Know Your Game

[Bigwill]

I have a question, Jeff, in regards to having your students play the forward tees until they break par. If you have someone (like me) who is a few scoring barriers away from par, what progression would you suggest?

For instance, my next barrier is 90. If I break 90 from the red tees, do I:

A) Move back to the next tee, and break 90 there, and keep changing tees until I've broken 90 from all of them, followed by breaking 80 at the reds and so on?

or

B) Do I stay at the front tees until I break par, and then progressively work to break par at each successive tee?

Upon writing this, option A seems to make more sense (gut feeling). But I'd definitely like to get your feedback.

Last year was encouraging as I made a big leap not only in scoring, but in beginning to understand what works for my particular swing. So I'm really looking forward to this year.

Thanks

[GPStyles]

Jeff, the red zone book arrived and I have to say that from the off I like what I see.

I have previously read Pelz and Rotella who also advocate determining a short game handicap and this seems to support that and give good tests to arrive at said short game handicap.

I will stick with alignment golf for the instruction side of things but I can endorse this book with the short read I've had of it.

The short game facilities in my vicinity are pretty poor, what do you suggest?

[Bigwill]

Bump .

[bray]

Jeff,

Thank you for posting the link to the Georgia Junior Golf Foundation Magazine.
Your article and Matt's are great reads and although they seem like "common sense" at times.A lot can be gained by what you've suggested. I was also very impressed by the coach's section and the magazine as a whole.

Thanks again for the link. Sick 'em Dawgs!

B-Ray

[GPStyles]

The short game facilities in my vicinity are pretty poor, what do you suggest?

Any suggestions Jeff?

Thanks

[golfgnome]

Any suggestions Jeff?

Thanks

In regards to "The Red Zone", you really need to have real "game time" type environments. In the absence of quality short game practice areas I would recommend some of the other drills they offer in the book, specifically those which can be done indoors.

I also like to go out with small soccer cones and place them at 5 yard increments and plactice trying to "fly" them into the cones with different clubs and trajectories. In the end you must control trajectory and roll around the greens so this helps satisfy at least one area.

You can also use laundry baskets with a towel in the bottom and try to land them in the basket.

Putting can easily be done indoors.

I hope this helps a little. I am fortunate to have always had decent facilities to practice at.

[GPStyles]

Thanks Jeff.

I would love to have access to some of the facilities I have seen at your country club type locations but sadly my club doesn't have them

In fact, our 'range' at its longest, is less than 200 yards long and at the moment we have no chipping or putting green

We are growing in a new putting green which is bigger so thats a plus and hopefully the chipping green will be open soon too.

The chipping green is rather one dimensional though as it is just a big green with very little grass surrounding it to play chips. You end up just playing long chip and runs, it takes a lot of imagination to create shots that you actually see on the course.

[golfgnome]

I have a question, Jeff, in regards to having your students play the forward tees until they break par. If you have someone (like me) who is a few scoring barriers away from par, what progression would you suggest?

For instance, my next barrier is 90. If I break 90 from the red tees, do I:

A) Move back to the next tee, and break 90 there, and keep changing tees until I've broken 90 from all of them, followed by breaking 80 at the reds and so on?

or

B) Do I stay at the front tees until I break par, and then progressively work to break par at each successive tee?

Upon writing this, option A seems to make more sense (gut feeling). But I'd definitely like to get your feedback.

Last year was encouraging as I made a big leap not only in scoring, but in beginning to understand what works for my particular swing. So I'm really looking forward to this year.

Thanks

Sorry for the delay in responding, I have been trying to get caught up since my weeks absence.

I like this question because it gives everyone reading some options for their own game. I would suggest option A because it gives more flexibility and more attainable goals. Break 90 from every set of tees then start over until 80 is broken. Once you break 80 you may want to start going down in 2-3 stroke increments.

Good luck in achieving your goals, we are here to help.

[Bigwill]

Sorry for the delay in responding, I have been trying to get caught up since my weeks absence.

I like this question because it gives everyone reading some options for their own game. I would suggest option A because it gives more flexibility and more attainable goals. Break 90 from every set of tees then start over until 80 is broken. Once you break 80 you may want to start going down in 2-3 stroke increments.

Good luck in achieving your goals, we are here to help.

Don't sweat the timing. I know you don't do this all day

Thanks for the response. Just for clarification, in saying every set of tees, you mean ladies to championsip, right?


I'm kinda long, so some of the par 4's from the ladies tees end being par threes for me (224, 225, 193 and 203) . Do I:

A)Play it as the yardage presents itself(long or mid iron to the front or middle of green on the tee shot), or:

B) Do I still play it like a super short par four, playing for placement on the tee shot (requiring me to hit 2 quality shots into the green instead of 1)?

Thanks. Hope I don't sound completely clueless . I'm really looking forward to utilizing this method, as well as this forum. Keep em coming, Jeff.

[golfgnome]

Don't sweat the timing. I know you don't do this all day

Thanks for the response. Just for clarification, in saying every set of tees, you mean ladies to championsip, right?


I'm kinda long, so some of the par 4's from the ladies tees end being par threes for me (224, 225, 193 and 203) . Do I:

A)Play it as the yardage presents itself(long or mid iron to the front or middle of green on the tee shot), or:

B) Do I still play it like a super short par four, playing for placement on the tee shot (requiring me to hit 2 quality shots into the green instead of 1)?

Thanks. Hope I don't sound completely clueless . I'm really looking forward to utilizing this method, as well as this forum. Keep em coming, Jeff.

You can choose whatever method you want, the key is that you set a goal, achieve it, then move on. Playing for position is a great way to learn because it teaches you a different way to play than just "grip it and rip it".