If I remember, you are from Glasgow? Are you playing more links style golf? Are your conditions normally firm? Your short game seems tailored to that type of condition. Just guessing, let me know.
Yes, I am from Glasgow. My home course is a parkland course and I tend to play there more than anywhere else but I do play some links courses when I have the chance. My home course has a lot of undulations and is more an older style course where you can run shots up to the green and all the trouble is to the sides of the green. Conditions during the summer can get very firm and fast. So the low/medium height running shots are best suited to it. Also controlling a high shot into blustery conditions is quite hard.
You did not mention handicap or target scores. What are you hoping to gain, or where do you want to take your game?
I play off a 13 at the moment (not much time of late to practice or play) My scores tend to average in the mid 80s (Par 70 with a standard scratch of 71)
My goal is to get into Cat 1 (HCP from Scratch to 5) I feel that I have the game to do it at times. I can go for stretches during a round where I am par or better but then it falls apart.
Shots from 30--100 yards will be critical to lowering your score. Pros practice these shots daily. While some may want to lay up to special numbers, all face these in-between shots throughout a round as a result of misplayed shots.
This is a weak part of my game. Its something that I have to work on and I think its more technique that I need to look at as the execution is not there.
Alex
Alex,
I think that spending extra effort on the partial wedges will pay huge dividends. I often see pros with unsual moves in their full swings have clean, efficient looking medium to short wedge swings. The swings are short, so there is not much room to accomodate compensations. Just a thought to leave you with. Really try to relax over these shots, the pros are always talking about soft hands when pitching. Practice the technique enough that you don't have to run through a checklist before the shot.
I think that spending extra effort on the partial wedges will pay huge dividends. I often see pros with unsual moves in their full swings have clean, efficient looking medium to short wedge swings. The swings are short, so there is not much room to accomodate compensations. Just a thought to leave you with. Really try to relax over these shots, the pros are always talking about soft hands when pitching. Practice the technique enough that you don't have to run through a checklist before the shot.
HB
I think you are right there HB. I just am afraid at times to practise it as my minds picture is of the worst possible shot that I could hit from that distance which is one that comes out low and off the hosel
How would recommend going about practising this?
Alex
I think you are right there HB. I just am afraid at times to practise it as my minds picture is of the worst possible shot that I could hit from that distance which is one that comes out low and off the hosel
How would recommend going about practising this?
Alex
Alex,
I used to play with a guy who never warmed up. He said he did not want to see any bad shots before he played. He was a very good player, but it is not what the best players do.
The first place I would look is set-up. Make sure that you are giving yourself a chance. Get clear about the type of motion you need to produce. Practice it in the mirror. You have to focus on your motion to improve. You want to turn off the part of your brain that is judging or concerned about what other people might think. My suggestion is to get away from anyone else. Practice where no one else can see you, then give yourself a break. Be patient. Golf is about the journey.
Clearly picturing a bad shot will often result in a bad shot. When this happens, you should acknowledge that you did a good job of translating your picture to your execution. So you need to get better at making good pictures. Often, technical improvement will help. You will find it easier to hit good shots. You may also have to spend some effort training your brain to see better pictures. One trick I use is to picture what a particular great player would do in the situation and try to act that out.
This is all great stuff my friend. Thanks for everything, with regards to the short game I have the perfect place to go to at my club where no one would see me practise. Think I will go there again and hit many basic and aquired motions until it works.
Alex
This is all great stuff my friend. Thanks for everything, with regards to the short game I have the perfect place to go to at my club where no one would see me practise. Think I will go there again and hit many basic and aquired motions until it works.
Alex
The Pro at my home club is running a Short Game clinic in the next couple of weeks and I said that I would go to it so that might help me with my quest to improve my pitching as well. Its always good to get another person to have a look to see what I am doing wrong in terms of technique.
Alex
HennyBeee . . . Now that you got some data about game and mind . . . how would you suggest organizing practice time when you ain't got much time?
Also . . . do you have any suggestions on implementing swing changes . . . not what changes to make . . . but the best way to practice/drill to make 'em actually happen and be able to make the move on the course?
The Pro at my home club is running a Short Game clinic in the next couple of weeks and I said that I would go to it so that might help me with my quest to improve my pitching as well. Its always good to get another person to have a look to see what I am doing wrong in terms of technique.
Alex
Alex,
Sounds great. You have found a weak spot, and you are seeking to address it. Often with these short shots, we have ourselves in a funky address position that makes it difficult to hit the shots we want. Your pro should be able to help with this. Good luck.
Clearly picturing a bad shot will often result in a bad shot.
HB
I've gotten to the point where I have convinced myself that a bad picture will not lead to a bad shot--I just refocus on my mechanics, relax, and pull off the shot. Usually I have good pictures, but when I don't I have a back-up plan I guess.
__________________
"In my experience, if you stay with the essentials you WILL build a repeatable swing undoubtedly. If you can master the Imperatives you have a champion" (Vikram).
The reason you can't sustain the lag is because you are so eager to make the club move fast (a reaction to the intent of "hitting it far"). So on a full shot you throw it away too early, which doesn't happen for your short chip. (bts)
I've gotten to the point where I have convinced myself that a bad picture will not lead to a bad shot--I just refocus on my mechanics, relax, and pull off the shot. Usually I have good pictures, but when I don't I have a back-up plan I guess.
mrodock,
We would call that a "reset." Often, you may find yourself interrupted with negative thoughts, pictures, moving partners, beer cart, etc. You are correct that there is always a way out. You just wash it away and start the process over. Excellent point. Refocus. Once you reset, you are in control of your game again.
Interestingly, you will often hear a commentator say a player is struggling when he backs off. I would say he is thinking clearly. If you hear a "no" from somewhere inside -- you should listen and run the numbers again.
Hybrid Mode
