it won’t cost me. This freedom is priceless. This also gave me some time to charge.

I took my girlfriend to rest in July and it was great not to have to think about golf for a week or so.

Last month, I also skipped the European Masters because it was not a course that I had performed well in the past.

I spent a lot of time practicing and playing at home. I played a game in Alwoodley with some friends and made nine birdies in a casual round, which reminded me why I loved this game.

No pressure, just shooting the camera. This also reinforces something important: I’ve been playing the best golf ball when I separate my practice from the game.

In range, I will grind – exercises, numbers, tracker data, wedge tests, and works, but when I take the course I want freedom.

I don’t want to think about swinging planes or wrist angles on the tee. I just want to play golf.

That’s why I avoid using training aids – they messed up my head. Some people like them, but for me, I need to keep it simple and focus on the feeling.

That said, technology has become a bigger part of my routine. Last year, I invested in my own track and field athlete GC Quad and bought some bonuses from the French Open, and I was so happy to offer it when I was out touring or working on games at home.

Understanding my carry numbers to the yard, especially using wedges, is huge. Sometimes, at the right time, just a good shot is needed to pay off this investment.

Of course, there are challenges in practicing in the UK. In Alwoodley, I often hit the mat and use a two-piece range ball, which makes it difficult to get the real situation of the ball flying and spinning.

This is not like Dubai or some other place where you can practice on the original grass all year round.

I’ve considered warm winter places, and I often tagged in an extra week when we swing in the Middle East in February and March, but I’m not sure if I can live abroad full time.

I love the season here in the UK, I love going home with friends and family, just like I love visiting Dubai with me, I don’t want to be sunny every day.

From Scotland to the United States

I competed in the Scotland event of the DP World Tour in July, the Nexo Championship at Trump International and the Scottish Open in Renaissance, although sadly the failed layoffs.

Trump’s route is amazing – each tee feels like an Instagram moment – ​​but some of the design elements don’t work in the wind.

The raised T-shirt and green combined with strong winds sometimes make some holes unplayable.

Still, it’s in perfect form, and the score reflects the challenge: If you’re on par, your week is fine.

I briefly covered the second course I just opened and looked shocked. I’m sure this trip will be back there one day – but hopefully when the wind is low!

The Renaissance Scottish Open is another story. I just didn’t perform well there, green green grass and growth patterns added difficulties.

Just one week before opening it was a strong field, just one of those weeks when nothing happened to me.

A highlight of the summer was the chance to compete in my first PGA Tour – the Barracuda Championship in California.

This is a co-approved event between the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour, with approximately 50 Europeans travelling.

I’ve always wanted to experience an event in the US, with a breathtaking setting in the Tahoe on the hills.

A week itself doesn’t have what I hoped for – my game isn’t sharp enough – but I love going back to the United States. I went to college there, but still missed every aspect of that lifestyle.

On my way back, I took this opportunity to catch up with some of my old friends in Texas and was happy to see some familiar faces there.

The PGA Tour has undeniable appeal: bonuses, atmosphere and golf courses, which fit my game style well.

That said, the DP World Tour still has things that the PGA Tour doesn’t have – all kinds of courses and performance conditions, history and friendships – but if I say the financial aspects of the PGA Tour aren’t attractive, I’d lie.

Belfry Boost

Back in Europe, the British master at the Bell Tower gave me much-needed improvement. That week’s coach Steve Robinson made a huge change with me.

We didn’t overhaul the swing – sometimes it wasn’t a big change, but it was hardly reminding and strengthening things.

The real breakthrough is putting. I’ve been struggling with too many arcs in the stroke, especially on short putts, which has become a little struggling.

By making the settings more upright and simplifying the action,

I suddenly felt released. For the first time in months, I believed in myself. This change alone saves my season.

Ultimately push points

Looking ahead, I have some big weeks – the Irish Open, Wentworth’s PGA title, and then defended my French Open title.

Unfortunately, this is different from last year, but I’ve heard good news about La Bretesche, and I’m looking forward to going there and hoping for a good defense of my title.

These are three great events that will go a long way to help me if I can make it to the playoffs. The top 70 are magic numbers that send it to Abu Dhabi.

A good ending for one of the matches can change everything. I know my game is close – it’s about putting them together in four rounds, staying patient and trusting in the work

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