What/How Did You Practice Today?

[JakeSmith2316]

Well, with snow still on the ground I worked on putting in my little apartment. Focused on accuracy as I have been pulling putts quite frequently when going to the simulator. Think I found a happy medium with putter placement in my stance (in the middle of my stance).

 

Still more work to do for sure as my putting is the biggest issue in my game at this moment.

[cksurfdude]

Did some range time this afternoon, and .. it went fairly well!

Then saw that the putting green was open so spent some time there, working on lags edge to edge then random putts to different little flags for distance control .. went fairly well there, too! So feeling somewhat better about things related to golf, vs my previous attempts recently, and went back to the range for a little more chipping / pitching and a few full swings...

.. one of the things I was working on was using my 6i to go at the 100 yd marker (my range has those about 8 ft black & white thick poles) and on my last shot - nailed it dead on! (..maybe about a foot up from the base, I think) - so kinda happy with myself there 

Walking back to the putting green for a few more minutes there and the pro asks if I'm heading out .. wasn't thinking about it .. but he's like 'no one's out; it's a nice day; you're here ready to go...' .. so heck why not?

Just had my practice set with me which is driver, 4H, 6i today (typically 7i), PW (45*), 54 and 60 in a small, light carry bag.

Played 4 holes - two on the back back then two on the front - where each pair forms a convenient loop. Gotta say while there were not any great shots - and of course a few haha not so great ones - they all went in generally the right direction (and no lost balls). There are still temp greens so I wasn't putting (fairways are also still pre-season condition) .. practiced chipping towards the flag with different wedges; also tried a few short blade of the wedge putts for the heckuvit.

So overall starting to feel like the upcoming season may actually hold out some promise 

..but still it's a...

Work In Progress!!

 

[Prodigal Duffer]

Practice today (and for the foreseeable future) focused on iron play, as approach is by far the worst aspect of my game. Instructor gave me some specific things to work on (takeaway and not bouncing up through my shot).

Used my PW and 6, hitting into a very stiff wind. Took a little while, but really turned a corner. Topped a total of 2 balls out of roughly 100, and started to get a good feel for the entire swing. Got confident enough that I ended on a game: hit balls toward my house (birdie balls, I’m not a complete moron) and try to play the wind. Even began to fade it a little to counteract the right to left wind. Was fun, had some good successes, and the bad ones ended up in the pool.

Tomorrow, I’ll see if I can replicate the good stuff from today. Figure it will take about 2,000 good swings to get it really engrained.

[GolfSpy MPR]

Playing in the SkyTrak sim with my boys this afternoon, and we played a game we hadn't before. In Creative Golf's Golfissimo app, there is a "Tennis" game. It's played like this:

• In setting up the game, you decide on the size of the "court." For instance, the shortest court begins 20 yards away and extends to 50 yards. Not exactly sure how wide.
• The "server" hits his first shot anywhere over in the field (the other side of the court). Any shot hit out of the boundaries (or short of the net/fence) is a fault and gives a point to the other player.
• But if he hits it in play, that sets where the "hole" is for the round. So say he hits the ball 45 yards to the right corner of the court; a flagstick gets planted at that point (carry distance).
• Then the server hits a second shot, trying to carry the ball as close as possible to his first shot. The distance between his first and second shots establishes a radius of a green.
• The second player then "returns" by having to hit a shot that carries inside the green set by the first player's shots.

I hope I explained that clearly enough. Playing it was pretty straightforward, even with my 9 and 11 year old sons.

But it was an awesome game for really dialing in wedge precision.

[Indy_Oz]

Sim session again due to cold and windy weather (and after heavy storms soaking the ground yesterday). 
45 mins skills challenges- wedge ladder drills and then random order targets of varying distances. 

Then played a sim round. Bay Hill. TPC Sawgrass wasn’t on the list, sadly. Distance control on irons and wedges was good. Driver was a little hit and miss. Set sim to auto score on the greens with some randomization. Putting on a flightscope sim is too hit and miss. 
A few mis-hits and one shank in the round. But overall feels like I’m making progress and minor adjustments I’ve made  to address the nasty case of the shanks are helping a lot. 

Edited March 18 by Indy_Oz
Replaced sim photo with scorecard from app

[Willie T]

Day 62 (15 Mar 24) - Broke out the old Tommy Armour 845s Silver Scot irons today and worked with them in the backyard - hit a few pitches / bump and runs with each iron 5 thru SW….was a fun drill session - btw, they are going to be in play tomorrow….

[TJ Hall]

9 hours ago, GolfSpy MPR said:

Playing in the SkyTrak sim with my boys this afternoon, and we played a game we hadn't before. In Creative Golf's Golfissimo app, there is a "Tennis" game. It's played like this:

• In setting up the game, you decide on the size of the "court." For instance, the shortest court begins 20 yards away and extends to 50 yards. Not exactly sure how wide.
• The "server" hits his first shot anywhere over in the field (the other side of the court). Any shot hit out of the boundaries (or short of the net/fence) is a fault and gives a point to the other player.
• But if he hits it in play, that sets where the "hole" is for the round. So say he hits the ball 45 yards to the right corner of the court; a flagstick gets planted at that point (carry distance).
• Then the server hits a second shot, trying to carry the ball as close as possible to his first shot. The distance between his first and second shots establishes a radius of a green.
• The second player then "returns" by having to hit a shot that carries inside the green set by the first player's shots.

I hope I explained that clearly enough. Playing it was pretty straightforward, even with my 9 and 11 year old sons.

But it was an awesome game for really dialing in wedge precision.

Sounds like an awesome game!

[BallsLeon]

Spent a few hours at the sim last night practicing and playing. Spent quite a bit of time experimenting with 8i-60° first with chips, and then 60-70% distance swings with my wedges. Liking the 48° for the 20-30yd chips, and the mid distance wedge swings give me a different number than full swings plus a lower flight. Once those were feeling comfortable I switched to my 3i and got reacquainted. Found my swing again with the 3i, hands have been getting too far from my body and too fast. Really fun club to hit once you’re in the groove. 
Played against a ghost round of myself at Fields Ranch West at PGA Frisco (Par 72, 6734yds, 72.6/139). Ended up shooting a 90 (50 out/40 in) and beating my ghost round by 4 strokes for my best differential yet, 14.1 (bringing my trackman hcp to 16.4).

Spent the rest of the time putting. They had a recent PuttView update to add more flexibility in practice, so I messed around with the new changes. Wrapped up with random putts 3-10ft, made 6 in a row (including a 10fter) but hit the lip on number 7. 

[OgDan]

Just got back from the range focusing on irons mainly. Worked out my pull/hooks are coming from my shoulders being out of alignment. 

After focusing on making my shoulders are aligned, I worked on shots from 150 yards and in.

[cnosil]

Everyday it is more putting .  doing a lot of reading and working on building stroke and aim skills.   

Probably shouldn't be, but have started working on short chip shot movements (only when SWMBO isn't around.)   trying to figure out body/arm motions to get better contact.  Following the Dan Grieve 3 releases approach.   If I could figure out how to play shots within 50 yards of the green I might actually become a good golfer.   My wedge game is so frustrating!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Prodigal Duffer]

Continued work on my takeaway and not “jumping.” Bounced twice. Started to rain, so I busted out the Birdie Ball Strike Pad:

 

On the whole, my takeaway has been a lot better. As you can tell from the video, I could rotate some more in my back swing. Am working on it. Pleased with the progress.

[Michael.Sandoval33]

Took my time on the range this morning, slowed down between each ball a lot more than usual, focusing my hands and body to stay in sync. Had a much better feel on the grip today and found myself putting some speed and power behind my irons with more confidence. Only took around 7 swings with the Qi10, trying to generate better weight shifting. Still not there. Afterward, a lot of wedge practice after how badly I performed in that area on Thursday. Still not sure why I had that bad of a day, maybe the yipps?? But felt better today. Putting was okay, not as dialed in as I would have liked, didn't see any sink in from further than 10 ft but all were in good proximity to the cup. 

[Willie T]

Day 63 (17 Mar 24) - So how did it go today with the 845s….okay for the most part.  The long and mid irons were solid.  The stock SW was not as solid as I recall, the spin I was used to with the INDI and CBX was not there.  Made for a big rethink on greenside work.  Had several holes whe I’m on but the ball does not hold and it’s chipping back time.  Still these irons are solid fun!  Wrapped up the day with some range time with the irons as well as on the practice green…

[cksurfdude]

4 hours ago, Michael.Sandoval33 said:

.. trying to generate better weight shifting. Still not there.

I'm old and feeble and still working on the same new movement pattern from almost a year ago. But that's me .. you should get in within 2-3 weeks

And, yes - some days with golf are better than others .. that *IS* the nature of the beast......

[sirchunksalot]

9 hours ago, cnosil said:

Everyday it is more putting .  doing a lot of reading and working on building stroke and aim skills.   

Probably shouldn't be, but have started working on short chip shot movements (only when SWMBO isn't around.)   trying to figure out body/arm motions to get better contact.  Following the Dan Grieve 3 releases approach.   If I could figure out how to play shots within 50 yards of the green I might actually become a good golfer.   My wedge game is so frustrating!!!!!!!!!!!!

Speaking of Dan Grieve, I've been meaning to thank you for posting the video of how to chip out of Bermuda. Last time I played it was a real game changer. 

[Rob Person]

7 hours ago, Prodigal Duffer said:

Continued work on my takeaway and not “jumping.” Bounced twice. Started to rain, so I busted out the Birdie Ball Strike Pad:

 

On the whole, my takeaway has been a lot better. As you can tell from the video, I could rotate some more in my back swing. Am working on it. Pleased with the progress.

How far are you moving the ball with a 1/3 swing?  You have alot of forward momentum to the follow through as well.  Strikes looked solid!

Edited March 17 by Rob Person

[Prodigal Duffer]

On 3/16/2024 at 9:15 PM, Rob Person said:

How far are you moving the ball with a 1/3 swing?  You have alot of forward momentum to the follow through as well.  Strikes looked solid!

I have good distance:

My ball striking has been bad, which explains why my 7-9 seem so short. When I hit those clubs well, they are between 185 (7i) and 160 (9).

Two major contributors to the poor striking have been the takeaway and on the release, where I would frequently fail to shift my weight to my front foot (lots of chunks). I appreciate the kind words, confirms that the work is helping.

Edited March 19 by Prodigal Duffer

[Steve F]

Practiced yesterday: 7i and 8i. Started with flatballs, hit 20 flatballs with each club, then went to regular balls, hit 60 with each iron. I utilize a Swing Caddie SC300i as my monitor to give me a good idea of how I'm striking the ball. The only thing I don't like about hitting at home with the net is you don't see where the ball goes, and the monitor can only give you so much information. You might have a solid sounding and feeling strike, but it may not have gone straight! Overall it was a great practice session I felt: worked on lead arm straight and back straight... overall I was very happy with the session! 

 

Best part was I went out with my normal Sunday crew and shot my personal best, an 88! First time I've broken 90, and I have to say, it felt incredible! Now I know partially how you good golfers feel after a good round! 

This afternoon it's back to practice.... long irons and driver this afternoon. 

 

[Ben_Davis]

I’ve been working on the range this week with focus on the lead arm. Specifically “turning” the lead elbow in on the backswing and keeping it in that position through impact. It has drastically improved my ball striking.  I’m anxious to get out on the course and try it out. 

[Michael.Sandoval33]

Today was a really interesting practice day. I went to the range, started with putting around for around an hour. Really solid day of putting. It was the driest terrain I have rolled on and it made for some really good green reading. 

I then proceeded over to the range, where the instructor I had a lesson with last week was just finishing a lesson. He stopped by my mat and for an hour he just hung out and gave me more advice which he obviously didn't have to do. It is St. Paddy's and the range was quite empty so he probably didn't mind. Worked a lot on my front/lead shoulder and hand positions while using my arms a lot less. Striking was a lot better and the grip is getting a bit more comfortable, but he noticed from just sitting back that I do revert to my old grip without thinking, it is a process. Eventually he had enough of the "free lesson" but he told me to stop by any time he is free for any quick questions/adjustments he could notice in a few swings. 

After the range, some light work with the wedges was in order which was eh, ok. Working from within 10 yards of the green in, that is always the hardest for me not to send 30 yards too far. And that was the day. Solid

[OgDan]

Today for me was indoor practice putting with my son. 

He's had 7 lessons till now from never playing before an doing well, he said this morning that he's heard that putting is a game within a game. So, we set a few putting aids up, an within half hour, my Scotty was working better for him than it does for me!

[TJ Hall]

Got out to the range for a bit and then played 18 holes…didn’t get any putting in before the course which turned out to be a giant mistake.

Was hitting the ball well, most consistent I’ve hit my driver in a long time.  Irons were decent, hit a good amount of greens just wasn’t very close…had 36 total putts and still shot 80.

Going to be working on some putting this week before my league starts on Saturday.

[Indy_Oz]

On 3/16/2024 at 11:50 AM, cnosil said:

Everyday it is more putting .  doing a lot of reading and working on building stroke and aim skills.   

Probably shouldn't be, but have started working on short chip shot movements (only when SWMBO isn't around.)   trying to figure out body/arm motions to get better contact.  Following the Dan Grieve 3 releases approach.   If I could figure out how to play shots within 50 yards of the green I might actually become a good golfer.   My wedge game is so frustrating!!!!!!!!!!!!

I've been following Dan Grieve's 3-releases too.  Still learning and re-watch videos regularly and I need to re-read the book soon.

Those combined with clock face back-swing position/ ladder drills for approach shots is really helping me. Last couple of rounds my 25-125yd approaches were dialed in pretty well. When I was younger I was a decent 'feel' player with wedges, but I didn't have wife and kids, or a job, lol, so I spent a ton of spare time at the course practicing short approaches, chipping and bunker shots. Now I can't practice as much, having clock face positions is definitely helping me.

[Willie T]

Day 64 (17 Mar 24) - Late afternoon wedge work with the INDI 54 / short pitches 10 to 25 yds or so.   Do have to share this tidbit - was pitching from about 22yds. Hit one and it bounces close, hit another and I hear the flag go “in the hole clunk” dunk! Awesome, as I still have a few more balls, I hit another not quite as close. Then I hit the next one and again it’s an “in the hole clunk” dunk….two dunked balls in three swings…hit a couple more close as well…sorry no vids but I did take a couple of pics.  It was one of those days where the 54 just felt magical….

dunk brothers…

Gotta love when a drill is fun…

[Bschwartz206]

40 minutes ago, TJ Hall said:

Got out to the range for a bit and then played 18 holes…didn’t get any putting in before the course which turned out to be a giant mistake.

Was hitting the ball well, most consistent I’ve hit my driver in a long time.  Irons were decent, hit a good amount of greens just wasn’t very close…had 36 total putts and still shot 80.

Going to be working on some putting this week before my league starts on Saturday.

This pretty much describes my yesterday to a T - I ended up shooting 81 with several missed opportunities for birdies on the back nine (38 putts overall). A very up and down day where I had swing feels working from the tee and some iron shots but felt completely lost on the green and hit some absolute clunkers out of nowhere from the middle of the fairway.

I’m blaming it on the sun which just so happened to stop by and stay all day

[Indy_Oz]

Another cold and windy day, so my partners and I cancelled our 9:45am tee time (it was 36f, with wind chill bringing the 'feels like' down to 29f... yeah, pass...). In anticipation of this, I'd already booked some sim time, so I did an hour of FlightScope Skills tests and then played a sim round at Finca Cortesina, the Solheim Cup venue last year.

The Skills tests were going well and I felt I had distances and shot shapes pretty well dialed and that translated well to the sim round. Really enjoying using the FS Skills app. Clearly the final score is to be taken with a pinch of salt, as the computer autoputted once I was on the green and every shot is off the same mat (no rough, sand etc), but I was swinging pretty well and wedge and iron distances were pretty close to the target distances. Small wins.

I'll take the Skills test template ideas to the range to keep my grass hitting sessions useful and not just blocks of whacking balls aimlessly. I was already doing something like this last year and 'playing' a round with par 3s, 4s and 5s to varying range targets, including short wedge shots and chips if I wasn't close enough to range targets. Really need to get on the range more to confirm how I'm hitting the ball, shot shape etc, rather than going from sim to course with no range warm up like I've done so far this year! Ha ha

[cnosil]

44 minutes ago, Indy_Oz said:

I've been following Dan Grieve's 3-releases too.  Still learning and re-watch videos regularly and I need to re-read the book soon.

Those combined with clock face back-swing position/ ladder drills for approach shots is really helping me. Last couple of rounds my 25-125yd approaches were dialed in pretty well. When I was younger I was a decent 'feel' player with wedges, but I didn't have wife and kids, or a job, lol, so I spent a ton of spare time at the course practicing short approaches, chipping and bunker shots. Now I can't practice as much, having clock face positions is definitely helping me.

I want to do his address system as well;  I just need to be able to swing clubs and learn the distances.

[Rob Person]

3 hours ago, Steve F said:

Practiced yesterday: 7i and 8i. Started with flatballs, hit 20 flatballs with each club, then went to regular balls, hit 60 with each iron. I utilize a Swing Caddie SC300i as my monitor to give me a good idea of how I'm striking the ball. The only thing I don't like about hitting at home with the net is you don't see where the ball goes, and the monitor can only give you so much information. You might have a solid sounding and feeling strike, but it may not have gone straight! Overall it was a great practice session I felt: worked on lead arm straight and back straight... overall I was very happy with the session! 

 

Best part was I went out with my normal Sunday crew and shot my personal best, an 88! First time I've broken 90, and I have to say, it felt incredible! Now I know partially how you good golfers feel after a good round! 

This afternoon it's back to practice.... long irons and driver this afternoon. 

 

Congratulations on breaking 90!

 

[cnosil]

3 hours ago, Steve F said:

Best part was I went out with my normal Sunday crew and shot my personal best, an 88! First time I've broken 90, and I have to say, it felt incredible! Now I know partially how you good golfers feel after a good round! 

 

Congrats on the personal best.  

[TJ Hall]

35 minutes ago, Bschwartz206 said:

This pretty much describes my yesterday to a T - I ended up shooting 81 with several missed opportunities for birdies on the back nine (38 putts overall). A very up and down day where I had swing feels working from the tee and some iron shots but felt completely lost on the green and hit some absolute clunkers out of nowhere from the middle of the fairway.

I’m blaming it on the sun which just so happened to stop by and stay all day

I had 3 three putts in the first 6 holes and 4 total…2 of them were from long range (50-60 feet), the other 2 were inexcusable (from around 20 feet).  Just did not have the feel for the greens today.

Definitely happy with the ball striking, hoping that stays around for a while and the putting picks up…today was the worst I’ve putted in a few months.