That's exactly the type of honest evaluation I'm looking for. I will leave the particulars of swing correction to the experts. The part that concerns me the most is a two-way miss. Right and left. This type of pattern requires great discipline in adhering to a committed routine.
If you can eliminate most of your misses to one side or the other, you will have an easier time fitting your pattern to the golf course.
So your part of the plan is to decipher the swing changes you need to make and to implement these moves over a period of time.
HB
Next question. Tell me about your short game. Shots inside full sandwedge. Bunkers. Pitches. High. Low. Flop. Tight lies. Rough. Anything else you can think of besides putting. Short game philosophy (one club, many, close to the ground as possible, or something else)
First . . . Question: A lot of times I'm just trying to "hit it there" basically a straight shot. Should I instead of thinking "hit it there" think hit a draw there? I think right to left is more of my natural curve. But I can go both ways (don't do it Mike O!).
SHORT GAME
Short chip shots are my strength. I'm pretty decent at hitting sandwedge chips to about 40 feet out.
If I have to hit longer chips I typically have more trouble with distance control. I'd say my error is typically long.
I can hit low wedges with some check pretty good
High wedges are more of a problem for me. I don't do well with flops. I'm a low spinner type.
I hit down on chips and pitches maybe too steep.
40-50 yard shots are tougher for me particularly if they have to carry something . . . come in too low and hot.
I typically chip with sw, gap and 9 . . . I used to carry lob but no mo'. 48, 52, 56.
I don't think I want to take on the whole forum membership. Lets add you in here and try to create a sort of FAQ. If we can answer enough questions for a few particular guys, then we could cover most of the points. As other questions arise, we could answer those without doing a complete analysis.
I don't think I want to take on the whole forum membership. Lets add you in here and try to create a sort of FAQ. If we can answer enough questions for a few particular guys, then we could cover most of the points. As other questions arise, we could answer those without doing a complete analysis.
Welcome,
HB
Thanks my friend. I did get your PM today but they were making me do work at work for once (what is that about )
Anyways, I just used the format that Bucket did and put my thoughts in.
Long Game
·My driver is usually a strong part of my game but once it goes all hell breaks loose!
·My bad shot is weak quail high slice.
·My other bad shot is one that starts straight and then turns right at the apex of its flight.
·Long Iron misses are either high right pushes or thins
·Short Irons are the pretty solid
·Short Iron misses are pretty straight/slight cut or the occasional hosel rocket!
·Finding the clubface/sweetspot is not usually a problem but feel that I am not hitting the ball pure enough.
·Ball flight is generally good. A nice penetrating trajectory. Can hit it high if needed. Low shots are sometimes bothersome but ok.
·Cutting the ball is what I am usually good at. Going the other way is a bit of a problem and I can lose some distance in windy condtions.
·Improving on the down aspect but the out is not there….
·I am a Range Rat. Can hit Pro standard shots on the range but on the course sometimes I look like a complete beginner.
·I tend to swing around my knees and then get across the line at the top.
·Sometimes I overswing too.
·The club goes inside after impact too quickly. A side swipe at times. Costs me distance and accuracy.
·Impact alignments are getting better but not brilliant. Could do better here. More down and definitely more out is needed.
SHORT GAME
·Short/Medium length chip shots are my strength. I'm pretty decent at hitting sand wedge/pitching wedge chips.
·Distance and sometimes direction control on longer chip (almost pitch shots) are pretty bad.
·Low wedges are good. I tend to go for the low runner the majority of the time.
·Flop shots are no good. Low and medium height shots I am more comfortable with.
·Sometimes I flick on my chip/pitch shots. Improving on this.
·Anything from 30-100 yard shots are where I am weak. Tough shot for me as its neither a low one or a full shot. Tendency to chunk, thin or hosel rocket.
·Usually use an 8, 9, PW, SW, LW depending on the shot. Usually carry a 52, 56, 60 wedges.
·Hard, Medium hardness sand are the best bunker conditions for me.
·Putting. Not great but not bad. Ave about 33-36 putts a round. Put left hand low.
I will do more later but its a start. Feel free to ask me more questions.
Alex
Thanks my friend. I did get your PM today but they were making me do work at work for once (what is that about )
Anyways, I just used the format that Bucket did and put my thoughts in.
Long Game
·My driver is usually a strong part of my game but once it goes all hell breaks loose!
·My bad shot is weak quail high slice.
·My other bad shot is one that starts straight and then turns right at the apex of its flight.
·Long Iron misses are either high right pushes or thins
·Short Irons are the pretty solid
·Short Iron misses are pretty straight/slight cut or the occasional hosel rocket!
·Finding the clubface/sweetspot is not usually a problem but feel that I am not hitting the ball pure enough.
·Ball flight is generally good. A nice penetrating trajectory. Can hit it high if needed. Low shots are sometimes bothersome but ok.
·Cutting the ball is what I am usually good at. Going the other way is a bit of a problem and I can lose some distance in windy condtions.
·Improving on the down aspect but the out is not there….
·I am a Range Rat. Can hit Pro standard shots on the range but on the course sometimes I look like a complete beginner.
·I tend to swing around my knees and then get across the line at the top.
·Sometimes I overswing too.
·The club goes inside after impact too quickly. A side swipe at times. Costs me distance and accuracy.
·Impact alignments are getting better but not brilliant. Could do better here. More down and definitely more out is needed.
SHORT GAME
·Short/Medium length chip shots are my strength. I'm pretty decent at hitting sand wedge/pitching wedge chips.
·Distance and sometimes direction control on longer chip (almost pitch shots) are pretty bad.
·Low wedges are good. I tend to go for the low runner the majority of the time.
·Flop shots are no good. Low and medium height shots I am more comfortable with.
·Sometimes I flick on my chip/pitch shots. Improving on this.
·Anything from 30-100 yard shots are where I am weak. Tough shot for me as its neither a low one or a full shot. Tendency to chunk, thin or hosel rocket.
·Usually use an 8, 9, PW, SW, LW depending on the shot. Usually carry a 52, 56, 60 wedges.
·Hard, Medium hardness sand are the best bunker conditions for me.
·Putting. Not great but not bad. Ave about 33-36 putts a round. Put left hand low.
I will do more later but its a start. Feel free to ask me more questions.
Alex
Alex,
Sounds like you have a pretty solid game. We all want to hit it better, but your dispersion seems very manageable.
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.
You did not mention handicap or target scores. What are you hoping to gain, or where do you want to take your game?
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.
We will want the total putts number to come down, but it may be a result of hitting more shots pin high and chipping closer.
Let me know what type of courses you play, average score, and ambition for your game.
Sounds like you have a pretty solid game. We all want to hit it better, but your dispersion seems very manageable.
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.
You did not mention handicap or target scores. What are you hoping to gain, or where do you want to take your game?
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.
We will want the total putts number to come down, but it may be a result of hitting more shots pin high and chipping closer.
Let me know what type of courses you play, average score, and ambition for your game.
Thank's
HB
Hi there,
Thanks for this.
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.
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.
First . . . Question: A lot of times I'm just trying to "hit it there" basically a straight shot. Should I instead of thinking "hit it there" think hit a draw there? I think right to left is more of my natural curve. But I can go both ways (don't do it Mike O!).
SHORT GAME
Short chip shots are my strength. I'm pretty decent at hitting sandwedge chips to about 40 feet out.
If I have to hit longer chips I typically have more trouble with distance control. I'd say my error is typically long.
I can hit low wedges with some check pretty good
High wedges are more of a problem for me. I don't do well with flops. I'm a low spinner type.
I hit down on chips and pitches maybe too steep.
40-50 yard shots are tougher for me particularly if they have to carry something . . . come in too low and hot.
I typically chip with sw, gap and 9 . . . I used to carry lob but no mo'. 48, 52, 56.
I'm better at hitting shots hard than soft.
I'm more snappy than sweepy.
How's that?
Bucket,
More good info. I think "hit it there" is correct as long as you choose your target based on your pattern. In fact, YES. Pick the smallest target you can. Use your imagination to see the flight.
OK, we now have another hole in your game to improve. The trouble with the low spinner (my fav. as well) is that it can be difficult to adjust to changing conditions. The spinner can react with a large variance based on the green condition (firmness, speed, grain, etc). You don't have to abandon your favorite shot, but you do need to learn another basic one. This shot should be softer with less spin, using trajectory to control roll. The method also uses the landing spot as the target, rather than the whole shot. The idea being, if you can control trajectory and landing spot, your short game will be more able to conform to the variety of conditions. You will be more able to take it on the road.
HB
Tell me about your putting. Include your assessment of your abilty under pressure. How do you read greens? Describe philosophy.
More good info. I think "hit it there" is correct as long as you choose your target based on your pattern. In fact, YES. Pick the smallest target you can. Use your imagination to see the flight.
OK, we now have another hole in your game to improve. The trouble with the low spinner (my fav. as well) is that it can be difficult to adjust to changing conditions. The spinner can react with a large variance based on the green condition (firmness, speed, grain, etc). You don't have to abandon your favorite shot, but you do need to learn another basic one. This shot should be softer with less spin, using trajectory to control roll. The method also uses the landing spot as the target, rather than the whole shot. The idea being, if you can control trajectory and landing spot, your short game will be more able to conform to the variety of conditions. You will be more able to take it on the road.
HB
Tell me about your putting. Include your assessment of your abilty under pressure. How do you read greens? Describe philosophy.
hmmmmmm . . . my Putting . . . well in a word . . . SUX!!!
I have streaks where I can putt well. And I make a bunch of putts . . . but then . . . it goes south . . . WAY south.
PUTTING
I'm a pretty good reader of greens. I pick a high spot and try to roll it there and have it dying there.
From 12 to 20 feet I can putt . . . but from 8 to 3 . . . I may as well let Stevie Wonder take a stab at it.
When I miss the short ones . . . I miss the whole freakin' hole.
Last round of golf . . . I hit 12 greens knock it on 2 par 5's and am pin high on another. . . 3 jack 6 times . . . make NO putts (none zero nada) over 3 feet and shoot 81.
I'm pretty much feel based. When I'm on I can really putt but . . . but when the feel is gone hello Helen Keller.
I have problems trusting my alignment.
My distance control outside of 20 feet is doo doo.
Actually under pressure I putt a little better on the long ones but the short ones give me fits.
As you can see I'm oooooozing with confidence with the putter.
__________________
Aloha Mr. Hand
Behold my hands; reach hither thy hand
Last edited by 12 piece bucket : 07-11-2007 at 09:08 PM.
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